Union Pacific, EPA reach $1.5M spill settlement

DENVER (AP) – Federal officials and  Union Pacific Railroad have agreed to a $1.5 million settlement over
oil and coal spills in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced the settlement with the nation’s largest rail operator
on Thursday.

The deal also settles allegations that Union Pacific didn’t have adequate protections in place in case of
spills and other problems at 20 rail yards in the three states.
The settlement deals with eight spills in 2003 and 2004. The EPA says seven followed train derailments
but one involved a discharge of oily water from a treatment plant at a Denver rail yard.

A spokesman for the Omaha, Neb.-based railroad says the company

is committed to protecting the environment and is working to ensure

its response plans are up-to-date across  its network.