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Ohio train derailment: EPA to pause toxic waste disposal from East Palestine headed for Houston

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Published  February 25, 2023 2:25pm CST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 26 Houston

Wastewater from Ohio train derailment headed to Deer Park

**EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above is from a previous report before the EPA paused disposal in Houston, Harris County** FOX 26 Reporter Damali Keith explains why the wastewater is headed to Deer Park following the Ohio train derailment.

HOUSTON - The toxic waste from East Palestine that was headed to Houston and Harris County has been paused, according to lawmakers. 

PREVIOUS: Deer Park company to receive contaminated wastewater from Ohio trail derailment

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee announced via Twitter that she has been in constant communication with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the last few days to address concerns about toxic waste disposal in the Houston-area. 

This comes weeks after a toxic Norfolk Southern freight train derailment in Ohio that left toxic chemicals spilled threatened residents. 

WHAT HAPPENED? Everything you need to know about the toxic chemicals aboard the derailed train in Ohio

In a joint statement on Friday, the governor and FEMA Regional Administrator Thomas Sivak said FEMA and Ohio had been in "constant contact" regarding emergency operations in the community. 

"U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA have been working together since day one," they said. "Tomorrow, FEMA will supplement federal efforts by deploying a Senior Response Official along with a Regional Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to support ongoing operations, including incident coordination and ongoing assessments of potential long term recovery needs."

On Thursday, FOX 26 heard from residents in Deer Park, who shared some concerns about the waste getting disposed of and officials with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) expressed confidence in the procedure.

"Texas Molecular is authorized to accept and manage a variety of waste streams, including vinyl chloride, as part of their RCRA hazardous waste permit and underground injection control permit," TCEQ said in part of their statement.

RELATED: After Ohio's toxic train derailment, Biden orders door-to-door checks | Erin Brockovich warns of long-term dangers after crash

As of Saturday afternoon, however, the congresswoman confirmed the pause, noting its vitality in decision-making for residents "without prior notice." 

EPA cracking down on rail line company after toxic chemicals released in Ohio

Federal regulators are stepping in and taking control of clean-up efforts at the site of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

"This process of dumping toxic waste in communities without prior notice to local cities and counties has to stop," Jackson Lee said via Twitter. 

This is a developing story and will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.