DC attorney general announces largest environmental settlement in the city's history
The settlement requires Pepco to remediate Buzzard Point and Benning Road Facilities, opening the door to further litigation for historic damage to Anacostia river
D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced on Oct. 5 that Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco) will pay over $57 million to resolve allegations that it discharged toxic chemicals into the District’s land and waterways for decades, resulting in the persistent toxic pollution of the Anacostia River. Under the terms of the agreement, Pepco must pay $47 million toward cleaning up the Anacostia River and $10 million in penalties. The company also must clean up contamination at its Buzzard Point and Benning Road facilities and investigate the current and historical environmental impacts of the company’s underground, District-wide system of transformer vaults. Additionally, Pepco will pay for the District to oversee this work.
“For far too long, District residents have been deprived of fully enjoying one of our greatest environmental resources – the Anacostia River – due to chronic, illegal, and intentional pollution. For decades, Pepco routinely discharged hazardous chemicals into soil, groundwater, and storm sewers, which fouled the Anacostia River, deprived us of the river’s many benefits, and endangered public health and safety. And as is too often the case, communities of color East of the River bore the brunt of the company’s illegal conduct,” said AG Schwalb. “Pepco is not, however, solely responsible for the pollution of the river, and it deserves credit for being the first responsible party to accept formal responsibility for its illegal practices. The Office of Attorney General will continue to fight for environmental justice, and today’s historic settlement will not only pave the way to accountability for every responsible party, but it will also hasten the restoration of the District’s most ecologically valuable watershed.”