While the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is clearly focused on compliance rather than enforcement, environmental enforcement remains in the toolbox at the federal and state levels. These enforcement actions are also a reminder that violations can include significant penalties and that even service firms can have substantial environmental violations.
Lowes: $12 Million Penalty
On November 25, 2025, the EPA and the Department of Justice announced a settlement agreement with Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC, a subsidiary of Lowe’s Company, Inc., for alleged violations of the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule (under the Toxic Substance Control Act or TSCA) during home renovations performed by Lowe’s installers across the country. Lowe’s will pay a $12.5 million penalty and ensure compliance with lead safety standards by its employees and installers.
The EPA found that Lowe’s was not in compliance with multiple sections of the TSCA- RRP rule. Additionally, the company violated requirements under an existing 2014 consent decree. Under the RRP, “all firms performing renovation work in homes built before 1978 need to ensure that work is done by certified firms and trained renovators use lead-safe work practices to minimize residents’ exposure to lead paint chips and dust.”
In reviewing reports submitted by Lowe’s under the terms of the 2014 consent decree, the EPA found TSCA and RRP violations at “over 250 home renovation jobs in 23 states, primarily for jobs between 2019 and 2021.” The EPA discovered some of the violations after investigating the problems disclosed by Lowe’s in periodic compliance reports. The EPA found additional violations after “responding to a tip from a member of the public concerning door replacements and other renovations” performed by a firm hired by Lowe’s to do work in southern and central California.
One of the “non-traditional” enforcement targets was hazardous materials storage at cellular towers (Photo by Jaykumar Bherwani on Unsplash).
Verizon: $7.7 Million Settlement in LA County
On January 2, 2026, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s (DA’s) Office announced a multi-million-dollar settlement with Verizon Wireless.
According to the announcement, Verizon will pay $7.7 million to settle “a civil enforcement action alleging widespread violations of California environmental laws governing hazardous materials storage, reporting, and permitting at cell tower sites throughout the state.”
The settlement resolves allegations that Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, failed to “properly report hazardous materials, pay required permit fees, allow regulatory inspections, and comply with laws regulating aboveground petroleum storage tanks used to power emergency generators and backup systems.”
Many of these sites store hazardous materials that, if improperly managed, can pose serious risks, including fires, explosions, and the release of toxic chemical air contaminants. California law requires permits, accurate reporting, employee training, and access for inspections when hazardous materials are stored above certain threshold quantities.
According to the News Release by the L.A. County DA’s office, the investigation, led by the DA’s Offices of Orange County and San Bernardino County along with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, found that, beginning in 2019, “Verizon failed at multiple locations to comply with hazardous materials reporting requirements, provide required training, allow on-site inspections, and pay hazardous materials permit fees.”
After being notified of the violations, Verizon cooperated with prosecutors, agreed to pay all outstanding permit fees, corrected the violations, and implemented policies and procedures to ensure future compliance.
Under the stipulated final judgment, Verizon will pay a total of $7,700,000, including:
- $7,125,000 in civil penalties
- $375,000 in Supplemental Environmental Compliance Projects
- $200,000 in investigative costs
Hanover Foods: $1.15 Million Penalty for CWA Violation
On November 18, 2025, the Justice Department and EPA, working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), announced a proposed consent decree with Hanover Foods Corporation. Under the proposed settlement, Hanover Foods would pay a $1.15 million civil penalty and take a series of actions to address violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) at its wastewater treatment facility in Hanover, Pennsylvania.
The complaint alleges that Hanover Foods failed to comply with a state-issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to operate its wastewater treatment plant in Hanover, Pennsylvania. NDPES permits are required if wastewater is being discharged into a water of the United States.
According to the announcement, Hanover Foods allegedly failed to properly treat industrial wastes at its wastewater treatment facility. If accepted by the court, the consent decree will hold the company accountable and “help ensure it continues to upgrade its facility and take other steps to prevent unlawful discharges of industrial waste.”
In addition to upgrades made while this case was under investigation, Hanover Foods will upgrade its wastewater treatment system, closely monitor compliance with its discharge permit, report any violations, identify their root causes, and take corrective actions to address them. The upgrades include installation of a permanent boiler to maintain proper temperatures in its treatment process, implementation of spare-parts programs to avoid equipment downtime, and improvements to Hanover’s operations and maintenance program, including additional monitoring and tracking requirements.
If you have questions or need assistance with an environmental compliance matter, we can help. For more information, contact Matthew Schroeder, M.S., P.E., (Ext. 117) or Jeffrey Bolin, M.S., CHMM (Ext. 125) at 248-932-0228.
Also see our “Environmental Compliance Resources” email message.
Alan Hahn drafted this blog. Alan has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and completed a graduate program in Environmental Management. He has worked in environmental management for more than 45 years. He has written hundreds of blogs and articles. His published work includes Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Detroiter, Michigan Forward, GreenStone Partners, Manure Manager Magazine, Progressive Dairy, and HazMat Magazine.
Jeffrey Bolin, M.S., reviewed this blog. Jeff is a partner and senior scientist at Dragun Corporation. He is a published author, a frequent speaker, and an expert witness. His expertise in environmental due diligence, PFAS, vapor intrusion, and site assessments has led to projects in the US, Canada, and overseas. See Jeff’s Bio.
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