US Magnesium Avoided Paying Millions

The settlement came up again with a slightly higher penalty at the September meeting. Cromar raised concerns that the relatively low amount US Magnesium agreed to pay would still not dissuade it from committing violations in the future. ‘Civil penalties for environmental violations aren’t intended to compensate for damages,’ Cromar said in an email when asked for comment, ‘but rather have a primary purpose to serve as a deterrent so that there is no economic incentive for noncompliance.’