Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is Refusing to Call the Derailment in East Palestine a Disaster
Ohio governor Mike DeWine is bungling the cleanup after the recent train derailment in East Palestine, which released harmful pollutants. His refusal to announce a disaster declaration is grounds for scrutiny of his connections to the railroad industry.
Mike DeWine, governor of Ohio, speaks during a news conference in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 21, 2023. (Matthew Hatcher / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Republican Ohio governor Mike DeWine has pledged that Norfolk Southern will be held accountable for the February 3 train derailment disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, to ensure the community is properly protected from the toxic chemicals released into the air and water.
“They’re the ones who created the problem,” said DeWine on February 7, four days after the accident. “It’s their liability. They’re the ones who ought to pay for it.”
But DeWine has refused to issue a disaster declaration that would send much-needed federal resources to East Palestine and draw attention to the Norfolk Southern accident. He has also failed to ensure that the railroad giant paid the price for two other derailments in his state earlier this year.
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