Maryland Congressional Delegation Members’ Statement on Diversion of East Palestine Waste from Baltimore

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie B. Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) released the following statement after receiving confirmation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Norfolk Southern that they no longer plan to transport waste from the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment to Baltimore. The lawmakers have raised concerns about the transfer.

“Protecting and promoting the safety of our constituents is one of our most fundamental responsibilities. That’s why, when it was announced last week that hazardous wastewater from East Palestine was headed to the already troubled Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant in Baltimore, we immediately began demanding answers. Together, alongside our state and local partners, we questioned this decision and the manner in which it was made. As a community that has already faced decades of environmental injustice, we shared local concerns that this plan may have once again thrust environmental harm upon our constituents. We’re grateful that, through actions taken by Mayor Scott, this plan will no longer come to fruition. We remain committed to working with all levels of government – from state and city officials to the Environmental Protection Agency – to protect Maryland’s public health and environment.”