News

‘HWPW Forward’ is designed to deliver accurate, timely information and open communication   OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 16, 2023 – Union Pacific is placing action behind its commitment to transparency and accountability to the Fifth Ward community by launching a holistic transparency initiative, HWPW Forward. The initiative is part of the

Union Pacific today began testing the groundwater near the former Houston Wood Preserving Works (HWPW) site for vapors to determine whether chemicals once used to treat wood railroad ties are evaporating and impacting the air in nearby homes and businesses. The railroad is taking this proactive step to recheck previous

Testing is part of Union Pacific’s Ongoing Commitment to the Fifth Ward and Results will be Made Public   OMAHA, Neb., Sept. 1, 2023 – Union Pacific today announced the next step in its efforts to secure accurate information about contamination in the Fifth Ward community. The railroad will be

The state’s evaluation underscores the need for more testing before relocating people in the Fifth Ward   OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 30, 2023 – The Texas Department of State Health Services found no cancer or other health concerns linked to the presence of chemicals, including dioxins, detected in the city’s soil

Union Pacific Railroad is asking absentee landowners to sign and return mailed access agreements, giving the railroad permission to perform soil testing on their property near the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site. The testing will be overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and will determine the source, the

Results from recent, semi-annual groundwater sampling on and near the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site show the groundwater plume has not moved and there is no exposure pathway to reach the community. Union Pacific collected and tested 129 samples from monitoring wells and will provide the results and an evaluation of the data

Union Pacific is focused on the safety of the Fifth Ward community, and actively working on remediation. We’ve made measurable progress with on site clean up since acquiring the property in a 1997 merger and are committed to finishing the job. Union Pacific proactively sought involvement from the U.S. Environmental

Union Pacific is committed to collaborating with U.S. EPA, City of Houston, Harris County, and Bayou City Initiative to provide thorough testing, transparent information, and timely action for the Fifth Ward community. As we finalize plans for more comprehensive testing around the site, we are working with U.S. EPA to resolve

In May, contractors for Union Pacific notified the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) of their plans to conduct soil sampling at the Houston Wood Preserving Works Facility as part of the Phase 3 expansion project at the Englewood Intermodal Yard. This proposed soil sampling plan includes drilling holes to

Railroad Working with Texas Environmental Agency on Soil Sampling as Project Advances Union Pacific continues to make major investments in its Englewood rail yard to improve operational capacity to support growth in the critical Houston and Gulf Coast market. As the next phase of this important service enhancement, which benefits

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold informational meetings to update the community on activities happening around the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site. The meetings will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. The

The gravelly ground of the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site piqued the interest of a feathered friend. A killdeer mother has made her nest on the site and laid four eggs. Killdeer are a type of plover native to the North and Central America and are named for their

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grants Union Pacific’s Request OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 27, 2023 – In conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and in collaboration with its community partners, Union Pacific signed an agreement to move forward with additional environmental assessment and testing at the former Houston Wood Preserving

Technical experts will be at the former Houston Wood Preserving Works (HWPW) site and in adjacent rights of way Nov. 30-Dec. 2, to conduct preliminary field work in advance of preparing a detailed vapor intrusion study. The work is part of collaborative efforts between the City of Houston, Harris County,

We are pleased with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s decision to grant a 90-day extension, allowing continued collaboration on an extensive testing plan to guide future remediation for the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site. Union Pacific, the city of Houston, Harris County and Bayou City Initiative jointly requested

Union Pacific just received the results of the city of Houston’s dioxin study, after repeatedly asking for the data. The report shows the dioxin levels in the city’s samples are well below the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s clean-up standards for dioxins in residential areas. Attributing widespread dioxin only to

Union Pacific just received the results of the city of Houston’s study, after repeatedly asking for the data. The report shows the dioxin levels in the city’s samples are well below the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality clean-up standards for dioxins in residential areas. Union Pacific understands residents will reasonably want more

HOUSTON – Aug. 26, 2022 – Union Pacific Railroad and representatives from the City of Houston, Harris County and the Bayou City Initiative said today they started discussions in an effort to reach agreement on measures needed to remediate a former wood-tie preserving site. The announcement came after a meeting

Union Pacific Railroad is withdrawing 22 appeals related to the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Union Pacific’s motions are limited to the property-damage claims and do not seek to dismiss any pending personal-injury claims.  Union Pacific inherited the contamination at the Houston Wood Preserving Works site,