Power City Plumbing and Heating, Asbestos Violations, TX 1999

Houston, TX – Power City Plumbing and Heating faced federal charges in 1998 following an investigation into improper asbestos abatement practices at the Central Union Building. The company and its individual defendant were accused of knowingly violating Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations designed to protect workers and the public from the dangers of asbestos exposure. The case, which culminated in a July 1998 jury trial, highlighted a pattern of disregard for safety protocols during a large-scale renovation project.

According to court documents, Power City Plumbing and Heating was contracted to remove asbestos-containing pipe insulation and floor tile from six floors of the Central Union Building as the space was being converted into office suites. The EPA alleged that the company directed its employees to perform the removal work without implementing the necessary work practice standards mandated by the CAA. These standards are crucial for containing asbestos fibers, which are known carcinogens, and preventing their release into the air.

The initial indictment, filed in March 1998, charged the individual defendant with two counts of violating the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1)), one count of conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), and one count of making false statements (18 U.S.C. 1001). Power City itself was charged with the same violations. Prosecutors argued that the company knowingly endangered its workers and potentially the building’s occupants by failing to adhere to established asbestos removal protocols.

The jury trial, however, yielded a mixed verdict. While the individual defendant was acquitted of all charges, Power City Plumbing and Heating was found guilty on one count of knowingly violating the CAA. The charges of conspiracy and providing false statements were either dismissed or resulted in acquittals. The outcome suggests the prosecution struggled to prove the individual’s direct intent to violate the law, but successfully demonstrated the company’s culpability in the improper asbestos removal.

In October 1998, Power City Plumbing and Heating was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 federal fine. The penalty, while significant, may be considered relatively lenient given the potential health risks associated with asbestos exposure. Environmental advocates have often criticized penalties for CAA violations as insufficient to deter future offenses.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Power City Plumbing and Heating
Location: Central Union Building, Texas
Year: 1999 (charges filed in 1998)
Violated Statutes: 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1) (Clean Air Act violation), 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy), 18 U.S.C. 1001 (False Statements)
Penalties: 60 months probation and a $10,000 federal fine for Power City Plumbing and Heating
Crime: Improper removal and disposal of asbestos during a building renovation.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow cases involving environmental crimes and worker safety violations. The Power City case serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for strict enforcement of environmental regulations and the importance of protecting individuals from hazardous materials.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

Related Federal Cases