What the Case Alleged
Reporting, Permits, and Inspections at Issue
The action targeted Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, accusing the company of repeatedly failing to:
-
Properly report hazardous materials
-
Pay required permit fees
-
Allow regulatory inspections
-
Comply with laws governing aboveground petroleum storage tanks used to power backup generators and emergency systems
Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest mobile service provider, owns and operates thousands of cell sites across California. Many store fuels and other hazardous materials that—if mishandled—can spark fires, explosions, or toxic releases.
California law requires permits, accurate inventories, employee training, and access for inspections when hazardous materials exceed certain thresholds.
Why the Rules Matter
Hazardous materials release and response plans function like a fire map before the flames—designed to give first responders and regulators the information they need when seconds matter. These plans must include inventories, site maps, emergency procedures, and training protocols to safeguard public health.
