EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Eric Cozza bought his East Palestine house just seven months before the Norfolk Southern train derailment, which caused a controlled release of toxic chemicals back in February.

“They financially ruined us at this point," Cozza said.

He has estimates from his bank that show his property value dropped right after the derailment. 

“We’re talking right around $10-11 dollars in a month," Cozza said. 

Now Cozza wants to sell. Norfolk Southern has created a program where homeowners within a five-mile radius can get reimbursed for lost property value, but they have to find a buyer. Anyone who gets reimbursed through the program has to waive their right to sue Norfolk Southern later for lost property value. Cozza said he doesn't want to sign away that right. 

Senator Sherrod Brown is blasting the program, calling it an empty promise. Norfolk Southern has issued a statement saying that in the months since the derailment:

“We have made significant progress on our commitment to safely and thoroughly clean the derailment site, support the needs of the community, and invest in its future," a spokesperson said in a statement. "Norfolk Southern has also announced next steps on long-term commitments to protect drinking water and home values, and we’re developing plans to address health concerns.”

Cozza said it may be hard to find someone who would buy a house less than a mile from the derailment site, and he doesn't think anyone would buy the house for the full appraised price.

“As a human being, I don’t know if I could sell this property to someone and have a conscience about it,” Cozza said 

Norfolk Southern said homeowners don’t have to participate in their program. The company added that they are investing in things like a $25 million park for the community, as a way to potentially increase property values.