According to US authorities, Norfolk Southern, whose toxic train derailed in an Ohio town, must pay for the clean-up or face severe penalties.
Vinyl chloride and other potentially dangerous materials were on board the train when it derailed in East Palestine on February 3.
Many of the residents who were compelled to leave their homes have now filed multiple lawsuits against Norfolk Southern on their behalf.
It has expressed regret for the occurrence.
Michael Regan, director of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said his organization "will ensure the company is held accountable for jeopardizing the health and safety of this community" while speaking at a press conference in East Palestine.
To be clear, Mr. Regan said in prepared remarks first seen by NBC News, "Norfolk Southern will pay for cleaning up the mess they created and for the trauma they've inflicted on this community.".
The EPA will also demand that Norfolk Southern locate contaminated soil and water sources, clean them up, pay for the EPA's cleaning efforts, and provide information online for locals as well as attend public meetings at the EPA's request.
The EPA will "immediately" carry out the tasks if these requirements are not met. In addition, Norfolk Southern will be required to pay three times as much.
Residents of East Palestine have complained of illnesses like headaches and nausea in the wake of the derailment and have expressed concerns that the region's water supplies may be hazardous despite the repeated assurances of state, local, and federal officials that the water is safe.
The Ohio Health Department earlier on Tuesday opened a new clinic for locals who "have medical questions or concerns related to the recent train derailment.".
After company representatives failed to show up at a town hall meeting intended to allay concerns, Norfolk Southern received harsh criticism from East Palestine residents last week.
The business stated that it was worried about "outside parties" who might have been present posing a "growing physical threat" to its employees.
Since then, the company's CEO, Alan Shaw, has apologized for the derailment and vowed that it will "not walk away" from East Palestine.
Donald Trump, a former US president, is scheduled to visit the community on Wednesday and is anticipated to criticize how the federal government handled the derailment and chemical spill.
