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 Draft Ammonia Assessment Available for Public Comment - (Posted On Sunday, June 03, 2012)
- EPA Updates Clean Air Act Standards for Flares and Process Heaters at Petroleum Refineries - (Posted On Saturday, June 02, 2012)
- Plastics Producer SABIC Agrees to Reduce Harmful Air Pollution from Leaking Equipment to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations in Indiana and Alabama - (Posted On Saturday, June 02, 2012)
- EPA and Department of Veterans Affairs to Connect Veterans with Jobs in Water Sectors - (Posted On Wednesday, May 30, 2012)
- Mid-America Pipeline Company LLC, Enterprise Products Operating LLC to Pay $1M for Spills in Iowa, Kan., Neb. - (Posted On Tuesday, May 29, 2012)
- EPA Announces $69.3 Million to Clean Up Contaminated Sites and Revitalize Communities / Investment will protect people’s health and the environment, create jobs and promote economic redevelopment nationwide - (Posted On Friday, May 25, 2012)
- EPA and Department of Commerce Announce New Effort to Boost U.S. Jobs, Environmental Tech Exports - (Posted On Monday, May 14, 2012)
- McDonald’s Joins EPA List of Top 50 Green-Powered Organizations - (Posted On Saturday, May 05, 2012)
- Hess Corporation to Install $45 Million In Pollution Controls and Pay $850,000 Penalty to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations at New Jersey Refinery - (Posted On Thursday, April 26, 2012)
- EPA Releases Innovative Mapping Tool to Improve Environmental Reviews and Planning / NEPAssist part of CEQ initiative to increase efficiency and effectiveness of environmental reviews - (Posted On Wednesday, April 25, 2012)