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.

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.

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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.