Funding will help connect Darlington residents to clean public water from nearby Beaver Falls, PA
Since train derailment, Casey, Fetterman, and Deluzio have secured aid, resources for Darlington residents and pushed Norfolk Southern to help the community recover
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) delivered $3,661,000 to expand access to clean public drinking water for Darlington Township residents, just over one year after Norfolk Southern’s train derailment and chemical explosion. Currently, Darlington residents use private wells and do not have access to a public water source. This funding will provide them access to clean, public water by connecting them to nearby Beaver Falls Municipal Authority.
“Pennsylvania’s constitution guarantees the right to pure water, but Norfolk Southern’s train derailment last year threatened that right for Darlington residents,” said Senator Casey. “I fought for this funding with Senator Fetterman and Congressman Deluzio because providing access to clean water is a prime example of taxpayer dollars going exactly where they should: right back into our communities. I won’t stop advocating for the people of Darlington get the aid and resources they need.”
“I am thrilled to join my colleagues Senator Casey and Congressman Deluzio to announce this $3.6 million award for Darlington Township to upgrade their public drinking water infrastructure,” said Senator Fetterman. “After the Norfolk Southern train derailment in neighboring East Palestine just over a year ago, this community faced threats to their health and livelihood. This grant to improve the quality and safety of their drinking water is a critical investment for a community that is too often forgotten by Washington.”
“Norfolk Southern’s derailment spewed chemicals and a toxic fireball in our region, threatening our water and more,” said Congressman Deluzio. “Since then, folks in Darlington Township have been worried about the safety of their drinking water, and that is unacceptable. That’s why I am so proud that Senators Casey and Fetterman and I could deliver more than $3.6 million to the people of Darlington to make sure folks have clean and safe water. Now, let’s pass the Railway Safety Act to hold big railroads accountable and protect communities near the tracks all across America.”
“We are appreciative of the efforts of Senator Casey, Senator Fetterman, and Congressman Deluzio as they work to assist Darlington Township, in partnership with Beaver Falls Municipal Authority, bring public water infrastructure to the township,” said Mike Carreon, Chairman of the Darlington Township Board of Supervisors. “This infrastructure is vital in providing a source to clean safe drinking water should a future need arise.”
Since the Norfolk Southern train derailment in February 2023, Senators Casey and Fetterman and Congressman Deluzio have repeatedly fought for resources for Pennsylvanians affected by the derailment and spearheaded efforts to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for endangering the wellbeing and livelihoods of Pennsylvania families and businesses in Darlington Township. This includes securing recovery aid and assistance and championing the Railway Safety Act to ensure no other American community becomes a victim of reckless behavior by big rail companies.
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