During the COVID-19 declared State of Emergency in Massachusetts, the state’s reporting, testing, cleanup, compliance, enforcement and other matters under the Massachusetts Oil and Hazardous Material Release Prevention and Response Act (G.L. c.21E) have been the subject of MassDEP Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC) guidance documents. These guidelines are said to prioritize the health and safety of the public, agency staff, and cleanup parties.

On March 24, 2020, Governor Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 17: “Order Suspending State Permitting Deadlines and Extending the Validity of State Permits”, which, among other things, gave state agencies additional time to act on pending or new permit applications and conduct administrative hearings. This Order applied only to state agencies within or reporting to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs or the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.

(Revised July 27, 2020.)

The flurry of emergency executive orders and court orders, plus a new state statute, have provided needed relief and flexibility to local and state government agencies and courts to cope with the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts.

Dear Clients: We here at McGregor & Legere hope that you and your family are well. We are writing to assure you that our firm remains open for business, fully functional, and focused on your matter.