The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule to adjust the maximum and minimum civil monetary penalties to keep pace with inflation, as mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 and its 2015 amendments. This move is part of an ongoing effort to maintain the deterrent impact of penalties and ensure compliance with laws. The adjustments, effective January 8, 2025, are made annually without requiring public feedback or notice and are based on a specific formula tied to the Consumer Price Index. The changes do not establish specific penalties for cases, as these are determined by the EPA considering the details of each case.
Simple Explanation
The EPA has made a new rule that makes fines for breaking rules about the environment bigger each year so they stay tough and remind people to follow the rules, even though no one gets to give their opinion on the changes before they happen.