May 23 (Reuters) - Norfolk Southern ( NSC ) agreed to

pay a $15 million civil penalty and $57.1 million in past

government cleanup costs as well as millions in future costs to

resolve a U.S. government lawsuit over a 2023 train derailment

in East Palestine, Ohio, court documents show.

Under a proposed consent decree, the railroad also agreed to

make significant safety improvements, install additional safety

equipment, improve training and to pay for medical monitoring

for health impacts tied to the derailment and release of

hazardous chemicals.

The U.S. Justice Department and Environmental Protection

Agency sued Norfolk Southern ( NSC ) in March 2023 to ensure that the

railroad pays the full cost of cleanup and any long-term effects

of the derailment. Norfolk Southern ( NSC ) will also reimburse EPA for

future response costs under the proposed consent decree that is

subject to public comment and court approval.

The civil penalty is for violations of the Clean Water act.

The company, which did not admit wrongdoing as part of the

settlement, did not immediately comment.

Last month, Norfolk Southern ( NSC ) agreed to pay $600 million to

settle a class action lawsuit over the derailment. The

settlement covers claims from residents and businesses in the

city and impacted surrounding communities.

The incident sparked calls for railroad safety reforms in

Congress but legislation has stalled.