Representative Tran Issues Statement on GKN’s $125 Million Settlement

Orange County, CA - Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) released the following statement in response to an announcement from the Orange County District Attorney's Office that it has reached a $125 million settlement agreement with GKN Aerospace following the toxic chemical tank emergency in May 2026 that resulted in the evacuation of 50,000 residents and businesses:

"I'm relieved to see that Orange County and GKN have reached an agreement that prioritizes the needs of the residents and small business owners who were affected by the forced evacuation in May," said Representative Tran. "I hope this settlement can move through the court approval process swiftly, so we can launch the claims process and administer much-needed financial assistance and reimbursement to those affected. I will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the families, businesses, and community partners are appropriately compensated."

"Every Californian deserves to feel safe in their own home without fear of displacement or disruption. As your Member of Congress, I will closely monitor the enforcement of GKN's comprehensive safety plan, as they move forward in their manufacturing operations."

The settlement agreement, filed by the Orange County District Attorney's Office on Monday, October 12, is pending approval from the Orange County Superior Court.

In response to the May 2026 evacuation, Representative Tran introduced the Hazardous Materials Transparency Act, which would require facilities like GKN to adequately notify the communities in which they operate about the safety measures in place to protect residents and small businesses.

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