Oregon DEQ Issues $169,583 in Environmental Penalties
Summary
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued eight penalties totaling $169,583 in January 2026 for environmental violations. The penalties addressed issues such as underground fuel storage tanks, greenhouse gas reporting, and asbestos compliance.
What changed
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has announced the issuance of eight civil penalties totaling $169,583 during January 2026. These penalties were levied against various organizations for environmental violations, including failures in maintaining underground fuel storage tanks, reporting greenhouse gas emissions, and complying with asbestos regulations. The fines ranged from $3,300 to $70,991, with specific penalties assigned to entities like BNSF Railway Co. and United Parcel Service.
Regulated entities receiving these penalties must either pay the fines within 20 days of notice or file an appeal. The DEQ also notes that penalties may include orders requiring specific actions to prevent further environmental harm. Companies found in violation face financial penalties and potential corrective action orders, underscoring the importance of adhering to Oregon's environmental regulations concerning air quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, and underground storage tanks.
What to do next
- Review environmental compliance for underground storage tanks, greenhouse gas reporting, asbestos rules, hazardous waste, solid waste, and onsite septic wastewater.
- Ensure timely payment or appeal of any DEQ civil penalties received.
- Consider funding supplemental environmental projects to offset penalties, if applicable.
Penalties
Totaling $169,583 across eight penalties, with individual fines ranging from $3,300 to $70,991. Recipients must pay or appeal within 20 days.
Source document (simplified)
Press Release · February 25, 2026 DEQ issues eight penalties in January for environmental violations
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued eight penalties totaling $169,583 in January for various environmental violations. A detailed list of violations and resulting penalties is at ordeq.org/enforcement.
Fines ranged from $3,300 to $70,991. Alleged violations included a delivery company failing to maintain underground fuel storage tanks, a railroad failing to submit greenhouse gas reports, and a flooring company failing to comply with asbestos rules.
DEQ issued civil penalties to the following organizations:
- Apex Anodizing Inc., Portland, $8,433, air quality
- BNSF Railway Co., Portland, $28,966, greenhouse gas reporting, clean fuels
- Emerald Forest Products Inc., Drain, $9,000, air quality
- Highline-Warren LLC, Millersburg, $11,200, hazardous waste
- Reid Flooring LLC dba Modern Floors Floor Covering Co., Coos Bay, $16,800, asbestos
- Thomas Fulcher, Canyonville, $20,893, solid waste
- United Parcel Service, The Dalles and Tualatin, $70,991, underground storage tanks
- United Site Services of Nevada Inc., Clackamas, $3,300, onsite septic wastewater 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.
Contacts
DEQ Communications and Outreach Dylan Darling
Public Affairs
Western Region: Benton, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties
541-600-6119
https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ Categories Environment & Energy · Environment & Energy
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