Toxic gas killed a worker and injured another. Now Texas gas plant must pay $3 million
A Texas gas plant released 525 pounds of toxic hydrogen sulfide into the air, officials say, leading to the death of one of its employees.
Now, Big Lake Gas Plant L.P. has been ordered to pay a $3 million criminal fine after pleading guilty to negligent endangerment and violating the Clean Air Act, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. The company is a subsidiary of West Texas Gas, Inc.
In a September 2021 plea agreement, Big Lake Gas Plant admitted to negligently releasing about 525 pounds of hydrogen sulfide in 2018, officials said. One of its employees died from exposure while working at the plant, officials say, and another was injured while trying to help that co-worker.
“Just a few breaths of air containing high levels of hydrogen sulfide can cause death,” according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. “Lower, longer-term exposure can cause eye irritation, headache, and fatigue.”
The defense attorney representing Big Lake Gas Plant did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News.
“The defendant’s willful and knowing disregard for federal safety regulations and industry practices placed both workers and the public at grave risk, resulting in a tragic and preventable fatality and release of dangerous gasses,” said Todd “Tony” Adams with the Environmental Protection Agency Southwest Office’s criminal enforcement program.
Officials say Big Lake Gas Plant also failed to update its risk management plan after the 2018 incident, which is required by law.
“Big Lake’s flagrant disregard of federal clean air regulations had calamitous consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham in a statement. “Our prayers are with the family of the employee killed in the 2018 hydrogen sulfide incident. We hope today’s sentencing brings them a measure of peace.”
In a related case, West Texas Gas subsidiaries have also agreed to pay more than $3 million in civil penalties and up to $5 million on compliance measures to resolve allegations that it violated the federal Clean Air Act’s chemical accident prevention requirements in Texas and New Mexico.
This story was originally published February 17, 2022 at 3:42 PM with the headline "Toxic gas killed a worker and injured another. Now Texas gas plant must pay $3 million."