Dec 15 (LNGJ) - The Freeport LNG export plant on Quintana Island in Texas has accepted a fine from the US Environmental Protection Agency to settle safety violations related to the June 8, 2022, explosion and fire at the facility that caused over $250 million of damage. The consent agreement was made public by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and included a civil penalty of $163,054 for breaking chemical accident prevention rules under the Clean Air Act.
The settlement followed allegations by the EPA that Freeport LNG had failed in its duty to maintain a safe facility, did not implement recommendations from a 2021 hazard analysis and failed to punctually update its emergency contact information. Under the settlement, Freeport LNG neither admitted nor denied the allegations. The Freeport fire closed the plant for eight months and was a setback for the company as it was also looking forward to proceeding with an expansion project to increase output from around 15 million tonnes per annum of LNG from three Trains to 20 MTPA with the construction of a fourth Train.
