The image above shows a long table filled with approximately 25% of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Story and photos by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published March 15, 2023 7:26 A.M. 

(Darlington Township, PA) State Representatives from across the state met yesterday at the Darlington Township Volunteer Fire Department for a hearing featuring state and local leaders. Approximately 25% of PA’s House of Representatives were in attendance, as well as a large group of community members. State department leaders stated that there are still questions to be answered regarding the derailment. They reported that less people have been contacting them for their services, a number that is now in the teens after being in the hundreds.
Results were given for an ACE Survey completed by 143 residents, and the most common answer was 68% said they wanted to know if it was safe to plant a garden. State Rep. Jim Marshall asked if there has been any diagnosis for people health symptoms, Dr. Debra Bogen of the Department of Health said its too early to say if people health symptoms are connected to the derailment or not. When asked about long term health effects, the Department of Health said they are taking priority to monitor and conduct health assessment surveys rather than analyzing anybody’s actual health. 87 first responders were also given the survey, with around half reporting ear/nose/throat symptoms.
Whether or not Norfolk Southern is still being relied on for any information, Rich Negrin of the DEP replied “zero percent” of their information is being trusted, noting that they are still receiving their information to compare alongside alternate reports. When asked where waste soil from the site is being taken, there was a brief pause before it said that the EPA knows where it is going and it is being worked out, with no further details other than they were pretty sure none of it was coming to Pennsylvania.
Local leaders Rep. Josh Kail, Rep. Rob Matzie, Rep. Jim Marshal led the hearing. Darlington Township leaders and County Commissioner Dan Camp participated in the local panel, speaking on behalf the County Commissioners although Jack Manning and Tony Amadio were in attendance. Norfolk Southern was contacted but did not attend the meeting.
Photos from the hearing: