The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency or the EPA is to protect human health and the environment.
EPA's purpose is to ensure that:
- all Americans are protected from significant risks to human health and the environment where they live, learn and work;
- national efforts to reduce environmental risk are based on the best available scientific information;
- federal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced fairly and effectively;
- environmental protection is an integral consideration in U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy;
- all parts of society -- communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments -- have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks;
- environmental protection contributes to making our communities and ecosystems diverse, sustainable and economically productive; and
- the United States plays a leadership role in working with other nations to protect the global environment.
To accomplish this mission, we:
Develop and enforce regulations
When Congress writes an environmental law, we implement it by writing regulations. Often, we set national standards that states and tribes enforce their own regulations. If they fail to meet the national standards, we can help them. We also enforce our regulations, and help companies understand the requirements.
Study environmental issues
At laboratories located throughout the nation, we identify and try to solve environmental problems. To learn even more, we share information with other countries, private sector organizations, academic institutions, and other agencies.
Sponsor partnerships
We don't protect the environment on our own. We work with businesses, non-profit organizations, and state and local governments through dozens of partnerships. A few examples include conserving water and energy, minimizing greenhouse gases, re-using solid waste, and getting a handle on pesticide risks. In return, we share information and publicly recognize our partners.
Teach people about the environment
Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility, and starts with understanding the issues. The basics include reducing how much energy and materials you use, reusing what you can and recycling the rest. There's a lot more about that to learn!
More Legal and Business Bylines From EPA
- EPA Proposes Additional Details on the Clean Energy Incentive Program - (Posted On Sunday, June 19, 2016)
- Administrator McCarthy Announces $55.2 Million to Assess and Clean Up Contaminated Sites, Promote Economic Redevelopment Nationwide - (Posted On Monday, May 30, 2016)
- EPA and NIH Award $25.5 Million to Help Improve Environmental Conditions in Disadvantaged Communities - (Posted On Monday, May 30, 2016)
- EPA Releases First-Ever Standards to Cut Methane Emissions from the Oil and Gas Sector - (Posted On Sunday, May 15, 2016)
- EPA Publishes 21st Annual U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory - (Posted On Sunday, April 24, 2016)
- EPA Launches New Voluntary Methane Challenge Program To Reduce Emissions from the Oil and Gas Sector - (Posted On Sunday, April 03, 2016)
- U.S. EPA Releases Monitoring Plan to Evaluate Conditions in the Animas and San Juan Rivers - (Posted On Sunday, March 27, 2016)
- EPA Awards $12.7 Million to Assist Small Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems - (Posted On Sunday, February 14, 2016)
- EPA Releases Scientific Report Showing U.S. Coastal Waters a Mix of Good and Fair Health - (Posted On Sunday, January 31, 2016)
- EPA Releases the First of Four Preliminary Risk Assessments for Insecticides Potentially Harmful to Bees/First-of-its-kind assessment delivers on President Obama’s National Pollinator Strategy - (Posted On Monday, January 18, 2016)