Energy & Environment — Ohio train derailment leaves toxic chemicals behind

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View Online   Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story  Ohio train derailment leaves toxic chemicals behind  Residents in the town of East Palestine, Ohio, are dealing with the fallout from a dangerous chemical spill after a train derailed earlier this month. © AP Photo Emergency responders diverted vinyl chloride — a cancer-causing chemical — from the train into a trench and burned it off.   Residents who were urged to evacuate last week have since returned. However, vinyl chloride is hazardous substance on the loose.    EPA investigators said they found other hazardous material-containing cars "derailed, breached and/or on fire."    They also found industrial solvents ethylene glycol monobutyl ether — which can be absorbed through the skin and harms the liver and kidneys — and ethylhexyl acrylate, another known carcinogen that  harms the lungs and nervous system.    The EPA has warned that these chemicals are still being released "to the air, surface soils, and surface waters."   Sulphur Run, the creek that runs through East Palestine, connects through other waterways to the Ohio River.    Last week, officials in Weirton, W.Va., detected butyl acrylate — another chemical listed among the burning cars — though they aren't sure if it came from the spill upriver, according to local media.   Further downstream in Cincinnati, officials were monitoring water intakes to see if the chemicals make it to them.   The incident is leading to some calls for more oversight of the railroad industry. It's also resurfacing tensions over railroad worker rights.    Our colleague Saul Elbein has more on the derailment in his full report at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, we're Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Ford planning $3.5B battery plant in Michigan Ford Motor Co. announced plans on Monday to invest $3.5 billion in an effort to build the country's first automaker-backed lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Michigan.  In their news release, Ford said the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan plant will initially employ 2,500 people when production begins in 2026. The company further explained that the manufacturer will also have the option to grow its battery capacity at its other plant located in Marshall, Michigan.   Full Story EPA details plans for $27 billion in Inflation Reduction Act climate funds The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday detailed how it plans to spend $27 billion in climate funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act. The Biden administration explained that it will split the fund up into two programs. A total of $20 billion in grants will go to nonprofits that collaborate with local financial institutions including green banks, credit unions or housing finance agencies. That money will go toward projects that cut pollution and energy costs, according to the announcement.  Full Story US to move forward with scheduled 26M barrel sale from strategic oil reserve The United States is moving forward with a congressionally required sale of oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).  Full Story January was seventh-warmest on record: NOAA Last month marked the seventh-warmest January on record worldwide, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said Tuesday.  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: California could see wildflower 'super bloom' this spring After weathering an unusually wet fall and early winter, Californians may be greeted with colorful wildflower "super blooms" this spring, according to state parks officials. Full Story What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Russia Did Most Oil Drilling in Decade Even as Sanctions Hit (Bloomberg) Drastic emissions cuts needed to avert multi-century sea level rise, study finds (Axios) EU lawmakers approve effective 2035 ban on new fossil fuel cars (Reuters) New Skyscraper, Built to Be an Environmental Marvel, Is Already Dated (The New York Times) On Tap  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: The Senate Budget Committee will hold a hearing on climate-related economic risks  The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on low-carbon transportation fuels  What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Here's how you can help victims of the Turkey and Syria earthquakes Story at a glance Strong earthquakes struck parts of Syria and Turkey early Monday morning. The earthquakes have claimed the lives of more than 2,600 people. Millions of people in surrounding nations felt the quakes.  Devastating earthquakes struck southern Turkey and northern Syria early Monday, claiming the lives of more than 2,600 people and causing widespread destruction.  Read more Where are the 'deadliest' beaches in America? Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to correct the location of Cocoa Beach. Read more Opinions in The Hill  Op-eds related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: We need to find better ways to fund energy development in Africa You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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