HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry has raised concerns about the federal settlement proposal with Norfolk Southern following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. In a letter to federal authorities, Henry outlined several issues that still need addressing, including additional healthcare funding for Pennsylvanians affected by the incident and stricter regulations on Norfolk Southern’s future operations.
Attorney General Henry and Governor Josh Shapiro submitted their response to the U.S. Department of Justice's request for input on a proposed settlement related to the February 3, 2023 derailment.
In her letter, Attorney General Henry acknowledged the Department of Justice's efforts to expedite a settlement to assist those severely impacted by the disaster. However, she expressed concerns about Norfolk Southern's current obligations, citing deficiencies that prevent all affected residents and workers from receiving adequate aid and coverage for future healthcare costs stemming from the incident.
“This catastrophic crash had wide-ranging impacts on many Pennsylvania residents and workers, and Norfolk Southern must remedy these impacts,” Attorney General Henry stated. “As a result of this incident, many Pennsylvanians are in financial hardship and were physically harmed — the full extent of those negative health impacts still to be seen — and they deserve to be made whole, now and in the future.”
The response letter highlights three main areas of concern regarding Norfolk Southern's responsibilities.