At 3:30 p.m. Aug. 12, 2025, the EPA was notified by the National
Response Center of a potential release of a hazardous substance from a train
derailment in Gordon, Texas, near mile marker 316.55 in Palo Pinto County.
According to Union Pacific Railroad, the potential release
resulted from the derailment of 31 railcars. The cause of the derailment is
unknown. The amount of material that may have been released is also unknown,
but the railroad confirmed that most of the derailed cars were damaged. The
main line was closed in all directions.
The EPA activated an On-Scene Coordinator and technical assistance contractor,
START, to assess the
situation and confirm any release of hazardous substances to the environment.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is also responding to the
incident.
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