Inside Towers – 06jan2026.
By John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor.
Verizon Wireless (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) has agreed to pay $7.7 million to resolve a civil enforcement action regarding widespread violations of California’s environmental laws at its cell sites. The violations related to hazardous materials storage, reporting, and permitting at cell tower locations throughout the state, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office announced.
The agreement, approved by Orange County Superior Court, settles claims that Cellco Partnership – operating as Verizon Wireless – failed to properly report hazardous materials, pay permit fees, allow inspections, and comply with regulations covering aboveground petroleum tanks used for emergency generators and backup power systems.
Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile network operator by subscribers, operates thousands of cell sites across California, according to Inside Tower Intelligence. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said many of these sites store hazardous materials which, if mishandled, could cause fires, explosions, or toxic air releases. State law requires permits, accurate reporting, employee training, and access for regulatory inspection when storing certain quantities of hazardous substances.
The investigation, led by several county District Attorney’s Offices, found that since 2019, Verizon did not meet requirements for hazardous materials reporting, employee training, site inspections, and permit fee payments at multiple locations. Upon notification, Verizon cooperated with authorities, paid outstanding fees, corrected the violations, and implemented new compliance measures.
The settlement includes $7,125,000 in civil penalties, $375,000 for supplemental environmental compliance projects, and $200,000 for investigative costs. Over $800,000 will go to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to support the prosecution of environmental crime cases. The Verizon case was prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, with participation from several other county agencies.
Source – Inside Towers – Verizon Wireless to Pay $7.7M to Settle Environmental Violations in California
