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It took long enough, but it appears President Joe Biden has finally decided to get involved in the mess made by Norfolk Southern in East Palestine.
On Thursday, Biden issued an executive order that federal agencies must continue to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for the derailment that has interrupted the lives of residents in those communities. He still, however, has not declared the incident a disaster.
While the bulk of Biden's order was essentially "keep doing what you're doing," it did establish the need for a Federal Emergency Management Agency recovery coordinator assigned to the situation.
One wonders why Biden is skittish about a disaster declaration. After all, as Gov. Mike DeWine pointed out back in July when he requested one, it would be necessary only to cover unmet needs IF Norfolk Southern decides not to fulfill its promises to make things right in East Palestine.
Of course, seven months after the disaster, Norfolk Southern has committed only $95 million to East Palestine, when estimates for the eventual full amount needed are more than $800 million. And East Palestine resident Jessica Conard is right to wonder how a FEMA official monitoring the situation will determine whether Norfolk Southern is meeting the town's needs when there is still no chemical testing to people or homes.
But a small step is better than no step at all.
"This is an overdue but welcomed step to support the people of East Palestine," said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. "There is still much more work to do to make this community whole and I will continue to push the administration to deliver for East Palestine and hold Norfolk Southern accountable."
Biden and other lawmakers must not assume their work is done. If FEMA does find Norfolk Southern isn't keeping its word, Biden must do as he's said he would and reassess the disaster declaration immediately.