Texas Attorney General files lawsuit against Intercontinental Terminals Company

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on behalf of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has filed an environmental lawsuit against Intercontinental Terminals Company.

The lawsuit seeks "injunctive relief and civil penalties" related to the fire at the ITC Deer Park petrochemical storage facility, alleging that the fire that began on Sunday and continued burning until Wednesday has released air pollution in violation of the Texas Clean Air Act.

"The state of Texas works hard to maintain good air quality and will hold ITC accountable for the damage it has done to our environment," said Attorney General Paxton. "ITC has a history of environmental violations, and this latest incident is especially disturbing and frightening. No company can be allowed to disrupt lives and put public health and safety at risk."

“I would like to thank the Attorney General for acting so quickly on TCEQ’s request to enforce against ICT, LLC,” stated TCEQ Executive Director Toby Baker. “Due to the dynamic, ongoing investigation of this incident, only air quality violations have been cited in the state of Texas lawsuit against ICT, LLC. Any additional violations, including surface water quality, will be referred to the Office of Attorney General for civil enforcement as part of this action.”

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board announced on Thursday that it is opening an investigation into the ITC fire.