Energy, environment and natural resources

Executive Order 14108: Ensuring the People of East Palestine Are Protected Now and in the Future

President: Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Directed a coordinated federal response to the East Palestine train derailment, including environmental monitoring, health support, recovery assistance and recovery of federal costs from Norfolk Southern.

Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 14108 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 14108 remains in effect. See Federal Register record.

Responders, a derailed freight train and river sampling accompany a town and distant civic buildings.
East Palestine recovery and environmental oversight, illustrated symbolically; the scene is not a photograph or evidence of a completed cleanup. EO Explained · site-generated editorial illustration · not documentary evidence.

What does Executive Order 14108 do?

FEMA was assigned recovery coordination, EPA cleanup oversight and cost recovery, and HHS health monitoring and research support.

Administration position: The order’s findings and policy rationale were the Biden administration’s positions. This guide distinguishes them from implementation records and judicial rulings.
SignedSeptember 20, 2023
Lead officialsFEMA, EPA, HHS, Transportation and Justice
Express timingAgency reports and actions on 30-, 60- and 90-day schedules

Before and after

Before the order

Agencies had responded under environmental, transportation and emergency statutes, but residents sought clearer long-term federal coordination and accountability.

After the order

EPA supervised cleanup and monitoring, HHS supported health work, and Justice pursued statutory accountability. Site cleanup, monitoring and settlements continue under separate legal authorities.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
FEMACoordinate recovery and report on unmet needs30 days / ongoing
EPAContinue cleanup oversight and cost recoveryOngoing
HHSSupport public-health monitoring and research60–90 days
TransportationAdvance rail-safety actionsOngoing

What happened next

EO 14108 signed.

Remaining cleanup and claims continue under statutes and settlement terms.