Environmental Polluter (and Other Violators) of the Week
(More like bi-weekly, actually)

*True cases of environmental criminals and other violators and violations of environmental laws, regulations, statutes and pollution standards from real court cases and consent decrees

The EPA and its federal, state and local law enforcement partners investigate and prosecute significant and egregious violations of environmental laws. These investigations involve, but are not limited to, the illegal disposal of hazardous waste; the illegal discharge of pollutants to a water of the United States; the illegal importation of certain restricted or regulated chemicals into the United States; tampering with a drinking water supply; mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering relating to environmental criminal activities.

People often ask us, "It seems like companies get away with polluting all the time, just look at Exxon and the Valdez!"  While it may be true that some companies treat the environment, your community's well-being and your health like a doormat and act as though their crimes are nothing more than a public relations expense; individuals and companies are being caught all the time.  And the penalties are severe!  Follow Detective Joe Friday and read on to learn about the appalling gall of these jerks and their crimes.

It is EHSO's opinion that our society's obsession with money and instant wealth, combined with a generally apathetic public, and politicians more concerned with polls than pollution is leading to an increase in pollution and deliberate polluters.   If you suspect a persistent polluter in your area, email us (or click here to use the EPA's report a violator form) for instructions to assist the EPA in catching him!   To search a company's compliance history, click here!

Disclaimer: The following news stories are all taken verbatim from EPA releases, so don't even think of trying to sue us if you or your firm's name is here! We will WELCOME the publicity! Will your company?

EPA Fugitives - Captured/Surrendered

Follow the links below to see information about fugitives who have either been captured and returned to federal authorities or who have surrendered to federal authorities. They will face their original charges; have a sentence imposed against them; or complete their original sentence. To view a complete listing of EPA Fugitives still at-large, please see EPA Fugitives.

Current Fugitives

To read each fugitive profile, click the image:

                              

Others

2011 Environmental Criminals, Polluter and environmental enforcement cases

02/16/2011 - Massachusetts developer protects wetlands to settle clean water violations

02/16/2011 - Massachusetts dye company to pay fine for environmental violations

02/15/2011 - California biomass power plants fined more than $830,000 for Clean Air Act violations

02/15/2011 - EPA orders proper disposal of intercepted electronic waste shipment destined for Vietnam

02/15/2011 - Massachusetts-based supermarket chain faces EPA penalty for environmental disclosure violations

02/14/2011 - Large fine for Hiawaian corporation for pesticide violations

02/10/2011 - Cement manufacturer to pay $1.4 million for Clean Air Act violations

02/10/2011 - Quarry owners to pay $50,000 for unpermitted discharges to a Utah river

02/08/2011 - Former Detroit lead iInspector sentenced for fraud

02/07/2011 - EPA cites Vermont wire cating cmpany for clean air violations

02/03/2011 - Massachusetts power station will pay penalty for Clean Water Act violations

02/01/2011 - Washington oil refiner settles with federal and local air authorities for Clean Air Act violations

01/31/2011 - Illinois food processing company to pay $390,000 civil penalty for industrial wastewater discharges at Kansas town

01/31/2011 - Iowa Department of Transportation and three contractors to pay $60,000 civil penalty for construction stormwater violations

01/26/2011 - Nation’s second largest refinery to pay more than $5.3 million penalty for Clean Air Act violations

01/20/2011 - Alaska coal mine agrees to pay $60,000 EPA penalty for Clean Water Act violations

01/20/2011 - Utah chemical company to pay penalty and reduce air emissions for failing to implement risk management program

01/18/2011 - U.S. takes action to protect public health and enforce EPA imminent and substantial endangerments order in Texas county

01/13/2011 - Facilities across Southeast ordered to stop discharging and comply with Clean Water Act

01/13/2011 - Massachusetts company fined for pesticide violations

01/13/2011 - Two New England shipyards cited for environmental violations

01/13/2011 - U.S. announces Clean Air Act settlement to protect Indiana public health

01/12/2011 - EPA orders NJ hospital group to stop misapplying pesticides in ambulances

01/06/2011 - U.S. files Clean Air Act complaint against Pennsylvania city power plant

01/06/2011 - United States Files Clean Air Act Complaint Against Homer City Power Plant

01/06/2011 - Washington fertilizer distributors fined over $33,000 for failing to properly plan for chemical releases at eight facilities

01/05/2011 - Idaho city pays over $12,000 for federal Clean Water Act violations

01/05/2011 - Iowa city agrees to address discharges of untreated sewage to creek and Mississippi River

01/04/2011 - Iowa highway construction company agrees to pay $60,000 civil penalty for impacting stream, wetlands

01/03/2011 - Energy company to pay $350,000 penalty, install air emissions controls for violations at compressor facility on Indian reservation