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
- Biden-Harris Administration and EPA Announce Delivery of Historic Water Infrastructure Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Maine - (Posted On Saturday, September 17, 2022)
- EPA Settlement Resolves Alleged Hazardous Waste Management Violations by Hingham, Mass. Company - (Posted On Thursday, September 15, 2022)
- EPA Selects Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for $296K Pollution Prevention Grant Funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - (Posted On Wednesday, September 14, 2022)
- EPA Implements Advanced Effort to Protect Water Quality in Three Boston-area River Watersheds - (Posted On Wednesday, September 14, 2022)
- EPA Awards $255,000 to Massachusetts in Beach Water Quality Monitoring Grant - (Posted On Friday, September 02, 2022)
- EPA Requires $179K Penalty and Compliance Actions to Fix Unsafe Practices and Inadequate Reporting at Brookfield Chemical Storage and Processing Facility - (Posted On Friday, September 02, 2022)
- EPA Proposes to Stop Authorized Use of Certain PFAS in Pesticide Products - (Posted On Friday, September 02, 2022)
- DOJ Files Clean Air Act Complaint Against East Peoria, Illinois, Company for the Sale of Vehicle Emission “Defeat Devices” - (Posted On Friday, September 02, 2022)
- United States Awarded $10 Million Default Judgment and Permanent Injunction Against Two Michigan Companies and Their Owner for the Sale of Vehicle Emission “Defeat Devices” - (Posted On Friday, September 02, 2022)
- EPA Issues Fuel Waiver for Four States Impacted by BP Refinery Shutdown - (Posted On Sunday, August 28, 2022)