GLI ADVOCATES FOR REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY FOR BUSINESSES DURING COVID-19

To ensure that businesses throughout greater Louisville are able to cope with the broad and often unpredictable demands of the COVID-19 crisis and protect public health, GLI is advocating for regulatory flexibility for businesses when it comes to environmental compliance. In a letter to the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and in a coalition letter with other business organizations to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC), GLI encouraged state and local regulators to endorse guidelines released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Our members’ concerns are based on the overarching need to protect the health and safety of their employees and of their contract visitors. … We think that the US EPA has described a workable balance of the challenging reality of current conditions and the need to preserve health, safety, and the environment,” stated a letter to Kentucky EEC signed by GLI, the Kentucky Chamber, the Northern Kentucky Chamber, and Commerce Lexington.

In a letter to APCD, GLI also advocated for alignment with EPA recommendations. “We encourage APCD to offer increased regulatory flexibility to allow businesses to meet environmental obligations and adequately prioritize the health and safety of employees, vendors, consultants, and the public. The need for flexibility is especially important considering the strict social distancing and public health requirements contained in Governor Beshear’s Executive Order 2020-257, the proactive measures taken by Mayor Fischer, and the recommendations of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As these measures become gradually lifted (hopefully) in the coming months, a degree of regulatory flexibility will remain necessary to support a potential increase in business activity.”

In both letters, GLI and its partners clarified that environmental compliance should continue throughout the duration of the crisis and into the recovery. The flexibility recommended by EPA, however, will help ensure that businesses are able to meet compliance standards while also meeting new guidelines for keeping employees, site visitors, and the general public safe and healthy.