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
- Statements on EPA's Updated, Achievable Air Pollution Standards for Oil and Natural Gas - (Posted On Sunday, April 22, 2012)
- EPA Issues Updated, Achievable Air Pollution Standards for Oil and Natural Gas - (Posted On Saturday, April 21, 2012)
- U.S. Announces Innovative Clean Air Agreement For Industrial Flares With Marathon Petroleum Company - (Posted On Tuesday, April 10, 2012)
- EPA Fines Violators of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule - (Posted On Monday, April 09, 2012)
- EPA Proposes First Carbon Pollution Standard for Future Power Plants/Achievable standard is in line with investments already being made and will inform the building of new plants moving forward - (Posted On Saturday, March 31, 2012)
- National Cooperative Refinery Association to Pay $700,000 in Penalties for Violations at Kansas Refinery and Storage Facility - (Posted On Friday, March 30, 2012)
- Rules Proposed to Limit New Uses of Potentially Harmful Chemicals - (Posted On Wednesday, March 21, 2012)
- Poisoning is a Major Cause of Death from Injury in the U.S. / US Government raising awareness of accidental exposures during National Poison Prevention Week - (Posted On Saturday, March 17, 2012)
- EPA Adds Nine Hazardous Waste Sites to Superfund’s National Priorities List, Proposing an Additional 10 Sites - (Posted On Tuesday, March 13, 2012)
- Refinery in Coffeyville, Kan., to Pay Almost $1M Civil Penalty for Environmental Violations Related to Air Emissions - (Posted On Saturday, March 10, 2012)