Norfolk Southern to give Beaver County border town $660K in wake of East Palestine trail derailment
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Railway giant Norfolk Southern will give Darlington Township, Beaver County, $660,000 for “community relief” in the wake of the Feb. 3 train derailment that sent plumes of toxic chemicals into skies on the Pennsylvania-Ohio border, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Monday.
It also has awarded $1 million to a Pittsburgh foundation for nonprofit groups in Beaver and Lawrence counties.
“Every step of the way, my administration has made clear that we are focused on delivering the help our communities need and holding Norfolk Southern accountable,” Shapiro said in a prepared statement.
“This critical funding will help Darlington Township and Lawrence County build back better than before, and my administration will continue to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for any and all impacts on our commonwealth.”
Norfolk Southern also plans to award $340,000 to residents of Lawrence County, Shapiro said. Local leaders will decide how the money is used.
The funding from Norfolk Southern is part of the commitment Shapiro secured from the company to pay for millions in damages to homes and property in Pa., the company said in a prepared statement.
Norfolk Southern on Monday morning also announced a $1 million donation to The Pittsburgh Foundation.
The Pittsburgh Foundation will award $250,000 of this funding in 2023 and 2024 to nonprofit groups in Beaver and Lawrence counties, officials said. In addition, a $750,000 endowment will be established to provide long-term support to those nonprofits focused on basic human needs, health and wellness, and more.
“Supporting Western Pennsylvania means listening to the people who call it home,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw. “Their direct feedback helps us understand what we can do to make a long-term difference.”
Mike Carreon, chairman of the Darlington Township Board of Supervisors, responded to Shapiro’s announcement by stressing residents should “know this is not a settlement but a small step forward.”
“We continue in discussions with Norfolk Southern in an effort to address both our short- and long-term concerns,” Carreon said.
In March, Shapiro announced Norfolk Southern would pay $1 million to replace first responders’ damaged equipment, as well as fund area fire departments that responded to the derailment.
Pennsylvania officials continue to lead environmental testing on the state’s border. The state Department of Agriculture said this month that sample crops in Beaver and Washington counties showed no contamination from the train derailment.