Millions of taxpayer dollars will go toward settling a lawsuit accusing California of numerous safety violations involving underground storage tanks beneath state buildings, according to Sacramento County court documents.This comes at a time when California state leaders are dealing with a significant budget shortfall.Last month, Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho filed a formal complaint in Superior Court accusing the State of failing to follow safety procedures.”THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, brings this law enforcement action to protect public health and the environment from harm due to releases of hazardous substances from leaking Underground Storage Tanks (UST’s), including harm to groundwater and surface waters and against harm from indoor air impacts. Plaintiff also brings this action to protect public health and the environment from harm due to the unlawful mismanagement of hazardous waste and hazardous materials,” read a Superior Court filing against the California Department of General Services.Read the full complaint here.The complaint alleges inspections at a number of sites uncovered safety violations between 2018-2023. This included failing to maintain annual inspections or equipment testing, lacking proper permits or improper storage, according to the court filing.Locations of safety violations:State Capitol BuildingDepartment of Justice BuildingThe California MuseumCapitol Annex Swing SpaceViolations were also found in downtown Oakland. The District Attorney there is a co-plaintiff in this complaint.In a separate settlement agreement, the state agreed to pay $2.26 million in civil penalties, $350,00 for training and $55,000 for investigative costs. Read the agreement here.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.
Millions of taxpayer dollars will go toward settling a lawsuit accusing California of numerous safety violations involving underground storage tanks beneath state buildings, according to Sacramento County court documents.
This comes at a time when California state leaders are dealing with a significant budget shortfall.
Last month, Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho filed a formal complaint in Superior Court accusing the State of failing to follow safety procedures.
“THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, brings this law enforcement action to protect public health and the environment from harm due to releases of hazardous substances from leaking Underground Storage Tanks (UST’s), including harm to groundwater and surface waters and against harm from indoor air impacts. Plaintiff also brings this action to protect public health and the environment from harm due to the unlawful mismanagement of hazardous waste and hazardous materials,” read a Superior Court filing against the California Department of General Services.
The complaint alleges inspections at a number of sites uncovered safety violations between 2018-2023.
This included failing to maintain annual inspections or equipment testing, lacking proper permits or improper storage, according to the court filing.
Locations of safety violations:
- State Capitol Building
- Department of Justice Building
- The California Museum
- Capitol Annex Swing Space
Violations were also found in downtown Oakland. The District Attorney there is a co-plaintiff in this complaint.
In a separate settlement agreement, the state agreed to pay $2.26 million in civil penalties, $350,00 for training and $55,000 for investigative costs.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.
