Swinerton Builders Reaches Agreement to Address Clean Water Act Violations and Offset Environmental Harm at Solar Farm Construction Sites in Alabama, Idaho and Illinois

Summary:

Swinerton Builders has agreed to pay a $2.3 million penalty and undertake mitigation actions to settle allegations of Clean Water Act violations during the construction of solar farms in Alabama, Idaho, and Illinois. The company will pay $1.6146 million to the US, $540,500 to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and $144,900 to the State of Illinois. Additionally, Swinerton will fund projects to restore the Portneuf River in Idaho and purchase stream credits to improve the watershed surrounding the Alabama site. The settlement highlights the importance of proper stormwater management during construction of large-scale solar generating facilities to avoid environmental harm and public health concerns.