HOUSTON, TX – John Fansler, the owner and operator of HP Gas, an industrial gas production company, received a sentence of time served on February 22, 2022, after pleading guilty to violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The case, investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of egregious mismanagement of hazardous waste that culminated in a dangerous situation for local residents and a multi-million dollar cleanup effort.
Between 2009 and 2010, HP Gas manufactured and shipped highly toxic chemicals, including hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride. The production process generated substantial hazardous waste, which Fansler directed employees to store on-site in numerous drums and barrels. Critically, this storage occurred without the necessary permits mandated by federal law, immediately placing the surrounding environment and community at risk.
Facility Decay and the 2018 Explosion
The situation deteriorated significantly in February 2018 when an explosion rocked the HP Gas facility. First responders discovered a disturbing scene: a large number of rusted gas cylinders, one of which had already detonated, releasing an unidentified poisonous gas into the atmosphere. A subsequent investigation revealed approximately 1,200 containers on the property, many severely corroded and actively leaking hazardous materials. The sheer volume of improperly stored waste and its deteriorating condition painted a picture of long-term negligence and disregard for safety regulations.
EPA Response and Cleanup Costs
The EPA was forced to step in and undertake a comprehensive cleanup of the HP Gas site. The agency’s remediation efforts, which included the safe removal and disposal of the hazardous waste, ultimately cost taxpayers approximately $4.4 million. The cleanup was a complex and dangerous undertaking, requiring specialized equipment and personnel to handle the highly toxic substances present at the location. The incident underscores the significant financial burden placed on the public when companies fail to adhere to environmental regulations.
Legal Ramifications and Penalties
Fansler was found to have violated 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA is the nation’s primary law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Specifically, Fansler’s actions constituted the unlawful storage of hazardous waste without a permit, a direct violation of the Act. While Fansler received a sentence of time served, the case serves as a stark warning to other industrial operators about the serious consequences of non-compliance with environmental laws.
Key Facts
- Defendant: John Fansler
- Company: HP Gas
- Location: Texas
- Hazardous Materials: Hydrogen cyanide, cyanogen chloride
- Waste Containers: Approximately 1,200 drums and barrels
- EPA Cleanup Cost: $4.4 million
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – RCRA
- Sentence: Time served
The case highlights the critical role of the EPA in protecting communities from the dangers of improperly managed hazardous waste. GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental enforcement cases and report on the efforts to hold polluters accountable.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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