West Fertilizer Company

Smoke rises from an explosion at the TPC Group Port Neches Operations plant on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, in Port Neches, Texas. (Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle via AP)

As Port Neches Plant Smolders, Trump Rolls Back Safety Rules for Chemical Plants

After a deadly explosion in the town of West in 2013, Obama implemented stricter safety rules for chemical plants. Trump’s EPA has just undone them.

by Christopher Collins

West, Texas Blues

by Kelsey Jukam and Forrest Wilder

Nearly Two Years After West Fertilizer Disaster, Lawmakers Finally Consider Changes to Regulatory System

by Kelsey Jukam

Observer Radio Episode 54: Lingering Questions From West, Texas

by Jonathan McNamara

Recovery: West, Texas Rebuilds

by Jonathan McNamara

A Year After West Disaster, Legislators Still Talking About Reform

At a hearing this morning, a House committee considers a set of modest changes to the way Texas oversees fertilizer plants.

by Forrest Wilder

Inspections Show Texas Fertilizer Plants Still Vulnerable

by Forrest Wilder

Aerial photo of the West explosion site taken several days after blast.

State Agencies Meet Resistance in Policing Fertilizer Industry

by Priscila Mosqueda and Forrest Wilder

The Lessons from West

by Forrest Wilder