"EPA to Relax Quality Tests for Air Monitoring During Pandemic"

"Companies unable to get outside contractors to verify the accuracy of air emissions monitoring data because of the pandemic would be able to delay some tests under an EPA rule now under review.

The rule is designed to “protect workers at power plants and other facilities during the national response to Covid-19,” the Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement.

The White House Office of Management and Budget began reviewing the direct final interim rule (RIN: 2060-AU85) on April 10. The EPA said it would temporarily allow industrial plants to delay certain required quality assurance tests on the actual emissions that smokestacks release. "

Amena H. Saiyid and Stephen Lee report for Bloomberg Environment April 13, 2020.