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TEN TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES VOLUNTARILY DISCLOSE AND CORRECT ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS
Release Date: 02/12/99
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1999
TEN TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES VOLUNTARILY
DISCLOSE AND CORRECT ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS
Ten telecommunications companies have voluntarily disclosed and promptly corrected 1,300 environmental violations that occurred at more than 400 of their facilities. The proposed settlements were reached under EPA’s Audit Policy, which reduces or eliminates penalties for companies that voluntarily audit, promptly disclose and correct violations. Final settlements with Cincinnati Bell Telephone Co., Cincinnati Bell Long Distance, Convergys Customer Management Group, Dallas MTA L.P., Houston MTA L.P., PrimeCo Personal Communications, San Antonio MTA L.P., and proposed settlements with Cellco Partnership and its affiliates doing business as Bell Atlantic Mobile or Cellular One, Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., and United States Cellular Corp., total $128,772 in penalties, which is equal to the amount the companies saved for delayed compliance. The Agency has proposed to waive more than $4.2 million in potential penalties that otherwise would have been assessed. Remedial actions for violations of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and/or the Clean Water Act’s (CWA) Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements include properly notifying local emergency planning committees of the presence of hazardous chemicals and preparing spill prevention plans to reduce the risk of environmental accidents, as well as protect the safety of the personnel who respond if an accident occurs. Facilities that have hazardous chemicals and meet reporting thresholds must submit reports to the appropriate agencies by March 1 each year. Notice of the SPCC claims against United States Cellular Corp., and Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., were published in the Federal Register on Feb. 1, and Cellco Partnership on Feb. 10, for 30-day public comment periods. The Environmental Appeals Board must approve these consent agreements.
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