Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) kept the pressure on Norfolk Southern on Friday, saying he will make sure it pays for the train derailment in East Palestine that prompted evacuations from the town in early February.
During an appearance on Fox & Friends, DeWine reassured residents that the rail company Norfolk Southern would cover all the costs for the damage to the town and residents, including even future costs if it turns out that the toxic chemicals could one day cause cancer.
OHIO TRAIN DERAILMENT: WHITE HOUSE PLEDGES TO HOLD NORFOLK SOUTHERN ACCOUNTABLE
"We're gonna make them do it," DeWine told the hosts. "The railroad created this problem, the people did not create this problem. They brought this into the community. It was their railroad that had this massive wreck that was traumatic for the people. We're going to hold their feet to the fire, we're going to stay on them, they are going to do it."
Friday's statement supported his promise earlier this week to hold the corporation accountable after 38 cars derailed in the town on Feb. 3, despite catching fire 20 miles outside of the town. Twenty of those cars were carrying toxic chemicals such as vinyl chloride. Eleven of the 20 cars carrying toxic materials derailed.
The train was heading from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania, at the time of its accident.
DeWine has come under heat for the mess in East Palestine and the state's slow response. However, experts from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency are in the town to monitor the air quality and the water to ensure it's safe to drink. DeWine on Friday clarified that the water from the town is safe to drink after tests came back clear. But he said private pumps would still need to be tested.
The state has requested help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but FEMA responded that the Ohio spill did not qualify for federal assistance at this time, according to DeWine. He has since said that he appealed to President Joe Biden and the White House and requested help from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health & Emergency Response Team, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The 17-member congressional delegation from Ohio has sent a letter to FEMA, requesting the reason why the state does not qualify for federal assistance.
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"Despite the severity of the wreckage, chemical release, and the disruption to the lives of local residents, we have just been informed that Ohio apparently does not meet the eligibility for FEMA assistance at this time," the letter said. "We respectfully request that you provide a detailed response as to why the residents of this community do not qualify for assistance from your agency."
FEMA has not responded to the letter at this time.