EPA Touts FY19 Rise In Penalties But Other Key Enforcement Metrics Drop

EPA’s just-released fiscal 2019 enforcement results tout an increase in civil and administrative penalties, criminal prosecutions and industry self-audits compared to FY18, but other key enforcement metrics show a significant decline from prior years including a 99 percent plummet in solid and hazardous waste cleanups from FY18. Though it highlights areas where enforcement actions rose from prior years, the FY19 report , released Feb. 13, also touts as a reason for other, declining metrics the Trump administration’s preference for compliance...