EPA Plans to Waive Certain Compliance Requirements Amid Coronavirus Crisis

The Trump administration recently announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to waive compliance requirements and deadlines for a range of industries, including oil refiners, as it seeks to help businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The American Petroleum Institute, in a letter to the EPA on Monday, asked officials to temporarily waive or suspend non-essential compliance obligations including recordkeeping, training, or other non-safety critical requirements like seasonal fuel requirements, non-essential inspections and audits, and certain leasing and permitting considerations.

An EPA spokesperson said the agency is “in the process of developing guidance regarding enforcement” during the coronavirus outbreak. “We will provide additional information upon its completion,” the spokesperson added.