The Facts
The US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) filed a civil lawsuit against Norfolk Southern Thursday over potential environmental damage caused by a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that spilled hazardous chemicals in early February.
The lawsuit filed in the US District Court in Ohio on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requests penalties for the alleged unlawful discharge of pollutants under the Clean Water Act.
The Spin
Narrative A
The DOJ and the EPA are acting to pursue justice for the residents of East Palestine and ensure that Norfolk Southern is held accountable for the derailment as well as the long-lasting costs and environmental impact associated with it. New standards and requirements also need to be put in place to ensure something like this never happens again.
Narrative B
Norfolk Southern is working diligently under the direction of the EPA to clean up the contamination site, assist residents whose lives were impacted by the derailment, and invest in the future of East Palestine and the surrounding areas. The company is dedicated to righting any wrongs caused by the derailment, with or without a court mandate.
