Search

EPA Raises Civil Penalties for Environmental Noncompliance

Posted on 7/5/2016 by Roger Marks

In the Federal Register today, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted an Interim Final Rule to raise civil penalties for violations of environmental law and EPA regulations. Penalties are being raised to match inflation as mandated under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990.

In Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR), US EPA maintains a broad range of regulations, covering everything from air emissions and chemical management to pesticides and the storage, handling, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste. Penalties differ by program, and today’s Federal Register lays out a five-step process for how EPA determined the new amounts. 

New RCRA Maximum Civil Penalty Level


For sites subject to the EPA’s Resource and Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste rules, the maximum civil penalty will rise from $37,500 per day, per violation to $70,117 per day, per violation, a jump of over 50%.

Hazardous waste spill penalty

Other Air, Water, and Chemical Civil Penalties 


The maximum civil penalty for violations of the Clean Air Act will rise from $37,500 to $93,750.
The maximum penalties under the Clean Water Act will rise from $37,500 to $51,570.
In addition, the max fine for violations of the following environmental requirements will rise from $37,500 to $53,907:
  • Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
  • Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
  • Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Lastly, penalties for violations of the EPA’s chemical management, reporting, and recordkeeping rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) will stay the same, at $37,500. Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) penalties will rise from $7,000 to $18,750.
See the full list in the Federal Register here.

New penalties are set to take effect on August 1, 2016, but may be applied to violations that occurred any time after November 2, 2015.

Hazmat and OSHA Safety Penalties Also on the Rise


US DOT PHMSA also raised its penalties for hazmat shipping violations this week, including the minimum penalty for failure to train hazmat personnel. And, for the first time since 1990, OSHA raised the fines for violations for 29 CFR work safety standards. OSHA fines went up by 78%.

Tags: Act, Air, Clean, EPA, fines and penalties, new rules, RCRA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

The instructor was very knowledgeable and provided pertinent information above and beyond the questions that were asked.

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

You blew the doors off the competition!

Stephen Bieschke

Facilities Manager

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

Very good. I have always appreciated the way Lion Tech develops, presents and provides training and materials.

John Troy

Environmental Specialist

The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Get to know the top 5 changes to OSHA’s revised GHS Hazard Communication Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 and how the updates impacts employee safety at your facility.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.