DEQ release - Statewide, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued nine penalties in September totaling $152,496 for various environmental violations. September enforcements did not include the Oregon Coast. Detailed information about violations and resulting penalties is at ordeq.org/enforcement.  Fines ranged from $3,600 to $35,083. Alleged violations included a gas station not maintaining its underground storage tanks, a recycling company not having a solid waste permit, and a city failing to meet the requirements of its water quality 401 certification for a stream restoration project.  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. They may be able to offset a portion of a penalty by funding a supplemental environmental project that improves Oregon’s environment. Learn more about these projects at ordeq.org/sep.  Penalties may also include orders requiring specific tasks to prevent ongoing violations or additional environmental harm.  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. A list of enforcements for September 2026 can be viewed below.  More updates from DEQ - Applications for Food Waste Processing Infrastructure Grant open through end of November.  Food waste is the single largest source of methane generation in landfills, accounting for 58% methane generation. Increasing food waste processing capacity will significantly improve Oregon's ability to recover a larger percentage of wasted food.  The application for the Food Waste Infrastructure Processing Grant is now live and open until Nov. 30. Visit the program’s web page to learn more about the grant program and eligible activities.