The state of Texas is suing Shell, claiming that the fire that occurred in May at its Deer Park petrochemical plant has damaged the environment. According to the Associated Press, the lawsuit, which was filed in Travis County by the Texas attorney general’s office, claims that the company contaminated both the air and water, and violated several state laws. This includes the Clean Air Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and the Water Code. Texas is seeking $1 million in damages.
The Houston Landing is reporting that, according to the state’s lawyers, unspecified contaminants were released into the air and 68.7 million gallons of wastewater were released into the Houston Ship Channel. Also, the amount of wastewater released exceeded the company’s allowance under a state-issued permit.
In a statement to The Texas Tribune, Shell spokesperson Natalie Gunnell said, “The Deer Park chemicals facility remains in a recovery phase as we continue to investigate the cause of the fire and rebuild the damaged portion of the plant.” However, the company refused to comment on the pending litigation.
The Houston Chronicle is reporting that several workers who were injured in the fire have also filed lawsuits against Shell.