Environmental Compliance Considerations for Businesses

This guide addresses environmental compliance considerations for businesses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It outlines the challenges businesses face in meeting compliance requirements due to staffing limitations and operational disruptions. The document emphasizes the importance of understanding obligations arising from permits, registrations, and facility plans, as well as general regulatory requirements. It details how businesses should evaluate their compliance status and consider potential relief options, such as regulatory waivers or exemptions. The guide also highlights specific New York State regulations, including the role of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) in providing guidance during the pandemic. It discusses the implications of force majeure clauses in consent orders and the need for businesses to document any non-compliance issues. Furthermore, it presents the NYSDEC's emergency waivers of procedures for projects responding to emergencies, including those related to COVID-19, and the process for obtaining necessary permits.