
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, December 10, 1993                   TAG: 9312100150
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

EPA PUNISHES RECORD NUMBER OF POLLUTERS

The Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it fined polluters $133.5 million this year and sent more violators to jail than ever before.

EPA's annual enforcement report tallied 2,110 criminal and civil cases, administrative penalties and consent decree enforcements. That compared with 1,935 actions in 1992 and 1,755 in 1991.

The agency more than doubled the number of investigations started this year, compared with last year.

That "sends a message to the public and to industry that pollution does not pay," said EPA Administrator Carol Browner.

Criminal convictions were obtained against 135 individuals and companies, topping last year's 99. Sentences totaled 943 months of prison time for such activities as illegal disposal of lead-contaminated wastes, pumping acidic waste water into storm drains and illegal transport and storage of hazardous waste. - Associated Press

by CNB