Watch live: U.S. Senate hearing on train derailment; Norfolk Southern CEO to testify

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw will face a U.S. Senate panel Thursday as his company contends with increased scrutiny over a train derailment in East Palestine last month.

Shaw will testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works during a hearing on the incident, which began at 10 a.m. The committee will also hear from U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Director Anne Vogel and other Ohio and Pennsylvania officials.

"My goal tomorrow is to hold (Shaw) accountable in front of the American people," Brown told reporters Wednesday.

Confusion, bravery and awe:What really happened after a train derailed in East Palestine

Here's the latest from the hearing.

Democrats, Republicans lay out goals for hearing

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, a Delaware Democrat who chairs the committee, said the goal of the hearing is to ensure derailments like this never happen again. In his opening statement, Carper called for better rail safety regulations and assistance for the communities affected.

He also emphasized that federal agencies that involved in such incidents, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, need enough resources to respond adequately.

“Today’s hearing is an opportunity to put ourselves in the shoes of those impacted by this disaster, examine the immediate response and ensure long-term accountability for the cleanup efforts," Carper said.

While Carper defended the Biden administration's response, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, argued the EPA didn't provide enough answers to people in the immediate aftermath. She said news releases and online fact sheets don't go far enough to convey data to residents about the safety of their air and water.

“The initial delays in messaging and response has meant that the residents still do not trust the results enough to feel safe, and trust is essential in these situations," Capito said.

Norfolk Southern touts plans to help Ohio, improve rail safety

Norfolk Southern unveiled a slew of safety plans this week in response to the NTSB's investigation, including the installation of more hot bearing detectors along the tracks. The railroad is also working with Gov. Mike DeWine to create a training center for first responders in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to help them safely respond to rail emergencies.

Training classes will begin March 22 at Norfolk Southern's yard in Bellevue while a permanent location for the facility is selected.

But the Feb. 3 derailment isn't the company's only trouble in Ohio.

Nearly 30 cars on one of its freight trains derailed near Springfield over the weekend, although that train was not carrying any hazardous materials. No injuries were reported, and the investigation into that wreck is ongoing.

Days later, a Norfolk Southern worker died after being struck at a railroad crossing near a Cleveland steel plant.

The trail of accidents prompted the NTSB to launch a special investigation into Norfolk Southern's safety practices.

What happened in East Palestine?

A Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine on Feb. 3 after the crew was alerted to an overheated wheel bearing, according to initial findings from the National Transportation Safety Board. Five of the derailed cars contained vinyl chloride, which the railroad later released to prevent an explosion.

The derailment spilled toxic chemicals into the environment, but state and federal officials say the air and village water system are now safe. Still, residents remain worried about their community and have reported headaches, rashes and other health issues.

This story will be updated.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.