The train operation company is on the hook for cleanup costs.

Cleanup efforts continue following the major train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio that dumped large quantities of toxic chemicals into the soil, water, and air and forced local citizens to evacuate. Local services have done what they can, but the cleanup will likely be a long and arduous process.

To both expedite the process and penalize them for the incident, the Environmental Protection Agency has ordered Norfolk Southern, the operator of the derailed train, to foot the bill for all cleanup efforts directly related to the derailment.

“In no way, shape or form, will Norfolk Southern get off the hook for the mess that they created,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said, adding that the EPA would use its “full enforcement authority” to ensure compliance.

The EPA is stepping in to take control of the cleanup of the train derailment in Ohio earlier this month.

Under the legal order, Norfolk Southern is responsible for the costs and cleanup of contaminated soil and water.https://t.co/vPVJToHZZk

— NPR (@NPR) February 22, 2023

Representatives of Norfolk Southern will be required to participate in local meetings, aid in cleaning any contaminated soil or water, and reimburse the EPA for any services they need to offer in the process. “I know this order cannot undo the nightmare that families in this town have been living with. But it will begin to deliver much needed justice for the pain that Norfolk Southern has caused,” Regan said.