RCRA Archives - DLG Law Group

A state that is a leader in innovative environmental regulation

Business in California contributes substantially to the nation’s economy, while being challenged by operating within a state that is a leader in innovative environmental regulation. The attorneys at DiJulio Law Group understand that environmental regulations are necessary and vital for the health and safety of all citizens. Environmental cases involve a mix of statutory and regulatory knowledge. They require the ability to present complex regulatory and scientific issues to persons with little or no experience in such matters.

Our practice includes the defense of property owners facing legal and regulatory challenges. We first seek negotiated solutions to environmental issues; however, we are prepared to pursue litigation in order to protect the rights of our clients. If your business or construction project has encountered environmental law problems, our law group provides strategic solutions for enforcement actions and identifies opportunities related to environmental law and policy.

Environmental Law and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Enacted in 1976, most Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requirements are not industry-specific but apply to any company that generates, transports, treats, stores, or disposes of hazardous waste. DiJulio Law Group has helped effectively defend many Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) enforcement actions.

The objectives of the RCRA are to protect human health and the environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal, to conserve energy and natural resources, to reduce the amount of waste generated, and to ensure that wastes are managed in an environmentally sound manner. RCRA regulates the management of solid waste (e.g., garbage), hazardous waste, and underground storage tanks holding petroleum products or certain chemicals.

In defending many Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) enforcement actions, we often have obtained dismissal of claims or substantially reduced penalties. We have also represented many companies in numerous air quality enforcement cases and other environmental problems. The DiJulio Law Group is lead by David DiJulio, holder of a master’s degree in environmental science.

DiJulio Law Group
https://www.dijuliolawgroup.com

The EPA 1990 Amendments Made the Clean Air Act Enforceable

The 1990 Clean Air Act is the most recent version of a law first passed in 1970 to clean up air pollution. It also included protection of ecosystems, plants and animals from harm, as well as protecting against decreased visibility and damage to crops, vegetation, and buildings. In its original form, it was difficult for the Environmental Protection Agency to penalize a company for violating the Clean Air Act. An wider range of civil and criminal sanctions became available with the 1990 Amendments which greatly strengthened EPA’s power to enforce the Act.

These amendments give EPA important enforcement powers. If the EPA finds that a violation has occurred, it initiates an enforcement action when a person, industry, or other entity fails to obey environmental laws embodied within the Clean Air Act.

The EPA may take numerous enforcement actions

The agency can issue an order requiring the violator to comply. This is an informal action, and may consist of a notice of noncompliance or warning letter.

A formal administrative response, such as a legal order, may be issued.

The agency has administrative authority to force payment of a penalty via an administrative penalty order; or with a criminal judicial response which may include sanctions, fines, and/or imprisonment.

Another option is to bring a civil judicial action, such as a lawsuit, in the U.S. Court system.

The EPA may also disallow receipt of Federal contracts.

DiJulio Law Group represents clients in a wide variety of administrative and judicial enforcement matters. We often have obtained dismissal of claims or substantially reduced penalties. We have effectively defended many Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Clean Water Act (CWA) enforcement actions. Our record of success includes many smaller companies in numerous air quality enforcement cases and other environmental problems.

(818) 502-1700

Defending Enforcement Actions in Environmental Law

A state that is a leader in innovative environmental regulation

Environmental Law and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

EPA Enforcement of the Clean Air Act

The EPA 1990 Amendments Made the Clean Air Act Enforceable

The EPA may take numerous enforcement actions