Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new policy aimed at enhancing the coordination between its civil and criminal enforcement programs. This initiative is part of the agency's efforts to hold polluters accountable and ensure environmental justice for communities affected by pollution.
Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance emphasized the importance of aligning civil and criminal enforcement programs to effectively address environmental issues, stating, “A fair and robust enforcement program requires strong alignment between EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement programs to hold polluters accountable, deter violations, and protect communities.”
The new policy mandates increased collaboration during the strategic planning process, improved case screening, and enhanced case management to facilitate information sharing about violations. Furthermore, training programs will be updated to foster a more effective partnership between civil and criminal enforcement offices.
According to the EPA, the development of this policy involved close collaboration and consultation with regional and national enforcement programs. The agency encourages the public to support its mission by reporting potential environmental violations in their communities or workplaces.
This strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy aims to strengthen the partnership between EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement programs, promoting fair enforcement practices that uphold the rule of law and safeguard the environment.
