The month of May was full of chemical disasters. Two leaks in California and Washington happened less than a week apart, and another in Louisiana started off the month.
The devastation in California made national headlines as 50,000 people in one of the largest Vietnamese-American communities in the U.S. were forced to evacuate for six days while a chemical tank threatened to explode.
But chemical disasters are a near-daily occurrence in the U.S. Almost 1,500 chemical disasters have taken place since 2021 (and more than 100 have already happened in 2026 alone). That’s an average of five chemical leaks per week, according to data collected by the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters.
Chemical disasters often threaten communities of color where large concentrations of industrial facilities occupy their neighborhoods.
This year’s chemical disasters have already followed their typical pattern — clustering around Black, Brown, and immigrant areas — including cities like Houston, San Antonio, and New Orleans.
Chemical disaster prevention is on the chopping block
Now, the Environmental Protection Agency — led by Lee Zeldin, who is unfortunately from my home community of Long Island — plans to loosen chemical disaster prevention reforms implemented in 2024.
If the changes are enacted, it would mean that 12,000 facilities scattered across the U.S. would follow less measures to prevent disasters like the ones that happened last month.
Facilities where accidents have already happened would no longer have an independent third-party to audit them. They would no longer be required to establish a process for their workers to report hazards that have gone unaddressed. And they would not have to consider climate disasters when creating emergency plans in the event that something does go wrong.
"Regular everyday people are constantly having to pay the price for our government officials unwilling to hold these powerful, rich corporations accountable." - Tracy La, Director of VietRISE in Orange County, California
Residents call for a moratorium on military facilities
Despite the horror, residents who live in Garden Grove, where the leak took place, packed city council meeting and demanded that city officials implement a moratorium on weapons manufacturing facilities.
The GKN Aerospace Plant responsible for the leak is a military contractor that helps build F-35 jet planes — planes likely bound for Israel.
It’s yet another reminder that the destruction that takes place overseas is made possible by the toxic manufacturing happening right here at home. But that means it can be stopped here, too.
The Latest at Counterstream
Reflections from our Compassion in Crisis event in Oakland!
On May 20, Counterstream Co-Founder Shilpi Chhotray facilitated a special conversation with co-authors Kailea Loften and Kate Weiner on the newest edition of their book, Compassion in Crisis: Building Disaster-Resilient Communities.
This conversation emphasized what it takes to make disaster resilience possible and more widespread as the climate crisis intensifies. Nicole Huguenin with Maui Rapid Response shared firsthand reflections on mutual aid organizing and community response in the wake of the 2023 wildfires.
Following the themes of the book, the discussion challenged the idea that disaster response should rely solely on traditional emergency management systems, policing, or large institutional responses like the Red Cross. As Huguenin’s story shows, communities can find ways to live in the age of disaster.
Movement News
NPR cuts its climate desk
Citing lack of federal funding, National Public Radio has laid off or bought out several reporters, including its Chief Climate Reporter. The Trump administration rolled back $9 billion in subsidies for public media and broadcasting last year, impacting stations like NPR. Read more
New EPA regulations jeopardize the nation’s drinking water
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a new rule that loosens requirements for power plants to clean up toxic coal residue, leaving nearby groundwaters vulnerable to contamination. Read more
Worth Revisiting
Diane Wilson’s story is proof that taking on big industry is possible
In the fight against a major plastic polluter, she refuses to back down.