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 Joins Governor Polis at Denver Elementary School to Announce $3 Million for Innovative Climate Pollution Projects Across the State - (Posted On Sunday, March 19, 2023)
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $25,945,000 for Clean Water Infrastructure Upgrades Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Alabama - (Posted On Sunday, February 26, 2023)
- EPA Identifies Ameren Huster Road Substation as Source of Elm Point Wellfield Contamination in St. Charles, Missouri - (Posted On Sunday, February 12, 2023)
- EPA Announces Plans for Wastewater Regulations and Studies, Including Limits for PFAS, New Study for Nutrients - (Posted On Saturday, January 21, 2023)
- EPA Announces Appointments to Local Government Advisory Committee - (Posted On Monday, January 16, 2023)
- EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund Site in Lake County, Calif. - (Posted On Sunday, January 15, 2023)
- EPA and Army Finalize Rule Establishing Definition of WOTUS and Restoring Fundamental Water Protections - (Posted On Saturday, December 31, 2022)
- Statement by Administrator Regan on Bipartisan Funding Bill - (Posted On Thursday, December 29, 2022)
- Koloa Zipline and Kauai ATV to Pay $45k to Resolve Safe Drinking Water Act Violation Claim - (Posted On Wednesday, December 28, 2022)
- Bellevue, Nebraska, Site Added to Superfund National Priorities List - (Posted On Wednesday, December 21, 2022)