PARRISH, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Power Company has agreed to pay about $222,000 to settle a chemical spill and fish kill.
News outlets report the amount includes a civil penalty and compensation. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says more than 500 fish were found dead in March, days after about 700 gallons of flame retardant spilled into Baker Creek near the company's coal-fired plant in Parrish.
The state agency says its investigators were ordered by Alabama Power personnel to leave the plant March 29 because they weren't carrying official state identification. The investigators say many fish had been removed from the water when they returned a few hours later.
AL.com reports Alabama Power spokesman Michael Sznajderman says the company removed some dead fish after the spill.
