Ohio Train Wreck: US Environmental Protection Agency Suspends East Palestine Toxic Waste Removal to Houston

HOUSTON – The shipment of toxic waste from East Palestine bound for Houston and Harris County has been suspended, lawmakers said.

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

This happens a few weeks after Norfolk Southern toxic freight train crash in Ohio, which left a toxic chemical spill threatening residents.

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In a joint statement Friday, Gov. and FEMA Regional Administrator Thomas Sivak said FEMA and Ohio are in “constant contact” regarding community emergency operations.

“The US Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio EPA have been working together since day one,” they said. “Tomorrow, FEMA will complement federal efforts by deploying a senior response officer along with a regional Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to support ongoing operations, including incident coordination and ongoing assessment of potential long-term recovery needs.”

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

“Texas Molecular is authorized to accept and manage various waste streams, including vinyl chloride, under its RCRA Hazardous Waste Permit and Underground Injection Control Permit,” TCEQ said in a statement.

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However, as of Saturday afternoon, the congresswoman confirmed the pause, noting its vitality in residents’ decision making “without notice.”

“This process of dumping toxic waste into communities without prior notice to local cities and counties must be stopped,” Jackson Lee tweeted.

This is an evolving story and will be updated as more information becomes available.