Oklahoma government blocks shipment of toxic waste from East Palestine train derailment

Oklahoma’s governor has blocked a planned shipment of toxic waste from the East Palestine train derailment to a hazardous waste disposal facility in his state because too many questions about the materials remain unanswered.

The waste was scheduled to be shipped from the crash site in Ohio to the Lone Mountain Landfill in Waynoka, Oklahoma.

Last night, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt blocked the shipment, saying he’s not yet convinced it’s safe for Oklahomans.

Environmental Protection Agency chiefs say he’s making “politics” and insist it’s safe.

The dangerous materials from the East Palestine derailment were supposed to be shipped to Oklahoma, but the governor stopped their shipment at the last minute

Stitt said in a tweet and a Facebook post, “Yesterday it was brought to my attention that a shipment of toxic waste from the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, was coming to Oklahoma.

“Immediately, I worked with my team, Senator Lankford, Senator Mullin and Congressman Lucas to prevent the shipment from entering our state.

“There are too many unanswered questions and I have ultimately made the decision that this is not in the best interest of Oklahomans.

“Since last night this show has been blocked.”

It’s unclear how much Norfolk Southern — the railroad company responsible for the derailed train — paid the Oklahoma facility to accept the waste, or why it was chosen as the site for disposal.

The waste was scheduled to be shipped from the crash site in Ohio to the Lone Mountain Landfill in Waynoka, Oklahoma (pictured).

The Waynoka facility is more than 1,000 miles from the derailment site.

It is also unclear how it was to be transported and who was responsible for this journey.

The EPA, which is part of the government, is keen to see the materials shipped.

It has been widely criticized for its handling of the crisis, which began on February 3 and has been called the worst environmental disaster in US history.

Residents of eastern Palestine have been reluctant to return to their homes for fear of contagion, despite repeated assurances from the EPA that it is safe.

“To be clear, Norfolk Southern has a contract with a licensed disposal facility in Oklahoma that can accept this waste.

“As always with waste disposal, the EPA has taken precautions to ensure communities are protected at every step.

“Governor Stitt is playing politics at the expense of the people of East Palestine, Ohio.

“We are reviewing all judicial authorities to ensure that the people of eastern Palestine, who have already suffered enough, are not victims of this political swagger,” said EPA chief Maria Michalos.

Neither the EPA, Norfolk Southern nor Clean Harbors responded to DailyMail.com’s questions Monday morning.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt blocked the shipment last night and said in a statement he was not convinced it was safe for Oklahomans