1. EPA Achieves Significant Compliance and Enforcement Progress in 2001 2. United States Settles Case with Natural Gas Pipeline Company.
1. EPA Achieves Significant Compliance and Enforcement Progress in 2001 Cleaner Air, Water and Land Result of Successful State, Local Partnerships
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released data on its enforcement and compliance assurance results for FY 2001, which included record-setting expenditures of $4.3 billion by violators for pollution controls and environmental cleanup. The program also secured commitments for an estimated reduction of more than 660 million pounds of harmful pollutants and the treatment and safe management of an estimated record 1.84 billion pounds of pollutants.
By working in partnership with state and local governments, environmental groups, other organizations, and local citizens, the Agency advanced the goal of assuring Americans a cleaner, safer, healthier environment. “With our state and local partners, we set a high priority on areas that posed serious threats to health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. “The Administration is determined to actively pursue those who fail to comply with the law while working closely with the regulated community to find workable and flexible solutions.”
EPA’s FY2001 enforcement and compliance results include: –actions requiring violators to invest $4.3 billion in pollution control and cleanup measures the highest-ever such investment;
–enforcement actions requiring violators to reduce an estimated 660 million pounds of pollutants and treat and safely manage an estimated 1.84 billion pounds;
–the settlement of 222 civil judicial cases and the issuance of 3,228 administrative orders and field citations;
–a vigorous criminal program resulting in prison sentences totaling 256 years an increase of more than 100 years over FY2000 for criminal violations; such violations also resulted in nearly $95 million in fines and restitution;
–supplemental environmental projects totaling $89 million up 60 percent from $55.8 million in FY2000; these involve actions beyond injunctive relief that a violator agrees to undertake to protect the environment and human health in exchange for a penalty reduction; and
–compliance assistance for more than one million individuals and businesses by direct assistance or through EPA’s Compliance Assistance Centers.
For the full press release and more information regarding FY01 results,
visit: EPA Enforcement Results
2. United States Settles Case with Natural Gas Pipeline Company; Transco to Conduct Environmental Tests and Cleanup Along Its 10,500 Mile Pipeline Crossing 12 States
Washington, D.C. — The Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency announced on Feb. 1, 2002, a settlement with Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco), under which the company has agreed to test for and clean up soil and groundwater contamination related to waste disposal at numerous compressor stations along its natural gas pipeline, which traverses 12 states from Texas to New York. In addition, the company will clean up polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination, complete a storm water monitoring program, conduct storm water sampling at several compressor stations and pay a $1.4 million civil penalty.
The settlement resolves claims for Transco’s violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Water Act (CWA) and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) related to the company’s ownership and operation of a natural gas pipeline.
The full press release can be found at EPA’s newsroom. Look for release dated Feb. 1.
Please share this message with your colleagues.
How to subscribe to OCORELINK:
1. Send an email message to: US EPA List Serve
Leave the subject line blank 3. Type the following in the body of the message
subscribe ocorelink Your First Name Your Last Name
4. Send the email with no further text in the body of the message.
5. Wait for the listserv confirmation for your completed subscription request.