BREAKING: TPC to pay more than $30 million in criminal fines and penalties

Port Neches — The Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency have announced the filing of a felony criminal charge and related civil complaint against TPC, with the company pleading guilty to violating the Clean Air Act and agreeing to pay more than $30 million in criminal fines and penalties linked to the devastating explosion at its Port Neches plant in November of 2019.

The blast was felt for miles around, damaging homes, schools and businesses, injuring a number of people, forcing evacuations and causing significant air pollution. A number of lawsuits have been filed in the wake of the explosion and the company filed for bankruptcy.

The DOJ and EPA also revealed TPC will spend about $80 million to improve its risk management program and improve safety at its Port Neches and Houston plants.

“Port Neches residents will always remember the day before Thanksgiving 2019,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “That day, powerful explosions at the TPC Group’s facility caused evacuations, injuries, air pollution, and more than $130 million in damage. This entirely preventable accident was the result of the company’s failure to take the necessary precautions to control a hazardous chemical even though it was well aware of the serious risks. Today’s criminal plea and settlement send a clear message that safety measures are not optional and that we will hold violators accountable.”

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