What is the fine for violating the Clean Air Act (As of 2017)?

• A. 4,400 Per day per violation
• B. 44,539 Per day per violation
• C. 10,000 Per day per violation
• D. 100,000 Per day per violation

Answer: (B)

The concept being tested is how civil penalties under the Clean Air Act are applied and calculated. Penalties are assessed per day for each violation, so if a facility continues to violate emission standards for multiple days, the daily penalty adds up for every day of violation. The dollar amount that can be fined per day is adjusted over time for inflation. As of 2017, the maximum civil penalty per day per violation was $44,539. This figure reflects the inflation adjustment mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act and serves as the cap for per-day penalties in civil enforcement. In practice, the actual penalty in a settlement may be lower, depending on factors like cooperation, efforts to come into compliance, and the severity of the violation.