Mayor directs DPW to deny request to discharge processed Ohio wastewater into Baltimore system

State lawmakers working to file emergency legislation to prevent proposal

State lawmakers working to file emergency legislation to prevent proposal

THE RIVER, RIGHT? >> CORRECT. THERE ARE THREE PLANS IN THE WORKS TO STOP THIS. ONE HAS A LOT OF HOPE ON AN AG OPINION, ANOTHER IS A PLEA FROM CITY COUNCIL, AND TO STATE LAWMAKERS ARE DRAFTING EMERGENCY LEGISLATION. A POSSIBLE LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION IS IN THE WORKS TO STOP AT LEAST THE DISCHARGE OF TREATED TOXIC WASTE IN THE BACK RIVER. THE MATERIAL IS COMING FROM THE EAST PALESTINE TRAIN DERAILMENT IN FEBRUARY. >> NONE OF US ARE OPPOSED TO THIS WASTE COMING INTO MARYLAND, GOING TO CLEAN HARBORS AND BEING TREATED, BUT THEN WE ARE PROPOSING THEY TAKE THEIR TREATED WATER AND PUT IT ON A TRAIN AND SEND IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. SHE TEAMED UP WITH THE CITY SENATOR MARY WASHINGTON TO DRAFT THE LEGISLATION. >> OPTIONS INCLUDE DIRECTING THE STATE TO RESTRICT ALONG TREATED TOXIC WASTE FROM ANOTHER STATE TO BE DISCHARGED INTO THE RIVER HERE THE MEASURE COULD ALSO FIND A LOOPHOLE IN THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE CLAUSE THAT ALLOWS TOXIC MATERIAL TO BE TRANSPORTED TO AND THROUGH MARYLAND. THEY ARE EXPLORING REFUSING REFUTED THE TREATED TOXIC BECAUSE THE BACK RITTER RETREAT TREATMENT PLANT REMAINS UNDER DURESS AND THERE WAS A RECENT EXPLOSION AND FIRE AT THE FACILITY IN THE STATE BRIEFLY TOOK OVER OPERATING THE PLANT AFTER IT FAILED INSPECTION. >> PUBLIC TRUST IN THIS FACILITY IS ZERO. >> BACK RIVER IS RECOVERING FROM FISCALES INSTEAD LAWMAKERS ARE GETTING REPORTS OF AN ACID SPILL AT THE PLANT WHICH HAS NOT YES REACH THE WATER. >> THE WATER QUALITY IS TERRIBLE AND MOST OF THE AQUATIC LIFE IS DEAD, AND JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING FALLS WITHIN COMPLIANCE DOES NOT MEAN IT IS SAFE FOR HUMANS AND MEAN IT IS SAFER THE ENVIRONMENT AND DOES NOT MEAN IT IS SAFER WILDLIFE. >> CITY HALL EXPECTS THE AG OPINION ANY DAY NOW. THE TOXIC MATERIAL MAY BE EN ROUTE TO BALTIMORE STARTING THURSDAY AND THAT IS WHEN LAWMAKERS PLAN TO RELEASE DETAILS OF THEIR EMERGENCY LEGISLATION.

Mayor directs DPW to deny request to discharge processed Ohio wastewater into Baltimore system

State lawmakers working to file emergency legislation to prevent proposal

UPDATE (March 28): Charles Heart, general manager of Clean Harbors, told 11 News Tuesday morning that the company will not take the water from the Ohio train derailment site without approval from officials.ORIGINAL STORY (March 27): City officials may have found a way to stop the discharge of toxic waste from the Ohio train derailment into Baltimore's system. Some local elected officials and state lawmakers are trying to prevent the treatment and discharge of the material into the Back River.Thirty-eight cars of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed on Feb. 28 in eastern Ohio. The Associated Press reported that half of the almost 5,000 residents of East Palestine, Ohio, had to evacuate for days when responders intentionally burned toxic chemicals in some of the derailed cars to prevent an uncontrolled explosion, leaving residents with lingering health concerns.Since then, Norfolk Southern said it has a contract with Clean Harbors Environmental and Industrial Services in Baltimore to accept and treat the wastewater from the derailment.On Friday, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said the city received a letter the night before from contractor Clean Harbors, stating that the company is one of many sites across the country selected to accept, treat and discharge the wastewater collected from rainwater at the derailment site. The wastewater would be treated at the city-run Back River Waste Water Treatment Plant in Dundalk.| PDF: Read the letterClean Harbors wrote in its letter: "Clean Harbors proposes to begin receiving this wastewater immediately once approval is granted. The initial known quantity currently loaded in rail cars is 675,000 gallons."The mayor and others felt as if their hands are legally tied. The mayor's office and the Baltimore County Executive's Office were waiting for a legal opinion from the Maryland Attorney General's Office regarding the requirement to treat and discharge the waste.| VIDEO BELOW: Reaction swift to proposal to bring Ohio wastewater to MarylandBaltimore mayor releases new statement: Request deniedMayor Scott released a new statement Monday evening, saying: "Last Friday, I publicly expressed grave concerns with environmental and industrial remediation contractor, Clean Harbors' request to dispose of pretreated wastewater from the Norfolk Southern railroad derailment into the Baltimore City wastewater collection system.| PDF: Read the DPW's letter to Clean Harbors"After legal review, the city's Law Department has determined that the Department of Public Works has the authority to modify discharge permits in an effort to 'safeguard Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) from interference, pass-through or contamination of treatment by-products.' As such, I have directed DPW to modify Clean Harbor's discharge permit to deny their request to discharge processed wastewater from the cleanup of the Norfolk Southern railroad derailment into the city's wastewater system after processing at a Clean Harbors facility. Clean Harbors has facilities across the country that may be better positioned to dispose of the treated wastewater, and we urge them to explore those alternatives.'Make no mistake -- I stand against any efforts that could comprise the health and safety of our residents, and the environment.'I extend my deepest sympathy to the East Palestine, Ohio, community as they grapple with the effects of this devastating derailment on their community, but I must remain steadfast in my commitment to protect our residents -- at all costs."Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski released a statement Tuesday morning, saying: "The health and safety of Baltimore County residents and our waterways remains a top priority, which was why we supported efforts to prevent the discharge of treated materials into our shared sewer system and are encouraged that Clean Harbors has announced plans to identify alternative solutions to process this wastewater."Our thoughts remain with the people East Palestine, Ohio, who continue to feel the impacts of this incredible tragedy. We believe that this and other recent incidents at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant reinforce the importance of our ongoing efforts to modernize the Baltimore region's water and wastewater utilities."Lawmakers consider legislative optionsBaltimore City Councilman Zeke Cohen, D-District 1, introduced a resolution Monday night to demand the Environmental Protection Agency pull its order. It was immediately adopted."We are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to rescind their original decision to transport toxic water from East Palestine to Baltimore," Cohen said.Cohen told 11 News Baltimore is not the right place to help out with what happened in Ohio, saying too many Baltimore neighborhoods are already overburdened with pollution, the state is at a tipping point for the health of the Chesapeake Bay and there's a lack of trust in the Back River facility's ability to process the water.City Council President Nick Mosby echoed those concerns."There have already been too many concerns about the quality of water in Baltimore, and now because we are essentially being forced to clean up everybody else's mess, we run the risk of further fanning the flames to fear around water in our city," Mosby said.Baltimore County Delegate Kathy Szeliga, R-District 7A, and state Sen. Mary Washington, D-District 43, whose district encompasses portions of Baltimore City and Baltimore County, are co-sponsoring emergency legislation. The bill could direct the Maryland Department of the Environment to put restrictions on cleaning and discharging foreign toxic material at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant."Clean it and then ship it out to some other place," Szeliga said. "None of us is opposed to this wastewater from Ohio coming into Maryland, going to Clean Harbors and being treated. But we are proposing that they take their treated water, put it on a train and send it somewhere else."Szeliga and Baltimore County Delegate Ryan Nawrocki, R-District 7A, released a statement Monday night, saying they "thank Baltimore City for taking swift action and stopping the toxic waste from the railroad disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, from being discharged into our state."The health of the citizens of the Baltimore region, and the Chesapeake Bay, are the priority for all elected officials."The statement said the delegates will continue to work with Sen. Washington and other colleagues to pass legislation for a long-term plan to avoid this issue in the future.Video below: Watch the Friday news conference in its entiretySeveral other lawmakers support any legal action that can be taken."I will stand in front of the train to stop the shipment, if needed," said Baltimore County Delegate Rick Metzgar, R-District 6.The attorney general's opinion is expected any day. The emergency legislation to block treatment and discharging is expected by Thursday, the same day that the train derailment material is expected to leave for Baltimore.Why Back River? What about its own issues?The measure could also find a loophole in the Interstate Commerce Clause of the U.S. constitution that allows the toxic material to be transported to and through Maryland. Officials are exploring refusing the treated toxins because the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant remains under duress.Baltimore County officials contend the plant is not ready to handle such an important job. They point to the recent fire and explosion at the plant and cite the state's takeover of the facility's operations as proof."Public trust in this particular facility is at zero," said Baltimore County Councilman Todd Crandell, R-District 7. "I challenge them, when that water comes here, if it comes here, that they drink the water coming out of Clean Harbors before it is discharged into a very leaky sewage system."In October 2022, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works said the plant was in state compliance for four consecutive months after meeting requirements for phosphorous, ammonia, E. coli and oxygen demand levels.Back River is still recovering from fish kills. State lawmakers said they are now getting reports of an acid spill at the plant, which has not yet reached the water."The water quality is terrible. Most of the aquatic life is dead, and just because something falls in compliance doesn't mean it's safe for humans. It doesn't mean it's safe for the environment. It doesn't mean it's safe for wildlife," said Baltimore County Delegate Robin Grammar Jr., R-District 6.Video below: Operations failing at Back River, report says (June 2022)EPA statement on selection process, water processing, oversightThe EPA sent a statement Sunday to 11 News, outlining the proposal. The statement follows in its entirety."On facility selection: As the responsible party, Norfolk Southern is conducting the cleanup and disposal operation from the February derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. This includes finding approved treatment and disposal locations and contracting directly with them. EPA reviews and approves the treatment facilities to make sure they are properly permitted and compliant to ensure the environment and public health are protected. There are several facilities throughout the US that are taking material from the derailment."On processing: Liquid waste from East Palestine is not being sent directly to the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Norfolk Southern contracted with Clean Harbors who will pretreat the waste before sending to the WWTP, which is in line with its typical processing. Clean Harbors is an industrial waste processing plant that is specially permitted and regulated to handle various types of contaminated waste. Prior to discharging into the Back River Waste Water Treatment Plant, Clean Harbors must treat the waste water to levels specified in its pretreatment permit."On oversight: EPA conducts an offsite compliance records review for all facilities that Norfolk Southern is considering for disposal. That record review includes ensuring that necessary permits are still in place and that there are no significant environmental violations that would prevent a facility from receiving or processing waste in a responsible manner. "EPA ensures that all waste is disposed of in a safe and lawful manner at facilities to prevent further release of hazardous substances and impacts to communities in accordance with the Off-Site Policy. EPA will make arrangements to observe the disposal of the NS waste for when the treatment commences." | GET THE FACTS: How other states stopped the shipment of toxic materialsOfficials, organizations release statements in responseMaryland Governor's OfficeThe governor's office released a statement Monday, saying: "Protecting both public health and Maryland's environment is at the top of the governor's list of priorities. From Norfolk Southern and Clean Harbors, the Moore-Miller administration is demanding the utmost in safety, transparency and accountability to protect our communities as the railway disposes waste as part of the clean up of the East Palestine train derailment site."The administration is working closely with Baltimore City and Baltimore County officials, as well as Maryland's congressional delegation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to obtain those commitments and reassurances and will continue in partnership to ensure the treatment and testing process go above and beyond our already stringent safety standards."The administration will also continue to work with the federal government to ensure Maryland has the resources and staffing necessary to handle treatment and conduct thorough oversight of the entire disposal process."Maryland Department of the EnvironmentThe Maryland Department of the Environment released a statement Monday, saying: "Shipments are expected to leave East Palestine on March 30 and will take a few days to reach Maryland."Elected leaders from Baltimore City, Baltimore County; federal and state officials have been in close communication about the situation in recent days, but we would respectfully refer any questions about any legislation to those officials."The Maryland Department of the Environment will continue to exercise regulatory oversight and will work closely with U.S. EPA and Baltimore City and Baltimore County officials to monitor the treatment process and protect both public health and the environment. Maryland will also continue to work with the federal government to ensure we have the resources and staffing needed to handle treatment. "Protecting public health and the environment are of utmost priority and the state of Maryland is demanding the utmost in safety, transparency and accountability as well as commitment and reassurance that additional measures will be provided to protect our communities."Baltimore County Republican PartyThe Baltimore County Republican Party released a statement Monday, saying: "The Baltimore County GOP strongly opposes and requests our legislators stop the import of dangerous toxic waters from East Palestine into the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment and discharge into our waterways."The Back River Wastewater Treatment has been plagued by major problems, including discharging sewage into Back River, and now has been asked by the EPA to import dangerous toxin filled water to be treated and released into our water supply and the largest pristine bay in the country."The EPA is using Maryland as a toxic dumping ground."We strongly urge our Baltimore County and Maryland legislators to stop the importing of the East Palestine toxic waters into our Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant."U.S. Sen. Chris Van HollenU.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, released a statement Friday, saying: "Keeping our communities safe is my top priority. We need immediate answers from the EPA, including the basis for their assurance that this won’t put Marylanders' health and safety at risk. I've been in contact with them and local officials in Baltimore City and County. No plan should be finalized until we get satisfactory answers." Video below: Fireball at train derailment site (WTAE)

DUNDALK, Md. —

UPDATE (March 28): Charles Heart, general manager of Clean Harbors, told 11 News Tuesday morning that the company will not take the water from the Ohio train derailment site without approval from officials.

ORIGINAL STORY (March 27): City officials may have found a way to stop the discharge of toxic waste from the Ohio train derailment into Baltimore's system.

Some local elected officials and state lawmakers are trying to prevent the treatment and discharge of the material into the Back River.

Thirty-eight cars of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed on Feb. 28 in eastern Ohio. The Associated Press reported that half of the almost 5,000 residents of East Palestine, Ohio, had to evacuate for days when responders intentionally burned toxic chemicals in some of the derailed cars to prevent an uncontrolled explosion, leaving residents with lingering health concerns.

Since then, Norfolk Southern said it has a contract with Clean Harbors Environmental and Industrial Services in Baltimore to accept and treat the wastewater from the derailment.

On Friday, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said the city received a letter the night before from contractor Clean Harbors, stating that the company is one of many sites across the country selected to accept, treat and discharge the wastewater collected from rainwater at the derailment site. The wastewater would be treated at the city-run Back River Waste Water Treatment Plant in Dundalk.

| PDF: Read the letter

Clean Harbors wrote in its letter: "Clean Harbors proposes to begin receiving this wastewater immediately once approval is granted. The initial known quantity currently loaded in rail cars is 675,000 gallons."

The mayor and others felt as if their hands are legally tied. The mayor's office and the Baltimore County Executive's Office were waiting for a legal opinion from the Maryland Attorney General's Office regarding the requirement to treat and discharge the waste.

| VIDEO BELOW: Reaction swift to proposal to bring Ohio wastewater to Maryland

Baltimore mayor releases new statement: Request denied

Mayor Scott released a new statement Monday evening, saying: "Last Friday, I publicly expressed grave concerns with environmental and industrial remediation contractor, Clean Harbors' request to dispose of pretreated wastewater from the Norfolk Southern railroad derailment into the Baltimore City wastewater collection system.

| PDF: Read the DPW's letter to Clean Harbors

"After legal review, the city's Law Department has determined that the Department of Public Works has the authority to modify discharge permits in an effort to 'safeguard Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) from interference, pass-through or contamination of treatment by-products.' As such, I have directed DPW to modify Clean Harbor's discharge permit to deny their request to discharge processed wastewater from the cleanup of the Norfolk Southern railroad derailment into the city's wastewater system after processing at a Clean Harbors facility. Clean Harbors has facilities across the country that may be better positioned to dispose of the treated wastewater, and we urge them to explore those alternatives.

'Make no mistake -- I stand against any efforts that could comprise the health and safety of our residents, and the environment.

'I extend my deepest sympathy to the East Palestine, Ohio, community as they grapple with the effects of this devastating derailment on their community, but I must remain steadfast in my commitment to protect our residents -- at all costs."

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski released a statement Tuesday morning, saying: "The health and safety of Baltimore County residents and our waterways remains a top priority, which was why we supported efforts to prevent the discharge of treated materials into our shared sewer system and are encouraged that Clean Harbors has announced plans to identify alternative solutions to process this wastewater.

"Our thoughts remain with the people East Palestine, Ohio, who continue to feel the impacts of this incredible tragedy. We believe that this and other recent incidents at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant reinforce the importance of our ongoing efforts to modernize the Baltimore region's water and wastewater utilities."

Lawmakers consider legislative options

Baltimore City Councilman Zeke Cohen, D-District 1, introduced a resolution Monday night to demand the Environmental Protection Agency pull its order. It was immediately adopted.

"We are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to rescind their original decision to transport toxic water from East Palestine to Baltimore," Cohen said.

Cohen told 11 News Baltimore is not the right place to help out with what happened in Ohio, saying too many Baltimore neighborhoods are already overburdened with pollution, the state is at a tipping point for the health of the Chesapeake Bay and there's a lack of trust in the Back River facility's ability to process the water.

City Council President Nick Mosby echoed those concerns.

"There have already been too many concerns about the quality of water in Baltimore, and now because we are essentially being forced to clean up everybody else's mess, we run the risk of further fanning the flames to fear around water in our city," Mosby said.

Baltimore County Delegate Kathy Szeliga, R-District 7A, and state Sen. Mary Washington, D-District 43, whose district encompasses portions of Baltimore City and Baltimore County, are co-sponsoring emergency legislation. The bill could direct the Maryland Department of the Environment to put restrictions on cleaning and discharging foreign toxic material at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant.

"Clean it and then ship it out to some other place," Szeliga said. "None of us is opposed to this wastewater from Ohio coming into Maryland, going to Clean Harbors and being treated. But we are proposing that they take their treated water, put it on a train and send it somewhere else."

Szeliga and Baltimore County Delegate Ryan Nawrocki, R-District 7A, released a statement Monday night, saying they "thank Baltimore City for taking swift action and stopping the toxic waste from the railroad disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, from being discharged into our state.

"The health of the citizens of the Baltimore region, and the Chesapeake Bay, are the priority for all elected officials."

The statement said the delegates will continue to work with Sen. Washington and other colleagues to pass legislation for a long-term plan to avoid this issue in the future.

Video below: Watch the Friday news conference in its entirety

Several other lawmakers support any legal action that can be taken.

"I will stand in front of the train to stop the shipment, if needed," said Baltimore County Delegate Rick Metzgar, R-District 6.

The attorney general's opinion is expected any day. The emergency legislation to block treatment and discharging is expected by Thursday, the same day that the train derailment material is expected to leave for Baltimore.

Why Back River? What about its own issues?

The measure could also find a loophole in the Interstate Commerce Clause of the U.S. constitution that allows the toxic material to be transported to and through Maryland. Officials are exploring refusing the treated toxins because the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant remains under duress.

Baltimore County officials contend the plant is not ready to handle such an important job. They point to the recent fire and explosion at the plant and cite the state's takeover of the facility's operations as proof.

"Public trust in this particular facility is at zero," said Baltimore County Councilman Todd Crandell, R-District 7. "I challenge them, when that water comes here, if it comes here, that they drink the water coming out of Clean Harbors before it is discharged into a very leaky sewage system."

In October 2022, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works said the plant was in state compliance for four consecutive months after meeting requirements for phosphorous, ammonia, E. coli and oxygen demand levels.

Back River is still recovering from fish kills. State lawmakers said they are now getting reports of an acid spill at the plant, which has not yet reached the water.

"The water quality is terrible. Most of the aquatic life is dead, and just because something falls in compliance doesn't mean it's safe for humans. It doesn't mean it's safe for the environment. It doesn't mean it's safe for wildlife," said Baltimore County Delegate Robin Grammar Jr., R-District 6.

Video below: Operations failing at Back River, report says (June 2022)

EPA statement on selection process, water processing, oversight

The EPA sent a statement Sunday to 11 News, outlining the proposal. The statement follows in its entirety.

"On facility selection: As the responsible party, Norfolk Southern is conducting the cleanup and disposal operation from the February derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. This includes finding approved treatment and disposal locations and contracting directly with them. EPA reviews and approves the treatment facilities to make sure they are properly permitted and compliant to ensure the environment and public health are protected. There are several facilities throughout the US that are taking material from the derailment.

"On processing: Liquid waste from East Palestine is not being sent directly to the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Norfolk Southern contracted with Clean Harbors who will pretreat the waste before sending to the WWTP, which is in line with its typical processing. Clean Harbors is an industrial waste processing plant that is specially permitted and regulated to handle various types of contaminated waste. Prior to discharging into the Back River Waste Water Treatment Plant, Clean Harbors must treat the waste water to levels specified in its pretreatment permit.

"On oversight: EPA conducts an offsite compliance records review for all facilities that Norfolk Southern is considering for disposal. That record review includes ensuring that necessary permits are still in place and that there are no significant environmental violations that would prevent a facility from receiving or processing waste in a responsible manner.

"EPA ensures that all waste is disposed of in a safe and lawful manner at facilities to prevent further release of hazardous substances and impacts to communities in accordance with the Off-Site Policy. EPA will make arrangements to observe the disposal of the NS waste for when the treatment commences."

| GET THE FACTS: How other states stopped the shipment of toxic materials

Officials, organizations release statements in response

Maryland Governor's Office

The governor's office released a statement Monday, saying: "Protecting both public health and Maryland's environment is at the top of the governor's list of priorities. From Norfolk Southern and Clean Harbors, the Moore-Miller administration is demanding the utmost in safety, transparency and accountability to protect our communities as the railway disposes waste as part of the clean up of the East Palestine train derailment site.

"The administration is working closely with Baltimore City and Baltimore County officials, as well as Maryland's congressional delegation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to obtain those commitments and reassurances and will continue in partnership to ensure the treatment and testing process go above and beyond our already stringent safety standards.

"The administration will also continue to work with the federal government to ensure Maryland has the resources and staffing necessary to handle treatment and conduct thorough oversight of the entire disposal process."

Maryland Department of the Environment

The Maryland Department of the Environment released a statement Monday, saying: "Shipments are expected to leave East Palestine on March 30 and will take a few days to reach Maryland.

"Elected leaders from Baltimore City, Baltimore County; federal and state officials have been in close communication about the situation in recent days, but we would respectfully refer any questions about any legislation to those officials.

"The Maryland Department of the Environment will continue to exercise regulatory oversight and will work closely with U.S. EPA and Baltimore City and Baltimore County officials to monitor the treatment process and protect both public health and the environment. Maryland will also continue to work with the federal government to ensure we have the resources and staffing needed to handle treatment.

"Protecting public health and the environment are of utmost priority and the state of Maryland is demanding the utmost in safety, transparency and accountability as well as commitment and reassurance that additional measures will be provided to protect our communities."

Baltimore County Republican Party

The Baltimore County Republican Party released a statement Monday, saying: "The Baltimore County GOP strongly opposes and requests our legislators stop the import of dangerous toxic waters from East Palestine into the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment and discharge into our waterways.

"The Back River Wastewater Treatment has been plagued by major problems, including discharging sewage into Back River, and now has been asked by the EPA to import dangerous toxin filled water to be treated and released into our water supply and the largest pristine bay in the country.

"The EPA is using Maryland as a toxic dumping ground.

"We strongly urge our Baltimore County and Maryland legislators to stop the importing of the East Palestine toxic waters into our Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant."

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, released a statement Friday, saying: "Keeping our communities safe is my top priority. We need immediate answers from the EPA, including the basis for their assurance that this won’t put Marylanders' health and safety at risk. I've been in contact with them and local officials in Baltimore City and County. No plan should be finalized until we get satisfactory answers."

Video below: Fireball at train derailment site (WTAE)