Residents of an eastern Ohio village will learn more about the last year that derailed their lives as another hearing gets underway Tuesday in their hometown, with the National Transportation Safety Board set to discuss the ongoing investigation and issue recommendations for averting future disasters. Dozens of freight cars derailed Feb. 3, 2023, on the outskirts of East Palestine near the Pennsylvania border, including 11 carrying hazardous materials.
Residents evacuated as fears grew about a potential explosion, and officials intentionally released and burned toxic vinyl chloride from five rail cars, sending flames and black smoke into the air despite the potential health effects. The early on that an overheated bearing on one of the railcars that was not caught in time by trackside sensors likely caused the crash. have since highlighted other possible contributors including .
Investigators also delved into why officials chose to the vinyl chloride cars and burn that key ingredient for making PVC pipes. A key point Tuesday will be the expected release of NTSB recommendations for safety improvements. Though NTSB recommendations aren't binding, it's possible Congress will be willing to enforce some of them because of the spotlight cast on rail safety by the crash.
More than a year ago, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Ohio's two senators of reforms including requiring two-person crews and setting standards for the inspections and detectors that help prevent derailments..