November 21, 2005—Enforcement actions by the US Environmental Protection Agency in fiscal year 2005 resulted in legal commitments by companies, governments, and other regulated entities to reduce a projected 1.1 billion pounds of pollution and require that they spend a record $10 billion to come into compliance with environmental laws. This is an increase of $5 billion over last year.
Among the environmental benefits resulting from agency actions during FY 2005, EPA estimates that 28.2 million cubic yards of contaminated soil and 1.6 billion cubic yards of contaminated water will be cleaned up; 1,900 acres of wetlands will be protected; and the drinking water of more than 8 million Americans be safer.
Tackling the problems of older municipal water systems that cause overflows of raw sewage into streets, yards, basements, and bodies of water was an EPA enforcement priority again this year. Together with states, EPA has concluded major sewer cases in FY 2005 to reduce more than 19 billion gallons of raw sewage overflows annually.
Approximately 612,000 businesses and individuals received assistance from EPA in FY 2005 to help understand their environmental responsibilities and comply with environmental laws. More information on EPA’s FY 2005 enforcement and compliance program, including details of significant enforcement and compliance assurance activities and data, are available online.
