United States and Alabama v. Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway, LLC Settlement
WASHINGTON (September 29, 2020) —
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Overview of Company
Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway, LLC (AGR), is a railroad company that was formed in Delaware on June 12, 1997, with a principal place of business in Alabama.
Violations
The complaint seeks civil penalties for violations of Section 311 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), as well as related state claims under the Alabama Water Pollution Control Act and related state regulations.
On November 7, 2013, a 90-car AGR train derailed near Aliceville, Alabama, while traversing a trestle bridge that was also owned and operated by AGR. As a result, oil discharged from 26 rail cars carrying approximately 12,851 barrels of crude oil, some of which made it into, and onto adjoining shorelines of, a perennial tributary of Lubbub Creek, which flows into the Tombigbee River. The spill and resulting fire caused approximately 453 fish and eight wildlife deaths, destroyed many trees and impacted very sensitive ecosystems.
Health Effects and Environmental Benefits
Civil penalties deposited into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund may be used to pay for removal costs and damages resulting from future oil spills or substantial threats of oil spills to navigable waters of the United States.
Civil Penalty
AGR will pay a civil penalty of $2,750,000, which will be split equally between the United States and State of Alabama. The United States portion will be paid to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
For more information, contacts:
Erin Grisby
Water Enforcement Division
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (Mail Code 2243A)
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-3701
grisby.erin@epa.gov