EPA using coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to indefinitely suspend environmental rules

[floridaguy954]

Under the [new policy](https://westernvaluesproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID10-EPA-Enforcement-and-Compliance.pdf), which the EPA insisted is temporary while providing no timeframe, big polluters will effectively be [trusted to regulate themselves](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/climate/epa-coronavirus-pollution-rules.html) and will not be punished for failing to comply with reporting rules and other requirements. The order—applied retroactively beginning March 13, 2020—requests that companies "act responsibly" to avoid violations.

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'Holy Crap This Is Insane': Citing Coronavirus Pandemic, EPA Indefinitely Suspends Environmental Rules

"The EPA uses this global pandemic to create loopholes for destroying the environment. This is a schoolbook example for what we need to start looking out for."

www.commondreams.org

Here is the link above (will edit when I get home since I'm on my phone right now).

All I can say: HOLY SHIT, WE'RE FUCKED...

 

[Chivalry]

We must destroy ourselves first before something else destroys us. Very honorable.

 

[fadedbones]

fuck this administration

 

[MegaMan]

So tired of the shit from the shithole admin next door. Why can't these sister fucking mouthbreathers ever just fucking think for once.

 

[kess]

This puts even MORE pressure on states that are already having a hard time enforcing the lockdowns. Red states are going to do fuck-all.

Hey, Biden, if you're still alive, here's something to talk about. Hello? I'm sure the Reasonable Republicans will be RIGHT ON IT.

 

[FliX]

But I keep reading Covid is doing wonders for (against?) climate change! /s

 

[Hey Please]

We must destroy ourselves first before something else destroys us. Very honorable.

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Environmental Seppuku.

I saw this earlier on Reddit and this feels far beyond the pale.

 

[The Albatross]

Virus giveth, virus taketh away

 

[Richiek]

And I thought the environment was getting better due to less cars on the road.

 

[mreddie]

 

[Megadragon15]

This is what happens when you elect a Captain Planet villain.

 

[John Rabbit]

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The appropriateness of this GIF skyrockets when you know what it's from.

 

[Greg NYC3]

We're not dying fast enough I guess.

 

[thewienke]

Is it because they can't send enforcement agents out to specific sites to ensure compliance and verify complaints?

 

[Kiria]

Time to pump out the asbestos

 

[AstronaughtE]

"Sacrifice our kids to guns, elderly to disease." I guess this is how they kill the rest of us. Ain't nothing quite like gasping for toxic air.

 

[Christian]

LMMFAO at people complaining about Democrats trying to sneak environmental legislation into the stimulus package. THIS IS WHY THEY FEEL THE NEED TO DO THINGS LIKE THAT.

 

[LiK]

Can we just delete the P from their name?

 

[Dodongo]

Republicans are the absolute worst

 

[CrocM]

Is it because they can't send enforcement agents out to specific sites to ensure compliance and verify complaints?

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Not considering the EPA an essential service is something

 

[ParanormalFupa]

This is obviously not good, but it should be highlighted that we rely on polluters to regulate themselves already. That's more or less the basis of how the clean air/water act works because there are way more industrial facilities than there are people working in pollution control. As long as states continue their programs there shouldn't be that much of a change.

 

[ResetEraIsTheBestEra]

Wow, them checks and balances..

It all makes sense now him wanting for people to go work now, his corporate overlords are getting mad with the profit loss

 

[CorpseLight]

Wow, them checks and balances..

It all makes sense now him wanting for people to go work now, his corporate overlords are getting mad with the profit loss

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It made sense from the very beginning as to why.

 

[elenarie]

So tired of the shit from the shithole admin next door. Why can't these sister fucking mouthbreathers ever just fucking think for once.

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They are thinking, only for themselves and whoever is funding them, sadly.

 

[Kernel]

This is Shock Doctrine 101.

During times of crisis that's when previously unthinkable policies can be put into play as people are distracted and or desperate.

Not necessarily bad (ie. New Deal).

This is probably the only time you see real change in policies as drastic policy is politically impossible during good times.

 

[Pomerlaw]

WTF is this shit

 

[TheOMan]

Captain Planet villains running America. Wow.

 

[Gernau Morat Gurgeh]

Disaster capitalism

 

[J2C]

So parking tickets, etc. still valid. EPA though, big fucking pass? Nice

 

[Officer Big Mac]

 

[rckvla]

WTF man. They just want to burn the world down.

 

[Neo C.]

Sigh...

 

[LookAtMeGo]

What does the P stand for again?

 

[PoppaBK]

This seems perfectly reasonable? They aren't suspending environmental regulations they are just adopting a more relaxed approach so that companies can keep operating without incurring fines etc due to an inability to meet timelines because of the COVID-19 impact. Deviations have to be recorded and reported with reason for the deviation.

Should we be all up in arms about USCIS adopting relaxing timeframes for responses to notices for intent to deny? Should they stick to the regulations and start denying people visas because they couldn't get access to the required information in a timely manner?