OC DA Settles Verizon Wireless Hazmat Lawsuit For $7.7M

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has reached a $7.7 million settlement with Verizon Wireless to resolve allegations that the telecommunications company violated state environmental laws related to hazardous materials at cell sites across California, prosecutors announced.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, joined by eight other California district attorneys, said the settlement with Verizon Wireless addresses violations involving hazardous materials release and response plans, hazardous materials permits and aboveground petroleum storage tanks.

Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest provider of mobile telephone services, owns and operates thousands of cell sites throughout California. Many of those sites use hazardous materials and aboveground petroleum storage tanks to power emergency generators and backup systems. Prosecutors said those materials can pose risks including fires, explosions, toxic air contamination and corrosion, and are therefore subject to strict permitting, reporting and management requirements under California law.

State regulations require companies to submit detailed reporting documents designed to reduce health and safety impacts in the event of an accidental release. Those plans must include an inventory of hazardous materials, a site map, an emergency response strategy and an employee training guide to ensure first responders and public safety officials have accurate information during emergencies.

“As prosecutors, we have an absolute responsibility to protect the environment and the residents of Orange County from toxic chemicals and other hazardous waste,” Spitzer said in a statement. “Companies that cut corners to break the law and endanger our environment in order to save on their bottom line will be held accountable.”

“This case reinforces the urgent need for stronger compliance measures, and I am incredibly proud of the environmental crimes investigators and prosecutors in my office as well as those in other District Attorney’s offices whose diligent work brought these environmental violations to light,” he added.

The investigation, led by the district attorneys’ offices of Orange County and San Bernardino County along with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, found that Verizon failed to properly report hazardous materials, provide hazardous materials training, allow on-site inspections and pay required permit fees at multiple locations dating back to 2019.

After being notified of the violations, prosecutors said Verizon cooperated fully, paid all outstanding permit fees, corrected the violations and implemented policies and procedures to ensure future compliance.

Under the stipulated final judgment, Verizon was ordered to pay $7.7 million, including $7.125 million in civil penalties, $375,000 for Supplemental Environmental Compliance Projects and $200,000 to cover investigative costs.

In addition to Orange County, the lawsuit included the district attorneys of Los Angeles, Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties, as well as the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.