Fines for breaking US pollution laws can vary widely among states – that may violate the Constitution
- Written by Jerry Anderson, Dean and Professor of Law, Drake University
The Clean Water Act was meant to keep pollution out of U.S. waters.David McNew/Getty ImagesIt’s expensive to pollute the water in Colorado. The state’s median fine for companies caught violating the federal Clean Water Act is over US$30,000, and violators can be charged much more. In Montana, however, most violators get barely a slap...