> A March 6 discussion between NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and Senator JD Vance (R-OH) for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation revealed the East Palestine-controlled burn was unnecessary. The February 6 controlled burn of five cars unleashed a highly toxic, catastrophic cloud of vinyl chloride, causing the governors of Ohio and Pennsylvania to order an evacuation of a 1- by 2-mile area that crossed the state line and spread to surrounding states. The train derailment occurred on February 3, 2023. The results of the NTSB investigation show contractors associated with Norfolk Southern may have been responsible for the decision to initiate the controlled burn. The EPA has been conducting clean-up efforts, and updates on their progress can be viewed here. >At the time of the derailment, officials in the state asserted the controlled burn was necessary, and its fallout would be mitigated due to favorable weather conditions. Reportedly, there was very little wind that day. However, Homendy's testimony revealed the burn was entirely unnecessary for various reasons. Homendy shared several troubling details as to why the controlled burn was unnecessary. . . . [Archive](https://archive.today/AcbGB)