Environmental fines sought in S.C. rail crash

Federal prosecutors want to fine Norfolk Southern Corp., saying the railroad violated the Clean Water Act in a January 2005 train wreck in Graniteville, S.C., that killed nine people.

The accident caused chlorine and oil to accumulate in nearby waterways, injuring and killing fish and vegetation, according to court documents filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Aiken, S.C. The Norfolk-based railroad broke another law by not immediately notifying a federal response center that a large amount of chlorine had been released, the suit said.

Norfolk Southern, the nation's fourth-largest railroad, faces penalties that include a fine of up to $4,300 for each barrel of oil discharged, with a similar fine for the chlorine.

The railroad said it believes the penalties "will not be sustained."

"Norfolk Southern is disappointed the government is taking this action given its response following the derailment, its full cooperation in the investigation and its payment of governmental response costs," the company said Thursday in a statement.