DEQ release - Statewide, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued 12 penalties, none along the Oregon Coast, totaling $430,292 in July for various environmental violations. A detailed list of violations and resulting penalties is at ordeq.org/enforcement.  Fines ranged from $6,800 to $75,200. Alleged violations included a glass manufacturing facility that failed to measure visible emissions with its opacity monitoring system on two, multi-day occasions, exceeded glass production limits and failed to perform observations of its stormwater discharge points; automotive fueling stations that failed to perform required tests and inspections of their underground storage tank systems, maintain spill prevention equipment and investigate suspected releases; and construction projects that failed to implement proper stormwater pollution and erosion controls, which caused pollution to state waters.  Recipients of DEQ civil penalties must either pay the fines to the state treasury or file an appeal within 20 days of receiving notice of the penalty. Penalties may also include orders requiring specific tasks to prevent ongoing violations or additional environmental harm.  A portion of a civil penalty may be offset by funding a supplemental environmental project that improves Oregon’s environment. Starting this fall, DEQ will begin accepting applications for pre-approved supplemental environmental projects. This will help match entities that have received civil penalty assessments with organizations that have vetted and pre‑approved projects in need of funding. Nonprofit and government organizations that have potential qualifying projects in need of funding are encouraged to attend a virtual listening session on Sept. 17, 2026, at 10 a.m., to learn how to apply for pre-approval. Learn more about these projects and the pre-approval process at ordeq.org/sep.  DEQ works with thousands of organizations and individuals to help them comply with laws that protect Oregon’s air, land and water. DEQ uses education, technical assistance, warnings and penalties to change behavior and deter future violations.