Air quality safe after Valero facility emissions incident in Texas City
Air quality in Texas City is now safe, and the south loop is back open after an upset at a Valero facility caused higher-than-normal sulfur dioxide emissions. (Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)
Air quality in Texas City is now safe, and the south loop is back open after an upset at a Valero facility caused higher-than-normal sulfur dioxide emissions.
Officials confirmed Sunday that air monitoring confirms no hazardous conditions, and the incident has been downgraded to Level 1A.
What happened? According to Texas City Emergency Management, the upset involved a unit inside the facility that released SO2. As a precaution, FM 519 to the 605 South Loop was closed for hours.
Officials stressed there is no threat to the general public. Texas City Fire Department, Valero, and CTEH crews responded to the scene on Saturday.
Residents can stay informed and track air quality in real time using the city’s situational awareness tools.
Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
About the Authors Holly Galvan Posey headshot
Holly joined the KPRC 2 digital team in March 2024, leveraging her eight years of expertise in blogging and digital content to share her passion for Houston. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the city's vibrant scenes, all while balancing her roles as a wife and mother to two toddlers.
Joy Addison headshot
Joy Addison joined the KPRC 2 News team in November of 2024. She is a native Mississippian and moved to Houston in 2019.
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