United States
Environmental Protection Agency
FISCAL YEAR 2023
Justification of Appropriation
Estimates for the Committee
on Appropriations
Tab 16: Program Performance and Assessment
April 2022
EPA-190-R-22-001 www.epa.gov/cj
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Environmental Protection Agency
2023 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Program Performance and Assessment
Introduction 977
Goal 1 983
Goal 2 1007
Goal 3 1012
975
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976
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FY 2021 Annual Performance Report
Introduction
EPA's FY 2021 Annual Performance Report (APR) describes the fourth year of progress toward
the strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan, available at
https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/fy-2018-2Q22-epa-strategic-plan. This APR presents results
against the annual performance goals and targets in the Agency's FY 2021 Annual Performance
Plan (APP) and Congressional Justification (CJ) as updated in the FY 2022 APP and CJ. Please
also refer to EPA's FY 2021 Agency Financial Report (AFR), available at
https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/results. for information on financial performance results.
Organization of the FY 2021 APR
EPA's FY 2021 performance results and trend data are integrated throughout the FY 2023 APP
and the CJ in the Budget Introduction, Goal Overviews, and Program Project Fact Sheets. The
Program Performance and Assessment section (Tab 16) is the primary component of EPA's FY
2021 APR. EPA's FY 2021 performance results and trend data are organized by strategic goal and
objective. This section includes Goal-at-a-Glance Overviews and detailed multiyear tables with
targets, results, graphs, and key takeaways for the Agency's strategic objectives and annual
performance goals. This section adopts the terminology and color coding used to measure progress
under the EPA Continuous Improvement System, a set of practices and tools that supports Agency
employees in identifying and solving problems for optimal performance results.
977
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FY 2021 Performance Data
FY 2021 Annual Performance Goal Results
For FY 2021, EPA focused on a set of 45 annual
performance goals, including annualized long-
term performance goals to achieve ambitious
targets set in the FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic
Plan and measures representing key work areas
that support those long-term performance goals.
EPA met or exceeded 52% of the targets in their
entirety for annual performance goals with FY
2021 targets and data available (22 of 42). For 14
of its annual performance goals with FY 2021
targets and data available (33%), the Agency
achieved between 75-99% of the target (including
three where the Agency achieved between 90-99%
of the target). For six of its annual performance
goals with FY 2021 targets and data available
(15%), EPA achieved less than 75% of the target.
While EPA is making significant progress toward a broad range of outcomes, the Agency missed
targets for 20 (of 42) annual performance goals that had FY 2021 targets and data available.
Reasons for missed targets include the complexity of the environmental challenge, increased
workload demands due to COVID-19 response, and other factors outside of the Agency's control
(such as COVID-19 space construction delays). In some areas with missed targets, the Agency
nevertheless made significant improvements in its performance over recent years.1 EPA will
continue to make progress toward its performance targets by applying Lean management
principles to improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of its operations. More detail is
available throughout the report.
No FY 2021 results are available for two of the Agency's annual performance goals as of April
2022one because it had no data to track in FY 20212 and the other because it has a reporting lag
due to the grant reporting cycle.3 FY 2021 results are reported for one of the Agency's annual
performance goals for which no target was established.4
Verification/Validation of Performance Data
Performance toward target by goal
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
3 (NT)
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
~ No target (NT)
1 (R)
1 (Y)
1(G)
Goal 1
A Cleaner, Healthier
Environment
Goal 2
More Effective
Partnerships
Goal 3
Greater Certainty,
Compliance, and
Effectiveness
1 For example, (PM TMDL-02) Percentage of priority TMDLs, alternative restoration plans, and protection
approaches in place and (PM FOl) Percentage reduction in overdue FOIA requests from the April 2018 baseline.
2 PM TSCA1: Number of final EPA-initiated TSCA risk evaluations completed within statutory timelines.
3 PM P2mtc: Reductions in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02e) released per year
attributed to EPA pollution prevention grants.
4 PM UST01: Number of confirmed releases at UST facilities.
978
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The Agency developed Data Quality Records (DQRs) for the long-term performance goals in the
FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan. FY 2021 DQRs are available at
https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/results. EPA maintains the DQRs to ensure consistency and
quality of data used for assessing and reporting progress towards annual performance goals. The
DQRs describe the results being measured; data sources and limitations; methods for calculating
results; and controls to ensure good data quality.
FY 2020-2021 Agency Priority Goals
EPA exceeded targets for two of the four FY 2020-2021 Agency Priority Goals (APGs)
(redesignation of areas to air quality attainment, water infrastructure) and missed targets for two
of the four APGs (site cleanups, permitting decisions). EPA ceased collecting FY 2021 results
for the childhood lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) APGs as projects and plans
have evolved to align with new Administration priorities.
Improve air quality by reducing the number of areas not meeting air quality
standards. By September 30, 2021, EPA, in close collaboration with states, will reduce
the number of nonattainment areas to 121 from a baseline of 147.
Exceeded FY 2020-2021 target. Since FY 2020, EPA has worked with state, local and
tribal air agencies to facilitate submittal of timely and approvable attainment plans (as a
means of bringing areas into attainment) and redesignation requests, as appropriate.
Through this collaboration with state, local and tribal air agencies, EPA took actions to
improve air quality in nonattainment areas so these areas can expeditiously attain the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). In FY 2020 and FY 2021, EPA took
final action on state requests to redesignate 27 nonattainment areas to attainment, reducing
the number of nonattainment areas to 120 from the October 2019 baseline of 147 areas,
exceeding the target of 121.
Empower communities to leverage EPA water infrastructure investments. By
September 30, 2021, EPA will increase by $16 billion the non-federal dollars leveraged by
the EPA water infrastructure finance programs (Clean Water State Revolving Fund
[CWSRFJ, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund [DWSRFJ, and the Water Infrastructure
Finance and Innovation Act [WIFIA] Program).
Exceeded FY 2020-2021 target. Over the two-year time period, the Clean Water State
Revolving Fund (CWSRF), Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), and Water
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Programs leveraged more than $22.3
billion of non-federal dollars, increasing the funds available to improve, repair, and
modernize the nation's water infrastructure. This exceeded the $16 billion goal and
demonstrates the powerful opportunity to leverage non-federal dollars. In addition, EPA
met targets for all of the contributing indicators: Engagements with the Water
Infrastructure Community; Tools, Training, and Resources Provided to the Water
Infrastructure Community; and State Revolving Fund (SRF) State Reviews completed. The
Agency's success is due to the collaborative efforts of EPA, states, and local communities.
979
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Accelerate the pace of cleanups and return sites to beneficial use in their communities.
By September 30, 2021, EPA will make an additional 102 Superfund (SF) sites and 1,368
brownfields (BF) sites ready for anticipated use (RAU).
Missed FY 2020-2021 target. EPA made 60 Superfund sites and 1,425 brownfield sites
RAU in FY 2020-2021, missing the Superfund target of 102 and exceeding the brownfields
target of 1,368. For Superfund, fewer than 102 sites could reasonably achieve sitewide
RAU in FY 2020 and FY 2021 combined, and many of those faced significant challenges
including: coordination with external entities not leading to desired progress on internal
controls (e.g., controls not enforceable by local authorities, controls not aligned with state
requirements; absent, deceased, or uncooperative landowners; lawsuits restricting access
for site work or delaying institutional controls; changing land uses which can result in the
need for additional controls; and the discovery of potential new exposure pathways or
emerging contaminants). For brownfields, EPA completed conversations with EPA
regions, states, and tribes on their varying practices for classifying a site RAU to ensure
greater consistency.
Accelerate permitting-related decisions. By September 30, 2021, EPA will reduce the
backlog of new permitting-related decisions to 24 fi'om a baseline of 65; and reduce the
backlog of permit renewals by 38% fi'om a baseline of 417.
Missed FY 2020-2021 target. EPA increased the backlog of new permit applications to 67
and reduced the backlog of permit renewals to 318, missing the targets of 24 and 256,
respectively. EPA faced a number of challenges, including delayed information from
permittees, complicated sites, emerging contaminants, large volume of public comments,
loss of experienced personnel, and environmental reviews from other federal agencies. In
addition, the six-month timeframe is challenging for certain types of complex permits. EPA
worked to streamline processes and resolve policy issues to sustain progress made in
previous years and prevent future permits from becoming backlogged. The new permit
backlog is down 65% since June 2018, and the existing permit backlog is down 34% since
May 2019.
Evidence and Evaluation
Summaries of FY 2021 contributions to EPA's portfolio of evidence are available at
https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/results. EPA uses program evaluations and other evidence to
assess effectiveness of programs in meeting Agency goals, to identify ways to improve mission
delivery, and to strengthen use of evidence in decision making. This is particularly important for
fostering transparency and accountability.
980
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D C. 20460
THE ADMINISTRATOR
Reliability of EPA's Performance Data
I attest to the reliability and completeness of the performance data presented in the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Performance Report. Because
improvements in human health and the environment may not become immediately apparent,
there might be delays between the actions we have taken and results wc can measure.
Additionally, we cannot provide results data for two of our performance measures for this
reporting year the first because it had no data to track in FY 2021 and the second because it
has a reporting lag due to the grant reporting cycle. When possible, however, we have portrayed
trend data to illustrate progress over time.
Date
MAR 1 7 2022
981
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Key to Multiyear Table Annual Performance Goal Data Presentation
(PM #) Annual performance goal language here.
Targets by Fiscal
Year (Line)
Target
Actual
FY 2016
FY 2017
12
FY 2018
No Target
Established
11
FY 2019
13
13
FY 2020
13
10
FY 2021
12
Units
Sites
Preferred
Direction
Increase
IlITi
Gray = No Annual
Performance Goal;
No Data
Purple =
No Target
Green = 100%
of Target Met
Yellow = 75-99%
of Target Met
Red = <75%
of Target Met
White (past year) = No Annual
Performance Goal; Data Available
Actuals by Fiscal
Year (Bars)
982
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Goal 1 at a Glance
A Cleaner, Healthier Environment: Deliver a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment for all Americans and future generations by carrying out the
Agency's core mission.
FY 2021 Enacted Budget (in thousands) by goal and objective
Goal 1 A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Obj 1.1 Improve Air Quality
$7,016,370
(of $9,237,153
EPA total)
$834,138
Obj 1.2 Provide for Clean and Safe Water
$4,563,508
Obj 1.3 Revitalize Land and Prevent Contamination
$1,379,194
Obj 1.4 Ensure Safety of Chemicals in the Marketplace $239,530
H
FY 2021 Performance toward target by objective
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
~ No target (NT)
2(G)
Obj 1.1
Obj 1.2
1 (NT)
4 (Y)
5(G)
Obj 1.3
2 (NT)
3(Y)
3(G)
Obj 1.4
983
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Objective 1.1 - Improve Air Quality: Work with states and tribes to accurately measure air quality and ensure that more Americans are
living and working in areas that meet high air quality standards.
Performance toward target over time
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
2 (Y)
2 (Y)
1 (Y)
2(G)
1(G)
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2021. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2021.
Comparison of Growth Areas and Declining Emissions
1970-2020
Gross Domestic Product
53'i
Vehicles Miles Traveled
Population
Energy Consumption
COz Emissions
»$
1 1
Aggregate Emissions
(Six Common Pollutants)
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
Redesignated 5 areas to attainment for various National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS). Exceeded the FY 2020-2021 Agency Priority Goal target.
Worked with states to reduce the historic State Implementation Plan (SIP) backlog that
existed as of October 2013 by over 95% (from 699 SIPs to 32 SIPs as of September 30,
2021) and provided states with the "State implementation Plan (SIP) Lean Toolkit for
Collaboration Between EPA and Air Agencies" to support timely action on SIPs through
early engagement. In FY 2021, EPA received 309 new SIPs, took action on 361 SIPs and
reduced the current SIP backlog from 341 to 312.
Published Air Trends Report which shows between 1970 and 2020, the combined
emissions of six common pollutants (PM2.5 and PM10, S02, NOx, VOCs, CO and Pb)
dropped by 78%. This progress occurred while U.S. economic indicators remained strong.
Released the 28th annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions, showing
net U.S. GHG emissions were 5,769 million metric tons of C02 equivalent in 2019, a
1.7% decrease in emissions between 2018 and 2019.
Verified 99% of annual GHG emission reports before publication deadline as part of
the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.
Issued 5,351 certificates of conformity for engines, vehicles, and complementary pieces of
equipment allowing manufacturers to enter products into commerce in the U.S.
Released the annual Automotive Trends Report finding that all large car manufacturers
were in compliance with the light-duty GHG program through Model Year 2020.
Released annual data on 2020 emissions NOx, S02, C02, and Mercury (Hg) from power
plants in the lower 48 states, showing a 19% decline in S02 emissions compared to 2019,
a 16% decline in NOx emissions, an 11% decline inC02 emissions, and a 17% decrease in
Hg emissions.
In 2019 (latest data), ENERGY STAR and its partners helped Americans save nearly 500
billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and avoid $39 billion in energy costs. These savings
resulted in emissions reductions of nearly 390 million metric tons of GHGs, roughly
equivalent to 5% of U.S. total GHG emissions.
Oil and natural gas companies that participated in EPA's Methane Challenge Program
reduced methane emissions equivalent to over 7 million metric tons of C02 through
voluntary action from 2016 through 2019.
Challenges:
While EPA is making steady and expected progress redesignating areas to NAAQS
attainment, under the Clean Air Act (CAA), states are responsible for initiating the
redesignation process, a process that demands time and resources from states.
984
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, reduce the number of nonattainment areas to 101s.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM NA1) Number of Nonattainment Areas.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
¦
¦
Direction
Target
155
138
132
121
Nonattaimnent
Below Target
Actual
176
166
159
147
125
120
Areas
1 1 1 1 1
Key Takeaways:
In FY 2021, EPA took final action on state requests to redesignate five nonattainment areas to attainment.
EPA exceeded its FY 2021 target and FY 2020-2021 Agency Priority Goal target.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the status of 166 areas that were designated nonattainment and listed in 40 CFR Part 81 as of the end of FY 2017. Areas designated to
nonattaimnent after October 1, 2017 are not included. Nonattainment areas are areas that EPA determined do not meet primary or secondary NAAQS, or that contribute to air
quality in a nearby area that does not meet a non-revoked primary or secondary NAAQS. Areas are considered redesignated based on the effective date of the redesignation. For
multi-state nonattaimnent areas, all state portions of the area must be redesignated to attaimnent for the area to be removed from the list of nonattaimnent areas. Under the CAA,
states are responsible for initiating the redesignation process and EPA's authority to approve a state's request to redesignate nonattaimnent areas hinges on the state meeting the
minimum requirements of the CAA, which include: (1) a demonstration that the area has air quality that is attaining the NAAQS; (2) establishing that pollution reductions are due
to implementing permanent and enforceable measures; (3) a 10-year maintenance plan that includes contingency measures to be triggered in the event of a re-violation of the
NAAQS; and (4) satisfying any other applicable and outstanding attaimnent planning and emissions control requirements. Focusing efforts on reducing the number of
nonattaimnent areas helps ensure that states and EPA, in the spirit of maintaining effective partnerships, prioritize taking timely and necessary actions to improve air quality in
nonattaimnent areas through the implementation of permanent and enforceable pollution control measures, so that states can submit, and EPA can approve, redesignation requests
for areas once they attain a NAAQS. This measure tracked progress toward a FY 2020-2021 Agency Priority Goal (APG).
(PM CRT) Number of certificates of conformity issued that demonstrate that the respective engine, vehicle, equipment, component, or system conforms to all of the
applicable emission requirements and may be entered into commerce.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
¦
Direction
¦ I
Target
5,200
5,000
5,000
4,700
Certificates
Above Target
Actual
4,453
5,109
4,869
4,711
4,843
5,351
Key Takeaways:
The total number of certificates issued by EPA in FY 2021 was 508 more than in FY 2020.
EPA continues to issue vehicle and engine certificates of conformity in a timely manner and in pace with the numbers of requests received.
5 The baseline is 166 nonattaimnent areas as of 10/1/2017.
985
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of certificates of conformity issued in a given year. The CAA requires that engines, vehicles, equipment, components, or systems
receive a certificate of conformity which demonstrates compliance with the applicable requirements prior to introduction to U.S. commerce. EPA reviews all submitted requests
and issues certificates of conformity when the manufacturer demonstrates compliance with all applicable requirements. This measure illustrates EPA's annual certification
workload. The number of certification requests is determined by the product planning of manufacturers and will fluctuate from year to year. EPA strives to issue vehicle and
engine certificates of conformity in a timely manner and in pace with the numbers of requests received.
986
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Objective 1.2 - Provide for Clean and Safe Water: Ensure waters are clean through improved water infrastructure and, in partnership with
states and tribes, sustainably manage programs to support drinking water, aquatic ecosystems, and recreational, economic, and subsistence
activities.
Performance toward target over time
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ No target (NT)
1 (NT)
FY 2016 FY 2017
1(G)
FY 2018
1 (Y)
2 (Y)
3(G)
2(G)
4(G)
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
2 (Y)
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2021. Chart does not include measures
that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2021.
Non-Federal Dollars (Cumulative, in Billions) Leveraged by
EPA Water Infrastructure Finance Programs, Sep 2018 -
Sep 2021
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
&
>°>
J*
&
] Actuals '
¦Targets
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
Re-initiated rulemaking activities for Defining Waters of the U.S and Clean Water
Act (CWA) 401 Water Quality Certifications. Also published a final rulemaking for
the Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines and proposed the fifth
drinking water Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5). Further,
published the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Lead and Copper
Rule Revisions and issued the final Regulatory Determination for
perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking
water.
Ninety three percent of the population served by community water systems (CWSs)
received drinking water that meets all applicable health-based drinking water
standards. Of the 3,508 CWSs with health-based violations as of September 30,
2017, 2,854 (81%) have returned to compliance.
Exceeded the $8 billion target for non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA water
infrastructure finance programs by over $4 billion. The Water Infrastructure Finance
and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program closed 26 transactions totaling over $5.3
billion in loans to help finance more than $11.4 billion for water infrastructure
projects and create over 37,000 jobs.
EPA engaged co-regulators at the Army Corps of Engineers to review prior critical
CWA 404-related actions, re-establishing the prominence of science and policy in
major actions including Bristol Bay, Alaska and Nationwide Permits.
Challenges:
The COVID-19 pandemic has made providing safe drinking water to the public ever
more challenging and thus more critical. Staff and chemical supply shortages, aging
infrastructure, degradation of sources of drinking water, pressures from extreme
weather events, accidental and intentional incidents, and limited technical,
managerial and financial capacity remain challenges for the drinking water sector.
Nutrient and stonnwater pollution present ongoing challenges for maintaining clean
and safe water. EPA continues to partner with states and tribes on establishing
standards, permitting and innovative approaches to manage this challenge.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are bioaccumulative, persistent in the
enviromnent and potentially toxic in small amounts. EPA's PFAS Strategic
Roadmap (available at https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-
commitments-action-2021 -2024) lays-out a whole-of-agency approach to addressing
PFAS.
987
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, reduce the number of community water systems out of compliance with health-
based standards to 2,7006.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM DW-02) Number of community water systems still in noncompliance with health-based standards since September 30,2017.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
1
Target
875
CWSs
Below Target
Mm
Actual
3,508
1,718
1,128
1,048
654
Key Takeaways:
Ninety-tliree percent of the population served by community water systems received drinking water that meets all applicable health-based drinking water standards. Of the
3,508 CWSs with health-based violations as of September 30, 2017, 2,854 (81%) have returned to compliance.
Conducted approximately 563 engagements with states, tribes, and local communities to strengthen the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of drinking water
systems. Also trained over 6,555 water and wastewater utilities to become more resilient to any natural or manmade incident that could endanger water and wastewater
services.
In response to unprecedented nationwide supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, EPA implemented a program for water and wastewater utilities to (1)
obtain immediate technical assistance for imminent treatment chemical shortages; and (2) apply for a certification of need through Safe Drinking Water Act Section 1441 for
treatment chemicals that are not reasonably available.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of community water systems still in noncompliance with the health-based National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
(Maximum Contaminant Level or treatment technique) during any part of the year, that were included in the FY 2017 baseline of 3,508. A CWS is a public water system that
supplies water to the same population year-round. There are approximately 50,000 CWSs. Data are derived from the Safe Drinking Water Information System Federal Data
Warehouse (SDWIS-FED), which contains information about violations by public water systems as reported to EPA by the primacy agencies (states and tribes with EPA-delegated
enforcement responsibility).
6 Baseline is 3,508 community water systems out of compliance with health-based standards as of FY 2017. (Footnote updated from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published
February 12, 2018.)
988
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, increase by $40 billion the non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA water
infrastructure finance programs (CWSRF, DWSRF and WIFIA)7.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PMINFRA-01) Billions of non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA water infrastructure finance programs (CWSRF, DWSRF and WIFIA).
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
¦
¦ I
Target
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Billions of
Above Target
Actual
8.1
8.6
9.7
10.3
10.2
12.1
Dollars
111111
Key Takeaways:
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), and WIFIA Programs leveraged over $12 billion in non-federal dollars
for water infrastructure projects.
The WIFIA program closed 26 transactions totaling over $5.3 billion in loans to help finance more than $11.4 billion for water infrastructure projects and create over 37,000
jobs.
The CWSRF and DWSRF have cumulatively provided $190 billion in water infrastructure project financing to fund over 42,800 water quality infrastructure projects and
16,300 drinking water projects.
Metric Details: This measure tracks funds leveraged by the three primary water infrastructure programs, DWSRF, CWSRF, and WIFIA Program. These programs represent the
largest federal source of funds to address this critical component of our nation's drinking water and clean water infrastructure. Non-federal funds include loans made from recycled
loan payments, bond proceeds, state match, interest earnings, and co-funding from non-SRF sources. EPA will increase the amount of non-federal funds leveraged by providing
communities with tools, training, and resources to help plan for infrastructure improvements and identify funding opportunities. SRF data are tracked in the CWSRF Benefits
Reporting System and DWSRF Project Reporting System. The baseline does not include WIFIA leveraged dollars because no loans were closed prior to FY 2018. This measure
tracked progress toward a FY 2020-2021 Agency Priority Goal (APG).
7 Baseline is $32 billion in non-federal dollars leveraged from the CWSRF and DWSRF between FY 2013 and FY 2017 (i.e., loans made from recycled loan repayments, bond
proceeds, state match, and interest earnings). The baseline does not include WIFIA leveraged dollars because no loans were closed prior to FY 2018. (Footnote updated from FY
2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published February 12, 2018.)
989
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, reduce the number of square miles of watershed with surface water not meeting
standards by 37,000 square miles8.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM SWP-01) Square miles of watersheds with surface waters not meeting standards.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
III
Target
No Target
Established
497,728
564,536
539,536
Square Miles
Below Target
Actual
N/A
493,930
561,268
533,062
Key Takeaways:
For FY 2021, an additional 28,206 square miles are now meeting standards from the universe of waters that were not meeting standards as of August 30, 2019.
States have made progress catching up on the submittal of Integrated Reports via EPA's Assessment, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Tracking and Implementation
System (ATTAINS) with an additional 36 electronic submissions in FY 2021.
EPA has achieved a reduction of 54,474 square miles since January 2019, already exceeding the FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan goal of 37,000 by 17,474 square miles.
EPA's How's My Waterway Application plays a critical role in communicating standards met in surface waters to the American public. EPA continues to develop this
platform and add new functionality to its premier application. The application continues to see significant usage within the education community, routinely placing in the top
10 of weekly web-hits for EPA web sites.
Metric Details: Beginning in FY 2020, this measure tracks water quality standards attainment in the 587,536 square miles of waters previously identified as impaired in a state
Integrated Report as of August 30, 2019. In FY 2019, the measure tracked progress using a baseline of 506,728 square miles of waters identified as impaired in a state Integrated
Report as of December 31, 2018. Water quality standards attainment means that (1) the impairments have been effectively removed due to actions including water quality
restoration efforts, more complete monitoring to better understand waterbody conditions, or appropriate changes in water quality standards; and (2) the waterbody now either fully
supports the use or meets the water quality criterion for that particular pollutant or stressor for which it had been impaired. Data are tracked in ATTAINS. States submit an
Integrated Report to EPA every two years, including information on the status of state waters. EPA uses state geospatial data to calculate results for this measure.
(PM SWP-02) Square miles of watersheds with surface waters not meeting standards because of nutrients.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
III
Target
183,596
Square Miles
Below Target
Actual
198,335
191,768
182,726
Key Takeaways:
For FY 2021 an additional 9,042 square miles are now meeting standards from the universe of waters that were not meeting standards due to nutrients.
Nonpoint sources are large contributors to many waters impaired by nutrient pollution. In FY 2021, the Clean Water Act Section 319 grant program helped to restore almost
60 waterbodies. Many nonpoint source management projects reduce nutrient pollution as well as pathogens and excess sediment.
8 Baseline is 587,536 square miles of impaired waters as of August 30, 2019. (Footnote updated from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published February 12, 2018.)
990
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Metric Details: This measure tracks water quality standards attaimnent in the 202,096 square miles of waters identified as impaired due to nutrients in a state Integrated Report as
of August 30, 2019. Data are tracked in ATTAINS.
(PM TMDL-02) Percentage of priority TMDLs, alternative restoration plans, and protection approaches in place.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
_. i iTi
Target
50
67
84
Percent
Above Target
Actual
9
14
33.3
51.2
63.5
74.1
Numerator
8,822
14,045
33,194
48,544
59,470
61,718
Square Miles
Denominator
101,141
99,424
99,415
94,806
93,653
83,308
Key Takeaways:
There are fewer than expected priority plans in place due to the complexity of technical and process issues that arose during TMDL, restoration plan, and protection approach
development, as well as some states' shifts in long-term priorities for plans in development.
States and Regions have made progress on achieving their long-term priorities for TMDLs and other plans under the collaborative EPA-State Long-Term CWA Section 303(d)
Vision. For FY 2021, an additional 2,247 square miles of catchment areas have priority plans in place. Measures tracking resources (e.g., Qlik measures dashboard and the
Scenario Builder Tool) assist states and EPA in determining informal annual commitments and monitoring plan development over the course of the year.
Metric Details: This measure tracks state priority waters with a TMDL, alternative restoration, or protection plan in place. EPA, states, and tribes cooperatively developed A Long-
Term Vision for Assessment, Restoration and Protection under the CWA Section 303(d) Program, which encourages focused attention on priority waters and acknowledges that
states have flexibility in using available tools - TMDLs, alternative restoration plans, and protection approaches - to restore and protect water quality. The calculation method
provides 0.5 credit for plans under development and full credit when EPA approves a plan. The goal is to have 100% of priority waters with plans approved or accepted by FY
2022. Data are tracked in ATTAINS.
(PM NPDES-03) Number of existing EPA-issued NPDES permits in backlog.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
360
280
230
Permits
Below Target
m
Actual
456
373
333
284
¦¦I
Key Takeaways:
EPA reduced its backlog of existing NPDES permits by 15% in FY 2021, and by 48% since March 2018. EPA also prevented 35 existing permits from becoming backlogged
in FY 2021. Reasons for remaining delays include missing information from permittees, and highly complex permitting issues.
For the permits remaining in the backlog, 40 are eligible for coverage under the Small Wastewater Treatment Facility General Permit issued by EPA Region 1 on September
28, 2021 and 42 permits have either completed public notice or are currently out for public notice.
EPA worked closely with its regional offices to identify challenges and develop solutions to complex permitting issues, such as those related to 401 certification, the definition
of Waters of the United States (WOTUS), Clean Water Act 316(b), and emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These efforts also will
help prevent future permits from becoming backlogged.
991
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Metric Details: This measure tracks existing EPA-issued NPDES individual permits that are administratively continued because they have passed their expiration date and are
awaiting reissuance. Improving the timing for issuance and reissuance of NPDES permits provides greater certainty for the regulated community by ensuring permits reflect the
most up-to-date requirements and scientific information to protect water quality. The CWA states NPDES permits must be renewed every five years. However, a permit can be
administratively continued if the facility has submitted an application for reissuance and EPA does not reissue the permit before its expiration date through no fault of the
permittee. The conditions of the expired permit continue in force until the effective date of the new or reissued permit. For purposes of this measure, permits are removed from the
backlog as soon as the Agency takes final action on the permit (issuance, denial, or termination). Data are tracked in EPA's Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS)-
NPDES Database.
992
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Objective 1.3 - Revitalize Land and Prevent Contamination: Provide better leadership and management to properly clean up contaminated
sites to revitalize and return the land back to communities.
Performance toward target over time
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
~ No target (NT)
I 1 (NT) I
3(Y)
4 (Y)
4(G)
3(G)
JJR)
7(G)
3(Y)
6(G)
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2021. Chart does not include measures
that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2021.
Number of Brownfields Sites Made Ready for
Anticipated Use, Dec 2017 - Sep 2021
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
£> $ $ ,rP r? r?
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
The Superfund Program made ready for sitewide anticipated use 26 sites, completed 75
remedial action projects, and brought human exposures under control at 13 sites.
Additionally, the Program completed 186 superfund removals.
The Brownfields Program made 616 sites ready for anticipated use and leveraged $2.1
billion in cleanup and redevelopment funds at brownfields sites.
Programs operating under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) made
139 corrective action facilities ready for anticipated use, constructed 57 final remedies,
and issued 112 permit renewals at hazardous waste facilities. Additionally, the recycling
and food waste prevention program re-evaluated voluntary program engagement and has
shifted focus to developing measures in support of the National Recycling Strategy.
The Underground Storage Tanks (UST) Program completed 7,271 cleanups that meet risk-
based standards for human exposure and groundwater migration.
Challenges:
Missed Superfund and brownfields ready for anticipated use and UST cleanup targets.
EPA and the states face challenges such as technically difficult cleanups, lack of viable
responsible parties and cleanup funding, legislative limitations on liability, variations in
cleanup standards and adoption of risk-based corrective action.
COVID-19 played a role in reducing site access and state staff availability to oversee
cleanups. Owners and operators were hesitant to expend the resources necessary to move
cleanups forward and, in some cases, have been impeded by the availability of cleanup
contractors and equipment.
The remaining sites across all programs are increasingly complicated, requiring more
resources in terms of personnel, funds, and expertise to complete cleanup actions.
Actuals
¦Targets
993
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, make 255 additional Superfund sites ready for anticipated use (RAU) site-wide9.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM S10) Number of Superfund sites made ready for anticipated use site-wide.
Preferred
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Direction
|fl
Target
45
45
51
51
51
51
Sites
Above Target
||
Actual
41
43
51
48
34
26
1 1 1 1 1 1
Key Takeaways:
Missed the target, making 26 Superfund sites sitewide ready for anticipated use (SWRAU), compared with the target of 51.
Fewer than 51 sites had a reasonable likelihood of achieving SWRAU in FY 2021 and many of those sites faced significant challenges including: coordination with external
entities not leading to desired progress on internal controls (e.g., controls not enforceable by local authorities, controls not aligned with state requirements); absent, deceased,
or uncooperative landowners; lawsuits restricting access for site work or delaying institutional controls; changing land uses which can result in the need for additional controls;
and the discovery of potential new exposure pathways or emerging contaminants.
As the potential SWRAU universe decreases, the remaining sites might require more resources and potentially face more significant obstacles to SWRAU achievement.
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA's progress in cleaning up and preparing Superfund sites for sitewide reuse (both private and federal facility) while also ensuring human
health and enviromnental protection. It measures the number of construction complete National Priorities List (NPL) or Superfund Alternative Approach (SAA) sites for which all:
(1) remedy decision document (e.g., record of decision) cleanup goals have been achieved for media that may affect a site's current and reasonably anticipated future land use, so
that there are no unacceptable risks; and (2) institutional or other controls required in remedy decision document(s) have been put in place. EPA documents the SWRAU
determination directly in the Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMS) once a site meets all required criteria and the appropriate EPA regional personnel have approved
the determination. The site universe tracked for this measure includes final and deleted NPL sites and non-NPL sites with SAA agreements. EPA's universe of sites meeting the
SWRAU criteria through the end of fiscal year 2021 had a net total of 995 sites, including 980 final and deleted NPL sites and 15 non-NPL sites with SAA agreements in place. As
of the end of FY 2021 there were 1,322 final NPL sites and 68 non-NPL sites with SAA agreements. This measure tracked progress toward an FY 2020-2021 Agency Priority Goal
(APG).
(PM 170) Number of remedial action projects completed at Superfund sites.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
111 m
Target
105
105
95
95
80
80
Projects
Above Target
Actual
105
97
87
89
91
75
111111
Key Takeaways:
Completed 75 remedial action projects or about 94% of the target of 80.
EPA contributes approximately 30 percent of annual accomplishments using Superfund dollars for project completions. Potentially responsible parties (PRPs) and Federal
Facilities (FF) contribute 70 percent of annual accomplishments. EPA does not have direct control over PRP and FF project work completion but does have influence over
9 By the end of FY 2017, 836 Superfund sites had been made RAU site-wide.
994
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
negotiations during the enforcement process. Once working commences, PRPs should be following the established schedule to the maximum practical extent. EPA oversees
the PRP work yet has limited influence over the timing of when remedial projects are worked on and/or completed.
These remedial projects are susceptible to technical issues, equipment downtime, seasonal impacts, and most notably in FY 2021, impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of remedial action projects completed at Superfund sites. By tracking the completion of a discrete scope of Superfund cleanup
activities (for both private and federal facility sites), this measure documents incremental progress in reducing risk to human health and the enviromnent. Multiple remedial action
projects may be necessary to achieve sitewide construction completion. EPA captures these data in SEMS.
(PM 151) Number of Superfund sites with human exposures brought under control.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
,1.
Target
9
9
8
12
10
10
Sites
Above Target
Actual
12
24
32
17
20
13
¦ III
Key Takeaways:
Exceeded the target, achieving 13 Superfund sites with human exposures brought under control, compared with the target of 10.
Previous human exposures under control determination retractions continue to arise due to issues related to emerging contaminants and vapor intrusion (VI) as a new pathway
for contaminants. EPA anticipates the need to develop potential new rules for contaminants such as lead in the future.
Metric Details: This measure documents progress achieved in controlling unacceptable human exposures to contamination at both private and federal facility Superfund sites and
denotes a site-wide accomplishment. The human exposure determination at a site can change over time as conditions across portions (operable units) of a site change. EPA regional
offices enter human exposure determinations and supporting data into SEMS. Results reflect a net accomplishment as sites can shift between human exposure under control to
human exposure not under control or human exposure insufficient data. The status change often occurs when a previously unknown exposure pathway (e.g., VI) or contaminant is
discovered, and a reasonable expectation exists that people could be exposed or that there are insufficient data to make such a determination until further investigation takes place.
(PM 137) Number of Superfund removals completed.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
iTtit
Target
275
275
175
175
141
141
Removals
Above Target
TTI
Actual
226
255
242
233
197
150
1 1 1 1 1 1
Key Takeaways:
Met the target for Superfund removals completed, achieving 150 compared with the target of 141.
Metric Details: This measure tracks Comprehensive Enviromnental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) removal-related hazardous waste cleanups, known as
Superfund removal actions, including those that are Superfund-lead and PRP-lead. There is no pre-established universe of removal sites, as removal actions take place after a
release has occurred. Data are tracked in SEMS.
995
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, make 3,420 additional brownfields sites RAU10.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM B30) Number of brownfields sites made ready for anticipated use.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
¦ ¦ ¦
rrrm
Target
600
600
684
684
684
684
Sites
Above Target
Actual
547
531
861
910
809
616
111111
Key Takeaways:
Missed the target, making 616 brownfields sites ready for anticipated use compared with the target of 684.
The remaining universe of EPA-funded brownfields sites require more re source-intensive solutions to be made RAU.
EPA worked aggressively to reduce the backlog of open work packages (collecting delayed data) over FY 2018-2021, resulting in an estimate of 200 additional sites reaching
RAU status.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of properties/sites benefiting from EPA brownfields funding that have been assessed and determined not to require cleanup, or
where cleanup has been completed and institutional controls are in place if required, as reported by cooperative agreement recipients into the Assessment, Cleanup and
Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES) database. This activity results in additional sites available for productive reuse. This measure tracked progress toward an FY 2020-
2021 APG.
(PM B37) Billions of dollars of cleanup and redevelopment funds leveraged at brownfields sites.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.3
1.3
1.3
Billions of
Above Target
Actual
1.47
1.7
2.2
2.3
4.9
2.1
Dollars
mm
Key Takeaways:
Exceeded the target, achieving $2.1 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funds leveraged, compared with the target of $1.3 billion.
The result is partially due to EPA completing an effort to reduce the backlog of open work packages.
EPA anticipates total dollars leveraged to fall closer in line with the $1.3 billion target in future years with completion of the work package effort.
Metric Details: This measure tracks additional dollars leveraged by assessment or cleanup activities conducted with EPA brownfields funding, as reported by cooperative
agreement recipients at a specific property into the ACRES database.
111 From FY 2006 through the end of FY 2017, 5,993 brownfields properties/sites had been made RAU. (Footnote updated from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan.)
996
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, make 536 additional Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective
action facilities RAU11.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM RSRAU) Number of RCRA corrective action facilities made ready for anticipated use.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
75
91
117
133
Facilities
Above Target
iin
Actual
75
72
117
127
169
146
Key Takeaways:
Met the target, making 146 RCRA corrective action facilities ready for anticipated use.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of RCRA corrective action facilities made RAU. To be determined RAU, facilities must meet the following criteria: human
exposure under control; final cleanup goals achieved for media that would affect the anticipated use; and if needed, controls in place to ensure long-tenn protectiveness. The
universe for this measure was established in FY 2009 and includes the 3,779 facilities subject to RCRA corrective action. Information is entered into the RCRAInfo database by
authorized states and/or EPA regional offices overseeing cleanups.
(PM CA5RC) Number of RCRA corrective action facilities with final remedies constructed.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
¦ ¦ I
Target
98
98
73
Facilities
Above Target
Actual
64
67
70
80
64
57
1 1 1 1 1 1
Key Takeaways:
There were significant issues with completing construction on the remaining universe of sites. These include inclement weather limiting access to sites and ability to complete
construction, and a decrease in staff capacity and availability at the site.
The remaining cleanups are more complex and resource intensive than completed cleanups.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of RCRA corrective action facilities with final remedies constructed. The universe for this measure was established in 2009 and
includes the 3,779 facilities subject to RCRA corrective action. Information is entered into the RCRAInfo database by authorized states and/or EPA regional offices overseeing
cleanups. This measure tracks a mid-term step in the progression toward completing facility cleanup.
11 From FY 1987 through FY 2017, 1,232 of the universe of 3,779 high priority RCRA corrective action facilities had been made RAU site-wide. (Footnote updated from FY 2018-
2022 EPA Strategic Plan.)
997
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
(PM HW5) Number of permit renewals issued at hazardous waste facilities.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
¦
lifl
Target
64
64
105
100
Facilities
Above Target
m
Actual
89
125
109
124
104
130
Key Takeaways:
Exceeded the target, issuing 130 permit renewals compared with the target of 100. These results are largely due to increased coordination between headquarters and Regional
offices.
Metric Details: This measure tracks RCRA hazardous waste permit renewals or clean-closures in the universe of permitted facilities using the RCRAInfo database. This does not
include all permit maintenance since permit modifications cannot be projected and are not included. Maintaining up-to-date permits ensures that permitted facilities have consistent
and protective standards to prevent releases. Proper standards for waste management can protect human health, prevent land contamination/degradation and other releases, and
avoid future cleanups and associated costs. EPA directly implements the RCRA Program in Iowa and Alaska and provides leadership, work-sharing, and support to the remaining
states and territories authorized to implement the permitting program.
(PM RFW) Number of stakeholder actions taken to increase recycling and reduce food loss and waste.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend Data
Target
9,750
Actions
Above Target
Actual
8,968
8,768
Key Takeaways:
Missed the target, achieving 8,768 stakeholder actions taken to increase recycling and reduce food loss compared with the target of 9,750.
Shifted resources to support development of the new National Recycling Strategy, which was released on November 15, 2021. This reallocation of support likely reduced
stakeholder results reporting.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of stakeholder actions influenced by EPA to increase recycling and reduce food loss and waste. EPA facilitates and incentivizes
stakeholder action through grants, voluntary partnership programs, and public commitment/pledge initiatives. This measure aggregates the number of stakeholders that: (1) receive
EPA recycling and food waste grants; (2) join and participate in EPA voluntary partnership programs including WasteWise, State Measurement Program, Electronics Challenge,
Federal Green Challenge, and Food Recovery Challenge; or (3) sign EPA public commitment/pledge initiatives including America Recycles Pledge, 2030 Food Loss and Waste
Champions, and Winning on Reducing Food Waste. Stakeholder data are collected via EPA's programmatic webpages and the Sustainable Materials Management data
management system. A weighting factor is applied to the different stakeholder actions to account for more significant contributions and influence on the rate of domestic recycling
and reductions of food loss and waste. The weighting factor for new participants in the challenges and WasteWise is 3:1; for active participants in those programs is 7:1; and for
state participants in the State Measurement Program and grant recipients are each 10:1.
998
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, complete 56,000 additional leaking underground storage tank (LUST) cleanups that
meet risk-based standards for human exposure and groundwater migration12.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM 112) Number of LUST cleanups completed that meet risk-based standards for human exposure and groundwater migration.
Preferred
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
m
Direction
n 11 ¦ ¦
Target
8,600
8,600
11,200
11,200
11,200
11,200
Cleanups
Above Target
Actual
8,977
8,775
8,128
8,358
7,211
7,271
111111
Key Takeaways:
Missed the target, completing 7,271 LUST cleanups that meet risk-based standards for human exposure and groundwater migration, compared with the target of 11,200.
The targets for this measure were not achievable at current resource levels. Despite these challenges, EPA collaborated frequently with state and regional partners to achieve as
many cleanups as possible.
With fewer remaining sites to be cleaned up, it continues to get more challenging to meet cleanup targets. The states face challenges such as technically difficult cleanups, lack
of viable responsible parties and cleanup funding, legislative limitations on liability, and variations in cleanup standards and adoption of risk-based corrective action.
COVID-19 also played a role in reducing site access and state staff availability to oversee cleanups. Owners and operators were hesitant to expend the resources necessary to
move cleanups forward and, in some cases, have been impeded by the availability of cleanup contractors and equipment.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of petroleum-contaminated sites where the states, tribes and EPA have completed cleanup activities. The totals include cleanups
reported by states as well as EPA cleanups in Indian Country. Sites in Indian country represent approximately 0.2% of total cleanups completed. EPA uses the LUST4 database to
track progress. The universe of confirmed releases pending cleanup changes over time as releases are identified and cleanups are completed.
(PM UST01) Number of confirmed releases at UST facilities.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend Data
Target
No Target
Established
Releases
Below Target
Actual
5,582
5,678
5,654
5,375
4,944
4,991
Key Takeaways:
The UST prevention program works to ensure that underground sources of drinking water (groundwater) are protected from petroleum and associated chemicals leaking from
USTs. By measuring the annual number of confirmed releases, we anticipate a continued declining trend as prevention measures reduce the number of releases.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of confirmed releases discovered at UST facilities during the year. The number of confirmed releases are targeted to decline by
75 each year.
12 By the end of FY 2017, 469,898 LUST cleanups had been completed.
999
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Objective 1.4 - Ensure Safety of Chemicals in the Marketplace: Effectively implement the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, to ensure new and existing chemicals and pesticides are reviewed for their potential risks to
human health and the environment and actions are taken when necessary.
Performance toward target over time
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
~ No target (NT)
I 1(G) I I 1(G) I
FY 2016 FY 2017
2 (NT)
"TTyT
4(G)
FY 2018
2 (NT)
2 (NT)
1 1 (NT) 1
3 (R)
2 (R)
3(Y)
3(Y)
3 (Y)
3(G)
2(G)
3(G)
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2021. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2021.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
Completed 390 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Sec. 5 notice and exemption
submissions.
Finalized the remaining seven of the first 10 EPA-initiated existing chemical risk
evaluations.
Issued 96 proposed and 145 final significant new use rules (SNURs).
Increased new chemical protections by implementing new policies to stop issuing "not
likely to present an unreasonable risk" determinations based on limited information and
removing the assumption of worker use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in risk
conclusions.
Implemented a new policy on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Low Volume
Exemption (LVE) applications and launched a PFAS LVE Stewardship Program.
Finalized five rules on Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) chemicals intended
to provide critical protections for workers and other potentially at-risk groups.
Extended compliance dates and issued a No Action Assurance on one PBT chemical:
phenol, isopropylated phosphate (PIP) (3:1), to prevent supply chain disruption.
Completed 74 pesticide registration review cases and 37 draft risk assessments, raising
those total completions to 555 and 682, respectively, of the 725 that EPA must complete
by October 1, 2022.
Registered 14 pesticide new active ingredients.
Completed 2,556 Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) actions with only 64
missing the PRIA due date.
Completed over 300 expedited actions in response to COVID-19, including the addition of
73 List N products effective against SARS-CoV-2 (570 total).
Continued the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP)'s digital transformation, with the
Antimicrobials Division entering the Salesforce pilot in February 2021 and developing
performance metric dashboards using customer relationship management software in
Salesforce.
Challenges:
Resource limitations created significant challenges in completing core work in accordance
with the corresponding statutory deadlines and constraining the undertaking of new
initiatives.
EPA struggled to meet FY 2021 pesticide program core work targets due to litigation of
chemicals in registration review, deficient applications, delays in registrant data or input,
complexity of risk assessments, and volume of public comments on regulatory decisions.
1000
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, complete all EPA-initiated TSCA risk evaluations for existing chemicals in
accordance with statutory timelines13.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM TSCA1) Number of final EPA-initiated TSCA risk evaluations completed within statutory timelines.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
No Target
Established
N/A
10
N/A
Evaluations
Above Target
No Trend Data
Actual
0
N/A
N/A
3
N/A
Key Takeaways:
No final EPA-initiated TSCA risk evaluations for existing chemicals had statutory deadlines in FY 2021.
In FY 2021, EPA completed the remaining seven EPA-initiated TSCA risk evaluations for existing chemicals that were initiated in FY 2016.
The statutory deadline for the next set of EPA-initiated TSCA risk evaluations for existing chemicals is in FY 2023.
Metric Details: This measure tracks risk evaluation activity under TSCA. The risk evaluation process is the second step, following prioritization and before risk management, in
EPA's existing chemical process. A risk evaluation is considered complete when the Federal Register Notice is signed. The purpose of risk evaluation is to determine whether a
chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk to health or the enviromnent, under the conditions of use identified in the final scope document. As part of this process, EPA
must evaluate both hazard and exposure, and ensure decisions are based on the weight-of-scientific-evidence. The baseline is zero in FY 2017, as the TSCA Program is operating
under new statutory authority. EPA initiated the next set of 20 risk evaluations in FY 2020, which are targeted to be completed within the full statutory timeframe of three and a
half years. FY 2019 and FY 2021 have targets of Not Applicable because there were no statutory deadlines those years.
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, complete all TSCA risk management actions for existing chemicals in accordance
with statutory timelines14.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM TSCA2) Number of final existing chemical TSCA risk management actions completed within statutory timelines.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
No Target
Established
N/A
N/A
1
Actions
Above Target
No Trend Data
Actual
0
N/A
N/A
N/A
5
13 There is no baseline for this measure, as the program is operating under new statutory authority.
14 There is no baseline for this measure, as the program is operating under new statutory authority.
1001
-------
GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Key Takeaways:
EPA finalized five rules on PBT Chemicals intended to provide critical protections for workers and other potentially at-risk groups.
In addition, EPA extended compliance dates and issued a No Action Assurance on one PBT Chemical: PIP (3:1), to prevent supply chain disruption.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of risk management actions completed within statutory deadlines under TSCA. Risk management actions targeted for completion
through FY 2022 address certain PBT chemicals. Statute requires a final rule to be issued by December 21, 2020 (in FY 2021). The baseline is zero in FY 2017, as the TSCA
Program is operating under new statutory authority. FY 2019 and FY 2020 have targets of Not Applicable because there were no statutory deadlines in those years. Future actions
to be targeted will address risks from existing chemicals identified in the risk evaluation process. Final risk management actions for those chemicals must be completed within the
statutory period of two years after publication of the final risk evaluation (if unreasonable risk to human health or the enviromnent is identified); a maximum two-year extension is
allowed.
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, complete all TSCA pre-manufacture notice final determinations in accordance with
statutory timelines15.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM TSCA3) Percentage of final TSCA new chemical determinations for Pre-Manufacture Notices, Significant New Use Notices and Microbial Commercial Activity
Notices completed within the initial 90-day statutory timeframe.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
65
80
80
80
Percent
ff||
Actual
27
58.4
78
65
64
Above Target
¦MM
Numerator
67
45
103
52
86
Final
Denominator
248
77
132
80
134
Determinations
Key Takeaways:
Faced implementation challenges with risk assessments, submission of new information, and data submission in the context of incomplete information submitted by
manufacturers. In addition, resource constraints forced trade-offs between new and backlogged submissions, constraining progress in both areas.
Metric Details: This measure tracks a subset of EPA's new chemicals review activity under TSCA - the review of Pre-Manufacture Notices (PMNs), Significant New Use Notices
(SNUNs) and Microbial Commercial Activity Notices (MCANs) (but not new chemicals reviews covered by exemptions). EPA conducts these reviews prior to approving new
chemicals or microbial substances in commerce, or new uses for existing chemicals that are subject to a SNUR, to determine whether the chemical substance or significant new use
presents an unreasonable risk to human health or the enviromnent. The statute requires a base review period of 90 days and allows EPA to extend this period another 90 days or for
a different period at the request of a submitter. This measure tracks performance against the initial 90-day deadline only and tracks final determinations for submissions received
by EPA in that fiscal year. Additional information and statistics about the New Chemicals Program are available at https://www.epa.gov/reviewing-new-chemicals-under-toxic-
substances-control-act-tsca/statistics-new-chemicals-review.
15 Baseline is 58.4% of determinations made within 90 days in FY 2018. (Footnote updated from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published February 12, 2018.)
1002
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
(PM TSCA3b) Percentage of final TSCA new chemical determinations for Pre-Manufacture Notices, Significant New Use Notices and Microbial Commercial Activity
Notices completed within the full timeframes allowable by statute.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
100
100
100
Percent
Above Target
1
II
Actual
100
100
100
100
100
Numerator
567
292
429
347
197
Final
Determinations
Denominator
567
292
429
347
197
Key Takeaways:
Completed 390 TSCA Sec. 5 notice and exemption submissions.
Issued 96 proposed and 145 final SNURs.
Metric Details: This measure tracks a subset of EPA's new chemicals review activity under TSCA, the review of PMNs, SNUNs, and MCANs (but not new chemicals reviews
covered by exemptions). EPA conducts these reviews prior to approving new chemicals or microbial substances in commerce, or new uses for existing chemicals that are subject to
a Significant New Use Rule, to determine whether the chemical substance or significant new use presents an unreasonable risk to human health or the enviromnent. EPA has the
authority to agree to voluntary suspensions of the initial 90-day statutory deadline at the request of a submitter. These suspensions provide EPA additional time to complete the
required review following receipt of additional necessary information. This measure tracks performance against the full timeframes authorized under the statute. A performance
result of 100% indicates that there were no instances in which EPA failed to complete a final determination within the agreed upon period of review. The baseline is 100% of
determinations made within full timeframes allowable by statute in FY 2017.
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, complete all cases of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)-
mandated decisions for the pesticides registration review program16.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM FIFRA1) Number of FIFRA decisions completed through pesticides registration review.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
vf.
Target
58
75
110
110
Decisions
Above Target
Mill
Actual
41
56
64
80
98
74
Key Takeaways:
EPA has completed over 76% of cases EPA must review by October 1, 2022.
Faced challenges with litigation responses (chlorpyrifos, triazines, glyphosate), petitions (seed treatment, clothianidin, glyphosate), the high volume of public comments on
preliminary decisions, the late submission of data, time needed to coordinate with other EPA offices (ethylene oxide, formaldehyde), and the workload associated with
processing new antimicrobial product applications for COVID-19 response.
16 Baseline is a total of 239 decisions completed through FY 2017 of the known universe of 725. (Footnote updated from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published February 12,
2018.)
1003
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Metric Details: Through the Pesticide Registration Review Program, EPA is reviewing each registered pesticide every 15 years to determine whether it still meets the FIFRA
standard for registration. FIFRA requires that all pesticides intended for use in the U.S. be registered (licensed) by EPA to ensure that they do not cause "any unreasonable risk to
man or the enviromnent, taking into account the economic, social, and enviromnental costs and benefits of the use of any pesticide." By law, EPA must complete the first 15-year
cycle of registration review by October 1, 2022. The baseline is a total of 239 decisions completed through FY 2017 of a known universe of 725 cases (33%). Targets represent
annual increments needed to reach the long-term performance goal by FY 2022.
(PM FIFRA2) Number of FIFRA registration review draft risk assessments completed.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
IfK
Target
70
72
80
60
Risk
Above Target
|l
n
Actual
59
76
112
85
100
37
Assessments
1 1
¦ 111
Key Takeaways:
Completed fewer risk assessments than anticipated due to delays in registrant data or input, complexity of registrant data for certain chemicals, and the workload associated
with processing new antimicrobial applications for COVID-19 response.
EPA has completed 94% of draft risk assessments in support of the first cycle of registration review.
Metric Details: The baseline is a total of 349 draft risk assessments completed through FY 2017 of a known universe of 725 cases (48%).
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, reduce the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) registration decision
timeframe by an average of 60 days17.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM PRIA1) Average number of days to complete PRIA decisions for new active ingredients.
Preferred
¦ H
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
_ ¦
Direction
m
Target
643
631
619
607
Days
Below Target
Actual
687
638
603
686
876
852
Key Takeaways:
Experienced delays due to an adjustment to science review committee schedules in FY 2019, deficient applications, and the need for additional information to make regulatory
determinations (e.g., new metabolite of concern identified which required additional data submission). EPA completed decisions for 14 new active ingredients in FY 2021,
with timeframes ranging from 304 to 1,444 days. Five new active ingredients had decision timeframes greater than 1,000 days.
Six of the 14 FY 2021 new active ingredients for which PRIA decisions were completed (43%) had statutory timeframes (730 days) that exceed the annual target, even
without statutorily allowed extension of the due date being taken into account.
Building on the existing augmented performance tracking for conventional pesticide new active ingredients, EPA expanded this effort to include biopesticide new active
ingredients (the majority of new active ingredients completions in recent years), with tracking and data visualization provided using the new Salesforce system developed as
part of EPA's digital transformation.
17 Baseline is an average timeframe of 655 days (range: 93-2,086 days) for PRIA decisions for 68 new active ingredients completed in FY 2015-2017.
1004
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Metric Details: To expedite the review and licensing of pesticides' new active ingredients, EPA will reduce the incidence of PRIA negotiations, improve meeting the timeframes
specified in PRIA, and expedite the overall processing of reduced risk pesticides. The baseline is an average timeframe of 655 days (range: 93 to 2,086 days, standard deviation of
395 days) for PRIA decisions for 68 new active ingredients completed in FY 2015-2017. There are 36 different PRIA categories that relate to new active ingredients, with statutory
time frames ranging from 7 to 24 months.
(PM PRIA2) Average number of days exceeding the PRIA decision timeframes for new active ingredients where the original PRIA due date was not met.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
1
1
Target
263
Days
Below Target
III
Actual
117
155
353
353
297
1
Key Takeaways:
Result driven by three conventional pesticides out of 13 new active ingredients; reasons for missed target include deficient applications, data compensation issues, new
metabolite of concern identified for one of the three active ingredients with additional data required, risk mitigation (including pollinator issues) and registrant response on risk
mitigation language, and high volume of public comments.
Metric Details: The baseline is an average of 316 days exceeding the PRIA decision timeframes in the statute (range: 15 to 1,538 days) for 42 new active ingredients completed in
FY 2015-2017.
(PM 091) Percentage of decisions (registration actions) completed on time (on or before PRIA or negotiated due dates).
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
96
97
99
99
99
99
Percent
Actual
99
99
99.7
98
98
97
Above Target
Numerator
2,157
2,008
2,193
2,034
2,339
2,492
Decisions
1 1 1 1 1 1
Denominator
2,174
2,026
2,199
2,085
2,385
2,556
Key Takeaways:
Sixty-four PRIA actions were completed after the original or renegotiated (if the action was renegotiated) due date. There were higher than normal late completions for inert
clearance actions and amendments for antimicrobial products adding claims related to List N for COVID-19 response.
Metric Details: Whereas PM PRIA1 tracks performance for new active ingredient decisions only, this measure relates to all PRIA categories described in the fee tables in FIFRA
section 33(b)(3). Additionally, FIFRA section 33(f)(5) allows that EPA and the applicant may mutually agree to extend a decision time review period. Decisions completed on or
before the negotiated due date but after the original PRIA due date are still considered "on-time" under this measure. More information on PRIA can be found at
https://www.epa.gov/pria-fees/pria-overview-and-liistorv. The baseline is 94% average of decisions completed on-time from FY 2014-2016.
1005
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GOAL 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Other Core Work supporting Objective 1.4
Annual performance goals:
(PM P2mtc) Reductions in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02e) released per year attributed to EPA pollution prevention grants.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
llll
Target
No Target
Established
MMTC02e
Above Target
Actual
1,615,883
1,698,160
1,596,876
1,494,189
Data Avail
10/2022
Data Avail
10/2022
Key Takeaways:
FY 2021 results are not available due to the reporting lag noted below.
Entities eligible for pollution prevention grants include state governments, colleges and universities recognized as instrumentalities of the state, and federally recognized tribes
and intertribal consortia. In September 2020, EPA selected 42 such organizations to receive $9.3 million in funding for FY 2020-2021 pollution prevention grants.
Metric Details: This measure tracks MMTC02e reductions from all Pollution Prevention Grant Program activities. MMTC02e is calculated by using an online tool to convert
standard metrics for electricity, green energy, fuel use, chemical substitutions, water management, and materials management into MMTC02e (https ://www.epa. gov/p2/pollution-
prevention-tools-and-calculators). In addition to greenhouse gas reductions, pollution prevention grants deliver financial savings and reductions in hazardous materials, water use,
and energy use. Pollution prevention grants are "two-year" grants, with an optional third year for follow-up reporting and case study development. These grants have annual
reporting but with a one-year reporting lag due to the grant reporting cycle. Baseline reduction of 299,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02e) is attributed to
EPA pollution prevention grants in FY 2019.
(PM SCI) Number of new products certified by EPA's Safer Choice program.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
llllll
Target
200
Products
Above Target
Actual
247
240
249
265
264
233
1 1 1 1 1 1
Key Takeaways:
The Safer Choice program has been challenged to grow and improve while meeting demand for certification.
EPA plans to improve the tools that help product manufacturers submit high quality certification applications and in turn reduce EPA resource expenditure to review and
certify products. These include third parties who can guide companies through the submission process and prepare dossiers for EPA certification decisions, and the Safer
Chemical Ingredients List.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the total number of products certified by the Safer Choice program at the end of the year. Safer Choice is a voluntary program that helps
consumers, businesses, and purchasers find products that contain ingredients that are safe for human health and the environment. Before a product can carry the Safer Choice label,
EPA reviews all chemical ingredients, regardless of their percentage in the product. Every ingredient must meet stringent safety criteria for both human health and the
enviromnent, including carcinogenicity, reproductive/developmental toxicity, toxicity to aquatic life, and persistence in the enviromnent. Certified products are verified by EPA to
meet the Safer Choice Standard through initial certification, annual audits, and recertification every three years. The total includes Design for the Environment-certified
antimicrobial products. Data are tracked in EPA's Safer Choice database. For additional information: https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice.
1006
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GOAL 2: More Effective Partnerships
Goal 2 at a Glance
More Effective Partnerships: Provide certainty to states, localities, tribal nations, and the regulated community in carrying out shared
responsibilities and communicating results to all Americans.
FY 2021 Enacted Budget (in thousands) by goal and objective
Goal 2 More Effective Partnerships
$331,434
(of $9,237,153
EPA total)
Obj 2.1 Enhance Shared Accountability
$310,190
Obj 2.2 Increase Transparency and
Public Participation
$21,244
FY 2021 Performance toward target by objective
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
Obj 2.1
Obj 2.2
1007
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GOAL 2: More Effective Partnerships
Objective 2.1 - Enhance Shared Accountability: Improve environmental protection through shared governance and enhanced collaboration
with state, tribal, local, and federal partners using the full range of compliance assurance tools.
Performance toward target over time
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
1 (Y)
FY 2016
1 (Y)
FY 2017
1(G)
1(G)
1 (Y)
1(G)
FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2021. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2021.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
Met compliance monitoring target by conducting 3,200 on-site inspections and 7,500 off-
site compliance monitoring activities.
Maximized use of advanced monitoring technologies, such as the Geospatial Measurement
of Air Pollution (GMAP) mobile air monitoring vehicle, to support Clean Air Act
inspections, identify community impacts, and target facilities for inspections.
Surveyed over 100 EPA grant programs to better understand their reporting and tracking
processes for the Grant Commitments Met EPA Learning Agenda priority area. Results
will inform a sustainable, consistent process to negotiate and track outcomes for grants.
Collaborated with states and tribes on eight E-Enterprise projects: developed a citizen
science story map and completed 12 technical tribal case studies to increase awareness and
share best practices with partners; trained inspectors from 37 states on the Smart Mobile
Tools for Inspectors; initiated a collaborative Integrated Compliance Information System
(ICIS) modernization board comprised of 10 state and local members and seven EPA
members to ensure partner needs are considered as we update ICIS; over 300 facility
reporters from Georgia, Washington, D.C. and Arizona used EPA's Combined Air
Emissions Reporting System to report facilities' air emissions.
Reviewed and approved 90% of state and tribal Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs)
within 120 days.
Drafted EPA tribal direct implementation report that lays out a recommended framework
for sustainable data reporting and review to improve tracking and accountability.
Implemented over 1,600 actions from the 500 completed EPA-Tribal Enviromnental Plans
(ETEPs), a joint planning approach to inform decisions on financial and technical
assistance for enviromnental programs.
Completed 110 tribal consultations, for a total of more than 767 since FY 2011.
Held one national tribal conference call and 35 EPA-tribal topical workgroup calls on
proposed Indian General Assistance Program (GAP) guidance revisions to provide clarity,
reduce administrative burden, and provide maximum flexibility for tribes; and seven
outreach/listening sessions on the allocation formula.
Challenges:
EPA has no comprehensive system for tracking grant-related activities to evaluate
enviromnental outcomes on a national scale.
COVID-19 continues to disrupt some key compliance assurance activities, including a
reduction in on-site inspections.
COVID-19 continues to make it difficult to host in-person consultations with tribes,
limiting their full participation in EPA consultation.
1008
-------
GOAL 2: More Effective Partnerships
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, increase the number of grant commitments achieved by states, tribes, and local
communities18.
There are no annual performance goals associated with this long-term performance goal for FY 2021.
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, increase the use of alternative shared governance approaches to address state,
tribal, and local community reviews19.
There are no annual performance goals associated with this long-term performance goal for FY 2021.
Other Core Work supporting Objective 2.1
Annual performance goal:
(PM 409) Number of federal on-site compliance monitoring inspections and evaluations and off-site compliance monitoring activities.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
15,500
14,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
Inspections &
Above Target
Actual
13,500
11,800
10,600
10,300
8,500
10,800
Evaluations
1 1 1 1 1 1
Key Takeaways:
Due to the challenges of COVID-19, on-site inspection numbers remained low during much of FY 2021. However, EPA continued to prioritize off-site compliance monitoring
activities (for example: review of responses to information requests to assess compliance; review of facility monitoring reports and/or sampling data) when on-site inspections
were not possible, enabling the Agency to exceed the target.
The FY 2021 results included approximately 3,200 on-site inspections and 7,500 off-site compliance monitoring activities. The sum of the two categories is a more reliable
value because it smooths out some variability due to inconsistent definitions. Additionally, EPA has not historically required most types of off-site compliance monitoring
activities to be entered into an EPA database, so these numbers are likely an incomplete snapshot of EPA's compliance monitoring activities. Due to the challenges of
COVID-19, we cannot predict how the proportion of on-site inspections and off-site compliance monitoring activities will change in the future.
Issued guidance in April 2020 to provide nationally consistent definitions for on-site inspections and off-site compliance monitoring (effective for all of FY 2020 for on-site
inspections and from 4/1/2020 forward for off-site compliance monitoring). More consistent definitions and data entry will make the subtotal data more reliable going forward.
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA inspections and off-site compliance monitoring activities to determine whether a facility or group of facilities is in compliance with
applicable law. The measure was modified in FY 2018 to clarify the types of activities included. The targets reflect a recognition that states conduct the vast majority of inspections
and an EPA focus on direct implementation programs.
18 Universe (number of commitments contained in Performance Partnership Grants) is under development. (Footnote updated from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published
February 12, 2018.)
19 There is no baseline for this measure. (Footnote updated from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published February 12, 2018.)
1009
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GOAL 2: More Effective Partnerships
Objective 2.2 - Increase Transparency and Public Participation: Listen to and collaborate with impacted stakeholders and provide effective
platforms for public participation and meaningful engagement.
Performance toward target over time
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
~ No target (NT)
1 (NT)
1 (Y)
1 (Y)
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2021. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2021.
Number of Overdue FOIA Requests, Mar 2018 - Sep 2021
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
,A A A A &
^ ^ cp ^ ^
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
Eliminated an additional 13 percent of the backlog of overdue Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA) responses in FY 2021 as compared to the April 2018 baseline; reviewed and
assigned for processing 6,485 FOIA requests, processed 343 expedited FOIA requests,
and processed 974 applications for fee waiver.
Issued new agencywide FOIA Policy and FOIA Procedures, delivered a week-long
training for more than 250 EPA FOIA professionals and managers, issued an updated
FOIA training toolkit, and provided FOIA training for all EPA staff through FedTalent.
EPA's National Freedom of Information Office provided oversight, project management,
legal counseling, training support, and cross-agency coordination for the Agency's most
complex and potentially sensitive FOIA requests, including requests pertaining to the
COVID-19 pandemic, Bristol Bay /Pebble Mine, the Department of Justice's August 2019
Supplemental Enviromnental Projects (SEP) memo, and Florida's assumption of Clean
Water Act Section 404 permitting authority, and processing reform in the Office of
Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.
Challenges:
The pace of EPA's FOIA backlog reduction is challenged by the historically large backlog
of overdue FOIA requests in two offices that will likely require both time and significant
resources to reduce.
In November 2021, EPA announced its decision to sunset FOIAonline at the end of
calendar year 2023. Consequently, a challenge facing EPA in FY 2022 through 2024 is
procuring, deploying, and training staff on use of a new FOIA case management and
recordkeeping software solution.
] Actual
¦Target
1010
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GOAL 2: More Effective Partnerships
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, eliminate the backlog and meet statutory deadlines for responding to Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) requests20.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM FOl) Percentage reduction in overdue FOIA requests from the April 2018 baseline.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
-jA
Target
No Target
Established
25
50
75
Percent
Above Target
Actual
-9
16
45
58
Numerator
-224
409
1,142
1,481
Requests
Denominator
2,537
2,537
2,537
2,537
Key Takeaways:
Reduced the backlog of overdue FOIA requests by an additional 13% this fiscal year during a global pandemic. The backlog was 1,056 at the end of FY 2021, an overall 58%
reduction from the April 2018 baseline of 2,537.
Reviewed and assigned all incoming FOIA requests on average in less than one business day.
Reduced the average time to issue decisions on applications for expedited FOIA processing by 63% compared with FY 2020 (average of 7.77 days in FY 2021 compared to
21.06 days in FY 2020).
The Office of General Council eliminated the backlog of more than 170 applications to process fee waiver decisions in under two weeks of receipt (974 total fee waivers
processed in FY 2021).
Reviewed and corrected over 10,000 invoices dating back to 2011 to confirm and validate fee collections, eliminate duplicate entries, and indicate fees not to be collected.
Established a contract for FOIA document reviewers as a pilot for creating surge capacity up to three years and $4 million.
Enhanced FOIA training and communication tools by hosting a four-day FOIA training conference in November 2020; updating the FOIA Toolkit for EPA staff with an
improved appendix of template letters to enhance and ensure consistent practices throughout EPA; and improving the Agency's FOIA SharePoint site as a one-stop place for
Agency FOIA information.
Metric Details: For purposes of this measure, overdue requests are defined as the sum of requests that are indicated in FOIAonline.gov as pending beyond the statutory or agreed
deadline of 20 working days, or 30 days or longer with an extension. EPA is focusing on reducing the FOIA backlog the Agency built up over the years and on improving the
FOIA process which gives the public the right to make requests for federal agency records. The complexity and volume of electronic documents that must be searched, collected,
and reviewed lias increased over time. The Agency will ensure that it can support the timely searching and collection of electronically stored information for purposes of
responding to FOIA requests and other information needs in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. This should not only help the Agency provide the public with the information
requested, but also reduce the fees and lawsuits the Agency incurs from missing FOIA response deadlines. As of April 2018, there were 2,537 overdue FOIA requests in the
backlog.
211 As of April 2018, there were 2,537 overdue FOIA requests in the backlog. (Footnote updated from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published February 12,2018.)
1011
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GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Goal 3 at a Glance
Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness: Increase certainty, compliance, and effectiveness by applying the rule of law to achieve more
efficient and effective agency operations, service delivery, and regulatory relief.
FY 2021 Enacted Budget (in thousands) by goal and objective
Goal 3 Greater Certainty, Compliance, and
Effectiveness
Obj 3.1 Compliance with the Law
Obj 3.2 Create Consistency and Certainty ~ $72,879
Obj 3.3 Prioritize Robust Science
Obj 3.4 Streamline and Modernize $34,654
Obj 3.5 Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness
$412,052
$501,828
$895,927
$1,882,936
(of $9,237,153 EPA
total)
FY 2021 Performance toward target by objective D 100% of tar§et met
Number of measures by percent of target achieved ~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
Obj 3.1
Obj 3.2"
1(G)
Obj 3.3
1 (Y)
Obj 3.4
Obj 3.5
*The FY 2021 APR does not include reporting on FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan objective 3.2. Consistent
with OMB guidance for this transition year during which agencies are developing new strategic goals and
objectives that will be reflected in the update to the strategic plan, EPA is reporting only on FY 2018-2022
EPA Strategic Plan strategic objectives that align with the current Administration's priorities.
1012
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Objective 3.1 - Compliance with the Law: Timely enforce environmental laws to increase compliance rates and promote cleanup of
contaminated sites through the use of all of EPA's compliance assurance tools, especially enforcement actions to address environmental
violations.
Performance toward target over time
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
1(G)
2(G)
2(G)
4(G)
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2021. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2021.
Percentage of NPDES Permittees in Significant
Noncompliance with their Permit Limits, Dec 2018 - Sep 2021
20%
18%
16%
14%
12%
10%
Dec-18 Mar-19 Jun-19 Sep-19 Dec-19 Mar-20 Jun-20 Sep-20 Dec-20 Mar-21 Jun-21 Sep-21
i iActual ^^^Target
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
Issued three memoranda on steps to incorporate enviromnental justice in EPA civil,
criminal, and cleanup enforcement, and one to promote use of all appropriate injunctive
relief tools in civil settlements to ensure enviromnental laws and policies deliver benefits to
all individuals and communities. (See https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/environmental-
iustice-enforcement-and-compliance-assurance-initiative.)
Supported Compliance Advisors (aka Circuit Riders) to assist and train about 100 small
public water systems and 50 wastewater treatment facilities in areas with enviromnental
justice concerns.
Developed an innovative enforcement and compliance approach for the American
Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act rule published October 5, 2021 to phase down
the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and protect the climate by detecting, deterring, and
disrupting any attempt to illegally import, produce, or use HFCs.
Issued 457 actions to stop the importation of unregistered or misbranded products making
false claims of effectiveness against COVID-19. Worked with Customs and Border
Protection as part of a COVID-19 Fraud Initiative, with four defendants sentenced for
violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
Civil actions resulted in $8.47 billion in injunctive relief, $1.06 billion in penalties, 285
million lbs of pollutants reduced, and 7.58 billion lbs of waste properly managed. Criminal
cases secured $22 million in penalties, 28 years of incarceration, and charges against 105
defendants. Oversaw open consent decrees with over $78 billion of injunctive relief.
National Initiative Accomplishments:
o Clean Water: Reduced the Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) significant noncompliance rate from 16.4% to 12.6%.
o Stopping Aftermarket Defeat Devices for Vehicles and Engines: Resolved 51 tampering
and aftermarket defeat device cases, a 37% increase from FY 2020.
o Safe Drinking Water: Evaluated 10% of Large Systems for compliance through inspections
and/or off-site desk audits. Trained and credentialed more than 60 inspectors nationwide.
Challenges:
COVID-19 has adversely affected many of EPA's enforcement activities.
Despite continued efforts, in FY 2021, ~2\ million Americans consumed water provided by
a Community Water System with at least one health-based violation and -3,100 systems
violated one or more health-based drinking water standards at some point during the year.
EPA continues to identify state data issues (e.g., definition, entry, completeness) and issues
with transferring data from state to EPA systems.
1013
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GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, reduce the average time from violation identification to correction21.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM 444) Percentage of EPA inspection reports timely completed and sent within 70 days of inspection.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
II
Target
75
Percent
Above Target
Actual
83
85
Numerator
4,177
1,940
Reports
Denominator
5,037
2,287
Key Takeaways:
Ongoing cooperation between EPA headquarters and regional offices continues to ensure that inspection reports completed by EPA are sent to facilities within 70 calendar
days of an inspection.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of inspection reports completed by EPA and sent to the facility within 70 calendar days of an inspection. Improving the
timeliness of these activities allows the facility to more quickly address compliance issues. The 75% goal recognizes that it may not always be possible or appropriate to provide an
inspection report within 70 days because of the nature and complexity of the compliance and enforcement program. The baseline for this measure is 46% at the beginning of FY
2019.
(PM 436) Number of open civil judicial cases more than 2.5 years old without a complaint filed.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
III
Target
129
120
99
Cases
Below Target
Actual
94
74
66
Key Takeaways:
Ongoing, close cooperation between EPA headquarters, regional offices, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to ensure the most challenging cases move toward
resolution at an appropriate speed, more quickly returning violators to compliance and supporting increases in pounds of pollutants reduced and pounds of waste managed.
EPA headquarters, regional offices, and DOJ are also collaborating on best practices to ensure timely conclusion of cases.
Metric Details: This measure represents the number of open civil judicial cases (excluding Superfund, bankruptcy, collection action, and access order cases) that are more than 2.5
years old without a complaint filed. The average time from referral to complaint for a complaint filed between FY 2013 and FY 2017 was 2.5 years. The baseline for this measure
is 129 cases that were more than 2.5 years old without a complaint filed as of June 30, 2018.
21 As a proxy, EPA is measuring the number of all referred no complaint filed (RNCF) civil judicial cases that are more than 2.5 years old. EPA is working in close cooperation
with the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure that cases move toward resolution at an appropriate speed in order to more quickly return violators to compliance. (Footnote updated
from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published February 12, 2018.)
1014
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, increase the environmental law compliance rate22.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM 446) Quarterly Percentage of Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permittees in significant noncompliance with their
permit limits.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
llll
Target
12.7
Percent
Below Target
Actual
20.3
17.1
16.4
12.6
Numerator
8,310
7,015
6,941
5,330
Permittees
Denominator
40,944
41,085
42,334
42,429
Key Takeaways:
Reduced the NPDES significant noncompliance (SNC) rate to 12.6% from the FY 2018 baseline of 20.3%.
This success is the result of an all-in effort with EPA and states. EPA and each NPDES-authorized state meet every quarter to discuss the state's SNC rate as well as high-
priority SNC cases and ways to resolve them.
Worked closely with selected states with significant data completeness problems to resolve data issues that produce SNC cases, and developed compliance assistance
resources such as a webinar series for permittees.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the NPDES SNC/Category 1 noncompliance rate among individually permitted major and non-major (minor) NPDES permittees during the
last quarter of the fiscal year. NPDES SNC/Category 1 noncompliance identifies a specific level of violation, based on duration, severity, and type of violation and is assessed
quarterly. The numerator counts major and minor permittees that were in SNC/Category 1 noncompliance during the last quarter of the fiscal year. The denominator includes all
active individually-pennitted NPDES permittees (except permittees for which there is insufficient permit data/compliance tracking status in ICIS-NPDES for the data system to
evaluate SNC status). The FY 2018 baseline of 20.3% represents an average based on four quarters of data.
Other Core Work supporting Objective 3.1
Annual performance goal:
(PM 434) Millions of pounds of pollutants and waste reduced, treated, or eliminated through concluded enforcement actions.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
L
Target
325
325
325
325
Millions of
Pounds
Above Target
Actual
62,223
461
810
347
2,058
7,864
22 This concept will be piloted by focusing initially on decreasing the percentage of Clean Water Act (CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permittees in significant noncompliance with their permit limits. (Footnote updated fxom FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published February 12, 2018.)
1015
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Key Takeaways:
A settlement resolving a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act case with US Magnesium resulted in a reduction of more than 7 billion pounds of hazardous waste,
accounting for over 90% of the total in FY 2021.
Targets for this measure are estimates based on cases in development and past results. Results in any given year are dependent on actual case outcomes, which are variable and
difficult to predict. Annual totals are often influenced by a few large cases.
Metric Details: This measure combines estimated pounds of air, water, hazardous and non-hazardous waste, and toxics/pesticides pollutants reduced, treated, or eliminated through
concluded enforcement actions. Prior to FY 2018, pounds of pollutants reduced, treated, or eliminated for different media were tracked using separate measures.
1016
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Objective 3.3 - Prioritize Robust Science: Refocus the EPA's robust research and scientific analysis to inform policy making.
Performance toward target over time
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ No target (NT)
1 (NT)
1(G)
1(G)
1(G)
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2021. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2021.
Percentage of Research Products Meeting Customer
Needs, Sep 2018 - Sep 2021
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
Sep-18
Sep-19
ZlActual
Sep-20
Target
Sep-21
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
The FY 2021 customer satisfaction survey found that 93% of products delivered by EPA's
Office of Research and Development (ORD) met partner needs (see graph at lower left).
Challenges:
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced most of the ORD workforce into full-time telework in
order to protect the health and safety of staff members. This has resulted in a slowdown of
certain portions of ORD's in-lab research. ORD is continuing to evaluate the risks posed by
COVID-19 in order to fulfil its research obligations. Despite this challenge, in FY 2021, 82%
of ORD's regional labs met the sample analysis timeliness target (each Regional Lab sets its
own target that is greater than or equal to 80% each month). These services directly support
the work of EPA programs and local, state, and tribal agencies. Timeliness is a key factor in
measuring laboratory efficiency.
ORD faces a challenge in sustaining a suitably trained and skilled workforce. As of October
2021, 25.7% of ORD career staff are retirement eligible. ORD continually works to improve
hiring efficiencies and implement leadership succession planning.
ORD's work is threatened by aging equipment and facility infrastructure. In FY 2020, ORD
stood up a new organization, the Research Support and Compliance Division (RSCD), to
mitigate infrastructure and facility risks. Throughout FY 2021 RSCD lias led repair and
improvement projects to address aging infrastructure concerns and their impact on research.
1017
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, increase the percentage of research products meeting customer needs23.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM RD1) Percentage of Office of Research and Development (ORD) research products meeting partner needs.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Target
Established
Target
77
80
81
Percent
im
Actual
77
79
80
94
Above Target
iiii
Numerator
171
154
120
60
Products
Denominator
222
196
150
64
Key Takeaways:
Products evaluated in FY 2021 that met customer needs included: an updated version of EPA's Computational Toxicology (CompTox) Chemicals Dashboard, which
integrates available information to help decision-makers and scientists quickly and efficiently evaluate thousands of chemicals; a series of scientific and regulatory support
products developed to support EPA's regulatory air dispersion model AERMOD; and products that contributed to the development of EPA's Toxicity Forecaster (ToxCast), a
research project to identify and prioritize potentially toxic chemicals using rapid, automated tests called in vitro assays.
There has been a downward trend in the number of products being evaluated from FY 2018 through FY 2021. This trend is due to several factors including the refinement of
eligibility criteria for ORD products being evaluated, specific drivers within the current ORD Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP), and the impacts that COVID-19 lias
had on product research and development.
Metric Details: Partner satisfaction is evaluated through a robust survey process. The annual survey engages key users of ORD products. Survey respondents evaluate the
scientific rigor of research products (quality), product relevance (usability), and timeliness of product delivery. Each year, 50 products are randomly selected from the universe of
products identified as delivered during the previous fiscal year in the Research Approval Planning Implementation Dashboard RAPID to be the focus of the survey. Respondent
assessments of the 50 products are extrapolated to the total universe of products to determine the numerator. The denominator is the universe of products (64 in FY 2021). The FY
2021 survey was provided to 250 federal and 64 non-federal respondents and had a 66% response rate. The survey results are estimated at a 90% confidence interval of ±10
products.
23 Measure text updated from "By September 30, 2022, increase the number of research products meeting customer needs." (Footnote updated from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic
Plan published February 12, 2018.)
1018
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Objective 3.4 - Streamline and Modernize: Issue permits more quickly and modernize our permitting and reporting systems.
Performance toward target over time
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
~ No target (NT)
1 (NT)
1 (Y)
1 (Y)
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2021. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2021.
Number of New Permit Applications in Backlog
Jun 2018 - Sep 2021
150
125
100
75
I
h~M~ ¦ _ 1111
Milium
^ j9> & j? r? # r? n? r? ,r?
.<& e ,S
S>v c,<* ^ ^ ^
<3 # ^
I NPDES ¦ UIC ¦ PCBs I RCRA ¦ Title V ¦ NSR
(Title V and NSR not included in FY 2018 results)
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
Missed FY 2021 targets but sustained progress from previous years. New permit backlog
is down 65% since June 2018, and existing permit backlog is down 34% since May 2019.
Launched agency wide community of practice for enviromnental justice and civil rights in
permit decisions, to promote more equitable outcomes in overburdened communities.
Issued complex Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permits by resolving issues related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS) (nine permits); Endangered Species Act approvals (six permits); Total Maximum
Daily Loads (nine permits); and state consultation on federal dam projects (four permits).
EPA Region 1 issued general permits for small wastewater treatment plants and
aquaculture facilities, which will cover 40 and 11 backlogged permits, respectively. These
efforts will also help prevent future permits from becoming backlogged.
Provided training and technical assistance for NPDES permit writers on whole effluent
toxicity, stonnwater, combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and nutrients.
The Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program continued its efforts to streamline the
permit process and made sustained success in Class III (injection wells). The Program
created checklists to encourage complete applications and expedite EPA review, and a
comment response library for collaboration among EPA Regions. The Program also
provided support to EPA Regions 3 and 9 for processing large numbers of comments
received on draft permits. This support has greatly expedited comment response.
Improved the Exchange Network Grants process by making significant changes to the FY
2021 Solicitation Notice: removed confusing and redundant language; focused
opportunities into three areas; and updated the evaluation criteria to align to the Agency's
Digital Strategy. Also streamlined application processing and award timeframes by 40%.
Challenges:
Some NPDES permits are delayed due to missing information from permittees, extended
public notice, and highly complex permitting issues.
Some UIC permits are delayed due to the tribal consultation process, large volume of
public comments, complicated sites, loss of experienced personnel, and delayed responses
from permittees. In addition, the six-month timeframe is challenging for UIC Class I, III,
V, and VI permits, which are complex due to different levels of engineering, subsurface
geologic complexity, and detail in the information needed to make permitting decisions.
All remaining backlogged Clean Air Act (CAA) New Source Review (NSR) permits are
delayed due to enviromnental reviews from other federal agencies.
Several CAA Title V operating permits are backlogged due to facilities either not
withdrawing applications as expected, or altering their applications (ultimately changing
the processing timeline).
1019
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, reach all permitting-related decisions within six months24.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM PE2) Number of new permit applications in backlog.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
llH
Target
No Target
Established
33
24
Permits
Below Target
Actual
111
65
65
67
Key Takeaways:
Missed target due to a range of factors, including delayed information from permittees, complicated sites, emerging contaminants, large volume of public comments, loss of
experienced personnel, and environmental reviews from other federal agencies. In addition, the six-month timeframe is challenging for certain types of complex permits.
EPA's headquarters and regional offices worked closely to resolve policy issues affecting permit issuance and train permitting staff.
Eliminated the backlog of new Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) permit applications by issuing a permit to a facility that had been operating under interim status for more than
30 years.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the sum of new permit applications that are over six months old (for NPDES, UIC, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act [RCRA] and
Polychlorinated Biphenyls [PCBs]) and complete NSR and new Title V permit applications that have been pending for longer than the statutory timeframes (12 and 18 months,
respectively). The time for a permitting-related decision is calculated from the date of receipt of a permit application (or the receipt of a complete application for NSR and Title V)
to the date of a permit decision. The baseline for this measure is 149 new permit applications in backlog as of June 30, 2018. The baseline and FY 2018 actual do not include NSR
or Title V permits. This measure tracks progress toward a FY 2020-2021 Agency Priority Goal (APG).
(PM PE3) Number of existing permit applications in backlog.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
h
Target
313
256
Permits
Below Target
Actual
417
384
318
1 1
Key Takeaways:
Missed target due to the NPDES workload in EPA Region 1, which has 60% of the agency wide backlog of existing permit applications due to two states without delegated
programs for NPDES permits. Region 1 met its internal target to make 36 permit decisions and issued a general permit for small wastewater treatment plants under which 40
of the current backlogged facilities are eligible for coverage.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the sum of: (1) existing NPDES, RCRA and PCBs permits that have passed their expiration date and are awaiting reissuance; (2) existing UIC
permits that have passed their expiration date and have an application that is over six months old; and (3) existing Title V permits that have passed their expiration date and have a
complete application that has been pending for longer than the statutory timeframe (18 months). The baseline for this measure is 479 existing permits in backlog as of May 31,
2019. This measure tracks progress toward a FY 2020-2021 APG.
24 Baseline is 149 new permit applications in backlog as of June 30, 2018, and 479 existing permits in backlog as of May 31, 2019. (No footnote mFY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic
Plan.)
1020
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Objective 3.5 - Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness: Provide proper leadership and internal operations management to ensure that the
Agency is fulfilling its mission.
Performance toward target over time
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
~ No data (ND)
1 (Y)
4(G)
3(Y)
2(G)
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2021. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2021.
Cumulative Number of Operational Processes
Improved,
Mar 2019 - Sep 2021
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
Mar-19 Jun-19 Sep-19 Dec-19 Mar-20 Jun-20 Sep-20 Dec-20 Mar-21 Jun-21 Sep-21
¦ ¦ Actua I T a rget
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
Developed agencywide COVID-19 guidance, workforce safety plan, FAQs, and a
mechanism to collect employee vaccination attestation.
Finalized the 2021-2025 Grants Management Plan and incorporated equity and
enviromnental justice considerations into the grants process. Deployed Next Generation
Grants System.
Identified and assessed cybersecurity tools, gaps, and redundancies to enable
improvements to enterprise security enviromnent.
Deployed the user friendly, automated employee performance management system USA
Performance and implemented robust training for all employees.
Updated certificates on 13,000+ USAccess Homeland Security Presidential Directive
(HSPD)-12 compliant Personal Identify Verification (PIV) cards, maintaining secured and
assured logical access to Agency systems and physical access to EPA facilities.
Developed EPA's first set of Evidence Act deliverables, including Full Draft of the
Learning Agenda, Capacity Assessment, FY 2023 Annual Evaluation Plan, and a Policy
for Evaluations and Other Evidence-Building Activities incorporating scientific integrity
principles.
Leveraged continuous improvement efforts which resulted in improving 507 Agency
processes and implementing 4,172 employee ideas.
Received a clean opinion on EPA's Consolidated Financial Statements for the 22nd
consecutive year.
Continued modernizing Agency financial management systems and tools which resulted
in the increased use of the Invoice Processing Platform to process 91% of contract
invoices and enabling the Agency to project payroll within 1% of FY 2021 need.
Challenges:
Faced challenges in space release projects as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,
which resulted in delays of several major planned space releases and prevented EPA from
meeting its annual performance target.
Despite missing the FY 2021 performance target, EPA continued to show progress in
contract actions awarded within Procurement Action Lead Time (PALT) standards.
However, a number of complex contract actions that carry longer PALT timeframes
remain.
Maintaining legacy financial data in perpetuity adds cost and complexity to system and
reporting modernization and upgrade projects, and sometimes requires specialized staff
training.
1021
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, reduce unused office and warehouse space by 850,641 square feet25.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM FA1) Reduction in EPA Space (sq. ft. owned and leased).
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
241,000
163,626
100,821
26,017
Square Feet
Above Target
\
Actual
149,278
128,150
116,425
22,455
11 r\
Key Takeaways:
Faced challenges in this area as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, primarily construction delays, which delayed several major planned space releases. Additionally,
EPA faced a steep learning curve in disposing of EPA properties with residual contaminants, which resulted in delays. However, EPA's learning in this area will support
future space release efforts.
Despite these challenges, EPA continues to make progress in this area and will release the Potomac Yards Facility in Virginia in Spring 2023, which will enable EPA to meet
the long-term performance goal to release 850,641 square feet.
Metric Details: This measure tracks square feet of office and warehouse space released with data collected from EPA facility manager notifications, and reports generated when
there is a modification to an Occupancy Agreement. Space consolidation efforts will result in EPA becoming a more efficient and effective Agency by reducing lease, utility,
security and other facility management costs, which will enable the Agency to direct resources to core enviromnental work.
25 Baseline is 5,264,846 square feet as of FY 2017.
1022
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, reduce procurement processing times by achieving 100% of procurement action
lead times (PALT)26.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM PR1) Percentage of contract actions processed within the Procurement Action Lead Time (PALT) Standards.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
SA: 75
Target
CP: 65
85
90
95
FAA: 80
Percent
SA: 70
Actual
CP: 88
85
90
91
m
FAA: 76
Above Target
SA:704
iii
Numerator
CP: 21
9,269
10,575
11,230
FAA: 3,038
Actions
SA: 1,007
Denominator
CP: 24
FAA: 4,002
10,906
11,719
12,291
Key Takeaways:
EPA has made significant progress in reducing the number of contract actions that exceed PALT, primarily through the implementation of internal controls to screen contract
actions for completeness prior to acceptance, putting in place a process to monitor pending actions, and additional training for the acquisition community across EPA.
In the three years that EPA lias been tracking this measure, the annual number of contract actions processed within PALT has increased by over 20% while the annual overall
number of contract actions only increased by 13% due to the implementation of more efficient procurement request (PR) management strategies; EPA processed nearly 2,000
more actions within PALT in FY 2021 than in FY 2019.
EPA is approaching a steady state after significantly reducing the PALT backlog where there are now diminishing returns; this recognizes that certain complex contract actions
may require more review and processing time than the majority of actions.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the timeliness of the Agency's processing of contract actions with data collected from EPA's Acquisition System (EAS). Timeliness is
measured in processing days from the date the PR is released in EAS to the date the contract is awarded. PALT Standards are outlined in Section 7.1.1 of the EPA Acquisition
Guide. The purpose of these efforts is to make EPA a more efficient and effective Agency by reducing processing time and costs. Beginning in FY 2019, EPA has reported results
for all acquisition categories against the September 30, 2018 baseline of 77% for all contract actions awarded within PALT. FY 2018 actuals were reported against a January 1,
2018 baseline of: 47% for Simplified Acquisitions (SA); 65% for Competitive Proposals (CP); and 67% for Funding and Administrative Actions (FAA).
26 Baseline, as of September 30, 2018 is 77% for all contract actions awarded within PALT. (Footnote updated from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published February 12,
2018.)
1023
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, improve 250 operational processes.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM OP1) Number of operational processes improved.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
|A
Target
25
50
72
500
Operational
Above Target
A
Actual
N/A
66
502
507
Processes
1
Key Takeaways:
The Agency established a new best by improving 507 processes in FY 2021 across its regions and programs.
Improvements were made through various continuous improvement activities and problem-solving tools regularly used by front line staff and management.
The process improvements helped drive innovation, improve operations, create a better customer experience, empower frontline staff and leverage leadership support.
Staff and managers shared many improvements throughout the Agency, which helped teams in different offices increase their knowledge and benchmark and streamline their
own processes.
Metric Details: EPA is applying Lean principles to improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of its operations. An operational process is a sequence of activities that results in
the delivery of a service. A process improvement is counted if it is at least a 25% improvement over the baseline. Process improvements result from a variety of tools (e.g., visual
management, A3s, kaizen events, other problem-solving activities) and include standard work (e.g., standard operating procedures) and use of visual management (visible
placement of information and indicators that quickly convey/signal if a process is under control or abnormal, e.g., flow boards, performance boards, bowling charts) to assure
sustaimnent of the improvement.
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2022, increase enterprise adoption of shared services by four27.
Annual performance goals that support this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM CF1) Number of administrative shared services.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
*rf1
Target
6
7
8
9
Shared Services
Above Target
iiiTII
Actual
4
4
4
7
8
9
Key Takeaways:
EPA fully implemented USA Performance, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Employee Performance Management Shared Service in October 2020.
USA Performance annually maintains over 14,000 performance plans electronically for EPA employees with increased automation transparency, accountability, and
availability over the previous paper form processes. Further, USA Performance utilizes secure, authenticated digital signatures, has built-in reporting features, and ensures
compliance with Office of Personnel Management (OPM)-recommended and required Federal regulations.
27 Baseline is four administrative systems/operations shared services in FY 2017. (Footnote updated from FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan published February 12, 2018.)
1024
-------
GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
Metric Details: EPA will adopt federal shared services when supported by business case analyses. Federal shared services are shared across multiple federal agencies. Enterprise
adoption of shared services ensures consistency and scalability in tools and services, enabling the Agency to standardize internal operational processes, control costs, and improve
data quality. In FY 2019, EPA refined the scope of this measure to include only systems or services where federal shared service providers (FSSPs) were adopted, and to no longer
include internal agencywide shared services. This revision resulted in a change to the baseline of existing shared services from five to four. The four administrative shared services
in place as of the end of FY 2017 were: Human Resources Line of Business (Interior Business Center [IBC]/Federal Personnel and Payroll System [FPPS]), Payroll
(IBC/PeoplePlus), Travel (Concur), and Financial Management (CGI Federal Inc./Compass Financials).
(PM CF2) Number of Agency administrative systems and system interfaces.
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
24
22
22
19
Svstems and
Below Target
Actual
30
30
30
24
21
Interfaces
1111
Key Takeaways:
EPA eliminated three administrative systems in FY 2021: two LotusNotes databases for Unliquidated Obligations (ULOs) and for Open Commitments and Recertification
and the Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) tracking system. The systems moved to more cost-efficient oversight software, providing additional capability at
no additional cost.
EPA is on track to meet its overall target to eliminate 13 administrative systems by FY 2022.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of administrative systems or system interfaces EPA actively operates. Administrative systems support the execution of the
Agency's administrative functions such as accounting, grants management, and contracts management. System interfaces are connections among administrative systems where
data are shared. Reducing the number of administrative systems or system interfaces has a positive impact on streamlining operational processes and drives the integration of
financial transactions across multiple administrative systems, reducing manual entry, and improving data quality. EPA is working to reduce the number of administrative systems
and system interfaces to more easily input and access data and standardize reporting as payment processing is moved to a federal shared service provider. In FY 2021, EPA
retroactively added an administrative system that was not included in the original universe. FY 2017-2020 actuals have been adjusted to include the additional system.
1025
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GOAL 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness
1026
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