Biden administration to appoint coordinator for long-term recovery efforts in East Palestine

President Biden issued an executive order Wednesday that will lead to the appointment of a dedicated coordinator for long-term recovery efforts in East Palestine, Ohio, months after a train derailment spilled toxic chemicals into the community.

The White House announced Biden’s executive order and other measures intended to hold Norfolk Southern, whose train derailed, accountable in the wake of the disaster. Biden still has not visited East Palestine despite saying in March he planned to at some point.

The president’s executive order directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to designate a coordinator for long-term recovery efforts within five days. 

“The Coordinator will conduct a comprehensive assessment of any unmet needs that are not addressed by Norfolk Southern and would qualify for Federal assistance,” according to a White House fact sheet. “The Coordinator will also collaborate with the Federal, State and local governments, the private sector and voluntary, faith-based and community organizations supporting the recovery.”

Biden’s executive order also requires that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide a report within 30 days on the status of the air, soil and water in the community and whether Norfolk Southern is complying with an order to address endangerment caused by the derailment.

The order additionally requires that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide a report within 60 days summarizing conclusions from public health testing in the aftermath of the derailment. If any medical conditions have developed in the area, the agency will consider declaring a public health emergency, the White House said.

The Norfolk Southern train derailed near East Palestine in February, spilling toxic chemicals into the area and raising concerns about the environment and health effects in the community.

Biden has for months faced scrutiny from Republicans over his lack of a visit to the community, and the White House has provided no details on when the president might travel there despite his pledge in March to do so “at some point.”

The White House has instead repeatedly emphasized that EPA officials were on the ground within hours of the derailment and that teams went door-to-door in the community in the aftermath of the incident to check on residents and provide information about health and environmental concerns. 

Biden was also in touch with state and local leaders in the aftermath of the derailment. EPA Administrator Michael Regan made multiple trips to the area, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited East Palestine to meet with local leaders and community members.