By Maria Armental
AT&T Inc. has agreed to pay $23.8 million and strengthen
environmental policies to settle allegations it illegally dumped
electronic waste in California--the first such action in the state
against a telecommunications company, the authorities said
Thursday.
The proposed settlement, pending approval in Alameda County
Superior Court, requires the Dallas-based company to spend about
$28 million over five years to put into practice the new
environmental policies under the settlement, such as contractor
inspections of "staging bins" before contents are deposited in
dumpsters for regular trash and three independent audits over the
five-year period.
"This legal action should put others on notice that local and
state agencies will continue to work together to investigate and
prosecute violations against our environment," Alameda County
District Attorney Nancy E. O'Malley said in a news statement.
California authorities have initiated similar actions against
auto parts retailers AutoZone Inc. and O'Reilly Automotive Inc.
The authorities alleged more than 235 AT&T warehouse and
dispatch facilities had improperly handled and disposed of
hazardous waste and materials, including batteries, aerosol cans
and certain gels and liquids over a nine-year period.
The company's stock is trading up 1% from Wednesday's close of
$41.25.
Write to Maria Armental at maria.armental@wsj.com
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