EPA, DOT Civil Penalty Maximums Increase for 2024

Posted on 12/28/2023 by Nick Waldron

The US EPA increased its maximum monetary civil penalties for violations of air, water, chemical, and hazardous waste programs on December 27, 2023. The Agency is required to raise civil penalty maximums by law to keep up with inflation.

Environmental violations do not always result in max penalties. However, these new maximums do guide EPA's enforcement decisions throughout the year.

The EPA's new civil penalties maximums are in effect as of December 27, 2023:

Major US EPA Programs	< 12/27/23	>= 12/27/23
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)	$87,855	$90,702
Clean Air Act (CAA)	$117,468	$121,275
Clean Water Act (CWA)	$64,618	$66,712
Superfund and Right-to-Know (CERCLA/EPCRA)	$67,544	$69,733
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)	$67,544	$69,733
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)	$46,989	$48,512
Insecticides, Fungicides, and Rodenticides (FIFRA)	$23,494	$24,255

See the US EPA Final Rule here.

Note: The new maximum penalty for an initial CERCLA violation is $69,733, as listed in the table above. The new maximum penalty for a subsequent CERCLA violation is $209,202.

49 CFR Hazmat Shipping & Transportation

The US transportation agencies increased the maximum civil penalties for violations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) by approximately $7,300 for 2024.

The new maximum (and minimum) monetary penalties for hazmat shipping violations:

$99,756 per day, per violation

for a hazardous materials violation.

$232,762 per day, per violation

if a violation results in death, serious illness, severe injury, or substantial property damage.

$601 per employee, per day

Minimum penalty for hazmat training violations.

See the US DOT Final Rule here.

Why Do Civil Penalties Go Up Every Year?

Annual civil penalty adjustments began in 2015, when the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 amended Federal law related to civil penalties for regulatory violations. Previously, the DOT and the EPA were required by law to increase penalties only every four years.

2024 Workshops Start January 8

Lion's compliance training workshops start next week! Sign up for training now or check out Lion's full 2024 training schedule of in-person workshops and live webinars, available now.

Tags: DOT, EPA, penalties

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

I can't say enough how pleased I was with this course! Everything finally makes sense.

Kim Graham

Lab Manager

The instructor created a great learning environment.

Avinash Thummadi

CAD & Environmental Manager

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

The instructor made the class enjoyable. He presented in a very knowledgeable, personable manner. Best class I've ever attended. Will take one again.

John Nekoloff

Environmental Compliance Manager

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz