Petrochemical company faces hefty fines for 2019 explosions in Texas

A Texas petrochemical company has agreed to pay more than $30 million in fines and penalties for Clean Air Act violations following explosions in 2019 that injured workers and forced mass evacuations.

The Associated Press reports.

In short:

The 2019 explosions at TPC Group's plant in Port Neches, Texas, forced the evacuation of over 50,000 people and released over 11 million pounds of hazardous substances.
The U.S. Justice Department announced the company will pay $30 million in criminal fines and civil penalties and spend $80 million to enhance safety and risk management.
The explosions caused more than $130 million in offsite property damage, impacting human health and the environment significantly.

Key quote:

"Today’s guilty plea shows that businesses that choose to place profits over safeguards and legal compliance will face serious consequences."

— Damien M. Diggs, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas

Why this matters:

This case highlights the serious health and environmental risks associated with petrochemical plant safety failures and reinforces the importance of regulatory compliance to minimize future incidents. Read more: Texas has more chemical emergencies than any other state and they’re disproportionately affecting Latino communities.

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