31, August 2017 Houston’s Fukushima
Much like the Fukushima plant in Tokyo, floodwaters shut the cooling system of Arkema chemical plant near Crosby, Texas causing a series of explosions. Both the primary and backup cooling system failed. The owners of the plant were evasive about letting the residents know what chemicals they were breathing. Nevertheless they found it necessary to evacuate residents within a one-and-a-half-mile radius from the plant. FEMA head Brock Long warned that the plume of chemicals leaking from the plant was "incredibly dangerous." Matt Dempsey, reporter with the Houston Chronicle in his latest report was highly critical of the chronic regulatory failures of the chemical industry. Arkema CEO Richard Rowe admitted that the chemicals could catch fire or explode.
Not unsurprising, Arkema successfully pressured federal regulators to delay new regulations aimed at improving safety procedures at chemical plants. It is a travesty that it took a severe hurricane to reveal shortcomings in basic plant safety. Furthermore, the chemical plants and refineries are situated close to poor communities and schools smacking of environmental racism.
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