PRINTER'S NO. 389
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
59
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO AND HUTCHINSON, MARCH 6, 2023
REFERRED TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
MARCH 6, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the impact of the East Palestine, Ohio, train
derailment on residents of this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, On February 3, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a
53-car train derailment occurred near the border of Pennsylvania
in East Palestine, Ohio, and Beaver County, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Several of the cars carried at least five hazardous
chemicals, including the cancer-causing vinyl chloride; and
WHEREAS, On February 6, 2023, three days after the derailment
and burning wreckage, authorities decided to fully release and
burn the vinyl chloride, sending a massive plume of hydrogen
chloride and the toxic gas phosgene into the air; and
WHEREAS, It has been reported that hundreds of thousands of
pounds of toxic chemicals spilled into the air, soil and water
around East Palestine, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, International, national, Statewide and local news
reports brought attention to Pennsylvania residents experiencing
burning lips, itchy eyes, rashes, headaches, diarrhea and other
symptoms in the aftermath of the crash; and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
WHEREAS, On February 23, 2023, the Veterans Affairs and
Emergency Preparedness Committee of the Senate of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hosted a hearing at Beaver County
Community College where local residents shared their stories of
distressed evacuations, fears related to the chemical spill and
fire, symptoms of health ailments, environmental impacts, fish,
animals and birds affected and questions of Norfolk Southern;
and
WHEREAS, On February 28, 2023, subsequent to the
establishment of a health clinic in East Palestine, Ohio, the
Department of Health established a Health Resource Center in
Beaver County with more than 200 residents visiting within the
first two days; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
recognize the environmental impact that the train derailment and
subsequent chemical burn has had on the residents of Beaver
County and call on Congress and the United States Department of
Transportation to hold Norfolk Southern accountable; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
all of the following:
(1) The United States Secretary of Transportation.
(2) Each member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
20230SR0059PN0389 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23