"Businesses that have paid a collective $52 million in penalties for environmental offenses received up to $32 million in PPP money."

"At least five companies with histories of violating environmental rules secured emergency government loans totaling as much as $32 million to retain employees during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic.

Those companies, most in the energy sector, have collectively paid more than $52 million in penalties for violations of clean air and other environmental regulations, according to an analysis by the watchdog group Accountable.US and HuffPost. Each secured a sizable loan within a month of the Paycheck Protection Program launching in early April, which Congress created to help assist small businesses.

In some cases, subsidiaries of the companies also received loans, totaling between $4.35 million and $11 million."

Chris D’Angelo reports for HuffPost October 4, 2020. [2]