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  • How does EPA oversee cleanup at the derailment site?

    EPA leads the Unified Command consisting of different agencies to approve Norfolk Southern’s workplans and weekly activities. EPA also coordinates with other agencies to perform oversight, such as with Ohio EPA, the Columbiana County Health District, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. EPA and Ohio EPA personnel oversee safety…

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  • What are the health agencies doing?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are analyzing their Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey results to assess the health impacts of the train derailment. CDC and ATSDR continue to support the Ohio and Pennsylvania health departments and will be…

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  • Now that the track is rebuilt, what else needs to be done and how long will it take?

    There is still a lot of work to do. Contaminated soil to the north and south of the tracks need to be removed. A full site assessment, including extensive sampling, of areas and properties near the derailment site needs to be conducted. A full assessment of impacted creeks will be…

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  • How long will it take?

    The expectation is for cleaning to take less than one day. The duration will be dependent on the size of the structure and the scope of work.

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  • Do I need to leave my structure during the cleaning?

    While it is strongly recommended that you leave the property during the cleaning, you are not required to do so.

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  • What is EPA’s role?

    EPA will provide oversight of the cleaning.

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  • What about cleaning basements or attics?

    Basements or attics will be considered for cleaning if they are finished and habitable areas.

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  • Can MOVES Report Output in Terms of Fuel Consumption?

    See More Frequent Questions about MOVES and Related Models . Although gallons of fuel consumed are not reported by MOVES, the factors used to convert total energy consumption (a MOVES reporting option) to gallons of fuel are contained in the FuelSubtype table (energy content, reported in kilojoules per gram of…

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  • How do I use MOVES at Project Scale?

    See More Frequent Questions about MOVES and Related Models . The MOVES model can estimate emissions at national, county or project scale. Project scale is useful for estimating an individual transportation project like an intersection or transit project, but it requires detailed inputs that describing the vehicle population and activity…

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  • If there is a government shutdown, will work continue on the cleanup?

    A 45-day continuing resolution was recently passed to avoid a shutdown. EPA’s emergency response efforts, such as in East Palestine, would move forward under a lapse in appropriation. As a result, EPA personnel would continue to fully support those efforts during a lapse.

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  • How Can I Determine the Effect of Speed on Vehicle Emissions?

    See More Frequent Questions about MOVES and Related Models . MOVES can be run in either “Inventory” or “Emission Rates” mode. With Emission Rates, MOVES reports emission rates for the 16 average speed bins used by MOVES for each hour of the day and additional emission rate output that may…

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  • What is the process for refilling excavated areas at the derailment site?

    Areas that were excavated as part of the derailment cleanup effort will be backfilled with clean soil. Before soil is chosen as backfill it is tested for chemicals and heavy metals. While the source of backfill is still being identified, some areas have been temporarily backfilled with ballast (large gravel)…

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  • How do federal and state agencies get notified of a chemical or oil spill requiring an emergency response?

    By law, companies or individuals who spill hazardous chemicals or oil are required to call the National Response Center (NRC) if the quantity is above reporting limits. The NRC then notifies federal, state and local responders. Most States have additional reporting requirements that are separate from the NRC.

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  • Will there be photos and videos taken of my property?

    Yes, photos and videos of your property will be taken as a requirement of the program. This is done to ensure that the conditions of the property both pre- and post-cleaning are documented thoroughly.

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  • Does MOVES Incorporate Anticipated Improvements in VOC Emission Factors Resulting from Improved Fuel Economy?

    See More Frequent Questions about MOVES and Related Models . Changes in fuel consumption affect VOC emissions by reducing refueling vapor losses and spillage. Other emissions (such as sulfates) are also affected by fuel consumption. MOVES incorporates changes due to fuel economy requirements that were finalized as of the date…

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