Attorney General Ken Paxton recently announced that he has reached a settlement with TPC Group Inc. and its LLC for alleged safety and environmental violations, following a major chemical plant explosion in 2019 that caused thousands of Texans to miss Thanksgiving. The explosion occurred at the TPC-owned Port Neches facility, which was still operating after an inquiry found that the firm was aware of facilities issues.
The state’s lawsuit also claimed that TPC used equipment that did not fulfill the requirements of the air permits it had received, so violating Texas air quality regulations following the explosion. The business is expected to pay more than $12.6 million in penalties and fees for the post-December 2022 violations. Prior infractions were decided in bankruptcy court, where TPC was compelled to surrender after the explosion caused financial instability. The fines were set at $150 million in a Stipulation and Notice of Subordination Agreement submitted in August 2024 as part of the bankruptcy proceedings.
TPC has pleaded guilty to criminal charges under the federal Clean Air Act in addition to the monetary fines for environmental infractions. According to the Texas Attorney General’s Office, “In Texas, we believe in ensuring all industries operate safely and being responsible stewards of our environment,” Paxton said, reiterating the message that businesses in the state must prioritize environmental responsibility and safety or risk severe repercussions.
The settlement is one among several steps the state is taking to hold TPC responsible and stop such disasters in the future, including requiring the business to replace or repair equipment at the Port Neches plant. The Texas Attorney General’s Office has made it clear that, for companies doing business in the state, putting public safety and environmental protection first is a must, regardless of the financial and legal obstacles it faces.
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