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Gov. Shapiro to Beaver County, East Palestine: 'Our administration stands with you'

The governor of Pennsylvania called for action and accountability in the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio

Gov. Shapiro to Beaver County, East Palestine: 'Our administration stands with you'

The governor of Pennsylvania called for action and accountability in the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio

FROM RESIDENTS WHO LIVE THERE. YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT. GOVERNOR SHAPIRO SPENT THE AFTERNOON MEETING WITH BEAVER COUNTY RESIDENTS AND, WELL, THAT MEETING WAS NOT OPEN TO THE MEDIA. HE MINCED NO WORDS EARLIER TODAY, VOWING TO MAKE SURE THAT PENNSYLVANIA DOES HAVE WHAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO GET LIFE BACK TO SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY AS AS ALL EYES ARE FOCUSED ON EAST PALESTINE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO IS MAKING IT VERY CLEAR THAT DARLINGTON TOWNSHIP AND BEAVER COUNTY WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. WHATEVER NEEDS THEY HAVE WILL BE ADDRESSED. WHATEVER COST AND ARE BORN IN PENNSYLVANIA WILL BE PAID FOR BY NORFOLK SOUTHERN. THERE WILL BE NO PROBLEMS. RELATIVE TO OHIO, GETTING SOMETHING THAT PENNSYLVANIA DOESN’T, GOVERNORSHIP ZERO. THE FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS HIS OFFICE HAS MADE A CRIMINAL REFERRAL TO THE CURRENT ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TO LOOK INTO NORFOLK SOUTHERN’S RESPONSE TO THE TRAIN DERAILMENT. IT IS MY VIEW THE NORFOLK SOUTHERN WASN’T GOING TO DO THIS OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF THEIR OWN HEART. THERE’S NOT A LOT OF GOODNESS IN THERE. THEY NEEDED TO BE COMPELLED TO ACT. AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT ADMINISTRATOR REGAN AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMBINED WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN OHIO AND PENNSYLVANIA, ARE TAKING STEPS TO DO, AND THAT IS TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. HE ALSO VOWED THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION WILL REMAIN ON THE GROUND IN DARLINGTON TOWNSHIP TO HELP NEIGHBORS NAVIGATE THIS NEW LIFE. THEY’VE NOW BEEN THROWN INTO AT NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS CONDUCTING INDEPENDENT WATER SAMPLING, AND THEY SHOULD BE RECEIVING FIRST ROUND OF TESTING RESULTS AT SOME POINT LATER THIS WEEK. AND I HEARD TWO MESSAGES LOUD AND CLEAR. NUMBER ONE, WE NEED TESTING AND KNOWLEDGE. AND NUMBER TWO, WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY. WE ARE GOING TO DELIVER BOTH. NOW, AS FOR TESTING OF WELL WATER, THOSE WITH CONCERN, THOSE WHO WANT THEIR WELLS TESTED, CAN DO SO. WE HAVE A NUMBER FOR YOU. ANY RESIDENTS THAT WISH TO HAVE THEIR WELL WATER TESTED. YOU’RE ASKED TO CALL THE NUMBER FOUR ONE, TWO, FOUR,. 424000. NOW, ALSO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THOSE IN NEED. IN FACT, WE’RE OUTSIDE OF THE DARLINGTON TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHERE RIGHT NOW CREWS ARE OFFERING FREE CASES OF WATER TO PEOPLE IN NEED. THEY WILL BE HERE UNTIL 7:00 TONIGHT FOR ANYONE THAT NEEDS WATER. FOR NOW, LIVE FROM DARLINGTON TOWNSHIP THIS EVENING, REALLY, COLEMAN PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS 4 LILLY, THANKS FOR THAT. AND HERE ARE SOME OTHER PHONE NUMBERS TO KNOW. RESIDENTS OF BEAVER COUNTY WITH THE ZIP CODES,. 1611516120 AND 16141 CAN NOW CALL AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. HEALTH ASSESSMENT CLINIC IN EAST PALESTINE. NUMBERS YOU CAN CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. ONE, TWO, THREE,. 45647, SEVEN. 55 AND ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, FOUR, SEVEN, EIGHT, EIGHT, EIGHT. NOW, OFFICIALS COVERED A LOT OF INFORMATION AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TO SEE EVERYTHING THEY TALKED ABOUT. YOU CAN WATCH THE ENTIRE VIDEO RIGHT NOW. IT’S
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Gov. Shapiro to Beaver County, East Palestine: 'Our administration stands with you'

The governor of Pennsylvania called for action and accountability in the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was one of more than a dozen high ranking officials in East Palestine, Ohio, Tuesday as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered Norfolk Southern to pay for the cleanup of the East Palestine train wreck and chemical release. "It is my view that Norfolk Southern wasn't going to do this out of the goodness of their own heart. There's not a lot of goodness in there," said the Democratic governor, adding, "They needed to be compelled to act." The governor says his administration's top priority remains the health and safety of Pennsylvania residents impacted by the derailment, specifically those in Beaver County. After Tuesday's press conference, Shapiro spent the day meeting with some Beaver County residents. He says in the time since the derailment, he has heard two major complaints from neighbors. The first is the need for more testing. The second most popular request is for accountability. "We are going to deliver both," said Shapiro. Shapiro says they are working with local municipalities to get their water tested, in addition to the testing that is being done near the derailment site and within the two mile radius of the crash. There is also testing available for residents who are concerned about their well water. Neighbors are asked to call the Southwest Regional Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection at (412)442-4000. According to the governor, his office made a criminal referral to the acting attorney general to review the accident and Norfolk Southern's response. Shapiro says the state is seeing no concerning air quality readings, and now officials have started collecting baseline water readings. "Whatever needs they have will be addressed. Whatever costs are born in Pennsylvania will be paid for Norfolk Southern. There will be no problems relative to Ohio getting something that Pennsylvania does not," said Shapiro. In the meantime, residents of Beaver County living in ZIP codes 16115, 16120, and 16124 can now call and make an appointment at the Ohio Department of Health Assessment Clinic in East Palestine, according to a new statement from the Ohio Department of Health. A statement from an Ohio Department of Health spokesperson saying in part, "East Palestine residents living closest to the affected area were initially prioritized, but ODH is now expanding out to a wider area." The Darlington Township Volunteer Fire Department is offering free cases of water for those neighbors in need. The water was donated from area businesses and people living in the surrounding areas that say they felt compelled to help. Tuesday was the first free giveaway, but more are planned throughout the week.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was one of more than a dozen high ranking officials in East Palestine, Ohio, Tuesday as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered Norfolk Southern to pay for the cleanup of the East Palestine train wreck and chemical release.

"It is my view that Norfolk Southern wasn't going to do this out of the goodness of their own heart. There's not a lot of goodness in there," said the Democratic governor, adding, "They needed to be compelled to act."

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The governor says his administration's top priority remains the health and safety of Pennsylvania residents impacted by the derailment, specifically those in Beaver County.

After Tuesday's press conference, Shapiro spent the day meeting with some Beaver County residents. He says in the time since the derailment, he has heard two major complaints from neighbors. The first is the need for more testing. The second most popular request is for accountability.

"We are going to deliver both," said Shapiro.

Shapiro says they are working with local municipalities to get their water tested, in addition to the testing that is being done near the derailment site and within the two mile radius of the crash.

There is also testing available for residents who are concerned about their well water. Neighbors are asked to call the Southwest Regional Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection at (412)442-4000.

According to the governor, his office made a criminal referral to the acting attorney general to review the accident and Norfolk Southern's response.

Shapiro says the state is seeing no concerning air quality readings, and now officials have started collecting baseline water readings.

"Whatever needs they [PA residents] have will be addressed. Whatever costs are born in Pennsylvania will be paid for Norfolk Southern. There will be no problems relative to Ohio getting something that Pennsylvania does not," said Shapiro.

In the meantime, residents of Beaver County living in ZIP codes 16115, 16120, and 16124 can now call and make an appointment at the Ohio Department of Health Assessment Clinic in East Palestine, according to a new statement from the Ohio Department of Health.

A statement from an Ohio Department of Health spokesperson saying in part, "East Palestine residents living closest to the affected area were initially prioritized, but ODH is now expanding out to a wider area."

The Darlington Township Volunteer Fire Department is offering free cases of water for those neighbors in need. The water was donated from area businesses and people living in the surrounding areas that say they felt compelled to help. Tuesday was the first free giveaway, but more are planned throughout the week.