Texas environmental regulators accuse BP of ‘poor operation and maintenance’ at refinery

Texas accuses BP of poorly operating its refinery

HOUSTON — Texas environmental regulators are accusing BP of showing a pattern of “poor operation and maintenance practices” at its Texas City refinery, the same plant where a 2005 explosion killed 15 workers.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality made the accusation after investigating an incident at the refinery that led to a nearly 40-day release of toxic and cancer-causing chemicals. The commission’s findings were passed along to the state attorney general on July 23.

The release began April 6, days before a BP-operated rig blew up in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP did not immediately comment Wednesday.

A lawsuit filed Tuesday seeks $10 billion in damages for the same incident. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of workers and nearby residents.