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Alan Shaw: Norfolk Southern CEO claims blowing up derailed train cars carrying toxic vinyl chloride prevented a ‘much riskier event’

Alan Shaw has been called out constantly by the locals to answer doubts about the long-lasting effects of chemicals that leaked into the soil and waterways

EAST PALESTINE, OHIO: The CEO of Norfolk Southern Alan Shaw was spotted taking a stroll and enjoying yesterday afternoon, February 19, following his decision to detonate the toxic detailed train in East Palestine. Shaw, who reportedly earns $4.5 million a year, was seen outside of his multi-million dollar mansion in Atlanta, Georgia. He spoke succinctly when he was asked about the measures the company had taken about the disaster. 

'We remain committed to the citizens of East Palestine,' Shaw told Daily Mail. The CEO enjoys a lavish lifestyle and is the owner of more than 20 properties across Georgia and Virginia. He is mostly seen enjoying his time in a $4.2 million Atlanta mansion or on one of his two boats. Shaw has stood rigid on his decision and defended his choice to detonate toxic train cars in East Palestine, Ohio after the derailment took place a couple of weeks back. 

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Officials slam Shaw

Shaw has been called out constantly by the locals to answer doubts about the long-lasting effects of chemicals that leaked into the soil and waterways. Even the railroad company representatives adjourned on a community meeting last week as experts slammed their decisions while claiming that there was no need to conduct a "controlled burn" of two train cars carrying vinyl chloride to alleviate its effects. 

The company likely made a bad move in doing so, a lawsuit alleges, by releasing a chemical warfare agent banned after World War I.

Shaw defends his decision

Shaw backed his decision and vowed that Norfolk Southern will clean up the chemicals that were released after one of its trains derailed on February 3. "This has been devastating to the community," he said while speaking to WKBN. "I want to make sure you understand, I am terribly sorry that this happened to the community," Shaw added. "Norfolk Southern is fully committed to doing what is right for this community."

He then went on to say that he is pleased with the progress so far only to accept he "doesn't know where the hazardous soil and water is being transported." Shaw said that destroying five train cars carrying vinyl chloride was the "right move" to lower the threat of carcinogenic chemicals. He insisted that a 'terrifying' plume of black smoke after the controlled burn proved it was a success and prevented a "much riskier event."

"I understand why this has created a lot of national attention," Shaw told the local news station. "What we're trying to do is work closely with the local leaders on the environmental remediation, getting information right, data-based, science-based information. All the misinformation out there, that's really causing a lot of issues, frankly for the people of this community."

Lobbyists for the company successfully revoked an Obama-era rule during Shaw's time at Norfolk Southern, which would have required railway operators to update their braking systems. This new safety rule came in to govern the transportation of hazardous materials by the Obama administration to avoid environmental disasters following a train derailment in Casselton, North Dakota that spilled nearly 500,000 gallons of crude oil and cause $ 13.5 million in damages.