OLYMPIA — BNSF Railway agreed to pay $71,700 for failing to timely report crude oil leaks and other hazardous material spills under a proposed settlement.
Under the deal, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will suspend $40,000 of the penalty if BNSF doesn’t violate state accident reporting rules again in the next year.
The company initially faced up to $700,000 in potential fines. In March, the commission issued a complaint alleging that BNSF failed to report 14 releases to the state within the required time. The incidents occurred at BNSF facilities throughout the state, including Seattle, Vancouver, Blaine and Everett.
BNSF spokeswoman Courtney Wallace says that while the company agreed to pay a fine, it doesn’t agree with every allegation.
