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The US Government has followed through with its decision to close the Chemical Safety Board. While it was announced in July of 2025 that the current administration intended to close the board, many have held out hope that the agency would ultimately be funded by the end of the 2025 government shutdown – it was not. Instead, the CSB has been given just $150,000 to close out all operations by the end of the year. This is a devastating blow to environmental and public health groups that have long championed the organization. Its role will now be filled by the Environmental Protection Agency.
One note that we would like to highlight in this article is that the CSB’s current ongoing investigations will be closed with no resolution. As of Dec. 15, 2025, there are 9 open investigations into high-profile cases, including the Nitrogen Oxides Releases at the Austin Powder & U.S. Nitrogen plant and the PEMEX Deer Park chemical release in 2024. The following is a list of each ongoing investigation, a description and the latest update from the CSB.
Ongoing Investigations
Accurate Energetic Systems Fatal Explosion
Location: McEwen, TN
Date of Incident: 10/10/2025
Description: An explosion at the McEwen Accurate Energetic Systems manufacturing facility resulted in 16 fatalities, serious injuries and “severe damage” to the facility. The CSB has estimated between 24,000 and 28,000 pounds of explosives were detonated.
Latest Update: No updates.
United States Steel Coporation Clairton Plant Coke Oven Explosion
Location: Clairton, PA
Date of Incident: 08/11/2025
Description: An explosion at the Unites States Steel Corporation Clairton Plant coke oven batteries 13 and 14 caused two fatalities and multiple injuries.
Latest Update: September 29/2025
Horizon Biofuels Explosions
Location: Fremont, NE
Date of Incident: 07/29/2025
Description: On July 29, 2025 at approximately 11:56 am local time, multiple explosions occurred at the Horizon Biofuels facility in Fremont, Nebraska, resulting in three fatalities.
Latest Update: September 17, 2025
Austin Powder & U.S. Nitrogen – Nitrogen Oxides Releases
Location: 06/11/2025
Date of Incident: 6/11/2025
Description:On June 11, 2025, at approximately 8:15 a.m., local time, the Austin Powder facility in McArthur, Ohio, experienced an accidental release of nitrogen oxides and nitric acid from an acid storage tank. The release resulted in the evacuation of the surrounding community and an airspace restriction around the facility. Additionally, on November 24, 2024, the U.S. Nitrogen facility in Midway, Tennessee, experienced an accidental release of nitrogen oxides from its nitric acid production unit.
Latest Update: June 24, 2025
Shell Polymers Monaca Chemical Release
Location: Monaca , PA
Date of Incident: 06/04/2025
Description: On June 4, 2025, at approximately 2:19 p.m. local time, the Shell Polymers Monaca facility experienced an accidental release of butadiene and benzene from the ethane cracking unit. The incident resulted in a fire.
Latest Update: N/A
Givaudan Sense Colour Explosion
Location: Louisville , KY
Date of Incident: November 12, 2024
Description: A massive explosion on November 12, 2024, at the Givaudan Sense Colour facility in Louisville, KY, fatally injured two employees and injured 11 others.
In addition to the fatalities, serious injuries, and damage to the facility itself, a section of the pressure vessel was ejected beyond the fence line and damaged a residential unit.
Latest Update: June 18, 2025
PEMEX Deer Park Chemical Release
Location: Deer Park, TX
Date of Incident: 10/10/2024
Description: October 10, 2024, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a hydrogen sulfide release occurred at the PEMEX Deer Park facility’s amine recovery unit while workers were attempting to remove an isolation blind from piping that normally transports hydrogen sulfide gas. The incident caused two fatalities and 13 injuries.
Latest Update: March 19, 2025
Bio-Lab Inc. Conyers Fire and Chemical Release
Location: Conyers, GA
Date of Incident: 09/29/2024
Description: At approximately 5 am on September 29, 2024 the fire department was called to respond to smoke observed at Bio-Lab Inc’s Conyers facility. By 6:40 a.m., flames were visibly seen from the roof. The fire resulted in colorful and dark plumes of smoke and off-gassing of chemicals and a shelter-in-place for nearby residents.
Latest Update: May 2025
Dow Louisiana Operations Explosions
Location: Plaquemine, LA
Date of Incident: 07/14/2023
Description: On July 14, 2023, at approximately 9:15 p.m., multiple explosions occurred in the Dow Louisiana Operations Glycol II Ethylene Oxide Finishing unit in Plaquemine, Louisiana.
This incident resulted in substantial property damage at the plant, but no injuries.
Latest Update: June 18, 2024
Contact a Houston Refinery Attorney Today
With the closure of the Chemical Safety Board, it will be more difficult to find evidence of wrongdoing in the aftermath of refinery and industrial accidents. Regardless, the Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian are up to the challenge. Our firm has represented victims harmed by chemical exposure, fires, explosions and other refinery accidents for over 21 years. Hilda Sibrian works with clients suffering internal damage, lung trauma, and represents families in wrongful death cases.
If you have been injured in a refinery accident, or if a loved one has been killed, contact our office immediately. The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian represent clients in Sugar Land, Missouri City, La Porte, Beaumont, Pasadena, The Woodlands, The Heights, Bellaire, Kingwood, Baytown and of course Houston proper. Call our office today at 713-714-1414 or fill out our online contact form for more information.
