The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday it has revised its temporary—and controversial—enforcement discretion policy regarding its enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The original policy, which came in the form of a March 26 memo, stated that the EPA won’t seek penalties for certain violations in situations where the agency believes the coronavirus pandemic caused the noncompliance. The EPA went on to assert that disruptions to facility operations or labs and staff shortages may hinder the ability “to meet enforceable limitations on air emissions and water discharges, requirements for the management of hazardous waste, or requirements to ensure and provide safe drinking water.”
