CONTACT:
Deb Berlin
berlin.deb@epa.gov
202-564-4914
202-564-4355
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2009
Verizon Wireless Voluntarily Discloses Environmental Violations
Verizon voluntarily entered into a corporate audit agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and conducted environmental compliance audits at more than 25,000 facilities nation-wide. The Environmental Appeals Board at EPA has approved an administrative settlement resolving violations Verizon found through its compliance audits.
Verizon audited facilities that include cell towers, mobile switch centers, call centers, and administrative offices. As a result of its audit, the company reported violations of clean water, clean air, and emergency planning and preparedness regulations to EPA. Verizon promptly corrected the violations found during its audit, which included preparing and implementing spill prevention, control, and countermeasure plans, applying for appropriate air permits, and submitting reports to state and local emergency planning and response organizations informing them of the presence of hazardous substances.
EPA encourages companies with multiple facilities to conduct corporate-wide audits and develop corporate-wide compliance systems. A corporate audit agreement allows corporations, universities or other organizations with many facilities to plan corporate-wide or facility-wide audits with an advance understanding between the entity and EPA regarding schedules for conducting the audit and disclosing violations. EPA factors in the companies’ cooperation and willingness to do the audit voluntarily, and the penalties are typically lower than if the same violations were discovered through enforcement.
Since 1998, nearly 5,400 telecom facilities have been brought into compliance through 35 settlements as part of EPA’s enforcement effort to improve compliance in the telecom sector.
Verizon is required to pay the penalty within 30 days.
More information on Verizon settlement: http://yosemite.epa.gov/oa/EAB_Web_Docket.nsf/a32958a86c47d3d485256fc70049e837/6540198130b39d968525767900628994!OpenDocument
R356
Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.
View all news releases related to compliance and enforcement
 | You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
|
Sent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355
0 التعليقات:
Post a Comment