Welcome to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) news update. This week, we're focusing on the EPA's latest enforcement and compliance assurance results, which have delivered the strongest outcomes since 2017.
The EPA announced its Fiscal Year 2024 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Annual Results, highlighting enhanced efforts to hold polluters accountable and protect communities from harm. According to David M. Uhlmann, Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, "The progress made under the Biden-Harris Administration has sent a clear signal that polluters will be held accountable and that protecting communities from harm is a top priority."
Key developments include over 1,800 concluded civil cases, more than 120 criminal defendants charged, and over 225 million pounds of pollution reductions in overburdened communities. The EPA also conducted 53% of on-site inspections in these communities, surpassing its annual goal of 50%. Half of EPA's civil enforcement cases addressed facilities in overburdened areas, emphasizing the agency's commitment to environmental justice.
The EPA's "Climate Enforcement and Compliance Strategy" directed all enforcement and compliance offices to address climate change in their actions, focusing on cutting climate super pollutants like methane from oil and gas operations and landfills. Over 450 inspections were conducted as part of this effort, coordinating criminal, civil, and administrative actions in unprecedented ways.
The agency also made significant progress in addressing contamination from coal ash facilities, forever chemicals like PFAS, and air toxics. The FY 2024 budget provided $757 million and 3,354 full-time equivalents to strengthen compliance with environmental laws and hold violators accountable. This includes an increase of $22.6 million and 38.3 full-time equivalents to rebuild the inspector corps, a critical enforcement priority.
The EPA's enforcement efforts resulted in 2.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions reduced, treated, or eliminated, and $1.7 billion in penalties, the highest level since FY 2017. The agency concluded 1,851 civil cases, the highest number since FY 2017, and charged 121 criminal defendants, the highest since FY 2019.
These developments have significant impacts on American citizens, ensuring cleaner air, water, and land. Businesses and organizations must comply with stricter regulations, while state and local governments benefit from increased enforcement and compliance assurance efforts.
Looking ahead, the EPA is poised for even greater gains in the years to come, thanks to investments from Congress. Citizens can engage by staying informed about EPA's enforcement and compliance activities and providing input on upcoming policy changes.
For more information, visit EPA's Enforcement and Compliance Annual Results for Fiscal Year 2024. Stay tuned for future updates and remember, protecting the environment is a collective responsibility. Thank you for listening.