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 Proposes Smog Standards to Safeguard Americans from Air Pollution - (Posted On Sunday, November 30, 2014)
- EPA, DOE Release 2015 Fuel Economy Guide for Car Buyers - (Posted On Sunday, November 09, 2014)
- Three Subsidiaries of the World’s Largest Fertilizer Producer to Reduce Harmful Air Emissions at Eight Production Plants - (Posted On Sunday, November 09, 2014)
- EPA Provides Additional Information on Clean Power Plan - (Posted On Monday, November 03, 2014)
- EPA Announces Removal of Two Toxic Hotspots on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan from Binational List - (Posted On Sunday, November 02, 2014)
- Offshore Oil Platform Owner to Improve Safety and Operations in Gulf of Mexico Following Unauthorized Oil Discharges - (Posted On Friday, October 17, 2014)
- EPA Announces Rebate Program to Reduce Diesel Emissions from School Buses - (Posted On Wednesday, October 15, 2014)
- U.S. Fuel Economy Reaches All-Time High/Fuel economy gains for new vehicles continue under President Obama’s Clean Car Program - (Posted On Monday, October 13, 2014)
- EPA Proposes Standards to Reduce Mercury Discharges from Dental Offices - (Posted On Sunday, September 28, 2014)
- Environmental Protection Agency Adds Five, Proposes Three Hazardous Waste Sites to Superfund’s National Priorities List - (Posted On Saturday, September 20, 2014)