Harvey-related enforcement actions
Harris County has issued notices of violation against these Hurricane Harvey-related polluters. The state has cited more industrial users outside the Houston area so far, environmental enforcement records show.
Magellan Midstream Partners’ terminal just east of Houston:
Some 460,000 gallons of gasoline spilled from two storage tanks with ruptured bottoms. The release was initially reported to be 42,000 gallons. It also produced Harvey’s largest reported air pollution release of 1,143 tons. Magellan also has been cited by TCEQ.
Valero Energy’s East Houston Refinery, Manchester:
The collapse of a storage tank roof at Valero's refinery spewed some 235,000 pounds of toxic vapors and other pollutants into the atmosphere, but residents received little notification. Valero also has been cited by TCEQ.
Exxon Mobil Refinery in Baytown:
Major tank leak prompted a release of more than 185,000 pounds of pollutants, including cancer-causing benzene.
Industrial park owned by W&P Development Corp.:
30,000 to 100,000 gallons of oily wastewater poured into the San Jacinto River and surrounding property from Aug. 29 to 31. The site was formerly a paper mill and a landfill.
Shell Oil Co. Deer Park refinery and chemical plant, east of Houston, on the Ship Channel’s southern bank:
Three incidents during Harvey at the refinery led to the release of more than 100,000 pounds of pollutants.
Enterprise Crude Pipeline in Pasadena:
Crude oil leaked out of a tank during Harvey’s rains, causing more than 58,000 pounds of unauthorized air emissions.
KM Liquid Terminals:
Roofs failed on three different tanks at this terminal during Harvey, prompting the release of more than 160,000 pounds of pollutants.
Phillips 66 Pipeline:
Two tanks leaked at this site after heavy rains, prompting the release of 40,000 pounds of pollutants.
Arkema, Crosby:
Harvey’s best-known air pollution incident began when flooding at the Arkema plant in Crosby led to an explosion and the incineration of nine trailers containing the company’s stockpile of organic peroxides — 23 people were briefly hospitalized and pollutants were released into the air and water. In an earlier joint effort, the TCEQ and Harris and Liberty counties civilly sued Arkema for environmental damage.