Marathon Petroleum y una ciudad de Texas muestran una potencial crisis de comunicaciones sobre sustancias químicas

En los últimos tres años, Marathon ha violado repetidamente la ley de Aire Limpio y tuvo tres emergencias en el semestre de febrero a julio de 2023.

HOUSTON- El 27 de junio de 2023 la oficina de gestión de emergencias de Texas City emitió una toque de queda tras una fuga de dióxido de azufre de la refinería de Marathon Galveston Bay.

Para ver el aviso, los vecinos tenían que chequear las redes sociales de los funcionarios o haberse preinscrito al sistema de alertas de emergencias de la ciudad. Con estas limitaciones, hay dudas de que la gente recibiera el mensaje a tiempo. La gente que no habla inglés tenía que depender de traducciones de las redes sociales o esperar que la alerta estuviera bien traducida.

Este video documenta la fuga de dióxido de azufre, un incendio químico que causó una muerte en mayo y una electrocución que causó otra muerte en febrero.

Marathon tiene una larga historia en Texas City. Los registros que usamos para evaluar las violaciones de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA) o la Comisión de la Calidad Ambiental de Texas (TCEQ) en Texas City están disponibles aquí.

Los registros de violaciones de la refinería de Marathon Galveston Bay de OSHA, la Administración de Salud y Seguridad en Trabajo están disponibles aquí.

La línea de tiempo a continuación incluye más detalles sobre cada evento.


Aerial view of several rows of solar panels in a green field

COP31 host Türkiye is home to one of Europe's largest solar farms. Why can’t it kick coal?

As Türkiye prepares to host the UN climate summit, one critic describes the country's climate targets and policies as “critically insufficient”.
A yellow skid-steer loader in front of destroyed homes on January 13, 2013 in Lavallette, New Jersey in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy
Credit: Glynnis Jones/BigStock Photo ID: 41233060

Disaster-prone communities face cuts and slowdowns in federal help

The Trump administration is scaling back or stalling investments that help vulnerable places harden themselves to rising flood and fire threats.
A view of a large ocean wave breaking

Why the blue wave brings new hope for clean energy

While affordability and inflation were top of mind for voters, midterm results will also affect climate policy at virtually every level of government.

A group of red and blue stickers with "VOTE" and "VOTE TODAY" on them

What experts think the Democratic blue wave will mean for climate action

With a new majority in the House and Senate, here's what climate experts think Democrats will prioritize.
A view of a cellphone with the Meta logo on it with the facebook logo on the wall behind it

Oil companies spent over $2M on Meta ads in the lead-up to the midterms

A look at Meta’s social issues advertising database shows that Shell, Exxon, and Chevron have long outspent environmental groups.

A view from Portland, Oregon of a bridge with a big mountain in the background

Oregon judge allows Multnomah County climate lawsuit against fossil fuel giants to advance

Gas companies sought to have the climate case dismissed, saying state governments don't have the power to regulate their interstate pollution.
View of Tetiaroa from the lagoon on a cruise ship French Polynesia
Credit: Piccola/BigStock Photo ID: 195061267

How Marlon Brando’s private island inspired a plan to suck carbon pollution from the air

A pristine atoll in the Pacific Ocean is the birthplace of a technology that could help solve a problem created far beyond its sandy shores.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.