Unregulated Petrochemical Barge Industry Perils Texas River and Residents
The San Jacinto River in Texas is increasingly crowded with largely unregulated petrochemical barges, escalating fears among 54,000 residents of chemical releases, explosions, and environmental damage. These vessels, crucial for Houston's industry, contribute significantly to air pollution, including cancer-causing VOCs, exceeding major industrial facilities. Regulatory gaps allow unchecked growth and emissions, while past incidents demonstrate tangible dangers. Residents struggle for accountability from powerful agencies like the Port of Houston and Army Corps of Engineers, feeling disregarded as their community faces worsening health risks and safety threats.
The San Jacinto River, east of Houston, Texas, is experiencing an alarming takeover by the largely unregulated petrochemical barge industry, with vessel numbers surging from approximately 100 in 1990 to at least 600 today. This unchecked expansion poses severe environmental and health risks to the 54,000 residents of Channelview and Highlands. Air quality is among the nation's worst, with barges contributing more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene—known to cause cancers—than a major Exxon Mobil facility in 2023. Cancer risks in these communities are already double to triple the national average.Compounding the problem are significant regulatory loopholes: barges are not required to obtain air pollution permits or directly report emissions, and no state or federal agency monitors their releases while in transit or moored. Industry experts confirm widespread knowledge of this regulatory void. Residents live in fear of chemical releases and explosions, especially given the barges' proximity to a dioxin-laced Superfund site and the low-slung I-10 bridge. Past incidents, including a 1994 river fire from a runaway barge and a 2019 pile-up that damaged the I-10 bridge and threatened the Superfund site, underscore these tangible dangers.Despite these threats, powerful entities like the Port of Houston, which owns the submerged land, and the Army Corps of Engineers continue to facilitate the industry's growth, often sidestepping public input or environmental review. While the Port acknowledges some concerns, its recently established exclusion zones omit the most vulnerable areas. Residents feel their voices are ignored, exemplified by the Corps' approval of a barge terminal permit for Holtmar Land LLC despite hundreds of objections, only to be rescinded after a lawsuit. With more barges planned for the already congested waterway, residents face a future of increased risk, highlighting the dire consequences of prioritizing economic development over community health and safety in unincorporated areas.
