Justice Department Allows Corporations to Delay Paying Environmental Fines Amid Pandemic

Ten corporations that agreed to a total of $56m in civil penalties for allegedly breaking environmental laws are not being required to make payments under a pause granted by the Justice Department during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to The Guardian newspaper.

The companies signed settlements with the government agreeing to pay fines without admitting liability, but the Justice Department last month advised most of the companies of extensions in letters which were obtained by the government watchdog group Accountable.US via public records requests.

The companies will not be required to pay penalties before 1 June, although they have the option to do so and at least two companies told The Guardian they made payments despite the extension. The EPA did not respond to inquiries about its policy and or say which companies paid penalties.

The Justice Department on April 14th sent letters to the affected companies, offering to temporarily suspend collection of the payments, following the EPA’s announcement in March that it would ease some enforcement requirements. The Justice Department said the suspension was meant to “mitigate the financial impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.”

Share on Socials!

Related Articles

Related Articles

Blackline Safety Announces Key Promotions and Leadership Changes

Blackline Safety Corp. (TSX: BLN), a global leader in connected safety technology, has announced the following key promotions and changes to its executive leadership team: Chief Growth ...
Read More

US Department of Labor announces $11.7M funding availability of Susan Harwood Training grants for workplace safety, health hazards training

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a funding opportunity for $11.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to support the delivery of training and education ...
Read More

Impact Protection Company D3O Announces Manufacturing License Agreement With PT Sport

D3O, the world’s leading impact protection company, is delighted to announce a new partnership with glove manufacturer PT Sport. The partnership sees PT Sport appointed an ...
Read More

Follow IHW!

Leaders in Industrial Hygiene

 

AccuTec-IHS
BOWMAN Dispensers, LLC
ENMET
HafcoVac
ILC
Miller Electric
Nilfisk
OHD
SHOWA
TSI

 

Subscribe!

Sign up to receive our industry publications for FREE!

Industrial Hygiene

Construction Safety