A 2017 Texas law allows the state to take over environmental lawsuits from local governments and communities, often leading to much smaller settlements for polluters.
Elena Bruess reports for Houston Landing.
In short:
- Harris County criticized the state for settling with K-Solv for only $11,000 after a chemical fire emitted over 165,000 pounds of pollutants.
- The 2017 law allows the state to block local lawsuits, reducing penalties and shifting control to state agencies, often benefiting the petrochemical industry.
- Critics argue that these settlements don’t incentivize companies to improve environmental practices, leaving affected communities without proper compensation.
Key quote:
"The state isn’t going after the little ones. It’s not like you have a little facility that has a little emissions event; these are big cheeses."
— Sarah Utley, assistant Harris County attorney.
Why this matters:
This law reduces local governments’ power to enforce stricter penalties on polluters, potentially allowing harmful practices to continue. The weakened penalties may result in less corporate accountability and fewer resources for affected communities.
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