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 Takes Action to Address Illegal Destruction of Streams and Wetlands in Missouri and Nebraska - (Posted On Monday, November 07, 2022)
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $53 Million for 132 Community Air Pollution Monitoring Projects Across the Nation - (Posted On Thursday, November 03, 2022)
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces More than $13 Million from EPA's Clean School Bus Program for 13 Maine School Districts - (Posted On Monday, October 31, 2022)
- Colorado to receive $411,440 through EPA’s Pollution Prevention Grant program - (Posted On Saturday, October 29, 2022)
- EPA proposes revisions to Federal Air Rules for Reservations, seeks public comment - (Posted On Saturday, October 15, 2022)
- EPA to Hold Open House Meeting in Ardmore, Oklahoma on Health Risks from Ethylene Oxide Emissions - (Posted On Thursday, October 13, 2022)
- EPA, Navy, State of California, and City of Irvine celebrate facility reuse award winner Marine Corps Air Station El Toro - (Posted On Thursday, October 13, 2022)
- Biden-Harris Administration and EPA Announce Delivery of Historic Water Infrastructure Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Illinois - (Posted On Tuesday, October 11, 2022)
- EPA Penalizes DDM Imports $41K for Importing Tampered Truck - (Posted On Saturday, October 08, 2022)
- EPA Proposes Endangerment Finding for Lead Emissions from Aircraft Engines that Operate on Leaded Fuel - (Posted On Friday, October 07, 2022)