EPA not consulted in East Palestine controlled burn, agency says

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (NewsNation) — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed to NewsNation that the agency was not consulted on, and did not sign off on, the controlled burn that released toxic chemicals into the air following the February derailment of a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

Norfolk Southern, however, maintains the EPA was involved in the discussions.

On Feb. 7, three days after the derailment in East Palestine, Norfolk Southern conducted what they called a controlled burn, releasing 116,000 gallons of vinyl chloride into the air over the small community.

“I think that was a mistake,” said former EPA administrator Judith Enck. “I'm looking very closely at who made the decisi...