Norfolk Southern Says , Ongoing Ohio Derailment Cleanup , Costs Doubled to $803 Million.<br />'The Independent' reports that costs stemming from <br />Norfolk Southern's train derailment in East Palestine, <br />Ohio, have reached $803 million.<br />'The Independent' reports that costs stemming from <br />Norfolk Southern's train derailment in East Palestine, <br />Ohio, have reached $803 million.<br />The news comes as the railroad operator <br />continues to clean up the mess and face numerous <br />lawsuits relating to the high-profile disaster.<br />On July 27, Norfolk Southern recorded <br />an additional $416 million in costs added to <br />$387 million reported earlier this year.<br />'The Independent' reports that much <br />of the increase is related to cleaning up <br />hazardous chemicals released in the spill. .<br />$222 million has been paid toward a combination <br />of legal fees and community assistance.<br />$222 million has been paid toward a combination <br />of legal fees and community assistance.<br />Thousands of people were forced to evacuate when <br />officials burned vinyl chloride which sent a towering <br />plume of toxic, black smoke into the atmosphere.<br />Several other hazardous chemicals were also <br />spilled after tank cars were ruptured.<br />The $803 million cost estimated by Norfolk Southern <br />does not include funds to compensate people in <br />East Palestine for any long-term health effects.<br />'The Independent' reports that the number also doesn't <br />include any drops in home values or drinking water issues, <br />as those are still in the process of being negotiated.<br />In addition to charges relating to the derailment, Norfolk <br />Southern had a 6% drop in shipments, which saw the <br />company's profits more than halved, falling to $356 million
