Business

EPA Official on Non-Compliant Companies: ‘Hit Them as Hard as You Can’ & ‘Make Examples Out of Them,’ Cites Crucifixion

EPA Official on Non Compliant Companies: Hit Them as Hard as You Can’ & Make Examples Out of Them, Cites CrucifixionAre you familiar with a certain Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official named Al Armendariz?

Chances are you’ve never heard of him. We suspect most Americans haven’t. However, with the recent unearthing of the video below, that could change very soon.

Thanks to a little digging by the staff of Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), attention has been brought to a 2010 video that seems to confirm what many conservatives have long suspected: that the EPA is at war with the oil and gas industries.

“[O]il and gas is an enforcement priority, it’s one of seven, so we are going to spend a fair amount of time looking at oil and gas production,” Armendariz says in the video.

The top-ranking EPA official goes on to explain his philosophy of policy enforcement [emphases added]:

I was in a meeting once and I gave an analogy to my staff…the Romans used to conquer little villages in the Mediterranean. They’d go into a little Turkish town somewhere, they’d find the first five guys they saw and they would crucify them. And then you know that town was really easy to manage for the next few years.

And so you make examples out of people who are in this case not compliant with the law. Find people who are not compliant with the law, and you hit them as hard as you can and you make examples out of them, and there is a deterrent effect there.

And, companies that are smart see that, they don’t want to play that game, and they decide at that point that it’s time to clean up.

Watch the video here:

He continues:

And, that won’t happen unless you have somebody out there making examples of people. So you go out, you look at an industry, you find people violating the law, you go aggressively after them. And we do have some pretty effective enforcement tools. Compliance can get very high, very, very quickly.

That’s what these companies respond to is both their public image but also financial pressure. So you put some financial pressure on a company, you get other people in that industry to clean up very quickly.

“So, that’s our general philosophy,” he adds.

Now in regards to the crucifixion remarks: it’s obvious Armendariz is simply using  over-the-top imagery to deliver a somewhat entertaining (albeit macabre) analogy.

But in regards to the rest of his remarks, and given some of the recent litigation brought against oil, gas, and coal producers by EPA, Mr. Armendariz’s speech seems to confirm the aforementioned idea that his department is at war with these industries.

The article has been updated.

Comments (176)

1 2 3 ... 6
  • momrules
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:40pm

    I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Lisa P. Jackson is the most powerful woman, dangerous woman in America.
    And just look at the pissants that work for her.

    Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 5:13pm

      Jackson‘s days are numbered as are all of Obama’s menagerie or marxists, incompetents and corruptocrats days numbered. November 2012 they all start looking for another job. Lisa Jackson has been a particularly destructive force on American business and by donig so, a destructive force on jobs.

      Report Post »  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 5:38pm

      The GESTAPO is alive and well. Time to go Gault….F’em!

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • TheCoffinMaker
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 5:52pm

      We hired these people, at one time, to serve us.

      Soon they will kill us.

      Report Post » TheCoffinMaker  
    • stopspendingourmoney
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 6:17pm

      Just Another reason we need Ron Paul as POTUS as he would kick these POS out on there arses faster than you could even say EPA.

      Report Post »  
    • RLTW
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 6:44pm

      AVENGERK
      Once obama and his minions are gone we than need to clean the communist filth from every corner of government.

      Report Post »  
    • lordjosh
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 7:35pm

      Why, whose gonna “clean up”? Romney? ha, pull yer head outta da sand, man.

      Report Post » lordjosh  
    • jzs
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 8:58pm

      Yeah, the rhetoric is over the top. Agreed. Whatever. But I am in favor on enforcing that law of the land, and the EPA doesn’t have the resources to investigate every company, so they go after the big guys. That’s what enforcement agencies do. They go after the big guys, not the small guys. Duh.

      By the remarks here I take it that you guys believe that big corporations are above the law. I personally don’t believe that rich corporations are above the law. I don’t believe rich corporations can illegally pollute the air your children breath, pollute the water your children drink, pollute the soil farmers grow food your food on or put toxins into the water that poison the fish you eat. That’s just my opinion, but I’m against those things. I expect the violators to be set right. This is America, and we protect our own, not sacrifice our own so that the richest can buy another summer house or jet airplane or island (free of pollution).

      I believe that the United States of America is a country governed by law, and that people or corporations aren’t above the law simply because they have lot of money.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • ProbIemSoIver
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 9:10pm

      They want to hit as hard as they can ?

      Okay. Lets hit.

      The EPA is a Private Company !!!!
      http://www.manta.com/c/mm2w3×5/us-environmental-protctn-agcy

      You tell me how a PRIVATE COMPANY has any jurisdiction over anybody !!!

      You see, Our Constitutional Rights are unalienable and not to be infringed !!!!!

      For morons, that means “Carved in Stone” Not to be Debated or altered under ANY CONDITION !!!

      It does not matter if Nixon created it, or if it was a bill passed in the congress and the senate, No PRIVATE COMPANY or GOVERNMENT can violate your rights.

      BOTTOM LINE !!!!!

      The founding Fathers Hated Democracy !!!!

      YOU CAN NOT VOTE , when it comes to my Constitutional RIGHTS !!!!!!

      This guy explains it better than me:
      A must see, 3 minute video:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RewUP-Fdhqk

      Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 9:53pm

      How about we shut down the EPA’s electricity refuse to sell them fuel and make them dependent only on their windmills and solar farm and see how long before they change their tune.

      Report Post »  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 9:58pm

      Cesar, Hitler, Stalin, and other dangerous tyrants acted the way the EPA acts. Millions of Americans lost their lives fighting wars so America would be free of tyrants like King George, Hitler, Emperor Hirohito, and Obama. It appears Americans will have to fight again to rid the nation of the EPA.

      Report Post »  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 10:08pm

      The only thing he needs is a black uniform and a Swastika arm band. Reichs Furier Himmler Commander German SS would send his men into a Polish or Russian town, find the first five unarmed men they saw and shoot them in the head. The Imperial Japanese Army did the same in China. From then on, the towns would be easy to handle for a few years. We Americans have smashed tyrannical regimes in the past and we will have to do it again right here where we live. Thomas Jefferson wrote about tyrants once.

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:45am

      Hey JZS,

      Ready?

      Here it comes………..

      “Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission”

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:53am

      And JZS,

      Since you are our resident science dude, would you care to tell us, on a percentage basis, how much cleaner our air is now, compared to say……..1969?

      At what point will you be satisfied that the air is clean enough?

      I am not saying either way if it is or is not clean enough, but I would really like to know how far you want to go?

      I want a precise answer, how far back in time must we go to make you happy?

      Should we all be riding around on a stone wheel with a stick through the middle like B.C.?

      I know you won‘t answer because you know that’s not what it is all about, because if it was, you would be able to give a firm, exact answer.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • JohnofOregon
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 1:03am

      you know what the BS here is. Inhofe, a supposed conservative will approve a budget for this agency. The EPA was created because states didn’t have a coordinated regulatory structure. Now its just a mucus pile of state agencies and redundencies. If anyone in congress gave a sh## about America, they would defund the agency. You can’t change bad laws. Defund enforcement, that is your only choice.
      The OLD FARTS that supposedly care, don’t. If they did, why in the hell do they keep borrowing and stealing our future, why do they keep funding enemies of america like the epa. Why do they keep subsidizing college bloat.
      you think these old men women care what happens in ten or 15 years. They will most likly be dead (especially under national health care) they are a collection of sociopaths and others that wish they had IQs high enough to be a sociopath.

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 1:21am

      THERIGHTSOFBILLY, This is not science. JZS is saying what many do say about our country. We are a nation of laws. But, what he fails to either state or just completely does not see it. The EPA like a number of our other alphabet agencies write their own regs that they then set about and enforce. These ARE NOT LAWS! Our congress are often referred to as our law makers, but completely fail to do their jobs when it comes to these agencies. Congress should write the laws that the EPA is allowed to enforce and congress only. I can see the EPA making suggestions to even writing a 1st draft for a law, but it should take the congress to make the final decisions before presenting it for the president’s signature. The congress should not be so lazy to just let rogue agencies to run amuck and just do as the wish. A good recent example of agency stupidity is the GSA.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • spikebu
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 2:04am

      @JZS…Yeah. It’s only the government that is above the law. The “big companies” are the only ones who can actually oppose the government. Us “little guys” don’t have the resources. Shite rolls downhill. When the “big guys” fall, us “little guys” just wink out. All that’s left are the “big guys” who didn’t oppose the government. How many of them are government funded? All? How is that American? Our government is driving us out of business through regulations. I just can’t see the American in it. It shouldn’t be so hard to run a business. You shouldn’t need a lawyer to do it. It’s not what America is. An honest day’s work no longer exists. Not when you have to employ a lawyer to explain your days work. It’s easy to not follow the laws. It’s da!n hard to follow them and not become a criminal. You become a criminal either way. Yeah. Our government doesn‘t eat it’s own. What country are you living in? Just curious.

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 2:56am

      @RJJINGADSDEN

      Good points all the way around !! If you have some time on your hands, you should seriously think about putting your hat in the ring. You’re not in my area, but from reading your stance on most things, you would get my moral support, for sure.

      But as for JZS’s statements, he only believes we are a country of laws when it’s the laws that he approves of that are being enforced.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 10:40am

      THERIGHTSOFBILLY, Thank you and I am very flattered. But, I find politicians as a whole to be mostly reprehensible. As much as I appreciate the rising stars in the Republican Party such as Marco Rubio, Alan West and others, I would really like to see these essential youngsters to the political arena to go ahead and move upward rapidly. Before they are poisoned by their fellow politicians who have been in the beltway far too long. As far as that goes, Congressional term limits would be a great idea. I know that some say we would lose experience, but too many of those experiences as I see it should go away. I’d much rather see fresh faces with similar ideas and beliefs assume these offices while their integrity is still intact. If their are truly experienced elder statesmen actually still in the beltway they can be selected as cabinet members. The remainder can go home and get real jobs.
      Also, THERIGHTSOFBILLY I have often been impressed with so many of the points you have made here as well. I’m not trying to give you a pat on the back in return. You have really given me a lot to think about and I certainly respect your thoughts and ideas. While I disagree with JZS almost all of the time, he has made two posts here as I recall where he almost knocked me out of my chair. I as well as others here had to agree with him. Forgot the subject matter, but he was spot on. JZS is at least what he is and he is honest about it to a fault. We have some interesting discussions occasional

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • tradexpertbuysell
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 4:44pm

      EPA officials should never be crucified just fired. Eh, maybe we might be mildly in favor of jail time in leu of castration?

      JUST JOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (But not about the jail time part).

      Report Post »  
  • Depressed_American
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:40pm

    First thing the NEW President needs to do is to strip this agency of all it’s ILLEGAL authority it thinks it has. Then totally ABOLISH this agency and a few other, like Department of Homeland Security/TSA!!! And there are quite a few more CZAR agencies that need to be shut down too…..

    Report Post » Depressed_American  
    • islamhater
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 5:01pm

      We need a Calvin Coolidge. But that will never happen cause Americans dont know what America is supposed to look like…Ron Paul is to Dangerous… Really worse than Obama? Most people on here are rightwing progressives and dont even relize it…. CALVIN WHERE ARE YOU?????

      Report Post »  
  • dianna9490
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:37pm

    Epa – another big a** mistake america

    Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 5:10pm

      You’re so right. Makes me sick to think that Nixon started the whole mess. The first president for whom I voted at that.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:37pm

    Sounds like THE MOB Works for the Fed Govt

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • Liberty41
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:32pm

    AL ! did you say CRUCIFY???? sounds like a good idea, we’ll make
    sure you are the first in line after the November Carnival.

    You are going to LOVE IT !……you PIMP.

    Report Post »  
  • adastra2005
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:28pm

    Unfortunately, just getting these people out of government won’t help. He will simply go to some non-profit (and therefore subsidized) activist organization and sue businesses into bankruptcy. They really need to be dislodged completely and permanently.

    Consider this … since the 30s, America has been on a steady course to statism … at varying speeds … but always in the same direction. An election loss doesn’t stop or reverse anything, just slows our destruction.

    Report Post »  
    • trueamerican40
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:47pm

      And do you know why? Here’s a stat–75% Americans who could vote, voted in 1903. That percentage has been going down ever since. If Americans would do their homework and/or demand more moral and ethical candidates…we would benefit as a society (private and public sectors). People don’t give a damn anymore…they want sensationalism to match their chaotic lifestyles. This country is suffering from the cult of personality disorder…lost and empty.

      Report Post » trueamerican40  
    • Depressed_American
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 5:01pm

      trueamerican40

      Couldn’t have said it any better. America is going down fast because her Citizens STOPPED caring.

      Report Post » Depressed_American  
    • fantasywriter
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 11:07pm

      TRUEAMERICAN40 got it right but having Americans do there homework assumes they know how to do there homework. For the majority of American that is a talent they were never taught along with the ability to study and learn. This system is designed to graduate students who receive information from someone rather than acquire it themselves. Is it any wonder it is so easy for them to be deceived by the same left that educated them.

      Report Post »  
  • paperpushermj
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:28pm

    This gives a face to obamas War on Business.

    Report Post » paperpushermj  
  • ourig
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:19pm

    how this pos sleep at night knowing that he ruin peoples lives

    Report Post » ourig  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:26pm

      Time to start a petition to ban the EPA from doing nothing more than watching dogging for the people house. aka Congress. Time to remove all the unelected unconstitution power these UNELECTED presidental appoint tyrants lay claim to. And it doesn’t stop with the EPA but I SAY WE CRUCIFY THEM TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE SO OTHER AGENCIES GET IN LINE AND STAY WITHIN THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS OF GOVERNMENT

      Report Post »  
    • paperpushermj
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:31pm

      Cognitive Dissonance.

      Report Post » paperpushermj  
    • Bill Rowland
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:43pm

      OURIG he doessn’t have trouble sleeping at night. This self rightous POS knows he is right and anyone who disagrees is subject to lawsuits. People like him make up their minds regardless of the facts and you can’t reason with them.
      So many of the environmentalists are cut from this cloth. They can’t be swayed because they refuse to consider any point of view but their narrow little path.
      This is another matter that takes attention away from real issues.
      Remember WATCH THE OTHER HAND!!!

      OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
  • trueamerican40
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:18pm

    EPA can enjoy their dictatorial powers for now–the BUCK stops in January. I recommend many of them open up a Monster.com account and start getting busy…long line ahead.

    Report Post » trueamerican40  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:32am

      Alot in this Administration might want to hiring teams of lawyers because losing a job will be the least of their problems. Theft,corruption,injustice,homocide and treason are heading their way.

      Report Post »  
  • momprayn
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:14pm

    Hey — my sentiments exactly — except to the patriots re the EPA — Hit ‘em as hard as you can and make examples of them” —- so it won’t EVER be allowed to happen again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:09pm

    He and others in government are not gods.

    Thee best way to get rid of this sort of dictatorship is to get the right people into office and not like the voters did in 2008. The younger voters and all have to think for themselves and not just listen to those that lie and will make life worse then better.

    Vote correctly, honestly and lets get back on the right track.

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:18pm

      Indeed they are not gods, we need to vote them out of office this November; unless Obama suspends them and seizes his absolute power once and for all as a dictator.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • SgtB
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:27pm

      The quickest and easiest way to get rid of this douchebag would be to elect Ron Paul as President. In one day he could disband the EPA and all of its worthless sister agencies putting hundreds of thousands of this type of rifraf on the street looking for productive jobs at the companies they used to harass and fine.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 5:01pm

      What we need is a congress and a president willing to fix agencies like this for the long haul. First, a president who by executive order makes all previous executive orders regarding all of these agencies null and void. Then he needs to sign a fresh new bill from congress stopping ALL of these agencies from being allowed to write their own regulations which are treated as laws forced upon the public at large with no oversight. Kill any of these agencies outright that are no longer needed for the GOOD of the nation. Followed by a law that requires only the congress to write all actual laws these agencies can enforce and those bills must be signed by the president as our constitution requires. Speaking of the constitution, make sure to dump any of these agencies that don’t pass the constitutional smell test too.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 5:06pm

      Okay, I know that head is in the clouds this evening, but it would really be nice. Something else Kieth Olberman will have to wrap his head with a couple of rolls of duct tape for too.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • roostercogburn
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:08pm

    This is all part of the progressive lib tard agenda, they are trying to destroy everything, I don‘t think you can find one section of private industry that are not trying to regulate to the point of going bankrupt if we can’t stop them they will destroy this country, and are well on the way to accomplishing their goal. This progressive liberal democrat war on working families has to stopped, and after we stop then we have to put each one of them on trial for TREASON..

    Report Post » roostercogburn  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:22pm

      yep, and now they want to take over the family farms by regulating them out of existance……..agenda 21 a.k.a. hunger games

      Report Post »  
  • inblack
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:08pm

    This pathetic child needs to go.

    This is not about the environment. It’s about an all out attack on America and american business.

    The public is being played by these communists.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CZ-4gnNz0vc

    See what it is all about.

    Report Post »  
  • My Two Cents
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:07pm

    With our modern day Nero playing his fiddle in the White House while our country burns the Roman Empire analogy couldn’t be more fitting.

    Report Post »  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:23pm

      yep, but at least the pretorian gaurd did the thing to ceasar

      Report Post »  
  • countryfirst
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:06pm

    This is exactly what are founding fathers were warning us about, This is what are government has become to its people, creating fear of becoming an example.

    Big government and most of all this administration is what we are now in fear of.

    I have heard before that government big enough to give you all you need it big enough to take all you have.

    Report Post » countryfirst  
  • grimmy
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:05pm

    There is only one place good enough for these pos commies,and that is six feet under……

    Report Post »  
    • Shasta
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:23pm

      I will settle for jail…or if they re-locate to Venezuela.

      Report Post » Shasta  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 5:20pm

      GRIMMY, how about a lot deeper like that Super Max Prison that is well underground. I’d go for that.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • Tom
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:05pm

    But there is no war on business

    Report Post » Tom  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:19pm

      what i don’t understand is why the oil companies keep helping obama and the democrats get elected, they are being persecuted by the epa,and regulated to the point of not knowing what is right and what is wrong by regulatory czar cass sunstein and yet they keep handing out money to these idiots who hate them.

      Report Post »  
  • The Original Ralph
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:02pm

    the problem really lies in the fact that the regulations are so convoluted, you have to be a mental gymnast of olympic caliber to keep up with them – the short of it, there’s no one in full compliance, it’s an ever moving goal, so anyone you inspect, you nail

    it’s the american way, don’t you know

    Report Post »  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:00pm

    I can see just by the looks of this little worm that he is a leftist… Just another good reason to make Obama a one termer.. I won’t call him president.. he does not in anyway deserve the the name. He is the worst President America has ever seen! God help us get him and his crappy Czars out of the WH.. and send them to the communist country of their choice! I pity all of them.. they have been so misguided!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
  • lukerw
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:00pm

    He sounds like… a Union Thug!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:14pm

      he sounds like he was picked on as a child and now decided to bully the country.

      Report Post »  
  • robinakilt
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 3:58pm

    We need to clean house in this country if we have any chance of saving it. I mean a bottom up, top down and inside out (did I get that right Van Joke) clean up of our government. If they so much as look at the Constitution wrong they need to go!

    Report Post » robinakilt  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 3:54pm

    oil? coal? who needs it right? freaking commie enviro lunatics. here’s to hoping someone shuts down the epa…a gal can dream right?!

    Report Post »  
  • IndyGuy
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 3:53pm

    Time for the PEOPLE to demand that the EPA be abolished and put this idiot Armendariz out of a job…There is NO place in Government for TYRANTS…

    Report Post » IndyGuy  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 3:52pm

    e-extreme
    p- pathetic
    a-********.

    Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 3:46pm

    Get that boot on their throat, da fuhrer said so. No jobs for you.

    Report Post » HKS  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 3:57pm

      the epa is the most dangerous group in america,they can and will do as they please,without ant recourse,they answer to no one,not even the president, our so called congress has let them take power over the years to the point now that even congress can not stop them, if you don’t play by their rules,even the one’s they make up,you lose,they know you can not complain to anyone, or fight their rules,because they have no one watching over them,

      Report Post »  
    • Dr Vel
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:07pm

      No surprise as the EPA and it’s employees all work for the same devil responsible for all the crucifixions throughout history.

      Report Post »  
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