Another fire at a Baytown Exxon facility highlights record of environmental violations
The plume of smoke was visible for miles as a fire burned at an Exxon Mobil facility in Baytown — the second such fire in 2019.
On July 31, an explosion at Exxon’s Baytown Olefins Plant injured 37 people and started a fire that released dozens of contaminants into the air — including butene, benzene, butadiene and carbon monoxide. The blaze came less than three months after a fire at another of Exxon’s Baytown facilities, which also resulted in the release of toxic pollutants. A federal judge ordered the oil giant to pay nearly $20 million in penalties as a result of an Environment Texas lawsuit for violations at the same complex.
“Exxon’s Baytown facility has a long history of environmental violations that put people’s health at risk,” said Environment Texas Executive Director Luke Metzger.
Photo: Exxon Mobil’s Baytown facilities have a record of environmental violations. Credit: Photo Denbow
