BSEE Increases Maximum Civil Penalty Amounts for OCS Lands Act Violations
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement announced Wednesday that the maximum civil penalty rate for violations will increase from $42,704 to $43,576 a day for each violation.
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement announced Jan. 17 that the maximum civil penalty rate for violations of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act will increase from $42,704 to $43,576 a day for each violation. The legislatively mandated increase is effective January 18, 2018.
"Assessing civil penalties is one of BSEE’s tools used to promote safe and environmentally sustainable operations," BSEE Director Scott Angelle said. "America's energy future depends on robust production on the Outer Continental Shelf, and oil and gas operators must produce in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner."
The bureau enforces civil penalties when an operator fails to correct a recorded violation or commits a violation that threatens serious, irreparable, or immediate harm or damage to life, property, any mineral deposit, or the marine, coastal, or human environment. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act defines the OCS as all submerged lands lying seaward of state coastal waters that are under U.S. jurisdiction.
BSEE most recently adjusted the maximum penalty amount in February 2017. The bureau will issue a Notice to Lessees this week to inform them of the changes and provide a list of infractions with the corresponding fine amount.