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In a report dated May 12, 2021, the EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded that the Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training (OCEFT) and its National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC) continue to struggle with safety concerns and staffing constraints, which may jeopardize the offices’ ability to achieve their mission of holding criminal polluters […]
In the first quarter (Q1), the EPA finalized 290 settlement agreements with companies small and large across the United States. This represents a significant increase in enforcement actions—up from 150 penalties issued in Q4 for 2020. The actions taken resulted in $6,126,092 in fines. Here are some of the highlights of violations and penalties.
In March, the EPA announced a hazardous waste enforcement action settlement with a Pennsylvania-based chemical manufacturer. The company will pay a penalty in the amount of $44,800 and has now certified its compliance with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements.
In December 2020, the EPA issued an Enforcement Alert regarding aftermarket defeat devices that “bypass or render inoperative required emissions control systems, resulting in significant increases in harmful air emissions” from motor vehicles and nonroad equipment.
President Joseph Biden Jr. has promised to up the ante for environmental justice (EJ) communities by “rooting out the systemic racism in our laws, policies, institutions, and hearts.” Although a complete rollout of Biden’s plan has not yet been revealed, his campaign plans and initial actions allow for some educated analysis as to what industry […]
Each year, the EPA publishes annual inflationary increases to the fine amounts for civil penalties assessed under its authority.
In the fourth quarter (Q4), the EPA finalized 150 settlement agreements with companies small and large across the United States. This represents a significant decrease in enforcement actions—down from 327 penalties issued in Q3 for 2020. The actions taken resulted in $4,582,755 in fines.
The EPA’s Air Enforcement Division (AED) released a study revealing that as many as 500,000 diesel pickup trucks have had emissions controls removed within the last decade. Tampering with these emissions control devices is estimated to produce “more than 570,000 tons of excess oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 5,000 tons of particulate matter (PM)” in […]
On October 15, 2020, the EPA announced a settlement with Electrolux Home Products Inc. in the amount of $6,991,400 to resolve alleged violations under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
President-Elect Joe Biden has claimed victory in the 2020 presidential election and declared “it is time for America to unite.” Based on many statements from Biden, it is apparent he will reverse many of the Trump administration’s environmental regulations, place higher tax rates on businesses and investments, rejoin the Paris Climate Accord, and commit to […]