State agency fined $880K for environmental violations in Oakland
(KRON) — On Friday, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced the county will receive nearly $880,000 in civil penalties after a settlement was reached earlier this week with the California Department of General Services (DGS).
According to Price’s office, DGS violated environmental regulations by maintaining leaking Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) that store petroleum or hazardous materials at several facilities in Sacramento and one in Oakland. Both facilities also faced hazardous materials handling violations.
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In January 2023, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office joined an investigation initiated by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.
According to Price’s office, an inspection of the Elihu Harris State Building in Downtown Oakland uncovered that DGS “failed to perform required inspections and testing, operated its USTs without a permit, did not provide the required training to employees, failed to maintain proper records, and did not properly label, mark and store containers of hazardous waste.”
In total, DGS agreed to a total settlement of $2,665,000, including civil penalties, costs, and a supplemental project to promote statewide environmental training and enforcement efforts.
Of the $2.6 million, the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health will be receiving $813,833 in civil penalties. An additional $45,500 will go to the Alameda County DA’s office, and $20,000 will reimburse DA costs.
Price’s office said DGS also agreed to a judicial order requiring it to follow environmental laws and regulations regarding the proper maintenance of its Underground Storage Tanks and its handling of hazardous materials.
The State of California, like any other entity, is liable for ensuring it follows the laws meant to protect the public and our environment and the disposal of hazardous materials. This is another example of my office’s commitment to hold government agencies accountable when they fail to protect public health and the environment from harm because of unlawful mismanagement.
Alameda Distrct Attorney Pamela Price
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