 Not long after the birth defects controversy began, Chemical Waste Management, Inc. applied for a permit to expand the facility, and was met with heavy resistance from the Kettleman City community during the 60-day comment period.The Cal EPA granted them the permit to expand, pending the findings of the birth defects investigation, on December 21, 2009.The initial findings of the Cal EPA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) were released in community meetings in early 2010.