The Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) will convene a Vent and Burn Workgroup to integrate key learnings for the betterment of any future scenario where a vent and burn may be necessary.

As part of the agreement following the East Palestine Train Derailment in February 2023, the Vent and Burn Workgroup establishes a formal process by which Norfolk Southern may obtain input from key stakeholders on ways to improve coordination and decision-making in any future response to a derailment.

On February 6, 2023, three days after the East Palestine derailment, officials in charge of the response decided they had to vent and burn five vinyl chloride tank cars to prevent one of them from exploding. 

That action created massive fireballs above the train and sent a thick plume of black smoke over East Palestine. Half the town had to evacuate for days and residents are still worrying about the potential health effects from it.

The new Vent and Burn Workgroup is a part of an effort from Norfolk Southern to examine vent and burn decisions days before the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is set to hold a hearing at East Palestine High School on Tuesday, June 25 to approve the findings of its investigation into the train derailment.

NTSB is also set to explain why first responders were wrong to blow open five tank cars and burn the toxic chemical inside after the East Palestine derailment.

Over the next six months, subject to final court approval of the settlement, Norfolk Southern will hold conversations with key safety stakeholders to determine criteria for Workgroup participation. Once established, the Workgroup will assess current practices and existing protocols that are currently being utilized.

"When a vent and burn procedure is being considered, the health and safety of surrounding communities and emergency responders is top priority," said Alan Shaw, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern. "We look forward to surfacing learnings that can strengthen rail safety for everyone."