Louisiana has initiated legal action against Smitty’s Supply following a catastrophic explosion at its facility in Tangipahoa Parish that occurred in August. The incident released millions of gallons of hazardous waste into local waterways, prompting concern about environmental impact and compliance with safety regulations.
Attorney General Liz Murrill, alongside the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, filed the lawsuit on Wednesday, alleging that Smitty’s Supply engaged in unlawful pollution of both state and federal waters. The legal complaint asserts that the company consistently neglected state permit requirements leading up to the explosion, which the lawsuit claims violates the Clean Water Act.
Federal government officials who assessed Smitty’s oil spill prevention and response strategies after the August 22 explosion found them to be inadequate. These findings form a significant basis for the state’s allegations against the company.
The explosion devastated a significant portion of the 15-acre Smitty’s complex in Roseland, where large quantities of flammable materials were stored. Following the incident, a fire raged for nearly two weeks before it was successfully controlled. In the wake of the disaster, Smitty’s Supply filed a lawsuit against two other companies, asserting they were responsible for installing a faulty thermal fluid heater that may have contributed to the explosion.
Environmental testing subsequent to the explosion revealed the presence of hazardous substances, including arsenic, barium, chromium, lead, and nitrobenzene, a known carcinogen, in the surrounding soot, soil, and water. The presence of these toxic materials raises alarms regarding the long-term environmental health of the area.
As of now, officials have recovered approximately 11 million gallons of contaminated materials, including oil, from the Smitty’s facility and the neighboring drainage areas. However, concerns remain as hazardous materials are still present at the site, presenting a risk of future spills and pollution.
The suit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, seeks to hold Smitty’s accountable for the extensive pollution incident. It demands civil penalties and requests the court to order measures that would prevent any further discharge of hazardous substances into waterways.
An employee at Smitty’s Supply declined to comment and subsequently hung up when contacted. The company has not publicly responded to inquiries regarding the proposed legal action.