Virginia- Enforcement of Environmental Regs. and Permits, during Covid-19 problems

[JOHN REEVES]

FYI:  some assurances from Va. Natural Resources and DEQ officials. vs. the alarming roll-backs announced by US EPA--

   (from April 2, 2020  Richmond Times Dispatch...):

..........

Like the Federal government, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Director David Paylor said the state would consider COVID-19 when enforcing state rules. But, Paylor said, the state would not adopt the EPA’s stance of preemptively backing away from penalties.

“By no means does this crisis equal a free pass for the regulated community,” Paylor said.

“DEQ will review noncompliance issues on a case-by-case basis and exercise enforcement discretion as appropriate.”

On Twitter, the state’s secretary of natural resources, Matthew Strickler, blasted the EPA’s announcement as egregious.

“It is wrong to use the cover of a national emergency to push through damaging and divisive policies while you think nobody is looking,” Strickler said.

    Best regards,  JB Reeves  Rockingham Co.