Environmental Litigation Articles

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Over 270 Hazardous Chemical Incidents Have Occurred in the United States

Working in the petrochemical industry poses various dangers to workers due to the hazardous nature of the materials and processes involved. One of the primary risks is exposure to toxic chemicals, which can lead to serious health issues such as respiratory problems, skin irritation, and even long-term illnesses like cancer. Additionally, the potential for fires,…

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The Role of Federal Regulatory Agencies in Chemical Safety

In the United States, regulatory agencies play a critical role in evaluating chemical safety to protect public health, the environment, and workers. These agencies must work together to share knowledge and create a systematic approach to chemical safety. This cooperation is vital due to chemicals’ transboundary nature, as they can move through air, water, and…

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EPA Orders Northfolk Southern to Clean Up Its Mess

Figure 1 – Norfolk Southern freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Photo credit: www.apnews.com. On Tuesday morning, February 21, 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) chief Michael Regan ordered that Norfolk Southern Railroad Company to pay for the cost of remediation for Norfolk Southern’s train derailment, in which 38 derailed. Of those…

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TPC Group’s Continuous Violations Put Workers and Residents at Risk

TPC Group, LLC has been found in violation of the Clean Air Act at its facility in Houston, Texas. These violations are similar to those which caused a catastrophic explosion in Port Neches on November 27, 2019. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency investigators reported visibly corroded equipment and dead legs at the Houston facility—complications that previously…

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FORMOSA PLASTIC’S $50 MILLION PUNISHMENT UPHELD BY SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS DISTRICT COURT

On March 22, 2022, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt of the Southern District of Texas harshly ruled that Formosa Plastics’ excuses for skirting a $50 million consent decree because of the dumping of billions of plastic pellets in the Gulf of Mexico “fail[ed] on all counts.” In the face of this wanton pollution, corporate plastics…

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