The federal government filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern last month, accusing the freight carrier for allegedly contaminating waterways and air in northeast Ohio.
The U.S. Department of Justice, acting on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency, filed a civil complaint two weeks after the state of Ohio took similar action against the rail giant.
No one was injured in the Feb. 3 derailment, which forced thousands to evacuate from East Palestine for several days as toxic chemicals were released to head off a potential explosion.
According to the complaint, the complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, because hazardous materials were released into the air and spilled onto the ground. These substances contaminated local waterways and flowed miles downstream. A Norfolk Southern rep could not be reached for comment on Friday.
This is a developing story.