Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited East Palestine, Ohio, on Thursday to tour the site where a train wrecked nearly three weeks ago as the government faces growing criticism over the federal response to the derailment.
The Feb. 3 derailment led to evacuations and fears of air and water contamination after a controlled burn of toxic chemicals aimed at preventing an explosion.
The Biden White House has defended its response to the derailment, saying officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, National Transportation Safety Board and other agencies were at the rural site within hours of the derailment. The White House says it has also offered federal assistance and FEMA has been coordinating with the state emergency operations center and other partners.
Buttigieg has faced criticism for not visiting the site earlier, including from former President Donald Trump, who came to Ohio on Wednesday.
The NTSB was expected to release a preliminary report later Thursday on the derailment.
RELATED TOPICS:
In a Calendar Rarity, Hanukkah Starts This Year on Christmas Day
12 hours ago
A Look at the $100 Billion in Disaster Relief in the Government Spending Bill
12 hours ago
It’s Eggnog Season. The Boozy Beverage Dates Back to Medieval England but Remains a Holiday Hit
12 hours ago
9-Year-Old Among 5 Killed in Christmas Market Attack in Germany
13 hours ago
This French Bulldog Is So Fetch: Meet Toaster Strudel
15 hours ago
The Fed Expects to Cut Rates More Slowly in 2025. What That Could Mean for Mortgages, Debt and More
17 hours ago
Jeffrey Sachs Warns of Looming US War With Iran