Norfolk Southern CEO Testifies on Derailment

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Facts

  • On Wednesday, Alan Shaw, CEO of Norfolk Southern Railway – the company whose train carrying several cars of hazardous chemicals derailed on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio – testified in front of the US Senate Commerce Committee that he supports some aspects of a bipartisan railroad safety bill but can’t endorse its entirety.1
  • Shaw said there are “many provisions” of the bill — co-sponsored by Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown (D) and JD Vance (R) — Norfolk Southern can endorse, but he didn't specify which.1
  • The bill would increase fines for safety violations, require two-person crews, improve training and communication with first responders, and tighten safety requirements for trains that carry hazardous materials. Shaw endorsed funding to train emergency responders.2
  • Shaw said he didn’t know of any data that suggests having both a conductor and an engineer onboard improves safety. But Clyde Whitaker, an official with the union SMART Transportation Division, said the derailment "absolutely" would’ve been worse with just an engineer onboard.2
  • Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio, which has sued Norfolk Southern for damages, civil penalties, and a judgment declaring the company “is responsible,” testified in favor of the bill, known as the RAIL Act.3
  • Meanwhile, Misti Allison, a resident of East Palestine, also spoke at the hearing. She described the anxiety of not knowing if the dangerous chemicals released after the controlled burn that followed the derailment are putting her and her family in danger.4

Sources: 1The Hill, 2Washington Post, 3CNBC, and 4USA Today.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by CNN. Shaw’s prepared testimony that was released before his appearance at the hearing mentioned the word “safety” more than two dozen times, yet he’s clearly not dedicated to safety because he refuses to endorse the entire Senate railroad safety bill. It’s absurd that the industry is lobbying against this crucial bill and wants people who live near rail tracks to rely solely on railroad companies voluntarily adhering to strict safety standards.
  • Narrative B, as provided by National Review. There’s no way to prevent every accident, but it’s in the railway companies’ best interest to take every measure necessary to reduce risks and keep their trains as safe as possible. In fact, the companies have always voluntarily exceeded established safety standards. The free market works better than a bill that needlessly expands the federal government’s power and enriches the unions.