A Texas petrochemical firm has pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act and agreed to pay more than $30 million in connection with two explosions that wounded workers and forced hundreds to evacuate, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
Accordong to AP News, explosions at a TPC Group factory in the coastal city of Port Neches forced the evacuation of about 50,000 people from the area, which is around 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Houston, the day before Thanksgiving 2019.
Petrochemical Company Fined Over Massive Plant Explosion in 2019
According to a DOJ press statement, the explosions spilled more than 11 million pounds of very toxic compounds and caused more than $130 million in offsite property damage, as well as additional damages to human health and the environment.
TPC Group has pleaded guilty to a violation of the Clean Air Act and will be paying over $30 million in fines and penalties.
Additionally, the company has committed to investing around $80 million to enhance its risk management program and improve safety at its Port Neches and Houston facilities. The Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency made this announcement on Tuesday.
Explosion Resulted to Over $130 Million in Damages
"TPC Group's knowing failure to comply with the chemical accident prevention provisions of the Clean Air Act at its Port Neches and Houston facilities placed its workers, neighbors and the environment in danger," stated Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division.
According to Fox News, the explosions resulted in the release of over 11 million pounds of highly dangerous substances and caused over $130 million in damage to offsite properties, as well as other negative effects on human health and the environment.
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