Regulatory Update: EPA increases civil penalties

 The US EPA has increased its maximum civil penalties with publishing the Final Rule on December 23, 2020. Below is a table showing the increases (Note: Penalties are assessed on a per day, per infraction basis).

Program

Previous

Current

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

$75,867

$76,764

Clean Air Act (CAA)

$101,439

$102,638

Clean Water Act (CWA)

$55,800

$56,460

Comprehensive Env. Response... Act (CERCLA)

$58,328

$59,017

Emergency Planning/ Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

$58,328

$59,017

Fed Insecticide, Fungicide/Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

$20,288

$20,528

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

$58,328

$59,017

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

$40,576

$41,056

The above table does not list all EPA programs. A complete list of programs and their increased penalty amount can be found in the full text of the Final Rule. The updated amounts are applicable to infractions occurring after 11/2/15 where penalties were assessed on or after December 23, 2020.

Avoiding civil penalties requires full and consistent compliance as well as updated knowledge of applicable regulatory changes. Contact your local Enviroexpert today to discuss how we can help keep you compliant and penalty free.


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