Politics · United States · 6 hrs ago
EPA watchdog to audit agency's response to East Palestine derailment
The EPA's internal watchdog will audit its response to the February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
A Norfolk Southern freight train derailed there, spilling toxic chemicals that reached the Ohio River.
The review follows complaints and a request from Vice President J.D. Vance and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
The National Transportation Safety Board found in 2024 that the high-risk vent-and-burn procedure used after the crash was unnecessary and followed decisions based on incomplete and misleading information.
Documents released in August showed internal models projected that about 18,000 residents could suffer at least severe injury from chemical exposure, while more than 1,900 could face exposure levels that might cause death.
The watchdog will assess whether the EPA had enough data to support its public statements on indoor and outdoor air quality and health risks.
The audit will examine the EPA's actions before and after the controlled burn, and the watchdog says the review could lead to further work.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s internal watchdog will audit the agency’s response to the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
The review follows hotline complaints and an Aug. 28 request from Vice President J.D. Vance and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
The watchdog will examine whether the EPA had enough data to support its public statements about air quality and health risks.
The derailment caused a toxic chemical spill that reached the Ohio River.
- Who
- The EPA’s Office of Inspector General.
- What
- It will audit the EPA’s response to the East Palestine train derailment, including the agency’s public communications about air quality and health risks.
- When
- The watchdog announced the audit on Oct. 28, 2026.
- Where
- East Palestine, Ohio, and the EPA’s response to the derailment.
- Why
- The review follows hotline complaints and a request from Vice President J.D. Vance and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, causing a toxic chemical spill that reached the Ohio River.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the vent-and-burn procedure was unnecessary.
Vice President J.D. Vance and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin requested an investigation.
The EPA’s internal watchdog announced it would begin auditing the agency’s response.
- Derailment
- February 2023
- Location
- East Palestine, Ohio
- Railroad
- Norfolk Southern
- Waterway affected
- Ohio River
- Watchdog
- EPA Office of Inspector General
- Review requested by
- J.D. Vance and Lee Zeldin
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What people are saying
an objective examination of the decision-making process, coordination, scientific and technical assessments, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and emergency-response protocols.
This objective addresses specific hotline allegations pertaining to the EPA’s actions before and after the controlled burn and could inform additional work