EPA Finalizes Policy Giving Enforcement ‘Deference’ To State Agencies

EPA enforcement chief Susan Bodine has signed the final version of a long-standing interim memo detailing when the agency will defer to states on inspections, enforcement actions and related matters, creating a more-structured process for consultation between federal and state officials and adding detail on exceptions to the policy. Bodine’s July 11 memo , “Enhancing Effective Partnerships Between the EPA and the States in Civil Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Work,” combines her interim “deference” policy that has been in place...