Louisiana Launches Environmental Audit Program with Major Penalties Reduction
On December 20, 2023, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) launched the Louisiana Environmental Audit Program. This initiative encourages businesses to conduct voluntary environmental self-audits, offering significant reductions in civil penalties for certain violations disclosed to LDEQ.
The program, which officially recognises voluntary environmental self-audits, provides a 100% reduction in civil penalties for qualifying violations. To be eligible, nine conditions must be met, including systematic discovery of the violation, voluntary disclosure to LDEQ, timely correction, and implementation of prevention measures. However, violations that result in serious actual harm, present imminent danger, or are subject to specific regulations are excluded.
To participate, owners or operators must first notify LDEQ using an approved notice of audit form. LDEQ must acknowledge receipt in writing. Once a violation is discovered, it must be disclosed to LDEQ using an approved disclosure of violation(s) form. The disclosure and other documentation are kept confidential until a final decision is made or for a period not exceeding two years. If the violation was not systematically discovered via an environmental audit, a 75% reduction is still available.
The Louisiana Environmental Audit Program, launched on December 20, 2023, incentivises businesses to proactively identify and address environmental violations. By offering significant penalty reductions and confidentiality provisions, LDEQ aims to encourage voluntary compliance and improve environmental outcomes across Louisiana.
Read also:
- Germany's Water Crisis: 10 Billion Cubic Meters Lost Annually
- Beachgoers should be aware that potentially lethal "flesh-consuming bacteria" can survive in coastal environments. Here are safety precautions to follow.
- Soil-to-Plant Expedition: The Ionic Trek
- Tongass Rainforest's Future Uncertain as Trump Aims to Open Logging
