NY AG: Verizon's Cooling Towers Posed Legionnaires' Disease Risk
Verizon has agreed(Opens in a new window) to more carefully manage water cooling towers used in buildings throughout New York to prevent them from spreading Legionnaires' disease in surrounding communities.
New York Attorney General Letitia James says the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) "began an investigation into several owners of cooling towers in New York state, including Verizon, that appeared to have significant gaps in reporting requirements under state law" in 2019.
OAG discovered that "approximately 225 alleged violations of state and city cooling tower laws had occurred at approximately 45 buildings throughout New York state with cooling towers owned by Verizon" since 2017. So now it's going to implement the requisite safeguards.
Verizon's agreement(Opens in a new window) with OAG requires the company to "comply with all applicable laws and regulations concerning the safety, maintenance, and monitoring of its cooling towers in New York" by introducing and enforcing new policies and procedures within 90 days.
The company will also pay a $118,000 penalty "to be used by OAG to fund projects that prevent, abate, mitigate, or control air pollution or its health impacts" and has committed to filing annual reports with details about its cooling tower management by January 31 of 2023, 2024, and 2025.
"Legionnaires’ disease remains a deadly presence in areas across our state, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color," James said in a statement. "It is essential that companies such as Verizon are taking the necessary actions to avoid the spread of this preventable and lethal disease. This agreement will protect New Yorkers' public health and slow the spread of Legionnaires' disease."
Sign up
Read more on pcmag.com
