EPA Opens Hotline for Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Complaints
The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General (EPA OIG) has opened its hotline for anyone to file a complaint. This service, which ensures confidentiality to the maximum extent permitted by law, is dedicated to addressing allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse within EPA and Chemical Safety Board (CSB) programs.
The OIG hotline does not handle immediate environmental hazards. For such issues, contact EPA hotlines or use the EPA Environmental Violations Form. Complaints should be as specific as possible, including relevant names, dates, times, locations, and additional pertinent information.
Contractors and grantees may be required to make mandatory disclosures as set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation and the Code of Federal Regulations. Examples of specific incidents of pollution that must be reported directly to the EPA include dumping of waste, storage of hazardous waste, asbestos removal, and release of hazardous chemicals.
Access to personal information during an allegation is typically limited and controlled, especially if the complainant is not an EPA employee, to protect confidentiality and comply with privacy regulations. The OIG may take various actions upon receipt of a suggestion, allegation, or request, including initiating an investigation or audit, referring the matter to EPA management, or determining not to pursue any action.
The EPA OIG hotline is a crucial resource for reporting fraud, waste, and abuse within EPA and CSB programs. It ensures confidentiality for whistleblowers and provides specific guidelines for filing complaints. Anyone can use this service to help maintain the integrity of these agencies.
