The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported significant strides in its enforcement efforts this year, with a doubling of financial penalties issued to polluters and the first-ever arrest for a climate change-related crime. The agency disclosed that it concluded over 1,850 civil cases, marking a 3.4% increase from the previous year, and charged 121 criminal defendants, a 17.6% rise over the same period.
The EPA's intensified enforcement and compliance actions led to the reduction or elimination of more than 225 million pounds of pollution in communities burdened by environmental issues. This was part of the agency's final report on enforcement actions during the Biden administration before the upcoming transition to the Trump administration in January.
Notably, the EPA imposed $1.7 billion in fines and penalties, surpassing the 2023 total and reaching the highest level in seven years. The agency's enforcement program, bolstered by the addition of 300 new employees, focused on addressing modern environmental challenges such as climate change, environmental justice, and chemical waste.
One of the key highlights was the filing of criminal charges for a climate change-related offense. In a groundbreaking move, a California man was arrested for smuggling climate-damaging air coolants into the United States. The case involved hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a potent greenhouse gas targeted for phaseout under a 2020 law passed by Congress to combat climate change.
Furthermore, engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. paid over $2 billion in fines and penalties and agreed to recall 600,000 Ram trucks as part of a settlement with federal and California authorities. The company was found to have used illegal software enabling Ram trucks to evade diesel emissions tests for nearly a decade, resulting in the largest fine ever secured under the federal Clean Air Act.
The EPA also reached a $241.5 million settlement with Marathon Oil for alleged air quality violations at the company's operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. This agreement mandates emissions reductions to mitigate climate and health impacts, leading to a significant reduction in pollution.
David Uhlmann, EPA's assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance, emphasized the agency's commitment to upholding environmental laws and protecting communities from harmful pollution. Despite the impending change in administration, Uhlmann expressed hope that enforcement efforts would continue unabated, stressing the non-partisan nature of environmental protection.
As the EPA prepares for potential shifts in enforcement priorities under the new administration, Uhlmann underscored the agency's dedication to enforcing laws based on facts and without political bias, ensuring that communities remain safeguarded from detrimental pollution.
