A good corporate citizen

Examples of large corporations taking extraordinary responsibility for their environmental impacts are rare, so when one does so right in our back yard, it’s important to express appreciation.

The company is ABB, a Switzerland-based multinational that manufactures high-tech power and automation products. In 2006, state officials identified it as the potentially responsible party for the remediation of a toxic groundwater plume beneath the Skyway Homes subdivision off Hegan Lane, whose residents depended on well water.

ABB had no direct connection to the plume—in 1990 it acquired a company that years before had owned the Chico company whose negligent disposal practices had created it—and could have taken the matter to court, but instead it chose to take responsibility. Last week the company announced that its effort to extend municipal water lines to the 65 homes in the subdivision had been completed on Jan. 16. In addition, it gave each household $1,750 to subsidize three years’ water bills, as well as other assistance. Altogether, it paid more than $2 million to right the wrong.

This is a truly remarkable example of good corporate citizenship.