April 7, 2009
By John Ledger
Associated Oregon Industries, Oregon’s largest business advocate
Email AOI your Viewpoint. johnmarshall@aoi.org
On a 3-1 vote, the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee sent SB 105, a bill dramatically increasing maximum DEQ civil penalties, to the Senate Floor with a “Do Pass” recommendation. Maximum civil penalties for many ongoing air and water violations will jump from $10,000 per day to $25,000 per day. Although opposing the measure, AOI was successful in having the effective date pushed back to January 1, 2011.
Senators Voting “Yes”:
Jackie Dingfelder, Chair (D – Portland)
Mark Hass, (D – Portland)
Floyd Prozanski, (D – Eugene)
Senators Voting “No” (AOI Position):
Jason Atkinson (R – Grants Pass)
Excused for Military Service:
Brian Boquist (R – Rickreall)
The bill now goes to the Senate floor where it is expected to pass, then over to a House Committee.
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While 250% sounds like a huge increase, $25,000 per day for companies who continually violate the law sounds more than fair. $10K per day isn’t much for many of these companies. For them it’s easier to pay the fine than find a fix. Hopefully $25K a day will motivate, not just pass the increase on to their costumers.