February 24, 2023

Mr. Alan H. Shaw

President and Chief Executive Officer
Norfolk Southern Corp.
650 West Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30308

Dear Mr. Shaw:

This letter is being sent following the second derailment of a Norfolk Southern operated
train within the span of about two weeks; this time in Van Buren Charter Township, Michigan—
located in the 6th Congressional District that I represent. On the heels of the derailment in Ohio,
this second incident has caused consternation across our local Michigan communities. While this
incident is examined by federal officials, Norfolk Southern needs to complete a full investigation
and share its findings with the public, as well as a share a defined safety plan regarding the future
safe operation of its railroad to assure the public this will not happen again.

On the morning of February 16, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train with 31 rail cars derailed
east of Belleville, Michigan. Following the derailment, local, state, and federal officials
responded and determined that the majority of the rail cars were empty and none of the derailed
cars contained hazardous materials. It was confirmed that one rail cars involved contained liquid
ferric chloride, a hazardous corrosive material. Fortunately, this rail car did not derail and was
move down the tracks from the derailed cars to keep the local communities safe. There were no
reported injuries or documented releases of hazardous materials into the surrounding
environment.

While we seem to have dodged the worst-case scenario in this train derailment, the
people of East Palestine did not. Communities throughout the country have been on edge since
the first derailment, including the communities I represent. Norfolk Southern operates routes
across Michigan and people are concerned this could happen again following the second
derailment. I find this second derailment deeply concerning following the disaster that playing
out in Ohio.

The rail system and its safe operation is critical to commerce and travel in the United
States—it is a key element of a strong economy and provides the ability see this great nation. But
no community in American should have to worry about a trail derailment risking lives, killing
wildlife, polluting the environment, or forcing families from their homes. This second derailment
should be another serious wake-up call for the safe operation of your railroad.

In the wake of this second serious incident, there are still many unanswered questions,
and nor do we know the ultimate cause for the derailment. The people of Van Buren Township
and the surrounding Michigan communities deserve a full accounting of the conditions that led
up to this derailment, the exact cause of the derailment, and what actions Norfolk Southern is
taking to prevent further operational failures that could directly threaten public safety or result in
a major environmental disaster.

While we understand your immediate attention is in Ohio, we would request Norfolk

Southern please provide a public town hall for Van Buren Charter Township and the surrounding
Michigan communities. Please also provide my office with a briefing and a full overview in
writing of this incident and the reason for the derailment, as well as a comprehensive summary
of the actions Norfolk Southern is taking to prevent future derailments.

Thank you for attention in this important matter and for considering this request. I look
forward to hearing from you soon and working with you to keep our communities informed.

Sincerely,

Debbie Dingell
Member of Congress

CC:

The Honorable Pete Buttigieg, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation

The Honorable Amit Bose, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration
The Honorable Sam Graves, Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
The Honorable Rick Larsen, Ranking Member, House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure