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
- Terminix Companies Sentenced for Applying Restricted-Use Pesticide to Residences in the U.S. Virgin Islands - (Posted On Saturday, November 25, 2017)
- EPA Acts to Increase Supply of Clean Drinking Water in U.S. Virgin Islands - (Posted On Sunday, September 24, 2017)
- EPA Irma Update - (Posted On Saturday, September 16, 2017)
- EPA Exercises Enforcement Discretion for Tampa Electric Company In Order to Maintain Electricity Supply - (Posted On Sunday, September 10, 2017)
- EPA Hurricane Irma Update for Sunday, September 10, 2017 - (Posted On Sunday, September 10, 2017)
- Status of Superfund Sites in Areas Affected by Harvey - (Posted On Sunday, September 03, 2017)
- EPA Ready to Support FEMA, State Efforts on Hurricane Harvey - (Posted On Sunday, August 27, 2017)
- United States Files Complaint Against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for Alleged Clean Air Act Violation - (Posted On Sunday, May 28, 2017)
- EPA Announces Grants to Reduce Emissions from Diesel Engines - (Posted On Sunday, April 23, 2017)
- EPA Launches Back-To-Basics Agenda at Pennsylvania Coal Mine - (Posted On Sunday, April 16, 2017)