The Daily

How a Derailed Train Galvanized an Ohio Town, and Congress

Mar 6, 2023

Emily Cochrane, a National correspondent for The New York Times, sheds light on the East Palestine train derailment and its profound impact. She discusses how a chemical burn raised significant health and environmental concerns, prompting anger from residents. The podcast delves into the bipartisan political response, highlighting disputes over accountability and the push for stricter rail safety regulations. Cochrane also shares personal stories from locals facing potential stigma, illustrating the lasting effects of the crisis on their community and livelihoods.

27:11

Creator website

Episode guests

Emily Cochrane

Highlights

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Episode notes

East Palestine, Ohio: The Town That Battled For Answers

01:35

No, No, We Have Not Forgotten About This Community

00:31

Intro

3min

Chemical Crisis in East Palestine

9min

Bipartisan Response to Crisis

4min

Rail Safety Under Scrutiny

8min

Community Concerns in the Aftermath of Disaster

2min

Community Resilience and Stigmas Following Environmental Crisis

5min

On Feb. 3, a nearly two-mile long freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, a town of about 4,700 people.

The railroad company and local officials decided to do a chemical burn to neutralize the cargo, but as a giant plume of black smoke settled over the town, residents’ anger about the handling of the accident has intensified.

Guest: Emily Cochrane, a national correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading:

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has proposed that the Transportation Department impose stricter rules for freight rail.
The derailment of a second train in Ohio — despite assurances that no hazardous materials had leaked — sharpened the questions about rail safety.

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