EPA's COVID-19 policy will further restrict public access to climate data
On Thursday, March 26, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a temporary policy on environmental enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy declares that EPA will "exercise enforcement discretion" (code for "take no action") in relation to certain civil violations of environmental law "caused by COVID-19." The policy identifies several situations in which COVID-19 may be considered the cause of a violation, including where a regulated entity's ability to comply with environmental law is impacted by travel restrictions or social distancing requirements imposed to manage the pandemic, or worker shortages resulting from it. According to the policy, because these and other consequences of the pandemic could prevent regulated entities from complying with routine monitoring, reporting, and similar requirements, EPA "does not expect to seek penalties for violations" thereof.