On April 15, 2020, the California Environmental Protection Agency (“CalEPA”) issued a Statement on Compliance with Regulatory Requirements During the COVID-19 Emergency (the “Statement”). The Statement reiterated CalEPA’s continued dedication to controlling pollution in communities with high rates of respiratory disease and multiple environmental burdens, especially given the correlation between these factors and COVID-19 susceptibility.

The Statement also recognized that some regulated entities may need additional compliance assistance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the CalEPA stated that specific time-delimited remedies, such as the extension of deadlines, may be warranted under clearly articulated circumstances. Regulated entities that cannot meet a specific regulatory requirement due to emergency government directives or specific  hardships must contact the appropriate CalEPA board, department or office before falling out of compliance. A copy of the Statement can be accessed HERE.