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Environmental Law

: PA Brownfields Environmental Law

EPA releases PA Enforcement Results for FY2009

By Joel Bolstein

Region 3, Pennsylvania

Civil Enforcement
Estimated Environmental Benefits – Commitments to Reduce Pollution & Protect the Environment:
Direct Environmental Benefits
Pollution Reduced, Treated or Eliminated (Pounds) (1)	2,804,447
Contaminated Soil to be Cleaned Up (Cubic Yards)	555
Contaminated Water to be Cleaned Up (Cubic Yards)	500
Investments in Actions & Equipment to Reduce Pollution & Protect the Environment (Injunctive Relief)	$36,665,251.00
Investments in Projects that Benefit the Environment & Public Health (Supplemental Environmental Projects)	$187,416.00
Civil Penalties Assessed	$1,218,152.00
Civil Enforcement and Compliance Activities
Civil Judicial Enforcement Case Conclusions	10
Final Administrative Penalty Orders	49
Administrative Compliance Orders	59

It's unclear how these totals were calculated. 555 cubic yards of contaminated soil remediated would appear to be a very small number. It clearly does not take into consideration the soil remediated under Pennsylvania's remediation programs, Act 2 and HSCA. With regard to fines and penalties, I would have thought the number would be much higher, given several high profile enforcement actions over the last year. It's possible that those fines and not included here because they had criminal components. In any event, these are the numbers EPA is putting out for Pennsylvania for FY2009.

Happy New Year to all and here's hoping none of your companies or clients find there way into these tallies next year.

MJB

Full post as published by PA Brownfields Environmental Law on December 30, 2009 (boomark / email).