The US Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement separately increased penalties for oil and gas operators to adjust for inflation. BLM’s interim final rule more than doubles fines for not taking corrective action and for major violations. BSEE’s interim final rule increases the maximum daily civil fine by $2,017 to $42,017.
Both US Department of the Interior agencies acted to comply with the 2015 Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Improvements Act. BSEE also made its adjustment for inflation under the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The changes are effective 30 days after the notices appear in the Federal Register on June 28. Comments will be accepted for 60 days following the publications.
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