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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Pollution violations fines totaled $55 million in 17 years

FOI at work!
In 17 years, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control handed out $55 million in fines among more than 6,000 violations, the AP reported. FOIA records made the analysis possible.
An analysis by a Charleston newspaper shows that South Carolina health and environmental regulators have imposed about $55 million in fines for pollution violations since 1991.

The Post and Courier reported Tuesday that it reviewed 17 years of records from the Department of Health and Environmental Control that included more than 6,000 violations.

The records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act shows the state issues about 350 civil citations a year for about $3 million in fines.
More here.

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