Here are some highlights from the USEPA’s fiscal year 2013 enforcement efforts (http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/enforcement-annual-results-fiscal-year-fy-2013):

• USEPA cases resulted in criminal sentences requiring violators to pay more than $4.5 billion in combined fines, restitution and court-ordered environmental projects that benefit communities, and more than $1.1 billion in civil penalties.

• The USEPA’s efforts for justice for Gulf Coast residents through the Deepwater Horizon cases resulted in over $3.7 billion benefitting those impacted by the spill.

• Required Walmart to commit to cutting edge hazardous waste handling systems, as well as compliance and training programs that will protect employees and nearby residents. Walmart also paid over $80 million in fines and penalties for mishandling pesticides and hazardous waste.

• The USEPA was behind a landmark settlement. AVX Corporation committed to pay over $366 million to clean up contamination in New Bedford Harbor (MA), the largest single-site cash settlement in Superfund history. The USEPA emphasizes that polluters must be responsible to clean up and pay for damages they cause.

• The USEPA is implementing a strategy targeted at reducing air toxic emissions from industrial flares at refineries and chemical plants. A recent Clean Air Act settlement with Shell Deer Park (TX) requires continuous monitoring of benzene emissions and vehicle retrofits to reduce diesel emissions.

• Another USEPA target is air emissions from coal-fired power plants, requiring plants to reduce emissions and promote energy efficiency. Example settlements include Wisconsin Power and Light, Dominion Energy and Louisiana Generating.

• The USEPA shared lessons learned from some communities to help others reduce discharges of raw sewage and contaminated stormwater into waters through integrated planning, green infrastructure and other approaches. Recent settlements include Seattle and King Co., WA, Wyandotte County, KS, San Antonio, TX, and Jackson, MS.

CCES can help your facility chart current and projected future air and other environmental regulations and enforcement trends. Our experienced professionals (including former USEPA engineers) can perform technical air compliance audits to assess your potential compliance status of federal and state rules, and devise reliable, cost-effective strategies to return to or maintain compliance. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.