EPA Environmental Policing Nets Gains for Pennsylvania Worth $1.4 Billion

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 concluded enforcement cases in fiscal year 2008 that will produce more than $1.4 billion in pollution controls and environmental cleanup protecting Pennsylvania's air, water, and land.

 

The cases include more than $3 million in penalties that polluters will have to pay for violating federal environmental laws.

 

"Pennsylvania residents will benefit from cuts in pollution and from improvements in the way pollution is managed by these companies and industrial facilities that are now complying with the law," said Donald S. Welsh, EPA's mid-Atlantic regional administrator. "The millions of dollars these companies will have to spend in Pennsylvania as a result of our environmental policing will also produce health benefits for the public."

 

The agency also negotiated agreements with specific violators to spend $8.7 million on local environmental projects helping Pennsylvania communities including a project which will preserve open space and help protect the Wissahickon Creek's water quality.

 

EPA's mid-Atlantic enforcement program inspected and took action for violations associated with eight different environmental statutes in Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. The regional cases ranged from wetlands violations to mismanagement of hazardous waste to illegal discharges of pollutants.

 

Several cases were significant because of their trailblazing efforts including: an agreement to spend $1 million on a wind-powered energy project in addition to a penalty payment, Maryland's decision to step forward and voluntarily sign a self-policing agreement with EPA; and major sewage system upgrades in Pittsburgh and 82 surrounding municipalities to protect local waterways.

 

EPA Region 3 enforcement report is available online.