Houston, Texas – U.S. Rep. Gene Green (D-Houston) called for a thorough investigation of the fatal June 11 explosion at a Goodyear facility in his Houston-area district today in a letter to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB).

 

“Our community won’t settle for anything less than a thorough, independent investigation of an accident that cost human life,” Green said.

 

Green also said the ongoing investigation of the accident by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a good start, but that the CSB, which investigated the 2005 explosion at a BP refinery in Texas City, is especially suited to look into this kind of industrial accident. Green’s letter praised the CSB’s work on the 2005 explosion that killed 15 and injured 150 and notes the CSB’s status as the only independent agency in the country responsible for investigating industrial chemical accidents.

 

In the letter Green also addressed the CSB’s initial statement following the accident that it may not have enough resources, saying, “we are disturbed to learn that the CSB may not investigate the Goodyear explosion due to a lack of available resources.”

 

 “I’m asking them to investigate thoroughly or to tell me exactly what they lack,” Green said. “If they don’t have enough resources to do their job, Congress should make sure they get what they need.”

 

The June 11 explosion and ammonia leak at the Goodyear Houston plant that makes synthetic rubber for tires killed Gloria McInnis, a resident of Green’s congressional district, and injured six others.  

 

Green is slated to be the next chairman of the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, which shares jurisdiction over the CSB.