Last month, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) provided guidance as to how regulated entities can satisfy their regulatory obligations if they experience interruptions to regular operations as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. MPCA is now publishing information on the requests for regulatory flexibility it has received from regulated entities.
As of April 16, MPCA had received 440 requests for regulatory flexibility, with the majority of those requests coming from the private sector. MPCA data shows that the programs receiving the most requests are the underground tanks, hazardous waste, and solid waste programs.
If you or your company needs to request regulatory flexibility, you can do so by submitting a request via email to mpca.covid19regflex@state.mn.us. Requests must include, among other things, certain information about the person or entity making the request, the statute/rule/permit condition the requester is looking for flexibility from, and the measures that will be taken to mitigate/minimize potential environmental impacts.
Thomas Braun is available to assist with requests for regulatory flexibility or provide more information about MPCA’s response to COVID-19.