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
- In Support of Affected States, EPA Approves Temporary Fuel Waiver for 8 States Impacted by Hurricane Isaac - (Posted On Wednesday, September 05, 2012)
- EPA Approves Emergency Fuel Waiver for Louisiana - (Posted On Friday, August 31, 2012)
- US Coast Guard Academy in Conn. Awarded for Green Electronics - (Posted On Wednesday, August 29, 2012)
- Obama Administration Finalizes Historic 54.5 mpg Fuel Efficiency Standards - (Posted On Wednesday, August 29, 2012)
- EPA Stops the Importation of Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins as Part of Settlement with INEOS - (Posted On Monday, August 27, 2012)
- EPA to Extend Public Comment Period On Air Permit for Arecibo Waste to Energy Facility - (Posted On Sunday, August 26, 2012)
- Clean Water Act Settlement Ensures That Boston Racetrack Addresses Wastewater and Stormwater Discharges - (Posted On Saturday, August 25, 2012)
- Sinclair Oil to Pay $3.8 Million Penalty and Install Pollution Controls at Wyoming Refineries to Resolve Violations of 2008 Consent Decree - (Posted On Thursday, August 23, 2012)
- U.S. EPA’s Regional Administrator honors new “green” AS-EPA office building / Top environmental official in islands for coral reef meeting - (Posted On Monday, August 20, 2012)
- EPA Comments on We Energies Plan to Convert to Natural Gas at Valley Power Plant - (Posted On Sunday, August 19, 2012)