Houston and Harris County plan to sue Union Pacific over 5th Ward pollution

Houston and Harris County leaders said they're suing Union Pacific Railroad for what they say is the company's role in creosote contamination in the Fifth Ward.

The announcement of the lawsuit, which was not yet filed as of Wednesday evening, comes about two weeks after testing found traces of a toxic chemical in the soil near a Union Pacific railyard.

Officials say they foresee a quicker resolution with the threat of a lawsuit under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, a federal law enacted in 1976 that regulates hazardous waste disposal.

“If UP will not make truly meaningful changes to address the pollution with our lawsuits by the city, county and the community, then we will seek justice at the courthouse,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said.

Read more: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2022/07/27/429232/houston-harris-county-threaten-to-sue-union-pacific/