EPA and California Agree to Do More on Environmental Enforcement

The U.S. EPA and California EPA signed a five-year agreement on Friday to team up more on reducing pollution, increasing environmental compliance, and improving public health in overburdened communities.

The agreement is “a first in the nation and will improve transparency and communication among federal and state agencies to be more accountable and responsive to compliance concerns in overburdened communities,” said Deborah Jordan, acting regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Pacific Southwest region.

• Under the memorandum of understanding, the two agencies will enhance joint inspections, share metrics for determining pollution burdens and vulnerability, and team up on staff training. ...