The Environmental Protection Agency ordered Norfolk Southern on Tuesday to conduct all cleanup operations related to the derailment of the train carrying toxic materials in East Palestine, Ohio.

The agency also said it will handle the response to the situation going forward, working with local, state and federal agencies to ensure the health and safety of the community.

“The Norfolk Southern train derailment has upended the lives of East Palestine families, and EPA’s order will ensure the company is held accountable for jeopardizing the health and safety of this community,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Let me be clear: Norfolk Southern will pay for cleaning up the mess they created and for the trauma they’ve inflicted on this community."

"As we transition from emergency response, EPA will continue to coordinate closely with our local, state, and federal partners through a whole-of-government approach to support the East Palestine community during the remediation phase," Regan added. "To the people of East Palestine, EPA stands with you now and for as long as it may take."

The legally binding order demands Norfolk Southern to:

• Identify and clean up contaminated soil and water resources
• Reimburse EPA for cleaning services to be offered to residents and businesses to provide an additional layer of reassurance, which will be conducted by EPA staff and contractors
• Attend and participate in public meetings at EPA’s request and post information online
• Pay for EPA’s costs for work performed under this order

The EPA will also approve a plan that'll outline steps necessary for the cleanup. Officials said if Norfolk Southern fails to comply, the EPA will conduct the work and then seek for the company to pay triple the costs.

As for residents and businesses wanted to request services to help with the cleanup, the EPA said more details will be available next week. 

The order follows EPA Administrator Michael Regan's visit to East Palestine on Tuesday, where he drank tap water with Gov. Mike DeWine and then updated residents on the response to the situation. It also comes a day after Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called on Norfolk Southern to take accountability and demanded the rail industry as a whole to improve safety regulations. 

The train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on Feb. 3, and was carrying hazardous material that included vinyl chloride, which is associated with increased risk of certain cancers.