HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The Environmental Protection Agency will pause the disposing of any wastewater from an Ohio train derailment in Harris County, according to Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee. The agency later confirmed the move in a statement to KHOU 11.
Jackson Lee said on Twitter she "worked intensely with the EPA and EPA administrator in recent days to protect the community from toxic waste disposal."
KHOU 11's Maria Aguilera spoke with the congresswoman about the pause.
"The EPA administrator has indicated that no disposal will take place without federal review by the EPA. And I think that is excellent. That is a great step forward and is generated by the concern of officials here in Harris County and my taking their concern to the federal government," Jackson Lee said. "They will now be reviewing the transport at the level of toxicity and the safety measures that will be taken."
The EPA said Norfolk Southern was "solely responsible for the disposal of waste generated by the East Palestine train derailment site" until Feb. 24.
Norfolk Southern was supplied with a list of disposal facilities, according to the EPA. They were then told to immediately pause waste shipments within 24 hours. Plans, disposal, and transportation of waste will now be subject to EPA approval, the agency said.
"I thought it was wrong to bring toxic waste to a community 1,300 miles away, with no notice to our local officials and no notice to those of us who represent parts of the area," Jackson Lee said.
According to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, about half a million gallons of wastewater are already here. Texas Molecular, a facility in Deer Park, was expected to receive two million gallons in total.
On Thursday, Hidalgo shared her frustration that her office wasn't notified of the water's transportation. She said the state of Ohio, as well as the Texas Commission on Environmental Equality, was involved, but that she wasn't informed the water was being taken to Harris County until she heard about it from the press.
KHOU 11's Grace White asked Hidalgo if her office is normally notified when hazardous waste comes and goes from the county.
"There's not a statute, there's not a law that says our office has to be made aware when there is hazardous material," Hidalgo said. "Now, is it OK for there to be an international disaster in Ohio, an explosion of this magnitude, and for us to suddenly learn that those same materials have been arriving in our community for a week, driving through our community? I don't think so."
Texas Molecular told KHOU 11 in a statement, "We are chosen based on our capabilities, experience and unique ability to handle a project of this size."
The mayor of Deer Park also said he is confident the disposal is being handled appropriately. He said the company has a permit from the EPA and has been doing this kind of work for 40 years.
Here's the full statement from Rep. Jackson Lee on Twitter:
"Congresswoman Jackson Lee has worked intensely with the EPA and EPA Administrator for the last few days to protect communities from toxic waste disposal. This process of dumping toxic waste in communities without prior notice to local cities and counties has to stop.
"Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is announcing that the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pausing the disposal of toxic waste from East Palestine, including any disposal headed for Houston and Harris County."
Here's the full statement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
"Until February 24, Norfolk Southern had been solely responsible for the disposal of waste generated by the East Palestine train derailment. The company supplied Ohio EPA with their list of selected and utilized disposal facilities on February 23.
"Within 24 hours of being notified, EPA instructed Norfolk Southern to immediately pause waste shipments from the East Palestine train derailment site. Waste disposal plans, including disposal location and transportation routes for contaminated waste, will be subject to EPA review and approval moving forward. EPA will ensure that all waste is disposed of in a safe and lawful manner at EPA-certified facilities to prevent further release of hazardous substances and impacts to communities."