EPA Adjusts Fines for Cost of Living

Lynn Schenkman

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed regulations allowing the agency a 15-percent increase to the maximum penalties it charges polluters. The proposal will raise the maximum civil penalties for violations of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and other environmental statutes from $27,500 to $32,500. A 30-day comment period for these regulations ends Aug. 3. The proposal adjusts for inflation, which is based on the Consumer Price Index.