August 6, 2008—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching an interim policy that offers incentives to new owners who correct environmental violations at recently-acquired regulated facilities. Under the interim policy, new owners may receive lower penalties than long-time owners.
Under the current EPA Audit Policy, the Agency offers reduced penalties to companies that self-audit their facilities, promptly disclose and correct any violations discovered, and take steps to prevent future violations. Under the new interim policy, an owner who acquires a new facility may get additional penalty reductions from disclosing an even greater range of violations.
EPA encourages companies with newly acquired facilities to examine compliance of their new facilities, correct environmental problems that began before acquisition, make changes to ensure they stay in compliance, and reduce pollutants going forward.
Since 1995, more than 3,500 companies at nearly 10,000 facilities have used the audit policy to disclose and resolve violations, most of which involved recordkeeping and reporting. With the new incentives, EPA hopes to encourage new owners to disclose violations that, once corrected, will yield significant environmental benefit and direct pollution reductions.
The new interim policy will be in effect immediately and EPA will accept public comment until October 30, 2008. EPA says the policy may change in light of these comments.
