She said the controlled burn of chemicals after the East Palestine train derailment was unnecessary.
National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation this week. Officials opted to do a controlled burn after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in February of 2023. The NTSB chair said this was not necessary and an alternative option was available.
“They informed them that polymerization, they believed polymerization was not occurring, and there was no justification to do a vent and burn,” Chair Homendy said. “There was another option: let it cool down.”
She stated that the producer of the chemical, vinyl chloride, told Norfolk Southern’s contractors that a vent and burn was not needed, but that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the East Palestine incident commander “were provided incomplete information to make a decision.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Chair Homendy to receive God’s direction as she oversees NTSB investigations into transportation incidents and disasters.
- For Chair Maria Cantwell and members of the Senate Committee as they review federal matters regarding commerce, science, and transportation.
Sources: Just the News, CBS News
