Polluters are going unpunished.
A new report from the Environmental Integrity Project adds new data to the growing body of evidence of the Trump Administration's destructive effect on the operations and scope of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Umair Irfan and Christina Animashaun share news of the study, which quantifies the amount of "civil penalties for companies that breach limits for hazardous chemicals like sulfur dioxide and hydrochloric acid" since the Trump Administration has taken power. In fact, "the amount of fines collected by Trump’s EPA has plummeted compared to the agency under the past three presidents in their first year in office."
Adjusting the penalties for inflation, the study finds that Trump's EPA collected $30 million through consent decrees during its first year in office. The EPA collected $93 million during President Clinton's first year in office, $70 million during President George W. Bush's first year, and $81 million during President Obama's first year.
"The number of civil cases filed by the EPA to collect these fines in the first place has also declined," according to Irfan and Animashaun. "In President Clinton’s first year, there were 73; under Bush, 112; under Obama, 71. In 2017, there were just 48 cases."
The article concludes with a warning that further reductions in EPA enforcement can be expected if Congress adopts the enforcement budget reductions requested in Trump's proposed budget.
FULL STORY: How Trump is letting polluters off the hook, in one chart
U.S. EPA To Reclassify Thousands of Major Polluters
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated its new rule change will result in up to 1,258 tons of additional emissions of hazardous materials every year.
The Trump Administration's Environmental Policies Have Consequences for Black Lives
A Trump administration decision not to tighten Clean Air Act restrictions on soot pollution will have more consequences for Black Americans.
Comments Closed for Significant Changes to 'Waters of the United States' Rule
The Trump administration has spent the first two years of its time in office trying to overturn key provisions of the "Waters of the United States" rule.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.
Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.
Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service