NEW: As press reports indicate the Trump Administration is considering exploiting the federal response to COVID-19 to make permanent deregulatory measures, @SenatorCarper is asking @EPA whether anyone is seeking relief from environmental rules that would last beyond the pandemic. 
On April 17, EPA finalized an interim rule that provides temporary relief from some air emissions monitoring requirements during the current COVID-19 national emergency, where regulated sources may be experiencing issues of travel, plant access or other safety restrictions.
However, a review of rulemaking records indicate that EPA initially proposed that the enforcement relaxations would apply in any national emergency – even if the national emergency did not require social distancing or other measures hindering industry from complying with the law.
For context, there are many ongoing national emergencies, including one first imposed by President Carter in 1979 related to the Iran hostage crisis that has never been lifted.
That means the rule - as EPA initially proposed it - would have essentially been made permanent.
That means the rule - as EPA initially proposed it - would have essentially been made permanent.
"I would be very concerned if permanent relaxations of environmental requirements were ultimately finalized using COVID-19 as a pretext," @SenatorCarper said.
Read more here: epw.senate.gov/public/index.c…
Read more here: epw.senate.gov/public/index.c…
