[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 8 (Monday, January 13, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1751-1757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-28019]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 19

[FRL-10003-77-OECA]


Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is promulgating this 
final rule to adjust the level of the maximum (and minimum) statutory 
civil monetary penalty amounts under the statutes the EPA administers. 
This action is mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 
Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended through the Federal Civil Penalties 
Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (``the 2015 Act''). 
The 2015 Act prescribes a formula for annually adjusting the statutory 
maximum (and minimum) amount of civil penalties to reflect inflation, 
maintain the deterrent effect of statutory civil penalties, and promote 
compliance with the law. The rule does not necessarily revise the 
penalty amounts that the EPA chooses to seek pursuant to its civil 
penalty policies in a particular case. The EPA's civil penalty 
policies, which guide enforcement personnel on how to exercise the 
EPA's statutory penalty authorities, take into account a number of 
fact-specific considerations, e.g., the seriousness of the violation, 
the violator's good faith efforts to comply, any economic benefit 
gained by the violator as a result of its noncompliance, and a 
violator's ability to pay.

DATES: This final rule is effective January 13, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Smith-Watts, Office of Civil 
Enforcement, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Mail Code 
2241A, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20460, telephone number: (202) 564-4083; smith-watts.david@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Since 1996, Federal agencies have been required to issue 
regulations adjusting for inflation the statutory civil penalties \1\ 
that can be imposed under

[[Page 1752]]

the laws administered by that agency. The Federal Civil Penalties 
Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection 
Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA), required agencies to review their 
statutory civil penalties every 4 years, and to adjust the statutory 
civil penalty amounts for inflation if the increase met the DCIA's 
adjustment methodology. In accordance with the DCIA, the EPA reviewed 
and, as appropriate, adjusted the civil penalty levels under each of 
the statutes the agency implements in 1996 (61 FR 69360), 2004 (69 FR 
7121), 2008 (73 FR 75340), and 2013 (78 FR 66643).
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    \1\ The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 
1990, Public Law 101-410, 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, defines ``civil 
monetary penalty'' as any penalty, fine, or other sanction that--
(1)(i) is for a specific monetary amount as provided by Federal law; 
or (ii) has a maximum amount provided for by Federal law; and (2) is 
assessed or enforced by an agency pursuant to Federal law; and (3) 
is assessed or enforced pursuant to an administrative proceeding or 
a civil action in the Federal courts.
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    The 2015 Act \2\ required each Federal agency to adjust the level 
of statutory civil penalties under the laws implemented by that agency 
with an initial ``catch-up'' adjustment through an interim final 
rulemaking. The 2015 Act also required Federal agencies, beginning on 
January 15, 2017, to make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation. 
Section 4 of the 2015 Act requires each Federal agency to publish these 
annual adjustments by January 15 of each year. The purpose of the 2015 
Act is to maintain the deterrent effect of civil penalties by 
translating originally enacted statutory civil penalty amounts to 
today's dollars and rounding statutory civil penalties to the nearest 
dollar.
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    \2\ The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 
Improvements Act of 2015 (Section 701 of Pub. L. 114-74) was signed 
into law on Nov. 2, 2015, and further amended the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990.
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    As required by the 2015 Act, the EPA issued a catch-up rule on July 
1, 2016, which was effective August 1, 2016 (81 FR 43091). The EPA made 
its first annual adjustment on January 12, 2017, which was effective on 
January 15, 2017 (82 FR 3633). The EPA made its second annual 
adjustment on January 10, 2018, which was effective on January 15, 2018 
(83 FR 1190). The EPA made its third annual adjustment on February 6, 
2019 (84 FR 2056) and issued a subsequent correction on February 25, 
2019 (84 FR 5955). This rule implements the fourth annual adjustment 
mandated by the 2015 Act.
    The 2015 Act provides a formula for calculating the adjustments. 
Each statutory maximum and minimum \3\ civil monetary penalty as 
currently adjusted is multiplied by the cost-of-living adjustment 
multiplier, which is the percentage by which the Consumer Price Index 
for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the month of October 2019 exceeds 
the CPI-U for the month of October 2018.\4\
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    \3\ Under Section 3(2)(A) of the 2015 Act, ``civil monetary 
penalty'' means ``a specific monetary amount as provided by Federal 
law''; or ``has a maximum amount provided for by Federal law.'' EPA-
administered statutes generally refer to statutory maximum 
penalties, with the following exceptions: Section 311(b)(7)(D) of 
the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(7)(D), refers to a minimum 
penalty of ``not less than $100,000 . . .''; Section 104B(d)(1) of 
the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, 33 U.S.C. 
1414b(d)(1), refers to an exact penalty of $600 ``[f]or each dry ton 
(or equivalent) of sewage sludge or industrial waste dumped or 
transported by the person in violation of this subsection in 
calendar year 1992 . . .''; and Section 325(d)(1) of the Emergency 
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, 42 U.S.C. 11045(d)(1), 
refers to an exact civil penalty of $25,000 for each frivolous trade 
secret claim.
    \4\ Current and historical CPI-U's can be found on the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics' website here: https://www.bls.gov/cpi/tables/supplemental-files/historical-cpi-u-201910.pdf.
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    With this rule, the new statutory maximum and minimum penalty 
levels listed in the third column of Table 1 of 40 CFR 19.4 will apply 
to all civil penalties assessed on or after January 13, 2020, for 
violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, the date the 2015 Act 
was enacted. The former maximum and minimum statutory civil penalty 
levels, which are in the fourth column of Table 1 to 40 CFR 19.4, will 
now apply only to violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, 
where the penalties were assessed on or after February 6, 2019, but 
before January 13, 2020. The statutory civil penalty levels that apply 
to violations that occurred on or before November 2, 2015, are codified 
at Table 2 to 40 CFR 19.4.\5\ The fifth column of Table 1 and the 
seventh column of Table 2 display the statutory civil penalty levels as 
originally enacted.
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    \5\ With this rule, for ease of reference, the order of the 
Tables and the columns within each Table are now presented in 
reverse chronological order.
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    The formula for determining the cost-of-living or inflation 
adjustment to statutory civil penalties consists of the following 
steps:
    Step 1: The cost-of-living adjustment multiplier for 2020 is the 
percentage by which the CPI-U of October 2019 (257.346) exceeds the 
CPI-U for the month of October 2018 (252.885), which is 1.01764.\6\ 
Multiply 1.01764 by the current penalty amount. This is the raw 
adjusted penalty value.
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    \6\ Section 5(b) of the 2015 Act provides that the term ``cost-
of-living adjustment'' means the percentage (if any) for each civil 
monetary penalty by which--
    (1) the Consumer Price Index for the month of October preceding 
the date of the adjustment, exceeds
    (2) the Consumer Price Index for the month of October 1 year 
before the month of October referred to in paragraph (2).
    Because the CPI-U for October 2019 is 257.346 and the CPI-U for 
October 2018 is 252.885, the cost-of-living multiplier is 1.01764 
(257.346 divided by 252.885).
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    Step 2: Round the raw adjusted penalty value. Section 5 of the 2015 
Act states that any adjustment shall be rounded to the nearest multiple 
of $1. The result is the final penalty value for the year.

II. The 2015 Act Requires Federal Agencies To Publish Annual Penalty 
Inflation Adjustments Notwithstanding Section 553 of the Administrative 
Procedures Act

    Pursuant to section 4 of the 2015 Act, each Federal agency is 
required to publish annual adjustments no later than January 15 each 
year. In accordance with section 553 of the Administrative Procedures 
Act (APA), most rules are subject to notice and comment and are 
effective no earlier than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register. However, Section 4(b)(2) of the 2015 Act provides that each 
agency shall make the annual inflation adjustments ``notwithstanding 
section 553'' of the APA. Consistent with the language of the 2015 Act, 
this rule is not subject to notice and an opportunity for public 
comment and will be effective on January 13, 2020.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Additional information about these statutes and Executive orders 
can be found at https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This action is not a significant regulatory action and was 
therefore not submitted to OMB for review.

B. Executive Order 13771: Reducing Regulations and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs

    This action is not an Executive Order 13771 regulatory action 
because this action is not significant under Executive Order 12866.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This action does not impose an information collection burden under 
the PRA. This rule merely increases the level of statutory civil 
penalties that can be imposed in the context of a Federal civil 
administrative enforcement action or civil judicial case for violations 
of EPA-administered statutes and their implementing regulations.

[[Page 1753]]

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    This action is not subject to the RFA. The RFA applies only to 
rules subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the 
APA, 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other statute. Because the 2015 Act directs 
Federal agencies to publish this rule notwithstanding section 553 of 
the APA, this rule is not subject to notice and comment requirements or 
the RFA.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in 
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. This action is required by the 2015 Act, without the 
exercise of any policy discretion by the EPA. This action also imposes 
no enforceable duty on any state, local or tribal governments or the 
private sector. Because the calculation of any increase is formula-
driven pursuant to the 2015 Act, the EPA has no policy discretion to 
vary the amount of the adjustment.

F. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have 
a substantial direct effect on the states, on the relationship between 
the National Government and the states, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

G. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have tribal implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13175.
    This rule merely reconciles the real value of current statutory 
civil penalty levels to reflect and keep pace with the levels 
originally set by Congress when the statutes were enacted. The 
calculation of the increases is formula-driven and prescribed by 
statute, and the EPA has no discretion to vary the amount of the 
adjustment to reflect any views or suggestions provided by commenters. 
Accordingly, this rule will not have a substantial direct effect on 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the Federal Government 
and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
    Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this action.

H. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those 
regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks 
that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect 
children, per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in 
section 2-202 of the Executive order. This action is not subject to 
Executive Order 13045 because it does not concern an environmental 
health risk or safety risk.

I. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is 
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

J. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)

    The rulemaking does not involve technical standards.

K. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    The EPA believes that this action is not subject to Executive Order 
12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) because it does not establish an 
environmental health or safety standard. Rather, this action is 
mandated by the 2015 Act, which prescribes a formula for adjusting 
statutory civil penalties on an annual basis to reflect inflation.

L. Congressional Review Act (CRA)

    This action is subject to the CRA, and the EPA will submit a rule 
report to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of 
the United States. The CRA allows the issuing agency to make a rule 
effective sooner than otherwise provided by the CRA if the agency makes 
a good cause finding that notice and comment rulemaking procedures are 
impracticable, unnecessary or contrary to the public interest (5 U.S.C. 
808(2)). The EPA finds that the APA's notice and comment rulemaking 
procedures are unnecessary because the 2015 Act directs Federal 
agencies to publish their annual penalty inflation adjustments 
``notwithstanding section 553 [of the APA].''

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 19

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Penalties.

    Dated: December 19, 2019.
Andrew R. Wheeler,
Administrator.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the EPA amends title 40, 
chapter I, part 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 19--ADJUSTMENT OF CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES FOR INFLATION

0
1. The authority citation for part 19 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  Pub. L. 101-410, Oct. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 890, as 
amended by Pub. L. 104-134, title III, sec. 31001(s)(1), Apr. 26, 
1996, 110 Stat. 1321-373; Pub. L. 105-362, title XIII, sec. 1301(a), 
Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3293; Pub. L. 114-74, title VII, sec. 
701(b), Nov. 2, 2015, 129 Stat. 599.


0
2. Revise Sec.  19.2 to read as follows:


Sec.  19.2  Effective date.

    (a) The statutory civil penalty levels set forth in the third 
column of Table 1 of Sec.  19.4 apply to all violations which occur or 
occurred after November 2, 2015, where the penalties are assessed on or 
after January 13, 2020. The statutory civil penalty levels set forth in 
the fourth column of Table 1 of Sec.  19.4 apply to all violations 
which occurred after November 2, 2015, where the penalties were 
assessed on or after February 6, 2019 but before January 13, 2020.
    (b) The statutory penalty levels in the third column of Table 2 to 
Sec.  19.4 apply to all violations which occurred after December 6, 
2013 through November 2, 2015, and to violations occurring after 
November 2, 2015, where penalties were assessed before August 1, 2016. 
The statutory civil penalty levels set forth in the fourth column of 
Table 2 of Sec.  19.4 apply to all violations which occurred after 
January 12, 2009 through December 6, 2013. The statutory civil penalty 
levels set forth in the fifth column of Table 2 of Sec.  19.4 apply to 
all violations which occurred after March 15, 2004 through January 12, 
2009. The statutory civil penalty levels set forth in the sixth column 
of Table 2 of Sec.  19.4 apply to all violations which occurred after 
January 30, 1997 through March 15, 2004.

0
3. Revise Sec.  19.4 to read as follows:


Sec.  19.4  Statutory civil penalties, as adjusted for inflation, and 
tables.

    Table 1 of this section sets out the statutory civil penalty 
provisions of statutes administered by the EPA, with the third column 
setting out the latest operative statutory civil penalty levels for 
violations that occur or occurred after November 2, 2015, where 
penalties

[[Page 1754]]

are assessed on or after January 13, 2020. The fourth column displays 
the operative statutory civil penalty levels where penalties were 
assessed on or after February 6, 2019, but before January 13, 2020. 
Table 2 of this section sets out the statutory civil penalty provision 
of statutes administered by the EPA, with the operative statutory civil 
penalty levels, as adjusted for inflation, for violations that occurred 
on or before November 2, 2015, and for violations that occurred after 
November 2, 2015, where penalties were assessed before August 1, 2016.

                                          Table 1 of Sec.   19.4--Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                            Statutory civil
                                                                                   Statutory civil           penalties for
                                                                                    penalties for           violations that
                                                                                   violations that      occurred after November
             U.S. Code citation                    Environmental statute       occurred after November       2, 2015, where          Statutory civil
                                                                                    2, 2015, where      penalties were assessed   penalties, as enacted
                                                                                penalties are assessed  on or after February 6,
                                                                               on or after January 13,  2019 but before January
                                                                                         2020                   13, 2020
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 U.S.C. 136l(a)(1).........................  FEDERAL INSECTICIDE, FUNGICIDE,                  $20,288                  $19,936                   $5,000
                                               AND RODENTICIDE ACT (FIFRA).
7 U.S.C. 136l(a)(2) \1\.....................  FIFRA..........................        2,976/1,917/2,976        2,924/1,884/2,924          1,000/500/1,000
15 U.S.C. 2615(a)(1)........................  TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT                      40,576                   39,873                   25,000
                                               (TSCA).
15 U.S.C. 2647(a)...........................  TSCA...........................                   11,665                   11,463                    5,000
15 U.S.C. 2647(g)...........................  TSCA...........................                    9,639                    9,472                    5,000
31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(1)........................  PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL REMEDIES                      11,665                   11,463                    5,000
                                               ACT (PFCRA).
31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(2)........................  PFCRA..........................                   11,665                   11,463                    5,000
33 U.S.C. 1319(d)...........................  CLEAN WATER ACT (CWA)..........                   55,800                   54,833                   25,000
33 U.S.C. 1319(g)(2)(A).....................  CWA............................            22,320/55,800            21,933/54,833            10,000/25,000
33 U.S.C. 1319(g)(2)(B).....................  CWA............................           22,320/278,995           21,933/274,159           10,000/125,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(6)(B)(i)..................  CWA............................            19,277/48,192            18,943/47,357            10,000/25,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(6)(B)(ii).................  CWA............................           19,277/240,960           18,943/236,783           10,000/125,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(7)(A).....................  CWA............................             48,192/1,928             47,357/1,895             25,000/1,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(7)(B).....................  CWA............................                   48,192                   47,357                   25,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(7)(C).....................  CWA............................                   48,192                   47,357                   25,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(7)(D).....................  CWA............................            192,768/5,783            189,427/5,683            100,000/3,000
33 U.S.C. 1414b(d)(1).......................  MARINE PROTECTION, RESEARCH,                       1,284                    1,262                      600
                                               AND SANCTUARIES ACT (MPRSA).
33 U.S.C. 1415(a)...........................  MPRSA..........................          202,878/267,621          199,361/262,982           50,000/125,000
33 U.S.C. 1901 note (see 1409(a)(2)(A)).....  CERTAIN ALASKAN CRUISE SHIP                14,791/36,975            14,535/36,334            10,000/25,000
                                               OPERATIONS (CACSO).
33 U.S.C. 1901 note (see 1409(a)(2)(B)).....  CACSO..........................           14,791/184,874           14,535/181,669           10,000/125,000
33 U.S.C. 1901 note (see 1409(b)(1))........  CACSO..........................                   36,975                   36,334                   25,000
33 U.S.C. 1908(b)(1)........................  ACT TO PREVENT POLLUTION FROM                     75,867                   74,552                   25,000
                                               SHIPS (APPS).
33 U.S.C. 1908(b)(2)........................  APPS...........................                   15,173                   14,910                    5,000
42 U.S.C. 300g-3(b).........................  SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT (SDWA).                   58,328                   57,317                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 300g-3(g)(3)(A)...................  SDWA...........................                   58,328                   57,317                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 300g-3(g)(3)(B)...................  SDWA...........................            11,665/40,640            11,463/39,936             5,000/25,000
42 U.S.C. 300g-3(g)(3)(C)...................  SDWA...........................                   40,640                   39,936                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 300h-2(b)(1)......................  SDWA...........................                   58,328                   57,317                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 300h-2(c)(1)......................  SDWA...........................           23,331/291,641           22,927/286,586           10,000/125,000
42 U.S.C. 300h-2(c)(2)......................  SDWA...........................           11,665/291,641           11,463/286,586            5,000/125,000
42 U.S.C. 300h-3(c).........................  SDWA...........................            20,288/43,280            19,936/42,530             5,000/10,000
42 U.S.C. 300i(b)...........................  SDWA...........................                   24,386                   23,963                   15,000
42 U.S.C. 300i-1(c).........................  SDWA...........................        141,943/1,419,442        139,483/1,394,837        100,000/1,000,000
42 U.S.C. 300j(e)(2)........................  SDWA...........................                   10,143                    9,967                    2,500
42 U.S.C. 300j-4(c).........................  SDWA...........................                   58,328                   57,317                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 300j-6(b)(2)......................  SDWA...........................                   40,640                   39,936                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 300j-23(d)........................  SDWA...........................           10,705/107,050           10,519/105,194             5,000/50,000
42 U.S.C. 4852d(b)(5).......................  RESIDENTIAL LEAD-BASED PAINT                      18,149                   17,834                   10,000
                                               HAZARD REDUCTION ACT OF 1992.
42 U.S.C. 4910(a)(2)........................  NOISE CONTROL ACT OF 1972......                   38,352                   37,687                   10,000
42 U.S.C. 6928(a)(3)........................  RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND                        101,439                   99,681                   25,000
                                               RECOVERY ACT (RCRA).

[[Page 1755]]

 
42 U.S.C. 6928(c)...........................  RCRA...........................                   61,098                   60,039                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 6928(g)...........................  RCRA...........................                   75,867                   74,552                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 6928(h)(2)........................  RCRA...........................                   61,098                   60,039                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 6934(e)...........................  RCRA...........................                   15,173                   14,910                    5,000
42 U.S.C. 6973(b)...........................  RCRA...........................                   15,173                   14,910                    5,000
42 U.S.C. 6991e(a)(3).......................  RCRA...........................                   61,098                   60,039                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 6991e(d)(1).......................  RCRA...........................                   24,441                   24,017                   10,000
42 U.S.C. 6991e(d)(2).......................  RCRA...........................                   24,441                   24,017                   10,000
42 U.S.C. 7413(b)...........................  CLEAN AIR ACT (CAA)............                  101,439                   99,681                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 7413(d)(1)........................  CAA............................           48,192/385,535           47,357/378,852           25,000/200,000
42 U.S.C. 7413(d)(3)........................  CAA............................                    9,639                    9,472                    5,000
42 U.S.C. 7524(a)...........................  CAA............................             48,192/4,819             47,357/4,735             25,000/2,500
42 U.S.C. 7524(c)(1)........................  CAA............................                  385,535                  378,852                  200,000
42 U.S.C. 7545(d)(1)........................  CAA............................                   48,192                   47,357                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 9604(e)(5)(B).....................  COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL                       58,328                   57,317                   25,000
                                               RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND
                                               LIABILITY ACT (CERCLA).
42 U.S.C. 9606(b)(1)........................  CERCLA.........................                   58,328                   57,317                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 9609(a)(1)........................  CERCLA.........................                   58,328                   57,317                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 9609(b)...........................  CERCLA.........................           58,328/174,985           57,317/171,952            25,000/75,000
42 U.S.C. 9609(c)...........................  CERCLA.........................           58,328/174,985           57,317/171,952            25,000/75,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(a)..........................  EMERGENCY PLANNING AND                            58,328                   57,317                   25,000
                                               COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT
                                               (EPCRA).
42 U.S.C. 11045(b)(1)(A)....................  EPCRA..........................                   58,328                   57,317                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(b)(2).......................  EPCRA..........................           58,328/174,985           57,317/171,952            25,000/75,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(b)(3).......................  EPCRA..........................           58,328/174,985           57,317/171,952            25,000/75,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(c)(1).......................  EPCRA..........................                   58,328                   57,317                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(c)(2).......................  EPCRA..........................                   23,331                   22,927                   10,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(d)(1).......................  EPCRA..........................                   58,328                   57,317                   25,000
42 U.S.C. 14304(a)(1).......................  MERCURY-CONTAINING AND                            16,258                   15,976                   10,000
                                               RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
                                               MANAGEMENT ACT (BATTERY ACT).
42 U.S.C. 14304(g)..........................  BATTERY ACT....................                   16,258                   15,976                   10,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Note that 7 U.S.C. 136l(a)(2) contains three separate statutory maximum civil penalty provisions. The first mention of $1,000 and the $500 statutory
  maximum civil penalty amount were originally enacted in 1978 (Pub. L. 95-396), and the second mention of $1,000 was enacted in 1972 (Pub. L. 92-516).


                                          Table 2 of Sec.   19.4--Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Statutory
                                                                               civil
                                                                           penalties for     Statutory       Statutory       Statutory
                                                                            violations         civil           civil           civil
                                                                          after December   penalties for   penalties for   penalties for     Statutory
                                                                              6, 2013       violations      violations      violations         civil
            U.S. Code citation                  Environmental statute         through      after January    after March    after January   penalties, as
                                                                            November 2,      12, 2009        15, 2004        30, 1997         enacted
                                                                             2015, or         through         through      through March
                                                                             assessed       December 6,     January 12,      15, 2004
                                                                           before August       2013            2009
                                                                              1, 2016
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 U.S.C. 136l(a)(1).......................  FEDERAL INSECTICIDE,                  $7,500          $7,500          $6,500          $5,500          $5,000
                                             FUNGICIDE, AND RODENTICIDE
                                             ACT (FIFRA).
7 U.S.C. 136l(a)(2).......................  FIFRA.......................       750/1,100       750/1,100       650/1,100       550/1,000       500/1,000
15 U.S.C. 2615(a)(1)......................  TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
                                             (TSCA).
15 U.S.C. 2647(a).........................  TSCA........................           7,500           7,500           6,500           5,500           5,000
15 U.S.C. 2647(g).........................  TSCA........................           7,500           7,500           5,500           5,000           5,000
31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(1)......................  PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL REMEDIES           7,500           7,500           6,500           5,500           5,000
                                             ACT (PFCRA).

[[Page 1756]]

 
31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(2)......................  PFCRA.......................           7,500           7,500           6,500           5,500           5,000
33 U.S.C. 1319(d).........................  CLEAN WATER ACT (CWA).......          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
33 U.S.C. 1319(g)(2)(A)...................  CWA.........................   16,000/37,500   16,000/37,500   11,000/32,500   11,000/27,500   10,000/25,000
33 U.S.C. 1319(g)(2)(B)...................  CWA.........................  16,000/187,500  16,000/177,500  11,000/157,500  11,000/137,500  10,000/125,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(6)(B)(i)................  CWA.........................   16,000/37,500   16,000/37,500   11,000/32,500   11,000/27,500   10,000/25,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(6)(B)(ii)...............  CWA.........................  16,000/187,500  16,000/177,500  11,000/157,500  11,000/137,500  10,000/125,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(7)(A)...................  CWA.........................    37,500/2,100    37,500/1,100    32,500/1,100    27,500/1,100    25,000/1,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(7)(B)...................  CWA.........................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(7)(C)...................  CWA.........................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(7)(D)...................  CWA.........................   150,000/5,300   140,000/4,300   130,000/4,300   110,000/3,300   100,000/3,000
33 U.S.C. 1414b(d)(1) \1\.................  MARINE PROTECTION, RESEARCH,             860             860             760             660             600
                                             AND SANCTUARIES ACT (MPRSA).
33 U.S.C. 1415(a).........................  MPRSA.......................  75,000/187,500  70,000/177,500  65,000/157,500  55,000/137,500  50,000/125,000
33 U.S.C. 1901 note (see 1409(a)(2)(A))...  CERTAIN ALASKAN CRUISE SHIP    11,000/27,500   11,000/27,500   10,000/25,000      10,000/\2\   10,000/25,000
                                             OPERATIONS (CACSO).                                                                  25,000
33 U.S.C. 1901 note (see 1409(a)(2)(B))...  CACSO.......................  11,000/147,500  11,000/137,500  10,000/125,000  10,000/125,000  10,000/125,000
33 U.S.C. 1901 note (see 1409(b)(1))......  CACSO.......................          27,500          27,500          25,000          25,000          25,000
42 U.S.C. 300g-3(b).......................  SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT               37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
                                             (SDWA).
42 U.S.C. 300g-3(g)(3)(A).................  SDWA........................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 300g-3(g)(3)(B).................  SDWA........................    7,000/32,500    7,000/32,500    6,000/27,500    5,000/25,000    5,000/25,000
42 U.S.C. 300g-3(g)(3)(C).................  SDWA........................          32,500          32,500          27,500          25,000          25,000
42 U.S.C. 300h-2(b)(1)....................  SDWA........................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 300h-2(c)(1)....................  SDWA........................  16,000/187,500  16,000/177,500  11,000/157,500  11,000/137,500  10,000/125,000
42 U.S.C. 300h-2(c)(2)....................  SDWA........................   7,500/187,500   7,500/177,500   6,500/157,500   5,500/137,500   5,000/125,000
42 U.S.C. 300h-3(c).......................  SDWA........................    7,500/16,000    7,500/16,000    6,500/11,000    5,500/11,000    5,000/10,000
42 U.S.C. 300i(b).........................  SDWA........................          21,500          16,500          16,500          15,000          15,000
42 U.S.C. 300i-1(c).......................  SDWA........................        120,000/        110,000/        100,000/      22,000/\3\   20,000/50,000
                                                                               1,150,000       1,100,000       1,000,000          55,000
42 U.S.C. 300j(e)(2)......................  SDWA........................           3,750           3,750           2,750           2,750           2,500
42 U.S.C. 300j-4(c).......................  SDWA........................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 300j-6(b)(2)....................  SDWA........................          32,500          32,500          27,500          25,000          25,000
42 U.S.C. 300j-23(d)......................  SDWA........................    7,500/75,000    7,500/70,000    6,500/65,000    5,500/55,000    5,000/50,000
42 U.S.C. 4852d(b)(5).....................  RESIDENTIAL LEAD-BASED PAINT          16,000          16,000          11,000          11,000          10,000
                                             HAZARD REDUCTION ACT OF
                                             1992.
42 U.S.C. 4910(a)(2)......................  NOISE CONTROL ACT OF 1972...          16,000          16,000          11,000          11,000          10,000
42 U.S.C. 6928(a)(3)......................  RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND             37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
                                             RECOVERY ACT (RCRA).
42 U.S.C. 6928(c).........................  RCRA........................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 6928(g).........................  RCRA........................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 6928(h)(2)......................  RCRA........................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 6934(e).........................  RCRA........................           7,500           7,500           6,500           5,500           5,000
42 U.S.C. 6973(b).........................  RCRA........................           7,500           7,500           6,500           5,500           5,000
42 U.S.C. 6991e(a)(3).....................  RCRA........................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 6991e(d)(1).....................  RCRA........................          16,000          16,000          11,000          11,000          10,000
42 U.S.C. 6991e(d)(2).....................  RCRA........................          16,000          16,000          11,000          11,000          10,000
42 U.S.C. 7413(b).........................  CLEAN AIR ACT (CAA).........          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 7413(d)(1)......................  CAA.........................  37,500/320,000  37,500/295,000  32,500/270,000  27,500/220,000  25,000/200,000
42 U.S.C. 7413(d)(3)......................  CAA.........................           7,500           7,500           6,500           5,500           5,000

[[Page 1757]]

 
42 U.S.C. 7524(a).........................  CAA.........................    3,750/37,500    3,750/37,500    2,750/32,500    2,750/27,500    2,500/25,000
42 U.S.C. 7524(c)(1)......................  CAA.........................         320,000         295,000         270,000         220,000         200,000
42 U.S.C. 7545(d)(1)......................  CAA.........................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 9604(e)(5)(B)...................  COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL           37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
                                             RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND
                                             LIABILITY ACT (CERCLA).
42 U.S.C. 9606(b)(1)......................  CERCLA......................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 9609(a)(1)......................  CERCLA......................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 9609(b).........................  CERCLA......................  37,500/117,500  37,500/107,500   32,500/97,500   27,500/82,500   25,000/75,000
42 U.S.C. 9609(c).........................  CERCLA......................  37,500/117,500  37,500/107,500   32,500/97,500   27,500/82,500   25,000/75,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(a)........................  EMERGENCY PLANNING AND                37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
                                             COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT
                                             (EPCRA).
42 U.S.C. 11045(b)(1)(A) \4\..............  EPCRA.......................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(b)(2).....................  EPCRA.......................  37,500/117,500  37,500/107,500   32,500/97,500   27,500/82,500   25,000/75,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(b)(3).....................  EPCRA.......................  37,500/117,500  37,500/107,500   32,500/97,500   27,500/82,500   25,000/75,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(c)(1).....................  EPCRA.......................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(c)(2).....................  EPCRA.......................          16,000          16,000          11,000          11,000          10,000
42 U.S.C. 11045(d)(1).....................  EPCRA.......................          37,500          37,500          32,500          27,500          25,000
42 U.S.C. 14304(a)(1).....................  MERCURY-CONTAINING AND                16,000          16,000          11,000          10,000          10,000
                                             RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
                                             MANAGEMENT ACT (BATTERY
                                             ACT).
42 U.S.C. 14304(g)........................  BATTERY ACT.................          16,000          16,000          11,000          10,000          10,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Note that 33 U.S.C. 1414b (d)(1)(B) contains additional penalty escalation provisions that must be applied to the penalty amounts set forth in this
  Table 2. The amounts set forth in this Table 2 reflect an inflation adjustment to the calendar year 1992 penalty amount expressed in section
  104B(d)(1)(A), which is used to calculate the applicable penalty amount under MPRSA section 104B(d)(1)(B) for violations that occur in any subsequent
  calendar year.
\2\ CACSO was passed on December 21, 2000 as part of Title XIV of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001, Public Law 106-554, 33 U.S.C. 1901 note.
\3\ The original statutory penalty amounts of $20,000 and $50,000 under section 1432(c) of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300i-1(c), were subsequently increased by
  Congress pursuant to section 403 of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, Public Law 107-188 (June 12,
  2002), to $100,000 and $1,000,000, respectively. The EPA did not adjust these new penalty amounts in its 2004 Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation
  Adjustment Rule (``2004 Rule''), published on February 13, 2004, because they had gone into effect less than two years prior to the 2004 Rule.
\4\ Consistent with how the EPA's other penalty authorities are displayed under this section, this Table 2 now delineates, on a subpart-by-subpart
  basis, the penalty authorities enumerated under section 325(b) of EPCRA, 42 U.S.C. 11045(b) (i.e., 42 U.S.C. 11045(b)(1)(A), (b)(2), and (b)(3)).


[FR Doc. 2019-28019 Filed 1-10-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


