District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that her Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit, as part of a statewide team of prosecutors, settled a civil action against AT&T concerning hazardous materials violations in Santa Barbara County and across the state. The $5.9 million settlement is the largest ever awarded statewide for this type of environmental violation.
The case centered around the telecommunication company’s failure to report hazardous materials (batteries) at cell phone towers and other facilities to the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS). Reporting the presence of hazardous materials is mandated by law as part of a business’s requirement to submit a Hazardous Materials Business Plan to CERS. The batteries in question were used to operate emergency generators at more than 3,200 sites across the state of California. Although the People had no evidence of damage to the environment at any of these sites, AT&T is still liable for failing to report the presence of the hazardous materials.
California businesses that handle 55 gallons, 200 cubic feet, or 500 pounds of hazardous materials must submit a Hazardous Materials Business Plan to CERS. The location, type, quantity, and health risks of the materials must be reported. That information is then shared with firefighters, health officials, public safety offices, and regulatory agencies, which in turn is crucial to protect the public, first responders, and the environment.
To its credit, AT&T self-reported the violations and cooperated with statewide investigations, including those conducted by the Santa Barbara County Certified Unified Program Agency and the District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Dudley said, “Having a complete understanding about the presence of hazardous materials is a vital aspect of public safety and emergency preparation. Whether handled by a small business or a large corporation, these materials can present great danger, and the law must be equally enforced to protect us all.”
On November 14, 2022, a Stipulated Final Judgment and Injunction was entered to resolve the case. The Judgment includes the following provisions:
- $5,650,000 in civil penalties.
- $613,479.16 to Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office
- $110,625.00 to Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services
- $250,000 as a Supplemental Environmental Project to the CUPA Forum Environmental Protection Trust Fund.
- Injunction requiring the defendants to comply with environmental laws and regulations.
