United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal Year 2024
Justification of Appropriation
Estimates for the
Committee on Appropriations
EPA-190R23001 March 2023
www.epa.gov/cj
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United States Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Budget Overview
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a clear and vital mission: to protect
human health and the environment. While the Agency, along with tribal, state, and local partners,
has made great progress in advancing this mission over the last 50 years, much work remains to
guarantee that all people living in the United States share more fully in the benefits of clean air,
clean water, clean land, and chemical safety. The urgency of climate change raises the stakes of
the Agency's work to protect communities. The FY 2024 President's Budget articulates Agency
plans to confront these challenges and advance the priorities described in the FY 2022 2026 EPA.
Strategic Plan. which will make real, durable changes to the environmental and public and
economic health of all Americans.
The FY 2024 President's Budget for EPA totals $12,083 billion, $1.9 billion or 19 percent higher
than the FY 2023 enacted level. It includes 17,077 full-time equivalents (FTE), an increase of
1,961 FTE above the current level, to restore the Agency's capacity to carry out its core mission.
These resources will advance EPA's efforts to clean up air, land, and water pollution, tackle the
climate crisis, advance environmental justice, fund scientific research, support the President's
Cancer Moonshot Initiative, and position the Agency with the workforce required to address
emerging and ongoing challenges. In furtherance of its mission to protect human health and the
environment, the Budget requests robust funding to address the climate crisis by reducing
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; building resilience in the face of climate impacts; and engaging
with the global community, and state, local and tribal partners to respond to this shared challenge.
The Agency also will continue to ensure environmental justice is at the forefront of its activities
by investing across numerous programs in support of environmental justice and ensuring
compliance with several civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that
receive federal financial assistance from EPA.
Reliable and safe drinking water is critical to every citizen's health while access to clean water for
recreation, as well as commerce, supports the environmental and economic health of all
communities; therefore, the Budget supports the full implementation of grant programs authorized
in the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA). To capitalize on the once-
in-a-generation opportunity to make meaningful, long overdue progress, the FY 2024 Budget will
complement the significant resources provided in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act (IIJA), American Rescue Plan (ARP), and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to ensure that EPA,
tribes, and states have the support needed to effectively implement these new or significantly
expanded programs.
The FY 2024 Budget is rooted in the four foundational principles of the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan: Follow the Science, Follow the Law, Be Transparent, and Advance Justice and
Equity. These principles form the basis of the Agency's culture and will guide its operations and
decision making now and into the future. The Strategic Plan focuses on achieving the Agency's
and Administration's environmental priorities to instill scientific integrity in decision making,
tackle the climate crisis, and embed environmental justice across Agency programs.
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FY 2024 Funding Priorities
Tackle the Climate Crisis
The FY 2024 Budget prioritizes tackling climate change with the urgency that science demands.
EPA's Climate Change Indicators website presents compelling and clear evidence of changes to
our climate reflected in rising temperatures, ocean acidity, sea level rise, river flooding, droughts,
heat waves, and wildfires.1 Resources in the Budget support efforts to mitigate and adapt to the
impacts of the climate crisis while spurring economic progress and creating good-paying jobs.
Both climate mitigation and adaptation are essential components of the strategy to reduce the
threats and impacts of climate change. The Budget empowers EPA to work with partners to address
the climate crisis by reducing GHG emissions; building resilience in the face of climate impacts;
and engaging with the global community to respond to this shared challenge.
In FY 2024, EPA will drive reductions in emissions that significantly contribute to climate change
through regulations of GHGs, climate partnership programs, and support to tribal, state, and local
governments. The Agency will accomplish this through the transformative investments in the IRA,
IIJA, and our annual appropriation, which funds the core operating accounts of the Agency. In FY
2024 and beyond, EPA will ensure its programs, policies, regulations, enforcement and
compliance assurance activities, and internal business operations consider current and future
impacts of climate change.
The Budget proposes an additional $64.4 million and 24 FTE to implement the bipartisan
American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act to continue phasing out potent greenhouse
gases known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Resources support efforts to implement innovative
Information Technology solutions, such as a Quick Response (QR) code system and database
integration across EPA and Customs and Border Patrol, to ensure that the phasedown is not
undermined by illegal imports. By September 30, 2023, EPA expects that annual U.S. consumption
of HFCs will be 10 percent below the baseline2 of 303.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent (MMTCChe) consistent with the HFC phasedown schedule implemented in the AIM
Act and codified in the implementing regulations. A 10 percent reduction would decrease the U.S.
consumption limit to less than 273.5 MMTC02e by 2023, meeting an Agency Priority Goal for
FY 2022 - 2023 to Phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Building on investments in the FY 2023 enacted budget, the FY 2024 Budget also provides an
additional $71.5 million and 40.6 FTE, for a total of $181 million and 257 FTE, for the Climate
Protection Program to tackle the climate crisis at home and abroad through an integrated approach
of regulations, partnerships, and technical assistance. This additional resource includes $5 million
for EPA to provide administrative support to the $27 billion GHG Reduction Fund, enacted
through the IRA. With enhanced administrative support, EPA will be able to more efficiently and
effectively administer competitive grants to mobilize financing and leverage private capital for
clean energy and climate projects that reduce GHG emissions with an emphasis on projects that
1 For more information, please visit:https://www.epa.gov/cliniate-hfcs-reductioii/fiiial-rule-phasedowii-hYdrofluorocartx3iis-
establishing-allowance-allocation.
2 https://wwiv.epa.goY/cliniate-hfcs-reductioii/fmal-rule-phasedowii-hYdrofluorocarboiis-establishiiip-allowaiice-allocatioii
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benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities. Additionally, EPA provides investments to
support the private sector in calculating GHG emissions and climate risk and setting science-based
climate targets, as well as investments to embed the economic impacts of climate change and
decarbonization efforts within government economic projects.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to take action to reduce dangerous air pollution and GHG emissions
from mobile sources. The FY 2024 Budget provides $150 million for the Diesel Emissions
Reduction Act (DERA) Grant Program, a $50 million increase above the FY 2023 enacted level,
to expand the availability of DERA grants and rebates to reduce harmful diesel emissions, with a
focus on school buses, ports, and communities disproportionately affected by air quality
problems.3 These locations also are often where lower income communities and communities of
color suffer from exposure to higher levels of pollution.
The Agency also will commit an additional $62.3 million and 46.8 FTE for a total of $180 million
and 370 FTE to the Federal Vehicle and Fuels Standards and Certification Program to build on
investments in FY 2023. This includes the development of analytical methods, regulations, and
analyses to support climate protection by controlling GHG emissions from light-, medium-, and
heavy-duty vehicles. In FY 2024, EPA also will promulgate a final rulemaking to establish new
GHG emissions standards for heavy-duty engines and vehicles. This rule will reduce GHG and
other emissions from highway heavy-duty vehicles, the second largest source of transportation
GHG emissions. In support of Executive Order 14037: Strengthening American Leadership in
Clean Cars and Trucks,4 EPA's longer-term rulemaking to set emission standards will save
consumers money, cut pollution, boost public health, advance environmental justice, and tackle the
climate crisis. EPA will establish new multi-pollutant emissions standards, including for GHG
emissions, for light- and medium-duty vehicles beginning with model year 2027 and extending
through at least model year 2030.
Acting domestically to reduce GHG emissions is an important step to tackle the climate crisis;
however, environmental protection is a shared responsibility that crosses international borders, and
climate change poses a threat that no one government can solve alone. The FY 2024 Budget
provides an additional $18 million and 16 FTE to support tackling the climate crisis abroad.
Through a collaborative approach with international counterparts, we will enhance capacity
building programs for priority countries with increasing GHG footprints, to enable stronger
legislative, regulatory and legal enforcement. To this end, President Biden has ambitiously laid
out a path, by 2030, for the United States to cut GHG emissions by at least half from 2005 levels
showing our international partners that America is doing its part to reduce global emissions. EPA
will continue to engage both bilaterally and through multilateral institutions to improve
international cooperation on climate change. These efforts help fulfill EPA's commitment to
Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
Tackling the climate crisis depends not only on the Agency's ability to mitigate GHG emissions
but also the capacity to adapt and deliver targeted assistance to increase the Nation's resilience to
climate change impacts. As part of a whole-of-government approach, EPA will directly support
3 DERA Fourth Report to Congress: https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockev=P100XlBI.pdf.
4 Executive Order 14037: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefmp-rooni/presideiitial-actions/2021/08/05/executive-order-on-
strengthening-american-leadership-in-clean-cars-and-trucks/.
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federal partners, tribes and indigenous communities, states, territories, local governments,
environmental justice organizations, community groups, and businesses as they anticipate, prepare
for, adapt to, and recover from the impacts of climate change. In FY 2024, the Budget provides an
additional $45.3 million and 26.5 FTE for climate adaptation efforts to strengthen the adaptive
capacity of tribes, states, territories, local governments, communities, and businesses. The Budget
also provides resources to support the implementation of the Agency's Climate Adaptation Action
Plan, which accelerates and focuses attention on five priority actions the Agency will take over the
next four years to increase human and ecosystem resilience as the climate changes and disruptive
impacts increase.
Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
The communities hardest hit by pollution and climate change are most often communities of color,
indigenous communities, rural communities, and economically disadvantaged communities. For
generations, many of these communities, which also are among the most vulnerable, have been
overburdened with higher instances of polluted air, water, and land. The inequity of environmental
protection is not just an environmental justice issue but also a civil rights concern. Neither an
individual's skin color, nor the community in which they live, should determine whether they have
clean air to breathe, safe water to drink, or healthy environments in which their children can play.
And yet, the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations,
and policies has not always ensured the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people
regardless of race, color, national origin, or income. In FY 2024 EPA provides over $758 million
within programs under Goal 2 to advance environmental justice and civil rights across the Nation
and across Agency efforts.
EPA will continue efforts in FY 2024 to implement the President's Justice40 Initiative with the
goal of delivering at least 40 percent of the overall benefits of relevant federal investments to
underserved and overburdened communities. In June 2022, EPA announced 73 programs that will
be covered under the Justice40 initiative, including the Clean Water and Drinking Water State
Revolving Funds, Brownfields Projects Program, Superfund Remedial Program, and the Clean
School Bus Program. EPA is currently looking at ways to ensure the delivery of benefits to
disadvantaged communities to achieve the 40-percent goal within existing legal authorizations.
EPA also is developing methodologies to track and report the benefits going toward communities
that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. Advancing the
Administration's environmental justice priorities is a foundational component of the Agency's FY
2024 Budget, and success requires a whole-of-EPA approach. EPA's Budget recognizes the
importance of embedding environmental justice principles in all Agency programs and
implementing Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, and
Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities
Through the Federal Government.
To elevate environmental justice as a top Agency priority in FY 2024, EPA's newest National
Program Manager, the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR), will
lead the agency-wide effort to address the needs of overburdened and underserved communities
and maximize the benefits of the Agency's programs and activities to underserved communities.
By September 30, 2023, EPA expects to develop and implement a cumulative impacts framework,
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issue guidance on civil rights compliance for recipients of federal funding, establish at least 10
indicators to assess EPA's performance in eliminating disparities in environmental and public
health conditions, and train staff and partners on how to use these resources, to meet an Agency
Priority Goal for FY 2022 - 2023 to Deliver tools and metrics for EPA and its tribal, state, local,
and community partners to advance environmental justice and external civil rights compliance.
The FY 2024 Budget will expand upon the FY 2023 enacted budget to enhance the Agency's
ability to develop, manage, and award new competitive grants to reduce the historically
disproportionate health impacts of pollution in communities with environmental justice concerns.
Nearly $375 million and 265 FTE, an increase of $267 million and 41 FTE above the FY 2023
enacted, is requested for the Environmental Justice Program to expand support for community-
based organizations, indigenous organizations, tribes, states, local governments, and territorial
governments in pursuit of identifying and addressing environmental justice issues through multi-
partner collaborations. The FY 2024 Budget proposes to invest $91 million and 50 FTE on building
out community-centered technical assistance hubs to support basic capacity building of
communities and their partners to advance equity and justice in their communities. With the FY
2024 investment of $34.7 million and 167 FTE in the Tribal Capacity Building Program, an
increase of $20 million and 88 FTE above the FY 2023 enacted, EPA will strengthen efforts to
support nationwide core work in the tribal capacity building program with a focus on addressing
the climate change crisis. In addition, EPA will implement the revised EPA Tribal Consultation
Policy and Implementation Guidance to improve consultation practices in conformance with the
executive order on tribal consultation and train EPA staff.
To fully implement its external civil rights mission with quality and consistency and in a way that
yields positive and sustainable impacts for the most overburdened and vulnerable communities
where protection of civil rights may be at risk, EPA must embed civil rights obligations into its
programmatic actions and provide the level of funding and staffing necessary for success. All
applicants for and recipients of EPA financial assistance, including state and local governments as
well as private entities, have an affirmative obligation to comply with federal civil rights laws,
both as a prerequisite to obtaining EPA financial assistance and in administering their programs
and activities. EPA enforcement of these anti-discrimination provisions is a vital part of the
Agency's goal to advance equity and environmental justice. Consistent enforcement of federal
civil rights laws for recipients of federal funds will prevent decisions that can overburden
underserved communities and create or exacerbate significant inequities in human health
protection and environmental pollution. In FY 2024, the Budget provides a total of $31.5 million
and 144 FTE, an increase of $18.6 million and 77.2 FTE above the FY 2023 enacted level, to build
civil rights capacity across the Agency and to reduce the backlog of civil rights cases such as
claims of discrimination in communities and pre-award and post-award compliance activities. In
the long term, the vigorous enforcement of civil rights laws will address historical and systemic
barriers that contribute to the environmental injustice affecting vulnerable communities.
Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Ensuring compliance and enforcement of the Nation's environmental laws is foundational to
achieving EPA's mission. The Agency will hold bad actors accountable for their violations, with
a particular focus on protecting communities with multiple pollution sources and ensuring a level
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playing field in the marketplace for regulated sources and parties. In FY 2024, EPA will provide
$757 million and 3,354 FTE to strengthen compliance with the Nation's environmental laws and
hold violators accountable. The FY 2024 Budget provides an increase of $22.6 million and 38.3
FTE above the FY 2023 enacted levels to rebuild the inspector corps, which is EPA's highest
enforcement priority. The inspector corps will be able to be more efficient attributable to the
resources provided in the IRA that are targeted for improving enforcement technology and
inspection software and for other related purposes. EPA also will leverage funding from the IRA
for enhanced tools (such as the Integrated Compliance Information System, ICIS) and technical
assistance to the regulated community to support understanding and compliance with
environmental laws. EPA will implement a comprehensive action plan in FY 2024 for integrating
environmental justice and climate change considerations throughout all aspects of its enforcement
and compliance assurance work. The Agency will increase the percentage of inspections impacting
overburdened communities and provide greater public access to compliance data to help a
community better understand and manage risks. In addition, EPA will advance its efforts to address
climate change mitigation and adaptation issues through targeted inspections, compliance
monitoring, and technical assistance directed to sources with the most potential for noncompliant
emissions of GHGs that contribute to climate change.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $165 million for the Compliance Monitoring Program, an increase
of $50.9 million and 41.5 FTE above the FY 2023 enacted, to support enforcement and compliance
assurance efforts with a focus on incorporating environmental justice considerations into
programmatic work. EPA will leverage its resources to expand software solutions for field
inspectors to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of compliance inspections and continue the
data system modernization effort, including enforcement and compliance assurance data systems.
These resources will complement those provided to EPA under the IRA that are targeted for
improving enforcement technology, inspection software, and other related purposes. In FY 2024,
EPA will provide robust targeted oversight and support to tribal, state, and local programs. The
Agency will prioritize work with states to develop methods that successfully leverage advances in
both monitoring and information technology to increase the availability of information about
environmental conditions in disadvantaged communities.
EPA's Civil Enforcement Program is designed to protect human health and the environment by
ensuring compliance with the Nation's environmental laws. The Budget provides $246 million for
civil enforcement efforts, which includes funding to increase enforcement efforts in communities
with high pollution exposure and to prevent the illegal importations and use of HFCs in the United
States. These resources also include an additional $3.4 million and 7 FTE over the FY 2023 enacted
level to support compliance and enforcement of the Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Program.
The CCR Program ensures that coal ash disposal units do not present dangerous structural stability
issues that could put surrounding communities at risk, in particular, those in rural and underserved
areas. These resources will allow the Agency to continue analyzing groundwater monitoring data
and ensuring facility corrective action and closure efforts are complying with the regulatory
requirements and adequately addressing coal ash disposal risks. Together, these resources will
enable EPA to incorporate environmental justice and climate change considerations into all phases
of case development without displacing other important enforcement and compliance assurance
work. For example, EPA may focus on opportunities to reduce GHG emissions while providing
co-benefits in underserved communities, expand inclusion of GHG mitigation and climate
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resilience remedies, and prioritize environmental justice concerns in case resolutions where
appropriate.
Overburdened and underserved communities are more often victims of environmental crime.
EPA's FY 2024 Budget supports the development of a specialized Criminal Enforcement Initiative
focused on addressing environmental justice issues with other Agency priority National
Compliance Initiatives in partnership with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Criminal
Enforcement Initiative focuses on the prioritization of investigative resources to overburdened
communities and vulnerable populations, while maintaining case initiation standards and reducing
the impact of pollution. The FY 2024 Budget includes $75.1 million and 296 FTE to support the
Criminal Enforcement Program by targeting investigations on the most egregious environmental
cases.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to advance efforts to protect fenceline communities at risk to
environmental health hazards from nearby oil and chemical facilities and underground storage tank
releases. Fenceline communities are often low-income and/or communities of color facing
disproportionate risks from environmental health hazards, particularly in light of severe weather
events caused by a changing climate. The FY 2024 Budget invests additional resources to advance
protection of these communities by increasing inspections and compliance assistance to ensure
nearby facilities are adhering to regulations designed to protect vulnerable populations. This
investment also will be used to create and expand programs to improve environmental protections
and increase monitoring capability in fenceline communities.
Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Providing clean and healthy air for all communities is a central tenet of EPA's mission. Long-term
exposure to elevated levels of certain air pollutants has been associated with increased risk of
cancer, premature death, and damage to the immune, neurological, reproductive, cardiovascular,
and respiratory systems, while short-term exposure can exacerbate asthma and lead to other
adverse health effects and economic costs.5 Relying on the latest science, EPA will continue work
to reduce emissions of the six National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) pollutants—
particulate matter (PM), ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead—and
air toxics from mobile and stationary sources. In FY 2024, EPA will leverage approaches including
regulatory tools, innovative market-based techniques, public and private-sector partnerships,
community-based approaches, voluntary programs that promote environmental stewardship, and
programs that encourage adoption of cost-effective technologies and practices. The FY 2024
Budget includes approximately $1.4 billion and 2,207 FTE to advance EPA efforts in protecting
human health and the environment from the harmful effects of air pollution.
Building upon the work under the ARP and IRA, the FY 2024 Budget requests an additional
investment of $100 million to develop and implement a community air quality monitoring and
notification program to provide real-time data to the public in areas with greatest exposure to
harmful levels of pollution, such as smoke pollution from wildfires. In FY 2024, the Agency will
continue to work closely with tribes, states, and local air quality agencies to develop the most
effective approaches to meet community concerns. The Budget includes resources to fulfill the
5 For more information, please visit https://www.epa.gov/air-research/research-health-efFects-air-pollution.
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President's commitment to engage meaningfully with overburdened and vulnerable communities
during the entire rulemaking process, from pre-proposal through final promulgation and
implementation.
In FY 2024, EPA will make critical resource investments in air regulatory development and
implementation work, particularly to support NAAQS review and implementation activities. The
President directed EPA to review the 2020 PM NAAQS and the 2020 Ozone NAAQS in accordance
with Executive Order 13990: Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science
to Tackle the Climate Crisis.6 An increase of $89.9 million and 193 FTE over the FY 2023 enacted
is requested to develop and implement climate and clean air regulations and programs, including
supporting NAAQS review and implementation work. Critical to successful NAAQS
implementation are activities such as timely issuance of rules and guidance documents, ongoing
outreach to states and other entities, development of NAAQS implementation and permitting-
related tools, and taking timely action on State Implementation Plans (SIPs) and reducing the SIP
backlog. In total, the FY 2024 Budget provides $367 million and 1,080 FTE, an increase of $208
million and 200 FTE above FY 2023 enacted levels, for the Federal Support for Air Quality
Management Program.
The FY 2024 President's Budget also provides $47.5 million and 165 FTE for the Federal
Stationary Source Regulations Program to finalize the review of standards for power plants, as
well as rules to limit GHG emissions from new and existing sources in the power sector and new
and existing facilities in the oil and gas sector. The Budget provides $47.6 million and 71.4 FTE
for the Reducing Risks from Indoor Air Program to expand technical assistance to community-
based asthma programs to reduce asthma disparities, particularly in disadvantaged communities,
and provide technical support to high-risk, low-income communities to reduce lung cancer risk.
The Agency also will seek to address the air quality challenges presented by wildfires. Wildfire
smoke can vary from year to year but can typically make up approximately 30 percent of total
PM2.5 emissions in some regions of the U.S., aggravating heart and lung disease and causing
premature death. Climate change has already led to a marked increase in wildfire season length,
wildfire frequency, and burned area.7 The FY 2024 Budget includes $7 million for Wildfire Smoke
Preparedness, and EPA will continue to work with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal, state,
and community agencies and organizations to identify ways to improve public notification and
reduce the public health risk from air pollution resulting from wildfires.
The Agency also is committed to protect both the climate system and the stratospheric ozone layer,
which shields all life on Earth from harmful solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The FY 2024 Budget
will include $72.2 million and 52.2 FTE for Stratospheric Ozone: Domestic Programs to
implement the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 to phase out climate-
damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), building on the successful work with manufacturers and
phase-out methodologies that have led to progress restoring the ozone layer.
6 Executive Order 13990: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefmp-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-
protecting-public-health-and-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-climate-crisis/.
7 For more information on climate impacts, risk and adaptation in the United States visit: https://eca2018.globalchaege.gov/.
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The Agency also will provide $423 million in financial support through Categorical Grant
Programs to EPA's tribal, state, and local partners, an increase of $158 million over the FY 2023
enacted level, to further their efforts in implementing air quality management programs. These
programs are critical for EPA's state, tribal and local partners to support implementation of
environmental laws in states and tribal lands across the county and assure tangible progress for
historically overburdened and underserved communities through sustained financial support.
Funding for state and tribal support has been largely flat since 2018, while the need and
expectations from EPA partners has only increased. In FY 2024, EPA provides $400 million for
the State and Local Air Quality Management Program to provide grants to tribes and states that
will support on-the-ground efforts to address GHG emissions and continuing core work, such as
state and local air quality monitoring networks, air permitting programs, emission inventories, air
quality forecasts, air quality training, visibility improvements, and air toxic monitoring efforts. In
FY 2024, EPA also includes $23.1 million for the Categorical Grant: Tribal Air Quality
Management Program. Funding will assist tribes to develop and implement air pollution control
programs for Indian Country to prevent and address air quality concerns, including mitigating and
adapting to the effects of climate change. EPA will work with tribes to assess environmental and
public health conditions in Indian Country by developing emission inventories and, where
appropriate, expanding the siting and operating of air quality monitors.
Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
EPA's most recent clean and drinking water needs assessment surveys, published in 2016 and
2018, respectively, determined that the country would need to invest more than $743 billion over
the next 20 years to maintain, upgrade, and replace critical drinking water and wastewater
infrastructure.8 In FY 2023, EPA will finalize the seventh Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs
Survey and Assessment (DWINSA). This survey provides a 20-year capital investment need for
public water systems that are eligible to receive funding from state Drinking Water State
Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Programs. The survey also informs the DWSRF allocation formula as
required under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Beginning in FY 2024, early framework
activities for the eighth DWINSA will begin. Today, up to 10 million homes in America and more
than 400,000 schools and childcare centers rely on drinking water distribution lines that contain
lead—a clear and present danger to the health of children. Replacing these lead pipes and adapting
America's water infrastructure to be more resilient to climate change is critical to keeping
communities healthy and safe, consistent with the President's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.9
As the climate warms, more extreme rainfall and flooding events could damage or overwhelm
water systems, leaving entire communities without safe water supplies for days or weeks. While
there are significant funds from IIJA, there is still more demand and the FY 2024 Budget builds
on the $8.83 billion available to State Revolving Funds (SRFs) in FY 2024 from the law. The
Budget also includes $268 million and 1,056 FTE for the Surface Water Protection Program, an
increase of $43.5 million and 46.1 FTE over the FY 2023 enacted level, to support efforts to
protect, improve, and restore the quality of our Nation's coastal waters, rivers, lakes, wetlands,
and streams.
8 For more information on EPA's Clean Water and Drinking Water Needs Survey Reports, visit: https://www.epa.gov/cwns and
https://www.epa.KQv/dwsrf/epas-6th-drinking-water-infrastructure-needs-survey-and-assessment.
9 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefmg-room/statements-releases/2021/12/16/fact-sheet-the-biden-harris-lead-pipe-and-paint-
action-plan.
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The Budget provides $219 million for two grants dedicated to remediating lead contamination in
water - Reducing Lead in Drinking Water and Lead Testing in Schools - an increase of $163
million over the 2023 enacted level. The Budget also funds other grants and loans that can be used
for lead service line replacements. The Budget updates the cross-government Lead Pipe
Replacement Funding Inventory that was published for the first time with the 2023 President's
Budget.
EPA's water infrastructure financing programs will advance the Agency's ongoing commitment
to infrastructure repair and replacement and also build climate resilience into the water sector. At
the same time, these investments will create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs across the
country.10 The Budget provides more than $4 billion for water infrastructure, an increase of $1
billion over the 2023 enacted level. These resources would advance efforts to upgrade drinking
water and wastewater infrastructure nationwide, with a focus on underserved and rural
communities that have historically been overlooked. The Budget also funds all of the
authorizations in the original Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) of
2021 and includes funding levels of $2.8 billion for EPA's State Revolving Funds (SRF), which
complements funds provided for water infrastructure programs in the bipartisan IIJA. Also
included is approximately $1.2 billion for grant programs authorized in the Water Infrastructure
Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act of 2016, the America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA)
of 2018, and DWWIA. These resources are intended to upgrade aging infrastructure, invest in new
technologies, and provide assistance to communities.
Another goal of the Agency's infrastructure repair and replacement efforts is to address lead and
other contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water,
especially in small and underserved communities. AWIA strengthened many existing programs
within EPA, including programs authorized by the WIIN Act, while creating new programs to
tackle significant public health and environmental concerns. DWWIA, as authorized under IIJA,
builds on the foundation of AWIA and WIIN to strengthen the federal government's ability to
upgrade the Nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. These investments will enable
the Agency to increase water infrastructure resilience and sustainability, provide assistance for
underserved communities, and reduce lead in drinking water. By September 30, 2023, in support
of Goal 5, Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities and Goal 6, Safeguard and
Revitalize Communities, EPA expects to provide technical assistance to at least 10 communities to
help achieve clean and safe water, an Agency Priority Goal for FY 2022 - 2023 to Clean up
contaminated sites and invest in water infrastructure to enhance the livability and economic
vitality of overburdened and underserved communities.
In FY 2024, EPA provides $150 million and 554 FTE, an increase of $22.9 million and 15.1 FTE,
to support Drinking Water Programs to better protect communities, especially overburdened and
underserved communities. This includes efforts to finalize the Lead and Copper Rule
Improvements (LCRI) regulation, which aims to strengthen the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
(LCRR) issued in 2021 to more proactively replace lead service lines and more equitably protect
public health. In August 2022, EPA released Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service
10 Jobs created estimates are based on the U.S. Water Alliance: The Value of Water Campaign: The Economic Benefits of
Investing in Water Infrastructure.
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Line Inventory11 to support water systems with their efforts to develop inventories and to provide
states with needed information for oversight and reporting to EPA. This guidance will help water
systems comply with the LCRR requirement to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line
materials by October 16, 2024.
Resources also will support reducing public health and environmental threats from PFAS by
finalizing the new drinking water standards in FY 2024. An additional $56.5 million is provided
to accelerate progress on EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap,12 and enable EPA to move more
quickly on policy, regulatory, and enforcement actions across multiple statutory authorities, and
to support states and tribes in taking action on PFAS. EPA will continue its efforts in FY 2024 to
develop analytical methods, drinking water health advisories, toxicity values, effluent limitation
guidelines, as well as risk communication and other tools to support states, tribes, and localities in
managing PFAS risks in their communities.
Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Programs
The FY 2024 Budget includes $1.64 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
Program to capitalize state revolving loan funds in all 50 states and Puerto Rico to finance
infrastructure improvements for public wastewater systems and projects to improve water quality.
It represents the largest source of federal funds for states to provide loans and other forms of
assistance for water quality projects including construction of wastewater treatment facilities,
water and energy efficiency projects, and green infrastructure projects. In addition to capitalizing
the CWSRF Program, a portion of the Budget will provide direct grants to communities in tribal
nations and territories. The sanitation infrastructure in these communities often trails the rest of
the country, causing significant public health concerns.
EPA's DWSRF is designed to assist public water systems in financing the costs of drinking water
infrastructure improvements needed to comply with SDWA requirements, protect public health,
and support tribal, state, and local efforts to protect drinking water. The FY 2024 Budget includes
$1.13 billion for the DWSRF to help finance critical infrastructure improvements to public water
systems. States have considerable flexibility to tailor their DWSRF Programs to their unique
circumstances and needs and to consider how best to achieve the maximum public health
protection and infrastructure development that benefits all people living in the United States.
Infrastructure within the water sector goes beyond repair and replacement to include the safety and
reliability of the IT systems used to monitor clean and safe water. In FY 2024, EPA provides $25
million for a grant program to advance cybersecurity infrastructure capacity and protections within
the water sector. An additional $19.6 million is provided to implement regulatory action to mitigate
the risks of cyberattacks in the water sector as well as increase the Agency's ability to respond to
incidents. Cybersecurity represents a substantial concern for the water sector, given the prevalence
of state-sponsored and other malevolent attacks on the sector as well as the sector's inherent
vulnerability and limited technical capacity to address cyber issues.
11 https://www.epa.eov/svsteni/files/docunieiits/2022-08/tiwentorv%20Guidance August%202022 508%20compliant.pdf.
12 https://www.epa.KOv/pfas/pfas-strateRic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024.
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Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA)
The WIFIA Program, created in 2014, is a critical tool to increase water infrastructure investments
by leveraging public and private sources of funds to maximize the reach of federal funds. As of
February 2023, EPA had issued 100 WIFIA loans to communities across the country totaling over
$17 billion in credit assistance to help finance more than $36 billion for water infrastructure
projects.13 WIFIA loans for these projects have saved communities nearly $5 billion, which can
be used for additional infrastructure investment and to keep rates affordable for water system users.
These WIFIA-financed projects have created over 123,000 jobs and benefited more than 50 million
people, demonstrating that WIFIA credit assistance is an effective tool to help address a variety of
water infrastructure needs to support communities nationwide. The FY 2024 Budget supports
WIFIA with $80.4 million in total funding.
Geographic Programs
Beyond water infrastructure, the Agency recognizes the important role federal assistance provides
to protect water bodies of special ecological and economic importance to our Nation. Through
EPA's Geographic Water Programs, the Agency assists state and multi-state partners and tribes to
accelerate and manage the restoration of the ecological health of these water bodies. In total, the
FY 2024 Budget provides $682 million for EPA's Geographic Water Programs to advance work
on proj ects that target the most significant environmental problems in these important water bodies
and watersheds. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to provide resources to accelerate ecological
restoration and sustainable management for the Chesapeake Bay, Columbia River, Gulf of Mexico,
the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Lake Pontchartrain, Long Island Sound, Northwest Forest
Watershed, Puget Sound, San Francisco Bay, South Florida, and Southeast New England. Funding
will help monitor and restore these ecological treasures and enable sustainable use for years to
come. These important geographic efforts also will benefit from the $343 million provided by the
IIJA to create synergies for EPA's Geographic Programs in FY 2024.
Categorical Grants
The Agency will provide $493 million in financial support through Categorical Grant Programs to
EPA's tribal, state, and local partners to support their efforts in implementing key provisions of
the Clean Water Act. Within this amount, $279 million is provided to the Section 106 Grants
Program, an increase of $42.4 million from the FY 2023 enacted budget, which funds state,
interstate, and tribal water pollution control programs to support actions to identify and take actions
to assess and mitigate PFAS in the environment, and is a critical funding source to establish,
expand, and implement water quality programs to protect and restore water resources (e.g., rivers,
streams, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater). Also included is $189 million for the Section 319
Grants Program, which will continue to focus on implementing watershed projects and maintaining
current Nonpoint Source Management Programs to restore impaired waterbodies to meet water
quality standards and protect unimpaired waters. In addition, EPA provides $133 million for the
Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program, which helps support state drinking water
programs and technical assistance providers in achieving and maintaining compliance at drinking
water systems, amplifying best practices, strengthening state capacity, and certifying drinking
water operators. EPA's efforts under this program will help deliver clean drinking water, improve
public health, and support environmental justice for overburdened and underserved communities,
including rural and tribal communities.
13 https://www.epa.eoY/iiewsreleases/epa-aimounces-100th-wifia-loan-investing-l 15-million-improve-resilience-extreme.
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Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Preventing and cleaning up environmental damage that harms communities and poses a risk to
public health and safety continues to be a top priority for the Administration.
Cleaning up contaminated lands so that they can be redeveloped and returned to productive use is
a challenge faced by many communities. Cleaning up America's most contaminated land and
reducing exposure to toxic substances are critical components of the Agency's strategy to address
human health impacts, particularly in underserved communities where many of these sites are
located. Approximately 22 percent of Americans live within three miles of a Superfund site.
Recent research shows Superfund cleanup actions lowered the risk of elevated blood lead levels
by roughly 13 to 26 percent for children living within 1.2 miles of a Superfund National Priorities
List (NPL) site where lead is a contaminant of concern.14 Remediating contaminated land and
restoring it to productive use is not only an environmental imperative but presents an economic
opportunity as well. A peer reviewed study found that residential property values within three
miles of Superfund sites increased between 18.7 and 24.4 percent when sites were cleaned up and
removed from the NPL.15
The FY 2024 Budget enables the Agency to continue efforts to clean up hazardous waste sites in
communities across the Nation, including those where vulnerable populations, such as children,
the elderly, and economically disadvantaged individuals, reside. These hazardous sites also are
vulnerable to the effects of climate change, making remediation even more urgent. Federal data in
a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report suggests that approximately 60 percent
of Superfund sites overseen by EPA are in areas that are vulnerable to wildfires and different types
of flooding—natural hazards that climate change will exacerbate.16 The Agency is working to
clean up these sites considering climate change implications to protect at-risk populations.
The Budget provides approximately $350 million for the Superfund Program to continue cleaning
up some of the Nation's most contaminated land and respond to environmental emergencies and
natural disasters, in addition to an estimated $2.5 billion in Superfund tax receipts that will be
available to EPA in 2024. The Superfund tax receipts will allow the Agency to continue critical
Superfund pre-construction work such as site characterization, construction design, and
community outreach/engagement, as well as critical remedial actions to clean up sites as described
above, which supports the Administration's Justice40 Initiative. Additionally, this funding will
allow the Superfund Emergency Response and Removal Program to effectively and efficiently
address situations that require emergency response and removal actions such as chemical releases,
fires or explosions, natural disasters, and other threats to people from exposure to hazardous
substances including from abandoned and uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
Investing in brownfields cleanup and redevelopment can revitalize main streets, neighborhoods,
and rural communities, increase residential property values, and create good-paying jobs. The
14 Details can be found at https://www.epa.gov/eiwiromiieiital-ecoiioniics/research-eiiviromiieiital-ecoiioniics-iicee-workiiip-
paper-series.
15 Shanti Gamper-Rabindran and Christopher Timmons. 2013. "Does cleanup of hazardous waste sites raise housing values?
Evidence of spatially localized benefits," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management (55(3): 345-360,
http://dx.doi.ore/10. ], 016/i. i eeni .2012.12.001.
16 https://wwiv.gao.gov/products/gao-20-73.
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Budget provides $217 million for EPA's Brownfields Program to provide technical assistance and
grants to communities so they can safely clean up and reuse contaminated properties, as well as
$20 million for the new Alaska Contaminated Lands Program. These programs support the
President's Cancer Moonshot initiative by addressing contaminants that lead to greater cancer risk.
Approximately 143 million people live within three miles of a brownfields site that receives EPA
funding.17 In FY 2022, EPA leveraged 14,170 jobs and $1.8 billion in cleanup and redevelopment
funds and made 662 additional brownfields sites ready for anticipated use (RAU). Activities
undertaken in FY 2024 will leverage approximately 13,400 jobs and $2.6 billion in other funding
sources.18 By September 30, 2023, in support of Goal 6, Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
and Goal 5, Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities, EPA expects to provide technical
assistance to at least 10 communities to help achieve reduced exposures to hazardous substances,
an Agency Priority Goal for FY 2022 - 2023 to Clean up contaminated sites and invest in water
infrastructure to enhance the livability and economic vitality of overburdened and underserved
communities.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to invest in domestic recycling and solid waste infrastructure
that build a circular economy, one where reuse and recycling is the norm. According to the U.S.
EPA Recycling Economic Information Report, the U.S. recycling industry supports 680,000 jobs
and provides $5.5 billion annually in tax revenues. In addition to these human resources and
financial returns, the materials themselves hold great value, as recent data indicate that materials
worth $9 billion are thrown away each year. The FY 2024 Budget includes $12.7 million and 53.4
FTE in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Waste Minimization and Recyling Program
to better support the sustainable management of resources, in addition to a $10 million for Solid
Waste Infrastructure in grant funding under State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG). This
funding will advance efforts to strengthen the U.S. recycling system, address the global issue of
plastic waste, engage communities, and prevent and reduce food loss and waste.
The Agency has a statutory role to ensure that contamination is quickly and effectively cleaned up
while ensuring protection of human health and the environment from releases of hazardous
substances. Additional resources are provided to help increase protection of fenceline communities
from hazardous substance releases from facilities and underground storage tanks. In FY 2024, the
Budget includes $37.4 million in the Federal Facilities Program to enable EPA to address critical
gaps in its ability to oversee federal agencies/facilities cleanup, including Department of Defense
PFAS cleanup under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
(CERCLA). The Agency also will assist with homeland security goals by investing in critical
resources to replace the outdated Portable High-Throughput Integrated Laboratory Identification
System (PHILIS) equipment. PHILIS is EPA's mobile laboratory asset for the on-site analysis of
chemical warfare agent and toxic industrial compound contaminated environmental samples.
Resources also will be provided to upgrade the Chemical Incident and Radiological
Reconnaissance on Unmanned Systems (CIRRUS) with the Airborne Spectral Photometric
17 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2020. Data collected includes: (1) Superfund, Brownfield, and RCRA
Corrective Action site information as of the end of FY 2019; (2) UST/LUST information as of late-2018 to mid-2019 depending
on the state; and (3) 2015-2018 American Community Survey (ACS) Census data.
18 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management Estimate. All estimates of outputs and outcomes are supported by the
data that is entered by cooperative agreement recipients via EPA's Assessment, Cleanup, and Redevelopment Exchange System
(ACRES) database.
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Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) airborne screening capability to more
effectively and efficiently support emergency response.
Ensure the Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
The FY 2024 Budget provides additional resources to build Agency capacity to manage chemical
safety and toxic substances. EPA has significant responsibilities under amendments to the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA) to ensure the safety of chemicals in or entering commerce and
addressing unreasonable risks to human health or the environment. Chemicals and toxic substances
are ubiquitous in our everyday lives and are often released into the environment from their
manufacture, processing, use, or disposal. EPA's work in managing chemical safety and toxic
substances is particularly important to vulnerable populations, including low-income, minority,
and indigenous populations, as well as children, who may be disproportionately affected by, and
particularly at risk from, exposure to chemicals.
Based on five years of implementing TSCA since enactment of the bipartisan Lautenberg Act, the
Agency has determined that additional FTE are required to increase the capacity of the Program
to address the heavy workload associated with chemical risk evaluations and risk management to
better support the Agency's ability to meet statutory mandates. Increased funding for the TSCA
Program is needed in FY 2024 to advance implementation of the law's requirements. While the
Program received additional funding in FY 2023, the full request of $131 million is needed in FY
2024, else achieving the TSCA goals will be a challenge. The FY 2024 Budget for TSCA
implementation supports over 535 FTE with appropriated resources and represents a $47.9 million
increase over the FY 2023 enacted level. EPA will continue to emphasize quality of work,
adherence to statutory intent and timelines applicable to pre-market review of new chemicals,
chemical risk evaluation and management, data development and information collection, and
review of Confidential Business Information (CBI) claims.
The Agency also has significant responsibility under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to screen new pesticides before they reach the market and ensure that
pesticides already in commerce are safe. In addition, EPA is responsible for complying with the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) and ensuring that federally endangered and threatened species are
not harmed as a result of the use of pesticides. Endangered species risk assessments involve
consideration of risks for approximately 1,200 active ingredients in more than 17,000 pesticide
products to the more than 1,600 listed endangered species and 800 designated critical habitats in
the United States. Given the complexity of evaluating potential effects to diverse listed species
under ESA, EPA has been subject to numerous litigation challenges for registration and
registration review actions. To continue making progress toward meeting ESA mandates in FY
2024, EPA requests an additional $27 million and 22.5 FTE to provide a total of $77.7 million and
282 FTE for the Pesticides: Protect the Environment Program. The Agency's Budget also provides
$29 million and 69.2 FTE for the Pollution Prevention Program to support businesses, states,
tribes, and other partners to promote and facilitate the adoption of approaches to improve
multimedia environmental conditions and climate impacts through reductions in pollutants and
other hazardous materials. In this Program, $7.9 million and 9 FTE is provided to a new grant
program to help small businesses transitioning to TSCA compliant practices to mitigate economic
impacts.
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As part of the President's commitment to tackling PFAS pollution, the Budget provides
approximately $170 million for EPA to continue working toward commitments made in the 2021
PFAS Strategic Roadmap, including: increasing our knowledge of PFAS impacts to human health
and ecological effects; restricting use to prevent PFAS from entering the air, land, and water; and
remediating PFAS that have been released into the environment.
Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-based Decision Making
Delivering rigorous scientific research and analyses to guide the Agency's policy and regulatory
process and inform evidence-based decision making is one of EPA's cross-agency strategies.
Scientific and technological information, data, and evidence-based decision making are central to
the development and iterative improvement of sound policies and to the delivery of effective and
equitable programs. Environmental challenges in the 21st century are increasingly complex. For
example, the interplay between air quality, climate change, and emerging energy options requires
new approaches and solutions than those used in the past. These solutions require research that
transcends disciplinary lines and involve EPA regions and programs working together with tribal,
state, and local partners, stakeholders, and communities.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $643 million and 1,868 FTE for EPA's Office of Research and
Development (ORD). EPA requests an increase of $37.4 million and 34.7 FTE to the Air, Climate,
and Energy Research Program, which will substantially advance research to assess the impacts of
climate change on human health and ecosystems. EPA also requests an increase of $11.3 million
and 28.5 FTE to the Chemical Safety for Sustainability Research Program, which will be focused
on modernizing the chemical toxicity and assessment process and incorporating scientific
advances in new chemical evaluations under TSCA. This funding will lead to the development and
translation of science to inform regulatory and policy decisions by the Agency and external
partners that increase access to clean and safe air, land, and water for all communities across the
Nation.
Continue to Restore EPA's Core Capacity
Ensuring the Agency has the work force it needs to carry out its mission to protect clean air and
water, tackle the climate crisis, and promote environmental justice is essential. The Budget adds
more than 1,960 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) relative to 2023 levels, for a total of more than
17,000 FTEs, to help rebuild the Agency's capacity. This FTE level remains below EPA's
workforce for much of the 1990s and early 2000s, while today the Agency faces a growing
workload and set of statutory responsibilities. Restoring staffing capacity across the Agency would
enable EPA to better protect our Nation's health by helping cut air, water, and climate pollution
and advancing environmental justice. EPA strives to provide modern and efficient workforce
services and serve as a model for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. In FY 2024, the
Agency will continue to support this goal by providing funding to enhance diverse hiring practices,
expand EPA's intern program, and strengthen agencywide capacity to increase staff levels in key
offices and programs. Effective workforce management is critical to EPA's ability to accomplish
its mission. EPA's efforts in human resource functions are focused on strengthening the workforce,
retaining critical expertise, and capturing institutional knowledge. EPA continues developing
XVI
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mechanisms to ensure that employees have the right skills to successfully achieve the Agency's
core mission today and in the future.
The FY 2024 Budget provides the funding needed for critical Agency infrastructure that all
programs require to maintain operations and meet various mandates. In FY 2024, EPA funds new
and rising costs to adequately fund mission support functions across EPA programs and regional
offices, including Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) and data management,
and support agencywide implementation of OMB and DHS cybersecurity mandates. In FY 2024,
EPA will continue to implement the actions identified in the Agency's DEIA Strategic Plan. This
includes working to ensure that Agency recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention, professional
development, performance evaluations, pay and compensation policies, reasonable
accommodations access, and training policies and practices are equitable.
The FY 2024 Budget also provides robust support for implementation of the Foundations for
Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018. EPA has embarked on a multi-year effort to strengthen
how the Agency identifies, prioritizes, and undertakes evidence-building activities and develops
evidence-building capacity to inform its policies and decisions, consistent with the Evidence Act.
An additional $6.4 million and 7.2 FTE above the FY 2023 enacted level is included for evaluation
work to support implementation of the Evidence Act. The FY 2024 Budget will continue to
promote program evaluation as an essential component of federal evidence building. This effort
will advance an evaluation culture through a bottom-up approach and increase agency-wide
engagement in program evaluation. By restoring EPA's core capacity and ensuring that mission
support services are adequately funded, the FY 2024 Budget will enable the Agency to carry out
its mission effectively while being a good steward of federal resources.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to reconfigure its workplaces to ensure the physical footprint
can accommodate a growing and increasingly hybrid workforce. For example, EPA will continue
the space optimization projects at the Agency's laboratories in Ada, Oklahoma, Athens, Georgia,
and Corvallis, Oregon to achieve potential long-term cost and energy savings. EPA will consider
all opportunities for supporting the future of work, in line with OMB Memoranda M-21-25,
including the potential for releasing underutilized space or sharing with other federal agencies,
investing in facility enhancements to assess utilization and inform future consolidations or
releases, and converting workspaces to support hoteling and hybrid collaboration. In FY 2024, the
Budget includes additional resources in the Buildings and Facilities account to pursue critical and
backlogged repairs and improvements across EPA, initiate and complete climate resiliency and
sustainability projects across EPA-owned facilities, and invest in cutting edge EPA lab facilities,
including to support PFAS research.
Support for the Cancer Moonshot
Reducing exposure to environmental contaminants that are known or suspected to cause cancer is
embedded in much of EPA's programmatic work. EPA uses cancer incidence as one of the
indicators in its Report on the Environment19 to help answer questions relating to trends in the
condition of the Nation's air, water, and land. To support the Administration's Cancer Moonshot
initiative, EPA will renew focus on its scientific research and regulatory agenda in FY 2024 to
19 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.govVrepotl-envTOnmcnt/leam-about-rQe-program.
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better prevent and mitigate cancer-related exposure. The Agency will accomplish this work with
a focus on addressing environmental injustice, disparity, and inequities in prevention of and
exposure to environmental hazards that can cause cancer. Below are some examples of EPA's
work in FY 2024 to support this important initiative.
• Research to Understand and Address Environmental and Toxic Exposures. EPA conducts
extensive assessments on chemical hazards related to cancer outcomes and has developed
a variety of tools for evaluating health hazards posed by chemicals.20'21'22 These programs
provide toxicity information and toxicity values for contaminants of concern and have
formed the scientific foundation for many of EPA's air and water quality standards and the
Superfund Program.
• Risk Evaluations of Toxic Substances and Pesticides. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to
conduct TSCA risk evaluations on new and existing chemicals to determine if they present
an unreasonable risk to human health and the environment. The Agency has authority to
order manufacturers to provide information on a chemical's carcinogenicity. In addition,
the Pesticide Programs generates an annual list of cancer classifications for all pesticides.
• Air Toxics and Radon. EPA implements programs to improve air toxics data, characterize
potential cancer risk, and issue regulations to lower emissions and reduce health risk for
people across America. The FY 2024 Budget will continue to support work for air toxics
and address emerging issues and likely carcinogens such as PFAS. EPA also will continue
its efforts to prioritize strategies to reduce radon risk in underserved communities.
• Drinking Water Regulations Aimed at Reducing Cancer Risks. The National Primary
Drinking Water Regulations include primary standards and treatment techniques for
drinking water that remove carcinogens and prevent cancer cases. The PFAS drinking
water regulation may prevent additional cancer cases since PFAS exposure is associated
with increased risk of prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers. The FY 2024 Budget will
continue to support efforts to finalize the PFAS Rule.
• Remediation at Superfund Sites to Reduce Exposure to Harmful Contaminants. EPA's
Superfund Program cleans up contaminated land to reduce human exposures to harmful
contaminants that lead to greater risk for cancer and other health complications. In FY
2024, EPA will continue to oversee federal agencies and facilities cleanup, including
Department of Defense PFAS cleanup under CERCLA.
• Childhood Cancer Prevention. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to help prevent childhood
cancer by expanding the education provided to health care providers, parents, and
communities about how to identify cancer clusters, key exposures to carcinogens, and the
relationship between environmental exposures and childhood cancer or cancer due to
exposures in childhood.
20 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/iris.
21 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.goY/ppi1v/basic-iiifoniiation-about-provisional-peer-reviewed-toxicitv-
values-pprtvstfbasicinfo.
22 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/isa.
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Supplemental Funding
Resources in the FY 2024 Budget are complemented by the supplemental funding provided under
the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the transformative Inflation
Reduction Act (IRA).
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
The bipartisan IDA makes historic investments in tackling climate change, protecting public
health, creating jobs in communities across the country, and delivering a more equitable future.
The IIJA appropriated to EPA approximately $60 billion over a five-year period from FY 2022
through FY 2026. In FY 2024, $11.6 billion of IDA funding will be available to EPA for upgrading
drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, replacing lead pipes, addressing emerging
contaminants such as PFAS, protecting critical water bodies, cleaning up longstanding pollution
at Superfund and brownfields sites, making improvements to waste management and recycling
systems, decarbonizing the Nation's school bus fleet, and advancing the Pollution Prevention
Program. The IIJA also invests in strengthening the work of our tribal and state partners and
helping create good-paying jobs and increasing climate resilience throughout the country.
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
The IRA appropriated $41.5 billion for EPA over the next decade to reduce harmful air pollution
in places where people live, work, play, and go to school. With these resources, EPA will target
climate change and harmful air pollution while supporting the creation of good jobs and lowering
energy costs for families. The Agency will accelerate work on environmental justice and empower
community-driven solutions in overburdened neighborhoods by dedicating resources specifically
for environmental and climate justice efforts in underserved and overburdened communities. The
IRA also contains funding for various grants to assist state, local, and tribal governments with
creating their own such programs to address issues affecting their homes.
Allocating Resources to Strategic Goals and Objectives
In accordance with the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) and the GPRA
Modernization Act of 2010, the FY 2024 Budget identifies resources aligned with the strategic
goals and objectives of the Agency's FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. The Budget also
allocates agencywide mission and science support resources and FTE across the goals and
objectives. These resources provide support for multiple goals to achieve their objectives. This
support involves the provision of foundational agencywide and cross-agency research and
development, science, and essential mission assistance services by the EPA Offices of the
Administrator (OA), Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), General Counsel (OGC), Inspector General
(OIG), Mission Support (OMS), and Research and Development (ORD). The resource summaries
by Strategic Goal and Objective within this Submission provide the total of both direct and
allocated resources.
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1
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Appropriation Summary
APPROPRIATION SUMMARY 4
Budget Authority 4
APPROPRIATION SUMMARY 5
Authorized Full-time Equivalents (FTE) 5
2
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3
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION SUMMARY
Budget Authority
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023 FY 2024
FY 2022 Final Enacted President's
Actuals
Operating Plan
Budget
Science & Technology
$740,947
$802,276
$967,838
Environmental Programs & Management
$2,988,189
$3,286,330
$4,511,011
Inspector General
$48,605
$44,030
$64,526
Building and Facilities
$31,730
$48,752
$111,685
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$21,709
$22,072
$27,551
IG Transfer
S&T Transfer
Superfund Program
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$8,706
$30,347
$1,209,987
$1,249,039
$11,800
$31,607
$1,239,293
$1,282,700
$13,847
$31,928
$310,081
$355,856
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$84,427
$93,205
$108,739
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
$3,088,886
$4,493,728
$5,855,624
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest
System Fund
$12,631
$0
$0
Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Fund
$154,098
$75,640
$80,443
Energy R&D No year c/o
$0
$0
$0
SUB-TOTAL, EPA
$8,420,261
$10,148,733
$12,083,273
Cancellation of Funds
$0
-$13,300
$0
TOTAL, EPA
$8,420,261
$10,135,433
$12,083,273
^For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund account.
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION SUMMARY
Authorized Full-time Equivalents (FTE)
FY 2023 FY 2024
FY 2022 Final Enacted President's
Actuals
Operating Plan
Budget
Science & Technology
2,005.4
2,022.0
2,265.7
Environmental Programs & Management
8,623.8
9,592.7
11,082.4
Inspector General
244.4
227.5
284.5
Inland Oil Spill Programs
76.9
85.8
99.8
IG Transfer
S&T Transfer
Superfund Program
Hazardous Substance Superfund
39.8
65.4
2,518.0
2,623.2
42.5
63.1
2,572.4
2,678.0
49.0
63.1
2,614.3
2,726.4
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
42.3
49.4
54.6
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
8.2
7.5
128.6
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest
System Fund
12.1
11.0
11.0
Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Fund
30.8
38.4
40.0
Rereg. & Exped. Proc. Rev Fund
169.6
135.3
135.3
W CF -Reimbursable
225.9
268.0
249.1
Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource
Damage Assessment
4.0
0.0
0.0
Pesticide Registration Fund
74.3
0.0
0.0
UIC Injection Well Permit BLM
1.9
0.0
0.0
SUB-TOTAL, EPA
14,142.8
15,115.6
17,077.4
TOTAL, EPA
14,142.8
15,115.6
17,077.4
^For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund account.
5
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Cross-Agency Strategies
Cross-Agency Strategy 1: Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based Decision Making 8
Cross-Agency Strategy 2: Consider the Health of Children at All Life Stages and Other
Vulnerable Populations 10
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and Workforce
Equity 12
Cross-Agency Strategy 4: Strengthen Tribal, State, and Local Partnerships and Enhance
Engagement 15
6
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7
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Cross-Agency Strategy 1: Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based Decision Making
Deliver rigorous scientific research and analyses to inform evidence-based decision making.
EPA's ability to protect human health and the environment depends on the integrity and quality of
the information, data, and evidence that secure the scientific foundation for Agency decision
making. Identifying and implementing effective strategies, including strategies to adapt to the
changing climate, advance environmental justice and equity, and protect children at all life stages,
require that decisions be grounded in the best available science and evidence. EPA's Cross-Agency
Strategy 1 in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan will strengthen scientific integrity, advance
the delivery of rigorous and independent scientific evaluation and analyses, and ground EPA's
actions in the best available science.
Cross-Agency Strategy 1, Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based Decision Making is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, increase the annual percentage of Office of Research and
Development (ORD) research products meeting partner needs to 95% from a baseline of
93% in FY 2021.1
• By September 30, 2026, implement 126 actions for scientific integrity objectives that are
certified by Deputy Scientific Integrity Officials in each EPA program and region.
Science touches all parts of EPA and plays an integral role in informing a range of environmental
decisions. EPA program and regional offices support this strategy through a commitment to
science as foundational to decision making, scientific integrity, rigorous quality assurance,
appropriate peer review, the timely release of scientific information, and transparency in decision
making.
As part of this commitment, the Agency will ensure an effective scientific integrity program.
Scientific integrity results from adherence to professional values and practices when conducting,
communicating, supervising, and developing and implementing science. It ensures objectivity,
clarity, reproducibility, and utility, and it safeguards against bias, fabrication, falsification,
plagiarism, outside interference, censorship, and inadequate procedures and information security.
EPA will advance and strengthen a culture of scientific integrity across the Agency by ensuring
adherence to the scientific and ethical standards outlined in EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy. To
support employees, contractors, and officials, EPA will provide agencywide training on scientific
integrity. Employees, contractors, and officials have access to the Scientific Integrity Official and
staff and a network of Deputy Scientific Integrity Officials on whom they can rely for advice or to
report allegations of a loss of scientific integrity.2
1 ORD is tracking environmental justice and climate products as annual performance goals. Please see the annual performance
plan table in the President's Budget (https://www.epa.gov/plaiiandbudget/ci') for more information.
2 The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 promotes a culture of evaluation and continuous learning that
ensures agency decisions are made on the best available evidence including developing an Evaluations and Other Evidence-
Building Activities Policy (Evaluation Policy). EPA's Evaluation Policy includes many elements that are related to EPA's
Scientific Integrity Policy including principles of independence, objectivity, transparency, and rigor. Please see
(https://www.epa.gov/sYsteiii/files/docunieiits/2022-05/epa-evaluatioii-evideiice-buildiiig-policY.pdf) for more information.
8
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EPA's research and science programs support this strategy through the delivery of rigorous
scientific research and analyses. The primary mission of the Agency's Office of Research and
Development and Regional Lab Enterprise is to provide leading-edge research to meet near-term
and long-term science needs of the Agency and inform EPA decisions. This research portfolio also
supports the emerging needs of tribal, state, and community partners. Scientific research and
development will support: 1) tackling the climate crisis by addressing the causes and consequences
of climate change and developing more resilient communities; 2) addressing current, emerging,
and long-term water resource challenges; 3) developing scientific and technical approaches to
enhance the Agency's ability to evaluate chemicals and their risks; 4) accelerating the pace of
cleanups at contaminated sites so they can be returned to beneficial use; 5) revitalizing and
protecting the most vulnerable communities and groups; and 6) conducting environmental risk
assessments to better inform policies for protecting human health, particularly for children at all
life stages. The Agency's regional laboratories provide essential expertise and scientific data for a
wide array of media needed to make local decisions. In FY 2024, regional laboratories will analyze
scientific data to inform immediate and near-term decisions on environmental conditions,
emergency response, compliance, and enforcement.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue critical research on the highest priority issues. EPA will
focus on addressing lead issues associated with the Superfund and childhood lead exposure. The
Agency also will continue to emphasize per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) research to
increase understanding of PFAS exposures, human health and ecological effects, and technologies
for reducing PFAS in the environment. In addition, the Agency will continue to advance the
Administration's science-based approach to improve wildfire readiness by enhancing wildfire data
and communications related to air quality and helping communities become "smoke ready."
9
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Cross-Agency Strategy 2: Consider the Health of Children at All Life Stages and Other
Vulnerable Populations
Focus on protecting and improving the health of children at all life stages and other vulnerable
populations in implementing our programs.
EPA's programs will apply and promote the use of science, policy, partnerships, communications,
and action to protect children at all life stages and other vulnerable populations from adverse health
effects resulting from exposure to pollution and the impacts of climate change. EPA also will take
actions to protect children and other vulnerable populations in underserved communities where
socioeconomic determinants of health exacerbate the harm caused by these environmental
stressors.
Children's environmental health refers to the effect of the environment on children's growth,
wellness, development, and risk of disease. EPA actions will be informed by two important
considerations: first, the scientific understanding of childhood as a sequence of life stages, and
second, the recognition that protecting children's health is necessary to protect human health,
because every adult was once a child. The effects of early life exposures may become apparent
during childhood or may not arise until adulthood or in later generations.
Cross-Agency Strategy 2, Consider the Health of Children at All Life Stages and Other Vulnerable
Populations is directly supported by the following long-term performance goal in the FY 2022 -
2026 EPA Strategic Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, assess and consider environmental health information and data for
children at all life stages for EPA actions that concern human health.3
To best protect children's environmental health at all life stages and vulnerable populations, EPA
will identify, assess, develop, and promote the use of science to support its policies, decisions, and
actions, including regulations and voluntary programs. EPA also will ensure that agency toxicity,
exposure, and risk assessments consider all relevant and available science to address the unique
vulnerabilities of children and vulnerable populations, including disproportionate impacts related
to race, ethnicity, income, existing health problems, or other social determinants of health.
In FY 2024, EPA's Children's Health Program will continue its core work to:
Coordinate and advance the protection of children's environmental health across EPA by
assisting with development of regulations, improving risk assessment and science policy,
implementing community-level outreach and education programs, and tracking indicators
of progress on children's health.
Coordinate two plenary meetings of the Children's Health Protection Advisory
Committee,4 including delivery of expert responses to additional charge questions related
to high priority children's environmental health issues.
3 Changed from "By September 30,2026, assess and consider environmental health information and data for children at all life
stages for all completed EPA actions that concern human health."
4 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/children/chpac.
10
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Tackle the climate crisis and advance environmental justice by following up on
recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences, which highlighted the latest
scientific advancement and challenges to protecting children's health, and continue to
implement the 2021 Policy on Children's Health to ensure that EPA consistently and
explicitly considers early life exposures and lifelong health in all human health decisions.5
Support health care professionals via the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units
to better address risks from childhood exposures, particularly in communities with
environmental justice concerns.
• Partner with the Department of Health and Human Services to lead the cross-federal
President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children.6
To continue to implement Executive Order (EO) 13045: Protection of Children from
Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks in FY 2024 EPA also will:
Support the EPA Administrator to convene the President's Task Force on Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children. The focus of this work will be on protecting
children from adverse consequences of climate change and disasters, addressing disparities
in asthma among children, and reducing childhood lead poisoning.
Take actions to protect children in underserved communities who suffer disproportionately
from the effects of pollution exposures exacerbated by socio-economic determinants of
health.
5 For additional information, please visit: https://iiap.iiatioiialacadeniies.ore/catalog/25466/Yibraiit-aiid-healthv-kids-aliemng-
science-practice-and-policv-to.
6 For additional information, please visit: https://ptfcehs.niehs.nih.gov/.
11
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Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and Workforce
Equity
Foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce within an effective and mission-driven
workplace.
To support its mission to protect human health and the environment, EPA will make significant
progress in FY 2024 to advance organizational excellence and workforce equity. The Agency will
strengthen workforce planning of mission-critical positions and support succession management
for the next generation of workers while emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
(DEIA). EPA will modernize information technology systems, enhance the physical workplace for
a hybrid workforce, support employee-friendly work policies, and transition to a paperless work
environment. EPA will focus on implementing efficient and effective processes across the full
range of agency efforts, utilizing proven continuous improvement techniques and training to equip
staff to solve problems and enhance our ability to accomplish our mission. Additionally, EPA will
continue to safeguard against cybersecurity risks to protect agency assets and infrastructure from
potentially malicious attacks. Further, EPA will be a leader in the federal government in advancing
the sustainability of facilities and operations while developing resiliency to respond to the risks of
climate change. EPA will eliminate barriers to its procurement processes through greater
diversification of the Agency's vendor base, increasing engagement and technical assistance, and
enhancing the Agency's contracts with new vendors, including with small and underserved
businesses and targeting businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones
(HUBZones).7 EPA will continue to provide resource stewardship to ensure that all agency
programs operate with fiscal responsibility and management integrity, financial services are
efficiently and consistently delivered nationwide, and programs demonstrate results.
Cross-Agency Strategy 3, Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and Workforce Equity is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, EPA will achieve the highest Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and
Accessibility (DEIA) Maturity Level of "Leading and Sustaining" as defined by the
November 2021 Government-wide Strategic Plan to Advance DEIA in the Federal
Workforce and achieve all EPA goals identified in the Agency's Gender Equity and
Equality Action Plan.
• By September 30, 2026, improve 1,000 operational processes.
• By September 30, 2026, initiate all priority climate resiliency projects for EPA-owned
facilities within 24 months of a completed facility climate assessment and project
prioritization.
7 For additional information, please consult the Small Business Administration's HUBZone Program webpage:
https://www.sba.Koy/federal-contractine/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program.
12
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• By September 30, 2026, EPA will be in full compliance with the five high-priority
directives in Executive Order 14028 - Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity.
• By September 30, 2026, award 4% of EPA contract spending to small businesses located
in HUBZones compared to the FY 2018-2020 average annual baseline of 2.2%.
• By September 30, 2026, automate the major EPA permitting programs.
• By September 30, 2026, automate all priority internal administrative processes.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement the Agency's DEIA Plan to advance progress towards
recruiting and maintaining a workforce representative of the American public that promotes a
culture of inclusion and accessibility within the Agency. By the end of FY 2024, EPA will have
achieved at least the Level 2: Advancing Outcomes maturity level as defined by the November
2021 Government-wide Strategic Plan to Advance DEIA in the Federal Workforce.8
In FY 2024, EPA will make progress towards equity goals by eliminating barriers in its
procurement processes and increasing the amount of spending on small and disadvantaged
businesses. EPA will provide technical assistance to small business vendors on navigating federal
contracting requirements and ensure that new EPA procurements are accessible in scope and
requirements for small businesses to successfully compete. This work will yield an increase in
contract spending awarded to small and disadvantaged businesses, including those located in
HUBZones.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement its Future of Work plans that will re-envision both
the workforce and the physical workspace of the Agency. Activities will include modernization
and transformation of collaborative spaces across several agency facilities to encourage seamless
engagement of a hybrid workforce, leveraging the latest collaboration and productivity IT tools
and software, and a continued investment in IT infrastructure to sustain the increase in telework,
remote work, and operational readiness. Additionally, EPA will continue to manage flexible
workforce policies and procedures that maximize productivity to support a hybrid workforce and
enable EPA to be a model employer.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to pursue information technology systems and infrastructure
modernization, innovation, and automation of internal administrative forms and processes to
achieve a paperless work environment. To support the Agency's Cybersecurity posture, EPA will
continue to accelerate cloud adoption. In addition, EPA will continue to increase adoption of
Multifactor Authentication, encryption for agency systems and data, adoption of a Zero Trust
Architecture, and meeting advanced logging requirements to accomplish Executive Order (EO)
14028: Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity.
In FY 2024, in support of EO 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, EPA will
conduct climate resiliency assessments at six EPA-owned facilities. These assessments will
8 For more information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.eov/wp-coiitent/uploads/2021/]. 1/Strategio-Plan-to-Advanoe-
Diversitv-Equitv-Inclusion-and-Accessibilitv-in-the-Federal-Workforce-11.23.21 .pdf.
13
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include identifying potential projects the Agency can implement to increase facility resiliency
against the impacts of climate change, such as roofing stability, building envelope, and emergency
power projects. Following completion of a climate assessment, EPA will initiate high-priority
projects within 24 months. Further, EPA will continue progress towards achieving carbon-
pollution free energy use and net-zero emissions in line with Administration sustainability goals.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to modernize its financial systems to gain greater efficiencies
by improving accounting systems and retiring legacy systems. OCFO is evolving duplicative and
manual work by automating and modifying business processes and enhancing the ability to
generate automated reports. Robotics Process Automation (BOTS) will be a part of the overall
strategy to reduce manual work, decrease error, and improve efficiency. In FY 2024, EPA will
continue to expand and enhance easy to use dashboards to manage resources and track
performance. Adopting Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform and G-Invoicing solution (for
interagency agreements) will further standardize processes and allow for retirement of legacy
administrative systems. Additionally, the Agency will leverage senior staff engagement in
continuous improvement through nearly 100 executive-sponsored improvement projects annually.
EPA also is applying continuous improvement tools and initiatives to support IIJA implementation
with an emphasis on improving processes related to hiring and grants.
In FY 2024, EPA will collaborate with the Agency's major permitting programs to establish the
target number of permit processes to be automated.9 Automation of permit processes will reduce
processing time on issuing permits, decrease the time between receiving monitoring data and
engaging in enforcement actions, and foster transparency by allowing communities to search,
track, and access permitting actions easily. Further, permit automation will enable the integration
of climate change and environmental justice considerations into permit processes and ensure that
they are addressed within the terms and conditions of the permit. For the regulated community,
permit automation will allow for a simplified, streamlined, and transparent permitting process that
will result in time and costs savings. For communities and stakeholders, permit automation can
empower communities, especially communities with environmental justice concerns, to actively
participate in the permit decision-making process and post-permit related compliance.
9 Broad statutory frameworks for the permitting programs are found in Sections 165, 173, and 502 of the Clean Air Act (42
U.S.C. §§ 7475, 7503, and 7661a); Section 402 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1342); Section 3006 of the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6926), and Section 1422 and Section 1425 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. §§ 300h and 300h-4).
14
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Cross-Agency Strategy 4: Strengthen Tribal, State, and Local Partnerships and Enhance
Engagement
Collaborate and engage effectively with Tribal Nations in keeping with the Federal
Government's trust responsibilities, state and local governments, regulated entities, and the
public to protect human health and the environment.
Protecting human health and the environment is a shared responsibility of EPA and its tribal, state,
and local government partners. With tribal governments, EPA also has a historic and fundamental
trust responsibility. Environmental outcomes are best achieved through collaborative and effective
partnerships across all levels of government, successful oversight of federally delegated programs,
and robust engagement with non-governmental organizations, national and community groups,
stakeholders, and the public, built on a foundation of public trust and transparency, including
through timely responses to information requests. Through a renewed focus on fostering
intergovernmental relationships, improving on-the-ground community engagement, delivering
high-impact environmental education programs, and increasing public trust and transparency, EPA
will forge stronger partnerships. As a result, EPA will be better positioned to advance durable
solutions to its most pressing challenges and ensure the equitable protection of all communities,
including those who have historically been underserved and overburdened.
Cross-Agency Strategy 4, Strengthen Tribal, State, and Local Partnerships and Enhance
Engagement is directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY2022
- 2026 EPA Strategic Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, consider tribal treaty rights as part of all EPA tribal consultations
that may affect tribal treaty rights.
• By September 30, 2026, eliminate the backlog of overdue Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) responses, compared to the FY 2021 baseline of 1,056.
In light of the disproportionate impact of environmental pollution on Native Americans, EPA is
committed to strengthening its Nation-to-Nation relationship with American Indian and Alaska
Native Tribal Nations. EPA will strive to meet its federal trust responsibility and work to integrate
consideration of tribal treaty and reserved rights early into decision making and regulatory
processes.
The early, meaningful, and substantial involvement of EPA's co-regulator partners is critical to
the development, implementation, and enforcement of the Nation's environmental programs. With
a renewed focus on climate, environmental justice, and children's health, EPA will emphasize
frequent and early communication as a keystone of its partnership with tribal and state co-
regulators, since EPA must thoughtfully consider their concerns and existing regulatory programs
to develop effective and lasting solutions to our most pressing environmental challenges.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support the Agency's web-based tribal Consultation
Opportunities Tracking System, a publicly accessible database used to communicate upcoming
and current EPA consultation opportunities to tribal governments. The system provides a
management, oversight, and reporting structure that helps ensure accountability and transparency.
15
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In addition, EPA will update key policies and guidances related to overseeing states'
implementation of federal environmental programs. These updates are intended to strengthen and
improve the Agency's oversight of federally delegated environmental programs.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to enhance transparency, build public trust in Agency actions, and
support public participation by strengthening its implementation of the Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA). EPA will improve its processing of FOIA requests, in particular, to address the
increasing complexity and volume of electronic documents required to be searched, collected, and
reviewed when responding to FOIA requests. The Agency will work to increase processing speed
and to apply appropriate technologies to ensure it supports the timely searching and collection of
information for purposes of responding to FOIA requests and other information needs in a cost-
effective and sustainable manner. In addition, EPA will procure and prepare to launch a new FOIA
recordkeeping and processing software solution to replace FOIAonline at the beginning of FY
2024.
16
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17
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Goal and Objective Overview
GOAL, APPROPRIATION SUMMARY 20
Budget Authority 20
Authorized Full-time Equivalents (FTE) 23
Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis 25
Goal 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights 33
Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance 41
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities 48
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities 54
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities 60
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment 67
18
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19
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
GOAL, APPROPRIATION SUMMARY
Budget Authority
(Dollars in Thousands)
Tackle the Climate Crisis
Science & Technology
Environmental Programs &
Management
State and Tribal Assistance
Grants
Take Decisive Action to Advance
Environmental Justice and Civil
Rights
Environmental Programs &
Management
Hazardous Substance Superfund
State and Tribal Assistance
Grants
Enforce Environmental Laws and
Ensure Compliance
Science & Technology
Environmental Programs &
Management
Inland Oil Spill Programs
Hazardous Substance Superfund
Leaking Underground Storage
Tanks
State and Tribal Assistance
Grants
Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All
Communities
Science & Technology
Environmental Programs &
Management
FY 2022
Final Actuals
$515,493
$178,075
$268,874
$68,545
$278,287
$171,184
$800
$106,303
$756,146
$23,100
$466,895
$3,567
$225,248
$711
$36,625
$754,266
$38,172
$325,983
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
$599,283
$200,330
$265,320
$133,633
$385,330
$264,934
$6,248
$114,148
$803,726
$23,652
$510,167
$3,824
$225,549
$734
$39,800
$809,802
$40,492
$330,424
FY 2024
President's
Budget
$909,964
$272,451
$449,120
$188,393
$758,430
$622,844
$15,449
$120,137
$757,066
$26,177
$626,846
$5,713
$56,729
$767
$40,835
$1,401,734
$55,231
$742,640
20
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Hazardous Substance Superfund
State and Tribal Assistance
Grants
Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All
Communities
Science & Technology
Environmental Programs &
Management
State and Tribal Assistance
Grants
Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Fund
Deepwater Horizon Natural
Resource Damage Assessment
UIC Injection Well Permit BLM
Safeguard and Revitalize
Communities
Science & Technology
Environmental Programs &
Management
Building and Facilities
Inland Oil Spill Programs
Hazardous Substance Superfund
Leaking Underground Storage
Tanks
State and Tribal Assistance
Grants
Hazardous Waste Electronic
Manifest System Fund
Ensure Safety of Chemicals for
People and the Environment
Science & Technology
Environmental Programs &
Management
State and Tribal Assistance
Grants
Pesticide Registration Fund
FY 2023
Enacted FY 2024
FY 2022 Operating President's
Final Actuals Plan Budget
$2,408 $2,926 $7,013
$387,702 $435,960 $596,850
$3,830,705 $5,182,344 $6,373,747
$10,102 $7,264 $9,141
$1,089,313 $1,213,354 $1,279,388
$2,694,483 $3,880,700 $4,999,721
$36,763 $81,026 $85,497
$30 $0 $0
$15 $0 $0
$1,840,703 $1,912,643 $1,301,017
$67,084 $69,911 $122,342
$304,947 $303,529 $368,101
$15,940 $14,720 $13,082
$22,663 $22,732 $26,815
$1,038,760 $1,079,928 $281,458
$89,786 $100,444 $121,116
$288,892 $321,379 $368,104
$12,631 $0 $0
$444,661 $455,605 $581,315
$10,716 $10,278 $11,182
$390,577 $396,282 $512,201
$42,660 $49,045 $57,932
$708 $0 $0
21
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Sub-Total
Cancellation of Funds
TOTAL, EPA
FY 2022
Final Actuals
$8,420,261
$0
$8,420,261
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
$10,148,733
-$13,300
$10,135,433
FY 2024
President's
Budget
$12,083,273
$0
$12,083,273
22
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
GOAL, APPROPRIATION SUMMARY
Authorized Full-time Equivalents (FTE)
Tackle the Climate Crisis
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
W CF -Reimbursable
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
FY 2023 FY 2024
FY 2022 Final Enacted President's
Actuals Operating Plan Budget
1,171.0 1,237.2 1,467.8
Science & Technology 450 j 470 8 528 5
Environmental Programs & Management 57Q 9 533 4 352 |
50.0 83.0 87.1
Take Decisive Action to Advance
Environmental Justice and Civil Rights 624 0 848 8 1 181 0
Environmental Programs & Management 523 2 736 4 1 065 4
Hazardous Substance Superfund 2 3 13 8 29 0
98.6 98.3 86.7
0.0 0.2 0.0
Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure
Compliance 2,926.8 3,173.7 3,353.6
Science & Technology 73 4 77 g 34 j
Environmental Programs & Management 1 914 3 2 121 0 2 292 4
Inland Oil Spill Programs 13 9 J5J 15 g
Hazardous Substance Superfund §92 2 933 8 937 9
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks 34 34 34
21.9 22.6 20.1
Rereg. & Exped. Proc. Rev Fund 2 5 0 0 0 0
Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All
Communities 1,670.2 1,749.8 2,207.0
Science & Technology 79 9 §55 93 9
Environmental Programs & Management 1 362 4 1 432 3 1 886 8
Hazardous Substance Superfund j2 3 12 1 210
215.6 219.8 200.2
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All
Communities 2,761.4 3,021.8 3,271.5
Science & Technology 26 3 24 4 28 7
Environmental Programs & Management 2 088.0 2 282.6 2 325.2
23
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State and Tribal Assistance Grants
Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Fund
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
Sub-Total
FY 2023 FY 2024
FY 2022 Final Enacted President's
Actuals Operating Plan Budget
599.7 661.2 863.6
41.2 53.6 54.0
Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource
Damage Assessment 4 j q q q q
UIC Injection Well Permit BLM 2 0 0 0 0 0
Safeguard and Revitalize Communities 3 323 9 3 404 4 3 642 6
Science & Technology 153 7 155 3 231 9
Environmental Programs & Management \ 038 3 \ 085 9 1 264 9
Building and Facilities 20 0 178 136
Inland Oil Spill Programs 82 6 91 3 104 3
Hazardous Substance Superfund j 795 2 1 806 0 1 766 0
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks 52 1 69 6 78 7
146.8 154.2 163.1
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest
System Fund 121 11.0 11.0
12.0 13.3 9.2
W CF -Reimbursable
Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the
Environment 1,665.5 1,679.9 1,954.0
Science & Technology 27 5 28 5 28 5
Environmental Programs & Management j 354 9 j 482 0 1 757 2
28.0 34.2 32.9
Rereg. & Exped. Proc. Rev Fund 166 8 135 3 135 3
Pesticide Registration Fund 78 2 0 0 0 0
14,142.8 15,115.6 17,077.4
TOTAL, EPA 14,142.8 15,115.6 17,077.4
24
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Tackle the Climate Crisis
Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis—Cut pollution that causes climate change and increase the
adaptive capacity of Tribes, states, territories, and communities.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
- Objective 1.1: Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change—Aggressively reduce the
emissions of greenhouse gases from all sectors while increasing energy and resource
efficiency and the use of renewable energy.
- Objective 1.2: Accelerate Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts—Deliver
targeted assistance to increase the resilience of Tribes, states, territories, and communities
to the impacts of climate change.
- Objective 1.3: Advance International and Subnational Climate Efforts—Collaborate with
Tribal, state, local, and international partners and provide leadership on the global stage to
address climate change.
GOAL, OBJECTIVE SUMMARY
Budget Authority
Full-time Equivalents
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final
Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Tackle the Climate Crisis
$515,493
$599,283
$909,964
$310,681
Reduce Emissions that Cause
Climate Change
$391,014
$472,195
$679,420
$207,224
Accelerate Resilience and
Adaptation to Climate Change
Impacts
$59,081
$61,129
$134,864
$73,735
Advance International and
Subnational Climate Efforts
$65,398
$65,959
$95,681
$29,722
Total Authorized Workyears
1,171.0
1,237.2
1,467.8
230.6
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Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Cut pollution that causes climate change and increase the adaptive capacity of tribes, states,
territories, and communities.
Introduction
Climate change is a global issue that has far-reaching human health, social, economic, and
biodiversity impacts on our planet. It directly and adversely affects the United States. Climate
change is accelerating the frequency and severity of wildfires and extreme weather events, such as
hurricanes, floods, heat waves, and drought, and is altering sea temperature, ocean acidity, sea-
level, and other global systems that support human life and biodiversity. Climate change impacts
include famine, property loss, mass migrations, human conflict, species extinctions, and ecosystem
failures, with significant humanitarian, economic and national security implications. Certain
communities and individuals are particularly vulnerable to these impacts, including low-income
communities and communities of color, children, the elderly, tribes, and indigenous people.
The impacts of climate change challenge EPA's ability to accomplish its mission of protecting
human health and the environment because climate change can exacerbate existing pollution
problems and environmental stressors. EPA is working with other federal agencies to reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase the climate resilience of the Nation, with a
particular focus on protecting and helping disadvantaged communities. Climate change is a global
issue, and domestic action must go hand in hand with international leadership. EPA will continue
to extend its expertise internationally, while learning from the expertise of others, to help shape
and advance international agreements and solutions.
In FY 2024, EPA will drive reductions in emissions that significantly contribute to climate change
through regulations on GHGs, climate partnership programs, and support to tribal, state, and local
governments. The Agency will accomplish this through the transformative investments in the
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IDA), and our
base appropriation, which funds the core operating accounts of the Agency. In FY 2024 and
beyond, EPA will ensure its programs, policies, regulations, enforcement and compliance
assurance activities, and internal business operations consider current and future impacts of climate
change. EPA will consult and partner with tribes, states, territories, local governments and
communities, businesses, and other federal agencies to strengthen adaptive capacity. By engaging
with organizations representing overburdened and underserved communities, EPA will ensure its
GHG mitigation and adaptation activities address environmental justice and equity concerns for
all communities. Finally, EPA plans to implement international climate engagements that result in
an individual partner commitment or action to reduce GHG emissions, adapt to climate change,
and improve resilience in a manner that promotes equity. The FY 2024 President's Budget includes
$909.9 million and 1,467.8 FTE for Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis. Importantly, this total
includes $5 million for additional administrative support to ensure the sound implementation of
the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund under the Inflation Reduction Act, which received
an administrative set aside of less than half of one percent in that appropriation.
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Objective 1.1: Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change - Aggressively reduce the
emissions of greenhouse gases from all sectors while increasing energy and resource efficiency
and the use of renewable energy.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $679.4 million and 965.1 FTE for Objective 1.1. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, promulgate final rules to reduce GHG emissions from light duty,
medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles; electric utility generating units; and the oil and gas
industry.
• By September 30, 2026, EPA's climate partnership programs will reduce expected annual
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 545 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
(MMTC02e). EPA's climate partnership programs reduced 518.6 MMTC02e of annual
GHG emissions in 2019.
In FY 2024, EPA will drive significant reductions in the emissions that cause climate change
through regulation of GHGs; climate partnership programs such as ENERGY STAR; support for
tribal, state, and local governments; and publication of GHG emissions data. EPA regulations will
cut GHG pollutants, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and HFCs. EPA will collaborate
closely with stakeholders to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and decarbonization of
the Nation's electric grid. By continuing the transition away from reliance on high-emitting fossil
fuels, EPA programs will cut GHG emissions from cars, trucks, homes, and businesses.
In the FY 2024 Budget, an additional $207.2 million and 119.8 FTE is provided to advance the
Agency's priority work to mitigate climate change. This includes activities such as issuance of
final rules to set new standards for light and medium-duty vehicles, development of a final rule to
set new GHG emission standards for Model Year (MY) 2030 and later heavy-duty vehicles, and
finalization of rulemakings proposed in FY 2023 under the American Innovation and
Manufacturing (AIM) Act.1 EPA will also finalize standards for new and existing facilities in the
oil and gas sector and rules to limit GHG emissions from new and existing sources in the power
sector. The additional funding will bolster implementation efforts related to the Agency's GHG
rulemakings (e.g., review of state plans to implement the oil and gas or power sector rulemakings).
Additional funding also is requested for EPA to update and enhance its infrastructure to track and
report on GHG reductions (e.g., revisions to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program to require
reporting of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, and enhanced reporting of emissions
from other U.S. industrial sectors).
Under the AIM Act of 2020, EPA will work with industry to phase down the production and import
of HFCs, which are commonly used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and in many other
applications. The AIM Act directs EPA to take steps to sharply reduce production and consumption
of these harmful GHG pollutants by using an allowance allocation and trading program. This
phasedown will decrease the production and import of HFCs in the United States by 85 percent
over the next 15 years. A global HFC phasedown is expected to avoid up to 0.5°C of global
warming by 2100. Within the additional request, $64.4 million and 24 FTE are requested to
1 For more information on the AIM Act, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/cliniate-hfcs-reductioii/aini-act.
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implement provisions in the AIM Act to phase down the use of HFCs, to facilitate U.S. entry to
the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and to restore staff capacity around efforts to
tackle the climate crisis. For example, this investment includes resources to implement innovative
IT solutions, such as a QR system and database integration across EPA and Customs and Border
Patrol to help ensure that the phasedown is not undermined by illegal imports, as has happened in
Europe.
EPA finalized robust federal GHG emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks to
secure pollution reductions through Model Year (MY) 2026. In FY 2024, EPA will promulgate a
final rulemaking for new multi-pollutant emissions standards, including for GHG emissions, for
light- and medium-duty vehicles beginning with MY 2027 and extending through and including at
least MY 2030. These standards will help transition the fleet to zero and near-zero emissions. In FY
2024, EPA also will promulgate a final rulemaking to establish new GHG emissions standards for
heavy-duty engines and vehicles. This rule will reduce GHG and other emissions from highway
heavy-duty vehicles, the second-largest source of transportation GHG emissions. EPA will ensure
additional GHG and air quality benefits by testing vehicles, engines, and fuels to certify that they
comply with federal clean air, GHG, and fuel economy standards. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting
an additional $52.5 million and 46.8 FTE for the development of analytical methods, regulations,
and analyses to support climate protection by controlling greenhouse gas emissions from light
duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles. The additional funding also invests in the
maintenance, repair and replacement of aging test equipment and infrastructure at the National
Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with other federal agencies to promote more sustainable
and resilient communities. This includes identifying and pursuing opportunities to reduce barriers
to deploying EV charging infrastructure and working with tribes, states, and communities to ensure
equitable distribution and thoughtful community integration of charging infrastructure, including
for electric buses and delivery and rideshare vehicles.
In meeting the requirements of Executive Order 13990: Protecting Public Health and the
Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis2 and as part of the
Administration's comprehensive approach to tackling the climate crisis, EPA will issue rules to
reduce CO2 and methane from power plants and oil and gas facilities. These rules will be informed
by robust engagement with tribes, states, communities, and regulated entities and by any guidance
from the judiciary.
Through voluntary partnership programs, EPA will work to incentivize energy efficiency and
further decarbonize the transportation, power generation, industrial, and building sectors. Some
examples of these programs include ENERGY STAR, Green Power Partnership, Natural Gas
STAR, AgSTAR, GreenChill, and SmartWay. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement these
climate partnership programs to improve delivery of energy efficiency, clean energy, and heat
mitigation solutions to historically underserved and overburdened communities. EPA also will
2 Executive Order 13990: Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis
(January 20, 2021): ht tps://www.whitehouse.gov/briefmp-rooni/presidetitial-actiotis/2021/01/20/executive-order-protecting-
public-health-and-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-climate-crisis/.
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continue domestic programs and international collaboration to reduce exposures to harmful
emissions from cookstoves.
EPA will continue to implement the U.S. GHG Reporting Program, which collects and publishes
data from more than 8,100 facilities from 41 large industrial source categories in the United States.
EPA will improve models of climate change impacts, including how risks and economic impacts
can be reduced under mitigation and adaptation scenarios. EPA will also continue to make the
Climate Change Indicators website more accessible through enhanced visualization.
In FY 2024, EPA will work to complete the annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Emissions and
Sinks,3 and to improve inventory methodologies in areas such as oil and gas, land-use, and waste,
consistent with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines. EPA will also
meet upcoming Paris reporting requirements and create a new GHG emission calculator, linked to
Portfolio Manager, to develop building GHG inventories that fully comply with accounting
protocols and local mandates.
Objective 1.2: Accelerate Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts - Deliver
targeted assistance to increase the resilience of tribes, states, territories, and communities to the
impacts of climate change.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $134.9 million and 261.5 FTE for Objective 1.2. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, implement all priority actions in EPA's Climate Adaptation
Action Plan and the 20 National Program and Regional Climate Adaptation
Implementation Plans to account for the impacts of the changing climate on human health
and the environment.4
• By September 30, 2026, assist at least 400 federally recognized tribes to take action to
anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from the impacts of climate change.
• By September 30, 2026, assist at least 450 states, territories, local governments, and
communities, especially communities that are underserved and disproportionately at risk
from climate change, to take action to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from the
impacts of climate change.
EPA will take necessary actions to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to the impacts of climate
change to ensure EPA continues to fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the
environment even as the climate changes and disruptive impacts increase. It will also support the
development of climate adaptation strategies at the local level to advance the climate resilience of
tribes, states, territories, local governments, and communities across the Nation. EPA will actively
engage organizations representing overburdened and underserved communities that are more
vulnerable to climate impacts to ensure the Agency's adaptation plans reflect the principles of
environmental justice and equity. EPA's commitments are part of a whole-of-government
3 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinksb
4 These plans are available at: https://www.epa.gov/climate-adaptation/climate-adaptation-plan.
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approach to pursue actions at home and abroad to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate
change.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to modernize its financial assistance programs to encourage
climate-resilient investments across the Nation. The Agency will focus on ensuring that the
outcomes of its investments are resilient to the impacts of climate change. In addition, EPA will
lead by example and prioritize climate resiliency investments across EPA-owned facilities. EPA
will conduct climate resiliency assessments at EPA-owned facilities, prioritize investments, and
initiate work on priority projects. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to pursue aggressive energy,
water, and building infrastructure improvements to advance the Agency's use of carbon pollution-
free electricity.
The FY 2024 Budget includes additional $45.3 million and 26.5 FTE for its work in the Climate
Adaptation Program. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement its 2021 Climate Adaptation
Action Plan as well as the 20 Climate Adaptation Implementation Plans developed by the Program
and Regional Offices in FY 2022 and updated in FY 2023. Each Program and Regional Office will
implement the priority actions identified in their Implementation Plans to address the five agency-
wide priorities from the 2021 EPA Climate Adaptation Action Plan. These strategies are informed
by the best available science and deliver co-benefits for mitigation of GHG and other pollution,
public health, economic growth and job creation, national security, and environmental justice - all
of which will be central to building a more resilient future. These actions will integrate climate
adaptation planning into agency programs, policies, rulemaking processes, enforcement and
compliance assurance activities, financial mechanisms, and operations to ensure they are effective
even as the climate changes. EPA will leverage the additional resources and FTEs provided in FY
2024 to implement selected additional priority actions identified in program and regional Climate
Adaptation Implementation Plans. These additional actions will enhance the adaptive capacity and
resilience of states, tribes, territories, local governments, and communities by providing technical
assistance through the program and regional offices.
In FY 2024, EPA will provide targeted assistance to tribes and indigenous peoples, states,
territories, local governments, communities, and businesses to bolster these groups' climate
resilience efforts. The Agency will focus resources on communities with environmental justice
concerns to develop new strategies that strengthen adaptive capacity and increase climate
resilience across the Nation. The Agency will produce and deliver training, tools,
technical assistance, financial incentives, and information the Agency's partners indicate they
need to adapt and to increase resilience to climate change.
All of the baseline and additional priority actions identified in the 20 Climate Adaptation
Implementation Plans support at least one of the three Long Term Performance Goals in Objective
1.2. The priority actions support EPA's efforts to continue to fulfill its mission even as the climate
changes and disruptive impacts increase. The additional resources also will be used to advance
climate justice through the provision of grants and technical assistance and protect communities
that are disproportionately affected by climate change.
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Objective 1.3: Advance International and Subnational Climate Efforts - Collaborate with
tribal, state, local, and international partners and provide leadership on the global stage to
address climate change.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $95.6 million and 241.2 FTE for Objective 1.3. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goal in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan.
• By September 30, 2026, implement at least 40 international climate engagements that result in
an individual partner commitment or action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adapt
to climate change, or improve resilience in a manner that promotes equity.
Moving forward in addressing the climate crisis calls for international as well as domestic efforts.
EPA has an important role in helping countries respond to the climate crisis as well as in reducing
domestic climate impacts. Progress will require both significant short-term global reductions in
GHG emissions and net-zero global emissions by mid-century alongside increased and equitable
adaptation and resiliency to climate change impacts. EPA's responsibilities for protection of
human health and the environment mean that EPA play a critical role internationally in providing
technical expertise, guidance, and capacity building to help countries set and meet ambitious GHG
reductions, improving adaptive capacity, and strengthening climate governance. Specifically, EPA
international work will further the environmental governance of priority partner countries so that
they can implement and enforce effective climate mitigation activities and incorporate
environmental justice climate principles. Without basic governance infrastructure, it is difficult for
many countries to make progress on their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the
Paris Agreement, opening the Agreement to criticism about lack of developing country action on
climate. EPA will enhance capacity building governance programs for priority countries with
increasing GHG footprints and increase their capacity to implement partnerships as well as
legislative, regulatory, and legal enforcement. These programs will also work to improve adaptive
capacity and mitigation strategies of pollution burdened, vulnerable and indigenous communities.
These efforts support Executive Order (EO) 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and
Abroad,5 which directs federal agencies to develop plans for integrating climate considerations
into their international work, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law. Objective 1.3
fulfills EO 14008 by dedicating EPA expertise to help countries build capacity so they can set and
meet ambitious GHG reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement, while also building
resilience to current and future climate impacts. EPA's long-term aim is to implement at least 40
international climate engagements by 2026 that result in an individual partner commitment or
action to reduce GHG emissions, adapt to climate change, or improve resilience in a manner that
promotes equity.
As of January 2023, EPA had implemented 11 international climate engagements resulting in
individual partner commitments or actions as outlined in the long-term performance goal stated
above. In FY 2024 with additional resources, in anticipation of the G7 Summit in Italy, EPA would
collaborate with other Federal agencies to design and implement projects for the Partnership for
5 Executive Order 14008: https://www.whitehouse.eoY/briefing-rooni/presideiitial-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-
tackling-the-cliniate-crisis-at-honie-and-abroad/.
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Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) that conform to the values and climate policy
objectives of EO 14008. PGII was announced at the 2022 G7 Summit in Germany for the purpose
of mobilizing public and private investment in low-and-middle-income countries for
decarbonizing infrastructure and to support the Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) with
individual countries for the early decommissioning of coal-fired power plants and to attract private
capital investment in support of efforts to decarbonize national economies.
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Goal 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights—Achieve
tangible progress for historically overburdened and underserved communities and ensure the fair
treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or
income in developing and implementing environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
- Obj ective 2.1: Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State
and Local Levels—Empower and build capacity of underserved and overburdened
communities to protect human health and the environment.
- Objective 2.2: Embed Environmental Justice and Civil Rights into EPA's Programs,
Policies, and Activities—Integrate environmental justice and civil rights in all the
Agency's work to maximize benefits and minimize impacts to underserved and
overburdened communities.
- Objective 2.3: Strengthen Civil Rights Enforcement in Communities with Environmental
Justice Concerns—Strengthen enforcement of and compliance with civil rights laws to
address the legacy of pollution in overburdened communities.
GOAL, OBJECTIVE SUMMARY
Budget Authority
Full-time Equivalents
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final
Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Take Decisive Action to Advance
Environmental Justice and Civil
Rights
$278,287
$385,330
$758,430
$373,099
Promote Environmental Justice and
Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal,
State and Local Levels
$141,556
$151,660
$204,497
$52,837
Embed Environmental Justice and
Civil Rights into EPA's Programs,
Policies, and Activities
$87,853
$181,963
$476,835
$294,872
Strengthen Civil Rights Enforcement
in Communities with Environmental
Justice Concerns
$48,879
$51,707
$77,098
$25,390
Total Authorized Workyears
624.0
848.8
1,181.0
332.3
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Goal 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Achieve tangible progress for historically overburdened and underserved communities and
ensure the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color,
national origin, or income in developing and implementing environmental laws, regulations, and
policies.
Introduction
EPA will center its mission on the integration of environmental justice (EJ), equity, and civil rights
across the Nation's environmental protection enterprise. We will focus on all American
communities, those within the contiguous and non-contiguous states and all other territories and
protectorates of the United States. By doing so, EPA will advance the promise of clean air, clean
water, and safe land to communities across the country that have not fully benefitted from the
Nation's decades of progress. Centering its work on justice is especially important in an era when
EPA must simultaneously break the cycle of historic environmental injustices while maximizing
protection for these same communities that are too often hit worst and first from the impacts of a
changing climate. In the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan, EPA added "justice and equity" to
the Agency's fundamental principles,'' as originally articulated by Administrator William
Ruckelshaus.
EPA's goal is to achieve measurable environmental, public health, and quality of life
improvements in the most overburdened, vulnerable, and underserved communities. Achieving
this goal will require significant transformation and mindfulness in how EPA understands and
conducts its work, including how EPA prioritizes program resources, stewards its relationships
with regulatory partners and recipients of EPA funds, implements statutory authorities, and
engages the communities most affected by environmental and public health threats, especially as
the climate changes. Critical to achieving this goal is for EPA to proactive! y engage with tribes,
states, and local governments to discuss and address disproportionate impacts through their
implementation of EPA authorities and engage in meaningful joint planning with communities to
advance community visions and priorities.
The vigorous enforcement of civil rights laws is also key to addressing systemic barriers and
ensuring recipients of EPA funding make more responsible and equitable siting and permitting
decisions. EPA's work on environmental justice and civil rights enforcement will be a success if
it leads to reductions in longstanding racial and ethnic disparities such as in levels of air pollutants
and exposure to toxins; access to clean and reliable water infrastructure, free of lead and other
toxins; and management of solid waste.
EPA will work to increase its capacity to tackle environmental justice and civil rights issues and
embed consideration of these issues in its programs, policies, and processes, all with the goal of
improving outcomes in environmental and health conditions for communities with environmental
justice concerns. The FY 2024 Budget includes $758.4 million and 1,181 FTE to advance Goal 2,
Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights.
6 Follow the science, follow the law, and be transparent, and the additional fourth principle: advance justice and equity.
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Objective 2.1: Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State,
and Local Levels - Empower and build capacity of underserved and overburdened communities
to protect human health and the environment.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $204.5 million and 357.6 FTE for Objective 2.1. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 Strategic
Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, all EPA programs that seek feedback and comment from the public
will provide capacity-building resources to communities with environmental justice
concerns to support their ability to meaningfully engage and provide useful feedback to
those programs.7
• By September 30, 2026, include commitments to address disproportionate impacts in all
written agreements between EPA and tribes and states (e.g., grant work plans)
implementing delegated authorities.8
• By September 30, 2026, EPA programs with direct implementation authority will take at
least 100 significant actions that will result in measurable improvements in Indian country.
• By September 30, 2026, all state recipients of EPA financial assistance will have
foundational civil rights programs in place.9
• By September 30, 2026, increase by 40% the number of Office of Research and
Development (ORD) activities related to environmental justice that involve or are
applicable to tribes, states, territories, local governments, and communities.10
EPA has the responsibility to make transformative progress on environmental justice and civil
rights at the tribal, state, and local levels through a whole-of-government approach that involves
communities as authentic partners. In FY 2024, EPA will continue support for community-led
action at new levels by providing unprecedented investments and benefits directly to communities
with environmental justice concerns as well as by integrating equity throughout all agency support
programs. EPA will ensure that all relevant programs are actively supporting community efforts
to engage and influence program implementation and maximize the benefits from the investment
of resources to achieve meaningful change on the ground for the most impacted communities.
Supporting communities as they adapt to and recover from climate change is also part of this
commitment.
Critical to EPA's success in advancing equity and justice is the responsibility to financially support
the efforts of community members and organizations that provide EPA with opportunities to learn
from and engage with their communities. To meet this responsibility, EPA commits to establishing
the necessary policy and procurement mechanisms so that EPA is able to financially support
organizations and individuals who provide EPA with community engagement, input, educational
7 First year activities of this LTPG will focus on definition and scope of program participation and what qualifies as capacity-
building resources.
8 First year activities of this LTPG will focus on definition and scope of written agreements and what qualifies as addressing
disproportionate impacts.
9 For reference only, and as an example from a smaller subset of state recipients - EPA's proactive initiative involving
foundational civil rights programs of state agencies in Regions 1, 5, and 7, which consisted of 14 state agencies, the baseline from
the proactive initiative in FY 2020 was 6.5%.
10 Baseline to be developed in FY 2022.
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opportunities, and other forms of community expertise. In addition, the Agency will take concrete
action to include the voices, experiences, and passions of the full diversity of the Nation in our
workforce, such as reaching out and bringing in diverse students on paid internships, fellowships,
and clerkships.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work proactively to integrate environmental justice and civil
rights into policies and activities as a fundamental element of the Agency's relationships with
federal, state, and local partners to jointly achieve beneficial changes on the ground for
communities. EPA will invest in oversight, guidance, and assistance for states and local
governments to embed environmental justice into their programs and enhance civil rights
enforcement.
With the public engagement, partnerships, and environmental education investment of $24 million
and 24 FTE, EPA will establish and implement programs to improve its engagement, partnership,
and environmental education initiatives at the regional levels and across EPA, including increased
engagement with communities and Agency stakeholders and Justice40, an initiative identified in
Executive Order (EO) 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.11 The additional
FTE and funding will support the Administrator on public engagement travel and his Journey to
Justice tours across the country to hear the environmental concerns of local communities. These
resources also will allow EPA to better coordinate and communicate around Justice40; Historically
Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions engagements; expansion of
public and private partnerships to reach out to a broader group of people; creation of a Youth
Engagement Council for environmental learning; and strengthened environmental education work
on the local level.
Equity principles and equal protection require that implementation of federal environmental law
protections be as robust inside Indian country as EPA requires these protections to be outside of
Indian country. EPA directly implements the majority of federal environmental programs in Indian
country where EPA seeks to apply key environmental justice principles, such as equity, meaningful
involvement, and fair treatment. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to ensure that direct
implementation activities are fully protective of communities and will advance environmental
justice for federally recognized tribes in keeping with the federal trust responsibility. With the
tribal strategic investment of $34.7 million and 166.9 FTE, an increase of $20 million and 88.3
FTE above the FY 2023 enacted, EPA will strengthen efforts to improve public health by reducing
disparities in compliance rates between Indian country and the national average through greater
agency support and leadership to EPA programs and regions for planning and measuring EPA
direct implementation actions in Indian country. In addition, EPA will implement the revised EPA
Tribal Consultation Policy and Implementation Guidance to improve consultation practices in
conformance with the Executive Order on Tribal Consultation and train EPA staff.
EPA will continue in FY 2024 its longstanding commitment to assist tribes in building the capacity
to receive delegated programs. In those instances when tribal governments are authorized to
implement federal programs, EPA supports tribal governments' inclusion of environmental justice
11 Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (January 27,2001), found at:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefmp-rooni/presidetitial-actiotis/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-
home-and-abroad/.
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principles into their programs, community engagement, and decision-making processes, and is
committed to ensuring flexibilities in Indian General Assistance Program (GAP) funding for tribal
environmental program implementation. Integration of environmental justice principles into all
EPA activities with tribal governments and in Indian Country is designed to be flexible enough to
accommodate EPA tribal program activities and goals, while meeting EPA environmental justice
goals.
Objective 2.2: Embed Environmental Justice and Civil Rights in EPA Programs, Policies,
and Activities - Integrate environmental justice and civil rights in all the Agency's work to
maximize benefits and minimize impacts to underserved and overburdened communities.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $476.8 million and 575.1 FTE for Objective 2.2. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 Strategic
Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, reduce disparities in environmental and public health conditions
represented by the indicators identified through the FY 2022-2023 Agency Priority Goal.12
• By September 30, 2026, 80% of significant EPA actions with environmental justice
implications will clearly demonstrate how the action is responsive to environmental justice
concerns and reduces or otherwise addresses disproportionate impacts.13
• By September 30, 2026, all EPA programs that work in and with communities will do so
in ways that are community-driven, coordinated and collaborative, support equitable and
resilient community development, and provide for meaningful involvement and fair
treatment of communities with environmental justice concerns.14
• By September 30, 2026, all EPA programs and regions will identify and implement areas
and opportunities to integrate environmental justice considerations and achieve civil rights
compliance in their planning, guidance, policy directives, monitoring, and review
activities.
• By September 30, 2026, all EPA programs and regions will implement program and region-
specific language assistance plans.
• By September 30, 2026, all EPA programs and regions will implement program and region-
specific disability access plans.
Meeting these commitments to achieving change on the ground and accountability for such change
will be the ultimate measure of the Agency's success at advancing environmental justice, civil
rights, and equity, including the implementation of EO 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and
Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, EO 14008, Tackling the
Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, and EO 14091, Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support
12 EPA will monitor progress through a holistic system that tracks the actions and responsibilities individual national programs
have identified to support reducing disparities through the implementation of their statutory authorities, coordinated efforts of
regulatory partners, support for community action, and other key actions.
13 First year activities of this LTPG will focus on definition and scope of significant EPA action and what qualifies as
environmental justice implications, responsiveness to community concerns, and addressing disproportionate impacts.
14 First year activities of this LTPG will focus on definition and scope of program participation and what qualifies as adoption of
the community-driven approach.
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for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,15 These efforts include
incorporating feedback from communities with environmental justice concerns while analyzing
and addressing disproportionate impacts. The laws that Congress passed to guide EPA's work are
meant to apply to all Americans. EPA must not only better support community efforts to engage
with the Agency but also advance the Agency's ability to engage in community-driven work
through the regions and across all programs. EPA must implement the Civil Rights Act as equally
as environmental statutes.
The majority of the resources allocated for Objective 2.2 is devoted to the Environmental Justice
program with more than $370 million and 264.6 FTE requested in FY 2024. This includes an
important new investment of $71.2 million and 50 FTE to build out a cadre of staff to serve as EJ
Community Navigators, primarily through regional offices, to provide a more robust and broad
coverage of relationship building, awareness, and support directly from EPA to community leaders
and their local on-the-ground partners such as local governments, tribes, and academic institutions.
The EJ Community Navigators will be dedicated to developing and stewarding EPA's
relationships with these partners to ensure: awareness by other EPA programs of the needs of these
communities thus facilitating holistic responsiveness by the Agency in deploying our programs,
resources, and staff; deploying EJ resources directly to these communities in a timely manner and
in ways that meet the needs of the communities; a much stronger ability to proactively connect
other forms of federal involvement and assistance from other agencies to leverage the multiple
resource streams needed to make meaningful progress on the complex and multifaceted challenges
faced by communities with EJ concerns.
In FY 2024, EPA will set ambitious goals of achieving meaningful change on the ground for
communities with environmental justice concerns; identify data gaps; build tracking systems; and
put in place any needed policy, guidance, or regulatory changes to achieve the goals. EPA also
will ensure that agency plans include responsibility and measurable accountability for advancing
environmental justice, including the annual performance plans of key political, senior executive,
and general schedule staff. EPA will develop and commit to at least 10 measures of progress
towards achieving meaningful outcomes on the ground through the identification of indicators of
disparities with the goal of informing EPA policy and tracking reductions over time.
In FY 2024, EPA will establish policies to ensure that actions with major significance for
environmental justice and civil rights are responsive to the needs of communities, consider the
results of environmental justice analyses, and reflect recommendations from the National
Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC). EPA also will continue to ensure that all EPA
programs develop guidance on the use of environmental justice tools such as EJScreen and the
Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool16 to support screening and analysis of program
outcomes.
15 Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal
Government (January 20,2021), found at: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefmp-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-
order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/. Executive Order
14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (January 27,2021), found at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-
rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-cliniate-crisis-at-honie-and-abroad/.
16 For more information, please visit: https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gOv/en/#3/33.47/-97.5.
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In FY 2024, EPA will continue to leverage and coordinate its investments in communities and
collaborate with partners and other external stakeholders to advance comprehensive and strategic
community-driven approaches. EPA will increase the number of programs that have fully
integrated the key principles of community work into their program implementation and will
continue to build on the number of collaborative partnerships centered on community priorities
primarily through an update and relaunch of EPA's comprehensive public involvement policy.
This effort will reestablish a consistent foundation defined by the updated policy to ensure that all
EPA program implementation efforts, with a particular focus on program deployment and policy
development, will be rooted in a comprehensive approach to meaningfully engaging impacted
communities.
EPA will continue to communicate requirements and expectations related to environmental justice
and civil rights to its employees through education, training, outreach, and technical assistance. In
particular, EPA will improve employees' awareness and understanding of civil rights enforcement
and strengthen intra-agency collaboration to identify whether recipient programs and activities are
abiding by civil rights laws or engaging in prohibited discrimination.
Objective 2.3: Strengthen Civil Rights Enforcement in Communities with Environmental
Justice Concerns - Strengthen enforcement of and compliance with civil rights laws to address
the legacy of pollution in overburdened communities.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $77.1 million and 248.3 FTE for Objective 2.3. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 Strategic
Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, initiate 45 proactive post-award civil rights compliance reviews
to address discrimination issues in environmentally overburdened and underserved
communities.
• By September 30, 2026, complete 305 audits to ensure EPA financial assistance recipients
are complying with nondiscrimination program procedural requirements.
• By September 30, 2026, complete 84 information sharing sessions and outreach and
technical assistance events with overburdened and underserved communities and
environmental justice advocacy groups on civil rights and environmental justice issues.
To address the legacy of pollution in overburdened communities that results from discriminatory
actions, whether direct or indirect, intentional or unintentional, EPA must use the full extent of its
authority and resources to enforce federal civil rights laws. EPA is required to enforce federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin (including
limited English proficiency), disability, gender, and age, in programs or activities that receive
agency financial assistance. To ensure EPA's financial assistance is not being used in a manner
that discriminates and subjects already overburdened communities to further harm, EPA must
support and promote a robust and mature external civil rights compliance program for execution
of EPA responsibilities and to provide a strong partner to its environmental justice program.
EPA's Office of External Civil Rights Compliance (OECRC) is committed to enforcing
compliance with federal civil rights laws to address historical and systemic barriers that contribute
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to the environmental injustice, overburdening, and vulnerability of communities. In FY 2024, EPA
proposes to invest $31.5 million and 143.6 FTE, an increase of $18.6 million and 77.2 FTE above
the FY 2023 enacted level, in the external civil rights program to continue to build capacity to
improve oversight and enforcement of civil rights compliance and prioritize and advance EJ
concerns. The additional FTE will support activities including investigations into claims of
discrimination in communities and pre-award and post-award compliance activities. It is critical
that, in addition to increasing the FTE for the external civil rights work done in headquarters, there
be a significant increase in FTE for the regional offices specifically targeted to external civil rights
work. The regional offices provide critical support to external civil rights investigations and
resolutions.
In FY 2024, EPA will take actions that will address permitting decisions found to be discriminatory
by EPA financial assistance recipients. Through investigations and informal resolution
agreements, OECRC will address discriminatory disparities in exposure to pollutants and toxins
in order to advance access to clean air, water and land and health protection. EPA will increase the
number of affirmative compliance reviews targeting discrimination in critical environmental
health and quality of life impacts in overburdened communities. The Agency will issue important
policy guidance to clarify recipients' civil rights obligations and improve compliance through
technical assistance deliveries. Further, EPA will increase the timeliness and effectiveness of
complaint investigations and resolutions. In FY 2024, EPA will increase the number of meaningful
engagements with overburdened communities and environmental justice groups on civil rights and
environmental justice issues.
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance—Improve compliance with the
nation's environmental laws and hold violators accountable.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
- Objective 3.1: Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable—Use
vigorous and targeted civil and criminal enforcement to ensure accountability for violations
and to clean up contamination.
- Objective 3.2: Detect Violations and Promote Compliance— Ensure high levels of
compliance with federal environmental laws and regulations through effective compliance
tools — including inspections, other monitoring activities, and technical assistance
supported by evidence and advanced technologies.
GOAL, OBJECTIVE SUMMARY
Budget Authority
Full-time Equivalents
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final
Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Enforce Environmental Laws and
Ensure Compliance
$756,146
$803,726
$757,066
-$46,659
Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable
$522,402
$559,138
$438,563
-$120,575
Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance
$233,744
$244,587
$318,503
$73,915
Total Authorized Workyears
2,926.8
3,173.7
3,353.6
179.9
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Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Improve Compliance with the Nation's environmental laws and hold violators accountable.
Introduction
A robust compliance monitoring and enforcement program is necessary to ensure communities
receive the environmental and human health benefits intended by environmental statutes and
EPA's regulations. EPA regulates more than 1.2 million facilities subject to a variety of
environmental statutes that protect human health and the environment. Likewise, EPA regulates a
wide range of products, from automobiles to pesticides. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work
cooperatively with tribes, states, territories, and other federal agencies to improve compliance with
environmental laws and statutes. EPA will continue to collaborate with tribes in Indian country,
by both directly implementing compliance monitoring and enforcement programs and supporting
and overseeing tribal implementation of approved programs. In FY 2024, EPA will provide $757.1
million and 3,353.6 FTE to strengthen compliance with the Nation's environmental laws and hold
violators accountable under Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance.
In FY 2024, EPA will collaborate with tribes, states, territories, and other federal agencies to focus
federal enforcement resources on the most serious environmental problems where noncompliance
with environmental statutes and regulations is a significant contributing factor and where federal
enforcement can have a significant impact on the Nation's air, water, and land. The Agency will
continue to identify a small number of key areas, called National Enforcement and Compliance
Initiatives (NECIs), where EPA focuses attention on the most significant, widespread
environmental problems.
In FY 2024, the Agency is requesting an increase of $22.6 million and 38.4 FTE above the FY
2023 enacted to continue rebuilding the inspector cadre, which is EPA's highest enforcement
priority. A robust inspection program, including compliance and enforcement actions, is essential
to advancing the promise of clean air, land, and water to the many communities across the country
that have not received the full benefits from the Nation's decades of progress. Dedicated staff that
can identify public health concerns and environmental regulatory violations are critical to protect
communities that are underserved or disproportionately harmed by pollution. EPA's inspection
programs have faced substantial resource challenges for over a decade, leading to a loss of Agency
expertise and a decline in the numbers of inspections. To meet EPA's environmental justice goals
and its mission to protect human health and the environment, EPA must rebuild and strengthen its
inspection program by hiring and training new and existing inspectors, including in-person basic
inspector trainings and travel funding for the trainings for the following programs: Clean Air Act;
Safe Drinking Water Act; Clean Water Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act; and Toxic Substances Control Act. Additionally,
funding is needed to purchase health and safety equipment and inspection monitoring equipment.
Travel funding for inspections also is essential to get inspectors into the field.
In addition, EPA will focus on vulnerable communities and those facing substantial burdens from
environmental noncompliance. In these areas, EPA will increase inspections, prioritize
enforcement cases, identify remedies with tangible benefits for harmed communities, and increase
engagement with communities about enforcement cases. In FY 2024, EPA also will target
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compliance monitoring in overburdened and underserved communities with environmental justice
concerns. EPA will continue to initiate enforcement actions to protect against children's health
hazards in areas such as exposure to lead paint, the presence of lead and other contaminants in
drinking water, and particulate air emissions with the potential to aggravate asthma.
The Agency will address climate change by directing resources to ensure effective enforcement
responses for those sources with noncompliant emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), develop
remedies that are consistent with GHG mitigation and climate resilience goals, and pursue
violators of the Renewable Fuel Standard. In addition, EPA requests an additional $12.1million
and 26.8 FTE above the FY 2023 enacted to enforce against the illegal importation, distribution,
and use within the United States of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are chemicals with potent
global warming potential, under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. 17
In FY 2024, an increase of $5.6 million and 6.5 FTE will support efforts to investigate and identify
releases of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the air, land, and water by actively
investigating under RCRA, TSCA, CWA, SDWA, and CAA at the yet-unknown number of
processing facilities, waste disposal facilities, and federal facilities where PFAS are suspected of
contaminating various environmental media. PFAS released into the environment may present an
urgent public health and environmental threat. EPA will continue to investigate releases, address
imminent and substantial endangerment situations, and prevent exposure to PFAS, under multiple
environmental statutes. OECA has been stretching its base Superfund (SF) & EPM resources to
(1) issue corporate-wide information requests and analyze responses, (2) create site profiles and
information databases on specific facilities, (3) obtain site-specific data, and (4) use administrative
and judicial authorities to require sampling and other response actions.
EPA will continue implementing the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act,18
coordinated by EPA's Evidence Act officials. The Agency will expand its evidence-based
compliance program through projects developed under OECA's compliance learning agenda,
which systematically identifies the most important evidence the Agency needs to gather and
generate to advance its compliance goals, and ensure the Agency uses high quality data and other
information to inform policy and decision making.
Objective 3.1: Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable - Use
vigorous and targeted civil and criminal enforcement to ensure accountability for violations and
to clean up contamination.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $438.6 million and 2,444.1 FTE for Objective 3.1. This objective
is directly supported by the following long-term performance goal in the FY2022 - 2026 Strategic
Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, reduce to not more than 93 the number of open civil judicial cases
more than 2.5 years old without a complaint filed.19
17 For more information on the AIM Act, please visit: https://www.epa.eov/cliniate-hfcs-reduction/aini-act
18 Full-text of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 may be found at:
https://www.coiigress.eov/bill/]. 15th-coneress/house-bill/4174/text.
19 For comparison, there were 129 cases more than 2.5 years old without a complaint filed as of June 30,2018. The number of
cases fluctuates and is therefore difficult to predict how many cases will "age in" in a given year. EPA reduces the number of
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Enforcement is essential to ensuring that everyone is protected by the Nation's environmental laws
and regulations. EPA strives to not only return violators to compliance but also obtain timely relief
needed to address the underlying causes of the violations, to prevent reoccurrence, and, in
appropriate cases, mitigate the harm to the communities impacted by noncompliance. EPA uses
administrative enforcement and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), where appropriate, in the
environmental enforcement context and plans to deploy ADR to new Superfund and External Civil
Rights projects. In FY 2024, EPA will invest an additional $1.3 million and 4.1 FTE for a total of
$3.1 million and 10.0 FTE to the ADR Program to promote equity by including underserved
communities in negotiations.
Civil Enforcement
The overall goal of EPA's Civil Enforcement Program is to maximize compliance with the
Nation's environmental laws and regulations to protect human health and the environment. In FY
2024, EPA requests $245.9 million and 1,041.7 FTE, an increase of $36.7 million and 43.6 FTE
above the FY 2023 enacted, to support civil enforcement efforts. EPA will encourage regulated
entities to correct violations rapidly, ensure that violators do not realize an economic benefit from
noncompliance, pursue enforcement to deter future violations, and continue to strengthen
environmental partnerships with tribes, states, and other federal agencies. The additional resources
will enhance EPA's ability to incorporate environmental justice and climate change considerations
into all phases of case development. To protect public health and ensure that private, public, and
federal facilities are held to the same standard, EPA will rebuild and train headquarters and
regional inspectors to inspect more facilities in the large public, private, and federal facility
universe. In addition, EPA will continue to improve its sampling capability to identify regulatory
violations. These resources are needed recognizing the complexity of many facilities and the
inspections needed to identify the range of potential contamination. EPA will pursue enforcement
actions at public, private, and federal facilities where significant violations are discovered to
protect the health of surrounding communities. Lastly, EPA will provide technical and scientific
support to tribes, states, and territories with authorized programs.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting an additional $3.4 million and 7.0 FTE to enforce the Coal
Combustion Residuals (CCR) rule. The CCR Program ensures that coal ash disposal units
(landfills and surface impoundments) do not present dangerous structural stability issues (such as
those that led to the catastrophic 2008 Kingston, Tennessee coal ash disaster) that could put
surrounding communities in harm's way. These resources will augment the work the Agency has
already started, i.e., analyzing groundwater monitoring data and the corrective action and closure
efforts of facilities to determine whether facilities are complying with the regulatory requirements
and adequately addressing coal ash disposal risks.
EPA has been working to improve the processes associated with enforcement actions to move
more quickly in protecting the environment. To reduce the time that a facility is in violation of an
environmental standard, EPA has a FY 2026 long-term performance goal (LPTG) to reduce to no
more than 93 the number of open civil judicial cases more than 2.5 years old without a complaint
older cases using a number of different tools. For example, sometimes the United States government needs to file a complaint in
order to make progress in resolving a case; other times, it needs to drop a claim or shift its injunctive relief or penalty demand
because of litigation risk.
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filed. In FY 2022, EPA reduced that number to 65, surpassing the FY 2026 LPTG. EPA will
continue to build upon this success to further improve upon our accomplishments in FY 2024 and
beyond.
Criminal Enforcement
EPA's Criminal Enforcement Program enforces the Nation's environmental laws through targeted
investigation of criminal conduct committed by individual and corporate defendants who threaten
public health and the environment. EPA's Criminal Enforcement Program plays a critical role
across the country supporting tribes, states, and territories that may have limited capacity to
investigate and prosecute environmental crimes. In FY 2024, the Agency requests $75.1 million
and 296 FTE, an increase of $4.4 million and 26.7 FTE above the FY 2023 enacted, to support the
Criminal Enforcement Program by targeting investigations on the most egregious environmental
cases.
Superfund Enforcement
In FY 2024, the Superfund Enforcement Program will transition from using annual appropriations
to funding activities and staff through Superfund tax receipts. Resources are expected to be at an
equivalent level. The Program will continue to facilitate prompt site cleanup. EPA uses an
"enforcement first" approach before turning to taxpayer dollars to fund cleanups, by maximizing
Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) involvement at Superfund sites. The Superfund Enforcement
Program works to ensure that viable and liable PRPs pay to clean up sites and seeks to recover
costs if EPA expends Superfund dollars to clean up sites. These enforcement efforts allow the
Trust Fund to be used at those sites that have no funding source other than government resources
and have no other means of cleanup. Thus, Superfund enforcement efforts ensure that Superfund
sites are cleaned up in a timely manner in addition to getting more sites cleaned up than would be
possible using only government funds. With the availability of Superfund tax receipts in FY 2024,
EPA plans to use these resources to support traditional Superfund Enforcement efforts and to place
greater emphasis towards implementing agency initiatives like Environmental Justice, PFAS, and
Lead. In addition, EPA will ensure we provide DOJ essential funding to support agency efforts,
complete negotiations quicker, provide additional training, and provide greater regional support
towards PRP searches and other counseling work.
Objective 3.2: Detect Violations and Promote Compliance - Ensure high levels of compliance
with federal environmental laws and regulations through effective compliance tools - including
inspections, other monitoring activities, and technical assistance supported by evidence and
advanced technologies.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $318.5 million and 909.5 FTE for Objective 3.2. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 Strategic
Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, send 75% of EPA inspection reports to facilities within 70 days
of inspection.20
20 For comparison, 46% of inspection reports were sent within 70 days of inspection at the end of FY 2018.
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• By September 30, 2026, conduct 55% of annual EPA inspections at facilities that affect
communities with potential environmental justice concerns.21
Compliance Monitoring
Effectively focusing compliance monitoring, including inspections in overburdened and
underserved communities with environmental justice concerns, plays a critical role in achieving
the goals EPA has set forth for protecting human health and the environment. Achieving high rates
of compliance with environmental laws and regulations requires the use of a wide range of
compliance tools, including compliance monitoring. Through its ongoing process of selecting
National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives in collaboration with tribes, states, and
territories, EPA will focus its work on critical areas of noncompliance. In FY 2024, EPA will
advance its efforts to address climate change mitigation and adaptation issues through directing of
inspections, compliance monitoring, and technical assistance to sources with the most potential for
noncompliant emissions of greenhouse gases.
EPA will continue to emphasize the importance of providing facilities with a completed inspection
report in a timely manner notifying the facility of any potential compliance issues. In FY 2024,
EPA is requesting a total of $3.3 million and 3.0 FTE to expand software solutions for field
inspectors to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of compliance inspections conducted by
EPA and authorized states. Smart Tools software allows EPA to use its compliance monitoring
resources more efficiently and to make inspection reports more available to regulated entities and
to the public in affected communities.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting a total of $3.1 million and 1.0 FTE to support the Agency's
Compliance Advisor Program (previously called Circuit Riders Program), which reduces
noncompliance at small public water systems (PWSs) and small wastewater treatment facilities
(WWTFs) by providing hands-on technical assistance. To date, Compliance Advisors have
provided support to approximately 199 small PWSs and 63 WWTFs in under-resourced
communities nationwide. Hundreds more small systems and facilities across the Nation need
technical support to help them achieve and stay in compliance and provide clean and safe water to
the communities they serve.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue its implementation of the Evidence Act by continuing its work on
the "Drinking Water Systems Out of Compliance" learning priority area of EPA's Learning
Agenda. EPA also will expand its ongoing work with tribes, states, and academic experts to
develop and implement OECA's compliance learning agenda: prioritizing the most pressing
programmatic questions; conducting evidence-based studies to address these questions; and
identifying effective and innovative approaches for improving compliance.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue the data system modernization effort to better support tribes, states,
local governments, federal partners, and the public's need for information with modernized
technology and it will implement EPA's enterprise-wide Digital Strategy with shared IT services.
For example, EPA is requesting an increase of $22.9 million and 5.0 FTE to modernize the
Agency's enforcement and compliance assurance data systems. These resources will complement
those provided to EPA under the Inflation Reduction Act that are targeted for improving
21 The baseline for this measure is 27% based on average of FY 2017 - FY 2019.
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enforcement technology, inspection software, and other related purposes. Modernization will
facilitate EPA's efforts to better target noncompliance that impacts overburdened and vulnerable
communities and will increase the availability of information about environmental conditions in
those communities and elsewhere.
Through the State Review Framework, EPA periodically reviews authorized state compliance
monitoring and enforcement programs for Clean Air Act (CAA) Stationary Sources, Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Hazardous Waste facilities, and the Clean Water Act
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) dischargers. This review is conducted
using criteria agreed upon by states to evaluate performance against national compliance
monitoring or enforcement program standards. When states do not achieve standards, the Agency
works with them to make progress. However, EPA may take a lead implementation role when
authorized states have a documented history of failure to make progress toward meeting national
standards. In total, EPA provides $165.3 million and 520.4 FTE to detect violations and promote
compliance with environmental laws, an increase of $50.9 million and 41.5 FTE above the FY
2023 enacted budget.
Categorical Grants: Pesticides Enforcement
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting a total of $25.6 million funding cooperative agreements to support
state and tribal compliance and enforcement activities under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The resources will be used to rebuild programmatic capabilities
between EPA and partner agencies; provide vital training programs to EPA, state, territory, and
tribal partners; and help address environmental justice concerns in overburdened and vulnerable
communities.
Categorical Grants: Toxic Substances Compliance
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting a total of $6.9 million to continue focusing on compliance
monitoring programs to prevent or eliminate unreasonable risks to health or the environment
associated with chemical substances such as asbestos, lead-based paint, and polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), and to encourage states to establish their own compliance and enforcement
programs for lead-based paint and asbestos.
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities—Protect human health and the
environment from the harmful effects of air pollution.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
- Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts—
Reduce air pollution on local, regional, and national scales to achieve healthy air quality
for people and the environment.
- Obj ective 4.2: Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air—Limit unnecessary
radiation exposure and achieve healthier indoor air quality, especially for vulnerable
populations.
GOAL, OBJECTIVE SUMMARY
Budget Authority
Full-time Equivalents
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final
Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for
All Communities
$754,266
$809,802
$1,401,734
$591,932
Improve Air Quality and Reduce
Localized Pollution and Health
Impacts
$657,185
$705,042
$1,241,622
$536,580
Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air
$97,081
$104,760
$160,112
$55,352
Total Authorized Workyears
1,670.2
1,749.8
2,207.0
457.1
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Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Protect human health and the environmentfrom the harmful effects of air pollution.
Introduction
All people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income deserve to breathe clean air outside
and indoors, and it is especially important to protect the health of vulnerable and sensitive
populations including children and persons adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.
Numerous scientific studies have linked air pollution and specific pollutants to a variety of health
problems and environmental impacts. Long-term exposure to elevated levels of certain air
pollutants is associated with increased risk of cancer, premature mortality, and damage to the
immune, neurological, reproductive, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Levels of harmful
air pollutants have continued to decline even as the economy has grown significantly over the long
term. Between 1970 and 2021, the combined emissions of six key pollutants dropped by 78
percent, while the U.S. economy remained strong - growing 292 percent over the same period.22
Yet poor air quality still affects millions of people across the country, affecting near- and long-
term health and quality of life. EPA will continue to build on its historic progress and work to
assure clean air for all Americans, with a particular focus on those in underserved and
overburdened communities.
In FY 2024, EPA will work to ensure clean and healthy air for all communities by reducing
emissions of ozone-forming pollutants, particulate matter, and air toxics. In the FY 2024 Budget,
EPA is requesting an investment of $132.5 million and 33 FTE to modernize the Nation's air
quality and radiation monitors and to make their supporting information systems more reliable and
resilient in emergencies, such as wildfires and radiation events, and better able to produce near
real-time data to assess and communicate exposure risks to vulnerable populations. EPA also will
work to address high-risk indoor air quality pollutants in homes, schools, and workplaces. The
Agency will rely on proven approaches including innovative market-based techniques, public and
private-sector partnerships, community-based approaches, regulatory and technical assistance
programs that promote environmental stewardship, public education, and programs that encourage
adoption of cost-effective technologies and practices. Understanding that many sources of air
pollutants also are sources of greenhouse gases (GHG), the Agency will look to control strategies
that can reduce both air pollution and mitigate the impacts of climate change. In the FY 2024
Budget, $1,402 billion and 2,207.0 FTE are allocated to Goal 4 to advance EPA efforts in
protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects of air pollution.
Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts -
Reduce air pollution on local, regional, and national scales to achieve healthy air quality for
people and the environment.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $1,242 billion and 1,833.2 FTE for Objective 4.1. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan:
22 For additional information, please visit: https://eispub.epa.eov/air/trendsreport/2022/
49
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• By September 30, 2026, reduce ozone season emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from
electric power generation sources by 21% from the 2019 baseline of 390,354 tons.
• By September 30, 2026, improve measured air quality in counties not meeting the current
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) from the 2016 baseline by 10%.
• By September 30, 2026, strive to ensure all people with low socio-economic status (SES)
live in areas where the air quality meets the current fine particle pollution (PM2.5) National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
• By September 30, 2026, ensure U.S. consumption of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
is less than 76.2 tons per year of ozone depletion potential.23
In FY 2024, EPA will work collaboratively with tribal and state air agencies to maintain and
improve the Nation's air quality. EPA will focus particularly on advancing environmental justice
by engaging with local communities that have been historically underserved on key activities
including technical assistance, regulation development, and financial assistance. In FY 2024,
$366.7 million and 1079.7 FTE are allocated to the Federal Support for Air Quality Management
Program to implement climate and clean air regulations and programs, which is an increase of
$207.6 million and 200.4 FTE above the FY 2023 enacted. This includes resources for activities
such as supporting the NAAQS review and implementation work, taking timely action on State
Implementation Plans (SIPs) to reduce the SIP backlog, and environmental justice activities. This
also includes additional resources for modernizing the Nation's ambient air monitoring network
and for supporting community-scale monitoring.
Taking into account the most current research findings on health effects and changing conditions
from a warming climate, EPA will continue to review the NAAQS and make revisions, as
appropriate. Specifically, the President directed EPA to review the 2020 Particulate Matter (PM)
NAAQS and the 2020 Ozone NAAQS.24 EPA will work to improve air quality in areas not in
attainment with the NAAQS, including assisting tribes and states in developing Clean Air Act-
compliant SIPs. EPA will continue reviewing regional haze SIPs, working closely with states to
improve visibility in the country's national parks and wilderness areas.
EPA will reduce air pollution by focusing on the transportation sector's largest contributors to criteria
pollutant and GHG emissions: light-duty vehicles (LDVs) and heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). EPA
will continue to work to ensure that Clean Air Act requirements are met for new transportation
projects with heavy-duty diesel traffic, such that they do not worsen air quality near communities
with environmental justice concerns. The Agency will collaborate with a broad range of
stakeholders to develop targeted, sector-based, and place-based strategies for diesel fleets,
including school buses, ports, and other goods movement facilities.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to operate nationwide and multi-state programs, such as the Acid
Rain Program (ARP) and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rules (CSAPR), that address major global,
national, and regional air pollutants from the power sector and other large stationary sources. EPA
also will work on several regulatory actions related to criteria air pollutants, air toxics, and GHG
23 The U.S. HCFC consumption baseline is 15,240 ODP-weighted metric tons effective as of January 1, 1996.
24 Executive Order 13990: Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis
(January 20, 2021): ht tps://www. whitehouse.gov/briefinp-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-protectiiip-
public-health-and-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-climate-crisis/.
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pollution from power plants. EPA has made significant progress in reducing emissions from power
plants through the ARP and CSAPR. Together, as of 2021, the Programs delivered a 94% reduction
of sulfur dioxide and an 85% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from 1990 levels. For FY
2021, there has been 100% compliance for power plants in the ARP and CSARP allowance trading
programs.25
As part of a forward-looking air toxics strategy, EPA will address regulatory and emerging issues
and improve access to air toxics data. The Agency will continue implementing an approach that
develops and shares air toxics data faster and more regularly to the public, allowing for increased
transparency and the ability to see trends and risks over time. By 2024, EPA will continue reporting
the most current air toxics data each year in the annual Air Trends Report and an online interactive
tool, instead of the previous three to four-year cycle for reporting air toxics data, and providing
that data at an increased spatial resolution.
EPA will continue to protect and restore the stratospheric ozone layer by reducing the use,
emission, import, and production of ozone-depleting substances in the U.S. By 2026, U.S.
consumption of HCFCs, chemicals that deplete the Earth's protective ozone layer, will be less than
76.2 tons per year of ozone depletion potential compared to the 2015-2019 target of 1,520 tons per
year. As a result of global action to phase out ozone-depleting substances, the ozone layer is
expected to recover to its pre-1980 levels by mid-century. As a Party to the Montreal Protocol, the
U.S. must incrementally decrease HCFC consumption and production, culminating in a complete
HCFC phaseout in 2030. These reductions in consumption and production help protect the
stratospheric ozone layer, which shields all life on Earth from harmful solar ultraviolent (UV)
radiation. Scientific evidence demonstrates that ozone depleting substances used around the world
destroy the stratospheric ozone layer, which raises the incidence of skin cancer, cataracts, and other
illnesses through overexposure to increased levels of UV radiation. Under the American
Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, EPA will continue to phase down the production and
consumption of hydrofluorocarbons, review and list alternatives that are safer for the ozone layer,
as well as facilitate the transition to next-generation technologies.
EPA also will seek to address air quality challenges presented by wildfires. Wildfire smoke can
make up approximately 30 percent of total PM2.5 emissions in some regions of the U.S.,
aggravating heart and lung disease and causing premature death. In FY 2024, EPA requests
additional resources for air monitoring and will continue to support work that will identify, predict,
and communicate where smoke events are occurring, especially for overburdened and underserved
communities impacted by wildfire issues. EPA also requests $7 million for Wildfire Smoke
Preparedness Grants, a competitive grant funding to be awarded to tribes, states, public pre-
schools, local educational agencies, and non-profit organizations to better prepare buildings for
wildfire smoke.
The Agency will continue to develop and make available the necessary technical data and tools to
support air quality planning and environmental justice analyses, such as AirNow, the Air Quality
System, and the National Emissions Inventory. The Agency also will develop new and enhanced
applications of environmental justice analytics to inform how power sector rules can mitigate
25 For additional information, please visit: http://www3.epa.gov/airmarkets/progressreports/index.html.
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impacts on overburdened communities. This effort will include modeling of power sector
emissions down to the county level as well as improved representation of fine particulate matter
that includes toxic heavy metals. EPA also will continue to test, evaluate, and refine draft tools for
incorporating environmental justice considerations into EPA-issued permits and ensure
opportunities for meaningful public involvement in the permit process. Early and meaningful
dialogue between a permit applicant and a community is especially important in communities that
have historically been underrepresented in the permitting process or that potentially bear a
disproportionate burden of an area's pollution to promote environmental justice. Providing specific
information about the pollution and related health impacts of a permit action may alleviate
community's concerns about the facility or educate the public about other sources of exposure.
Objective 4.2: Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air - Limit unnecessary
radiation exposure and achieve healthier indoor air quality, especially for vulnerable populations.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $160.1 million and 373.7 FTE for Objective 4.2. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goal in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, prevent 2,250 lung cancer deaths annually through lower radon
exposure as compared to the FY 2020 baseline of 1,684 prevented lung cancer deaths.
To improve indoor air and reduce exposure to radiation, EPA leads programs that educate the
public about radiation and indoor air quality concerns, including radon, asthma triggers, and poor
ventilation. These programs promote public action to reduce potential risks in homes, schools, and
workplaces. Because Americans spend most of their time indoors, where pollutant levels are often
significantly higher than outdoors, poor indoor air quality is a major health concern. For example,
radon is a leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually. Nearly
24 million Americans have asthma, and low-income, communities of color suffer
disproportionately. Indoor allergens and irritants play a significant role in making asthma worse
and triggering asthma attacks. These concerns have been heightened during the past two years of
the COVID pandemic, when people have had to spend more time indoors, elevating the importance
of effective ventilation.
To better address these human health risks from indoor air and radiation, the FY 2024 Budget
includes $5.3 million with 12.4 FTE for the Indoor Air Radon Program and $47.6 million with
71.4 FTE for the Reducing Risks from Indoor Air Program. EPA will continue programs to reduce
exposures to radon through home testing and mitigation, promote in-home asthma management,
improve air quality in homes and schools, and build capacity for tribes and communities across
the country to comprehensively address indoor air risks.
In-home asthma management is a critical component of asthma care, particularly in low-income
populations. EPA, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Federal Asthma Disparities
Action Plan, will support state Medicaid Programs and private health plans to pay for in-home
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asthma interventions through reimbursement mechanisms26. In addition, EPA will reduce asthma
disparities for low-income people and communities of color by supporting public health and
housing organizations to train community health workers to deliver in-home asthma interventions
and care. In FY 2024, EPA is measuring delivery of technical assistance, tools, and grants to equip
community-based programs and the organizations that support them to deliver evidence-based,
comprehensive asthma care.
In FY 2024, EPA will collaborate with public and private sector organizations to provide clear and
verifiable protocols and specifications for promoting good indoor air quality and support adoption
of these protocols and specifications into existing healthy, energy efficiency, and green building
programs and initiatives to promote healthy buildings for a changing climate. EPA also will equip
the housing sector with guidance to promote the adoption of these best practices with the aim of
creating healthier, more energy efficient homes, including for low-income families. EPA also will
equip school leaders to make science-based decisions and implement sustainable ventilation,
filtration and other indoor air quality improvements for healthy school environments. To reduce
the high public health risks from exposure to indoor radon, EPA will co-lead the National Radon
Action Plan, a multisector public-private coalition committed to eliminating avoidable radon-
induced lung cancer in the U.S. and addressing radon as a health equity challenge. EPA will
continue to provide State Indoor Radon Grant funding and technical assistance to tribes and states,
with a focus on increasing access to testing and mitigation in underserved communities. This work
supports the Administration's Cancer Moonshot Initiative.
EPA responds to radiological emergencies; conducts essential national and regional radiological
response planning and training; and develops response plans for radiological incidents or
accidents. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to fill gaps in the expertise that is critical for essential
preparedness work, restoring critical capacity to meet EPA's core mission. EPA will maintain
personnel expertise, capabilities, and equipment readiness of the radiological emergency response
program under the National Response Framework and the National Contingency Plan, including
the Agency's Radiological Emergency Response Team. EPA also is requesting additional funding
of $1.7 million and 3.4 FTE in the FY 2024 Budget to supports efforts to restore EPA's staff
expertise, analysis, and capacity in the Indoor Air Radon Program in order to better lead the federal
government's response to radon and to implement the Agency's own multi-pronged radon
program. EPA will provide oversight of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, including review of the
U.S. Department of Energy's plans for additional waste panels and surplus plutonium disposal, to
ensure safe long-term disposal of radioactive waste and the continued cleanup of nuclear weapons
program legacy sites.
26 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.eov/asthnia/coordiiiated-federal-actioii-plaii-reduce-racial-aiid-ethmc-
asthma-disparities
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities—Provide clean and safe water for all
communities and protect our nation's waterbodies from degradation.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
- Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure—Protect
public health from the risk of exposure to regulated and emerging contaminants in drinking
and source waters by improving the reliability, accessibility, and resilience of the nation's
water infrastructure to reduce the impacts of climate change, structural deterioration, and
cyber threats.
- Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds—Address sources of
water pollution and ensure water quality standards are protective of the health and needs
of all people and ecosystems.
GOAL, OBJECTIVE SUMMARY
Budget Authority
Full-time Equivalents
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final
Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Ensure Clean and Safe Water for
All Communities
$3,830,705
$5,182,344
$6,373,747
$1,191,403
Ensure Safe Drinking Water and
Reliable Water Infrastructure
$2,420,972
$3,624,001
$4,620,117
$996,116
Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds
$1,409,733
$1,558,343
$1,753,630
$195,287
Total Authorized Workyears
2,761.4
3,021.8
3,271.5
249.7
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Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Provide clean and safe water for all communities and protect our Nation's waterbodies from
degradation.
Introduction
Clean and safe water is a vital resource essential to the protection of human health and is a
foundation for supporting healthy communities and a thriving economy. The United States has
made great progress over the past 50 years protecting and restoring water resources through
legislation such as the Clean Water Act (CWA), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and Marine
Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). As of January 2023, approximately 85
percent of the public water systems (e.g., 2,988 out of 3,508) with health-based violations as of
the end of FY 2017 have returned to compliance. While progress is being made to bring systems
into compliance, it is clear that the Nation still faces significant barriers and challenges to ensuring
access to clean and safe water for communities. This is particularly the case regarding safe and
clean water, as well as impacts from aging infrastructure, legacy lead pipes, cybersecurity threats,
climate change, and emerging contaminants of concern. These challenges are distributed
unequally, and tens of thousands of homes, primarily in tribal communities and the territories,
currently lack access to basic sanitation and drinking water and experience higher pollution levels.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with its tribal, federal, state, and nongovernmental partners
to advance science, to provide clean and safe water for all communities, and to protect our Nation's
waterbodies from degradation. The FY 2024 Budget includes $6,373 billion and 3,271.5 FTE for
Goal 5, Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities. This investment will complement
resources provided in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and
expand the Agency's capacity to protect human health and the environment across the Nation.
Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure - Protect
public health from the risk of exposure to regulated and emerging contaminants in drinking and
source waters by improving the reliability, accessibility, and resilience of the Nation's water
infrastructure to reduce the impacts of climate change, structural deterioration, and cyber threats.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $4,620 billion and 1,391.7 FTE for Objective 5.1. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, reduce the number of community water systems still in
noncompliance with health-based standards since March 31, 2021, from 752 to 500.27
• By September 30, 2026, reduce the number of community water systems in Indian Country
still in noncompliance with health-based standards since March 31, 2021, from 110 to 70.
• By September 30, 2026, leverage an additional $45 billion in non-federal dollars through
EPA's water infrastructure finance programs (CWSRF, DWSRF, and WIFIA).28
27 This baseline is a subset of the 3,508 systems, including systems in Indian Country, that have been in long-term noncompliance
since September 30,2017. Technical assistance provided will focus on non-compliant water systems in underserved
communities.
28 EPA will ensure a focus on climate resiliency and equity by revising loan guidelines, program guidance, and providing
technical assistance.
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• By September 30, 2026, in coordination with other federal agencies, provide access to basic
sanitation for an additional 36,500 American Indian and Alaska Native homes.
• By September 30, 2026, provide 2,203 tribal, small, rural, or underserved communities
with technical, managerial, or financial assistance to improve operations of their drinking
water or wastewater systems.
Safe and Reliable Water
Providing safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater treatment for all communities is a
priority for EPA. Aging infrastructure, climate change, cyber threats, and contaminants such as
lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are creating new stresses on the Nation's
water systems. In FY 2024, EPA will work to address these challenges through approximately $4
billion in water infrastructure spending. This includes $1,639 billion for the Clean Water State
Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program, $1,126 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF) Program, and $80.4 million for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act
(WIFIA) Program. Also included is approximately $1.2 billion for grant programs authorized in
the America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018, the Water Infrastructure Improvements
for the Nation Act of 2016 (WIIN), and the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of
2021 (DWWIA). Among these resources, $219 million is dedicated to two grant programs for
reducing lead in drinking water and lead testing in schools, an increase of $163 million over the
2023 enacted level.
As of February 2023, EPA had issued 100 WIFIA loans to communities across the country totaling
over $17 billion in credit assistance to help finance more than $36 billion for water infrastructure
projects. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to use the SRF and WIFIA investments to improve the
reliability, accessibility, and resilience of the Nation's water infrastructure. These programs are
critical tools for EPA to accelerate water infrastructure investments by leveraging public and
private sources of funds, which will maximize the reach of federal funds. To increase access to
these funds, EPA will provide training and technical assistance to help disadvantaged communities
identify needs, develop projects, apply for funding, design and implement projects, build capacity,
and create training and career pathways. In addition, working collaboratively with the state and
tribal partners, EPA's SRF programs will make progress toward Justice40, which aims to ensure
that federal agencies deliver at least 40 percent of overall benefits of relevant federal investments
to overburdened and underserved communities.
In FY 2024, EPA requests $150 million and 554.5 FTE to support Drinking Water Programs to
better protect communities, especially overburdened and underserved communities. This includes
efforts to finalize the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) regulation, which aims to
strengthen the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) issued in 2021 to more proactively
replace lead service lines and more equitably protect public health. EPA released Guidance for
Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory29 in 2022 to support water systems in their
efforts to develop lead service line inventories and to provide states with needed information for
oversight and reporting to EPA. The guidance provides essential information to help water systems
comply with the LCRR requirement to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials
by October 16, 2024.
29 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/doouments/2022-
08/Inventorv%20Guidance Aiigiist%202022 508%20conipliant.pdf
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Resources will support the Agency's efforts to reduce public health and environmental threats
from PFAS by finalizing the new drinking water standards in FY 2024. An additional $42.8 million
and 22 FTE is requested to advance EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap,30 which will allow EPA to
accelerate its efforts to develop various methods and tools to support, states, tribes, and localities
in managing PFAS risks, particularly in small and underserved communities. EPA will continue
the development of the Drinking Water State-Federal-Tribal Information Exchange System (DW-
SFTIES) and support state migration to the Compliance Monitoring Data Portal, which enables
drinking water utilities and laboratories to report drinking water data electronically.
EPA also will continue to coordinate and support protection of the Nation's critical water
infrastructure from terrorist threats and all-hazard events, including cyberattacks. Cyberattacks can
compromise the ability of water and wastewater utilities to provide clean and safe water to
customers, erode customer confidence, and result in financial and legal liabilities. In FY 2024,
EPA will leverage its role as the lead federal agency for cybersecurity in the water sector and work
with government partners to close vulnerabilities and mitigate risks to cyberthreats. EPA requests
$25 million for a grant program to help water systems establish and build the necessary
cybersecurity infrastructure to address rising threats. EPA also requests $19.4 million and 25 FTE
to implement regulatory action to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks in the water sector as well as
increase the Agency's ability to respond to incidents. EPA will continue to provide practical tools,
training, and technical assistance to increase resilience to extreme weather events (e.g., drought,
flooding, wildfires, hurricanes), malevolent acts (e.g., cyberattacks), and climate change. In FY
2022, almost 4,000 drinking water and wastewater systems and water sector partners received
training and technical assistance.
The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA) authorized a suite of
water programs to help better address drinking water and wastewater issues across the country.
Implementation of DWWIA will strengthen the federal government's ability to invest in water
infrastructure in communities in every state, so that all residents of the United States can obtain
and maintain access to safe drinking water and our Nation's waterways can remain clean and free
from pollution. DWWIA strengthens many existing programs within EPA while creating new
programs to upgrade aging infrastructure, invest in new technologies, and provide assistance to
underserved communities. The FY 2024 Budget provides $1.2 billion funding for DWWIA at the
full authorization level and represents a robust investment in America's drinking water
infrastructure.
Objective 5.2 Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds - Address sources of water
pollution and ensure water quality standards are protective of the health and needs of all people
and ecosystems.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $1,754 billion and 1,879.7 FTE for Objective 5.2. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goal in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan:
30 The PFAS Strategic Roadmap may be found at: https://www.epa.eov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadniap-epas-coniniitnieiits-action-
2021-2024.
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• By September 30, 2026, increase by 41,000 square miles the area of watersheds with
surface water meeting standards that previously did not meet standards.31
Clean Waterbodies and Watersheds
Pollution and degradation of lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands endanger aquatic ecosystems,
threaten the safety of drinking water, compromise water quality planning and flood protections,
impact commercial and recreational opportunities, and reduce the natural benefits these resources
provide to communities. Climate change is often the root cause of emerging threats such as
drought, sea level rise, and invasive species proliferation. To address these challenges, in FY 2024,
EPA will use a suite of CWA core programs to protect and improve water quality and ecosystem
health, including the development and implementation of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs),
alternative restoration plans, or other protection approaches for impaired waterbodies;
development of national recommended water quality criteria; development of technology-based
and water-quality based standards; and implementation of effluent and stormwater discharge
permit programs. In FY 2024, funding will support the Agency's work assisting local
communities, particularly underserved communities, in their efforts to restore and protect the
quality of their waters.
In addition to strengthening its programs, EPA plans to promulgate and update several rules to
support clean and safe water. In FY 2024, EPA will seek to complete a rulemaking to establish
more protective nutrient limits on wastewater discharges from meat and poultry product facilities.
The Agency also will produce effluent limitation guidelines for chemical manufacturers and metal
finishing and electroplating companies to address PFAS, for steam electric power generators to
address toxics and other pollutants, and for meat and poultry products to address nutrient
discharges. The Agency will finalize rules related to improving CWA protections on tribal
reservations and consider tribal treaty rights when acting on state Water Quality Standards (WQS)
that impact those rights.
EPA also will work collaboratively with public and private sector stakeholders to establish
innovative, location-appropriate programs to protect and improve water quality. Additionally, the
FY 2024 Budget request would continue to fund the Clean Water Act Research, Investigations,
Training, and Information grant authorized by DWWIA in support of Objective 5.2.
Ensuring Clean Water Through Partnerships, Including with Tribes and States
EPA will work with partners and local communities to better safeguard human health and maintain,
restore, and improve water quality. In FY 2024, EPA requests $493.3 million for ongoing
categorical grants that support tribal and state implementation of the CWA. This request includes
an increase of $42.4 million above the FY 2023 enacted for the Section 106 Grants Program, which
funds actions to identify, assess and mitigate PFAS in the environment and supports programs for
the prevention and control of surface and groundwater pollution from point and nonpoint sources
In FY 2022, over 20 thousand square miles of watersheds that previously were not meeting water
quality standards, now meet standards.
31 The FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan included a draft July 2021 baseline: 425,198 square miles of watersheds with surface water
meeting standards and 652,609 square miles of watersheds with surface water not meeting standards. As of July 2022, the final
baseline is 504,605 square miles of watersheds with surface water not meeting standards.
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EPA plays an important role as a convener and facilitator with federal, tribal, state, territorial and
local partners to align resources and authorities within regional, watershed, and basin-scaled
collaborative networks. In FY 2024, EPA will invest $682 million and 175.4 FTE in Geographic
Programs, funding equal to the current FY 2023 enacted levels, to maintain, restore, and improve
water quality for all communities to enjoy. More specifically, EPA's Geographic Programs will
deliver technical and financial assistance to solve problems and support healthy climate resilient
ecosystems that address water quality, water infrastructure, nutrient pollution, habitat loss, treaty
rights, equity, and environmental justice.
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities—Restore land to safe and productive uses to
improve communities and protect public health.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
- Objective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy
Communities—Clean up and restore contaminated sites to protect human health and the
environment and build vibrant communities, especially in underserved and overburdened
areas.
- Objective 6.2: Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination—Prevent
environmental pollution by preventing releases, reducing waste, increasing materials
recovery and recycling, and ensuring sustainable materials management practices.
- Objective 6.3: Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies—Prevent, prepare,
and respond to environmental emergencies and support other agencies on nationally
significant incidents, working with Tribes, states, and local planning and response
organizations.
GOAL, OBJECTIVE SUMMARY
Budget Authority
Full-time Equivalents
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final
Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Safeguard and Revitalize
Communities
$1,840,703
$1,912,643
$1,301,017
-$611,626
Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy
Communities
$1,312,826
$1,382,925
$542,476
-$840,449
Reduce Waste and Prevent
Environmental Contamination
$312,170
$311,402
$346,409
$35,007
Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies
$215,707
$218,316
$412,132
$193,816
Total Authorized Workyears
3,323.9
3,404.4
3,642.6
238.2
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Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Restore land to safe and productive uses to improve communities and protect public health.
Introduction
EPA collaborates with tribal, state, and local partners to benefit all communities across the United
States by cleaning up, addressing health and environmental risks and then returning contaminated
sites to productive use, through the Superfund, brownfields, underground storage tanks, and RCRA
programs. Cleaning up contaminated land contributes toward the Administration's Justice40 goal,
an initiative initially announced in Executive Order (EO) 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at
Home and Abroad,3,2 and amplified through Equity Plans under E.O. 13985 that outline specific
actions to ensure fair program implementation. Communities reuse previously contaminated sites
in many ways, including parks, shopping centers, sports fields, wildlife habitat, manufacturing
facilities, homes and infrastructure. These reuse outcomes can provide significant benefits for
underserved and overburdened communities. EPA and its partners also work to prevent releases
of contaminants, reduce waste by increasing materials recovery and recycling, and support
sustainable materials management practices. Through prevention activities, EPA protects
groundwater from releases from underground storage tanks. Through reduction and recycling
activities, EPA not only prevents future contamination but supports a less wasteful circular
economy. Additionally, EPA prepares for and responds to environmental emergencies as a mission
essential function. A recent example is responding to the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East
Palestine, Ohio. EPA On-Scene Coordinators and other personnel were boots-on-the ground since
the onset of the incident, conducting air, water, and soil monitoring at the site and working
alongside federal, state, and local partners with response efforts to ensure the health and safety of
the residents. In FY 2024, EPA requests a total of $1,301 billion and 3,642.6 FTE to support Goal
6, Safeguard and Revitalize Communities. New in FY 2024, discretionary appropriated funding
for certain CERCLA programs is not included here as it is transitioned to the Superfund Tax
receipts account. Superfund results remain critical to achieving environmental and human health
protections for the Nation.
Objective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities -
Clean up and restore contaminated sites to protect human health and the environment and build
vibrant communities, especially in underserved and overburdened areas.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $542.5 million and 2,028.5 FTE for Objective 6.1.33 This objective
directly supports the following long-term performance goals in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic
Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, bring human exposures under control at an additional 60
Superfund sites.
• By September 30, 2026, complete 225 Superfund cleanup projects that address lead as a
contaminant.
32 Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (January 27,2001), found at
https://w\Ąw.whitehouse.eoĄ/briefmg-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/()l/27/executiĄe-order-on-taclding-the-cliniate-crisis-at-
home-and-abroad/.
33 Included in Objective 6.1 are the Superfund Remedial and Emergency Response and Removal programs for which
appropriated funding is not requested. EPA will transition to funding from Superfund tax receipts for these programs in FY 2024.
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• By September 30, 2026, clean up an additional 650 brownfields properties.
• By September 30, 2026, make an additional 425 RCRA corrective action cleanups Ready
for Anticipated Use.
• By September 30, 2026, conduct an additional 35,000 cleanups at Leaking Underground
Storage Tank facilities.
Nationally, there are thousands of contaminated sites with challenging and complex environmental
problems, including soil, sediment, and groundwater contaminated by chemicals such as per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Superfund cleanups also contribute to reducing lead exposure,
a particular health risk for children. Recent research shows Superfund cleanup actions lowered the
risk of elevated blood lead levels by roughly 13 to 26 percent for children living within 1.2 miles
of a Superfund NPL site where lead is a contaminant of concern.34 While there is no single way
to characterize communities located near contaminated sites, the legacy of pollution
disproportionally affects communities of color, low-income communities, linguistically isolated
populations, and populations with lower rates of high school education. For these reasons, the
Superfund program is an important part of the Administration's Justice40 Initiative. By cleaning
up and returning contaminated land to productive use, EPA and its partners will reduce the
environmental and health effects of exposure to contamination in communities, especially for
underserved and overburdened communities.
In FY 2024, EPA proposes to transition from using annual appropriations to funding from
Superfund tax receipts for a number of core Superfund programs, starting with continuing critical
Superfund pre-construction work such as site characterization, construction/remedial design, and
community outreach/engagement, through the implementation of remedial efforts to clean up the
sites. This work will complement resources received through the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act of2021 (IIJA) to implement the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act (CERCLA) which have provided resources to help eliminate lags in investigation
and cleanup as well as foster climate change adaptations to protect at-risk populations. Federal
data in a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report suggests that approximately 60
percent of Superfund sites overseen by EPA are in areas that are vulnerable to wildfires and
different types of flooding - natural hazards that climate change will exacerbate. Nationwide, EPA
will aim to control human exposures at 12 additional Superfund sites supporting the 2022-2026
long-term performance goal of 60 sites. To reduce exposure to lead and associated health impacts,
EPA will complete at least 45 Superfund lead cleanup projects supporting the 2022-2026 long-
term performance goal of 225 projects.
In FY 2024, the Superfund Emergency Response and Removal Program also will transition to
Superfund tax receipts. Situations requiring emergency response and removal actions vary greatly
in size, nature, and location, and include chemical releases, fires or explosions, natural disasters,
and other threats to people from exposure to hazardous substances including from abandoned and
uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. EPA's 24-hour-a-day response capability is a cornerstone
element of the National Contingency Plan.35 These resources also will help the EPA and Navajo
34 Details can be found at https://www.epa.gov/eiwiromiieiital-ecoiioniics/research-eiiviromiieiital-ecoiioniics-iicee-workiiip-
paper-series.
35 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.goY/eniergencY-respoiise/iiatioiial-oil-and-hazardous-substances-
pollution-contingency-plan-ncp-overview.
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Nation to accelerate actions laid out in the 2020 Ten-Year Plan: Federal Actions to Address
Impacts of Uranium Contamination on the Navajo Nation 36
Additionally, in FY 2024, EPA requests an increase of $11.2 million in funding above the FY 2023
enacted to continue oversight of Federal Facility Superfund site cleanups and to strive to keep pace
with the growing number of PFAS cleanups at Department of Defense (DoD), Department of
Energy, and other federal agency sites. EPA anticipates additional engagement on non-National
Priorities List (NPL) federal facilities on the Federal Agency Hazardous Waste Compliance
Docket to address new information on PFAS at these sites and ensure appropriate assessment and
referral of these sites to appropriate cleanup programs.
Currently operating facilities or businesses also may have contamination requiring cleanup,
performed under the RCRA Corrective Action program. Cleaning up these contaminated sites also
serves as a catalyst for economic growth and community revitalization and can help to preserve
existing business operations. The 2021 RCRA economic benefits analyses of 79 RCRA cleanups
found that these cleaned up facilities support 1,028 on-site businesses, which provide economic
benefits including: $39 billion in annual sales revenue; over 82,000 jobs; and $7.9 billion in
estimated annual employment income.37 The FY 2024 Budget includes $41.7 million and 174.4
FTE to continue efforts to clean up 3,983 priority contaminated hazardous waste facilities under
RCRA, which include highly contaminated and technically challenging sites, and assess others to
determine whether cleanups are necessary. In FY 2022, EPA approved 124 RCRA corrective
action facilities as ready for anticipated use (RAU), bringing the total number of RCRA RAU
facilities to 1,922. In FY 2024, EPA will make an additional 85 sites RAU supporting the FY 2022-
2026 long-term performance goal of making 425 sites RAU.
Under the Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Program, EPA is requesting $79.7 million
and 46.8 FTE, an increase of $14.7 million and 5.2 FTE above the FY 2023 enacted, for states and
tribes to assess and clean up petroleum contamination, including in groundwater.38 EPA
collaborates with states to develop and implement flexible, state-driven strategies to reduce the
number of remaining LUST sites that have not reached cleanup completion. Through the
cooperative efforts between EPA and states, the backlog was reduced by approximately 42 percent
between the end of 2008 and October 2022 (from 102,798 to 59,890).39 Requested funds also will
support additional tribal cleanup activities in fenceline communities that are immediately adjacent
to oil and chemical facilities and UST who are vulnerable to environmental health hazards and
climate risks at those facilities.
In FY 2024, EPA requests $131.0 million for the Brownfields Projects Program that will build on
current work to revitalize communities, especially those that are historically overburdened and
underserved, by providing financial and technical assistance to assess, clean up, and plan reuse at
brownfields sites. In FY 2022, EPA leveraged 14,170 jobs and $1.8 billion in cleanup and
36 https://www.epa.KOv/sites/default/files/2021-02/documents/nnaum-ten-vear-plan-2021-01.pdf
37 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.KOv/hw/redevelopment-economics-rcra-corrective-action-facilities.
38 Almost half of the Nation's overall population and 99 percent of the population in rural areas rely on groundwater for drinking
water. (See EPA 2000 Water Quality Inventory Report, https://archive.epa.eov/water/archive/web/htnil/2000report index.html).
39 For additional information, please see EPA website: https://wwiv.epa.gov/ust/ust-perfoniiance-nieasures.
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redevelopment funds and made 662 additional brownfields sites RAU. Activities undertaken in
FY 2024 will leverage approximately 13,400 jobs and $2.6 billion in other funding sources.40
In FY 2024, EPA continues to request the $20 million first provided in the FY 2023 enacted budget
to inventory and support the cleanup of contaminated lands in Alaska, many of which were
contaminated while not under Alaska Native ownership. Contaminants on some of these lands -
arsenic, asbestos, lead, mercury, pesticides, PCBs, and other petroleum products - pose health
concerns to Alaskan Native communities, negatively impact subsistence resources, and hamper
economic activity.
Objective 6.2: Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination - Prevent
environmental pollution by preventing releases, reducing waste, increasing materials recovery
and recycling, and ensuring sustainable materials management practices.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $346.4 million and 695.4 FTE for Objective 6.2. This objective
directly supports the following long-term performance goal in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic
Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, increase the percentage of updated permits at RCRA facilities to
80% from the FY 2021 baseline of 72.7%.
Nationwide, EPA and its state partners strive to reach all permitting-related decisions in a timely
manner for the approximately 6,700 hazardous waste units (e.g., incinerators, landfills, and tanks)
located at 1,300 permitted treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. The goal is to ensure that
permits are updated to reflect the latest technology and standards and remain protective under
changing conditions, such as climate change, and that communities, including those that are
underserved and overburdened, have an equitable opportunity to engage in the permitting process
over time. To measure progress, EPA has set an FY 2024 target of 110 permit renewals at
hazardous waste facilities supporting the FY 2022-2026 long-term performance goal.
The FY 2024 Budget supports building capacity to implement various aspects of the coal
combustion residuals (CCR) program. The Agency has promulgated regulations specifying
improved management and disposal practices to protect people and ecosystems. The Agency will
continue to work with our stakeholders as we implement these regulations. In FY 2024, EPA will
take action to ensure protective management of CCR through the implementation of existing
regulations, promulgation of additional regulations to address legacy surface impoundments, and
the launch of a federal permitting program. EPA will continue to work with states that wish to
establish state CCR permit programs that meet EPA's baseline requirements.
Through its National Recycling Strategy and efforts to advance a more circular economy, EPA is
working to develop a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective U.S. municipal solid waste
recycling system.41 Recycling is an important part of a circular economy, which refers to a system
40 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management Estimate. All estimates of outputs and outcomes are supported by the
data that is entered by cooperative agreement recipients via EPA's ACRES database.
41 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/recvclingstrategy/what-circular-
economv#:~:text=EPA's%20circular%20economv%20for%20alUhealthv%20communities%20are%20the%20goals.
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of activities that is restorative to the environment, enables resources to maintain their highest
values, designs out waste, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling helps alleviate
burdens on populations that bear the brunt of poorly run waste management facilities. The FY
2024 Budget includes $10 million to continue efforts to strengthen the U.S. recycling system,
address the global issue of plastic waste, engage communities, and prevent and reduce food loss
and waste. EPA will work with recipients of the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR)
grants and Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) grants on their projects, which are funded
primarily by the IIJA, as well as complete key studies, and identify additional actions needed to
support a circular economy for all.
To protect groundwater from releases of petroleum from underground storage tanks (UST), EPA
works with its tribal and state partners on prevention. FY 2024 resources include $42.6 million
and 61.8 FTE, an increase of $3.3 million and 5.5 FTE, for inspecting UST facilities to meet the
three-year inspection requirement and assisting states in adopting prevention measures such as
delivery prohibition, secondary containment, and operator training. EPA also will continue
assessing the compatibility of UST systems with higher blends of ethanol, including El5, in
fenceline communities. These activities emphasize bringing UST systems into compliance with
release detection and release prevention requirements and minimizing future releases. Due to the
increased emphasis on inspections and release prevention requirements, the number of confirmed
releases decreased from 6,847 in FY 2014 to 4,568 reported releases in FY 2022.
Objective 6.3: Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies - Prevent, prepare,
and respond to environmental emergencies and support other agencies on nationally significant
incidents, working with Tribes, states, and local planning and response organizations.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $412.1 million and 918.7 FTE to support Objective 6.3. This
objective directly supports the following long-term performance goal in the FY2022 - 2026EPA
Strategic Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, ensure that 40% of annual emergency response and removal
exercises that EPA conducts or participates in incorporate environmental justice.
Environmental emergencies are growing in frequency, and the risks they pose are increasing. EPA
strives to prevent such emergencies and be ready to respond to those that occur through the
Agency's planning and preparedness efforts, in coordination with and through the support of
partner organizations. EPA develops regulations and policies that aim to prevent environmental
emergencies and enhance the ability of communities and facilities to prepare for and respond to
emergencies that occur. EPA also prepares for the possibility of significant incidents by
maintaining a trained corps of federal On-Scene Coordinators, Special Teams, and Response
Support Corps, and by providing guidance and technical assistance to tribal, state, and local
planning and response organizations to strengthen their preparedness. EPA carries out its
responsibility under multiple statutory authorities and the National Response Framework, which
provides the comprehensive federal structure for managing national emergencies.
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In FY 2024, EPA will continue to chair the U.S. National Response Team42 and co-chair the 13
Regional Response Teams, which serve as multi-agency coordination groups supporting
emergency responders when convened as incident specific teams. EPA will participate in the
development of limited, scenario-specific exercises and regional drills designed to assess national
emergency response management capabilities. To bring broader opportunity to participate in these
key planning and preparation activities, EPA has set a long-term performance goal of ensuring that
40 percent of annual emergency response and removal exercises that EPA conducts or participates
in incorporate environmental justice principles. Based upon higher-than-expected results in the
measure's initial year, EPA anticipates meeting this goal ahead of schedule.
EPA will inspect chemical facilities to prevent accidental releases. The objective is to ensure
compliance with accident prevention and preparedness regulations at Risk Management Plan
(RMP) and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)-regulated
facilities and to work with chemical facilities to reduce chemical risks and improve safety to
populations, especially in fenceline communities. There are approximately 12,000 chemical
facilities that are subject to the RMP regulations. Of these, approximately 1,800 facilities have
been designated as high-risk based upon their accident history, quantity of on-site dangerous
chemicals stored, and proximity to large residential populations.43 EPA prioritizes inspections at
high-risk facilities and will focus on those facilities located in communities with environmental
justice concerns and communities with increased climate-related risks (e.g., extreme weather,
flooding, wildfires). In addition, EPA is developing a regulatory action to revise the RMP
regulations to incorporate consideration of communities with environmental justice concerns and
those vulnerable to climate risks.
In FY 2024, EPA will inspect oil facilities to ensure compliance with prevention and preparedness
requirements. Inspections involve reviewing the facility's prevention, preparedness, and response
plans and discussing key aspects of these plans with facility staff. EPA will increase inspections,
enforcement, and compliance assistance at regulated facilities, focusing on high-risk facilities
located in communities with environmental justice concerns and communities with increased
climate-related risks. EPA also will conduct unannounced exercises at facilities subject to Facility
Response Plan regulations, a subset of facilities identified as high risk due to their size and location,
to test the facility owner's ability to put preparedness and response plans into action.
42 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.nrt.0rg/.https://ww.nrt.0rg/.
43 Located in the EPA RMP database.
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment—Increase the safety of
chemicals and pesticides and prevent pollution at the source.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
- Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety—Protect the health of families,
communities, and ecosystems from the risks posed by chemicals and pesticides.
- Objective 7.2: Promote Pollution Prevention—Encourage the adoption of pollution
prevention and other stewardship practices that conserve natural resources, mitigate
climate change, and promote environmental sustainability.
GOAL, OBJECTIVE SUMMARY
Budget Authority
Full-time Equivalents
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final
Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Ensure Safety of Chemicals for
People and the Environment
$444,661
$455,605
$581,315
$125,710
Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety
$364,088
$367,932
$470,715
$102,783
Promote Pollution Prevention
$80,573
$87,673
$110,600
$22,927
Total Authorized Workyears
1,665.5
1,679.9
1,954.0
274.0
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Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Increase the safety of chemicals and pesticides and prevent pollution at the source.
Introduction
EPA is responsible for ensuring the safety of chemicals and pesticides for the environment and
people at all life stages, improving access to chemical safety information, and preventing pollution
at the source before it occurs. The Agency focuses on assessing, preventing, and reducing releases
and exposures resulting from the manufacture, processing, use, and disposal of chemicals and
pesticides and advances the community's right-to-know about these releases and exposures. EPA
works to protect the most vulnerable populations from unsafe exposures, especially children, the
elderly, and those with environmental justice concerns (including low-income, minority and
indigenous populations) who may already be disproportionately harmed by and at risk from other
stressors. In addition, EPA works to ensure public access to chemical and pesticide data, analytical
tools, and other sources of information and expertise, and promotes source reduction, integrated
pest management, and other pollution prevention strategies by organizations and businesses. In
total, the FY 2024 Budget includes $581.3 million and 1,954.0 FTE for Goal 7: Ensure Safety of
Chemicals for People and the Environment.
In FY 2024, EPA's activities under this goal, as described below, will focus on evaluating,
assessing, and managing risks from exposure to new and existing industrial chemicals; continuing
to address lead-based paint risks; reviewing and registering new pesticides and new uses for
existing pesticides; reducing occupational exposure to pesticides, particularly in disadvantaged
communities; and addressing potential risks to threatened and endangered species from pesticides.
In addition, EPA will continue working with tribes, state agencies, industry, and communities to
implement voluntary efforts to prevent pollution at the source and continue to publish Toxics
Release Inventory (TRI) data on chemical releases from industrial facilities for public review and
use.
Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety - Protect the health of families,
communities, and ecosystems from the risks posed by chemicals and pesticides.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $470.7 million and 1,677. FTE for Objective 7.1. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, complete at least eight High Priority Substance (HPS) TSCA risk
evaluations annually within statutory timelines compared to the FY 2020 baseline of one.
• By September 30, 2026, initiate all TSCA risk management actions within 45 days of the
completion of a final existing chemical risk evaluation.
• By September 30, 2026, review 90% of risk management actions for past TSCA new
chemical substances reported to the 2020 Chemical Data Reporting Rule (CDR) compared
to the FY 2021 baseline of none.44
44 Changed from "By September 30, 2026, review 90% of risk mitigation requirements for past TSCA new chemical substances
decisions compared to the FY 2021 baseline of none."
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• By September 30, 2026, recertify before the expiration date 36% of lead-based paint
Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) firms whose certifications are scheduled to expire
compared to the FY 2021 baseline of 32%.
• By September 30, 2026, complete 78 pesticide registration review cases with statutory due
dates that fall after October 1, 2022.
• By September 30, 2026, consider the effects determinations or protections of federally
threatened and endangered species for all new active ingredients in 90% of the risk
assessments supporting pesticide registration decisions for new active ingredients
compared to the FY 2020 baseline of 50%.
• By September 30, 2026, consider the effects determinations or protections of federally
threatened and endangered species in 50% of the risk assessments supporting pesticide
registration review decisions compared to the FY 2020 baseline of 27%.
• By September 30, 2026, support Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) pesticide
safety training for 20,000 farmworkers annually compared to the FY 2018-2020 annual
average baseline of 11,000.
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Under Section 5 of TSCA, EPA is responsible for reviewing all new chemical submissions before
they enter commerce to determine whether the chemicals may pose unreasonable risks to human
health or the environment.45 In FY 2024, EPA will conduct risk assessments and make affirmative
determinations on risks for more than 500 new chemical notice and exemption submissions
annually.
Under TSCA Section 6,46 EPA has responsibility for prioritizing and evaluating at least 20 existing
chemicals at a time, assessing additional chemicals at manufacturers' request, and managing
identified unreasonable risks. In FY 2024, EPA will continue developing draft and final risk
evaluations for High Priority Substances (HPS) and will develop risk management actions in
response to unreasonable human health and environmental risks identified in nine of the first 10
risk evaluations. The FY 2024 Budget includes $130.7 million and 451.8 FTE for the EPM TSCA
Program, an increase of $47.9 million and 112.5 FTE above the FY 2023 enacted. Increased
funding for the TSCA Program is needed in FY 2024 to advance implementation of the law's
requirements. While the Program received additional funding in FY 2023, the full request of $130
million is needed in FY 2024, else achieving the TSCA goals will be a challenge.
Lead-Based Paint (LBP) Risk Reduction
Also under TSCA, EPA's EPM Lead-Based Paint Risk Reduction Program contributes to the goal
of reducing lead exposure and works toward addressing historic and persistent disproportionate
45 Actions under TSCA Section 5 may be found at: https://www.epa.eoY/reYiewiiig-iiew-cheniicals-uiider-toxic-substaiices-control-
act-tsca/actions-under-tsca-section-5.
46 Information regarding the regulation of Chemicals under Section 6(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act may be found at:
https://www.epa.Kov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/regulation-chemicals-under-section-6a-toxic-substances.
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vulnerabilities of certain communities.47'48 With $14.4 million and 62.9 FTE included in the FY
2024 Budget, EPA will continue to reduce exposure to lead in paint and dust by establishing
standards governing lead hazard identification and abatement practices; establishing and
maintaining a national pool of certified firms and individuals; and providing information and
outreach to housing occupants and the public so they can make informed decisions and take actions
on lead hazards in their homes.
Pesticide Programs
In FY 2024, consistent with statutory responsibilities,49'50'51 EPA will continue to review and
register new pesticides and new uses for existing pesticides, and other covered applications under
the Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act (PRIA). EPA also will act on other
registration requests in accordance with Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA) and Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) standards. Many of these
registration actions will be for reduced-risk conventional pesticides and biopesticides, which, once
registered and used by consumers, will increase benefits to society and reduce ecological impacts.
Additionally, in FY 2024, EPA will continue to reevaluate existing chemicals in the marketplace
on a 15-year cycle to ensure the FIFRA standard for registration continues to be met based on
current science, including registration review actions subject to the October 1, 2026, deadline for
completion.
The Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS)52 and the Certification of Pesticide
Applicators (CPA)53 revised rules (finalized in FY 2015 and FY 2017, respectively) are key
elements of EPA's strategy for reducing occupational exposure to pesticides. In FY 2024, EPA
will continue to support the implementation of the regulations through education and outreach,
guidance development, and grant programs, with a particular focus on environmental justice issues
in rural communities and the health of farmworkers and their families.
Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA),54 EPA is responsible for ensuring that pesticide
regulatory decisions will not destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat or jeopardize
the continued existence of species listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
47 Childhood blood lead levels (BLL) have declined substantially since the 1970s, due largely to the phasing out of lead in
gasoline and to the reduction in the number of homes with lead-based paint hazards. The median concentration of lead in the
blood of children aged 1 to 5 years dropped from 15 micrograms per deciliter in 1976-1980 to 0.7 micrograms per deciliter in
2013-2014, a decrease of 95%. See. America's Children and the Environment (EPA, 2019), found at:
https://www.epa.gov/americaschildrenenvironment.
48 Among children ages 1 to 5 years in families with incomes below poverty level, the 95th percentile blood lead level (BLL) was
3.0 (ig/dL, and among those in families at or above the poverty level, it was 2.1 (ig/dL, a difference that was statistically
significant. See, America's Children and the Environment (EPA, 2019), found at:
https://www.epa.gov/americaschildrenenvironment.
49 Summary of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-federal-
insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act.
50 Summary of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-federal-food-drua~
and-cosnietic-act.
51 Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2018 (PRIA 4): https://www.epa.gov/pria-fees.
52 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safetY/agricultural-worker-protection-
standard-wps.
53 Revised Certification Standards for Pesticide Applicators: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/revised-certification-
standards-pesticide-applicators.
54 For additional information on the Endangered Species Protection Program, see: https://www.epa.gov/endangered-
species/about-endangered-species-protection-program. _
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Service (FWS) or the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), referred to collectively as the
Services. This presents a great challenge given that there are approximately 1,200 active
ingredients in more than 17,000 pesticide products—many of which have multiple uses.
Endangered species risk assessments are extraordinarily complex, national in scope, and involve
comprehensive evaluations that consider risks to over 1,700 listed endangered species and 800
designated critical habitats in the U.S. with diverse biological attributes, habitat requirements, and
geographic ranges. In April 2022, EPA released a workplan outlining priorities for coming into
compliance with ESA across the numerous types of actions it completes each year as well as the
development of several pilots to begin to develop more programmatic approaches for ESA
compliance.55 EPA prioritized meeting its ESA obligations for all conventional new active
ingredient applications whereby all new active ingredient registrations will only be registered
under conditions that comply with ESA. EPA also prioritized ESA determinations in response to
litigation commitments and court decisions (the ESA workplan includes a list of the FY 2024
litigation commitments regarding ESA determinations and implementations of biological opinions
from the Services). The increase EPA received in the FY 2023 enacted budget serves as initial
funding to support EPA efforts in meeting these specific workplan commitments. In November
2022, EPA released a workplan update that announced the incorporation of a focus on FIFRA
interim ecological mitigations for non-target and ESA listed species, including listed species, that
EPA plans to incorporate into registration review and additional initiatives to make even faster
progress on some of our ESA goals.56
The FY 2024 Budget requests $75.4 million and 221.6 FTE for the EPM Pesticide: Protect the
Environment from Pesticide Risk Program, an increase of $26.7 million and 22.5 FTE above the
FY 2023 enacted level. Of this increased funding, $24.8 million and 20.0 FTE will support the
ESA compliance work. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to develop and improve existing processes
to allow EPA to protect listed species earlier in the regulatory and consultation processes and
pursue other major improvements to its ESA compliance work in coordination with the Services.
Objective 7.2: Promote Pollution Prevention - Encourage the adoption of pollution prevention
and other stewardship practices that conserve natural resources, mitigate climate change, and
promote environmental sustainability.
The FY 2024 Budget includes $110.6 million and 276.9 FTE for Objective 7.2. This objective is
directly supported by the following long-term performance goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan:
• By September 30, 2026, reduce a total of 6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
(MMTC02e) released attributed to EPA pollution prevention grants.
• By September 30, 2026, EPA's Safer Choice Program will certify a total of2,300 products
compared to the FY 2021 baseline of 1,892 total certified products.
55 For additional information, see: https://www.epa.goY/sYsteni/files/docunieiits/2022-04/balaiiciiip-wildlife-protectioii-and-
responsible-pesticide-use final.pdf
56 For additional information, see: https://wwiv.epa.goY/sYsteni/files/docunients/2022-l 1/esa-workplan-update.pdf.
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Pollution Prevention
EPA's implementation of the Pollution Prevention (P2) Program under the Pollution Prevention
Act of 199057 is one of EPA's primary tools for advancing environmental stewardship and
sustainability by federal, tribal, and state governments, businesses, communities, and individuals.
These practices focus on reducing the amount of any hazardous substance, pollutant, or
contaminant entering a waste stream or released into the environment prior to recycling of
discarded material, treatment, or disposal, as well as conserving the use of natural resources. P2
grants - a key element of the P2 Program - contributed to the elimination of 18.6 million metric
tons of greenhouse gases between 2011 and 2020.58 In FY 2024, EPA will continue its work to
prevent pollution at the source by awarding targeted P2 grants to tribes, states, and local
governments, encouraging the use of products certified by EPA as safer for the environment,
encouraging federal procurement of environmentally preferable products, and enhancing the use
of TRI data to help prevent pollution and support the Administration's environmental justice
priorities.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to focus on carrying out sector focused P2 National Emphasis
Areas59 and enabling the replication and leveraging of business successes supported by the $5
million P2 grants awarded annually. The Agency will deliver training on green chemistry and
engineering solutions to companies, consumers, and communities. EPA also will deliver training
and conduct outreach for communities overburdened with pollution, as well as tribal, state, and
local governments to help with product and service procurement choices that are environmentally
sound and promote human and environmental health. The additional Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act (IIJA) funding for the Program for FY 2022 to 2026 will significantly increase results
and the generation of information on P2 approaches that other businesses can replicate, particularly
in disadvantaged communities
In FY 2024, EPA plans to complete the process of updating and strengthening the standards of the
Safer Choice (SC) Program,60 which advances chemical safety by increasing the availability and
identification of products containing ingredients that meet stringent health and environmental
criteria, through a notice and comment process after consultation with stakeholders. The Agency
will conduct outreach with federal, tribal, state, and local government procurement officials and
institutional and industrial purchasers to communicate the benefits of SC and other
environmentally preferable products, and work to make SC-certified products more widely
available to disadvantaged communities. EPA will continue to partner with organizations serving
disadvantaged communities with environmental concerns to help custodial staff and house
cleaning companies fight occupational exposure-related conditions (e.g., asthma) and gain access
to certified products. EPA also will update the Safer Chemical Ingredients List to enhance
transparency and facilitate expansion of safer chemical choices and products, including increasing
the number and volume of SC-certified products.61
The FY 2024 Budget includes $29 million and 69.2 FTE to support the P2 Program in the EPM
appropriation, an increase of $16 million and 18 FTE above the FY 2023 enacted budget. This
57 Summary of the Pollution Prevention Act: https://www.epa.KOv/laws-regulations/summary-pollution-prevention-act.
58 For additional information, see: https://www.epa.KOv/svstem/files/documents/2021-07/p2flier 2021 O.pdf.
59 P2 National Emphasis Areas may be found at: https://www.epa.eoY/p2/p2-national-eniphasis-areas-iieas.
60 For additional information on Safer Choice, please visit: https://wwiv.epa.eov/saferchoice.
61 The Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL) may be found at: https://www.epa.eoY/saferchoice/safer-inpredients.
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increase will fund a new P2 grant program to support small businesses with transitioning to TSCA
compliant practices and mitigate economic impacts. EPA's P2 Program has supported work by P2
grantees, over several years, to work with businesses and industry to identify technically and
economically feasible alternatives to toxic chemicals, including some that are the focus of current
TSCA risk evaluation and management (e.g., halogenated solvents used in a variety of industries
such as degreasing in metal fabrication). Additionally, pollution prevention reporting under the
TRI Program collects information on facility-level P2 practices associated with reductions in use
and release of toxic chemicals. In FY 2024, EPA will evaluate and integrate P2 case studies and
best practices relevant to TSCA risk management by small businesses, clarify technical and
economic factors associated with such transitions, and develop and deploy pilot programs to
leverage training and ongoing support for small businesses expected to be making transitions in
response to TSCA risk management.
Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
The TRI Program provides data to support partnerships between community groups and companies
that has reduced toxic pollution.62 With the FY 2024 request of $14 million and 37 FTE for the
TRI/Right to Know Program, EPA will continue research on tools that can quickly and accurately
identify disadvantaged communities near TRI facilities, which would support prioritization of P2
initiatives. In addition, in FY 2024, EPA will continue to publish the TRI and use analyses of toxic
chemical releases from industrial facilities located near disadvantaged communities with
environmental concerns to identify and develop sector specific P2 case studies, best practices,
outreach, and training. This will help facilitate adoption of P2 practices in the facilities and in the
communities themselves.
62 For additional information, please visit the TRI for Communities webpage: https://www.epa.gov/toxios-release-inventory-tri-
program/tri-for-communities.
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Science and Technology
Resource Summary Table 76
Program Projects in S&T 76
Clean Air 79
Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs 80
Climate Protection 85
Federal Support for Air Quality Management 88
Federal Vehicle and Fuels Standards and Certification 91
Enforcement 100
Forensics Support 101
Homeland Security 104
Homeland Security: Critical Infrastructure Protection 105
Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery 113
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure 121
Indoor Air and Radiation 123
Indoor Air: Radon Program 124
Radiation: Protection 126
Radiation: Protection 127
Radiation: Response Preparedness 129
Radiation: Response Preparedness 130
Reduce Risks from Indoor Air 132
Reduce Risks from Indoor Air 133
IT / Data Management 135
IT / Data Management 136
Operations and Administration 139
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations 140
Pesticides Licensing 143
Pesticides: Protect Human Health from Pesticide Risk 144
Pesticides: Protect the Environment from Pesticide Risk 149
Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide Availability 152
Research: Air and Energy 155
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Research: Air, Climate and Energy 156
Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability 162
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability 163
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment 169
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment 170
Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources 176
Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources 177
Research: Sustainable Communities 185
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities 186
Water: Human Health Protection 192
Drinking Water Programs 193
Congressional Priorities 196
Congressional Priorities 197
75
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: Science & Technology
Resource Summary Table
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2023
President's Budget
FY 2022
Enacted
FY 2024
v.
Final
Operating
President's
FY 2023 Enacted
Actuals
Plan
Budget
Operating Plan
Science & Technology
Budget Authority
$740,947
$802,276
$967,838
$165,562
Total Workyears
2,005.4
2,022.0
2,265.7
243.7
*For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund account.
Bill Language: Science & Technology
For science and technology, including research and development activities, which shall include
research and development activities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of1980; necessary expenses for personnel and related costs, for
executive oversight of regional laboratories, and travel expenses; procurement of laboratory
equipment and supplies; hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft; and other operating
expenses in support of research and development, $967,838,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025.
Program Projects in S&T
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Clean Air and Climate
Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs
$8,360
$7,117
$19,983
$12,866
Climate Protection
$6,723
$8,750
$10,724
$1,974
Federal Support for Air Quality Management
$8,494
$11,343
$10,666
-$677
Federal Vehicle and Fuels Standards and
Certification
$101,348
$117,341
$179,617
$62,276
Subtotal, Clean Air and Climate
$124,925
$144,551
$220,990
$76,439
Indoor Air and Radiation
Indoor Air: Radon Program
$116
$199
$173
-$26
Radiation: Protection
$2,224
$1,683
$2,349
$666
Radiation: Response Preparedness
$2,928
$3,596
$4,686
$1,090
Reduce Risks from Indoor Air
$136
$278
$183
-$95
Subtotal, Indoor Air and Radiation
$5,404
$5,756
$7,391
$1,635
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Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Enforcement
Forensics Support
$14,815
$15,532
$18,657
$3,125
Homeland Security
Homeland Security: Critical Infrastructure
Protection
$9,941
$10,852
$34,205
$23,353
Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and
Recovery
$24,536
$25,347
$39,539
$14,192
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel
and Infrastructure
$501
$625
$501
-$124
Subtotal, Homeland Security
$34,978
$36,824
$74,245
$37,421
IT / Data Management / Security
IT / Data Management
$2,799
$3,197
$3,313
$116
Operations and Administration
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$68,347
$67,500
$72,043
$4,543
Pesticides Licensing
Pesticides: Protect Human Health from Pesticide
Risk
$2,854
$2,894
$4,031
$1,137
Pesticides: Protect the Environment from
Pesticide Risk
$2,487
$2,334
$2,339
$5
Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide
Availability
$941
$925
$1,002
$77
Subtotal, Pesticides Licensing
$6,282
$6,153
$7,372
$1,219
Research: Air, Climate and Energy
Research: Air, Climate and Energy
$93,402
$100,448
$137,835
$37,387
Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
$113,427
$116,141
$123,555
$7,414
Research: Sustainable Communities
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
$133,808
$137,857
$146,642
$8,785
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
$38,740
$39,918
$44,942
$5,024
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Endocrine Disruptors
$16,325
$16,353
$17,530
$1,177
Computational Toxicology
$21,349
$21,606
$23,128
$1,522
Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability (other activities)
$54,679
$54,591
$63,220
$8,629
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Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Subtotal, Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability
$92,353
$92,550
$103,878
$11,328
Subtotal, Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability
$131,092
$132,468
$148,820
$16,352
Ensure Safe Water
Drinking Water Programs
$4,177
$5,098
$6,975
$1,877
Clean and Safe Water Technical Assistance Grants
Congressional Priorities
$7,492
$30,751
$0
-$30,751
TOTAL S&T
$740,947
$802,276
$967,838
$165,562
*For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund account.
78
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Clean Air
79
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Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs
Program Area: Clean Air and Climate
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$15,423
$16,554
$30,535
$13,981
Science & Technology
$ 8,360
$7,117
$19,983
$12,866
Total Budget Authority
$23,783
$23,671
$50,518
$26,847
Total Workyears
66.3
66.7
86.1
19.4
Program Project Description:
This Program is responsible for managing the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET),
an ambient monitoring network that has been continuously collecting data for more than 30 years.
CASTNET serves as the Nation's primary source for assessing long-term trends in rural air quality
and atmospheric pollutant inputs to ecosystems. CASTNET sites are uniquely situated in remote
and high elevation areas within 42 states and seven tribal boundaries. The network provides
valuable data to support the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in many
areas not monitored by state, local, and tribal monitoring agencies. Additionally, CASTNET ozone
data are used for exceptional event assessments of international transport, background
concentrations, wildfire events, and stratospheric ozone intrusions often leading to ozone
exceedances. The CASTNET program also supports 71 ambient ammonia monitoring sites and 30
wet deposition sites through its contribution to the National Atmospheric Deposition Program
(NADP) to assess atmospheric concentrations of PM precursors (e.g., ammonia), nitrogen impacts
on air and water quality (e.g., eutrophication, algal blooms), and ecosystem effects (e.g., reduction
in biodiversity). The Agency utilizes CASTNET data to support the development, evaluation, and
validation of air quality models used to assess results under potential future emission and climate
scenarios. Used in conjunction with other ambient air quality networks, CASTNET's data products
also are used to determine the effectiveness of national and regional emission control programs,
validate satellite measurements, and provide near-real time data to support AirNow and Air
Quality Index (AQI) reporting tools.
The CASTNET program provides spatial and temporal trends in ambient air quality and is the
largest network in the world reporting atmospheric deposition used to assess ecological impacts in
sensitive ecosystems (e.g., national parks, freshwater bodies, and subalpine regions). The sites also
fill critical data gaps needed to understand precursor emission contributions leading to air quality
issues affecting downwind population centers, such as agricultural activity, oil and gas production,
wildfire smoke, and wood smoke in mountain valleys. Rural CASTNET sites are intentionally
located away from stationary emission sources but are often located in or near economically
disadvantaged communities, tribal communities, or communities of color. Maintaining the
CASTNET monitoring network continues to be critical for assessing the environmental benefits
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realized from regional emission reduction programs (thereby reducing secondary pollutant
formation of ozone and fine particles), and simultaneously evaluating how climate stressors may
impact future improvements to air quality and ecosystem recovery. During the pandemic, EPA
addressed the disparate impacts of COVID-19 on areas with poor air quality by using CASTNET
data to track and assess how pandemic-related policies and changes in economic activity affected
air quality.
EPA works closely with tribal governments to build tribal air monitoring capacity through
partnerships with the CASTNET program. Since 2002, CASTNET has added seven sites on tribal
lands, including two new sites in the northwest U.S. By expanding tribal partnerships, CASTNET
can fill important spatial gaps in air quality and atmospheric deposition monitoring while providing
tribes with the equipment and technical training to collect and report local air quality data. Tribes
benefit from dedicated monitoring sites that build technical skills, provide near-real time air quality
data to the community, and provide environmental data that help tribes assess the impacts of air
pollution on cultural or natural resources on tribal lands. Tribal partners utilize the CASTNET data
to review permit applications, assess impacts from upwind emissions sources, and provide hands-
on educational training. CASTNET hosts quarterly calls with EPA Regions and tribal partners
which provides a forum for sharing technical information, establishing training modules, and
engaging directly with the user community.
To support modernization efforts, CASTNET will use the existing network infrastructure to fill in
gaps in continuous measurements necessary to evaluate changes in atmospheric chemistry and
global climate impacts on air quality and deposition. The Program is well-situated to measure
background or regional levels of air toxics (e.g., ethylene oxide) and persistent chemicals of
concern (e.g., PFAS compounds). Measuring speciated reactive nitrogen will provide valuable
data that states can use to determine which precursors are driving PM formation and make more
informed decisions on emission control strategies. Furthermore, continuing to expand capacity
while modernizing the CASTNET infrastructure ensures data can be made available in near-real
time to address short-term changes in air quality resulting from meteorological conditions, such as
temperature inversions, or natural disasters, such as wildfires.
This program also is responsible for managing EPA's Long-Term Monitoring (LTM) program,
which was created to assess the health of lakes and streams in response to changes in deposition
of atmospheric pollutants. It also ensures that the Clean Air Act continues to be effective in
reducing the impact of atmospheric pollutants (e.g., strong acid anions) on surface waters in New
England, the Adirondack Mountains, the Northern Appalachian Plateau (including the Catskill
mountains), and the Blue Ridge region. This program is operated cooperatively with partners in
state agencies, academic institutions, and other federal agencies. The LTM surface water chemistry
monitoring program provides field measurements for understanding biogeochemical changes in
sulfur, nitrogen, acid neutralizing capacity, aluminum, and carbon in streams and lakes in relation
to reductions in pollutant emissions and a changing climate. The LTM program is one of the
longest running programs at EPA, providing a longitudinal dataset based on sampling and
measurements since 1983.
This program also supports the Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs, which are nationwide and
multi-state programs that address air pollutants that are transported across state, regional, and
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international boundaries. Programs designed to control SO2 and NOx include Title IV (the Acid
Rain Program) of the Clean Air Act, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), the CSAPR
Update (which was revised in 2021 in response to a court remand), and the Revised CSAPR
Update. The infrastructure for the Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs also supports
implementation of other state and federal programs to control SO2, hazardous air pollutants, and
greenhouse gases.
Both the CSAPR and the CSAPR Update Rule require 27 states in the eastern U.S. to limit their
emissions of SO2 and/or NOx in order to reduce or eliminate the states' contributions to fine
particulate matter and/or ground-level ozone pollution in other states. These programs set
emissions limitations that are defined in terms of maximum statewide "budgets" for emissions of
annual SO2, annual NOx, and/or ozone-season NOx from each state's large electric generating
units. EPA is supporting state efforts with respect to best available retrofit technology, reasonable
progress, and interstate visibility transport, as those obligations relate to SO2 emissions from
electricity generating units.1 The air quality and other environmental information gathered through
this program also support other Clean Air Allowance Trading Program-related rulemakings, such
as EPA's proposed Good Neighbor Plan to reduce emissions contributing to interstate air pollution
under the 2015 ozone NAAQS and rulemakings associated with Regional Haze.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.1, Improve Air Quality and Reduce
Localized Pollution and Health Impacts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting funding to modernize the existing CASTNET network, focusing
on greater system reliability, enhanced network automation, and "big data" improvements for
enhanced assessments, maintain and provide additional monitoring sites and deployable monitors
on tribal lands, and expand site functionality (i.e., measuring additional air pollutants). In FY
2024, EPA will:
Continue to support 64 CASTNET sites, including seven tribal sites, 30 NADP National
Trends Network (NTN), 71 NADP Ammonia Monitoring Network (AMoN), and LTM sites
that provide long-term atmospheric concentrations, deposition, and surface water quality data.
Data are used to analyze and assess air quality, trends in sulfur and nitrogen deposition, critical
loads, and other indicators of ecosystem health.
• Provide support for independent audits and required performance evaluations to assure high-
quality data to support the NAAQS and environmental assessments.
Continue progress toward increasing monitoring capacity by working to identify new tribal
partners and other underserved communities that would benefit from joining a national air
monitoring program.
1 Clean Air Act § 110 and § 169A; refer to 40 CFR 52.2312.
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• Invest in technology and small businesses by replacing aging equipment, repairing monitoring
shelters more than 30 years old that have deteriorated due to extreme weather and deploying
new equipment and monitoring sites in rural, often low-income/minority areas. The CASTNET
contractor allocates 55 percent of their subcontract dollars to small businesses responsible for
performing calibrations, managing site operators, and data analyses.
• Upgrade aging CASTNET equipment. To improve overall data quality EPA will replace
continuous ozone analyzers, and procure new PM and gas analyzers (e.g., CO, VOCs,
speciated nitrogen) that will support NAAQS assessments, emission control strategies,
regulatory actions, and climate impacts on air quality and ecosystems in the future. Analyzers
will be integrated into the existing automated calibration systems to improve network
resiliency.
• Utilize existing infrastructure to expand network capacity by adding measurement systems for
background and regional concentrations of air toxics and emerging pollutants of concern. Data
will complement urban measurements and provide valuable information on atmospheric
pathways and chemical transformations that will impact health risks.
Continue to modernize the data reporting tools and visualizations to improve user experiences
and data access, particularly during emergencies (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic). Strengthening
front-end and back-end data management platforms will improve system reliability and allows
state and local agencies to quickly make critical decisions. Providing real-time air quality data
during such events is valuable for informing vulnerable populations about health risks.
• Assure the continuation of ongoing SO2 and NOx emission reductions from power plants in
the eastern half of the U.S. by implementing CSAPR and the CSAPR Update, and across the
contiguous U.S. by implementing the Acid Rain Program.2
• Ensure accurate and consistent results for the Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs.
Continue work on performance specifications and investigating monitoring alternatives and
methods to improve the efficiency of monitor certification and emissions data reporting.
• Work with states to implement emission reduction programs to comply with CAA Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) requirements, including conducting environmental justice analyses to
consider the distributional impacts of emissions on overburdened and vulnerable
communities.3
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM NOX) Tons of ozone season NOx emissions from electric power generation sources.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
355,000
344,000
332,000
Tons
Actual
464,999
443,764
389,170
341,082
359,124
326,722
2 Clean Air Act §§ 110(a)(2)(D) and 401.
3 For more information on program performance, please see: https://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/progress.
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$383.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$13,249.0 / +1.7 FTE) This program change is an increase to maintain and provide
additional monitoring sites and deployable monitors, including on tribal lands, and expand site
functionality (i.e., measuring additional air pollutants). This investment includes $302.0
thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act.
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Climate Protection
Program Area: Clean Air and Climate
Goal: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective(s): Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$100,267
$101,000
$170,512
$69,512
Science X Technology
v., ~23
.SiV,
SI IK W
S I.V-I
Total Budget Authority
$106,990
$109,750
$181,236
$71,486
Total Workyears
209.3
216.1
256.7
40.6
Program Project Description:
The Climate Protection Program supports implementation and compliance with greenhouse gas
(GHG) emission standards for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles developed under EPA's Federal
Vehicle and Fuels Standards and Certification Program. Resources under this Program also support
compliance activities for implementing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's
(NHTSA) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Under authorities contained in
the Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy Act, EPA is responsible for issuing certificates and
ensuring compliance with both the GHG and CAFE standards.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 1/Objective 1.1, Reduce Emissions that Cause
Climate Change in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Resources will support the following activities:
Certification and Compliance
Implementation of the GHG emission standards for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles and engines
has significantly increased EPA's certification and compliance responsibilities. These
responsibilities play a critical role in ensuring that the programs achieve their climate goals. Over
time, in an effort to provide greater compliance flexibility for manufacturers, EPA has introduced
numerous innovative features into the vehicle certification process. These features include new
and more comprehensive trading programs, credits for off-cycle emission reductions, and new
federal test procedures. In FY 2024, EPA will continue implementing Light-Duty and Heavy-Duty
GHG programs based on the changes in the "near-term" Light-Duty final rule and the proposed
changes in the Heavy-Duty 2027+ rulemaking. This implementation requires significant
expansions of EPA's information technology systems, which provide an efficient means for
manufacturers to apply for and receive certificates of conformity, and for EPA to audit and oversee
manufacturer compliance.
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Vehicle and Engine Testing Services
EPA's National Vehicle & Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) has invested significant resources
to maintain its critical vehicle and engine testing capabilities and to upgrade them as needed to
implement new standards for fuel, vehicle, and engine emissions. These investments have included
updates to its four-wheel drive dynamometers and analytical systems needed to perform regulation
development and certification testing of light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles,
including battery electric and hybrid electric technologies. This modernized test environment has
led to new developments, such as test methods for accurately measuring the efficiency and range
of electrified vehicles and new processes for gathering and analyzing in-use fuel efficiency data
from vehicles tested on the road.
In FY 2024, NVFEL will direct resources toward updating its electric vehicle charging
infrastructure in the laboratory to support anticipated future test requirements for light-duty and
heavy-duty vehicles and will prepare for testing of hydrogen fuel cell technologies. NVFEL's
ongoing facility modernization has been essential to the implementation of testing requirements for
EPA's existing GHG regulations and has expanded production of scientific data on new and
emerging vehicle and engine technologies in support of EPA's current rulemaking activities.
Continued equipment modernization is critical to NVFEL in keeping pace with technology
advancements in the transportation sector, and in maintaining the lab's role as a trusted testing
standard for regulated industry and as a credible deterrent against non-compliance.
In addition to investing in emerging needs, NVFEL will continue to maintain, repair, and replace
aging laboratory equipment needed to sustain its core compliance testing activities. In FY 2024,
NVFEL plans to extensively replace aging or obsolete test equipment supporting its vehicle and
engine compliance programs. This represents a continuation of annual and ongoing capital
equipment maintenance associated with the expansion of lab testing programs needed to
implement light-duty and heavy-duty criteria pollutant and GHG regulations, which have
increased NVFEL's operation and maintenance costs by an estimated $2.1 million per year.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$43.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$1,931.0 / +2.3 FTE) This program change is an increase in support of the National
Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory compliance/certification work and mobile source
vehicle emissions analysis. Additional resources at the lab support restoring capacity to test
and certify engines, fuels, and vehicles to ensure compliance with regulatory standards,
and to generate emissions data to support regulatory development work essential to
tackling the climate change crisis. This investment includes $411.0 thousand for payroll.
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Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act; Pollution Prevention Act (PPA), §§ 6602-6605; National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), § 102; Clean Water Act, § 104; Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), § 8001; Energy Policy Act of 2005, § 756.
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Federal Support for Air Quality Management
Program Area: Clean Air and Climate
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
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Total Budget Authority
$157,387
$159,047
$366,682
$207,635
Total Workyears
827.8
879.3
1,079.7
200.4
Program Project Description:
Federal support for the criteria pollutant and air toxics programs includes a variety of tools to
characterize ambient air quality and the level of risk to the public from air pollutants and to measure
national progress toward improving air quality and reducing associated risks. The Federal Support
for Air Quality Management Program supports development of State Implementation Plans (SIPs)
through modeling and other tools and assists states in implementing, attaining, maintaining, and
enforcing the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants. The
Program also supports development and provision of information, training, and tools to assist state,
tribal, and local agencies, as well as communities, to reduce air toxics emissions and risks specific
to their local areas. In addition, the Program supports activities related to the Clean Air Act (CAA)
stationary source residual risk and technology review program. EPA is required to assess the level
of risk remaining after promulgation of National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAP) that are based on Maximum Available Control Technology (MACT) within eight years
of that promulgation. In addition, the Agency is required to review all NESHAP at least every eight
years to determine if revisions are needed to reflect developments in practices, processes, and
control technologies.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.1, Improve Air Quality and Reduce
Localized Pollution and Health Impacts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
During FY 2024, as part of implementing key activities in support of attainment of the NAAQS,
EPA will provide states, tribes, and local air agencies with scientifically and technically sound
assistance in developing SIPs/ Tribal Implementation Plans (TIPs) that meet requirements to attain
and maintain the NAAQS. This assistance includes providing models, modeling inputs and tools,
technical data and guidance, and identifying emission control options. EPA facilitates national
consistency in how air quality modeling is conducted as part of regulatory decision-making,
including federal and state permitting programs, SIP/TIP-related actions, as well as how
conformity determinations are made across the U.S. The Agency will work with states, tribes, and
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local air agencies to ensure that particulate matter (PM) hot-spot analyses are conducted in a
manner consistent with the transportation conformity regulation and guidance.
One of EPA's priorities is to fulfill its statutory and court-ordered obligations, and EPA will
continue to emphasize incorporating environmental justice considerations in the decision-making
processes involved in meeting these obligations. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to conduct the
periodically required "technology reviews" of NESHAP and conduct required risk assessments for
MACT-based NESHAP. EPA will enhance risk assessment capabilities to better identify and
determine impacts on communities. The Agency will share air toxics data faster and more regularly
to the public, allowing for increased transparency and the ability to see trends and risks over
time. In 2024, EPA will continue reporting the most current air toxics data each year in the annual
Air Trends Report and in an online interactive tool instead of the previous three to four-year cycle
for reporting air toxics data and provide that data at increased spatial resolution.
EPA will continue to provide information and assistance to states, tribes, and communities through
documents, websites, webinars, and training sessions on tools to help them on environmental justice
assessments that can inform risk reduction strategies for air toxics. EPA will continue to
communicate and collaborate effectively with communities with environmental justice concerns to
address air toxics issues. EPA will enhance its multi-pollutant air quality management support to
state and local areas, factoring environmental justice into prioritization efforts, including providing
tools to enable state, tribal, and local governments planning and strategy development. EPA will
continue to look at multiple pollutants in an industrial sector and identify ways to encourage
adoption of policies which optimize co-benefits of pollution control, including for greenhouse
gases. The focus of these efforts is to address an individual sector's emissions comprehensively
and to prioritize regulatory efforts to address the sources and pollutants of greatest concern to
overburdened communities. In developing sector and multi-pollutant approaches, EPA will
continue to improve its NEXUS tool and other multipollutant solutions that address the differing
and cumulative nature of the multiple pollutants and associated industrial sectors.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with internal and external stakeholders to improve ambient
air quality monitoring networks and measurement techniques to fill data gaps and to provide better
input to estimation of population exposure to criteria and toxic air pollutants. To ensure data
quality, EPA will continue to implement and manage independent quality assurance programs for
national monitoring networks as well as for federal and commercial laboratories that produce
ambient air monitoring data.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with partners to improve emissions factors and inventories,
including the National Emissions Inventory (NEI). This effort includes gathering improved activity
data from emissions monitoring and using geographic information systems and satellite remote
sensing systems, where possible, for key point, area, mobile, and fugitive sources, and global
emission events.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to operate and maintain the Air Quality System (AQS), which
houses the Nation's regulatory ambient air quality data. EPA will support the AQS Data Mart,
which provides that same ambient air quality data to the scientific community and to the general
public. The Agency's national real-time ambient air quality data system, AirNow, will maintain
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baseline operations. The public increasingly relies on AirNow for ambient air quality information
during wildfires. In FY 2024, EPA will continue improving the Fire and Smoke map by engaging
tribal, state, and local agencies for input.
The Agency is developing a process that will allow all ambient air quality data to be submitted to
a single information system. This single system will greatly improve the processing and
availability of ambient air quality data to agency regulatory partners and to the public. FY 2024
funds are requested to develop the single system that will eventually modernize AirNow, AQS,
and the AQS Data Mart.
EPA will continue to operate and maintain the Emissions Inventory System (EIS), which quality
assures and stores current and historical emissions inventory data and supports the development
of the NEI. EPA, states, and others use the NEI to aid in state and local air agency SIP development,
serve as a vital input to air quality modeling, help analyze public health risks from air toxics,
develop strategies to manage those risks, and support multi-pollutant analysis for air emissions.
The Agency will enhance EIS to support the revised Air Emissions Reporting Requirements
(AERR) rule and other user-focused needs.
EPA is streamlining emissions data reporting for multiple agency programs through the Combined
Air Emissions Reporting System (CAERS). This system is a central hub that takes a single
submission of data in a single format and sends it to the appropriate EPA program system. When
fully developed, CAERS is expected to reduce the cost to industry by only reporting emissions
data for multiple agency programs to one system and to the government by better managing
emissions data and making that data available in a timely fashion.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Federal Support for Air Quality
Management program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
• (+$544.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide essential
workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
• (-$1,221.0 / +6.0 FTE) This net program change reflects a shift to fund additional FTE for the
development of science, technology, and methodologies to better implement the Clean Air
Act, including: enhancing risk assessment capabilities to better identify and determine impacts on
communities; communicating and collaborating with environmental justice communities to address
air toxics concerns; and improving ambient air monitoring networks and measurement techniques
to fill data gaps and better estimate the population's exposure to criteria and toxic air
pollutants. This net investment includes $1,221 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act.
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Federal Vehicle and Fuels Standards and Certification
Program Area: Clean Air and Climate
Goal: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective(s): Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Scii'iicc ^ Technology
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Total Budget Authority
$101,348
$117,341
$179,617
$62,276
Total Workyears
309.3
323.5
370.3
46.8
Program Project Description:
Under the Federal Vehicle and Fuels Standards and Certification Program, EPA develops,
implements, and ensures compliance with national emission standards to reduce mobile source
related air pollution from: light-duty cars and trucks; heavy-duty trucks and buses; nonroad engines
and equipment; and from the fuels that power these engines. The Program also evaluates new
emission control technology and provides state, tribal, and local air quality managers and
transportation planners with guidance, tools, and other information to develop additional strategies
and place-based transportation programs to reduce mobile source pollution.
As part of ensuring compliance with national emission standards, the Program tests vehicles,
engines, and fuels, and establishes test procedures for federal emissions and fuel economy
standards. The Program operates test cells that simultaneously measure criteria pollutants and
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reviews certification applications for light-duty vehicles and
heavy-duty engines to approve applications for criteria pollutant and GHG emission standards and
examines for potential violations.
National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL)
The NVFEL ensures air quality benefits and fair competition in the marketplace by conducting
testing operations on motor vehicles, heavy-duty engines, nonroad engines, and fuels to certify
that all vehicles, engines, and fuels that enter the U.S. market comply with all federal clean air,
GHG, and fuel economy standards. The NVFEL conducts vehicle and engine emission tests as
part of pre-production tests, certification audits, in-use assessments, and recall programs to ensure
compliance with mobile source programs. The NVFEL also produces critical test data on new and
emerging vehicle and engine technologies to support the development of future greenhouse gas
and criteria pollutant regulations. Through cooperative partnerships and committee involvement,
the lab leads the development and implementation of test methods and procedures for vehicles,
engines, and fuels to ensure consistent data quality among manufacturers' labs, measure fuel
efficiency, and verify compliance of electrified and conventional vehicles with EPA standards.
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Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)
The RFS Program was created under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), which amended the
Clean Air Act, and was expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
(EISA). The RFS Program requires a certain volume of renewable fuel to replace or reduce the
quantity of petroleum-based transportation fuel, heating oil, or jet fuel.
Supporting Tribal State and Local Governments
EPA works with tribal, state, and local governments to ensure the technical integrity of the mobile
source control emission benefits, including in State Implementation Plans (SIPs) and
transportation conformity determinations. EPA develops and provides information and tools to
assist tribal, state, and local agencies, as well as communities, to reduce criteria pollutant and air
toxics emissions and risks specific to their local areas. Reductions in emissions of mobile source
air pollution, such as components of diesel exhaust, are achieved through: guidance and technical
assistance for state and local Clean Air Act mobile source programs in nonattainment and
maintenance areas for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS); establishing national
emissions standards for vehicles, equipment, and fuels, research of public health impacts and
mitigation options; methods for quantifying multi-pollutant emission reductions for place-based
strategies; and partnership approaches working with tribal, state, and local governments, as well as
a variety of non-governmental stakeholder groups.
Prioritizing Environmental Justice
In response to the Administration's priorities and goals, EPA's mobile source programs will
further integrate environmental justice (EJ) and equity considerations. This includes: 1) outreach
and inclusion throughout the regulatory development process; 2) analysis of current conditions to
understand economic inequities potentially related to EPA's regulatory policies - as well as
disparities in exposure to mobile source air pollution experienced by people of color, low-income
populations, and tribal communities; 3) analysis of the equity and air quality improvements from
EPA's regulatory actions and voluntary programs; 4) technical assistance to state, local, and tribal
governments to reduce regional and localized criteria pollutant and other emissions through
regulatory and non-regulatory strategies, including nearby communities with environmental
justice concerns, and within the context of meeting Clean Air Act SIP, transportation conformity,
and other air quality planning requirements; and 5) application of non-regulatory mitigation
measures through partnership programs including the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)
Program and EPA's Ports Initiative, to further target improvements in air quality for those
disproportionately exposed to air pollution from mobile sources.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 1/Objective 1.1, Reduce Emissions that Cause
Climate Change in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
To support both climate change and air quality work activities relating to EPA's mobile sources
program, EPA is requesting additional resources in FY 2024. This includes funding for the
development of analytical methods, regulations, and analyses by controlling greenhouse gas,
criteria pollutant, and air toxics emissions from light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles.
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Federal Vehicle and Fuels Standards and Certification Program
In FY 2024, the Federal Vehicle and Fuels Standards and Certification Program will continue to
focus its efforts on certification responsibilities. The Agency will continue to perform its
compliance oversight functions on priority matters, conducting compliance oversight tests where
evidence suggests noncompliance. EPA will continue to conduct pre-certification confirmatory
testing activities for emissions and fuel economy for passenger cars and will increase on-road
measurements of in-use vehicle emissions. EPA anticipates reviewing and approving about 4,900
vehicle and engine emissions certification requests from vehicle and engine manufacturers,
including light-duty vehicles, heavy-duty diesel engines, nonroad engines, marine engines,
locomotives, and others. EPA's certification services have sustained high demand, due to the
number of industries we regulate as well as increasing complexities with each subsequent change
in stringency and rulemaking action. Accordingly, NVFEL will increase compliance testing in
each of these areas in FY 2024.
EPA utilizes in-use emissions data provided by light-duty vehicle manufacturers to measure
compliance and determine if any follow-up evaluation or testing is necessary. Since calendar year
(CY) 2000, light-duty vehicle manufacturers have been required to test a number of newer and
older in-use vehicles and provide the data to EPA. The Agency receives over 6,000 emissions tests
results from more than 2,000 vehicles annually. EPA reviews the data and determines if there are
any specific vehicles, models, or manufacturers that are failing in-use emissions standards. The
Agency will use this information submitted by light-duty manufacturers, together with emissions
data collected at NVFEL, to determine if there are vehicle models which should be recalled and
repaired to address excess in-use emissions and that should be identified for testing for the
upcoming model year prior to granting the manufacturer a certificate of conformity, which allows
the manufacturer to sell vehicles in the U.S.
Emission Standards for New Motor Vehicles
In FY 2024, EPA will take action to reduce air pollution and GHG emissions by focusing on the
transportation sector's largest contributors to criteria pollutant and GHG emissions: light-duty
vehicles (LDVs) and heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). Work also supports EPA's long-term
performance goal to promulgate final rules that will reduce GHG emissions from light duty,
medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles; electric utility generating units; and the oil and gas industry.
In FY 2022, EPA completed a revision of the light-duty vehicle GHG standards established in April
2020 (the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule), setting revised "near-term" standards
through model year (MY) 2026. In March 2022, EPA reinstated California's waiver of preemption
under the Clean Air Act (CAA) for its own GHG emission standards and zero emission vehicle
(ZEV) sales mandate. As a result of this action, other states may choose to adopt and enforce
California's GHG emission standards in lieu of the Federal standards, consistent with section 177
of the Clean Air Act.
In FY 2024, EPA will promulgate a final rulemaking for new multi-pollutant emissions standards,
including for greenhouse gas emissions, for light- and medium-duty vehicles beginning with MY
2027 and extending through and including at least MY 2030. These standards will account for
technologies that allow zero and near-zero emissions. Many automakers have recently announced
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ambitious plans for electrifying their new LDV fleets in the 2030 to 2040 timeframe. This
rulemaking also will be a key measure in contributing to the President's commitment under the Paris
Agreement to reduce U.S. GHG emissions by 50-52 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.
In December 2022, EPA finalized a rulemaking to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from
MY 2027 and later heavy-duty engines and vehicles. Pollution from trucks has been a long-standing
obstacle to advancing environmental justice, as many low-income communities and communities of
color live near highways or in heavily polluted areas with frequent truck congestion and idling.
Setting clear and stringent standards for truck pollution is critical to delivering on the President's
commitment to delivering tangible benefits to historically underserved and overburdened
communities.
In FY 2024, EPA will promulgate a final rulemaking under the CAA to establish new GHG
emissions standards for heavy-duty engines and vehicles beginning with MY 2027. This rule will
reduce GHG and other emissions from highway HDVs, the second-largest source of transportation
GHG emissions. This action will build on the heavy-duty MY 2027 rulemaking and accelerate the
transition to zero-emission vehicles. A key focus for the GHG elements of this effort will be the shift
from HDVs powered by internal combustion engines to those powered by zero-emission
technologies, such as battery electric and fuel-cell technologies.
EPA will invest significant resources to address a myriad of new technical challenges to support
these two sets of long-term rulemakings, which will include added LDV and HDV testing and
modeling capabilities at NVFEL. Key to this technical work is to understand the cost, feasibility,
and infrastructure impacts of electrifying the broad range of products in the LDV and HDV sectors.
This will include vehicle demonstration projects focused on emerging technologies, that are still in
the pre-production stage with manufacturers, but are expected to be strategically important in
achieving future standards.
Fuel Economy Labeling Requirements
In FY 2024, EPA also will oversee compliance with vehicle fuel economy labeling requirements. In
past years, EPA conducted in-use audits of manufacturer "coast-down" data, revealing issues in
manufacturer data submitted to EPA and, as a result, found inaccurate fuel economy labels on more
than a million vehicles from several manufacturers. Due to the increasing consumer demand and
subsequent increased electric vehicle offerings, EPA would like to begin a coast-down program
for electric vehicles in FY 2024.
Tier 3 Light-Duty Vehicle Standards
In FY 2024, EPA will continue implementing the Tier 3 standards for light-duty vehicles and
certifying manufacturers' fleets for vehicle MY 2023 and MY 2024. EPA is responsible for
establishing the test procedures needed to measure tailpipe emissions and for verifying
manufacturers' vehicle fuel economy data. As a result, the Agency will continue to maintain its
critical laboratory equipment and testing resources to ensure that new cars and trucks comply with
the Tier 3 emissions standards.
Marine and Aircraft Emission Reduction Measures
EPA will continue working with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on programs to control pollutant emissions from
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marine and aircraft engines, respectively. EPA is supporting the State Department and Coast Guard
on technical issues related to establishing measures to achieve GHG targets established at IMO. At
ICAO, EPA will actively participate in the development of new C02 standards for decision in
February 2025 as well as technical work that could lead to future, more stringent NOx and PM
emission standards.
In addition to the international efforts for aviation, EPA is continuing its work to address lead in
aviation gasoline. In FY 2024 the EPA will finalize its evaluation, under the Clean Air Act, of
whether emissions of lead from piston-engine aircraft cause or contribute to air pollution that
endangers public health or welfare. In addition, in coordination with the Federal Aviation
Administration and working with airports, local air agencies, and communities, EPA is evaluating
potential exposures to lead from the use of leaded aviation gasoline in piston-engine aircraft as well
as potential mitigation measures.
Locomotive and Land-based Nonroad Engines. Equipment and Vehicles
EPA will perform technical assessments to support regulatory actions to reduce air pollution from
locomotives as well as land-based nonroad engines, equipment, and vehicles. EPA last revised
emission standards for these important sectors more than ten years ago (e.g., 2008 for locomotives,
2004 for land-based nonroad diesel engines), yet these mobile source sectors continue to contribute
significantly to air pollution at the global, regional, and local level. In addition, technologies which
can significantly reduce air pollution from these sources have evolved significantly in the past
10-15 years. EPA will perform assessments and other activities including technology evaluation,
cost and economic assessments, emissions data collection, and modeling efforts.
Emissions Modeling
The Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) is the Agency's emission modeling system that
estimates emissions for on-road and nonroad mobile sources at the national, county, and project
levels for criteria air pollutants, GHGs, and air toxics. In FY 2024, the official version of EPA's
model will be used to estimate impacts of the Agency's emission control programs and will be used
by states and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in their work to meet the NAAQS,
including the development of SIPs and transportation conformity analyses. The Agency also will
support users on any new model releases that incorporate the best available data and science and
account for the latest emission standards.
National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory Facility Infrastructure
NVFEL provides all laboratory testing and support functions necessary for the Agency to certify
that all vehicles, engines, and fuels sold in the United States are in compliance with U.S. emission
standards, representing 4,900 certificates issued to vehicle and engine manufacturers on an annual
basis.
The Agency recently awarded a new Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) to pursue an
infrastructure upgrade project for the NVFEL facility with capital equipment costs in excess of
$59 million. The ESPC replaces the mechanical, electrical, control and building management
systems for the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment that is at or beyond
the end of its useful life. ESPCs, private/public partnership contract vehicles coordinated through
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the Department of Energy, use facilities' energy and operational savings to offset many of the
contract costs.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting an additional $10 million to fund the ESPC. Resources to fund the
ESPC are critical to support the ability of NVFEL to carry-out its mission-critical work of
certifying vehicle compliance. Ensuring industry's compliance is a priority for EPA and an
essential safeguard of fair market competition for manufacturers of vehicles and engines
introduced into commerce in the United States. The energy savings to be realized when the ESPC
is fully implemented in FY2025 is estimated to be 34,473 MBtu annually (39% energy reduction),
water conservation of 1.7 million gallons annually (16% reduction), and annual greenhouse gas
reduction of 3,158 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Renewable Fuel Standard
EPA activity in the fuel sector will be centered on the implementation of the RFS program.
Congress established renewable fuel volume targets through CY 2022, leaving it to the Agency to
establish the volumes for CY 2023 and beyond. During FY 2023, EPA will be issuing a final rule
to establish such volumes for CY 2023 and potentially later years (in the "RFS Set Rule"). During
FY 2024, EPA will need to continue the work to develop proposed rulemaking(s) necessary to
establish renewable fuel volume targets for the calendar years that did not have renewable fuel
volumes established in the first "RFS Set rule."
In FY 2024, EPA will maintain oversight of the RFS program and continue to evaluate compliance
with RFS provisions through EPA's Moderated Transaction System (EMTS), the program's
dedicated information system, which is used to track the creation, trades, and use of billions of
RINs for compliance. The tracking system handles 4,000 to 6,000 submissions per day, typically
averaging more than 20,000 transactions per day, and the generation of more than 1.4 billion RINs
per month. RINs are generated with the production of qualifying renewable fuel and are used to
achieve national RFS programmatic goals of reducing or replacing the quantity of petroleum-based
transportation fuel, heating oil, or jet fuel produced.
In addition, EPA will continue efforts associated with the ongoing general implementation of the
program. These include: 1) updating and revising the regulations to improve program
implementation and effectiveness and enable new sources of renewable fuel volumes;
2) registering new renewable fuel facilities to enable them to generate renewable fuel credits
known as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs); 3) building critical new capability in EMTS;
4) evaluating and implementing, if appropriate, enhancements to improve program operations,
oversight and enforceability; 5) evaluating and implementing IT systems modifications and
enhancements that provide the greatest returns on investment through continuous improvement;
6) ensuring the integrity of the RFS program through enforcement actions against those using the
program for fraudulent gain; and 7) supporting the Department of Justice in defending the
Agency's implementation of the RFS program in numerous challenges in court.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue its work related to assessing lifecycle GHG emissions associated
with renewable fuels, as required to implement GHG threshold requirements under the Clean Air
Act. Producers of new and advanced biofuels regularly seek to qualify their fuels under RFS, and
EPA will continue to evaluate such feedstocks and fuels to determine eligibility for the program.
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The Agency also will look at ways to update the science and data analysis that supports EPA's
evaluation methodology.
EPA also will continue to implement gasoline and diesel fuel quality standards and obligations
under the Clean Air Act. This includes many of the same compliance and enforcement oversight
activities mentioned above for the RFS. In late 2020, EPA finalized a fuel regulation streamlining
rule that included updated registration, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. EPA will
continue efforts in FY 2024 to implement these requirements through continuous improvement of
IT registration and reporting systems to deliver the full impact and benefit of the investment made
in the streamlined regulations. These include automation and reduced registration, administration,
and reporting burdens for both the regulated community and EPA. Finally, in FY 2024 EPA will
continue its ongoing research into new opportunities to improve and/or protect fuel quality in ways
that can reduce air pollution and improve public health and welfare.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with stakeholders to implement a new electronic reporting
portal for its Fuel and Fuel Additive (FFA) program. EPA implemented an electronic registration
system for the FFA program in FY 2020; companies once registered may then introduce FFA
products into commerce. Companies still submit related quarterly and annual FFA reports to the
Agency in formats that require EPA to manually transcribe the information into its fuels database.
EPA plans to incorporate FFA reports into the eReporting system in FY 2024 after implementing
higher priority implementation needs in FY 2023.
Supporting Tribal State and Local Governments
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to respond to significant requests from tribal, state and local
governments for assistance in air quality planning, including SIPs, CAA-required mobile source
programs, and transportation conformity determinations, especially for nonattainment areas
working to attain the ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA will continue to work with tribal, state, and
local governments to ensure the technical integrity of the mobile source emission estimates in their
SIPs and any Tribal Implementation Plans (TIPs). In addition, EPA will assist states in developing
Clean Air Act-required programs—such as new and existing motor vehicle inspection and
maintenance (I/M), fuels, and vehicle miles travelled (VMT) offset programs—as well as
identifying place-based control options and provide policy, technical, and modeling guidance for
ozone nonattainment areas for the 2008 and 2015 ozone NAAQS of higher Clean Air Act
classifications. In FY 2024, I/M programs will be required in approximately 30 states, summertime
fuel programs will be required in over 20 states, with other CAA mobile source programs required
in the most polluted areas in the country. In addition, in partnership with the Department of
Transportation, EPA will ensure national consistency in how transportation conformity
determinations are conducted across the U.S. and in the development of motor vehicle emissions
budgets in SIPs, EPA's adequacy findings on these budgets, and emission reduction strategies to
ensure new transportation investments to support state air quality goals.
EPA will continue to provide regulations, guidance, state-of-the-science models (such as
MOVES), and assistance to state and local agencies working on CAA-required PM2.5 and PM10
hot-spot analyses. This will help protect public health in local communities, including
communities of color and low-income communities with environmental justice concerns, near new
or expanded highway and freight terminal projects with significant increases in diesel truck traffic.
In addition, EPA will continue to provide regulations, guidance, and support to states with respect
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to existing I/M programs that focus on in-use vehicles and engines. Basic and/or Enhanced I/M
testing is currently being conducted in almost 30 states with EPA technical and programmatic
guidance. EPA also will continue to provide regulatory actions and technical assistance to certain
states considering changes or removal of low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) fuel programs. Finally,
EPA will continue to develop methods for tribal, state and local agencies to quantify multi-pollutant
emission reductions to address the NAAQS and climate change from available and newly emerging
emission reduction strategies.
Prioritizing Environmental Justice
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with a broad range of stakeholders - including communities
with environmental justice concerns - to develop targeted, sector-based, and place-based incentives
for diesel fleets (including school buses, ports, and other goods movement facilities) to limit
emissions from older diesel engines not subject to stringent emissions standards. Millions of
people in the U.S. currently live and work near ports and can be exposed to air pollution associated
with emissions from diesel engines at ports, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, ozone,
and air toxics.4 The near-port communities that bear the brunt of air pollution from these diesel
engines are often comprised of low-income populations and people of color. EPA will focus its
efforts on reducing mobile source emissions in and around ports through EPA's Ports Initiative5
and the IRA Clean Ports funding. EPA will assist tribal, state, and local governments to reduce
emissions in or near communities with environmental justice challenges to meet CAA SIP,
transportation conformity, and other air quality planning requirements. EPA also is working with
industry to bring about field testing and emissions testing protocols for a variety of innovative
energy-efficient, emissions reducing technologies for the legacy fleet. As discussed above, EPA
also will be establishing and implementing new emission standards for highway heavy-duty
commercial vehicles, which is a high priority for many communities with environmental justice
concerns.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM CRT) Number of certificates of conformity issued that demonstrate that the respective engine, vehicle,
equipment, component, or system conforms to all applicable emission requirements and may be entered into
commerce.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
5,200
5,000
5,000
4,700
4,700
4,900
4,900
Certificates
Actual
5,109
4,869
4,711
4,843
5,351
5,196
(PM RUL) Number of final rules issued that will reduce GHG emissions from light duty, medium-duty, and
heavy-duty vehicles; electric utility generating units; and the oil and gas industry.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Established
No Target
Established
No Target
Established
Rules
Actual
i
4 For more information, please see the DERA Fifth Report to Congress, August 2022whieh may be found at:
https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=P1015S8Q.pdf
5 For more information, please visit https://www.epa.gov/poi1s-imtiative.
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$9,204.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$615.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of lab
utilities.
(+$10,000.0) This program change is an increase for the Ann Arbor Facility Energy Saving
Performance Contract (ESPC), which supports the ability of NVFEL to carry-out its
mission-critical work of certifying vehicle compliance.
(+$42,282.0 / +45.8 FTE) This program change is an increase that supports program
activities to address the climate crisis. This includes the development of analytical
methods, regulations, and analyses to support climate protection by controlling greenhouse
gas emissions from light duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles. This program
change also invests in the maintenance, repair, and replacement of aging test equipment at
NVFEL. This investment includes $9,295 million for payroll.
(+$175.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements.
Statutory Authority:
Title II of the Clean Air Act; Motor Vehicle Information Cost Savings Act; Alternative Motor
Fuels Act of 1988; National Highway System Designation Act; Energy Policy Act of 1992; Safe,
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU);
Energy Policy Act of 2005; Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
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Enforcement
100
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Forensics Support
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Science X Technology
SI-I.HI5
S l.\.\12
S/.S'/o"
V 1.125
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$1,676
$1,240
$1,648
$408
Total Budget Authority
$16,491
$16,772
$20,305
$3,533
Total Workyears
71.6
70.3
76.3
6.0
Program Project Description:
The Forensics Support Program provides expert scientific and technical support for criminal and
civil environmental enforcement cases, as well as technical support for the Agency's compliance
efforts. EPA's National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC) is an environmental forensic
center accredited for both laboratory analysis and field sampling operations that generate
environmental data for law enforcement purposes. It is fully accredited under International
Standards Organization (ISO) 17025, the main standard used by testing and calibration
laboratories, as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences.6 The NEIC maintains a
sophisticated chemistry and physical science laboratory and a corps of highly trained inspectors
and scientists with expertise across environmental media. The NEIC works closely with EPA's
Criminal Enforcement Program to provide technical support (e.g., sampling, analysis,
consultation, and testimony) to criminal investigations. The NEIC also works closely with other
EPA programs to provide technical support, consultation, on-site inspection, investigation, and
case resolution services in support of the Agency's Civil Enforcement Program.
The Forensics Support Program will continue to provide expert scientific and technical support for
EPA's criminal and civil enforcement efforts, focus its work on collecting and analyzing materials
to characterize contamination, and attribute it to individual sources and/or facilities. The work
NEIC performs typically represents the most complex cases nationwide, requiring a level of
expertise and equipment not found elsewhere in EPA, as well as support to evaluate and leverage
emerging technologies.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.2, Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
6 Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, National Academy of Sciences, 2009, available at:
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php7record id=12589.
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In FY 2024, the Agency requests an additional $3.2 million and 4.8 FTE to ensure EPA has the
capacity and technical expertise to investigate, analyze, sample, test, and transport
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). EPA will support critical climate change initiatives, including
forensics support of climate change enforcement efforts both in civil and criminal enforcement.
This is vital to EPA's ability to enforce the HFC phase down regulations which are imperative to
reducing climate impacts. NEIC will be making significant investments to assist with HFC-related
enforcement capabilities, including inspector training, acquisition of field sampling equipment,
and expansion of laboratory analytical capabilities to meet the urgent demand for highly complex
HFC analysis. The additional funding also will support further development and deployment of
the Agency's Geospatial Measurement of Air Pollution (GMAP) van, a mobile tool to help identify
Clean Air Act noncompliance throughout the United States.
In FY 2024, in addition to EPA's request for $22.1 million and 37.4 FTE to rebuild the inspector
cadre through Compliance Monitoring and Civil Enforcement, the Agency requests an additional
$483.0 thousand and 1.0 FTE in Forensics Support to increase the Agency's capacity to complete
critical civil inspections of facilities that affect communities with environmental justice (EJ)
concerns. This investment will help the Agency complete more highly complex inspections, as
well as provide critical inspection training to agency, state, and local inspectors. The funding and
FTE increase will bolster the Agency's impact by ensuring inspectors across the Agency and the
United States have the basic technical knowledge to hold polluters accountable, especially in
overburdened and underserved communities. The inspections and training provided by the
additional FTE also will make an impact on combating climate change, identifying noncompliant
facilities, and ensuring civil enforcement actions prevent further harm to the environment.
Effective enforcement relies on the best available science. In FY 2024, NEIC will strengthen our
clean air and water protections, aligned with the Administration's goals to hold polluters
accountable for their actions and provide relief to communities with EJ concerns across America.
To achieve these goals, the Agency will employ NEIC's environmental forensics expertise to
investigate violations of environmental statutes and prosecute environmental crimes in
communities that are disproportionally affected by pollution and environmental crime, and to
target those areas more effectively. NEIC supports EJ concerns by targeting critical industry
inspections in overburdened or vulnerable communities. The NEIC utilizes data to work with the
EPA regional office to take an enforcement action that could ultimately improve air and water
quality around the United States and in communities with EJ concerns.
In FY 2024, NEIC will continue to streamline its forensics work and identify enhancements to the
Agency' s sampling and analytical methods, by using existing and emerging technology. The NEIC
will continue to build on its previous progress to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of its
operations, produce timely and high-quality civil inspection reports, improve procurement
processes, and continue to identify and implement further efficiencies in laboratory operations.
NEIC will continue to enhance the work completed in FY 2021 and FY 2022 to support criminal
and civil program efforts while also growing its support of EPA enforcement and compliance
assurance programs. During FY 2021 and FY 2022, the NEIC accepted over 320 requests from all
ten EPA regions for technical enforcement support. The results of these efforts will inform EPA's
work in FY 2024 and beyond.
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Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$519.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, changes to benefits costs, and changes to lab utilities
and security costs.
(+$3,161.0.0 / +4.8 FTE) This program investment will ensure EPA has the capacity and
technical expertise to investigate, analyze, sample, test, transport, and store HFCs. This
investment includes $877.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$483.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program investment will rebuild EPA's inspector cadre to
ensure EPA has the capacity to complete critical civil inspections of facilities that affect
communities with environmental justice (EJ) concerns. The additional funding and FTE
will allow the Agency to complete, at a minimum, an additional 2.5 highly complex
inspections as well as provide critical inspection training to agency, state, and local
inspectors. This investment includes $183.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (MARPOL
Annex VI); Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act; Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act;
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act; Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; Mercury-Containing and
Rechargeable Battery Management Act; Noise Control Act; Oil Pollution Act; Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act; Rivers and Harbors Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act; Toxic Substances Control Act; American
Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
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Homeland Security
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Homeland Security: Critical Infrastructure Protection
Program Area: Homeland Security
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$873
$923
$1,023
$100
Science A Technology
SV.V-II
S / 0, S52
YU-W
S
Total Budget Authority
$10,814
$11,775
$35,228
$23,453
Total Workyears
26.1
26.6
57.6
31.0
Program Project Description:
Under the federal homeland security system, EPA is the Sector Risk Management Agency
responsible for implementing statutory and Presidential directives relating to homeland security
for the water sector. EPA's Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience program is implemented
through close partnerships with the water sector, state emergency response and water program
officials, and other federal agencies, most notably the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),
the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Intelligence Community. The Water Security
Program engages federal, state, and local entities in defining annual objectives and identifying
high priorities for immediate action.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
This program provides critical resources to coordinate and support protection of the Nation's
critical water infrastructure from terrorist threats and all-hazard events. In FY 2024, EPA will
continue to provide exercises and technical support to approximately 1,500 water utilities, state
officials, and federal emergency responders to become more resilient to any natural or manmade
incident that could endanger drinking water and wastewater services, with an emphasis on the
threats posed by climate change and cybersecurity. EPA will provide tools, exercises, and technical
assistance which will address the highest risks confronting the water sector. In providing this
assistance, EPA will provide direct technical assistance and will seek to engage disadvantaged and
underserved communities, some of which may lack the technical capacity and resources to
undertake preparedness and response actions in the absence of such external support.
The Program also supports the Agency's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
implementation priorities including preparing for and responding to climate change events and
cybersecurity challenges so that water systems are more resilient. For instance, in providing
guidance and training associated with IIJA funding, EPA has leveraged its internal cybersecurity
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expertise to identify the types of eligible projects for water systems, promote awareness of the
availability of these funds as well as the application process, during the Agency's extensive
training and technical assistance efforts with the sector.
Natural Disasters. Climate Change, and General Preparedness
Drought, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters represent a high risk to the water sector
owing to their frequency of occurrence, their enormous potential for destruction, and the
exacerbating effects of climate change. As evident from several recent natural disasters, the level
of preparedness within the water sector varies significantly—with many utilities lacking adequate
preparedness capabilities. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to improve the preparedness of the water
sector by providing nationwide exercises and technical support to address natural disasters and
general preparedness with the objective to train water and wastewater systems, state officials, and
emergency response partners. In FY 2022, more than 1,000 drinking water and wastewater systems
and water sector partners received training and technical assistance.
Climate change and associated extreme weather events directly threaten water systems' ability to
fulfill their public health and environmental missions as evident from the devastation borne by
events like hurricanes Ian and Fiona and the decadal long drought and wildfires in the West. The
EPA Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative advances the long-term sustainability
of the water sector by enabling utility owners and operators to integrate climate change
considerations into their routine planning practices. CRWU provides innovative, but readily
accessible, electronic tools that enable water systems to adapt to climate change and enhance their
resiliency, including through infrastructure improvement plans.
Specifically, EPA will:
• Provide in-person or virtual exercises, workshops, and technical assistance to the water
sector, including Incident Command System / National Incident Management System
exercises; drought response; flood response; state functional exercises (e.g., scenarios of
hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes); resource typing and site access workshops; and
regional interstate emergency response exercises (e.g., hurricane).
• Integrate new climate projection data into the flagship climate risk assessment tool, the
Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT), which incorporates the
latest projection data for precipitation, temperature, sea-level rise, storm surge components,
and hydrologic changes. EPA will continue to provide extensive nationwide training
sessions for drinking water and wastewater systems as well as a series of train-the-trainer
forums for technical assistance providers to reach smaller utilities, with a significant focus
on overburdened and underserved communities. EPA also will provide direct technical
assistance to large, medium, and small drinking water and wastewater utilities across the
country applying CREAT and other CRWU tools, including through developing
infrastructure improvement plans and shepherding systems through the IIJA application
process.
Support the water sector in preparing for and responding to supply chain disruptions that
have the potential to impact the availability of water treatment chemicals and other critical
materials needed for drinking water and wastewater system operation by: 1) reviewing and
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processing applications submitted under the authorities of the Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA) Section 1441 and the Defense Production Act; 2) providing general guidance and
direct technical assistance to water systems, state primacy agencies, and other water sector
stakeholders experiencing supply challenges; 3) assessing the supply chain for critical
water treatment chemicals in order to determine the risk of disruptions that could impact
the water sector; and 4) offering a platform for tracking and sharing information about
emerging and ongoing supply chain issues with the potential to impact water system
operations.
Conduct tabletop and functional exercises to improve the operation of intra-state and inter-
state mutual aid agreements among water utilities.
• Implement lessons learned from the most recent hurricane seasons, as identified by reports
from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Water Agency Response
Network, and EPA's Inspector General.
• Address high priority security areas, as identified in the stakeholder generated Roadmap to
a Secure and Resilient Water and Wastewater Sector to be completed in 2023,7 with an
emphasis on the following four priorities: 1) promoting the awareness of the critical lifeline
status of the drinking water and wastewater sector and translating that definition into strong
support for the sector's needs and capabilities; 2) improving detection of, response to, and
recovery from contamination incidents; 3) advancing preparedness and improving
capabilities of the drinking water and wastewater sector for area-wide loss of water and
power; and 4) advancing recognition of vulnerabilities and needed responses related to
cybersecurity risk management.
Conduct nationwide exercises with three critical, inter-dependent sectors: healthcare,
emergency services, and energy. Most incidents, particularly natural disasters, have
underscored the mutual reliance on the water sector with other lifeline sectors. Through
exercises and technical support with officials at the local, state, and federal levels from
these other sectors, EPA will seek to improve coordination among critical lifeline sectors.
Sustain operation of the Water Desk in both the Agency's Emergency Operations Center
and FEMA's National Response Coordination Center in the event of an emergency by
updating roles and responsibilities, training staff in the incident command structure,
ensuring adequate staffing during activation of the desk, and coordinating with EPA's
regional field personnel and response partners.
• Develop annual assessments, as required under the National Infrastructure Protection Plan,
to describe existing water security efforts and progress in achieving the sector's key
metrics.
7For more information, please see:
https://www.waterisac.org/sites/default/files/public/2017 CIPAC Water Sector Roadmap FINAL 051217.pdf.
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Water Security Initiative (WSI)
WSI addresses the risk of contamination of drinking water distribution systems. It has designed
and developed an effective system for timely detection and appropriate response to drinking water
contamination threats and incidents through a pilot program that has broad application to the
Nation's drinking water utilities in high-threat cities. The FY 2024 request includes $4.8 million
for necessary WSI Surveillance and Response System (SRS) activities to: 1) continue refining
technical assistance products based on the five full-scale SRS pilots; 2) implement a monitoring
and response program for water utilities focused on source water chemical spills; and 3) provide
direct technical assistance, as requested by water utilities, that seeks to leverage EPA's expertise
in deploying their own warning system.
In FY 2024, EPA will:
Continue efforts to promote the water sector's adoption of Water Quality Surveillance and
Response Systems (WQ-SRS). EPA will facilitate user forums and promote the use of
available tools and materials to design and implement a WQ-SRS. These capabilities will
help water systems rapidly detect and respond to water quality problems, such as
contamination in the distribution system, to reduce public health and economic
consequences.
• Build upon the Drinking Water Mapping Application to Protect Source Waters
(DWMAPS)8 and the new chemical spill and storage notification requirements in the
America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA). EPA will continue to collaborate
with water sector stakeholders, water utilities, and state environmental agencies, to identify
specific information (e.g., what chemicals are stored upstream from a surface water intake),
including Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Tier 2 data,
that is valuable to creating a comprehensive source water contamination threat inventory.
EPA will develop guidance and a comprehensive listing of state and federal information
resources that can be used to identify potential sources of contamination. This effort will
help to ensure that drinking water utilities have access to the basic information (e.g., what
chemicals are stored upstream from a surface water intake) necessary for understanding
the risk of releases to their sources of drinking water, as required under AWIA Section
2013, and take steps to mitigate those risks.
• Provide technical support to EPA regions, state primacy agencies, and water systems
during response to contamination incidents. EPA's Water Program has been providing
technical assistance on contamination response for several years (e.g., following wildfires,
the jet fuel contamination incident in Honolulu, Hawaii) and anticipates that requests for
this type of support will continue.
Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA)
In a contamination event, the sheer volume or unconventional type of samples requiring analysis
could quickly overwhelm the capacity or capability of a single laboratory. To address this potential
deficiency, EPA has established the national WLA comprised of laboratories from the local (e.g.,
8 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotectioii/driiildiip-water-niappiiip-applicatioii-protect-
source-waters-dwmaps.
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water utility) to the federal level (e.g., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Laboratory
Response Network). In FY 2024, EPA will continue to promote, through exercises, expert
workshops, and association partnerships, the WLA Plan.9 The plan provides a protocol for
coordinated laboratory response to a surge of analytical needs. Approximately 30 exercises or
workshops were completed in FY 2022. In FY 2024, under the WLA, EPA plans to train
approximately 50 laboratories to improve their ability to handle potential problems associated with
surge capacity and analytical method capabilities during an emergency.
In FY 2024, EPA will:
Continue to work with regional and state environmental laboratories to conduct exercises
and continue efforts to automate the exercises, enabling laboratories and other members of
the water sector to participate in exercises simultaneously and continue the innovative
practice of pursuing validation of methods through exercises.
Continue to expand the membership of the WLA with the intention of achieving nationwide
coverage. The WLA has 160 member laboratories that are geographically diverse and can
provide a wide range of chemical, biological, and radiological analyses.10 For the WLA to
become a robust network that can cover major population centers and address a diverse
array of high priority contaminants, membership must continue to increase.
• Develop guidance and training for flushing contaminated premise plumbing systems that
are based on the best available science and validated through both pilot-scale
demonstration and computer simulation.
Cvbersecuritv
Cybersecurity represents a substantial concern for the water sector, given the ubiquitous access to
critical water treatment systems from the internet. Recent attacks by outside actors and their clear
potential to disrupt essential lifeline services, such as drinking water supplies, are prompting a
growing recognition that the federal government should adopt a more aggressive posture towards
cybersecurity. In addition to expanding direct technical assistance, and in discussions with the
National Security Council and the states, EPA, in FY 2023, issued an interpretive rule to clarify
the existing obligation for states, under EPA regulations established under the SDWA, to consider
cybersecurity of water systems in regular audits of public water systems. As water systems contend
with a hostile cybersecurity environment in which state or state sponsored actors seek to disrupt
the critical lifeline services of the water sector, this regulatory action will yield significant progress
in the Nation's efforts to secure our critical infrastructure. Critical to this regulatory action, EPA
will work to provide training and guidance to each state, territory, and tribe as well as to water
systems in order to build their technical capacity to assess and mitigate cybersecurity risks during
sanitary surveys.
9 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.KOv/waterlabnetwork.
10 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eoY/dwlabcei1/coiitact-iiifoniiation-cei1ificatioii-progranis-and-cei1ified-
laboratories-drinking-water.
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In FY 2024, EPA will continue to fulfill its obligations under Executive Order 13636: Improving
Critical Infrastructure Cyber security}1 which designated EPA as the lead federal agency
responsible for cybersecurity in the water sector. EPA will continue to conduct nationwide
exercises and provide technical support on cybersecurity threats and countermeasures for about
200 water and wastewater utilities.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting additional resources and FTE to:
• Issue guidance documents and conduct a national training program on evaluating
cybersecurity practices at public water systems to support states and tribes with direct
implementation responsibilities (in support of the regulatory action in FY 2023). EPA
expects to provide corresponding guidance materials and training to help public water
systems understand and strengthen the cybersecurity practices that may be assessed during
a state audit.
Offer targeted training on the guidance documents to all public water systems and all states
and intends to provide a Cybersecurity Technical Support Center which will function to
respond rapidly to inquiries from both states and water systems regarding the assessment
of cyber risk and the identification of countermeasures to mitigate risk. This training and
technical assistance work represents an unprecedented and substantial effort necessary to
ensure robust implementation of and compliance with the cybersecurity interpretive
regulation.
Transition the Water Sector Cybersecurity Evaluation Program from an onsite
cybersecurity assessment effort targeting about 100 water systems each year to a virtual
assistance program providing direct technical support to thousands of water systems. Under
this initiative, EPA will assess cybersecurity practices at water systems as requested by the
system or the state. EPA will provide a report to the system that shows gaps in
cybersecurity, including potential significant deficiencies. The Public Water System
(PWS) would provide this report to the state to review during the sanitary survey pursuant
to the cybersecurity regulation.
• Implement the Cybersecurity Technical Assistance Program for the Water Sector. Under
this program, states and PWS' can submit questions or request to consult with a subject
matter expert (SME) regarding cybersecurity in PWS sanitary surveys, such as identifying
whether a cybersecurity gap is a significant deficiency or selecting appropriate risk
mitigation actions. EPA will strive to have an SME respond to the questioner within two
business days. As with the cybersecurity training work, the Water Sector Cybersecurity
Evaluation Program and the Cybersecurity Technical Assistance Program constitute a
critical investment of resources vital to achieving the policy outcome of the regulatory
action, i.e., the reduction of cybersecurity risk across the Nation's water systems.
11 For more information, please see: https://www.dhs.eoY/publication/executive-order-13636-iniproviiig-critical-infrastructure-
cybersecurity.
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Conduct classroom exercises, at locations across the country, on water sector
cybersecurity. The exercises will address cybersecurity threats (including ransomware),
vulnerabilities, consequences, best practices, and incident response planning.
• Update and/or develop new course materials to respond to the evolving nature of
cybersecurity threats. One example of such updates are the FY 2022 alerts and training
concerning the potential for Russian-state actors to infiltrate water system industrial control
processes and business enterprise functions.
• EPA also is requesting $25 million for a Cybersecurity grant, under the STAG
appropriation, to help water systems establish or update the necessary cybersecurity
infrastructure to address the rising threats from sophisticated state actors and criminal
organizations. These funds would enable water systems to adopt basic cybersecurity
hygiene measures, the inadequate adoption of which, across the sector, has rendered water
systems and the communities they sustain at high risk from disabling cyberattacks.
AWIA
In FY 2024, EPA will continue its efforts to fulfill the requirements of the Community Water
System Risk and Resilience section of AWIA. Specifically, EPA will prepare community water
systems, subject to the law, for the second round of certifications which are due beginning in 2025.
AWIA requires each community water system, serving more than 3,300 persons, to review its risk
and resilience assessment at least once every five years to determine if it should be revised. Upon
completion of such a review, the system must submit to EPA a certification that it has reviewed
its assessment and revised it, if applicable. Further, each community water system, serving more
than 3,300 persons, must review and, if necessary, revise its emergency response plan at least once
every five years after the system completes the required review of its risk and resilience
assessment. The emergency response plan must incorporate any revisions to the risk and resilience
assessment. Upon completion of this review, but not later than six months after certifying the
review of its risk and resilience assessment, the system must submit a certification that it has
reviewed its emergency response plan and revised it, if applicable. EPA will apply lessons learned
from the first round of certifications to refine guidance, tools (e.g., emergency response plan
templates), training, and the online certification portal. EPA also will provide individual technical
assistance to water systems to help with the recertification requirements of AWIA.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM DW-07) Number of drinking water and wastewater systems, tribal and state officials, and water sector
partners provided with security, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience training and technical
assistance.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
2,000
3,500
3,500
Systems and
Partners
Actual
3,939
Ill
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$84.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$19,559.0 / +25.0 FTE) This program change requests an increase of resources and FTE
to implement regulatory actions to mitigate the risks of cyberattacks in the water sector as
well as increase the Agency's ability to respond to cyber incidents. This investment
includes $4,559.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$3,878.0 / +6.0 FTE) This program change requests an increase of resources and FTE to
support the Water Sector Cybersecurity Program to enhance cyber incident preparation,
response, recovery, information sharing, and intelligence for water utilities to protect
infrastructure. This investment includes $1,094.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Safe Drinking Water Act, §§ 1431-1435; Clean Water Act; Public Health Security and
Bioterrorism Emergency and Response Act of 2002; Emergency Planning and Community Right-
to-Know Act, §§ 301-305.
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Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
Program Area: Homeland Security
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
.Vc/V/nr it- Technology
S 25J-T
SI-1.1'J 2
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$35,026
$34,661
$56,484
$21,823
Total Budget Authority
$59,561
$60,008
$96,023
$36,015
Total Workyears
121.8
124.1
138.3
14.2
Program Project Description:
Exposure to hazardous chemical agents, microbial pathogens, and radiological materials
released into the environment could pose catastrophic consequences to the health of first
responders and American citizens. EPA has responsibility, under legislation and Presidential
Directives, to remediate contaminated environments created by incidents such as terrorist attacks,
industrial accidents, or natural disasters.
EPA's disaster-related research topics under the Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP)
are: 1) contaminant characterization and consequence assessment; 2) environmental cleanup and
infrastructure remediation; and 3) community engagement and systems-based tools supporting
resilience equity.
The research conducted supports EPA to carry out its primary mission essential function to help
communities prepare for, endure, and recover from disasters - safeguarding their economic,
environmental, and social well-being. Researchers, within the HSRP, collaborate with states, local
communities, tribes, private sector organizations, and key federal agencies12 to prioritize research
needs and prevent the duplication of scientific and technical work. The HSRP delivers effective
tools, methods, information, and guidance to local, tribal, state, and federal decision-makers that
address both critical terrorism related issues and natural or manmade disasters.
EPA also is responsible for operating and maintaining the network of near real-time radiation
monitors, known as RadNet, under the Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex to the National
Response Framework. This network is critical in responding to large-scale incidents such as the
accident at the Fukushima nuclear facility and is an EPA Critical Infrastructure/Key Resource asset.
This monitoring network is supported by the IT system known as ARaDS, the Analytical Radiation
Data System.
12 Partners include: Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Defense (DOD), Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Institute of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation
(NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), and Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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Recent Accomplishments of the Homeland Security Research Program Include:13
Supporting COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness:
EPA's HSRP researchers worked with program and regional office partners and other federal,
state, and local stakeholders (including CDC, DHS, the New York City Metro Transit Authority,
the Los Angeles Metro, and many others) to provide timely and reliable information to address
Agency and stakeholder research needs related to COVID-19 and future pandemic preparedness.
The research and technical support provided was used by EPA and other stakeholders to make
informed decisions, develop federal guidance, and support strategies and investments. The
research focused on determining the effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 and viral surrogates for
disinfection products, devices, and methods including:
• Hot-water laundering of clothing and PPE14
• Parameters influencing the use of electrostatic sprayers for applying disinfectants15
Cleaning methods16 and disinfectant application to real-world surfaces17 and evaluation of
potential long-lasting or residual disinfectants18'19 and copper film in high-touch, high-
traffic areas20
Germicidal UV devices and their application21
• New analytical approaches for environmental samples that reduce time for analyses
results22
• Aerosol treatment technologies to reduce transmission risk in indoor spaces including both
physical (e.g., filters, germicidal UV) and chemical methods23
The Agency also held regular meetings with federal, tribal, state, and local governments to provide
updates on the results and seek input related to on-going needs.
Improving Preparedness for Radiological/Nuclear Incident Response:
EPA's HSRP researchers significantly advanced capabilities to respond to a radiological and
nuclear incident. Waste management is critical for effective response to radiological and nuclear
incidents, specifically to address large amounts of radiological contaminants. Various waste
management approaches and tools were developed and evaluated to minimize the waste amount
and enable more effective decision making during cleanup efforts.24'25'26 EPA's HSRP researchers
developed a method to effectively treat radioactively contaminated washwater to remove
13 For a more complete view of accomplishments, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/iiational-research-progranis.
14 For more information, please see: https://dx.doi .org/10.3791/64164.
15 For more information, please see: https://ioumals.pk)s.org/pk)sone/article?id:::::10.1371/ioiimal.pone.02S7434.
16 For more information, please see: https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624,2021.2015075.
17 For more information, please see: https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624,2022.2088768.
18 For more information, please see: http://doi.org/10.1111/iani. 15339.
19 For more information, please see: https://doi.org/10.]. 111/iani. 15437.
20 For more information, please see: https://pubnied.iicbi.nlni.nih.goY/34695284/.
21 For more information, please see: http://doi.org/10.1111/lani. 13770.
22 For more information, please see: https://doi.org/10.1016/j,j viromet.2021.114251.
23 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/coYidl9-research.
24 For more information, please see: https://wwiv.scieiicedirect.coni/scieiice/article/pii/S2352186420314772.
25 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.goY/si/si public record Report.cfm?Lab=CESER&dirEntrvID=352958
26 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.goY/si/si public file download.cfm?p download id=544137.
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radioactive contaminants via ad hoc sand/clay filtration beds and enable this treated washwater to
be reused during continuing cleanup operations.27
Radiological release incidents can potentially contaminate widespread areas with radioactive
materials and decontamination efforts are typically focused on populated areas, which means
radionuclides may be left in forested areas for long periods of time. Large wildfires in
contaminated forested areas have the potential to reintroduce these radionuclides into the
atmosphere and cause exposure to first responders and downwind communities. EPA researchers
investigated how radioactive contaminants would behave during wildland fires in contaminated
forests.28 These methods, tools, and information will help responders to prepare for and respond
to wide area radiological and nuclear incidents.
Continued Efforts to Enhance Bio Incident Response:
EPA continues to develop extensive protocols and tools for sampling, analysis, and
decontamination methods and strategies that continue to significantly enhance our collective
national preparedness to respond to biological contamination incidents. Researchers developed a
protocol for detection of ricin biotoxin in environmental samples and this protocol allows for easy
comparison and interpretation of sample analysis results. This protocol helps local and state public
health agencies, environmental unit leaders, and risk assessors to work together, in a unified way,
to make the best decisions possible during a response to an incident.29 EPA researchers also
developed an interactive "ready-to-go" tool to design sampling and analysis plans for biological
incident response.30 Researchers identified and applied user-friendly tools that more easily
facilitate the acquisition of field sampling data and subsequent management of sampling data
following a wide-area incident.31 EPA researchers provided decision makers with a practical
summary of the latest information on the material compatibility of decontamination techniques
that have been found to be effective in inactivating biological agents such as Bacillus anthracis
spores on different materials.32 EPA researchers recently worked with the United States Coast
Guard (USCG) to apply EPA's analysis methods for biological incident response at USCG
facilities and assets.33 These research products have addressed essential capability gaps and
significantly improved the preparedness of EPA and its partners (such as USCG) and stakeholders,
for responding to and recovering from a wide-area release of a persistent biological agent.
Tackling Challenging Chemicals for Environmental Cleanup:
The release of toxic chemicals to the environment, such as chemical warfare agents (e.g.,
venomous agent [VX], sulfur mustard [HD]), will create an acute and significant exposure risk to
the public as well as remediation contractors who would be tasked to cleanup a contaminated site.
It may be difficult to decontaminate such impacted environments safely and quickly. EPA tested
several decontamination options to address this challenge. Researchers evaluated a hydrogen
peroxide vapor method using low-cost indoor humidity control systems for the remediation of
27 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.eov/si/si public record Report.cfm?dirEntrvId=353143&Lab=CESER.
28 For more information, please see: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721Q39449.
29 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public record Report.efm?dirEntryId=355320&Lab=CESER.
30 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eoY/esani/sanipliiia-aiid-aiialvsis-plan-sap-teniplate-tool-addressina-
environmental-contamination-pathogens.
31 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.eov/si/si public record Report.efm?dirEntryId=353479&Lab=CESER.
32 For more information, please see:
https://cfpub.epa.eov/si/si public file download.cfm?p download id=544599&Lab=CESER.
33 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.eov/si/si public record Report.cfm?dirEntryId=353716&Lab=CESER.
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surfaces contaminated with persistent chemical warfare agents and toxic pesticides.34 In addition,
the Agency evaluated various commercially available decontamination solutions for fentanyl,
evaluating their effectiveness on common surfaces inside buildings. Fentanyl is a commonly
abused substance in the class of drugs knowns as opioids that is 80-100 times more potent than
morphine.35 These research efforts provide practical information to make critical decisions during
remediation of contaminated buildings or infrastructure.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
Research is planned and prioritized based on the needs of end-users of this science, including EPA
program and regional offices (e.g., Regional On-Scene Coordinators), water utility companies,
states, local communities, territories, and tribes.
In FY 2024, the Homeland Security Research Program will conduct research under the three disaster-
related research topics.
With respect to contaminant characterization and consequence assessment, HSRP will:
• Develop a sampling strategy for radioactive waste generated due to incident debris and by
cleanup operations following a radioactive/nuclear wide area incident and develop
Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) template tool for radioactively contaminated building
materials.
• Update pathogen air sample processing methods in EPA's sampling and analysis method
(Selected Analytical Methods [SAM]).36
• Improve a Gaussian dispersion model (such as the American Meteorological
Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model [AERMOD]37) to better
account for the flow and dispersion of chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants
within built high rise environments.
• Investigate the effects of environmental conditions on the risk of exposure to resuspended
bacterial spores in the outdoor environment during the first few weeks post-release to
support the critical early period of response and recovery efforts.
With respect to Environmental Cleanup and Infrastructure Remediation, which includes biological
incidence response preparation, water infrastructure protection, chemical incident response
preparation, and waste management support, HSRP will:
34 For more information, please see:
https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public record report.cfm?dirEntryId=353126&Lab=CESER&personid=23379&role=Any.
35 For more information, please see: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479721Q1389X.
36 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/esani/selected-aiialYtical-niethods-eiwiromiiental-reniediatioii-and-
recovery-sam.
37 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/scrani/air-qualitY-dispersion-niodeliiip-prefeiTed-aiid-reconiniended-
niodels.
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Support future pandemic preparedness through conducting BSL-1 through BSL-338
research to support the development of standard efficacy testing methods and criteria for
air treatment technologies for airborne biological agents. Research will include both
physical (e.g., germicidal ultraviolet, filtration) and chemical antimicrobial methods. In
FY 2024, EPA is requesting an additional $1 million that will be used to expand EPA's
capabilities and conduct research at its BSL-3 facility in Fort Meade, MD.
• Develop decontamination methods for biological agents at the appropriate BSL that can
effectively minimize the risk of transmission from environmental matrices, including
research useful to supporting reducing environmental transmission in pandemic or other
naturally occurring outbreaks.
Conduct cybersecurity research to assess the impact a cyberattack can have on drinking
water infrastructure.
• Develop a searchable database that will allow users to select parameters and generate a
data report on Water Infrastructure Decontamination methods in response to chemical,
biological, and radiological contamination.
• Assess the efficacy of chlorine dioxide fumigation under various operational conditions for
fentanyl decontamination and improve the decontamination strategy and technology
selection tool (DeconST) to include fentanyl decontamination data.
• Assess the impact and effectiveness of natural rain wash-off from roads to hosing down
areas for gross decontamination for chemical contamination.
• Develop a prototype drone platform for autonomously identifying and estimating amounts
(mass, volume) of various types of waste following a radiological incident.
• Assess traditional sludge disposal methods (incineration and composting) for sludge
contaminated with persistent bio agents (e.g., Bacillus spores).
• Improve usability and cost efficiency for the Homeland Security Research Program's waste
staging and logistics tools in response to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and
natural disasters.
• Develop safe personal protective equipment (PPE) prototypes that can reduce waste and
be re-printed/manufactured.
To advance Community Engagement and Systems-Based Tools Supporting Resilience Equity in FY
2024, HSRP research efforts will:
• Evaluate technologies for data collection and management, including geospatial and
mapping applications, during all incident response and recovery phases. As part of the
evaluation, recommendations for improving these existing technologies will be identified.
• Identify and evaluate tools for making decisions associated with sampling,
decontamination, and waste management and the interdependencies among these decisions
during all incident response and recovery phases.
38 BSL: Biosafety Levels. BSL-1 is the basic level of protection and is appropriate for defined and characterized strains of viable
biological agents that are not known to cause disease in immunocompetent adult humans. BSL-2 is for handling moderate-risk
agents that cause human disease, of varying severity, by ingestion or through percutaneous or mucous membrane exposure. BSL-
3 is appropriate for agents with a known potential for aerosol transmission, for agents that may cause serious and potentially
lethal infections, and that are indigenous or exotic in origin. For further information, please see:
https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html7CDC A A refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.odo.gov%2Fbiosafetv%2Fpublioations%2Fb
mbl5%2Findex.htm.
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• Improve the usability of the water and waste infrastructure systems tools by incorporating
community needs determined by examining how communities are thinking and talking
about climate change, specifically how they are incorporating projections into planning and
preparedness.
Conduct research to help state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies include social
considerations as they make decisions about managing disaster wastes and debris by
developing best practices, trainings, how-to guides, and decision-logic models to support
organizations in their decision making. This research covers the design and testing of tools
and resources to help communities build resilience and equity.
Radiation Monitoring
The RadNet fixed monitoring network provides near real-time radiation monitoring coverage near
each of the 100 most populous U.S. cities, as well as expanded geographic coverage for a total of
140 monitoring sites. The RadNet air monitoring network provides the Agency, first responders,
and the public with greater access to data. Should there be a radiological emergency, RadNet
improves officials' ability to make decisions about protecting public health and the environment
during and after the incident. Additionally, RadNet data is used by scientists to better characterize
the effect of a radiological incident.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to operate the RadNet air monitoring network, continue to
add exposure rate meter capability to the network, and provide essential maintenance to the
network. To best maximize resources, exposure rate meter capability will be added to monitors
when needed repairs are called for. This expansion will enhance the federal government's ability
to effectively communicate radiation measurement information to the public and to non-technical
decision makers after a radiological release. In addition to aiding in explaining data to the public
and decision makers, the addition of exposure rate meters aligns EPA's monitoring system with
that of the international community.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting an additional $12.1 million and 9.5 FTE to update the aging
equipment that monitors the nation's air for radiation. As a part of this, EPA also will modernize
IT infrastructure for the ARaDS and support enhanced lab and field office facility operations and
maintenance.
Research Planning
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research
needs of agency program and regional offices, states, and tribes, and is planned with their active
involvement. Each research program has developed and published their fourth generation of the
StRAPs39, which continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at
solving the problems encountered by the Agency and its stakeholders.
EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) ensures the integrity and value of its research
through a variety of mechanisms that include:
39 The StRAPs are available here: https://www.epa.sov/research/stratesic-research-action-p1ans-fisca1-years-2023-2026
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• EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement40 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
Tribal Partnerships
o Key Tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between Tribal and agency representatives.
These interactions identify research of mutual benefit and lead to collaborations on
important tribal environmental science issues.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Research: Chemical Safety and
Sustainability Program under the S&T appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$474.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$109.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of lab
fixed costs.
(+$1,000.0) This program change will expand EPA's capabilities and allow EPA to
conduct research at its BSL-3 facility in Fort Meade, MD.
(+$735.0 / +1.7 FTE) This program change is an increase in resources and FTE to support
research efforts to identify and address emerging threats to the water sector. This includes
$313.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$12,092.0 / + 9.5 FTE) This program change is an increase to update the aging equipment
that monitors the nation's air for radiation. This also will support and modernize IT
infrastructure for ARaDS and support enhanced lab and field office facility operations and
maintenance. This investment includes $1,764 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
AtomicEnergy Act of 1954; Clean Air Act, §§ 102, 103; Safe Drinking Water Act, §§ 1431-1435,
1442; Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; National Defense
40 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
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Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997, §§ 1411-1412; Public Health Security and
Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002; Toxic Substances Control Act, § 10; Oil
Pollution Act; Pollution Prevention Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Emergency
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; Clean Water Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act; Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; Food Quality Protection Act;
Food Safety Modernization Act, §§ 203, 208.
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Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure
Program Area: Homeland Security
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$4,903
$5,188
$5,158
-$30
Science A Technology
S501
Sf>25
s 5tn
-S12-1
Building and Facilities
$7,049
$6,676
$6,676
$0
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$1,201
$1,029
$1,530
$501
Total Budget Authority
$13,653
$13,518
$13,865
$347
Total Workyears
12.0
13.3
9.2
-4.1
Total workyears in FY 2024 include 9.2 FTE to support Homeland Security Working Capital Fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
This program supports activities to ensure that EPA's physical structures and assets are secure and
operational and that physical security measures are in place to help safeguard staff in the event
of an emergency. These efforts also protect EPA's vital laboratory infrastructure and testing
assets. Specifically, funds within this appropriation support security needs for the National
Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL).
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to provide enhanced physical security for the NVFEL, its
employees, visitors, and test articles, which include prototype vehicles and engines. This funding
supports the cost of security enhancements required as part of an agency security assessment
review.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$124.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of lab
fixed costs.
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Statutory Authority:
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004; Homeland Security Act of 2002;
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
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Indoor Air and Radiation
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Indoor Air: Radon Program
Program Area: Indoor Air and Radiation
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$2,966
$3,364
$5,113
$1,749
Scii'in-i' X Technology
SI If,
SIVV
S /".?
-S 20
Total Budget Authority
$3,082
$3,563
$5,286
$1,723
Total Workyears
8.4
9.0
12.4
3.4
Program Project Description:
Title III of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) authorizes EPA to take a variety of actions
to address the public health risks posed by exposures to indoor radon. Under the statute, EPA
studies the health effects of radon, assesses exposure levels, sets an action level, provides technical
assistance to states, industry, and the public, advises the public on steps they can take to reduce
exposure and promotes the availability of reliable radon services and service providers to the
public.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States - and the leading cause of
lung cancer mortality among non-smokers - accounting for about 21,000 deaths per year.41 EPA's
non-regulatory Indoor Air: Radon Program promotes actions to reduce the public's health risk
from indoor radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend that all homes be tested for radon
and if radon levels above EPA's guidelines are confirmed, elevated levels should be reduced by
home mitigation using proven, straightforward techniques. EPA also recommends that new homes
be built using radon-resistant features in areas where there is elevated radon. Nationally, risks from
radon have been reduced in many homes over the years, but millions of homes are still in need of
mitigation. This voluntary program promotes partnerships between national organizations, the
private sector, and more than 50 state, local, tribal and territory governmental programs to reduce
radon risk.
These resources, combined with resources for the Indoor Air: Radon Program from the
Environmental Programs and Management (EPM) account, supports the Radon Reference and
Intercomparison Program (ERRIP) of the National Analytical Radiation Environmental
Laboratory (NAREL) in Montgomery, Alabama. The ERRIP is the only federal National Institute
of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable primary radon reference and calibration program
accessible to the U.S. radon industry and is a critical element of the framework for promoting the
availability of reliable, quality radon services for the public.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
41 https://www.epa.gov/radon.
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Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.2, Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
EPA will provide radon reference intercomparison samples to secondary radon chambers (known
as ERRIP participants) operating in the United States to analyze. EPA then submits the radon
reference data to the Radon Accrediting Board(s) to evaluate and assess the performance of the
ERRIP participant. EPA will update and modernize program equipment and perform required
QA/QC on program analytical process and procedures.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM LCD) Number of lung cancer deaths prevented through lower radon exposure.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
1,881
1,981
2,083
Deaths
Prevented
Actual
1,383
1,482
1,578
1,684
1,795
1,894
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$3.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$29.0) This program change decreases resources for radon reference intercomparison
work.
Statutory Authority:
Title IV of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA); Title III Toxic
Substances Control Act; Clean Air Act.
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Radiation: Protection
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Radiation: Protection
Program Area: Indoor Air and Radiation
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$8,244
$9,088
$11,638
$2,550
Scii'in-i' X Technology
S 2.22-/
S//..V
S 2J-IV
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$2,011
$2,472
$3,010
$538
Total Budget Authority
$12,479
$13,243
$16,997
$3,754
Total Workyears
53.9
54.8
67.2
12.4
Program Project Description:
EPA supports contaminated site characterization and cleanup by providing field and fixed
laboratory environmental, radiological, and radioanalytical data and technical support, providing
radioanalytical training to state and federal partners, and developing new and improved
radioanalytical methods. Many of the sites with radioactive contamination are surrounded by
economically disadvantaged communities including, for example, tribal lands in the southwestern
United States and former industrial sites located outside major urban areas.
In the event of a radiological accident or incident, the National Analytical Radiation
Environmental Laboratory in Montgomery, Alabama, and the National Center for Radiation Field
Operations in Las Vegas, Nevada, provide analytical and field operation support for
radioanalytical testing, quality assurance, analysis of environmental samples, and field
measurement systems and equipment to support site assessment, cleanup, and response activities.
Together, these organizations provide technical support for conducting site-specific radiological
characterizations and cleanups.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.2, Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA, in cooperation with states, tribes, and other federal agencies, will provide
ongoing site characterization and analytical support for site assessment activities, remediation
technologies, and measurement and information systems. EPA also will provide essential training
and direct site assistance, including field surveys and monitoring, laboratory analyses, health and
safety, and risk assessment support at sites with radioactive contamination.
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Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$31.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$39.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of lab
utilities.
(+$596.0 / +2.2 FTE) This program change is an increase that supports addressing critical
gaps in EPA's radiological protection capacity including the ability to provide ongoing site
characterization and analytical support for site assessment activities, radioactive waste
storage and disposal approaches, remediation technologies, and measurement and
information systems. This investment includes $401.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Atomic Energy Act of 1954; Clean Air Act; Energy Policy Act of 1992; Nuclear Waste Policy Act
of 1982; Public Health Service Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation
Control Act (UMTRCA) of 1978; Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act of 1992;
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; Clean Water Act.
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Radiation: Response Preparedness
129
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Radiation: Response Preparedness
Program Area: Indoor Air and Radiation
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$2,658
$2,650
$3,143
$493
Scii'in-i' X Technology
S 2.V2N
YviW.
S4M(>
S 1,1)91)
Total Budget Authority
$5,586
$6,246
$7,829
$1,583
Total Workyears
31.0
33.3
41.4
8.1
Program Project Description:
The National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) in Montgomery, Alabama,
and the National Center for Radiation Field Operations (NCRFO) in Las Vegas, Nevada, provide
field sampling and laboratory analyses to respond to radiological and nuclear incidents. This work
includes measuring and monitoring radioactive materials and assessing radioactive contamination
in the environment. This program comprises direct scientific field and laboratory activities to
support preparedness, planning, training, and procedure development. In addition, program
personnel are members of EPA's Radiological Emergency Response Team (RERT), a component
of the Agency's emergency response program, and are trained to provide direct expert scientific
and technical assistance. EPA's RERT is part of the Nuclear Incident Response Team under the
Department of Homeland Security.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.2, Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA's RERT will provide critical support for federal radiological emergency response
and recovery operations under the National Response Framework and the National Oil and
Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan. When necessary, EPA's RERT will
complement routine operations (e.g., on-site technical support/consultation and laboratory
analyses) and provide for the rapid collection of field measurements/samples and accurate
radionuclide analyses of environmental samples.42
In FY 2024, NAREL and NCRFO will build capacity in core levels of readiness for radiological
emergency responses; participate in critical emergency exercises; and respond, as required, to
radiological incidents. NAREL and NCRFO will prioritize rapid deployment capabilities to ensure
that field teams and laboratory personnel are ready to provide scientific data, field measurement
42 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiological-emergency-response.
130
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capabilities, analyses, and updated analytical techniques for radiation emergency response
programs across the Agency.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM RAD2) Percentage of radiation emergency response program personnel and assets that meet functional
readiness requirements necessary to support federal radiological emergency response and recovery
operation.
I V 2017
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
l"Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
90
92
92
Percent
Actual
92
88
Numerator
128.24
122.78
Personnel
and Assets
Denominator
140
140
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$196.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$124.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of lab
utilities.
(+$1,162.0 / +5.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support activities for
preparedness work, including basic laboratory analytic functions and field operations. This
investment includes $806.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Homeland Security Act of 2002; Atomic Energy Act of 1954; Clean Air Act; Post-Katrina
Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA); Public Health Service Act (PHSA);
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA).
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Reduce Risks from Indoor Air
132
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Reduce Risks from Indoor Air
Program Area: Indoor Air and Radiation
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
SI 2.611
$13,593
$47,389
$33,796
Scii'in-i' X Technology
SIM,
SJ'S
SI S3
-sy.i
Total Budget Authority
$12,748
$13,871
$47,572
$33,701
Total Workyears
40.1
39.2
71.4
32.2
Program Project Description:
Title IV of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) authorizes EPA
to conduct and coordinate research on indoor air quality, develop and disseminate information,
and coordinate risk reduction efforts at the federal, state, tribal and local levels. Poor indoor air
quality represents one of the most significant public health risks within EPA's responsibility.43
EPA uses a range of strategies to reduce health risks from poor indoor air quality in homes, schools,
and other buildings through partnerships with non-governmental, professional, federal, state, and
local organizations. Through these partnerships EPA provides information, guidance, and
technical assistance to equip industry, the health care community, the residential, school, and
commercial building sectors, and the general public to take action. As technical experts working
at the intersection of the built environment and health, EPA is focused on policy and guidance to
improve building conditions, including for disproportionately impacted communities, to reduce
indoor air risk and achieve improvements in environmental and health outcomes.
Tribes have identified indoor air quality as a high priority and often bear disproportionately high
impacts from poor indoor air quality. For example, Native Americans and Alaska Natives
disproportionately suffer from asthma, in part due to poor housing conditions and the associated
increase in exposure to indoor air pollutants.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.2, Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
This request, combined with resources for Reduce Risks from Indoor Air from the Environmental
Programs and Management (EPM) account, will enable EPA to continue monitoring, assessing,
and assisting communities in reducing risks from poor indoor air quality. Under this program, EPA
will maintain indoor air monitoring and assessment equipment, conduct field measurements and
43 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/iaq.
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assessments, and provide technical support and guidance for indoor air quality remediations, with
a primary focus on assistance to tribal communities. In addition, EPA will conduct training and
capacity building for tribal air quality professionals on indoor air assessments and field
measurement technology and practices, including radon.
Performance Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$8.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$87.0) This program change decreases resources for activities that reduce risk from
indoor air quality, such as conducting field measurements and assessments and providing
technical support and guidance.
Statutory Authority:
Title IV SARA; Title III Toxic Substances Control Act; Clean Air Act.
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IT / Data Management
135
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IT / Data Management
Program Area: IT / Data Management / Security
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$90,029
$91,821
$105,868
$14,047
Science' JS Technology
S2.
v ?./<>"
S3 J13
SI If,
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$16,075
$19,764
$17,727
-$2,037
Total Budget Authority
$108,903
$114,782
$126,908
$12,126
Total Workyears
463.6
490.9
503.9
13.0
Total work years in FY 2024 include 172.0 FTE to support IT/Data Management working capital fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
The work performed under the Information Technology/Data Management (IT/DM) Program
supports human health and the environment by providing critical IT infrastructure and data
management. Science and Technology (S&T) resources for EPA's IT/DM Program fund the
following activities: Quality Program,44 EPA National Library Network, and Web Infrastructure
Management.
The Quality Program provides quality policy, procedures, standards, and guidance for
environmental information collection, production, evaluation, and use activities. These activities
are performed by or for the Agency to ensure sound decisions are based on quality to support their
intended use as we strive to protect human health and the environment. The Quality Program
provides Quality Assurance (QA) directives, training, oversight, and technical support to assist
EPA organizations in implementing their Quality Program for environmental information
operations. It also oversees the implementation of EPA's Information Quality Guidelines (IQGs).
EPA's National Library Network provides information resources and services to EPA staff and the
public in support of EPA's mission. Web Infrastructure Management provides accessible, relevant,
timely, accurate, and complete environmental information to EPA's employees, partners, and
stakeholders, as well as the public, through the websites and digital services which constitute
EPA's internet presence.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
44 For more information about EPA's Quality Program, please see: http://www.epa.gov/qualitv.
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EPA's Quality Program provides implementation support to all EPA organizations that have
environmental information operations described in an approved Quality Management Plan (QMP).
In FY 2024, the Quality Program will:
• Assess organizations that have an approved QMP and identify findings requiring corrective
action, areas needing improvement, and leveraging best practices.
• Focus on promoting sound science and ensure scientific integrity by promoting better planning
to produce improved environmental information. Evaluate environmental information through
use of the QA Annual Report and Work Plan and annual certification by Assistant and Regional
Administrators.
• Manage and provide oversight for the IQGs to ensure that information disseminated by or
for EPA conforms with the Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality,
Objectivity, Utility and Integrity of Information Disseminated by the Environmental
Protection Agency criteria.45 The Quality Program will facilitate the development of the
Agency's responses to public requests for correction and reconsideration of information
disseminated by EPA and report this information to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). The Quality Program also will continue to focus on implementing
recommendations from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Audit Report, EPA Needs to
Address Internal Control Deficiencies in the Agencywide Quality System.46 The Program
will give priority to implementation of revised Quality Directives for QMPs and Quality
Assurance Project Plans, and the IQGs.
• Engage as a resource with EPA's state and tribal partners and environmental justice
communities and support the Climate Change Program to ensure QA processes and
procedures are in place to protect human health and the environment.
The Agency's S&T resources for IT/DM also will help provide library services through the EPA
National Library Network to all EPA employees and environmental information access to the
public, as well as support the hosting of EPA's websites and web pages. One EPA Web will
continue to manage content and support internal and external users with information on EPA
business, support employees with internal information, and provide a clearinghouse for the Agency
to communicate initiatives and successes.
In FY 2024, EPA will work to transform the Agency's libraries to meet the needs of the 21st
Century. This involves operating in an increasingly online and mobile environment; providing
services and resources at the customer's point of need; prioritizing the thorough assessment of
print materials to support strategic space usage; utilizing detailed data to ensure print collections
are highly relevant to the Agency's needs and centralizing core services; and relying on technology
and a team of professional librarians to disseminate information and connect people to resources
they need to support the demands of both internal and external requests.
45 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/qualitY/guideliiies-eiisuriiip-and-niaxiniiziiip-qualitY-obiectivitY-utilitY-
and-integrity-information.
46 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/office-iiispector-geiieral/repoi1-epa-iieeds-address-intemal-control-
deficiencies-agencywide-quality.
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Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$116.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Federal Information Technology Acquisition
Reform Act; Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA); Government
Performance and Results Act (GPRA); Government Management Reform Act (GMRA); Clinger-
Cohen Act (CCA); Rehabilitation Act of 1973 § 508.
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Operations and Administration
139
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Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
S291.501
$283,330
S305.753
$22,423
Science' JS Technology
V. '.500
S'J.O-IJ
S-IJ-l.l
Building and Facilities
$24,681
$42,076
$105,009
$62,933
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$922
$754
$727
-$27
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$854
$682
$641
-$41
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$76,108
$65,634
$71,540
$5,906
Total Budget Authority
$462,412
$459,976
$555,713
$95,737
Total Workyears
310.6
321.8
330.4
8.6
Total work years in FY 2024 include 5.4 FTE to support Facilities Infrastructure and Operations working capital fund (WCF)
services.
Program Project Description:
Science and Technology (S&T) resources in the Facilities Infrastructure and Operations Program
fund the Agency's rent, utilities, and security. The Program also supports centralized
administrative activities and support services, including health and safety, environmental
compliance and management, facilities maintenance and operations, space planning, sustainable
facilities and energy conservation planning and support, property management, mail, and
transportation services. Funding for such services is allocated among the major appropriations for
the Agency.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to pursue agencywide climate sustainability and resiliency
initiatives and EPA facilities projects. Investing in the reconfiguration of EPA's workspaces
enables the Agency to release office space and avoid long-term rent costs, consistent with HR
4465, the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of2016 47 EPA is implementing a long-term space
consolidation plan that aims to reduce the number of occupied facilities, consolidate, and optimize
space within remaining facilities, and reduce square footage wherever practical. The Agency's
space consolidation efforts are expected to result in cost avoidances due to projected rent increases
over ten years. EPA also will continue working to enhance its federal infrastructure and operations
in a manner that increases efficiency. These enhancements also support the Future of Work as the
47 F or additional information, please refer to: https://www.congress.eov/bill/]. 14th-oongress/house-bill/4465. Federal Assets Sale
and Transfer Act of 2016.
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Agency continues to implement hybrid, remote, and physical workspaces, consistent with OMB
Memorandum M-21-25.48 For FY 2024, the Agency is requesting $29.12 million for rent, $17.66
million for utilities, and $11.91 million for security in the S&T appropriation. EPA uses a standard
methodology to ensure that rent charging appropriately reflects planned and enacted resources at
the appropriation level.
EPA also will work to secure physical and operational resiliency for agency facilities. As part of
this work, EPA will continue conducting climate resiliency assessments at all EPA-owned
facilities to identify critical upgrades that are necessary to improve facility resiliency against the
impacts of climate change, such as roofing stability or seawall construction projects. In FY 2024,
EPA will conduct climate assessments at the following facilities: Office of Air and Radiation
Laboratory - Montgomery; Edison Environmental Center; Region 4 Field Annex - Athens; Athens
Environmental Center; Corvallis Environmental Laboratory; and Newport Environmental
Laboratory. EPA will initiate all high-priority projects within 24 months of the completion of a
climate assessment.
Further, EPA will continue reconfiguring EPA's workplaces with the goal of reducing long-term
rent costs while increasing EPA facility sustainability to combat the effects of climate change and
ensuring a space footprint that accommodates a growing workforce.49 Space reconfiguration
enables EPA to reduce its footprint to create a more efficient, collaborative, and technologically
sophisticated workplace. However, even if modifications are kept to a minimum, each move
requires initial funding to achieve long-term cost avoidance and sustainability goals. These
investments support sustainable federal infrastructure, a clean energy future, and goals to achieve
net-zero emissions by 2050.
In FY 2024, EPA will pursue aggressive energy, water, and building infrastructure requirements
with emphasis on environmental programs (e.g., Environmental Management Systems,
Environmental Compliance Programs, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Certification, alternative fuel use, fleet reductions, telematics, sustainability assessments). This
investment in infrastructure (e.g., architectural and design) and mechanical systems (e.g.,
Optimized Building Managements Systems for heating and cooling with load demand driven
controls) is necessary to meet the Administration's climate sustainability goals. Additionally, in
FY 2024, EPA will continue the Agency's transition to electric vehicles through direct purchase
(mobile lab vehicles) or lease through the General Services Administration (GSA) for all future
fleet procurements where economically feasible. EPA also will identify opportunities to build out
necessary charging infrastructure at EPA facility locations. In line with federal sustainability goals,
EPA will work to utilize 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity on a net annual basis by
2030.
48 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-conteiit/uploads/2021/06/M-21-25.pdf.
49 Work in this program takes direction for climate change and sustainability related initiatives from the following:
EO 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/01/27/executive~order-on~tackling~the~climate~crisis-at-home~and-abroad/).
EO 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-
rooni/presidential-actions/2021/12/08/executive-order-on-catalvzing-clean-energv-industries-and-iobs-through-federal-
sustainability/).
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EPA also will meet regulatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
obligations and provide health and safety training to field staff (e.g., inspections, monitoring, on-
scene Coordinators), and track capital equipment of $25 thousand or more. The Agency will
continue its partnership with GSA to utilize shared services solutions, USAccess, and Enterprise
Physical Access Control System (ePACS) programs. USAccess provides standardized Homeland
Security Presidential Directive, HSPD-12, approved Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card
enrollment and issuance and ePACS provides centralized access control of EPA space, including
restricted and secure areas.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Facilities Infrastructure and
Operations Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$368.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to adjustments for rent,
utilities, security, and transit subsidy needs.
• (+$4,911.0) This program change supports implementation of EO 14057: Catalyzing Clean
Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability requirements that will require
EPA to increase facility resiliency against the impact of climate change and to advance
sustainability of EPA operations. This investment increases support for EPA facilities
projects to ensure EPA has optimal footprint to support the proposed FTE increase in the
FY 2024 Budget request, continue ongoing EPA laboratory consolidation projects, and
support agencywide climate sustainability and resiliency initiatives such as facility climate
assessments and Optimized Building Managements Systems.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Property and Administration Services Act; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat.
2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
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Pesticides Licensing
143
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Pesticides: Protect Human Health from Pesticide Risk
Program Area: Pesticides Licensing
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$65,333
$62,125
$65,529
$3,404
Science & Technology
$2,854
$2,894
$4,031
$1,137
Total Budget Authority
$68,187
$65,019
$69,560
$4,541
Total Workyears
420.3
385.6
385.6
0.0
Total program work years in FY 2024 include 82.1 FTE funded by the Reregistration and Expedited Processing Revolving Fund.
Program Project Description:
EPA's Pesticide Programs screen new pesticides before they reach the market and ensure that
pesticides already in commerce are safe. As directed by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by
the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA), and the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act
of 2022 (PRIA 5),50 EPA is responsible for registering and re-evaluating pesticides to protect
consumers, pesticide users, workers who may be exposed to pesticides, children, and other
sensitive populations.
To make regulatory decisions and establish tolerances (e.g., maximum allowable pesticide residues
on food and feed) for food use pesticides and for residential or non-occupational use, EPA must
find the pesticide safe. This involves considering cumulative and aggregate risks and ensuring
extra protection for children as required by the FQPA. Aggregate assessments ensure that there is
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical
residue, including all anticipated dietary exposure and all other exposure for which there is reliable
information. For cumulative assessments, the Agency is required to consider available information
concerning the cumulative effects of such residues and other substances that have a common
mechanism of toxicity. The Agency must balance the risks and benefits of other uses. For
antimicrobial pesticides with public health claims, EPA requires that manufacturers perform tests
to ensure the efficacy (i.e., performance) of products per the labelling. In anticipation of future
public health emergencies, the Pesticide Program evaluates public health claims for antimicrobial
products, including the accelerated availability of disinfectants determined to be effective against
emerging pathogens and development of study designs to support the generation of innovative
products, including those that can reduce airborne transmission of these pathogens. This program
50 On December 29,2022, the Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2022 (PRIA 5), which reauthorizes PRIA for
5 years through fiscal year 2027 and updates the fee collection provisions of the FIFRA, was signed into law.
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operates two laboratories, the Microbiology Laboratory51 and the Analytical Chemistry
Laboratory.52
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory will continue to develop and validate methods for multi-
residue pesticide analyses, including furthering test protocols, providing technical review of data
and reports. The laboratory will also provide technical analyses and support to states, EPA Regions
and the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) in enforcement cases related
to the potential misuse of or illegal pesticides. Additionally, this lab maintains EPA's National
Pesticide Standard Repository and distributes more than 5,000 standards yearly to States and
Regions for use in validating test results, calibrating instruments, and/or for identifying and
quantifying pesticide residues. In addition, the laboratory will continue to provide technical
support to EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs to develop and standardize test protocols relating
to the performance of portable monitoring devices measuring post-application levels. Finally, work
will continue the development and release of additional testing methods related to identifying and
quantifying PFAS residues in High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) containers. These efforts are
critical to ensuring the safety of pesticide products within channels of trade, including those
available for use by the public.
The Microbiology Laboratory will continue to protect human health by ensuring the availability
of scientifically sound efficacy test methods for antimicrobial pesticides (e.g., hospital
disinfectants used to treat surfaces). By developing new methods for new uses and emerging
pathogens, the regulated community can register new products as well as new claims for existing
products. These efforts will benefit the public because of the critical support the Laboratory
provides to inform regulatory actions for public health pesticides, identify pathways for approval
of pathogen-specific claims, and allow for marketplace penetration of these products.
Specifically, in FY 2024, the Microbiology Laboratory will:
Continue to work on the data collection, analysis, and development of new regulatory guidance
and implementation materials on a quantitative method for bactericidal claims to support
adoption of the method for regulatory purposes.
Complete analysis of FY 2021-2022 multi-lab oratory data and develop guidance materials and
final method (including submission to and review by ASTM subcommittee) for Legionella in
recirculating water for cooling tower remediation.
• Provide efficacy testing and technical support for workplans for the Antimicrobial Product
Evaluation Program (APEP) pursuant to EPA's response to the Office of the Inspector General
(Report No. 16-P-0316).53
51 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.KOv/aboutepa/about-microbiologv-laboratory.
52 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.KOv/aboutepa/about-analvtical-chemistrv-laboratorv~acl.
53 See. Report No. 16-P-0316, "Report: EPA Needs a Risk-Based Strategy to Assure Continued Effectiveness of Flospital-Level
Disinfectants," found at: https://www.epa.eov/office-iiispector-eeiieral/repoi1-epa-iieeds-risk-based-strategv-assure-continued-
effectiveeess.
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Continue to revise the existing residual self-sanitizing disinfectant protocol and collect data to
support the revisions and submit the method for comment and/or through ASTM.
Continue to pursue the development of a regulatory guidance document and implementation
strategy for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial towelettes.
Continue to develop laboratory capacity for conducting efficacy testing with Biosafety Level
3 (BSL-3) microorganisms at the Environmental Science Center in Ft. Meade, Maryland.
EPA's Pesticide Program has the only EPA laboratory with physical containment laboratories
to manage BSL-3 microbes.
Continue to expand viral testing and method development to respond to emerging viral
pathogens.
Continue work to finalize the guidance for efficacy claims on porous materials by responding
to public comment on the draft guidance and proposing a final document for release in FY
2024.
In FY 2024, the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory will continue to protect human health by
ensuring the availability of appropriate analytical methods for analyzing pesticide residues in food
and feed and ensuring their suitability for monitoring pesticide residues and enforcing tolerances.
In addition, the Laboratory will:
• Develop improved analytical methods and protocols using state of the art instruments to
replace outdated ones, thus increasing laboratory efficiency and accuracy of the data.
Continue to develop new methods to support EPA's overall efforts on identifying PFAS
compounds and potential routes of exposure. Additional methods specific to types of pesticide
formulations will continue to progress, including finalizing methods to quantify PFAS in High
Density Polyethylene (HDPE) containers and methodology to quantify residues in pesticide
formulations of varying chemistries (i.e., those containing surfactants).
• Provide analytical support to fill in data gaps for the Pesticide Programs' Section 18 emergency
exemption applications, and to perform studies for use in risk assessments and ultimately, risk
mitigation decisions.
• Provide analytical assistance and technical advice to the EPA Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance (OECA) and to all regional offices in support of their enforcement
cases, including cases against domestic and especially imported disinfectant products with
false label claims. This could disproportionately impact members of communities with
environmental justice (EJ) concerns who might not speak English, who may be targeted by
illegal imports, and who may not know how to look for approved products {i.e., List N
products).
• Verify that pesticides products are properly formulated.
Operate EPA's National Pesticide Standard Repository.54
Preventing Disease through Public Health Pesticides: Antimicrobial Testing
EPA's Antimicrobial Testing Program (ATP), starting in 1991, was charged with testing hospital
sterilants, disinfectants, and tuberculocides since 1991 to help ensure that products in the
marketplace meet stringent efficacy standards. EPA is in the process of developing a new risk-
54 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-aiialYtical-niethods/iiatioiial-pesticide-staiidard-
repository.
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based testing strategy in response to OIG recommendations.55 Consistent with the OIG
recommendations, EPA suspended the ATP in November 2017. EPA released a draft risk-based
strategy, renamed the Antimicrobial Performance Evaluation Program (APEP), in October 2019
for public comment and will continue to seek public input prior to implementation as early as FY
2024. Implementation of the APEP will benefit public health by ensuring approved antimicrobials
meet contemporary efficacy standards.
The Microbiology Laboratory will continue to develop efficacy methods to support EPA's
antimicrobial pesticide regulatory programs. The results of these efforts will help ensure products
are available to control various bacteria (e.g., Clostridioides difficilej, viruses (e.g., Mpox
(formerly monkeypox) and other emerging pathogens) and biofilms and to inform EPA's method
development activities in FY 2024 and beyond.
This FY 2024 request includes an increase of $1.2 million to invest in a Biosafety Level 3 Lab at
Fort Meade, MD, the only such lab at EPA. These funds are needed to replace some aging critical
lab equipment and modernize the lab's capabilities to be responsive to homeland security & other
emerging issues (i.e. - such as pandemics). The additional funding will support the following
critical lab purchases:
• Update and/or purchase equipment to meet more current laboratory specifications for a
biosafety level 3 (BSL-3).
Conversion of current steam sterilizer (autoclave) in B202 (Federal Select Agent registered
lab) to a pass-through autoclave.
• Replace autoclave in B207 (BSL-3 virus lab) with a new pass-through autoclave since both
laboratory branches are currently covered under the existing environmental monitoring system
contract.
• Modernization of IT in BSL-3 laboratory (LAN, scanner, tablets/software for paperless
recordkeeping, etc.)
• Pass-through port for both BSL-3 laboratories (e.g.,
https://www.enviropass.com/products/medical-pass-throughs/specimen-pass-through/).
• Enlargement of BSL-3 anterooms to provide additional safety measures.
• Dedicated shower-out capability in the lab wing.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Pesticides: Protect Human Health
from Pesticide Risk Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$36.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
55 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.goY/pesticide-repistration/aiitiniicrobial-perfoniiance-evaluation-
program-apep.
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(-$85.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
laboratory fixed costs.
(+$1,186.0) This increase provides $1,186 million to invest in a Biosafety Level 3 Lab at
Fort Meade, MD. These funds are needed to replace aging critical lab equipment and
modernize the lab's capabilities to be responsive to emerging issues such as pandemics.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FFDCA), §408.
148
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Pesticides: Protect the Environment from Pesticide Risk
Program Area: Pesticides Licensing
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$43,688
S48.704
$75,391
$26,687
Science X Technology
S2.-/S'
S2JJ-I
S JJ.iV
Si
Total Budget Authority
$46,175
$51,038
$77,730
$26,692
Total Workyears
312.7
259.6
282.1
22.5
Total program work years in FY 2024 include 53.2 FTE funded by the Reregistration and Expedited Processing Revolving Fund.
Program Project Description:
EPA's Pesticide Program screens new pesticides before they reach the market and ensures that
pesticides already in commerce are safe. As directed by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (F1FRA), the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by
the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA), and the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act
of 2022 (PRIA 5),56 EPA is responsible for registering and re-evaluating pesticides to protect
humans, plants, animals, and ecosystems that are not targets of the pesticide.
Under FIFRA, the Agency must balance the risks and benefits of other pesticide uses. For
antimicrobial pesticides with public health claims, EPA requires that manufacturers perform tests
to ensure the efficacy {i.e., performance) of products per the labelling.
In addition to FIFRA responsibilities, the Agency has responsibilities under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA).57 Under ESA, EPA must ensure that pesticide regulatory decisions will not
destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat or result in jeopardy to the continued
existence of species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) or the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS). Where risks are identified, EPA must work with FWS and NMFS in a
consultation process to ensure these pesticide registrations also will meet the ESA standard.
Under the Science and Technology appropriation, EPA's Pesticide Program operates two
laboratories, the Microbiology Laboratory58 and the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory,59 that
support the goal of protecting human health and the environment through diverse analytical testing
and analytical method development and validation efforts. These laboratories provide a variety of
56 On December 19, 2022, the Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2022 (PRIA 5), which reauthorizes PRIA for
5 years through fiscal year 2027 and updates the fee collection provisions of the FIFRA was signed into law.
51 See, ESA sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2); Federal Agency Actions and Consultations (16 U.S.C. § 1536(a)), available at the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service ESA internet site: https://www.fws.gov/service/sectioti-7-consultatiotis.
58 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-microbiology-laboratory.
59 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/ahoutepa/about-analvtical-chemistrv-lahoratorv~acl.
149
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technical services to EPA, other federal and state agencies, tribal nations, and other organizations
to ensure the protection of the environment from pesticide risk.
EPA's Pesticide Program laboratories provide a diverse range of environmental data that the
Agency uses to make informed regulatory decisions. The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory and the
Microbiology Laboratory each provide critical laboratory testing and support activities to assist
the decision-making processes of the Agency. The laboratories develop standard methods to
evaluate the performance of antimicrobial products such as disinfectants used in hospital settings,
and validate analytical chemistry methods to ensure that EPA, the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the states have reliable methods
to measure and monitor pesticide residues in food and the environment.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Laboratory activities in FY 2024 will include continuing to lead collaborative studies with other
laboratories to validate testing methods for antimicrobial products to determine their efficacy
against pathogens such as Legionella; working with the Antimicrobials Division on the
implementation of an appropriate performance standard for a revised method for measuring the
efficacy of disinfectants quantitatively; working with state laboratories to share method
development and analyze samples, as requested; and working with investigations to evaluate the
composition of potentially illegal pesticides.
In FY 2024, the Microbiology Laboratory will continue to work with the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security and USDA to evaluate various environmentally relevant materials such as
porous materials (e.g., wood, concrete, fabric, tile, etc.) which simulate use sites in livestock,
poultry, and other food animal rearing operations. Outbreaks of avian influenza, African swine
fever, Newcastle Disease virus, and other pathogens can devastate American agriculture, and the
persistence of these viruses on surfaces is not well understood. Currently, due to the unavailability
of standardized quantitative test methods to simulate real-world conditions, the response to an
animal pathogen outbreak and submission of requests under FIFRA Section 18 to address these
outbreaks rely on published, often antiquated, data. Thus, the use of commonly available chemicals
for remediation (e.g., citric acid, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, etc.) of contaminated sites
without extensive knowledge of their environmental impact from such widespread use is
problematic.
The goal of the Microbiology Laboratory is to develop a quantitative approach for assessing the
effectiveness of antimicrobial products against high consequence animal viruses and other
pathogens. Through this approach, EPA will provide a tool for the development of high-quality
efficacy data on relevant surface materials. The availability of the method to the regulated
community will support the development of new antimicrobial products following contemporary
regulatory requirements.
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In FY 2024, the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory will continue to focus on analytical method
development and validations as well as special studies to address specific, short-term, rapid-
turnaround priority issues. Specifically, the development and release of new methods for the
analysis of PFAS in formulated pesticide products containing surfactants and a second method for
quantifying the amounts of PFAS in container walls. These methods, once validated, will provide
standardized, critical tools for the analysis of pesticide residues for PFAS, supporting the first
portion of EPA's strategic plan to effectively identify these compounds and potential routes of
exposure. Additionally, this lab will continue to support registration review efforts related to
testing devices used in clearing structures that were fumigated with sulfuryl flouride with the goal
of increasing performance and overall reliability of data collected from these devices.
The Laboratory also will continue to provide technical and analytical assistance to EPA's
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program and regional offices in support of their
enforcement/complaint cases, including analysis of dicamba and its metabolites in soil and
vegetation samples and analysis of products sold in online commerce.
The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory also will continue to provide national technical analytical
support for the development of data needed for the Pesticides Program's risk assessments and for
Section 18 emergency exemptions, and to perform studies for use in risk mitigation.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Pesticides: Protect the Environment
from Pesticide Risk Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$42.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide essential workforce
support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$39.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
laboratory fixed costs for utilities and security.
(+$86.0) This program change is an increase in laboratory Operations and Maintenance
costs.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Endangered Species Act (ESA).
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Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide Availability
Program Area: Pesticides Licensing
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$7,022
$7,637
$8,234
$597
Science X Technology
SV-fl
VA?5
SI.002
S~~
Total Budget Authority
$7,963
$8,562
$9,236
$674
Total Workyears
32.7
35.8
35.8
0.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Pesticide Program laboratories provide significant contributions to help the Agency realize
the value of pesticides. They consist of the Microbiology Laboratory60 and the Analytical
Chemistry Laboratory,61 both of which support the goal of protecting human health and the
environment through diverse analytical testing, analytical method development, and validation
efforts. Laboratories provide a variety of technical services to EPA, other federal and state
agencies, tribal nations, and other organizations to ensure the value of pesticide availability is
realized.
The primary focus of the Microbiology Laboratory is standardization of existing test methods and
the development and validation of methods for new uses and emerging pathogens for antimicrobial
products with public health claims - products used to kill or suppress the growth of pathogenic
microorganisms on inanimate objects and surfaces. The Microbiology Laboratory is instrumental
in advancing the science of antimicrobial product testing and provides technical expertise to
standard-setting organizations and various agency stakeholder groups.
The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory provides scientific, laboratory, and technical support
through chemical analyses of pesticides and related chemicals to protect human health and the
environment. The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory's responsibilities include providing technical
support and chemical analyses of pesticides and related chemicals; developing new multi-residue
analytical methods; and operating EPA's National Pesticide Standard Repository,62 which collects
and maintains pesticide standards {i.e., samples of pure active ingredients or technical grade active
ingredients, regulated metabolites, degradants, and related compounds).
60 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-microbiology-laboratory.
61 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.KOv/ahoutepa/about-analvtical-chemistrv-lahoratorv~acl.
62 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eoY/pesticide-aiialvtical-niethods/iiatioiial-pesticide-standard-
repository.
152
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. In FY 2024, EPA will realize the benefits of
pesticides by ensuring the continued operation of the National Pesticide Standard Repository. The
Microbiology Laboratory and the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory will continue to conduct
chemistry and efficacy evaluations for antimicrobials. As the recognized source for expertise in
pesticide analytical method development, EPA's Pesticide Program laboratories will continue to
provide quality assurance review, technical support, and training to EPA's regional offices, state
laboratories, and other federal agencies that implement the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory will continue to maintain the National Pesticide Standard
Repository (NPSR) and collect and maintain an inventory of analytical standards of registered
pesticides in the U.S. EPA provides these pesticide standards (approximately 4,000 to 5,000
annually) to qualified federal, state, territorial, and tribal laboratories for food and product testing,
environmental monitoring, and enforcement purposes. This lab has implemented several changes
in the operation of the NPSR to increase its efficiency and to better serve regulatory laboratories.
Changes included requiring requests to be grouped for pesticide standards, instituting an inventory
control system focusing on high demand standards, asking registrants to package pesticide
standards in ready-to-be-shipped quantities, and installing a chemist as the lead staff person to
ensure adherence to new protocols. These changes resulted in the improvement in the operations
of the lab including a decrease in the turnaround time for shipping repository samples from 15 to
10 days. These changes also helped federal agencies, states, and tribal laboratories expedite
enforcement efforts. Further process enhancements will continue in FY 2024 and beyond,
specifically in minimizing the number of non-usable expired standards that are shipped as chemical
waste.
In FY 2024, the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory also will continue its work in: developing and
validating multiresidue methods using state-of-the-art methodology and instrumentation;
providing chemical analysis for assessing risk to human health and to the environment from
agricultural use of pesticides; and providing technical support to EPA regional offices to ensure
that pesticide products are formulated according to approved labels.
In FY 2024, the Microbiology Laboratory will continue to evaluate FIFRA Section 18 emergency
exemptions and novel protocol requests for new uses and novel pathogens. The Laboratory also
will continue the development of data and methods to support Section 18 for high consequence
animal pathogens (e.g., African swine fever, Newcastle disease virus, etc.). In addition, the
continued work to develop new methods for emerging pathogens (e.g., Legionella, Candida auris,
etc.) and clinical porous materials provides a pathway for registrants to add new claims to existing
antimicrobial pesticides. In some cases, the methods will lead to the development of new products
when currently registered formulations are not effective against emerging pathogens. The
Laboratory anticipates supporting up to 25 requests for these activities in FY 2024.
The Microbiology Laboratory also will continue to refine and develop methods to support EPA's
Section 3 and Section 18 regulatory programs, continuing to develop testing methods for
153
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evaluating effectiveness of disinfectant products against airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus and other
emerging pathogens. In addition, the Laboratory will collaborate with EPA's Homeland Security
Research Program to develop guidance for registrants seeking to make long-term disinfectant
efficacy claims and explore novel control and application options for disinfectant products. The
Laboratory also will continue to develop a quantitative efficacy test method which may provide a
pathway for evaluating disinfectant claims for porous material (vinyl, room divider curtains, etc.).
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Pesticides: Protect the Environment
from Pesticide Risk Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$5.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide essential workforce
support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$76.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of lab
fixed costs for utilities and security.
(+$158.0) This program change is an increase to support laboratory Operations and
Maintenance costs.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FFDCA) § 408.
154
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Research: Air and Energy
155
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Research: Air, Climate and Energy
Program Area: Research: Air, Climate and Energy
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Scii'iicc ^ Technology
SV3.-IOJ
SI 00.-1-IS
SI 3'.S3 5
Total Budget Authority
$93,402
$100,448
$137,835
$37,387
Total Workyears
263.8
264.0
298.7
34.7
Program Project Description:
Air pollution adversely affects human health and the environment, yet millions of Americans still
live in or near geographic areas that do not meet national standards for air pollutants. Climate
change is impacting public health, air, and water quality today and will exacerbate other
environmental challenges in the future. Many air pollution sources are in communities with
environmental justice concerns which can be further exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
To address these and other air pollution issues, including the growing threat of air pollution from
wildfires exacerbated by climate change, EPA's Air, Climate, and Energy (ACE) Research
Program provides scientific information to EPA program and regional offices, tribes states, and
other partners. ACE advances the science needed to attain the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS),63 reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), address the causes
and consequences of climate change and environmental inequities, and develop more resilient
communities to protect human health and ecosystems. The ACE Research Program also
contributes to understanding the impacts of interventions that reduce air pollution exposures and
protect public health; strategies to prepare, adapt, and build resilience; and responses to the
transformation of our energy systems.
The ACE Research Program is centered around two inter-related research topic areas: 1)
understanding air pollution and climate change and their impacts on human health and ecosystems;
and 2) responding to risks and impacts and preparing for the future. The ACE Research Program
relies on successful partnerships with a variety of organizations including academic and industry
researchers, tribes, states, local and private sector organizations, as well as key federal agencies.
63 Section 109 of the Clean Air Act identifies two types of national ambient air quality standards - primary standards provide
public health protection, including protecting the health of "sensitive" populations such as children, older adults, and persons
with pre-existing disease such as asthma or cardiovascular disease and secondary standards provide public welfare protection,
including protection against decreased visibility and damage to animals, wildlife, soils, water, crops, vegetation, and buildings.
Unless otherwise stated, in this document the term NAAQS will refer to both primary and secondary standards.
156
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Recent Accomplishments of the ACE Research Program include:64
• Air Pollution, Climate Change and Ecosystem Health: In FY 2022, EPA researchers
modeled atmospheric deposition of nitrogen to ecosystems including the Chesapeake Bay65
and estimated critical loads of nitrogen for plants and trees in the U.S.66 The research showed
that while decreases in nitrogen emissions have reduced the percentage of vegetation
exceeding critical loads for loss of species abundance, over a third of studied plots are still at
risk and would benefit from additional nitrogen reductions. EPA researchers studied how
ozone exposures impact growth of trees, finding that ozone responsiveness varies by species,
and that black cherry, tulip poplar and ponderosa pine are among the most ozone-sensitive
North American tree species.67 EPA researchers also used flow models and high-resolution
survey data to examine habitat suitability for Chinook salmon. They found that future climate
conditions may have a substantial negative impact on spawning and limited impact on rearing
conditions due to flow reduction.11
• Modeling of Scenarios for Energy and Transportation System Emissions: In FY 2022,
EPA researchers employed state-of-the-art energy systems models to analyze transformations
in the U.S. energy and transportation systems and characterize pollutant emission changes from
adoption of various technologies and policies. Model results showed that increases in electric
vehicles can have varying impacts on overall system-wide CO2 and NOx emissions, depending
on how the electricity used to power those vehicles is produced. High adoption of electric
vehicles would likely reduce CO2 emissions, with greater reductions resulting if electricity
production is produced with renewables or otherwise decarbonized sources68. Researchers also
developed a new tool, the Global Change Analysis Model Long-term Interactive Multi-
pollutant Scenario Evaluator (GLIMPSE), to assist in air quality, climate, and energy
planning.69
• Wildfire Smoke: Climate change is contributing to increased size and intensity of wildfires,
and states and communities are increasingly concerned about exposures to wildfire smoke. In
FY 2022, EPA researchers conducted studies of smoke emissions and air quality measurement
during wildfires. The research showed that small, lower-cost air quality sensors, while not as
accurate as federal reference monitors, can provide useful data about community air quality
and exposures during wildfire smoke events.70 Researchers also evaluated how smoke plumes
are represented in air quality models and reinforced that accurate information on meteorology,
timing, and heat release during fires are critical for predicting smoke plume heights which
affect downwind air quality.71 In FY 2022, EPA researchers also applied their research on air
quality sensors to develop the Wildfire Smoke Air Monitoring Response Technology
64 For more information, please see https://www.epa.gov/research/iiational-research-progranis.
65 For more information, please see https://acp.copemicus.org/preprints/acp-2022-201/ and
https://doi.org/10.1016/i .atniosenv.2'
66 For more information, please see https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb. 16076.
67 For more information, please see https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S13522310220025647via%3Dihub.
68 For more information, please see: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S03062619210Q7698.
69 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research-states/supporting-air-quality-and-climate-change-planning-
glimpse-webinar-archive
70 For more information, please see https://www.nidpi.eom/2073-4433/13/6/877/htni and
https://www.scieiicedirect.coni/scieiice/article/pii/S1352231021005409.
71 For more information, please see https://www.publish.csiro.au/wf/pdf7WF20140.
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(WSMART) program which loans lower-cost air quality sensors to state, tribal, and local air
quality organizations to improve characterization of air quality during wildfire smoke events.72
Researchers also evaluated the performance of various portable air cleaners, including "do it
yourself' or DIY models, and found that DIY air cleaners can effectively reduce indoor fine
particle concentrations during simulated wildfire smoke events.73
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
The ACE Research Program prioritizes key activities to support attainment of the NAAQS and
implementation of stationary and mobile source regulations, as well as foundational science to
inform decision making with consideration of increasing climate change impacts. The ACE
Research Program includes work to develop, evaluate, and apply measurement methods and
models incorporating the latest physical science and understanding of behaviors that impact the
system. The planned research responds to identified needs in areas of emerging concern to the
Administration, EPA, tribes, and state policymakers, including climate change, environmental
justice (EJ) and equity, PFAS, ethylene oxide, and wildland fires.
In FY 2024, the ACE Research Program will continue to:
• Assess human and ecosystem exposures and effects associated with air pollutants on
individual, community, regional, national, and global scales, both today and in the future, under
a changing climate.74
• Assess the consequences of climate change and the vulnerability of communities and
ecosystems to climate change impacts, including wildfires and other extreme events; and
identify and evaluate strategies to adapt and build resilience to these impacts.
• Advance the Administration's science-based approach to improving wildfire readiness by
enhancing wildfire data and communications related to air quality and helping communities
become "smoke ready." Smoke-ready communities benefit community health by coordinating
community-level action related to monitoring outdoor air quality, creating clean indoor air,
and communicating actionable public health messaging.
Characterize disproportionate impacts of climate change and air pollution in vulnerable
communities and identify and evaluate strategies to reduce impacts in those communities.
• Develop and evaluate innovative multi-pollutant and sector-based approaches to preventing
pollution, particularly in vulnerable communities.
72 For more information, please see https://www.epa.goY/air-seiisor-toolbox/wildfire-snioke-air-niomtoriiip-response-techiiologY-
wsniart-pilot.
73 For more information, please see https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.lll 1/ina.l3163
74 Beyond effects associated with ambient air exposures, consideration of potential human and ecosystem exposures and effects
associated with deposition of air pollutants to water and land also are evaluated.
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Characterize the positive and negative environmental effects of energy efficiency and
renewable energy and evaluate strategies to expand the benefits of transformations in
transportation and energy systems, especially for vulnerable communities.
• Develop and evaluate low-cost approaches to measure methane from fugitive and area sources,
including leaks from oil and gas production and emissions from municipal solid waste landfills,
as well as approaches for measuring methane and other GHG from reservoirs and other water
bodies.
• Provide human exposure and environmental modeling, monitoring, metrics, and information
needed to inform air quality and climate change decision-making at the federal, tribal, state,
and local level.
• Deliver state-of-the-art tools that tribes and states can use to identify effective emission
reduction strategies to meet the NAAQS and enhance air quality measurement and modeling
methods to ascertain current and future compliance with the NAAQS, including potential
impacts from the changing climate.
• Develop and apply approaches to evaluate the positive and negative environmental impacts of
the transition to a low-carbon energy system, including development of a report to Congress
on the environmental and resource conservation impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard.75
• Provide support to Regional Offices and state, tribal, and community partners to address
increased needs for scientific information, tools, and data to inform effective climate change
adaptation and mitigation actions at local scale.
• Produce a peer-reviewed scientific guidance document for ambient measurement approaches
for ethylene oxide—a hazardous air pollutant of growing concern to states and communities.
In addition, the ACE Research Program will implement the EPA Climate Adaptation Action
Plan, support increased resilience of EPA's programs, and strengthen the capacity of states,
tribes, territories, and communities.
Research Planning:
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that is developed with and
reflects the research needs of Agency programs and regional offices, states, and tribes. Each
research program has developed and published their fourth generation of the StRAPs,76 which
75 Required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, PL 110-140. For more information, please see:
https://www.epa.gov/laws-repulatioiis/suniniarY-eiiergY-iiidepeiideiice-aiid-securitY-act. More information about the report is
available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public record report.cfm?Lab=IO&dirEntryId=341491.
76 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.goY/research/strateaic-research-action-plans-fiscal-Years-2023-
2026.
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continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at solving the problems
encountered by the Agency and its stakeholders.
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with various external groups, including
communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its research through a variety of mechanisms
that include:
• EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement77 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
Partnerships
Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program, which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and Agency representatives.
These interactions identify research of mutual benefit and lead to collaborations on
important tribal environmental science issues.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM RD2) Number of ORD activities related to environmental justice that involve or are designed to be
applicable to tribes, states, territories, local governments, and communities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Established
113
113
Activities
Actual
N/A
(PM RD3) Percentage of Office of Research and Development (ORD) climate-related research products
meeting partner needs.
I V 2017
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
l"Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
93
94
94
Percent
Actual
100
100
Numerator
7
Products
Denominator
7
• Tribal
o
77 For more information, please see: fattps://www.eDa.gov/researcfa/eDa~researcfa~soliitions~states.
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(PM RD4) Percentage of Office of Research and Development (ORD) environmental justice-related research
products meeting partner needs.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
93
94
94
Percent
Actual
100
Numerator
1
Products
Denominator
1
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,436.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments
to provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This includes
support for critical agency wide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and
implementation of Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$63.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
laboratory fixed costs.
(+$34,700.0 / +33.7 FTE) This net program change reflects an increase to the Air,
Climate, and Energy Research Program. This increase is targeted to EPA's
commitment to enhance its efforts to combat the global issue of Climate Change. This
increase will substantially advance research to assess the impacts of climate change on
human health and ecosystems. This investment includes $6,522 million for payroll.
(+$1,188.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program change will provide support to implement the
EPA Climate Adaptation Action Plan, support increased resilience of EPA's programs,
and strengthen the capacity of states, tribes, territories, and communities. This
investment includes $182.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act; Title II of Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007; Environmental
Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA); National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) § 102; Pollution Prevention Act (PPA); Global Change
Research Act of 1990.
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Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability
162
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Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainabilitv
Program Area: Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
SI 78
$0
$0
$0
Science' JS Technology
SV 2.353
SV2.550
SI 03.fi ~fi
SI 1.3 2S
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$2,579
$8,060
$8,060
$0
Total Budget Authority
$95,110
$100,610
$111,938
$11,328
Total Workyears
275.2
276.7
307.4
30.7
Program Project Description:
EPA's Chemical Safety for Sustainability (CSS) Research Program provides scientific and
technical approaches, information, tools, and methods to support the Agency and others in making
better-informed and more timely decisions about chemicals and their potential risks to human
health and the environment.78 Products under the CSS program strengthen the Agency's ability to
use the best available science to evaluate and predict human health and ecological impacts from
the use, reuse, recycling, and disposal of manufactured and naturally occurring chemicals and their
by-products.
The CSS Research Program informs Agency decisions about chemicals, accelerates the pace of
chemical assessment and decision-making, and helps replace, reduce, and refine the use of
mammals in evaluating chemical risks to ecological systems and human health. CSS products
inform various Agency programs established to implement environmental regulations and govern
Agency actions - which includes evaluating existing and new chemicals (Toxic Substances
Control Act [TSCA]); developing and using alternative testing protocols (TSCA, Federal
Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act [FIFRA]); protecting the Nation's food supply (Food
Quality Protection Act [FQPA]); addressing product safety (Federal Food Drug Cosmetics Act
[FFDCA]); supporting chemical prioritization (TSCA, Safe Drinking Water Act [SDWA]);
supporting the development of safer and more sustainable chemicals and alternatives (Pollution
Prevention [P2] Act [PPA]); evaluating pesticide registrations (FIFRA, Endangered Species Act);
and mitigating Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Superfund remediation
sites.
Research activities under CSS are coordinated with the activities of other national research
programs and the results produced inform several cross-cutting, high priority research topics. For
example, planned research will address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), climate
change, and risks in communities with environmental justice (EJ) concerns. Coordination with the
78 For the current CSS StRAP, please see: Strategic Research Action Plans Fiscal Years 2023-2026 (Drafts) I US EPA.
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Health and Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) Research Program ensures that the
approaches, tools, and information produced under CSS can be used to improve chemical risk
assessments, reduce uncertainties associated with those assessments, and increase the speed of
delivering chemical information to the Agency.
The CSS Research Program is organized into eight integrated research areas that include research
on toxicity, exposure, human health, ecological health, chemical modeling and prediction, and
chemical integration and informatics. These research areas fulfill requirements for chemical
evaluation under TSCA (as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st
Century Act); as part of SDWA; pesticide evaluation under FIFRA; chemical testing for endocrine
system impacts under FQPA; Agency implementation of TSCA Section 5 (New Chemicals) and
Section 6 (Existing Chemicals); the development of safer and more sustainable chemicals and
alternatives under PPA and TSCA, and identification of contaminants of emerging concern. The
CSS Research Program provides ongoing support to the Agency's Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention Program for the successful implementation of these TSCA activities, as well as their
evaluation of pesticides under FIFRA.79
Recent Accomplishments of the CSS Research Program include:
• Development and Advancement of New Approach Methods (NAMs): EPA objectives and
research activities under CSS are strongly supporting the development of NAMs that will
improve the Agency's understanding of chemical toxicity. NAMs focus on using faster, less
expensive approaches that reduce the use of mammals for toxicity testing. CSS continues to
collaborate closely with the Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Program to implement
the June 2018 TSCA Strategic Plan80 that emphasizes the development and implementation of
alternative test methods. Additionally, research under CSS is a key component of the
December 2021 NAMs Workplan.81 Critical to this effort is implementation of a tiered hazard
evaluation strategy. Agency researchers are currently advancing methods in high-throughput
phenotypic profiling (HTPP) and high-throughput transcriptomics (HTTr). NAMs can be used
to group and prioritize chemicals, e.g., as illustrated in the recent PFAS categorization paper.82
Additionally, researchers are exploring approaches and models for species extrapolation in the
ecotoxicology domain, and development of high-throughput exposure and toxicokinetic
models. Documented in an EPA report from May 2021,83 Agency research enabled
development of a method to integrate publicly available hazard, exposure, persistence, and
bioaccumulation information for more than 33,000 chemical substances, including both
traditional and NAM data. The method allows for discriminating between chemicals that have
the potential to present hazard or exposure concerns and those that do not.
Continued Release, Evolution, and Updating of Multiple Digital Information Products to
Inform Decision Making: The CompTox Chemicals Dashboard is the Agency's 'first-stop-
79 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/chemical-research.
80 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/sites/production/files/2018-06/docunients/epa alt strat plan 6-20-
18 clean final.pdf.
81 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.KOv/chemical-research/new-approach-methods-work-plan.
82 For more information, please see: https://wwiv.sciencedirect.coni/science/article/pii/S246811132200038X.
83 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.eov/si/si public pra view,cfin?dirEntryII)=349776&Lat>=CCTE,
84 For more information, please see: https://coniptox.epa.eov/dashboard.
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shop' for information on chemical properties, characteristics, structure, toxicity, exposure, and
persistence. The Dashboard is used by the Agency and its external partners to generate real-
time quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) predictions for chemical property and
toxicity endpoints. It allows for flexible searches including chemical and functional use and
has batch search functionality. As of the December 2022 release, the Dashboard contains
curated data on over 1.2 million chemicals. The ECOTOX Knowledgebase85 serves as the
comprehensive, publicly available source of environmental toxicity data on aquatic life,
terrestrial plants, and wildlife. The December 2022 release of the ECOTOX Knowledgebase
contains over 1.1 million records and provides information on over 12,000 chemicals and over
13,000 species from over 50,000 references. The Chemical Transformation Simulator
continues to develop as a web-based tool for predicting environmental and biological
transformation pathways for organic chemicals. Recently, the Simulator was expanded to
include environmental transformation information for PFAS chemicals. SeqAPASS86 -
Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility - is a tool enabling extrapolation
of toxicity information across species. Version 6.1, released in June 2022, features updated
protein and taxonomy data and improved functionalities and visualization of results. Research
and development for all these systems continues to meet the information needs of decision
makers.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
The objective of research activities under the CSS program is to inform risk-based decisions made
by EPA programs, states, tribes, and others. Of particular importance are 'chemicals of immediate
and emerging concern', such as PFAS, which heighten the need for rapid scientific approaches to
evaluate potential chemical safety. In FY 2024, research activities will continue to support
implementation of the PFAS Strategic Road map.87 With additional FY 2024 investment in TSCA,
CSS will support a collaborative research program for new chemicals with the Chemical Safety
and Pollution Prevention Program that is focused on modernizing the process and incorporating
scientific advances in new chemical evaluations under TSCA.
In FY 2024, research efforts also will focus on replacing, reducing, and refining the use of
mammals in testing, while accelerating the pace of chemical assessment and decision-making.
Agency research products will continue to use innovative in vitro and in silico (computer
modeling) approaches to provide more timely and comprehensive information about chemical
hazard and exposure while still providing information of equal or greater biological predictivity
than current in vivo animal models.
85 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/.
86 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eoY/cheniical-research/sequeiice-aliemiient-predict-across-species-
susceptibility.
87 See EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap at: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-10/pfas-roadmap final-S08.pdf
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Selected research areas are highlighted below for work in FY 2024.
• High-Throughput Toxicity (HTT) Testing: This research is focused on developing, testing,
and applying NAMs to evaluate chemical hazards, with an emphasis on developmental
neurotoxicology, inhalation toxicology, thyroid disruption, and methodologically challenging
chemicals. These will enable EPA to make better, more timely decisions about chemicals by
increasing available toxicological information for more chemicals.
• Rapid Exposure and Dosimetry (RED) and Ecotoxicological Assessment and Modeling
(ETAM): This research parallels work in the HTT research area to provide information to
inform Agency chemical risk assessment activities. Chemical exposure research also includes
the continued development of advanced analytical and computational tools, such as non-
targeted analysis, to detect and identify unknown chemicals in complex environmental media,
biological media, and consumer products. Non-targeted analysis has been critical for the
identification of previously unknown PFAS chemicals in the environment. Ecotoxicological
Assessment and Modeling efforts support the Agency's work considering the impacts to
pollinators. Specifically, research includes assessing the impacts of pesticides on honeybees
and pollen bees to support pesticide assessments.
• PFAS Research:88 PFAS are a class of substances of concern and EPA is committed to helping
states, tribes, and local communities understand and manage risks associated with these
chemicals.89 For most PFAS chemicals, there are little or no published toxicity data available.
The Agency is addressing this gap by conducting high-throughput toxicological screening
assays on hundreds of PFAS chemicals. In FY 2024, the CSS Research Program will build
upon the research foundation formed from completed work outlined in the PFAS Strategic
Roadmap90 For more information on Agency PFAS research, please see the CSS Research
Program narrative for the Superfund appropriation.
• Improved Understanding of Biological Impacts: This research helps decision-makers
understand the significance of chemical impacts on biological systems. This is especially
important as EPA seeks to understand chemical impacts on developmental and reproductive
biology. This program will employ data generated from its chemical evaluation research to
develop interpretive frameworks and models to place complex information into biological,
chemical, and toxicological context. Data developed in the HTT and Virtual and Complex
Tissue Modeling research areas will contribute to the study of adverse outcome pathways
(AOPs), which link molecular initiating events at the cellular level to apical outcomes
expressed at the whole animal level.
• Delivery and Translation of Chemical Information: The Chemical Characterization and
Informatics and Integration, Translation, and Knowledge Delivery research areas will continue
to provide computational, predictive tools to estimate physicochemical, toxicological, and
88 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-
02/documents/pfas action plan 021319 SOSconipliant l.pdf.
89 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/pfas/pfas-coniniunitY-eiipagenieiit.
90 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/pfas/pfas-stratepic-roadniap-epas-coniniitnients-action-2021-2024.
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exposure information for data poor chemicals. Collaborative efforts are underway in the
Agency to build program-specific applications such as RapidTox that facilitate access and use
of relevant information to support different decision contexts. These applications will give risk
assessors and decision-makers confidence that the new approaches, data, and tools developed
in under the CSS program are both scientifically robust and relevant to environmental decision
making.
Research Planning:
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research
needs of Agency program and regional offices, states, and tribes, and is planned with their active
involvement. Each research program has developed and published the fourth generation of the
StRAPs,91 which will continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at
comprehensively assessing and solving the problems encountered by the Agency and its
stakeholders.
EPA works with various groups, including communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its
research and research planning efforts through a variety of mechanisms that include:
• EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o The Office of Research and Development (ORD) meets regularly with this
committee, which provides advice and recommendations to ORD on technical and
management issues of its research programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement92 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs, and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
Tribal Partnerships
o Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and Agency representatives.
These interactions identify research of mutual benefit and lead to collaborations on
important tribal environmental science issues.
91 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.gov/research/stratepic-research-actioii-plans-fiscal-vears-2023-
2026.
92 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM RD1) Percentage of Office of Research and Development (ORD) research products meeting partner
needs.
I V 2017
n 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Ksiablished
77
80
81
93
94
94
Percent
Actual
77
79
80
94
94
Numerator
171
154
120
60
77
Products
Denominator
222
196
150
64
82
(PM RD5) Number of actions implemented for EPA scientific integrity objectives.
I V 2017
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
l"Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
V> Target
Established
21
21
Actions
Actual
N/A
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$2,118.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$39.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
laboratory fixed costs.
(+$2,981.0 / +6.5 FTE) This program change supports a collaborative research program
for new chemicals with OCSPP that is focused on modernizing the process and
incorporating scientific advances in new chemical evaluations under TSCA. This increase
in funding will lead to the development and translation of science towards effectively and
efficiently informing regulatory and policy decisions by the Agency and external partners,
and thus increasing access to clean and safe air, land, and water for all communities across
the Nation. This investment includes $1,219 million for payroll.
(+$6,190.0 / +22.0 FTE) This program change reflects an increase in resources and FTE
that will support providing scientific and technical approaches, information tools, and
methods to better inform decision-making. This investment includes $4,124 million for
payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act §§ 103, 104; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act (CERCLA); Children's Health Act; 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development
Act; Clean Water Act; Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA); Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Pollution Prevention Act (PPA); Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA); Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA); Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA).
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Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
169
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Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
Program Area: Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Scii'iicc ^ Technology
SJtt.'-//)
S3 V. VIS
S -1-1,0-12
S .\HJ-I
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$9,405
$4,901
$5,005
$104
Total Budget Authority
$48,145
$44,819
$49,947
$5,128
Total Workyears
159.5
155.9
177.9
22.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Health and Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) Research Program is focused on the
science and practice of assessments that inform decisions made by EPA and others, including states
and tribes. These assessments provide the scientific basis for decisions under an array of
environmental laws, including the: Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Safe Drinking
Water Act (SDWA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The HERA Research Program is
multidisciplinary and aimed at leveraging scientific innovations to advance the analytic approaches
and applications needed to address wide-ranging risk assessment requirements in support of these
various statutes.
The current portfolio of products under HERA encompasses these two topic areas:
Science Assessments and Translation: The HERA Research Program produces a portfolio
of assessment products that both optimizes the application of the best available science and
technology and remains responsive to Agency priorities and timelines. The current portfolio
of 'fit-for-purpose' assessment includes both traditional assessment lines - Integrated Risk
Information System (IRIS), Integrated Science Assessment (ISAs), and Provisional Peer-
Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTVs) - as well as a wide range of other innovative assessment
products. Additionally, significant emphasis is placed on providing scientific and technical
support to decision-makers throughout the lifecycle of decisions, from the development to the
translation and application of assessment products.
• Advancing the Science and Practice of Risk Assessment: Research under this topic is
targeted to enhance hazard characterization, expand the repertoire of dose-response methods
and models, and characterize the utility of emerging data and new computational tools as
applied to risk assessment. It also enhances and maintains critical assessment infrastructure
such as databases, models, and software to ensure transparency and facilitate understanding
and translation by Agency and external partners as well as other users. Refinements to current
approaches are expected to improve the accuracy, efficiency, flexibility, and utility of
applications across a large landscape of assessment activities.
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Recent Accomplishments of the HERA Program include:
The HERA Research Program has developed assessment products that inform science-based
decision making, enhance timely responses, improve screening capabilities, and augment toxicity
value derivations for use in risk assessments.
• Portfolio of Assessment Products: As EPA reconsidered the particulate matter and ozone
National Ambient Air Quality Standards, HERA provided the scientific foundation for the
reexamination; a Supplement to the 2019 ISA for Particulate Matter ;93 which was finalized in
April 2022. Agency researchers under HERA continue to deliver on EPA's commitment to
address Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment and released the final
IRIS Assessment for Perfluorobutanoic Acid and Related Salts94 in December 2022, and the
draft IRIS Assessment for Perfluorohexanoic Acid and Related Salts95 in April 2022. In FY
2023, EPA anticipates publicly releasing the final IRIS assessment for perfluorohexanoic acid
and related salts.96 In FY 2022, the Agency released seven PPRTV assessments. In FY 2023,
EPA anticipates delivering four to nine additional high-priority PPRTV assessments to support
Superfund priorities97. In FY 2022, the agency publicly released the draft IRIS Toxicological
Review of Formaldehyde-Inhalation 98 In FY 2023, the Agency also anticipates publicly
releasing scoping and problem formulation materials such as systematic review protocols for
ethylbenzene, uranium, vanadium and compounds (inhalation exposure), and naphthalene; and
draft assessments for chloroform (inhalation) and hexavalent chromium. In addition, HERA
finalized the Office of Research and Development (ORD) Staff Handbook for Developing IRIS
Assessments99 in December 2022.
• Innovations in Risk Assessment: Research under the HERA Program continues to advance
assessment science and modernize its assessment infrastructure through tool and model
advancements. In FY 2021, the agency released updates to the Integrated Exposure Uptake
Biokinetic (IEUBK) model to support lead biokinetic modeling in children. In FY 2023, EPA
anticipates finalizing 1) updates to the All-Ages Lead Model (AALM) which will include
improved lead biokinetic modeling in adults and children; and 2) EPA's version of the multi-
path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model and software for improved mechanistic modeling of
inhalation dosimetry for particles. Continued advancements are being made to the dose-
response analysis tool, Benchmark Dose Software (BMDS),100 as well as critical information
management databases including Health and Environmental Research Online101 and the
Health Assessment and Workplace Collaborative ,102 contributing to the improvement in the
science, structure, and interoperability of these critical assessment infrastructure tools.
Accompanying innovations in assessment science in FY2022, staff under the HERA Program
have emphasized and coordinated training in risk assessment practice, methods, and tools for
93 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa. gov/ncea/isa/recordisplay.cfm?deid=3 54490.
94 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.goY/ncea/iris drafls/recordisplay.cfm?deid=350051.
95 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris drafls/recordisplay.cfm?deid=352767.
96 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/iris/iris-recent-additioiis.
97 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/pprtv.
98 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris drafls/recordisplav.cfm?deid=248150.
99 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris drafls/recordisplav.cfm?deid=356370.
100 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/bmds.
101 For more information, please see: https://hero.epa.gov/hero/.
102 For more information, please see: https://hawcprd. epa.gov/.
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a wider audience of EPA staff and stakeholders to enhance communication, understanding,
and engagement.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the HERA Program's work will focus on efforts integral to achieving EPA priorities
and informing the Agency's implementation of key environmental decisions. Specifically, the
program will:
Continue developing additional assessments of perfluorinated compounds, as well as other
priority chemicals identified by EPA's Water Program, Air and Radiation Program, and Land
and Emergency Management Program. These assessments include ethylbenzene, hexavalent
chromium, chloroform, methylmercury, mercury salts, inorganic arsenic, and formaldehyde.
• Provide assessment, methodology, and modeling support to the Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention Program (OCSPP) on TSCA implementation for an array of chemicals, as well as
support to the Air and Radiation Program, including the development of the ISA for Lead to
support review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). With additional FY
2024 investment in TSCA, HERA will support a collaborative research program for new
chemicals with OCSPP that is focused on modernizing the process and incorporating scientific
advances in new chemical evaluations under TSCA.
• Provide high-priority PPRTV human health assessments to support the Land and Emergency
Management Program on CERCLA and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
implementation.
• Focus on providing support for specific decision contexts through a modernized assessment
infrastructure, applying state of the science tools, databases, and models in assessment
development and program management. Continue to develop and apply evidence mapping to
provide a better understanding of the extent and nature of evidence available to address priority
needs of the Agency and its partners.
• Provide the resources and workflow to two of the five Superfund technical support centers
(TSCs)103 to provide localized and tailored technical assistance and scientific expertise on
human and ecological risk assessments to states, tribes, and EPA's program and regional
offices. This includes direct support in cases of emergencies and other rapid response
situations.
• Apply new and alternative approaches, methods, and data to risk assessment products, and
technical support to better respond to the needs of the states, tribes, and EPA's program and
103 HERA supports the Superfund Health Risk Technical Support Center (STSC) and the Ecological Risk Assessment Support
Center (ERASC). For more information on EPA's five TSCs, please see: https://www.epa.gov/land-research/epas-technical-
support-centers.
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regional offices, in cooperation with the Chemical Safety for Sustainability (CSS) Research
Program.
Conduct research to expand the identification and consideration of information on
susceptibility in assessments, advance the evaluation of chemical mixtures, and improve
cumulative risk assessment practices to better characterize and assess health disparities in
communities with environmental justice and equity concerns.
• Provide training to staff, partners, and stakeholders on risk assessment practice, assessment
tool literacy, and standard operating procedures for assessment development via easy-to-access
modules.
Please note that certain activities within this program could support the Administration's Cancer
Moonshot Initiative.
In addition to the activities listed above, EPA also conducts research across programs in the
following areas:
• PFAS Research: PFAS are a class of chemicals of concern in the environment, and EPA is
committed to pursuing all options to address PFAS pollution and protect human health and the
environment. There are still large numbers of PFAS of high interest to stakeholders which
currently have no federal published, peer-reviewed toxicity values. As described in the PFAS
Strategic Roadmap,104 within the HERA Research Program, EPA is prioritizing additional
PFAS for development of peer-reviewed toxicity values. This will result in an expanded set of
high-quality peer-reviewed toxicity values for use by federal, state, and tribal decision makers
in making risk assessment and management decisions. In addition, EPA is identifying,
reviewing, organizing, and presenting relevant health information on PFAS through systematic
evidence mapping to identify data gaps, inform prioritization and hazard characterization, and
facilitate human health assessments for PFAS.
• Lead: Childhood lead exposure continues to be one of the highest priorities for EPA. To
advance the application of lead exposure and biokinetic models in EPA regulatory decisions
and site assessments, agency research will enhance, evaluate, and apply lead biokinetic models
used to estimate potential blood lead levels for regulatory determinations.105 Additionally, the
Exposure Factors Handbook106 provides up-to-date data on various human factors, including
soil and dust ingestion rates, used by risk assessors.
Research Planning:
EPA is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the six
programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research needs
of Agency program and regional offices, states, and tribes, and is planned with their active
104 For more information, please see EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap at: https://www.epa.gov/systeni/files/docunients/2021~
10/pfas-roadniap final-508.pdf.
105 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/superfimd/lead-superfimd-sites-software-and-users-nianuals.
106 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/risk/recordisplay.cfm?deid=236252.
173
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involvement. Each research program has developed and published the fourth generation of the
StRAPs,107 which will continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at
solving the problems encountered by the Agency and its stakeholders.
ORD works with various groups, including communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its
research through a variety of mechanisms that include:
• EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement108 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs, and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
Partnerships
Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and Agency representatives.
These interactions identify research of mutual benefit and lead to collaborations on
important tribal environmental science issues.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability Program under the S&T appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$203.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$1,039.0 / +3.0 FTE) This increase supports a collaborative research program for new
chemicals with OCSPP that is focused on modernizing the process and incorporating
scientific advances in new chemical evaluations under TSCA. This increase in funding will
lead to the development and translation of science towards effectively and efficiently
informing regulatory and policy decisions by the Agency and external partners, and thus
increasing access to clean and safe air, land, and water for all communities across the
Nation. This investment includes $564.0 thousand for payroll.
• Tribal
o
107 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.gov/research/stratepic-research-actioii-plans-fiscal-vears-2023-
2026
108 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
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(+$3,782.0 / +19.0 FTE) This net program change reflects an increase for the Health and
Environmental Risk Assessment program. This increase will assist in advancing science
assessments, such as IRIS, as well as analytical approaches for the application of risk
assessments. This investment includes $3,580 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act §§ 103, 108, 109, and 112; Clean Water Act §§ 101(a)(6), 104, 105; Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) § 3(c)(2)(A); Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA) § 1458; Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
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Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
176
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Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Program Area: Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Scii'inv JS Technology
SI IJ.-12'
SI 10.141
S/J.vi.ii
S -.414
Total Budget Authority
$113,427
$116,141
$123,555
$7,414
Total Workyears
361.4
358.1
378.1
20.0
Program Project Description:
The quality and availability of water, upon which human and ecosystem health and a robust
economy depend, face multiple challenges. These challenges include aging water infrastructure,
contaminants of existing and emerging concern, waterborne pathogens, antimicrobial resistance,
harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, stormwater runoff, and diminished quality and loss of aquatic
habitat. Many of these challenges can be exacerbated by the impacts of a changing climate,
including greater frequency, duration and intensity of precipitation, flooding, extreme heat,
wildland fire, and drought. These concerns can be more prevalent in disadvantaged and rural
communities.
To address these current, emerging, and long-term water resource challenges, EPA's Safe and
Sustainable Water Resources (SSWR) Research Program produces robust research and scientific
analyses for decision-making and the development of innovative, practical solutions for the
Agency and its partners to protect and restore America's watersheds and water infrastructure.
Efforts under the SSWR Research Program are integrated with the activities of other national
research programs to address water quality and quantity concerns related to water infrastructure
and coastal resilience, existing and emerging chemical and biological contaminants, stormwater
runoff, and biosolids treatment and management.
Recent Accomplishments of the SSWR Research Program109
SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance.
As the SARS-CoV-2 virus continued to spread and evolve, wastewater surveillance research
helped detect emerging variants, such as Omicron. EPA researchers optimized methods for
detecting SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in wastewater and provided analysis results to the State
of Ohio to incorporate into a state dashboard used by public health officials. EPA built
partnerships nationally and internationally, leading to several presentations and publications
that demonstrate the effectiveness of the implemented wastewater monitoring network.
109 For a more complete view of accomplishments, please see: https://www.epa.eov/research/national-research-progranis
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• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
o PFAS Treatment in Drinking Water. EPA's Drinking Water Treatability Database was
updated to include 54 PFAS chemicals from 184 sources. The database provides
information on best practices and technologies for PFAS treatment in drinking water.
Information on cost models for PFAS treatment in drinking water also was generated. EPA
provides support to the Office of Water (OW) on PFAS treatment modeling for the
development of the PFAS drinking water regulation.
o PFAS Treatment in Thermal Processes. The PFAS Thermal Treatment Database
(PFASTT) was brought live. The PFASTT is a publicly available database that contains
more than 2,000 records of 80 sources documenting the treatability of PFAS in different
media via various thermal processes.110
o PFAS Analytical Methods.
EPA completed a draft method for adsorbable organic fluorine in wastewater, which
was released by OW as Draft Method 1621 in April 2022. This screening method can
detect PFAS chemicals for which analytical standards may not exist. SSWR Research
Program researchers will support OW in validation of the method over the next year.
Researchers also continue to provide technical support to OW and the Department of
Defense for the multi-laboratory validation of Draft Method 1633, which will be used
to measure up to 40 PFAS in aqueous and solid samples.
Technical Support to Communities.
EPA responded to the Benton Harbor, MI, lead (Pb) in drinking water public health emergency
by designing and implementing a drinking water filter study. EPA coordinated with the
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Benton Harbor water utility;
and homeowners to collect and analyze samples. The data collected from more than 200 homes
provided confidence that filters are effective in removing Pb from drinking water.
Climate Modeling Tools:
EPA released updates to key stormwater tools including, Storm Water Management Model
(SWMM), National Stormwater Calculator (SWC), and SWMM Climate Adjustment Tool
(SWMM-CAT). SWMM 5.2 added new features for modeling the capture of street runoff by
inlet drains, new pump and storage curve options, and other improvements. SWC 3.4.0
improvements include incorporating updated meteorological and cost data. SWMM-CAT 1.1
updates include incorporating 24-hour design storms and climate change data along with
estimating changes in evaporation.
• Recreational Water Quality and Public Health Protection:
EPA published more than 40 peer-reviewed publications during the last five years supporting
EPA's anticipated 2022 Five-Year Review of the 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria.
Recent accomplishments achieved in partnership with EPA program offices and regions, other
federal agencies, state authorities, and academia include:
110 For more information, please see: fattps://pfastt.epa.gov/.
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o Implementation of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) EPA methods targeting
E. coli for same-day recreational water testing in the Great Lakes region,
o Development of Standard Reference Material 2917 in collaboration with the National
Institute of Standards and Technology. Release of EPA Methods 1696 and 1697 for
microbial source tracking and characterization of human fecal pollution in recreational
waters.
o Performance assessment of virus-based fecal indicator methodologies and an
epidemiological assessment of public health risks for children,
o Advancement of salivary immunoassay methods for identification of waterborne infections.
• Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Nutrients:
o EPA released a new tool - CyANWeb - expanding digital platforms beyond its CyAN
Android app. The new tool updates include daily imagery from two satellites, desktop and
iOS access, and a video sequence option with a new fact sheet111 to help federal, state,
tribal, and local partners identify when a harmful algal bloom may be forming in waters
where people swim, fish, and boat,
o Advancement of HAB characterization, including vulnerability and early indicators,
o Technical support and translation of research results for state agencies and other partners
through training workshops, public presentations, and social media events,
o Completion of a summary report on the Reduction of Nutrients solution-driven research
project - an extensive, on-going collaboration with local stakeholders to co-design and co-
implement research that will inform watershed-based solutions for nonpoint source nutrient
loading to achieve nutrient reduction and water quality goals,
o Completion of a national assessment of cumulative impacts of nutrient loading in estuaries
in conjunction with acidification and climate change.
• Improved Aquatic Resource Mapping:
EPA scientists conducted a comprehensive review and synthesis of existing federal and state
stream and wetland geospatial datasets and made recommendations to advance future efforts
to map headwater streams and inland wetlands. These accomplishments will help to better
characterize their contributions to essential functions, such as floodwater retention, drought
protection, and water quality mediation and inclusion in implementation of the Clean Water
Act.
Coastal Community Resilience through Blue Carbon Resources.
EPA initiated a Coastal Community Resilience through Blue Carbon Resources solution-
driven research project to evaluate how "Blue Carbon" or long-term carbon sequestration by
wetlands, tidal marshes, and sea grasses can support coastal community adaptation to sea level
rise, erosion, and flooding while improving water quality and aquatic habitat.
111 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sites/defaiilt/files/2019-
06/documents/cyan app fact sheet final 19iunl9 508 compliant.txlf.
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the SSWR Research Program will continue to focus on:
Water Infrastructure:
Conduct research and provide technical support to assess the distribution, composition, and
potential health risks of known and emerging chemical and biological contaminants. Protocols
for sampling lead and identification of lead service lines will support the availability of safe
drinking water, especially in disadvantaged communities.
Continue work with CDC and the Ohio Network to develop appropriate methodologies and
approaches for wastewater surveillance to inform public health. Assist states, communities,
and utilities to address stormwater and wastewater infrastructure needs through applied models
and technical assistance.
Climate Change Impacts/Resiliency:
• Integrate the impacts of climate change with research on water bodies and water infrastructure;
for example, warmer temperatures and increased nutrient runoff impacts on harmful algal
blooms and hypoxia, prolonged drought and extreme heat impacts on water availability and
aquatic ecosystems, more frequent and intense precipitation impacts on flooding and
stormwater runoff and increased severe storm events on aging water infrastructure.
• Continue the Coastal Community Resilience through Blue Carbon Resources solutions driven
research project to evaluate coastal resilience capabilities of Blue Carbon resources (e.g.,
wetlands, tidal marshes, and sea grasses) and co-benefits (e.g., flood protection, improved
water quality, habitat for sensitive and commercially valuable species).
Water Reuse:
• Expand the integrated assessment of cost, carbon footprint, and risk assessment of fit-for-
purpose use of alternative water sources to include industrial reuse, potable end uses, and
aquifer recharge. Results will inform the safe and effective implementation of new approaches
to manage water resources and mitigate drought.
Harmful Algal Blooms/Nutrients:
• Expand toxicity evaluation of additional planktonic cyanobacteria cells and cyanotoxins and
begin new research on benthic species that can form highly toxic algal mats.
• Develop the science needed to forecast harmful algal blooms.
• Prepare a report on the effectiveness of 16 enhanced efficiency fertilizers in reducing nutrient
pollution based on greenhouse trials from the EPA and United States Department of
Agriculture Challenge.
• Evaluate on-the-ground conservation practices in a watershed context by applying models.
Recreational Waters and Public Health Protection:
• Develop and characterize rapid fecal indicator, bacteriophage, microbial source tracking, and
antimicrobial resistance tools for monitoring recreational waters.
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• Develop human health risk and water quality predictive modeling tools to support recreational
water quality criteria development and implementation.
Conduct a performance assessment of new recreational water quality assessment tools in sub-
tropical and tropical marine waters.
• Use an applied economic benefits analysis to evaluate the economic impacts of beach closures
based on different water quality monitoring technologies.
Antimicrobial Resistance:
Conduct national scale and watershed focused studies of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and
associated resistance genes in surface waters to inform risk modeling of recreational and
drinking water exposures. Apply similar techniques in wastewater systems to define best
approaches for mitigating risks with discharges of wastewater effluents and solids.
Biosolids:
• Focus on biological and chemical contaminants and health effects by: investigating the
occurrence of antimicrobial resistant E. coli during the treatment of Class B biosolids;
assessing the human health risks of biosolids using molecular tools; developing a Voluntary
Consensus Standard analytical method for the analysis of PFAS precursors in biosolids;
evaluating anaerobic biotreatment of PFOA/PFAS in wastewater biosolids; and determining
the applicability of molecular techniques in treatment performance evaluation.
Micro plastics:
• Develop and evaluate sediment and water extraction and identification methods focusing on
plastic particles smaller than one micrometer.
• Begin developing approaches to evaluate human health and ecological effects of micro- and
nanoplastics.
Collaborate with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, American Chemistry
Council, and members of the National Nanotechnology Initiative to develop essential standard
reference materials needed for microplastic analyses.
In addition to the activities listed above, EPA also will conduct research across programs in the
following areas:
• PFAS Research: PFAS are a class of chemicals of growing concern in the environment, and
EPA has committed to taking action to support states, tribes, and local communities to
understand and manage risks associated with these chemicals. Significant challenges for risk
managers include how to identify and quantify different PFAS in water, how to remove or treat
PFAS when detected, and how to estimate the cost of different treatment alternatives so that
utilities can make informed investment decisions. EPA will increase its PFAS research efforts,
with specific emphasis on implementing the PFAS Strategic Roadmap.112
Within the SSWR Research Program, activities will include:
o Developing and validating methods for measuring different PFAS in water and water
treatment residuals (e.g., biosolids).
112 See EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap at: https://www.epa.eov/svsteni/files/docunients/2021-10/pfas-roadniap final-508.pdf.
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o Reviewing available literature on effectiveness and cost data for different water treatment
technologies applied to different PFAS.
o Conducting pilot- and bench-scale testing of the most promising technologies to further
evaluate effectiveness.
o Evaluating the bioaccumulation of PFAS in aquatic organisms and identifying the toxicity
of selected PFAS (including mixtures of PFAS) to aquatic organisms.
This work is being done in collaboration with water utilities and water treatment
technology suppliers. The results of this work will be posted to EPA's public Drinking
Water Treatability Database and will be widely available to stakeholders.113
• Lead: EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of
Pediatrics unanimously agree that there is no safe level of lead in a child's blood and that even
low levels can result in behavior and learning problems, lower IQ, and other health effects.114
In response to overwhelming scientific consensus and continued public health concern,
reducing childhood lead exposure is one of the highest priorities for EPA.115
Research focuses on:
o Establishing reliable models for estimating lead exposure from drinking water,
o Developing improved sampling techniques and strategies for identifying and
characterizing lead in plumbing materials, including lead service lines,
o Developing guidance on optimizing lead mitigation strategies,
o Testing and evaluating treatment processes for removing lead from drinking water.
The overall impact of this research will be to provide information and tools that EPA,
states, Tribes, utilities, and communities can use to minimize or eliminate lead exposure in
drinking water.
Research Planning:
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research
needs of Agency program and regional offices, states, and Tribes, and is planned with their active
involvement. Each research program has developed and published their fourth generation of the
StRAPs,116 which continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at
solving the problems encountered by the Agency and its stakeholders.
ORD works with various groups, including communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its
research through a variety of mechanisms that include:
• EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
113 For more information, please see: https://iaspub.epa.g0v/tdb/pages/general/home.do#content.
114 For more information, please see: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/blood-lead-levels.htm.
115 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/lead.
116 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.goY/research/stratepic-research-action-plans-fiscal-Years-2023-
2026.
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o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement117 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs, and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
Tribal Partnerships
o Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and Agency representatives.
These interactions identify research of mutual benefit and lead to collaborations on
important tribal environmental science issues.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM RD1) Percentage of Office of Research and Development (ORD) research products meeting partner
needs.
I V 2017
n 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Ksiablished
77
80
81
93
94
94
Percent
Actual
77
79
80
94
94
Numerator
171
154
120
60
77
Products
Denominator
222
196
150
64
82
(PM RD2) Number of ORD activities related to environmental justice that involve or are designed to be
applicable to tribes, states, territories, local governments, and communities.
I V 2017
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
l"Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
V> Target
Established
113
113
Activities
Actual
N/A
(PM RD4) Percentage of Office of Research and Development (ORD) environmental justice-related research
products meeting partner needs.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
93
94
94
Percent
Actual
100
Numerator
1
Products
Denominator
1
117 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
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(PM RD5) Number of actions implemented for EPA scientific integrity objectives.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Established
21
21
Actions
Actual
N/A
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,606.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$202.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
laboratory fixed costs.
(+$5,606.0 / + 20.0 FTE) This net program change reflects an increase to the Safe and
Sustainable Water Research Program. This increase will help address the challenges of
aging water infrastructure, contaminants of concern, harmful algal blooms, and diminished
water availability. This investment includes $3,719 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) § 1442(a)(1); Clean Water Act §§ 101(a)(6), 104, 105;
Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA);
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) § 203; Title II of Ocean Dumping
Ban Act of 1988 (ODBA); Water Resources Development Act (WRDA); Wet Weather Water
Quality Act of 2000; Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987 (MPPRCA);
National Invasive Species Act; Coastal Zone Amendments Reauthorization Act (CZARA);
Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act; Endangered Species Act (ESA); North
American Wetlands Conservation Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
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Research: Sustainable Communities
185
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Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Program Area: Research: Sustainable Communities
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Scii'iicc ^ Technology
S/.vvMS'
SI 3 iS'5 ~
S 14U.U42
S.V. "iS'.i
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$312
$341
$351
$10
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$782
$675
$681
$6
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$16,562
$16,937
$17,364
$427
Total Budget Authority
$151,463
$155,810
$165,038
$9,228
Total Workyears
422.1
421.8
444.3
22.5
Program Project Description:
EPA's Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) Research Program supports and empowers
communities to make science-based decisions to improve public and environmental health
through: 1) application of technologies, methods, and other tools to expedite remediation and
restoration of contaminated sites; 2) enhanced approaches to materials management practices,
including the beneficial reuse or redirection of waste materials to advance waste management
toward a circular economy; and 3) increased understanding of linkages between the total
environment (built, natural, and social) and public and ecosystem health. These efforts support
communities that are revitalizing former contaminated sites, addressing cumulative impacts (from
both chemical and nonchemical stressors), and pursuing climate resilience and environmental
justice (EJ) goals.
Specifically, the SHC Research Program provides state-of-the-science methods, models, tools, and
technologies to the Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) for use in programmatic
guidance and to support EPA decision makers with in-site cleanup. These approaches will address
contaminated sediments and groundwater, as well as health risks posed by vapor intrusion and
chemicals of immediate concern, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lead. To
support prevention of future land contamination problems, researchers under the SHC program
develop life cycle analysis tools and explore opportunities for beneficial reuse of materials to
reduce environmental impact. Finally, efforts also will provide programs, regional partners, and
local communities with research and tools they can apply to assess how they can become more
resilient to and adapt to climate change. This community-oriented research is designed to revitalize
communities, support the protection of children's health, and address cumulative impacts on
vulnerable populations. These efforts support community sustainability and increase community
resilience to natural disasters including those impacted by climate change. These efforts also build
the methods and evidence base for doing cumulative impact assessment.
186
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Recent Accomplishments of the SHC Research Program include:
Development and Application of Methods for Identifying High Exposure Lead (Pb)
Locations and the Key Drivers at Those Locations (published July and Sept. 2022):118 SHC
researchers developed and published a methodology to map lead hot spots which was used to
identify high exposure locations, with an environmental justice focus. For example, the Michigan
lead (Pb) paper (Xue et al., EHP) includes analyses of approximately 1.9 million children's blood
lead level (BLL) test results over 11 years. Based on 2014-2016 percent elevated BLL data, census
tracts were identified using two statistical methods and three available lead indices were assessed
as surrogates. This research supported regulatory needs, compliance assistance and outreach, and
partnerships with states on lead and environmental justice. EPA plans to use the results of this
work for their lead targeting efforts with state partners. EPA, HUD, and CDC plan to collaborate
on a whole-of-government blueprint supporting EPA's Lead Strategy Goal 2.
Environmental Impacts of Wasted Food - Part 1: Producing Wasted Food (published
November 2021):119 This state-of-the-science report quantifies the environmental impact of
producing, processing, and distributing food that is ultimately wasted. In addition to the
environmental impacts, uneaten food contains enough calories to feed more than 150 million
people each year. This product is a collaboration with the Office of Resource Conservation and
Recovery (ORCR) to support the U.S. in meeting the 2030 Food Loss and Food Waste Reduction
Goal, including state and local governments taking action to curb food waste. This work informs
further SHC research, including development of the U.S. Environmentally-Extended Input-Output
(USEEIO) model.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
The SHC Research Program will continue guiding innovative, cost-effective solutions to meet
current, emerging, and long-term contaminated site clean-up and sustainable materials
management challenges. This includes technical support for program and regional partners and
communities as well as exploratory research that may lead to future sustainable solutions. In
addition, research efforts will continue to emphasize healthy and resilient communities. Increased
focus will be given to Administration priorities, such as working with communities to identify
solutions to address cumulative impacts and EJ concerns, including those dealing with impacts
from climate change. Other areas of increased emphasis include research addressing critical
minerals and innovative strategies to reduce generation of wastes, including plastics, through
recycling and reuse.
118 For more information, please see: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9327739/ and
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9528653/.
119 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/sYsteni/files/docunieiits/2021-l 1 /from-fa rm- to- ki t chen-1 he-
environmental-impacts-of-u.s.-food-waste S08~tagged.pdf.
187
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Specifically, in FY 2024 the SHC Research Program will conduct research in the following areas:
• Advancing Remediation and Restoration of Contaminated Sites: EPA research under this
topic will primarily focus on developing and testing remedial alternatives for treating
contaminated soils, sediments, groundwater sites, vapor intrusion sites, and sites with PFAS
and lead contamination; along with providing technical support to OLEM, regions, tribes, and
states to translate the research into usable approaches. SHC has an increased focus on
remediation of mine waste sites and potential recovery for reuse of critical minerals from
contaminated sites.
• PFAS Research: EPA researchers will develop methods to evaluate PFAS in wastes, soils,
and sediments and investigate PFAS fate and transport in the environment to support the needs
of EPA partners, states, tribes, and local communities. The research will identify and
characterize PFAS concentrations and distributions at contaminated sites and solid waste sites.
Additionally, researchers will identify locations and source contributors to high potential
human PFAS exposure for children and other populations by evaluating multimedia PFAS
sources and pathways for human exposure. The SHC Research Program also will investigate
approaches, methodologies, and technologies to treat, remove, destroy, and dispose of PFAS
in environmental matrices. This research supports implementation of the PFAS Strategic
Roadmap120
• Lead Research: The SHC Research Program is working to identify locations with high
exposures and elevated blood lead levels, especially in children, to target lead sources for
mitigation. The research program also will develop innovative methods to clean up lead at
Superfund and other contaminated sites and strengthen the scientific basis of the Agency's
lead-related regulatory and clean-up decisions. EPA's research in this area is essential to
support ongoing Agency efforts, as well as filling in the data gaps for federal partners, tribes,
states, and local communities.
• Materials Management and Beneficial Reuse of Waste: Research under this program aims
to strengthen the scientific basis for the Nation's materials management decisions and guidance
at the tribal, state, and community levels. The overall goal of this research is to increase
sustainability through reducing waste and increasing support for circular economies, including
supporting the implementation of the 2021 National Recycling Strategy.121 Primary research
efforts will focus on: 1) developing lifecycle-based assessment tools for sustainable materials
management; 2) evaluating the design, application, and use of landfills, including liner material
degradation, improvements to landfill monitoring strategies, and long-term landfill impacts on
human health and the environment; and 3) developing waste-management methodologies that
can minimize adverse impacts to human health and the environment through proposed
beneficial use and reuse. Food waste and plastics are two areas of research under this topic.
• Integrated Systems Approach to Building Healthy and Resilient Communities: The SHC
Research Program will address the impacts of contamination, remediation, and redevelopment
on the revitalization of a community. Research will address cumulative impacts of stressors
120 See EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap at: https://www.epa.gov/sYsteni/files/docunients/2021-10/pfas-roadniap final-508.pdf.
121 See EPA's National Recycling Strategy at: https://www.epa.gov/recyclinastrateav.
188
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and exposures, especially in overburdened and under-resourced communities. The goal of the
research is to increase community resilience by reducing potential risks, promoting health, and
revitalizing communities and the environment that supports them, and to increase research
translation to benefit communities. Research and development under this topic will provide
data and tools to support Agency and delegated programs, such as Superfund, Brownfields,
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, civil rights, enforcement, and permitting.
Please note that certain activities within this program could have implications associated with the
Administration's Cancer Moonshot Initiative.
Research Planning:
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research
needs of Agency program and regional offices, states, and tribes, and is planned with their active
involvement. Each research program has developed and published their fourth generation of the
StRAPs122, which continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at
solving the problems encountered by the Agency and its stakeholders.
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with various groups, including
communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its research through a variety of mechanisms
that include:
• EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement123 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs, and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
Tribal Partnerships
o Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and Agency representatives.
These interactions identify research of mutual benefit and lead to collaborations on
important tribal environmental science issues.
122
The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.gov/research/stratepic-research-actioii-plans-fiscal-Years-2023-
2026.
123 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eoY/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
189
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM RD1) Percentage of Office of Research and Development (ORD) research products meeting partner
needs.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
Vo Target
Established
77
80
81
93
94
94
Percent
Actual
77
79
80
94
94
Numerator
171
154
120
60
77
Products
Denominator
222
196
150
64
82
(PM RD2) Number of ORD activities related to environmental justice that involve or are designed to be
applicable to tribes, states, territories, local governments, and communities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Established
113
113
Activities
Actual
N/A
(PM RD4) Percentage of Office of Research and Development (ORD) environmental justice-related research
products meeting partner needs.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
93
94
94
Percent
Actual
100
Numerator
1
Products
Denominator
1
(PM RD5) Number of actions implemented for EPA scientific integrity objectives.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Established
21
21
Actions
Actual
N/A
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,315.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$184.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
laboratory fixed costs.
190
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(+$6,826.0 / +20.0 FTE) This net program change reflects an increase to help address the
acceleration of cleanup and return of contaminated sites to beneficial use, protection of
vulnerable populations, and the revitalization of vulnerable communities. This investment
includes $4,194 million for payroll.
(+$460.0 / +2.5 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements. This includes $460.0
thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified as Title 5 App.) (EPA's organic statute).
191
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Water: Human Health Protection
192
-------
Drinking Water Programs
Program Area: Ensure Safe Water
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$117,205
$121,607
$142,583
$20,976
Science X Technology
St.O'JS
Sfi.'j"
si.;v"
Total Budget Authority
$121,382
$126,705
$149,558
$22,853
Total Workyears
473.1
539.4
554.5
15.1
Program Project Description:
EPA's Drinking Water Program is responsible for a range of activities to address drinking water
contamination. The Program:
• Leads the collection of national occurrence data for unregulated contaminants in drinking
water;
• Develops, evaluates, and approves analytical methods that are used to monitor drinking
water contaminants accurately and reliably;
• Leads the national program under which laboratories are certified to conduct the analyses
of drinking water contaminants with approved analytical methods; and
Collaborates with states and public water systems to implement tools that optimize
treatment and improve water quality by helping systems achieve compliance and maximize
technical capacity while reducing operational costs.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.1, Ensure Safe Drinking Water and
Reliable Water Infrastructure in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. The Program also
supports the Agency's implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021
(IDA).
In FY 2024, EPA's Drinking Water Program will continue to carry out the activities listed below:
• Lead development and implementation activities for the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring
Rule (UCMR), a federal direct implementation program coordinated by EPA, as required by
the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
o The data collected pursuant to this rule support the Agency's determination of whether to
establish health-based standards for unregulated drinking water contaminants to protect
public health.
193
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o In December 2021, the Agency published the final rule for the UCMR's fifth cycle (UCMR
5). EPA is managing UCMR 5 sampling through December 2025 and leading the data
collection through 2026.
o UCMR 5 is the first cycle of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitor Rule to implement the
monitoring provisions of America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA), which
requires, subject to the availability of appropriations and adequate laboratory capacity,
sampling at all small public water systems (PWSs) serving between 3,300 and 10,000
persons. AWIA also requires monitoring at a representative sample of small PWSs serving
fewer than 3,300 persons. EPA implementation responsibilities have significantly
expanded to address a 7.5-fold increase in the number of small-system samples as a result
of AWIA.
o EPA is responsible for managing UCMR 5 implementation at all large PWSs serving more
than 10,000 persons, all small PWSs serving between 3,300 and 10,000, and a
representative sample of PWS serving fewer than 3,300 persons. EPA is additionally
responsible for funding the required monitoring at small PWSs. Key activities for EPA
include ensuring laboratories are available to perform the required analyses, managing the
field sample collection and sample analysis for small systems, and managing data
reporting. In addition, EPA makes the UCMR data available to state and tribal partners and
to the public.
o By conducting sampling and data collection/reporting at all small PWSs serving between
3,300 and 10,000 persons and a representative sample of those serving fewer than 3,300
persons, the UCMR program also supports the Agency's implementation of the IIJA.
o Concurrent with managing the implementation of UCMR 5 in FY 2024, EPA will be
developing the proposed rule to support the sixth cycle of UCMR (UCMR 6) monitoring,
with publication of the proposal anticipated in FY 2025.
• Lead the development, revision, evaluation, and approval of analytical methods for
unregulated and regulated contaminants in drinking water to assess and ensure protection of
public health (e.g., polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS]). This work supports the activities
underway for the Agency's PFAS Roadmap and supports priorities identified by the EPA
Council on PFAS.
• Implement EPA's Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program,124 which sets direction
for oversight of state, municipal, and commercial laboratories that analyze drinking water
samples. EPA will conduct regional laboratory certification program reviews and deliver
laboratory certification officer training courses (chemistry and microbiology) for state and
regional representatives. The FY 2024 certification program oversight activities and trainings
will help ensure the quality of drinking water compliance monitoring analyses.
• Partner with states and water systems to optimize their treatment technology and distribution
systems under the drinking water Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP).125 AWOP is a
highly successful technical/compliance assistance and training program that enhances the
ability of public water systems to comply with existing microbial, disinfectant, and disinfection
byproduct standards, and to address distribution system integrity and water quality issues
124 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/dwlabcei1.
125 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.KOv/sdwa/optimization-program-drinking-water-svstems.
194
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caused by the source, aging infrastructure, or other concerns. During FY 2024, EPA expects
to work with states and tribes to expand efforts to train and assist systems, including those in
disadvantaged and tribal communities. This effort includes identifying performance limiting
factors at public water systems and developing and applying tailored tools to help them
overcome operational challenges, achieve performance and optimization levels, and address
health-based compliance challenges. The technical assistance provided by AWOP can be
instrumental in supporting public water systems with limited capacity to effectively address
drinking water quality issues. The AWOP program also supports the Agency's implementation
ofllJA.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports Safe Drinking Water Act implementation and compliance and
requirements in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Categorical Grant: Public Water
System Supervision Programs under the STAG appropriation to support safe drinking water for
the Nation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$188.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$1,689.0 / +4.0 FTE). This increase of resources and FTE supports regulatory analysis,
development and training, and technical assistance for state, tribal, and local communities
to address drinking water contaminants (including Lead and PFAS) in their efforts to
ensure safe and affordable drinking water. This investment also includes $759.0 thousand
for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
SDWA.
195
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Congressional Priorities
196
-------
Congressional Priorities
Program Area: Clean and Safe Water Technical Assistance Grants
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$21,700
$30,700
$0
-$30,700
Scii'in-i' X Technology
S
SJO. "I
SO
-SJO, —]
Total Budget Authority
$29,192
$61,451
$0
-$61,451
Program Project Description:
In FY 2023, Congress appropriated $30.8 million in the Science and Technology appropriation to
Congressional priorities including $9.5 million for extramural grants. EPA was instructed by
Congress to award grants on a competitive basis, independent of the Science to Achieve Results
(STAR) Program, and to give priority to not-for-profit organizations that: 1) conduct activities that
are national in scope; 2) can provide a 25 percent match, including in-kind contributions; and 3)
often partner with the Agency. Additionally, Congress provided $8.0 million to fund research that
will help farmers, ranchers, and rural communities manage PFAS impacts in agricultural settings
and communities as well as $13.3 million on other Congressionally Directed Projects.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
There are no resources for this Program in FY 2024.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$30,751.0) Resources are proposed for elimination for this program in FY 2024. The
goals of this Program can be accomplished through core statutory programs.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act (CAA) 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Title 1, Part A - Sec. 103 (a) and (d) and Sec. 104
(c); CAA 42 U.S.C. 7402(b) Section 102; CAA 42 U.S.C. 7403(b)(2) Section 103(b)(2); dinger
Cohen Act, 40 U.S.C. 11318; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA) (Superfund, 1980) Section 209(a) of Public Law 99-499; Children's
197
-------
Health Act; Clean Water Act (CWA), Sec. 101 - 121; Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and
Restoration Act (CWPPRA); Coastal Zone Amendments Reauthorization Act (CZARA); Coastal
Zone Management Act (CZMA) 16 U.S.C. 1451 - Section 302; Economy Act, 31 U.S.C. 1535;
Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), Title II Subtitle B; Environmental Research,
Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA), 33 U.S.C. 1251 - Section 2(a);
Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1531 - Section 2; Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. Sec. 346; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
(7 U.S.C. s/s 136 et seq. (1996), as amended), Sec. 3(c)(2)(A); Food Quality Protection Act
(FQPA) PL 104-170; Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, 31 U.S.C. 6502; Marine Protection,
Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) Sec. 203, 33 U.S.C. 1443; North American Wetlands
Conservation Act (NAWCA); NCPA; National Environmental Education Act, 20 U.S.C.
5503(b)(3) and (b)(ll); National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) of 1969, Section 102;
National Invasive Species Act (NTSA); Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988 (ODBA) Title II; PPA,
42 U.S.C. 13103; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA) (1996) 42 U.S.C. Section 300j-18; SDWA Part E, Sec. 1442 (a)(1); Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA), Section 10, 15, 26, U.S.C. 2609; U.S. Global Change Research Act
(USGCRA) 15 U.S.C. 2921; Water Resources Development Act (WRDA); Water Resources
Research Act (WRRA); and Wet Weather Water Quality Act of 2000 (WWWQA).
198
-------
199
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Environmental Programs and Management
Resource Summary Table 204
Program Projects in EPM 205
Alaska Contaminated Lands 210
Alaska Contaminated Lands 211
Brownfields 213
Brownfields 214
Clean Air 218
Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs 219
Climate Protection 226
Federal Stationary Source Regulations 240
Federal Support for Air Quality Management 245
Stratospheric Ozone: Domestic Programs 256
Stratospheric Ozone: Multilateral Fund 262
Compliance 264
Compliance Monitoring 265
Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education 274
Children and Other Sensitive Populations: Agency Coordination 275
Executive Management and Operations 279
Exchange Network 285
Public Engagement, Partnerships, and Environmental Education 288
Small Business Ombudsman 294
Small Minority Business Assistance 298
State and Local Prevention and Preparedness 301
TRI / Right to Know 304
Tribal - Capacity Building 309
Enforcement 314
Civil Enforcement 315
Criminal Enforcement 323
NEPA Implementation 326
Environmental Justice 330
Environmental Justice 331
200
-------
Geographic Programs 341
Geographic Program: Chesapeake Bay 342
Geographic Program: Gulf of Mexico 346
Geographic Program: Lake Champlain 350
Geographic Program: Long Island Sound 353
Geographic Program: Other 356
Geographic Program: South Florida 362
Geographic Program: San Francisco Bay 366
Geographic Program: Puget Sound 369
Great Lakes Restoration 373
Homeland Security 380
Homeland Security: Communication and Information 381
Homeland Security: Critical Infrastructure Protection 388
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure 390
Indoor Air and Radiation 393
Indoor Air: Radon Program 394
Radiation: Protection 396
Radiation: Response Preparedness 398
Reduce Risks from Indoor Air 401
International Programs 404
International Sources of Pollution 405
Trade and Governance 411
US Mexico Border 414
IT/ Data Management/ Security 419
Information Security 420
IT / Data Management 426
Legal/ Science/Regulatory/Economic Review 430
Administrative Law 431
Alternative Dispute Resolution 434
Civil Rights Program 437
Integrated Environmental Strategies 444
Legal Advice: Environmental Program 451
Legal Advice: Support Program 457
Regulatory/Economic-Management and Analysis 461
201
-------
Science Advisory Board 466
Operations and Administration 468
Acquisition Management 469
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance 473
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations 479
Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management 483
Human Resources Management 486
Regional Science and Technology 491
Pesticides Licensing 494
Pesticides: Protect Human Health from Pesticide Risk 495
Pesticides: Protect the Environment from Pesticide Risk 502
Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide Availability 510
Science Policy and Biotechnology 513
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 516
RCRA: Corrective Action 517
RCRA: Waste Management 520
RCRA: Waste Minimization & Recycling 526
Toxics Risk Review and Prevention 530
Endocrine Disruptors 531
Pollution Prevention Program 534
Toxic Substances: Chemical Risk Review and Reduction 540
Toxic Substances: Lead Risk Reduction Program 553
Underground Storage Tanks (LUST/UST) 557
LUST / UST 558
Water Ecosystems 561
National Estuary Program / Coastal Waterways 562
Wetlands 566
Water: Human Health Protection 569
Beach / Fish Programs 570
Drinking Water Programs 573
SDWA; CWA 583
Water Quality Protection 584
Marine Pollution 585
Surface Water Protection 588
202
-------
Congressional Priorities
Congressional Priorities
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: Environmental Programs & Management
Resource Summary Table
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2023
President's Budget
FY 2022
Enacted
FY 2024
v.
Final
Operating
President's
FY 2023 Enacted
Actuals
Plan
Budget
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs &
Management
Budget Authority
$2,988,189
$3,286,330
$4,511,011
$1,224,681
Total Workyears
8,623.8
9,592.7
11,082.4
1,489.7
Bill Language: Environmental Programs and Management
For environmental programs and management, including necessary expenses not otherwise
providedfor, for personnel and related costs and travel expenses; hire of passenger motor vehicles;
hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft; purchase of reprints; library memberships in societies
or associations which issue publications to members only or at a price to members lower than to
subscribers who are not members; administrative costs of the brownfields program under the Small
Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002; implementation of a coal
combustion residual permit program under section 2301 of the Water and Waste Act of 2016; and
not to exceed $40,000for official reception and representation expenses, $4,511, Oil, 000, to remain
available until September 30, 2025: Provided further, That of the funds included under this
heading—
(1) $682,053,000, to remain available until expended, shall be for Geographic Programs as
specified in the explanatory statement described in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of
this consolidated Act).
(2) $20,000,000, to remain available until expended, shall be for grants, including grants that may
be awarded on a non-competitive basis, interagency agreements, and associated program support
costs to establish and implement a program to assist Alaska Native Regional Corporations, Alaskan
Native Village Corporations, federally-recognized tribes in Alaska, Alaska Native Non-Profit
Organizations and Alaska Native Nonprofit Associations, and intertribal consortia comprised of
Alaskan tribal entities to address contamination on lands conveyed under or pursuant to the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 etseq.) that were or are contaminated at the time of
conveyance and are on an inventory of such lands developed and maintained by the Environmental
Protection Agency: Provided, That grants awarded using funds made available in this paragraph
may be used by a recipient to supplement other funds provided by the Environmental Protection
Agency through individual media or multi-media grants or cooperative agreements: Provided
further, That of the amounts made available in this paragraph, in addition to amounts otherwise
available for such purposes, the Environmental Protection Agency may reserve up to $2,000,000for
salaries, expenses, and administration of the program and any other grants related to such program
that address contamination on lands conveyed under or pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims
204
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Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) that were or are contaminated at the time of conveyance and
are on the EPA inventory of such lands.
(3) $130,000,000, to remain available until expended, shall be for environmental justice
implementation and training grants and associated program support costs, of which $65,000,000
shall be for an environmental justice community grant program for grants to community-based
nonprofit organizations; $40,000,000 shall be for an environmental justice government grant
program for grants to states, tribes, including intertribal consortia that meet the requirements in 40
CFR 35.504, local and territorial governments, and Freely Associated States; $15,000,000 shall be
for a community-based participatory research grant program for grants to institutions of higher
education as defined in 2 CFR 200.1 or nonprofit organizations; and $10,000,000 shall be for an
environmentaljustice training program for grants to community-based nonprofit organizations or
partnerships between community-based nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education
as defined in 2 CFR 200.1: Provided, That up to 5 percent of the funds made available under this
paragraph may be reserved for salaries, expenses, and administration.
Program Projects in EPM
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Clean Air and Climate
Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs
$15,423
$16,554
$30,535
$13,981
Climate Protection
$100,267
$101,000
$170,512
$69,512
Federal Stationary Source Regulations
$26,821
$30,344
$47,468
$17,124
Federal Support for Air Quality Management
$148,894
$147,704
$356,016
$208,312
Stratospheric Ozone: Domestic Programs
$7,937
$6,951
$72,152
$65,201
Stratospheric Ozone: Multilateral Fund
$8,326
$9,244
$18,000
$8,756
Subtotal, Clean Air and Climate
$307,667
$311,797
$694,683
$382,886
Indoor Air and Radiation
Indoor Air: Radon Program
$2,966
$3,364
$5,113
$1,749
Radiation: Protection
$8,244
$9,088
$11,638
$2,550
Radiation: Response Preparedness
$2,658
$2,650
$3,143
$493
Reduce Risks from Indoor Air
$12,611
$13,593
$47,389
$33,796
Subtotal, Indoor Air and Radiation
$26,479
$28,695
$67,283
$38,588
Brownfields
Brownfields
$23,716
$26,189
$38,626
$12,437
Compliance
Compliance Monitoring
$108,996
$112,730
$162,105
$49,375
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
$20,455
$102,159
$369,106
$266,947
205
-------
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Enforcement
Civil Enforcement
$179,062
$205,942
$242,585
$36,643
Criminal Enforcement
$55,343
$62,704
$66,487
$3,783
NEPA Implementation
$17,177
$20,611
$25,760
$5,149
Subtotal, Enforcement
$251,582
$289,257
$334,832
$45,575
Geographic Programs
Geographic Program: Chesapeake Bay
$90,309
$92,000
$92,094
$94
Geographic Program: Gulf of Mexico
$21,194
$25,524
$25,558
$34
Geographic Program: Lake Champlain
$19,096
$25,000
$25,000
$0
Geographic Program: Long Island Sound
$29,758
$40,002
$40,005
$3
Geographic Program: Other
Lake Pontchartrain
$1,899
$2,200
$2,200
$0
S.New England Estuary (SNEE)
$6,017
$7,000
$7,078
$78
Geographic Program: Other (other
activities)
$4,881
$5,000
$4,934
-$66
Subtotal, Geographic Program: Other
$12,797
$14,200
$14,212
$12
Great Lakes Restoration
$349,157
$368,000
$368,154
$154
Geographic Program: South Florida
$6,917
$8,500
$8,503
$3
Geographic Program: San Francisco Bay
$2,631
$54,500
$54,505
$5
Geographic Program: Puget Sound
$34,746
$54,000
$54,022
$22
Subtotal, Geographic Programs
$566,606
$681,726
$682,053
$327
Homeland Security
Homeland Security: Communication and
Information
$4,054
$4,692
$6,051
$1,359
Homeland Security: Critical Infrastructure
Protection
$873
$923
$1,023
$100
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel
and Infrastructure
$4,903
$5,188
$5,158
-$30
Subtotal, Homeland Security
$9,830
$10,803
$12,232
$1,429
International Programs
US Mexico Border
$2,886
$2,993
$5,088
$2,095
International Sources of Pollution
$7,220
$7,323
$26,044
$18,721
Trade and Governance
$6,252
$5,510
$7,153
$1,643
Subtotal, International Programs
$16,358
$15,826
$38,285
$22,459
IT / Data Management / Security
Information Security
$10,450
$9,142
$23,889
$14,747
206
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Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
IT / Data Management
$90,029
$91,821
$105,868
$14,047
Subtotal, IT / Data Management / Security
$100,480
$100,963
$129,757
$28,794
Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Integrated Environmental Strategies
$10,534
$11,297
$71,722
$60,425
Administrative Law
$5,022
$5,395
$6,116
$721
Alternative Dispute Resolution
$1,196
$972
$2,194
$1,222
Civil Rights Program
$10,061
$12,866
$31,462
$18,596
Legal Advice: Environmental Program
$63,795
$60,061
$85,252
$25,191
Legal Advice: Support Program
$18,246
$18,957
$20,322
$1,365
Regional Science and Technology (proposed to
be moved to Operations and Administration)
$1,345
$1,554
$0
-$1,554
Science Advisory Board
$3,854
$4,155
$4,124
-$31
Regulatory/Economic-Management and Analysis
$16,725
$17,475
$16,930
-$545
Subtotal, Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic
Review
$130,778
$132,732
$238,122
$105,390
Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
State and Local Prevention and Preparedness
$14,957
$15,446
$23,884
$8,438
TRI / Right to Know
$13,064
$15,052
$14,018
-$1,034
Tribal - Capacity Building
$13,735
$14,715
$34,674
$19,959
Exchange Network
$13,016
$14,995
$14,685
-$310
Executive Management and Operations
$55,872
$56,160
$67,600
$11,440
Public Engagement, Partnerships and
Environmental Education
$8,303
$9,500
$23,972
$14,472
Small Minority Business Assistance
$2,564
$2,056
$1,996
-$60
Small Business Ombudsman
$1,564
$2,250
$2,227
-$23
Children and Other Sensitive Populations:
Agency Coordination
$6,098
$6,362
$6,500
$138
Subtotal, Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and
Education
$129,173
$136,536
$189,556
$53,020
Operations and Administration
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
$82,781
$87,099
$99,812
$12,713
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$291,501
$283,330
$305,753
$22,423
Acquisition Management
$36,051
$37,251
$41,609
$4,358
Human Resources Management
$56,709
$51,261
$71,093
$19,832
Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management
$29,070
$30,188
$34,350
$4,162
Regional Science and Technology (proposed to
be moved from LSRE)
$0
$0
$4,972
$3,418
Subtotal, Operations and Administration
$496,113
$489,129
$557,589
$68,460
207
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Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Pesticides Licensing
Pesticides: Protect Human Health from Pesticide
Risk
$65,333
$62,125
$65,529
$3,404
Pesticides: Protect the Environment from
Pesticide Risk
$43,688
$48,704
$75,391
$26,687
Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide
Availability
$7,022
$7,637
$8,234
$597
Science Policy and Biotechnology
$1,185
$1,811
$1,627
-$184
Subtotal, Pesticides Licensing
$117,227
$120,277
$150,781
$30,504
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
RCRA: Corrective Action
$43,061
$40,512
$41,669
$1,157
RCRA: Waste Management
$77,838
$75,958
$90,634
$14,676
RCRA: Waste Minimization & Recycling
$12,603
$10,252
$12,668
$2,416
Subtotal, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA)
$133,502
$126,722
$144,971
$18,249
Toxics Risk Review and Prevention
Endocrine Disruptors
$6,629
$7,614
$7,680
$66
Pollution Prevention Program
$11,988
$12,987
$29,009
$16,022
Toxic Substances: Chemical Risk Review and
Reduction
$85,218
$82,822
$130,711
$47,889
Toxic Substances: Lead Risk Reduction Program
$12,404
$14,359
$14,437
$78
Subtotal, Toxics Risk Review and Prevention
$116,242
$117,782
$181,837
$64,055
Underground Storage Tanks (LUST/UST)
LUST/UST
$11,807
$12,021
$14,451
$2,430
Protecting Estuaries and Wetlands
National Estuary Program / Coastal Waterways
$33,958
$40,000
$32,514
-$7,486
Wetlands
$21,103
$21,754
$26,671
$4,917
Subtotal, Protecting Estuaries and Wetlands
$55,061
$61,754
$59,185
-$2,569
Ensure Safe Water
Beach / Fish Programs
$1,209
$2,246
$2,381
$135
Drinking Water Programs
$117,205
$121,607
$142,583
$20,976
Subtotal, Ensure Safe Water
$118,414
$123,853
$144,964
$21,111
Ensure Clean Water
Marine Pollution
$8,699
$10,187
$12,624
$2,437
Surface Water Protection
$217,125
$224,492
$267,969
$43,477
Subtotal, Ensure Clean Water
$225,825
$234,679
$280,593
$45,914
208
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Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Clean and Safe Water Technical Assistance Grants
Congressional Priorities
$21,700
$30,700
$0
-$30,700
TOTAL EPM
$2,988,189
$3,266,330
$4,491,011
$1,224,681
209
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Alaska Contaminated Lands
210
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Alaska Contaminated Lands
Program Area: Alaska Contaminated Lands
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Maiui'^cnicnl
SO
S 20.000
S20.000
SO
Total Budget Authority
$0
$20,000
$20,000
$0
Total Workyears
0.0
5.0
5.0
0.0
Program Project Description:
The Alaska Contaminated Lands Program supports President Biden's Executive Order 13985:
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal
Government and seeks to address environmental injustices regarding the 44 million acres
transferred from federal ownership to Alaska Native corporations as part of the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).1 Many of these lands were contaminated while not under Alaska
Native ownership, and the contaminants on some of these lands - arsenic, asbestos, lead, mercury,
pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other petroleum products - pose health concerns
to Alaska Native communities, negatively impact subsistence resources, and hamper economic
activity.
EPA is initiating a whole-of-government approach to help advance the cleanup of contaminated
ANCSA lands through the Arctic Executive Steering Committee.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will:
Compile and maintain a contaminated ANCSA sites inventory and maintain a public facing
dashboard to provide site information, including cleanup status.
• Engage with State of Alaska, Alaska Native Corporations, Alaska Native Organizations,
and other federal agencies to further develop and modify the comprehensive approach to
advancing cleanup efforts.
1 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.eoY/docunieiits/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-
racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government.
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• Establish and manage the Contaminated ANCSA Lands Grant Program to facilitate
assessment and cleanup work at contaminated ANCSA lands.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Pub. L. 117-328.
212
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Brownfields
213
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Brownfields
Program Area: Brownfields
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
S2X 'If,
s-Vi./m
V ilf.626
N/J.V.i"
Total Budget Authority
$23,716
$26,189
$38,626
$12,437
Total Workyears
112.3
129.5
187.5
58.0
Program Project Description:
Brownfields sites are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be
complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or
contaminant. Brownfields can be found in the heart of America's main streets and former
economic centers. The Brownfields Program supports efforts to revitalize these sites by awarding
grants and providing technical assistance to states, tribes, local communities, and other
stakeholders to work together to plan, inventory, assess, safely cleanup, and reuse brownfields
sites. Approximately 143 million people (roughly 44 percent of the U.S. population) live within
three miles of a brownfields site that receives EPA funding.2 Similarly, within a half mile of a
brownfields site receiving EPA funding, 21 percent of people live below the national poverty level,
17 percent have less than a high school education, 56 percent are people of color, and seven percent
are linguistically isolated. As of February 2023, grants awarded by the Program have led to over
10,000 properties made ready for productive use and over 197,000 jobs and over $37.2 billion
leveraged.3
The Brownfields Program directly supports the goals of the Administration's Justice40 initiative.
Operating activities include: 1) conducting the annual, high volume cooperative agreement
competitions; 2) awarding new cooperative agreements; 3) managing the ongoing cooperative
agreement workload; 4) providing technical assistance and ongoing support to grantees; 5)
providing contractor supported technical assistance to non-grantee communities with brownfields
sites; 6) collaborating with other agency programs; 7) operating the Assessment Cleanup and
Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES) online grantee reporting tool; 8) assisting
communities to explore land reuse opportunities under the Land Revitalization Program; and 9)
developing guidance and tools that clarify potential environmental cleanup liabilities.
2 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2020. Data collected includes: 1) Superfund, Brownfield, and RCRA
Corrective Action site information as of the end of FY 2019; 2) UST/LUST information as of late-2018 to mid-2019 depending
on the state; and 3) 2015-2018 American Community Survey (ACS) Census data.
3 From EPA website: https://www.epa.KOv/browiirields/brownrields~program~accomplishments~and-
benefits# :~:text=Enrolled%20over%2034%2C 19 l%20properties%20annuallv3%2C478%2C000%20acres%20readv%20for%20
reuse.
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Today, there are more than 1,000 active Brownfields cooperative agreements (CAs) and hundreds
of land revitalization projects, targeted assessments, financial planning, and visioning sessions
taking place, funded by regular appropriations and by the historic investment from the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). All are supported and invigorated by the
Brownfields Program's best tool - community development specialists. Specialists are the
backbone of the success of the Agency broadly and they bring unique technical and program
management experience, as well as public and environmental health expertise, to individual
brownfields communities. The communities the Program works with have achieved incredible
things, but without the skilled guidance of EPA community development specialists, the Program
would not have had the success that characterizes its history at the nexus between environmental
revitalization and community development.
To continue to build on these successes, along with the historic investment from IIJA, the Agency
proposes to invest an additional $12.4 million and 58.0 FTE in FY 2024. In FY 2022, a detailed
Workload Model Analysis identified a significant barrier to engaging with communities related to
the availability of on-the-ground resources to conduct outreach and communication. This
investment of regional FTE will provide expanded technical assistance and build capacity in small,
rural, Environmental Justice (EJ), and other historically disadvantaged communities and support
the Program as it implements a responsive, expansive, and innovative environmental and economic
community redevelopment program.
In FY 2024, community development specialists will continue to manage approximately 1,000
assessment, cleanup, Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), multi-purpose, and Environmental Workforce
Development and Job Training (EWDJT) CAs, as well as state and tribal assistance agreements.
In addition, EPA will be managing training, research, and technical assistance agreements;
Targeted Brownfields Assessments; and land revitalization projects. The Brownfields Program
also will continue to foster federal, state, tribal, and public-private partnerships to return properties
to productive economic use, including in historically disadvantaged communities and communities
with EJ concerns.
In addition, IIJA invests $1.5 billion to scale up community-led brownfields revitalization from
FY 2022 through FY 2026. This work includes $1.2 billion in direct grants and technical assistance
to assess and clean up brownfield sites, train and place people in environmental jobs, and assist
hundreds of communities in identifying equitable reuse options to cultivate healthy, resilient,
livable neighborhoods. An additional $300 million will support State and Tribal Response
programs that can provide necessary funds to states and territories and over 100 tribes to grow
their brownfields programs. EPA will continue to manage an estimated 400 cooperative
agreements funded under IIJA.
In FY 2024, the Brownfields Program will support the following activities:
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Compete and Award New Cooperative Agreements: Review, select, and award an
estimated 210 new cooperative agreements, which will lead to approximately $2.6 billion
and 13,480 jobs leveraged in future years.
Oversight and Management of Existing Cooperative Agreements: Continue federal
fiduciary responsibility to manage approximately 1,000 existing brownfields CAs funded
under regular appropriations while ensuring the terms and conditions of the agreements are
met, as well as provide limited technical assistance. The Program also will provide targeted
environmental oversight support to grantees (e.g., site eligibility determinations, review of
environmental site assessment and cleanup reports).
Technical Assistance: Provide technical assistance to states, tribes, and local communities
in the form of research, training, analysis, and support for community-led planning
workshops. This can lead to cost effective implementation of brownfields redevelopment
projects by providing communities with the knowledge necessary to understand market
conditions, economic development, and other community revitalization strategies, and how
cleanup and reuse can be catalyzed by small businesses.
Collaboration: Work collaboratively with our partners at the state, tribal, and local levels
on innovative approaches to help achieve land reuse. The Program also will continue to
develop guidance and tools that clarify potential environmental cleanup liabilities, thereby
providing greater certainty for parties seeking to reuse these properties. In addition, the
Program can provide direct support to facilitate transactions for parties seeking to reuse
contaminated properties.
• Accomplishment Tracking: Support the maintenance of the ACRES online grantee
reporting tool. This enables grantees to track accomplishments and report on the number
of sites assessed and cleaned up, and the amount of dollars and jobs leveraged with
brownfields grants.
• Land Revitalization Program Support: Provide support for approximately two
communities as part of EPA's Land Revitalization Program. The Land Revitalization
Program supports communities in their efforts to restore contaminated lands into
sustainable community assets.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Brownfields Proj ects Program under
the STAG appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$772.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base payroll costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
216
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(+$11,665.0 / +58.0 FTE) This increase is for community development specialists to
manage land revitalization projects, provide one-on-one financial planning support, and
educate tribal, rural and EJ communities on how to address brownfields. This investment
includes $10.4 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), §§
101(39), 104(k), 128(a); Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, § 8001.
217
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Clean Air
218
-------
Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs
Program Area: Clean Air and Climate
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
S I.\-I23
yifJ.SJS
SI 3. Ml
Science & Technology
$8,360
$7,117
$19,983
$12,866
Total Budget Authority
$23,783
$23,671
$50,518
$26,847
Total Workyears
66.3
66.7
86.1
19.4
Program Project Description:
The Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs are nationwide and multi-state programs that address
air pollutants that are transported across state, regional, and international boundaries. The
programs are designed to control sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), key precursors
of both fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3). These programs include Title IV (the Acid
Rain Program) of the Clean Air Act, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), the CSAPR
Update, the revised CSAPR Update, and the Good Neighbor Plan (the most recent CSAPR
proposal), once finalized. The infrastructure for the Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs also
supports implementation of other state and federal programs to control SO2, hazardous air
pollutants, and greenhouse gases.
The Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs establish a total emission limit across affected
emission sources, which must hold allowances as authorizations to emit one ton of the regulated
pollutant(s) in a specific emission control period. The owners and operators of affected emission
sources may select among different methods of compliance—installing pollution control
equipment, switching fuel types, purchasing allowances, or other strategies. By offering the
flexibility to determine how the sources comply, the programs lower the overall cost, making it
feasible to pursue greater emission reductions. These programs are managed through a centralized
database system operated by EPA.4 Data collected under these programs are made available to the
public through EPA's Clean Air Markets Data Resources website,5 which provides access to both
current and historical data collected as part of the Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs through
charts, reports, and downloadable datasets. To implement these programs, EPA operates an
emission measurement and reporting program, market operations program, environmental
monitoring programs, and a communication and stakeholder engagement program.
In 2021, total annual SO2 emissions from Acid Rain Program-affected emission sources were
942,000 tons, or over 90 percent below the statutory nationwide emissions cap, a level not seen
since early in the 20th Century. Total annual 2021 NOx emissions were 782,000 tons, an almost
4 Clean Air Act § 403(d).
5 For additional information, please refer to https://www.epa.gov/ainiiarkets/data-resources.
219
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nine-million-ton reduction from projected levels, exceeding the Program's goal of a two-million-
ton reduction.6
The Part 75 monitoring program requires almost 4,300 affected sources to monitor and report
emission and operation data.7 The Part 75 monitoring program requires high degrees of accuracy
and reliability from continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) or approved alternative
methods at the affected sources. EPA provides the affected emission sources with technical
assistance to facilitate compliance with the monitoring requirements, and software—the Emissions
Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS)—to process, quality assure, and report data to
EPA. To assess the quality of the data, the Agency conducts electronic audits, desk reviews, and
field and virtual audits of the emission data and monitoring systems. EPA also conducts a Protocol
Gas Verification Program (PGVP) in cooperation with National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) to ensure calibration gases used for CEMS quality assurance/quality control
are of high quality. In addition to the Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs, the emission
measurement program and ECMPS software support several state and federal emission control
and reporting programs, including the Texas SO2 Trading Program, Regional Greenhouse Gas
Initiative (RGGI), Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Electric
Generating Units, and Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS). It also interfaces with the
Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), ensuring the Part 75 data is seamlessly transferred
to that program's infrastructure (Electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool (eGGRT)).
EPA's centralized market operation system (the allowance tracking system) manages accounts and
records allowance allocations and transfers.8 At the end of each compliance period, working
directly with and supporting stakeholders, allowances are reconciled against reported emissions to
determine compliance for every facility with affected emission sources. For over 25 years, the
affected facilities have maintained near-perfect compliance under the trading programs.9 The
market operation system also supports several state and federal emission control and reporting
programs, including the Texas SO2 Trading Program, RGGI, and MATS.
The Clean Air Act's Good Neighbor provision10 requires states or, in some circumstances the
Agency, to reduce interstate pollution that significantly contributes to nonattainment or interferes
with maintenance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Under this authority,
EPA issued CSAPR, which requires 27 states in the eastern U. S. to limit their state-wide emissions
of SO2 and/or NOx to reduce or eliminate the states' contributions to PM2.5 and/or ground-level
ozone non-attainment of the NAAQS in downwind states. The emission limitations are defined in
terms of maximum statewide "budgets" for emissions of annual SO2, annual NOx, and/or ozone-
season NOx emissions from certain large stationary sources in each state. In 2016, EPA issued the
CSAPR Update to address interstate transport of ozone for the 2008 ozone NAAQS in the eastern
United States. EPA revised the CSAPR Update on March 15, 2021, to address a ruling of the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. In 2022, EPA proposed the Good Neighbor Plan to address
interstate transport of ozone for the 2015 ozone NAAQS and included a proposed ozone-season
NOx trading program for EGUs in 25 states. EPA expects to finalize this rulemaking by Mid- 2023
6 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/ainiiarkets/power-plant-eniissioii-treiids.
7 Clean Air Act § 412; Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. P.L. 101-549 § 821.
8 Clean Air Act § 403(d).
9 For more information, please refer to: http://www3.epa.eov/ainiiarkets/progress/reports/index.htnil.
10 Clean Air Act § 110(a)(2)(D); also refer to Clean Air Act § 110(c).
220
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and implement the resulting program beginning in the 2023 ozone season. In addition, EPA is
supporting state efforts to address regional haze including best available retrofit technology and
reasonable progress, as well as interstate air pollution transport contributing to downwind
nonattainment of NAAQS as those obligations relate to emissions from electricity generating
units.11 EPA is conducting environmental justice analyses of the distribution of these emissions
and associated public health impacts on overburdened communities.
EPA manages the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), a rural ambient air
monitoring program supporting NAAQS determinations, model validation and ecological impacts.
CASTNET measures ambient ozone and nitrogen and sulfur particles and gases to evaluate air
quality effects on human health and environmental loadings. In addition, EPA participates in the
National Atmospheric Deposition Program, which monitors wet deposition of sulfur, nitrogen, and
mercury, as well as ambient concentrations of mercury and ammonia. EPA also manages the Long-
Term Monitoring (LTM) Program to assess how lakes, streams, and aquatic ecosystems are
responding to reductions in sulfur and nitrogen emissions. Data from these air quality and
environmental monitoring programs, in conjunction with SO2, NOx, mercury, and CO2 emissions
data from the Part 75 monitoring program and mercury emissions data from the MATS reporting
program, have allowed EPA to develop a comprehensive accountability framework to track the
results of its air quality programs. EPA applies this framework to the programs it implements and
issues annual progress reports on compliance and environmental results achieved by the Acid Rain
Program, CSAPR, the CSAPR Update, and the Revised CSAPR Update, and pollution controls
installed and emissions reductions achieved by MATS.12 Required by Congress since FY 2019 in
the appropriations reports, these annual progress reports highlight reductions in SO2 and NOx
emissions, and impacts of these reductions on air quality (e.g., ozone and PM2.5 levels), acid
deposition, surface water acidity, forest health, and other environmental indicators.
EPA produces several tools to inform the public and key stakeholders about power sector
emissions, operations, and environmental data. The Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated
Database (eGRID)13 is a comprehensive source of data on the environmental characteristics of
almost all electric power generated in the U. S. Data from eGRID are used by other EPA programs,
state energy and air agencies, and researchers. Between 2015 and 2021, eGRID was cited by more
than 1,600 academic papers. Power Profiler14 is a web application where electricity consumers can
see the fuel mix and air emissions rates of their region's electricity and determine the air emissions
associated with their electricity use. In keeping with the Agency's renewed commitment to energy
equity and environmental justice, EPA published the Power Plants and Neighboring Communities
web application15 where consumers and advocates can find information about the demographics
of communities located near power plants. EPA is developing analytical tools to better understand
and communicate the impact of electricity generation on low-income communities and
communities of color. EPA also operates several initiatives to engage key stakeholders, including
working closely with tribal governments to build tribal air monitoring capacity through
11 Clean Air Act § 110 and § 169A; refer to 40 CFR 52.2312.
12 To view the progress reports, please refer to: http://www3.epa.KOv/airmarkets/progress/reports/index.html.
13 To view eGRID, please refer to https://www.epa.aov/earid.
14 To view Power Profiler, please refer to https://www.epa.eov/earid/power-profiler.
15 To view the Power Plants and Neighboring Communities, please refer to https://www.epa.aov/airmarkets/power-plants-and-
nei ahborina-coniniuni ties.
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partnerships with the CASTNET Program. The EmPOWER Air Data Challenge16 encourages
academic researchers to propose how to integrate the EPA emissions and/or environmental data in
their research. The Ask Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD) webinars provide an opportunity for
stakeholders to ask EPA about the Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs, Part 75 emission
reporting program, and the emission and environmental data programs.
EPA also develops multiple models and tools to project future emissions from the power sector to
inform EPA's air quality modeling, as well as water and land regulations affecting power plants.
The Integrated Planning Model (IPM) is a state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed, dynamic linear
programming model that EPA develops to project power sector behavior under future business-as-
usual conditions and to examine prospective air pollution control policies throughout the
contiguous United States for the entire electric power system. EPA uses IPM, along with the
National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) and the Regional Energy Deployment System
(ReEDS), to estimate future electricity market conditions and associated pollutant emissions
scenarios resulting from legislative and regulatory policies under consideration by Congress and
the Administration. The National Electric Energy Data System (NEEDS) includes geographic,
operating, air emissions, and other data on existing and planned grid-connected electric generating
units across the contiguous United States. EPA updates and publishes NEEDS on a quarterly basis
to inform emission modeling projections and to provide timely information to air quality planners
and policymakers developing regulations to address power sector pollution. EPA is augmenting
these power sector models and tools to include important information pertinent to environmental
justice analyses and community-level impacts.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.1, Improve Air Quality and Reduce
Localized Pollution and Health Impacts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to operate the Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs and the
systems to assess compliance with the Programs' regulatory requirements and the Programs'
progress toward the environmental goals required by the Clean Air Act. EPA will work to meet
requirements and requests for modeling in support of the power sector and for legal defense of
regulatory actions. The Programs will continue to support emission reporting for other state and
federal programs, including RGGI, MATS, and GHGRP.17 In FY 2024, EPA anticipates work on
several regulatory actions related to power plants including greenhouse gas emission guidelines
for existing power plants (replacing the previously promulgated Clean Power Plan and the
Affordable Clean Energy Rule); interstate ozone transport obligations under the 2015 ozone
standard; and continued review of the appropriate and necessary finding and risk and technology
review for MATS. If finalized, the programmatic, operational, and/or data collection and
management requirements will be expanded.
16 For more information about the challenge, refer to https://www.epa.gov/ainiiarkets/enipower-air-data-challenge.
17 Refer to, 40 C.F.R. Part 63, Subpart UUUUU {National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal and Oil Fired
Electric Utility Steam Generating Units) and 40 C.F.R. Part 98, Subpart D (Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting: Electricity
Generation).
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This request also expands EPA's ability to perform advanced power sector analyses to tackle the
climate crisis, including developing environmental justice tools to consider the distributional
impacts of emissions on overburdened communities.
Allowance tracking and compliance assessment
EPA will allocate SO2 and NOx allowances to affected emission sources and other account holders
as established in the Clean Air Act18 and state and federal CSAPR implementation plans. These
allowance holdings and subsequent allowance transfers will be maintained in an allowance
tracking system (i.e., central database).19 EPA will annually reconcile each facility's allowance
holdings against its emissions to ensure compliance for all affected sources.20
Emission measurement data collection, review, and publication
EPA will operate the Part 75 emission measurement program to collect, verify, and track emissions
of air pollutants and air toxics from approximately 4,300 fossil-fuel-fired electric generating
units.21 In FY 2024, EPA also will implement several new regulatory actions, including the MATS
e-reporting rule22 and the Good Neighbor Plan and Part 75 regulatory update.23 These emissions,
operations, and compliance data will be maintained in an emissions tracking system (i.e., central
database) and made publicly available.24
Program assessment and communication
EPA will continue to monitor ambient air, deposition, and other environmental indicators through
the CASTNET and LTM Programs, contribute to the National Atmospheric Deposition Program,
publish the power sector progress reports required by Congress, and produce additional
information to communicate the extent of the progress made by the Clean Air Allowance Trading
Programs.25 EPA will publish emissions, environmental, and EJ-related demographic data on our
Air Markets, eGRID, Power Profiler, and Power Plants and Neighboring Communities websites.
Redesign system applications
EPA will continue the redesign of its markets operation system (CAMD Business System, CBS)
and Emission Collection Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS) software. These mission critical
systems support the trading programs, as well as other emissions reporting programs operated by
the states (e.g., RGGI) and EPA (e.g., MATS, GHGRP). Reengineering these decade-old systems
will enable EPA to enhance the user experience, comply with EPA security and technology
requirements, consolidate software systems, and reduce long-term operation and maintenance
costs. EPA released the Clean Air Markets Program Data (CAMPD) website in FY 2022 to
enhance the public's access to the emission and allowance data. ECMPS modules will be released
in FY 2023 with additional functionality added in FY 2024.
18 Clean Air Act §§ 110 and 403.
19 Clean Air Act §§ 110 and 403.
20 Clean Air Act §§110 and 404-405, and state CSAPR implementation plans.
21 Clean Air Act § 412; Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. P.L. 101-549 § 821; and 40 C.F.R. Part 63, Subpart UUUUU.
22 40 C.F.R. Part 63, Subpart UUUUU.
23 40 C.F.R. Part 75.
24 Clean Air Act § 412; Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. P.L. 101-549 § 821.
25 Government Performance and Results Act § 1115.
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Assistance to states
EPA will work with states to develop emission reduction programs to comply with the Clean Air
Act Good Neighbor Provision and Regional Haze program requirements.26 As part of the emission
measurement, data collection, review, and publication, EPA will provide a web portal for states
with delegated authority for MATS to access and review emissions and compliance data.
CASTNET will continue to support states in meeting their minimum monitoring requirements and
assist with developing exceptional event demonstrations, as needed. Additionally, CASTNET will
continue to provide data that can be used for permitting and ecological assessments within state
boundaries (e.g., Colorado).
Stakeholder engagement
EPA will continue to engage our stakeholder communities through efforts to maintain and
strengthen current tribal air monitoring partnerships and build new ones to the extent possible. In
addition, EPA has new efforts underway to identify how power plant pollution impacts historically
marginalized and underserved communities, and how EPA air rules can mitigate those impacts.
EPA also seeks to communicate information about power plant emissions and the contributions to
low-income communities and communities of color and encourage the use of the Clean Air
Allowance Trading Programs' data for scientific analysis and communication through various
programs and tools, such as Power Plants and Neighboring Communities, EmPOWER Air Data
Challenge, and Ask CAMD webinars.
Policy and regulatory development
EPA will contribute multi-pollutant and multi-media (air, water, land) power sector analyses
informing EPA's policy agenda to tackle the climate crisis and protect public health and the
environment, including environmental justice analyses to consider the distributional impacts of
emissions on overburdened communities. Analytic and policy topics addressing climate change
and air pollution that could be analyzed include a wide range of power sector actions under the
CAA, as well as analysis of interactions between alternative vehicle electrification futures and
associated changes in electric power generation.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM NOX) Tons of ozone season NOx emissions from electric power generation sources.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
355,000
344,000
332,000
Tons
Actual
464.999
443.764
389,170
341,082
359,124
326,722
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$293.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
26 Clean Air Act § 110(a)(2)(D).
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(+$14,274.0 / +17.7 FTE) This program change is an increase in support for emissions
trading programs, including associated data systems, that protect human health and the
environment by delivering substantial emissions reductions in the power sector of SO2,
NOx, and hazardous air pollutants. This proposal expands EPA's ability to perform
advanced power sector analyses to tackle the climate crisis, including developing
environmental justice tools to consider the distributional impacts of emissions on
overburdened communities. This investment includes $3,205 million in payroll costs.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act.
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Climate Protection
Program Area: Clean Air and Climate
Goal: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective(s): Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
ihivironnicnliil I'ro^rums Muiui^cnicnl
SI 00.2 f, ~
s 101.000
SI '0.512
v.y.i/j
Science & Technology
$6,723
$8,750
$10,724
$1,974
Total Budget Authority
$106,990
$109,750
$181,236
$71,486
Total Workyears
209.3
216.1
256.7
40.6
Program Project Description:
EPA's Climate Protection Program is working to tackle the climate crisis at home and abroad
through an integrated approach of regulations, partnerships, and technical assistance. This Program
takes strong action to limit carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane emissions as well as working to
reduce high-global warming potential greenhouse gases (GHG), like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
that will help the U.S. realize near-term climate benefits. Through this program, EPA works with
federal, state, tribal, local government agencies and key GHG emitting sectors to tackle the climate
crisis and deliver environmental and public health benefits for all Americans. EPA builds
partnerships, provides tools, and verifies and publishes GHG data, economic modeling, and policy
analysis, all of which increase the understanding of climate science, impacts, and protection. EPA
also extends this expertise internationally and plays critical roles in shaping and advancing
international agreements and solutions. This international collaboration helps to both improve
public health and air quality in the United States and level the global playing field for American
businesses.
Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program:
EPA implements the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program under the Clean Air Act. In 2007,
Congress directed EPA to "require mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions above
appropriate thresholds in all sectors of the economy of the U.S." EPA annually collects data from
over 8,100 facilities from 41 industrial source categories, including suppliers (e.g., producers,
importers, and exporters of GHGs) and uses this data to: 1) improve estimates included in the
Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks; 2) support federal and state-level policy
and regulatory development; 3) share GHG emissions; and 4) share data with state and local
governments, tribes, community groups, industry stakeholders, academia, the research community,
and the general public.
Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks:
To fulfill U.S. Treaty obligations under Article 4 of the 1992 Framework Convention on Climate
Change, which was ratified by the U.S. Senate, EPA prepares the annual Inventory of U.S.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (Inventory). The Inventory provides information on total
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annual U.S. emissions and removals by source, economic sector, and GHG. The Inventory is used
to inform U.S. policy and for tracking progress towards the U.S. Nationally Determined
Contribution under the Paris Agreement. EPA leads the interagency process of preparing the
Inventory, working with technical experts from numerous federal agencies, including the
Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration, Department of Agriculture,
Department of Defense, U.S. Geological Survey, and academic and research institutions.
Managing the Transition from Ozone-Depleting Substances:
EPA implements efforts directed by Section 612 of the CAA to ensure a smooth transition away
from ozone-depleting substances (ODS) to safer alternatives. Applying a comparative risk
assessment, the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program evaluates the health and
environmental effects of alternatives in the sectors and subsectors where ODS and high-global
warming potential HFCs are used, providing additional substitute options in key sectors such as
refrigeration and air conditioning.
Phasing Down HFCs:
EPA implements the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, enacted to address
climate damaging HFCs by phasing down its production and consumption; maximizing
reclamation and minimizing releases of HFCs and their substitutes from equipment; and
facilitating the transition to next-generation technologies through sector-based restrictions. This
phasedown will decrease the production and import of HFCs in the United States by at least 85
percent by 2036, resulting in significant climate benefits.
ENERGY STAR:
ENERGY STAR is the national symbol for energy efficiency, recognized by more than 90 percent
of American households, and is a critical tool to fight the climate crisis. ENERGY STAR addresses
barriers in the market so that consumers and businesses can make informed decisions to reduce
energy use, save money, and reduce harmful air pollutants. By reducing energy use, ENERGY
STAR lowers costs for states and local governments as they design and implement plans to meet
their air quality and climate goals.
ENERGY STAR achieves significant and growing GHG reductions by promoting the adoption
of cost-effective, energy-efficient technologies and practices in the residential, commercial, and
industrial sectors. The Program yields significant environmental and economic results through
its network of thousands of partners. In 2020 alone, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped
American families and businesses save more than 520 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and
avoid $42 billion in energy costs. These savings resulted in emission reductions of more than 400
million metric tons of GHGs (roughly equivalent to more than five percent of U.S. total GHG
emissions) and more than 440 thousand tons of criteria air pollutants (SO2, NOx, PM2.5). ENERGY
STAR's criteria pollutant reductions are estimated to result in $7 billion to $17 billion in public
health benefits.27 These investments in turn drive job creation across the economy. More than
700,000 Americans are employed in manufacturing or installing ENERGY STAR certified
27 For more information on ENERGY STAR's environmental, human health, and economic impacts, please see here:
https://www.energYstar.gov/ impacts. For more information on ENERGY STAR calculation methods, see the Technical Notes,
available here: https://cniadniin.eiiergvstar.gov/sites/default/files/asset/docunient/Techmcal%20Notes.pdf.
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equipment alone - roughly 35 percent of all energy efficiency jobs in 2020, with energy efficiency
accounting for 40 percent of all energy sector jobs overall.28
EPA manages the ENERGY STAR Program with clearly defined support from the U.S.
Department of Energy. Specifically, EPA manages and implements the specification development
process for more than 75 product categories and the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient recognition
program; the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction Program for single-family homes,
manufactured homes, and multifamily buildings; and the ENERGY STAR commercial and
industrial programs. This work includes activities such as certification monitoring and verification;
setting performance levels for building types; managing and maintaining the ENERGY STAR
Portfolio Manager tool to measure and track energy use in buildings; and managing the integrity
of the ENERGY STAR brand.
ENERGY STAR's IT portfolio is the foundation for program operation, partner communications,
data collection, and analysis. The portfolio includes Portfolio Manager, which is the backbone of
roughly 50 mandatory local benchmarking programs across the country; the qualified products
exchange, the repository of information on ENERGY STAR products; the ENERGY STAR
website, which is the program's primary means of communication with partners and citizens and
receives over eight million visits per year; and ES Connect, a customer database used to track and
communicate with thousands of stakeholders. All of these resources are supported by a robust
cloud-based IT infrastructure to ensure performance, reliability, and security for ENERGY STAR
stakeholders.
ENERGY STAR also supports equitable energy solutions that can deliver significant cost savings
for low-income families and other overburdened and underserved populations. The Program
prioritizes outreach to low-income populations on products that have the greatest opportunity to
save energy and dollars. The ENERGY STAR Program also looks for affordable alternatives to
products that may be cost-prohibitive, such as replacement windows (e.g., storm windows). In the
residential new construction sector, a quarter of active home builders that partner with ENERGY
STAR are involved in the construction of affordable housing, and more than 75 percent of
ENERGY STAR certified multifamily high-rise buildings are identified as affordable housing.
Over 675 Habitat for Humanity affiliates have built a total of 19,500 ENERGY STAR certified
homes and apartments to date, and over 150 manufactured housing plant partners have constructed
more than 155,000 ENERGY STAR certified manufactured homes.29
Renewable Energy Programs:
EPA works with industry and other key groups to promote climate leadership and encourage
efficient, clean technologies. For example, EPA's Green Power Partnership drives voluntary
participation in the U.S. green power market. This program provides information, technical
assistance, and recognition to companies that use green power at or above minimum partnership
benchmarks. At the end of calendar year 2020, more than 700 EPA Green Power Partners reported
the collective use of nearly 70 billion kilowatt-hours of green power annually. This amount of
28 NASEO and Energy Futures Initiative. (2020). U.S. Energy and Employment Report. https://www.energY.gov/useer (link is
external). The survey does not account for retail employment.
29 For more information on ENERGY STAR's residential program, including affordable new construction, please visit:
https://www.eiiergYstar.gov/about/origiiis mission/energy star overview/about energy star residential sector;
https://wwiv.eiiergystar.gov/about/origiiis mission/energy star overview/about.
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green power use represents nearly 43 percent of the U.S. voluntary green power market (that goes
beyond required purchases under state renewable portfolio standards). Since 2001, the Program
has helped prevent nearly 320 million metric tons of GHG emissions.30 In addition, EPA's Green
Power Partnership also recognizes more than 100 EPA Green Power Communities nationwide that
advance green power access and use to their community members. EPA also establishes norms of
climate leadership by encouraging organizations with emerging climate objectives to identify and
achieve cost-effective GHG emission reductions, while helping more advanced organizations drive
innovations in reducing their greenhouse gas impacts in their supply chains and beyond.
State. Tribal and Local Climate and Energy Programs:
EPA works with state, tribal and local governments to identify and implement cost-effective
programs that reduce GHG emissions, save energy, improve air quality, and mitigate heat islands.
EPA provides the necessary tools, data, and technical expertise to help subnational governments
implement energy efficiency and clean energy policies and programs that reduce emissions,
maximize co-benefits, and prioritize low-income and vulnerable communities. Through
trainings, webinars, outreach, and technical assistance, the Programs help dozens of state and
local governments develop emissions inventories and analyze the emissions impacts and health
benefits of energy efficiency and clean energy strategies. Many more subnational governments use
the Programs' resources and policy guidebooks to discover best practices for emissions reductions
and heat island mitigation. These programs also highlight best practices on how to deliver inclusive
climate programs that benefit low-income communities and improve energy justice.
SmarfWav Transport:
Launched in 2004, SmartWay is the only voluntary program working across the entire freight
system to comprehensively address economic and environmental goals related to sustainability.
Nearly 4,000 businesses that receive, ship, or carry freight rely upon SmartWay supply chain
accounting tools and methods to assess, track, and reduce transportation-related carbon, energy
use, and air emissions. By accelerating deployment of cleaner, more efficient technologies and
operational strategies across supply chains, SmartWay partners have avoided significant amounts
of pollution, helping to address the climate crisis and contributing to healthier air for underserved
and overburdened communities living close to freight hubs and routes. Improving supply chain
efficiency also helps grow the economy and protect and create jobs while contributing to energy
security.
EPA is the SmartWay brand manager and is responsible for the specification process for hundreds
of product and vehicle categories, including both family (passenger) vehicles and commercial
(heavy-duty freight truck and trailer) vehicles, and the SmartWay Partnership and SmartWay
Affiliate recognition programs. EPA's technology verification program enables manufacturers to
voluntarily demonstrate fuel saving and emission reduction performance using standard testing
protocols. SmartWay partner fleets as well as others in the trucking industry use EPA's verified
technology lists to identify products that have been demonstrated to save fuel and reduce
emissions.
30 For more information on EPA's Green Power Partnership's environmental, human health, and economic impacts, please visit:
https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/green-power-partnership-program-results.
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Partnerships to Reduce Methane Emissions:
EPA operates several partnership programs that promote cost-effective reductions of methane by
working collaboratively with industry. Methane programs offer excellent opportunities for
reducing the concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere and providing an energy resource in the
process. Methane is a significant source of GHG emissions and has a relatively short atmospheric
lifetime of about 9 to 15 years, which means that reductions made today will yield positive results
in the near term.
Unlike other GHGs, methane is an important energy resource that allows for cost-effective
mitigation. There are many opportunities to recover and re-use or sell methane from the agriculture
(manure management), coal mining, oil and gas, and landfill sectors. The AgSTAR program,
which is a collaboration between EPA and the U. S. Department of Agriculture, focuses on
methane emission reductions from livestock waste management operations through biogas
recovery systems. The Coalbed Methane Outreach Program promotes opportunities to profitably
recover and use methane emitted from coal mining activities. The Landfill Methane Outreach
Program promotes abatement and energy recovery of methane emitted from landfills. The Natural
Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program spurs the adoption of cost-effective technologies and
practices that reduce methane emissions from the oil and natural gas sector through collaborative
partnerships with companies.
EPA also manages the implementation of the Global Methane Initiative (GMI), a U.S. led
international public-private partnership that brings together over 45 partner governments and over
700 private sector and non-governmental organizations to advance methane recovery and use. GMI
builds on the success of EPA's domestic methane programs and focuses on advancing methane
reductions from agriculture, coal mines, landfills, oil and gas systems, and municipal wastewater.
With assistance from several agencies—particularly EPA and U.S. State Department—the U.S.
Government has supported identification and implementation of more than 1,100 methane
mitigation projects since 2005. These projects have reduced methane emissions by about 500
million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02e), including approximately 42
MMTC02e in 2020. Since 2005, U.S. efforts under the auspices of GMI leveraged more than $650
million for project implementation and training and provided trainings for more than 50,000 people
in methane mitigation.31
Partnerships to Reduce Fluorinated Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
EPA operates partnership programs that promote cost-effective reductions of fluorinated
greenhouse gases (FGHG) by working collaboratively with industry. EPA's FGHG partnership
programs continue to make significant reductions in potent GHG emissions, such as
perfluorocarbons, HFCs, nitrogen trifluoride, and sulfur hexafluoride. Through its partnership
programs, EPA works closely with participating industries to identify cost-effective emissions
reduction opportunities, recognize industry accomplishments, and facilitate the transition toward
environmentally friendlier technologies and chemicals and best environmental practices. Although
FGHGs account for a small portion of total U.S. GHG emissions, they have very high global
warming potentials.
31For more information on the Global Methane Initiative's environmental, human health, and economic impacts, please visit:
https://www.epa.gov/gmi/us-government-global-methane-initiative-accomplishments.
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Science. Economic, and Technical Analyses:
EPA conducts a range of economic, scientific, and technical analyses for CAA regulatory actions
and to support the Administration's efforts to address climate change. These efforts include the
communication of the science of climate change to the public by providing information on the
indicators of climate change, climate risks, and actions that can be taken to mitigate the impacts.
EPA applies an analytical framework to evaluate avoided risk and economic impacts of GHG
mitigation. These efforts also include the development of multiple models and tools to project
future multipollutant emissions (including GHGs) from the power sector to inform EPA's air
quality modeling and air, water, and land regulations affecting power plants. EPA applies
modeling tools and expertise across a wide range of high priority work areas, including supporting
U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement, providing analysis and technical expertise to the U.S.
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and other interagency partners to support U. S. engagement
with foreign governments on climate change, and conducting legislative analyses as requested by
Congressional staff. Furthermore, EPA provides critical, world-renowned non-CCh, agriculture,
and forestry analyses and participates in the interagency process to improve and apply the models
and analyses as needed. Moreover, EPA is expanding its ability to conduct equity and
environmental justice analyses to identify policy implications and improve collaboration with
underserved and frontline communities.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 1/Objective 1.1, Reduce Emissions that Cause
Climate Change in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting additional resources to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while
also addressing environmental justice through an integrated approach of regulations, partnerships,
and technical assistance. The increase enables EPA to take strong action on CO2 and methane as
well as high-global warming potential climate pollutants such as HFCs, as directed by the AIM
Act; restores the capacity of EPA's climate partnership programs to provide essential contributions
to our Nation's climate, economic, and justice goals; and strengthens EPA's capacity to apply its
modeling tools and expertise across a wide range of high priority work areas including supporting
U. S. participation in the Paris Agreement. EPA also is requesting $5 million in additional resources
to support implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund under the Inflation Reduction
Act. Finally, in coordination with NASA, EPA is also requesting an additional $5 million to study
and prototype capabilities for a greenhouse gas monitoring and information system that will
integrate data from a variety of sources with a goal of making data more accessible and usable to
federal, state, and local governments, researchers, the public, and other users.
EPA will continue to implement the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which currently covers a
total of 41 sectors with approximately 8,100 reporters. In FY 2024, resources are requested for
anticipated rule making actions including revisions to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program to
require enhanced reporting of emissions from U.S. industrial sectors, including methane emissions
from the oil and natural gas sector. In FY 2024, EPA will verify 98 percent of Annual Greenhouse
Gas Reports from these sectors. Focus areas for the Program will include:
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Completing a pending rulemaking to update, streamline, and enhance the scope and quality
of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program across multiple sectors, including oil and gas as
well as carbon capture projects.
• Aligning the electronic greenhouse gas reporting tool (e-GGRT) with those regulatory
amendments and perform system enhancements to accommodate HFC supply data
submitted by industry to meet the reporting requirements of the AIM Act regulations.
Conducting a verification process through a combination of electronic checks, staff reviews,
and follow-up with facilities.
• Publishing reported data while enhancing the Facility Level Information on Greenhouse
Gases Tool (FLIGHT) mapping feature to visually display the distribution of GHG
emissions and sources of GHG supply in areas of the country having environmental justice
and equity concerns.
Continuing the review and decision-making on the increased number of Carbon Capture
and Storage Monitoring Reporting and Verification plans that are submitted to the GHG
Reporting Program due to changes in the IRS 45Q tax code; and
• Initiating administrative actions, including one or more rulemakings, using Inflation
Reduction Act appropriated funds to revise the GHGRP subpart W - Petroleum and Natural
Gas Systems and develop the Waste Emissions Charge. It is expected that implementation
of the resulting programs will continue after FY 2024 under this Climate Protection
Program.
In addition, EPA will work to complete the annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Emissions and
Sinks (Inventory). In FY 2024, resources are requested to enhance the data collection, reporting and
publication processes, while also supporting reconciliation and convergence of bottom-up and top-
down approaches to measuring methane emissions, ensuring EPA continues to meet the legally
binding treaty obligations. Focus areas will include:
Continuing improvements to inventory methodologies in areas such as oil and gas, land-
use, and waste, consistent with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guidelines,
and to meet upcoming Paris reporting requirements.
• Disaggregating the national Inventory to the state level and publishing the results annually
through the online Data Explorer tool.
• Furthering work to make use of advanced observation technologies, including through
developing the capacity to publish an annual gridded methane inventory, which is essential
for use by atmospheric researchers and as input to other studies.
Creating a new GHG emission calculator, linked to Portfolio Manager, to develop building
GHG inventories that fully comply with accounting protocols and local mandates; and
• Enhancing GHG inventory tools and technical assistance to states, local governments, and
tribes.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement the ENERGY STAR Program, partnering with
more than 840 utilities (representing an annual collective investment of $7.6 billion in energy
efficiency programs) from state and local governments, plus nonprofits. These partners leverage
ENERGY STAR in their efficiency programs to achieve GHG reductions in major economic
sectors, consistent with national commitments. In FY 2024, ENERGY STAR also will continue
to modernize its IT infrastructure, including moving existing software to open-source, cloud-
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based solutions to improve system performance and reliability while also reducing operational
costs. ENERGY STAR will further prioritize usability of its web-based tools and resources for
both partners and the general public.
All 40+ cities and states that have developed mandatory energy requirements for existing
commercial and multifamily buildings (e.g., benchmarking, disclosure, and energy or climate
performance) rely on EPA's Portfolio Manager (EPA's online tool for building managers to
measure and track energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions) and work
with EPA on implementation. In FY 2024, additional resources would be used to ensure the
systems and tools that are needed for state and local legal compliance are both able to meet those
state/local needs (including streamlined access and data entry for small and under-resourced
building owners) and meet Federal IT requirements (e.g., privacy, security, 508).
The Climate Protection Partnerships Division also will support the Inflation Reduction Act's
expanded incentives - including tax credits and/or rebates for consumers, businesses, and owners
of commercial and multifamily buildings that explicitly rely on ENERGY STAR - through both
an information hub and targeted outreach and technical assistance to potential users of these
incentives.
In accordance with an MOU with DOE, EPA has an obligation to review and update ENERGY
STAR specifications on a regular cycle. Failure to update these specifications undermines EPA's
commitments under this MOU and risks a situation where ENERGY STAR specifications would
be less rigorous than DOE's regulatory standards, or national model energy codes and advanced
state-level codes for new construction, which introduces the possibility of legal risk to the Agency.
In FY 2024, the Agency is requesting additional resources to address the growing backlog of
ENERGY STAR specifications that are overdue for review and update.
ENERGY STAR will work in the Residential Sector to enable and accelerate the adoption of energy
efficiency. In FY 2024, the Program will:
• Update up to five product specifications for ENERGY STAR-labeled products to ensure
top efficiency performance and complete development of a specification for up to one
new product type.
• Further amend up to two ENERGY STAR specifications in response to changes in
Department of Energy (DOE) minimum efficiency standards and test procedures.
Complete the stakeholder process across all relevant commercial product specifications to
prioritize labeling of efficient, electric products.
• Administer third-party certification to ensure consumer confidence in more than 75
categories for ENERGY STAR labeled products, which includes overseeing 500
recognized laboratories worldwide and more than 20 certification bodies.
• Further drive long-term climate goals by advancing the cutting edge of the current and
future market through the ENERGY STAR Emerging Technology Awards and the
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient recognition program, which recognizes over 3,300 product
models from nearly 260 manufacturers.
• Leverage the market power of the ENERGY STAR brand through the ENERGY STAR
Home Upgrade to quickly scale home energy retrofits featuring the high impact, broadly
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applicable measures (e.g., heat pumps and heat pump water heaters) that are critical to
efficiently decarbonizing the residential sector.
Target energy-saving resources to underserved and energy burdened households with
expanded efforts to leverage the ENERGY STAR market power to advance utility-scale
uptake of equitable financing approaches for home energy upgrades, a key opportunity to
support environmental justice goals.
Continue to develop and implement critical updates of program requirements for EPA's
ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction programs in response to newly developed
and adopted national model codes and unique states codes, such as California, to ensure that
the program continues to deliver at least 10 percent energy savings; and
• Accelerate deployment of the ENERGY STAR NextGen Homes and Apartments program
that provides additional recognition for new homes and apartments that include efficient
electric technologies and electric vehicle charging capability.
In addition, ENERGY STAR will continue to partner with businesses and public-sector
organizations to advance energy efficiency in the commercial sector. In FY 2024, the program
will:
Continue to operate and maintain ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, as well as deliver
critical enhancements to accommodate the more than 300 commercial software vendors
and utilities that use the tool, and add reporting and tracking functionality and enhanced
data quality checks to increase support to corporate and federal, state and local government
users;
• Update and expand ENERGY STAR building scores, used to understand how a building's
energy consumption compares with similar buildings nationwide.
• Verify the efficiency of more than 6,000 buildings with EPA's ENERGY STAR label,
including conducting approximately 250 spot audits.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to the many local governments and states that
are exploring or have adopted building performance standards, as well as continue to
support jurisdictions that have adopted mandatory or voluntary energy benchmarking and
disclosure policies that rely on EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and related
tools; and
• Deploy a new ENERGY STAR-based certification program to recognize the next
generation of existing commercial and multifamily buildings that demonstrate achievement
of top efficiency plus low carbon emissions through efficient electrification and use of
renewable energy.
ENERGY STAR will continue to work with partners in the industrial sector to improve efficiency
and reduce costs while protecting the environment. In FY 2024, the Program will:
Continue to support ENERGY STAR industrial partners across 33 diverse industrial
sectors through webinars, focus industry meetings, company-to-company mentoring, and
recognition of efficient plants.
• Update and develop new Energy Performance Indicators to incorporate key factors that
impact energy use in the plant and convert electricity inputs to source energy.
• Work with, review, and audit an expected 200 industrial plants applications registered to
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achieve the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry in which industrial sites commit to
reducing their energy intensity by 10 percent within five years; and
• Deploy scalable guidance and technical assistance to increase efficiency in lower-resourced
small and medium sized industries.
EPA will implement the Green Power Partnership and other activities to accelerate the transition to
a carbon-pollution free electricity sector. In FY 2024, the Program will:
• Update and develop new credible resources, educational tools, and recognition of actions
and leadership to incentivize all sectors of Green Power Partners.
• Foster market leadership through the Green Power Leadership Awards that focus on the
aggressive actions of Partners to facilitate use of green power within their own operations,
supply chains, underserved communities, and among Partner employees.
• Partner with over 130 Green Power Communities to encourage local efforts to increase their
use of and investment in renewable electricity, including underserved communities that
have traditionally lacked adequate access to green power.
• Promote cost-effective corporate GHG management practices that support the
measurement and management of corporate-wide emissions through expanded staffing and
outreach capabilities for the Center for Corporate Climate Leadership; and
• Maintain, update, and expand widely utilized tools, such as the Emissions Factor Hub, that
are key to ensuring accurate and credible estimations of corporate greenhouse gas
emissions and reporting practices in the measurement and management of greenhouse gas
emissions.
In FY 2024, EPA will implement the State and Local Climate and Energy Program to support state,
local, and tribal actions that are essential to tackling the climate crisis, reducing pollution, and
promoting equity and environmental justice in clean energy programs. Focus areas of the Program
will include:
• Providing technical support to dozens of state, tribal, and local governments as they
implement climate and clean energy policies for efficiency, renewables, and efficient
electrification; provide increased support on equity and environmental justice in clean
energy policy design;
• Updating major analytical tools to enable state, tribal and local governments to develop
and analyze GHG inventories, pollutant emissions reductions, and public health co-benefits
of efficiency, renewables, and efficient electrification.
Conducting outreach and training on tools to hundreds of state and local officials as well
as increased collaboration with other EPA offices and regions. Focus on energy efficiency
and efficient electrification analytics.
• Providing guidebooks and best practices to states and local governments on energy
efficiency and efficient electrification program design through webinars and convenings
for state and local policymakers; and
• Helping local governments implement heat island reduction initiatives that are a priority of
vulnerable communities by promoting best practices, updating technical resources, and
engaging stakeholders.
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In FY 2024, EPA will continue to achieve significant reductions in climate and other harmful
emissions from freight transportation by expanding SmartWay efforts to:
• Develop and refine GHG accounting protocols for freight carriers and their customers.
Continue to provide expertise and serve as a technical test bed in support of the Agency's
efforts to reduce GHG emissions.
Continue to transition SmartWay partner tools to an online platform making it easier to
benchmark and track performance and expanding access to SmartWay for smaller
businesses.
• Encourage adoption of SmartWay approaches globally under international frameworks and
agreements, including co-administering SmartWay with Canada and continue a SmartWay
pilot in Mexico.
Contribute to development and dissemination of an International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) standard to calculate GHG from transportation operations; and,
• Update GHG requirements for federal purchases of passenger vehicles under the Energy
Independence and Security Act as needed.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to mitigate domestic methane and fluorinated greenhouse gases
emissions by implementing partnership outreach programs focused on providing technical
information on best practices and cost-effective technologies in the petroleum and natural gas
systems, municipal solid waste landfills, livestock manure anaerobic digestion and biogas systems,
coal mining, and electric power transmission sectors. EPA's GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration
Partnership Program will continue to work with key sectors transitioning from ODS and HFCs to
promoting lower global warming potential and improved more energy-efficient technologies. The
Responsible Appliance Disposal Program partners achieve emissions reductions by collecting and
disposing of appliances containing ODS and HFCs.
EPA also will continue implementing and promoting global methane mitigation opportunities
across multiple sectors (oil and gas, coal mining, municipal solid waste, wastewater,
agriculture/manure management) in support of the GMI by:
• Running the secretariat of the GMI, coordinating and organizing overall activities.
• Providing technical leadership across multiple sectors.
Coordinating with key methane-focused initiatives such as United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe, Climate & Clean Air Coalition, and the International Energy
Agency; and
Serving Administration-level priorities, such as the Global Methane Pledge.
In FY 2024, EPA will maintain and enhance the climate change website by updating scientific
material and further developing web products that reach the American public and effectively
communicate the causes and effects of climate change and Administration priorities. EPA also will
support the State Department as the technical lead in developing both current and additional
measure projections and compiling information on GHG mitigation policies and measures to assess
our progress towards meeting our Nationally Determined Contribution goal. These projections and
actions will be included in the upcoming first U.S. Biennial Transparency Report, as required by
the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement.
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EPA will continue our United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change engagement by
serving as negotiators on U.S. delegations, for example, on transparency and markets, and working
to assess mitigation potential and information from other countries. EPA also will review national
inventory and related reports submitted by other countries, including other major economies such
as Brazil, Germany, and China.
EPA will continue to improve work on climate change impacts modeling including how risks and
economic impacts can be reduced under mitigation and adaptation scenarios by:
• Advancing the scientific literature on climate impacts through the Climate Change
Impacts and Risk Analysis project by publishing and applying sectoral impact
methodologies and reduced form approaches to improve analytical and communication
capacity.
Quantifying and monetizing the disproportionate risks of climate change on socially
vulnerable populations.
Continuing to make the Climate Change Indicators more accessible through enhanced
visualization tools; and
Collaborating with the interagency U.S. Global Change Research Program through
participation in the National Climate Assessment and other key Program activities.
EPA also will analyze program data on GHG emissions from petroleum and natural gas facilities
and support Agency regulatory development by:
• Developing more detailed oil and gas projections to support the nationally determined
contributions under the Paris Agreement; and
• Performing technical analyses, regulatory development, regulatory impact analyses, and
litigation support.
EPA also will analyze program data on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants by:
• Developing regulations, conducting regulatory impact analyses, and model emission
projections to address criteria and toxic air pollutants as well as greenhouse gases from the
power sector;
• Providing economic analyses and power sector modeling to inform a holistic picture of
multipollutant and multimedia regulation of the sector; and
Conducting detailed analytics and extensive public engagement to integrate environmental
justice into policy development for power sector rules.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM CPP) Million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced annually by EPA's climate partnership
programs.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
486.9
500.7
513.9
MMTC02e
Actual
442.2
505.6
518.4
529.6
]);il;i Avail
11/2023
Data Avail
11/2024
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(PM REP) Percentage of Annual Greenhouse Gas Emission Reports verified by EPA before publication.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
95
65
98
98
98
Percent
Actual
96
97
96
95
99
97
Numerator
7,828
7,821
7,867
7,722
7,935
7,877
Reports
Denominator
8,127
8,061
8,165
8,126
8,029
8,141
(PM HFC) Remaining U.S. consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
273.5
273.5
182.3
MMTC02e
Actual
Data Avail
11/2023
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$951.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$60,278.0 / +37.3 FTE) This program change is an increase for programs under this
program project that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also addressing
environmental justice through an integrated approach of regulations, partnerships, and
technical assistance. The increase enables EPA to take strong action on CO2 and methane
as well as high-global warming potential climate pollutants such as HFCs, as directed by
the AIM Act; restores the capacity of EPA's climate partnership programs to provide
essential contributions to our nation's climate, economic, and justice goals; and strengthens
EPA's capacity to apply its modeling tools and expertise across a wide range of high
priority work areas including supporting U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement. This
investment ensures the Agency will achieve the intended outputs and outcomes represented
by its climate partnership, GHG report verification, and HFC phaseout performance
targets. This investment includes $7,159 million for payroll.
(+$5,000.0) This program change is an increase for EPA, in coordination with NASA, to
study and prototype capabilities for a greenhouse gas monitoring and information system
that will integrate data from a variety of sources with a goal of making data more accessible
and usable to federal, state, and local governments, researchers, the public, and other users.
(+$5,000.0) This program change is an increase to support implementation of the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund under the Inflation Reduction Act.
(+$185.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements.
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Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act; Global Change Research Act of 1990; Global Climate Protections Act; Energy
Policy Act of 2005 § 756; Pollution Prevention Act §§ 6602-6605; National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) § 102; Clean Water Act § 104; Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) § 8001; American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM)
Act.
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Federal Stationary Source Regulations
Program Area: Clean Air and Climate
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$26,821
$30,344
$47,468
$17,124
Total Budget Authority
$26,821
$30,344
$47,468
$17,124
Total Workyears
103.9
124.5
165.3
40.8
Program Project Description:
The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires EPA to take action to improve and protect air quality and limit
emissions of harmful air pollutants from a variety of sources. The CAA directs EPA to set National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six "criteria" pollutants considered harmful to public
health and the environment. The criteria pollutants are particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), sulfur
dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and lead (Pb). The CAA requires
EPA to review the science upon which the NAAQS are based and the standards themselves every
five years. These national standards form the foundation for air quality management and establish
goals that protect public health and the environment. Section 109 of the CAA Amendments of
1990 established two types of NAAQS. Primary standards are set at a level requisite to protect
public health with an adequate margin of safety. Secondary standards are set at a level requisite to
protect public welfare from any known or anticipated adverse effects.
Sections 111, 112, and 129 of the CAA direct EPA to take actions to control air emissions of toxic,
criteria, and other pollutants from stationary sources. Specifically, to address air toxics, the CAA
Section 112 program provides for the development of National Emission Standards for Hazardous
Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for major sources and area sources; the assessment and, as necessary,
regulation of risks remaining after implementation of NESHAP that are based on Maximum
Available Control Technology (MACT); the periodic review and revision of the NESHAP to
reflect developments in practices, processes, and control technologies; and associated national
guidance and outreach. In addition, EPA must periodically review, and, where appropriate, revise
both the list of air toxics subject to regulation and the list of source categories for which standards
must be developed.
The CAA Section 111 program requires issuing, reviewing, and periodically revising, as
necessary, New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for certain pollutants from listed categories
of new, modified, or reconstructed sources of air emissions; issuing emissions guidelines for states
to apply to certain existing sources; and providing guidance on Reasonably Available Control
Technology through issuance and periodic review and revision of control technique guidelines.
The CAA Section 129 program further requires EPA to develop and periodically review standards
of performance and emissions guidelines covering air emissions from waste combustion sources.
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Sections 169A and 169B of the CAA require protection of air quality related values (AQRV) for
156 congressionally mandated national parks and wilderness areas, known as Class I areas.
Visibility is one such AQRV, and Congress established a national goal of returning visibility in the
Class I areas to natural conditions, i.e., the visibility conditions which existed without manmade
air pollution. The Regional Haze Rule sets forth the requirements that state plans must satisfy to
make reasonable progress towards meeting this national goal.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.1, Improve Air Quality and Reduce
Localized Pollution and Health Impacts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting additional resources to finalize review of the Residual Risk and
Technology Review (RTR) for the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for power plants, as well as
rules to limit GHG emissions from new and existing sources in the power sector and new and
existing facilities in the oil and gas sector. This increase also implements a strategy to meet
statutory deadlines for Risk and Technology Reviews of Maximum Achievable Control
Technology standards, per corrective action commitments made in response to OIG
recommendations in FY 2022 which include requesting required resources,32 and propose or
finalize actions in rulemakings with court-ordered deadlines occurring in FY 2024.
NAAOS
The President directed EPA to review the 2020 PM NAAQS and the 2020 Ozone NAAQS in
accordance with Executive Order 13990: Protecting Public Health and the Environment and
Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. EPA requests resources for FY 2024 to better
incorporate science and input from the reestablished Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and
assess information received during the public process for rulemakings to complete these reviews.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue reviewing additional NAAQS, including lead, primary nitrogen and
NOx/SOx/PM Secondary reviews, make revisions, as appropriate, and requests resources
commensurate to support these reviews. Each review involves a comprehensive reexamination,
synthesis, and evaluation of scientific information, the design and conduct of complex air quality
and risk and exposure analyses, and the development of a comprehensive policy assessment
providing analysis of the scientific basis for alternative policy options.
With FY 2024 resources, EPA will initiate a multi-phased process for improving air pollution
benefits analysis methods to improve the science it uses to quantify benefits from air quality
regulations. This is one of the learning priority areas as part of the Agency's Learning Agenda in
the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan. EPA will develop a draft benefits Guidelines document
outlining best practices for incorporating new scientific information into methods for benefits
analysis. This will be followed by additional reviews of specific methods and applications. This
effort will help ensure transparency and confidence in the process for selecting and applying the
latest science in benefits analysis. EPA also will improve tools and approaches to enable more
robust analysis of program impacts on vulnerable communities. EPA will work to achieve and
32 The EPA Needs to Develop a Strategy to Complete Overdue Residual Risk and Technology Reviews and to Meet the Statutory
Deadlines for Upcoming Reviews. March 30,2022. Pages: At-A-Glance, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 25,26, & 27.
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-03/ epaoig 20220330-22-e-0026.pdf.
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maintain compliance with any existing standards. These include the ozone standards established
in 2015, 2008, 1997, and 1979; the 1987 PMio standards; the 2012, 2006, and 1997 PM25
standards; the 2008 and 1978 lead standards;33 the 2010 NO2 standard;34 the 1971 CO standard;
and the 2010 SO2 standard.35 EPA, in close collaboration with states and tribes, will work to
improve air quality in areas not in attainment with the NAAQS, including assisting states and tribes
in developing CAA-compliant pollution reduction plans.
Air Toxics
Section 112(d)(6) of the CAA requires EPA to review and revise, as necessary, all NESHAP (for
both major and area sources) every eight years. These reviews include compiling information and
data already available to the Agency; collecting new information and emissions data from industry;
reviewing emission control technologies; and conducting economic analyses for the affected
industries needed for developing regulations. Similarly, Section 112(f) of the CAA requires EPA
to review the risk that remains after the implementation of MACT standards within eight years of
promulgation. In addition, Section 112 requires EPA to periodically review, and, where
appropriate, revise both the list of air toxics subject to regulation and the list of source categories
for which standards must be developed. The CAA Section 129 Program further requires EPA to
develop and periodically review standards of performance and emissions guidelines covering air
emissions from waste combustion sources.
In FY 2024, EPA will undertake multiple CAA reviews and associated rulemakings. The air toxics
program will prioritize conducting reviews of NESHAP and CAA Section 129 rules, many of which
are subject to court-ordered or court-entered dates or are actions otherwise required by courts. EPA
expects to propose or promulgate more than 15 air toxics rules in FY 2024, including those that
apply to ethylene oxide source categories such as commercial sterilizers and chemical sectors. As
part of this work and to meet the requirements of Executive Order 13990, EPA expects to finalize
its review of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for power plants in FY 2024. EPA will enhance
risk assessment capabilities to better identify and determine impacts of exposures to air toxics on
communities. The Program will prioritize its work, as resources allow, with an emphasis on
meeting court-ordered deadlines, incorporating environmental justice considerations as part of the
decision-making process. FY 2024 funds also will be used to provide outreach, training, technical
assistance, and capacity building to communities that may be affected by the rules we promulgate.
As called for in the Administrator's April 27, 2021, Memorandum Regarding Per- and
PolyfluoroalkylSubstances,36 EPA will take actions to address PFAS pollution. The Agency' s new
EPA Council on PFAS will collaborate on cross-cutting strategies; advance new science; develop
coordinated policies, regulations, and communications; and engage with affected states, tribes,
communities, and stakeholders. This includes consideration of appropriate actions using existing
CAA authorities.
As part of a forward-looking air toxics strategy, EPA will address these regulatory and emerging
issues and improve access to air toxics data. The Agency will continue its transition to an approach
33 In September 2016, EPA completed the review of the 2008 Lead NAAQS and retained the standards without revision.
34 In April 2018, EPA completed the review of the 2010 NO2 NAAQS and retained the standards without revision.
35 In February 2019, EPA completed the review of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS and retained the standards without revision.
36 https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/docunieiits/per-aiid polvfluoroalkyl substances.memo .signed.pdf.
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that develops and shares air toxics data faster and more regularly to the public, allowing for
increased transparency and the ability to see trends and risks over time. By 2024, EPA will report
the most current air toxics data each year in the annual Air Trends Report and an online interactive
tool instead of the previous three to four - year cycle for toxics data reporting and provide that data
at increased spatial resolution.
NSPS
Section 111 of the CAA requires EPA to set NSPS for new, modified, or reconstructed stationary
sources of air emissions in categories that have been determined to cause, or significantly
contribute to, air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare. Section 111 also requires
EPA, at least every eight years, to review and, if appropriate, revise NSPS for each source category
for which such standards have been established. Under CAA Section 111, EPA must establish
emission guidelines for existing sources for which air quality criteria have not been issued, are not
included in the list published under Section 108(a) or are emitted from a source category that is
regulated under Section 112, but to which a standard of performance would apply if such an
existing source were a new source.
In meeting the requirements of Executive Order 13990 and as part of the Administration's
comprehensive approach to tackling the climate crisis, EPA also will continue its work to reduce
GHGs from fossil-fuel fired power plants through new and updated Clean Air Act standards.
Electricity production generates the second largest share of GHG emissions. EPA will carefully
craft an equitable approach informed by engagement with communities and a fresh look at
pertinent policies, technology, and data. In FY 2024, EPA plans to finalize amended new source
performance standards and emission guidelines applicable to power plants that it will have
proposed under Section 111 in FY 2023. As part of this effort, EPA also will provide support for
implementation and development of state plans. These actions are key steps toward EPA's
commitment to deliver public health protections from these pollutants for communities across
America.
In FY 2024, EPA will work to fulfill the CAA's Section 111 requirements for approximately six
source categories in multiple rulemaking actions, all of which are subject to court or executive
orders or are in litigation.
EPA also will undertake other projects, such as those required by statute or executive order, such
as overdue NSPS and area source technology reviews related to source categories in addition to
those described above. EPA will continue work on case-by-case regional and national NESHAP
and NSPS applicability determinations.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM NAAQS) Percentage of air quality improvement in counties not meeting current NAAQS.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
7
8
9
Actual
3
3
7
8
10
Data Avail
11/2023
Percent
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(PM NAAQS2) Percentage of people with low socioeconomic status (SES) living in areas where the air quality
meets the PM2.5 NAAQS.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
90
93
97
Percent
Actual
86
82
82
81
85
Data Avail
11/2023
Numerator
54,121,495
52,044,172
51,560,102
48,678,558
50,304,779
People
Denominator
62,631,596
63,150,683
62,687,368
60,053,454
59,241,268
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands)
(+$1,645.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$15,479.0 / +40.8 FTE) This program change is an increase to support the regulation of
stationary sources of air pollution through developing and implementing emissions
standards, regulations, and guidelines. This includes resources to finalize review of the
Residual Risk and Technology Reviews (RTR) for the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
for power plants, as well as rules to limit GHG emissions from new and existing sources
in the power sector and new and existing facilities in the oil and gas sector and to meet
statutory and court-ordered legal deadlines. This investment includes $7,575 million in
payroll costs.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act.
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Federal Support for Air Quality Management
Program Area: Clean Air and Climate
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
SI-/S.SV-/
S14-.'IN
s Jto.n/fi
SJOSJIJ
Science & Technology
$8,494
$11,343
$10,666
-$677
Total Budget Authority
$157,387
$159,047
$366,682
$207,635
Total Workyears
827.8
879.3
1,079.7
200.4
Program Project Description:
The Federal Support for Air Quality Management Program assists state, tribal, and local air
pollution control agencies in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs for the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS); establishes standards for reducing air toxics;
and helps reduce haze and improve visibility in some of America's largest national parks and
wilderness areas.
Under this program, EPA develops federal measures and regional strategies that help to reduce
emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Delegated states have the primary responsibility
(and tribes may choose to take responsibility) for developing clean air measures necessary to meet
the NAAQS and protect visibility. At the core of this program is the use of scientific and technical
air quality and emissions data. EPA, working with states, tribes, and local air agencies, develops
methods for estimating and measuring air emissions and monitoring air quality concentrations,
collects these data, and maintains databases (e.g., Emissions Inventory System, Air Quality
System, etc.). EPA also supports training for state, tribal, and local air pollution professionals.
NAAQS Development
The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires EPA to set the NAAQS for six "criteria" pollutants considered
harmful to public health and the environment. The criteria pollutants are particulate matter (PM),
ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and lead (Pb).
Section 109 of the CAA Amendments of 1990 established two types of NAAQS - primary and
secondary standards. Primary standards are set at a level requisite to protect public health with an
adequate margin of safety, including the health of at-risk populations. Secondary standards are set
at a level requisite to protect public welfare from any known or anticipated adverse effects, such
as decreased visibility and damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings. The CAA requires
EPA to review the science upon which the NAAQS are based and the standards themselves every
five years. These national standards form the foundation for air quality management and establish
goals that protect public health and the environment.
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Air Pollution Information Tracking
For each of the six criteria pollutants, under Section 110 of the CAA, EPA tracks two kinds of air
pollution information: air pollutant concentrations based on actual measurements in the ambient
(outside) air at monitoring sites throughout the country; and pollutant emissions based on
engineering estimates or measurements of the total tons of pollutants released into the air each
year.
Air Quality Management Planning
Under CAA Section 110, EPA develops regulations and guidance to clarify requirements for state
and local air agencies for developing State Implementation Plans (SIPs) for implementing the
NAAQS. SIPs are the plans that ensure attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS. EPA works
with state and local governments to ensure the technical integrity of emission source controls in
SIPs and with tribes on Tribal Implementation Plans (TIPs). EPA also reviews SIPs to ensure they
are consistent with applicable requirements of the CAA and takes regulatory action on SIP
submissions consistent with CAA responsibilities.
New Source Review (NSR) Preconstruction Permit Program
The NSR preconstruction permit program in Title I of the CAA is a part of state plans to attain and
maintain the NAAQS. The two primary aspects of this program are the Prevention of Significant
Deterioration program, described in Section 165 of the CAA, and the Nonattainment NSR
program, described in various parts of the CAA, including Sections 173 and 182.
Outer Continental Shelf (PCS) Air Permit Program
Section 328 of the CAA establishes requirements for managing and minimizing air pollution
through the permitting of activities located offshore of the United States along the Pacific, Arctic
(except the North Slope Borough of Alaska), and Atlantic Coasts, and in certain parts of the Gulf
Coast. Additional specific requirements are codified in rulemaking. To support the nation's
transition to clean energy, EPA is developing policy and guidance applicable to offshore wind
projects being constructed on the OCS and will devote increased resources to this work in FY
2024 to support the Administration's goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by
2030 as part of the federal government's efforts to tackle climate change.
Protection of Visibility in Class I Areas
Sections 169A and 169B of the CAA require protection of visibility for 156 congressionally
mandated national parks and wilderness areas known as Class I areas. Congress established a
national goal of returning visibility in the Class I areas to natural conditions {i.e., the visibility
conditions that existed without manmade air pollution). The Regional Haze Rule sets forth the
requirements that state plans must satisfy to make reasonable progress towards meeting this
national goal.
Control of Air Toxics
Toxic air pollutants are known to cause or are suspected of causing increased risk of cancer
and other serious health effects, such as neurological damage and reproductive harm. EPA assists
state, tribal, and local air pollution control agencies in characterizing the nature and scope of their
air toxics issues through modeling, emission inventories, monitoring, and assessments. For
example, EPA maintains updated air toxic emission and exposure data, incorporating current
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toxicity data to provide recent information on air toxics risks from a national perspective and at a
local scale, where possible. EPA also supports programs that reduce inhalation risk and multi-
pathway risk posed by deposition of air toxics to water bodies and ecosystems, facilitates
international cooperation to reduce transboundary and intercontinental air toxics pollution,
develops and improves risk assessment methodologies for toxic air pollutants, and provides
training for air pollution professionals.
The provisions of the CAA that address the control of air toxics are located primarily in Section
112 and 129. Section 112 requires issuing National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants (NESHAP) for major sources and area sources; the assessment and, as necessary,
regulation of risks remaining after implementation of NESHAP that are based on Maximum
Available Control Technology (MACT); the periodic review and revision of all NESHAP to reflect
developments in practices, processes, and control technologies; and associated national guidance
and outreach. In addition, EPA must periodically review, and, where appropriate, revise both the
list of air toxics subject to regulation and the list of source categories for which standards must be
developed. EPA has promulgated rules for approximately 180 source categories to control air
toxics under Section 112 and is continually engaged in their periodic review and revision. EPA
will enhance risk assessment capabilities to better identify and determine impacts of exposures to
air toxics on communities, including communities impacted by environmental justice issues.
The Program will prioritize its work, as resources allow, with an emphasis on meeting court-
ordered deadlines and incorporating environmental justice considerations as part of the decision-
making process. Section 129 of the CAA requires a similar approach to review regulations
applicable to solid waste incinerators, as well as issuance of new source performance standards
and emission guidelines pursuant to CAA Section 111, the review of state plans to implement
those guidelines, and development of federal plans to do so if necessary. EPA has promulgated
rules for approximately six categories of solid waste incineration units to control air toxics and
criteria pollutants under Section 129, and EPA is continually engaged in their periodic review and
revision. In addition to this regulatory work, EPA also provides determinations to states and
industry seeking information about source-specific applicability of these regulations. EPA also is
making improvements to the database that tracks applicability determinations.
Climate Change
The President has prioritized action to tackle climate change with a focus on an equitable transition
to clean energy. These plans call for cuts in greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution to reduce the
contribution of human activities to climate change and its impacts on public health, while
investing in communities that are on the front line of impacts. EPA issues regulations to limit GHGs
and assists states, tribes, and local air pollution control agencies in the development,
implementation, and evaluation of programs to reduce GHG pollution. The Program also
supports the Agency's work with international partners to combat short-lived climate pollutants.
These air pollutants, including black carbon (a component of PM), methane, and tropospheric
ozone, are contributing to and accelerating the impacts of climate change. In addition, wildfire
smoke is expected to increase as a result of a changing climate, and this increase will impact an
increasingly greater number of people.
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.1, Improve Air Quality and Reduce
Localized Pollution and Health Impacts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting an additional $90.1 million and 193.4 FTE to support critical work
to implement climate and clean air regulations and programs both at headquarters and in the
regions. This includes activities such as reviewing and taking action on state plans required under
forthcoming GHG standards, priority NAAQS work, taking timely action on SIPs, reducing the
SIP backlog, air monitoring and analysis, and environmental justice activities. Also, the
Oj0f37,38,39,4o and the GAO41 have documented several programmatic goals that are not being
fulfilled as a result of insufficient resources year after year in both Headquarters and the Regions.
EPA's corrective actions commit the Agency to seeking resources for these activities.
Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act provides states with a lead implementing role and considerable
flexibility, and the development and implementation of the emission guidelines will require
extensive work to develop program implementation infrastructure; engage states, tribal nations,
and communities; assess environmental justice impacts; evaluate state plans; and ensure consistent
application of the emissions guidelines nationwide. Resources will be used to continue developing
a standard reporting system for states to use, or adapt as needed, for submitting plans and tracking
their compliance data, and ensuring that communities have access to that data.
The request also includes support for NAAQS review work and implementation activities, many
of which are increasingly complex. Critical to successful implementation is timely issuance of
rules and guidance documents, ongoing outreach to states and other entities as well as development
of NAAQS implementation and permitting-related tools. EPA will engage with states and Tribes
to develop guidance to assist air programs with meeting implementation deadlines. These critical
resources also will support efforts to reduce the SIP backlog as well as ensure timeliness of review
of incoming SIPs, permitting needs (both NAAQS and GHG-related, onshore and offshore), and
air quality monitoring and analysis needs. This increase also will enhance EPA's abilities to
forecast where smoke will impact people; identify and communicate when and where smoke
events are occurring through monitoring and AirNow's Fire and Smoke Map; build community
capacity to be Smoke Ready and reduce smoke exposure; and strengthen internal as well as state,
local, and tribal capacity to better coordinate and communicate regarding wildfire smoke and
address related regulatory activities.
37 EPA Has Reduced Its Backlog of State Implementation Plans Submitted Prior to 2013 but Continues to Face Challenges in
Taking Timely Final Actions on Submitted Plans. June 14,2021. Pages: At-A-Glance, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16,23,25,27,29, & 32.
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-06/docunieiits/ epaoig 2021()614-21-e-0163 O.pdf.
38 EPA's Title V Program Needs to Address Ongoing Fee Issues and Improve Oversight. January 12,2022. Pages: At-A-Glance,
15, 19, 22, & 25. https://www.epa.gOv/sYsteiii/files/docunieiits/2022-01/ epaoig 20220112-22-e-0017.pdf.
39 The EPA Needs to Develop a Strategy to Complete Overdue Residual Risk and Technology Reviews and to Meet the Statutory
Deadlines for Upcoming Reviews. March 30,2022. Pages: At-A-Glance, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 25,26, & 27.
https://www.epa.gov/svsteni/files/docuiiieiits/2022-Q3/ epaoig 20220330-22-e-0026.pdf.
40 EPA's Processing Times for New Source Air Permits in Indian Country Have Improved, but Many Still Exceed Regulatory
Time Frames. April 22,2020. Pages: At-A-Glance, 9, 15, 16, 24, & 31. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-
04/docunients/ epaoig 20200422-20-p-Q146.pdf.
41 AIR POLLUTION: Opportunities to Better Sustain and Modernize the National Air Quality Monitoring System. November 12,
2020. h ttps://www. gao.gov/assets/gao-21-38.pdf.
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Addressing Climate Change
EPA expects to take final action under Sections 111 and 112 in FY 2024 for actions that were
proposed in FY 2023 in accordance with Executive Order 13990, which directed EPA to revise
and address as appropriate the regulation of GHGs from fossil-fuel fired power plants. Electricity
production generates the second largest share of GHG emissions. EPA will carefully craft an
equitable approach informed by engagement with communities and a fresh look at the policies,
technology, and data. In FY 2024, EPA plans to finalize amended new source performance
standards and emission guidelines applicable to power plants that it will have proposed under
Section 111 in FY 2023. Additionally, EPA expects to finalize its review of the Mercury and Air
Toxics Standards for power plants in FY 2024.
EPA will continue to work with other countries to take action to address climate change. EPA
will consider the results of a range of international assessments to address the climate impacts of
short-lived climate pollutants. Reducing emissions of these pollutants can create near-term climate
and public health benefits. EPA will continue to identify the most significant domestic and
international sources of black carbon and ozone precursor emissions by working with the
multilateral Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the Arctic Council, the Convention on
Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP), and other related international efforts. Based
on these findings and enhanced analytical capabilities, EPA will pursue effective steps for
reducing these emissions. For instance, EPA is scaling up on-line tools and resources focused on
assisting low-and middle-income countries to implement best practices for addressing air pollution
in ways that achieve climate co-benefits.
In FY 2024, the Agency will provide on-the-ground resources to assist overburdened and
underserved communities as they work to engage on EPA's regulatory efforts and address the
impacts of climate change. These community resource coordinators will work with external
partners, such as community stakeholder organizations, other federal agencies, state, local
and regional governments, private sector entities, academic institutions, and foundations to assist
communities as they begin to plan for climate change and implement actions to increase resilience
to climate impacts.
Finally, in FY 2024 EPA is requesting an increase of $1.1 million, including payroll, and one FTE
to support implementation of EPA's Climate Adaptation Action Plan. In particular, this increase
will support priority commitments, such as actions to integrate climate adaptation into EPA
programs, policies, and processes, efforts to address climate adaptation science and data needs,
and efforts to consult and partner with outside stakeholders.
Improving Air Quality
In FY 2024, EPA requests increased resources to support efforts to maintain and rebuild
programmatic capabilities that focus on protecting clean air. Air quality has improved significantly
for communities across the country since passage of the CAA in 1970 (with amendments in 1977
and 1990). Between 1990 and 2021, for example, national average levels have decreased by 21
percent for ozone, 32 percent for coarse particulate matter, 91 percent for sulfur dioxide, and 98
percent for lead.42 In FY 2024, EPA will continue to prioritize key activities in support of attainment
42 For additional information on air quality trends, please see the Air Quality -National Summary at: https://www.epa.gov/air-
trends/air-qualitv-national-suniniarv and at Our Nation's Air: Status and Trends Through 2021.
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of the NAAQS and implementation of stationary source regulations by state, tribal, and local air
agencies. This includes activities in key nonattainment areas along the U.S.-Mexico border as part
of U.S. commitments under the Border 2025 agreement.
NAAQS Review
In FY 2024, EPA will continue its CAA-mandated responsibilities to review the science upon
which the NAAQS are based and the standards themselves. Periodic review of the NAAQS
requires significant resources and analysis of scientific and technical information to ensure for
each NAAQS that public health is protected with an adequate margin of safety, considering at-risk
populations.
The President directed EPA to review the 2020 PM NAAQS and the 2020 Ozone NAAQS in
accordance with Executive Order 13990: Protecting Public Health and the Environment and
Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. EPA expects to complete this review in FY 2023,
and resources in FY 2024 are needed to better incorporate science and input from the reestablished
Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and to assess information received during the public
process for rulemakings to finalize other NAAQS reviews, as required under the Clean Air Act. In
FY 2024, EPA will continue reviewing the lead, primary nitrogen oxides and secondary NAAQS
for sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particular matter, and has requested resources commensurate
to support these reviews. Each review involves a comprehensive reexamination, synthesis, and
evaluation of scientific information, the design and conduct of complex air quality and risk and
exposure analyses, and the development of a comprehensive policy assessment providing analysis
of the scientific basis for alternative policy options.
EPA will continue to administer the NAAQS by reviewing state implementation plans and
decisions consistent with statutory obligations; taking federal oversight actions, such as action on
SIP and TIP submittals; and developing regulations and policies to ensure continued health and
welfare protection during the transition between existing and new standards. EPA will work with
air agencies to determine the need for additional federal rulemakings and guidance documents to
support state and tribal efforts to meet CAA SIP/TIP requirements, in alignment with capacity and
priorities. EPA will provide technical and policy assistance to states and tribes developing or
revising SIPs/TIPs. To the extent that the above-referenced NAAQS reviews result in a change to
the standards, air quality designations related activities for the changed standard(s) would be
required. The timing of this work would depend on when the final NAAQS are promulgated.
NAAQS Nonattainment Areas
EPA, in close collaboration with states and tribes, will work to improve air quality in areas not in
attainment with the NAAQS, including identifying and, where necessary, redesignating to
nonattainment areas that previously were in attainment. The Agency will continue to implement
changes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the SIP process, with a goal of maximizing
the timely processing of state-requested SIP actions and reducing the backlog. The Agency also
will act on redesignation requests of nonattainment areas to attainment in a timely manner. EPA
will maximize use of its comprehensive, online State Planning Electronic Collaboration System
(SPeCS) to promote efficiencies for states to submit SIP revisions to EPA, and for EPA to track and
process state submittals. Sinceit launched in January 2018, more than 1,500 SIP submittals (about
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90 percent official submissions and 10 percent draft submittals) have come through SPeCS, and
more than 400 users have registered from all 50 states and eight air districts. EPA also will further
improve SPeCS functionality and work to provide additional transparency to the public about
NAAQS nonattainment areas, state SIP requirements, and related EPA actions.
SIPs for Regional Haze
In FY 2024, EPA will continue reviewing and taking action on regional haze SIP revisions for the
second planning period (and working on any remaining first planning period obligations). EPA
will continue to work on any outstanding SIP matters and continue providing technical assistance
to ensure that states are making reasonable progress towards their visibility improvement goals,
consistent with statutory obligations. Consistent with this, EPA may be undertaking work on
Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) as needed to fully implement the Regional Haze
requirements. Under the Regional Haze Rule, states are required to submit updates to their plans
to demonstrate how they have and will continue to make progress towards achieving their visibility
improvement goals. EPA may also be working on regulatory updates for future planning periods.
Fulfilling Legal Obligations
One ofEPA's priorities is to fulfill its statutory and court-ordered obligations. Section 112 of
the CAA sets deadlines for EPA to review and update, as necessary, all NESHAP every eight years,
accounting for developments in practices, processes, and technologies related to those standards.
Section 112 also requires that EPA conduct risk assessments within eight years of promulgation
of each MACT-based NESHAP to determine if it appropriately protects public health and to revise
it as needed and that EPA review and revise, as appropriate, the list of hazardous air pollutants.
Sections 111 and 129 similarly require review of rules promulgated under those programs to
address air pollution. In FY 2024, EPA will undertake these required reviews and associated
rulemakings. EPA will enhance risk assessment capabilities to better identify and determine
impacts on communities. The Program will prioritize conducting reviews of NESHAP and rules
issued under Sections 111 and 129, many of which are subject to court-ordered or court-entered
dates or are actions otherwise required by courts and incorporating environmental justice
considerations as part of the decision-making process. From this work, EPA expects to propose or
promulgate more than 20 rules in FY 2024.
Technical Assistance to External Government Partners
EPA will continue to assist other federal agencies and state and local governments in implementing
the conformity regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 176 of the CAA. These regulations
require federal agencies undertaking activities in nonattainment and maintenance areas to ensure
that the emissions caused by their activities will conform to the SIP.
In FY 2024, EPA also will continue to provide technical assistance to state, local, and tribal air
agencies for NSR, OCS, and Title V (operating) permits. This support will occur at appropriate
times and as requested, consistent with applicable requirements, before and during the permitting
process. EPA expects to implement such support in an efficient manner and consistent with
established timeframes for applicable oversight of state, tribal, and local air agencies during the
permitting process. Where EPA is the permitting authority for wind energy projects located on the
OCS, the Agency will prioritize timeliness in providing guidance, feedback, and review of permit
applications consistent with CAA and FAST Act (Title 41) requirements. EPA's Electronic
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Permitting System and Title V petition submittal portal will improve EPA interaction with state,
local, and tribal air agencies and the general public, and improve data availability and transparency.
EPA will assist state, tribal, and local air agencies with various technical activities. EPA develops
and provides a broad suite of analytical tools, such as: source characterization analyses; emission
factors and inventories; statistical analyses; source apportionment techniques; quality assurance
protocols and audits; improved source testing and monitoring techniques; source-specific
dispersion and regional-scale photochemical air quality models; and augmented cost/benefit tools
to assess control strategies.43 The Agency will maintain the core function of these tools (e.g.,
integrated multiple pollutant emissions inventory, air quality modeling platforms, etc.) to provide
the technical underpinnings for scientifically sound, efficient, and comprehensive air quality
management by state, local, and tribal agencies.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to provide information and assistance to Tribes, states, and
communities through documents, websites, webinars, and training sessions on tools to help them
build capacity and to provide input into environmental justice assessments that can inform risk
reduction strategies for air toxics. The Agency will continue to communicate and effectively
collaborate with communities to address a myriad of environmental concerns.
In FY 2024, EPA will provide support for critical response to the growing number of wildfire
smoke events through real-time, accessible air quality information, as well as supporting
communication documents and websites. The Agency will also enhance its partnerships across the
federal government, such as the Center for Disease Control and the U.S. Forest Service to ensure
a consistent and coherent response and deployment of technical assistance to address the public
health impacts of wildland fire smoke. EPA expects this work to support tribal, state, local, and
community needs to prepare for an increasing number of wildfires and the impacts those fires have
on public health across the country.
In FY 2024, state and local air agencies will continue to lead the implementation of the National
Air Toxics Trends Sites (NATTS). The NATTS Program is designed to capture the impacts of
widespread air toxics and is comprised of long-term monitoring sites throughout the Nation.44 EPA
will continue to consult on priority data gaps to improve the assessment of population exposure to
toxic air pollution.
Maintaining Analytical Capabilities and Continuing Data Management
EPA will maintain baseline analytical capabilities required to develop effective regulations
including: analyzing the economic impacts and health benefits of regulations and policies;
developing and refining source sampling measurement techniques to determine emissions from
stationary sources; updating dispersion models for use in source permitting; and conducting air
quality modeling that characterizes the atmospheric processes that disperse a pollutant emitted by
a source. Resources from the Science and Technology appropriation component of this program
support the scientific development of these capabilities.
43 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/techmcal-air-pollution-resources.
44 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/anitic/air-toxics-anibient-niomtoriiip.
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The President's FY 2024 budget request maintains the $100 million for a community air quality
monitoring and notification program requested in the FY 2023 President's Budget to support
efforts to deliver environmental justice for overburdened and marginalized communities. This
community air quality monitoring and notification program will be able to provide real-time data
to the public in areas with greatest exposure to harmful levels of pollution, as described in
Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. In FY 2024, the Agency
will continue to work closely with states, tribes, and local air quality agencies to develop the most
effective approach to meet community concerns. The community air quality monitoring and
notification program funds will support several efforts, including tribal, state, and local grants that
supplement the national ambient air quality monitoring network, including enhancement of air
quality characterization in communities; systems to manage and deliver real-time air quality data
to the public; and management and implementation activities performed by the Agency.
The American Rescue Plan provided resources for the Agency to award community monitoring
grants and to support air quality monitoring at the community level. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting
additional resources to support community monitoring grants and to deploy and maintain mobile
monitoring equipment acquired with American Rescue Plan funds to help address short-term
community monitoring needs.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to operate and maintain the Air Quality System (AQS), which
houses the Nation's regulatory ambient air quality data. EPA also will continue to support the AQS
Data Mart, which provides that same ambient air quality data to the scientific community and to
the general public. The Agency's national real-time ambient air quality data system, AirNow, will
maintain baseline operations. The public increasingly relies on AirNow for ambient air quality
information during wildfires. In FY 2024, EPA will continue improving the Fire and Smoke map
by engaging tribal, state, and local agencies for input.
The Agency has started a multi-year development process that, when completed, will allow all
ambient air quality data to be submitted to a single information system. This single system will
greatly improve the processing and availability of ambient air quality data to Agency regulatory
partners and to the public. Additional FY 2024 funding is requested to start the development of
this system, which will modernize AirNow, AQS, and the AQS Data Mart.
EPA will continue to operate and maintain the Emissions Inventory System (EIS), which quality
assures and stores current and historical emissions inventory data and supports the development
of the National Emissions Inventory (NEI). EPA, states, and others use the NEI to aid in state and
local air agency SIP development, serve as a vital input to air quality modeling, help analyze public
health risks from air toxics, develop strategies to manage those risks, and support multi-pollutant
analysis for air emissions. The Agency will enhance EIS to support the revised Air Emissions
Reporting Requirements (AERR) rule and other user-focused needs.
EPA is streamlining emissions data reporting for multiple Agency programs through the Combined
Air Emissions Reporting System (CAERS). This system is a central hub that takes a single
submission of data in a single format and sends it to the appropriate EPA program system. When
fully developed, CAERS is expected to reduce the cost to industry by only reporting emissions
data for multiple Agency programs to one system and to the government by better managing
emissions data and making that data available in a timely fashion.
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In FY 2024, EPA will continue a multi-phased process for strengthening air pollution benefits
analysis methods to improve the science it uses to quantify benefits from air quality regulations.
EPA will develop a draft benefits Guidelines document outlining best practices for incorporating
new scientific information into methods for benefits analysis. This will be followed by additional
reviews of specific methods and applications. This effort will help ensure transparency and
confidence in the process for selecting and applying the latest science in benefits analysis. EPA
also will improve tools and approaches to enable more robust analysis of program impacts on
communities with environmental justice concerns and vulnerable populations.
As part of a forward-looking air toxics strategy, EPA will address regulatory and emerging issues
and improve access to air toxics data. The Agency will continue implementation of a new approach
that develops and shares air toxics data faster and more regularly to the public, allowing for
increased transparency and the ability to see trends and risks over time. By 2024, EPA will
continue reporting the most current air toxics data each year in the annual Air Trends Report and
an online interactive tool, instead of the previous three to four-year cycle for reporting air toxics
data, and providing that data at an increased spatial resolution.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM NAAQS) Percentage of air quality improvement in counties not meeting current NAAQS.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
7
8
9
Actual
3
3
7
8
10
Data Avail
11/2023
Percent
(PM NAAQS2) Percentage of people with low socioeconomic status (SES) living in areas where the air quality
meets the PM2.5 NAAQS.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
90
93
97
Percent
Actual
86
82
82
81
85
Data Avail
11/2023
Numerator
54,121,495
52,044,172
51,560,102
48,678,558
50,304,779
People
Denominator
62,631,596
63,150,683
62,687,368
60,053,454
59,241,268
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$17,125.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$100,000.0) This program change is an increase to develop and implement a community
air quality monitoring and notification program to provide real-time data to the public in
areas with greatest exposure to harmful levels of pollution. This increase supports work to
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reduce GHG emissions to tackle the climate crisis and ensure equitable environmental
outcomes to advance environmental justice.
(+$89,903.0 / +193.4 FTE) This program change is an increase to support critical work to
implement climate and clean air regulations and programs. This includes activities such as
reviewing and taking action on state plans required under forthcoming GHG standards,
priority NAAQS work, taking timely action on SIPs, reducing the SIP backlog, air
monitoring and analysis, and environmental justice activities. This investment includes
$35,870 million in payroll costs.
(+$1,284.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support implementation of
EPA's Climate Adaptation Action Plan. In particular, this increase will support priority
commitments, including the actions within the Office of Air and Radiation's Climate
Change Adaptation Implementation Plan to integrate climate adaptation into EPA
programs, policies, and processes, efforts to address climate adaptation science and data
needs, and efforts to consult and partner with outside stakeholders. This investment
includes $184.0 thousand in payroll costs.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act.
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Stratospheric Ozone: Domestic Programs
Program Area: Clean Air and Climate
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
S'.y.i"
S(,.
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EPA uses a combination of regulatory and partnership programs to implement Title VI of the C AA
and the AIM Act and to further the protection of the ozone layer and climate system. Title VI
provides for a phaseout of production and consumption of ODS and requires controls on their use,
including banning certain emissive uses, requiring labeling to inform consumer choice, and
requiring sound servicing practices for the use of refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration
appliances. Title VI also prohibits venting ODS and their substitutes and requires listing of
alternatives that reduce overall risks to human health and the environment, ensuring that businesses
and consumers have alternatives that are safer for the ozone layer than the chemicals they replace.
The AIM Act provides for a phasedown of production and consumption of HFCs in the United
States by 85 percent, supports industry's transition to next-generation technology, and requires
management of HFCs and its substitutes. In 2021, EPA issued a final rule establishing an
allowance allocation program to implement the phasedown, as well as robust compliance
assurance and enforcement mechanisms to provide a level playing field for producers and
importers of HFCs and ensure the program delivers the intended environmental benefits. EPA also
worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to create an interagency task force to prevent
and deter illegal trade in HFCs and support the enforcement of the phasedown.
As a signatory to the Montreal Protocol, the U.S. is committed to ensuring that our domestic
program is at least as stringent as international obligations, and to regulating and enforcing the
terms of the Montreal Protocol respective of domestic authority. In 2007, with U.S. leadership, the
Parties to the Montreal Protocol agreed to a more aggressive phaseout for ozone-depleting
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) equaling a 47 percent reduction in overall emissions during
the period 2010 - 2040. The adjustment in 2007 also called on Parties to the Montreal Protocol to
promote the selection of alternatives to HCFCs that minimize environmental impacts, in particular
impacts on climate.48 The CAA provides the necessary authority to ensure EPA can collect and
validate data, and where appropriate, report data on production and consumption of ODS on behalf
of the United States.49 The Parties to the Montreal Protocol also agreed to the Kigali Amendment
in 2016,50 which seeks to globally phase down the production and consumption of HFCs consistent
with the AIM Act. The United States ratified the Kigali Amendment on October 31, 2022. EPA
will use the authority in the AIM Act to collect and validate data and report data on production
and consumption of HFCs on behalf of the United States.
Partnership programs are calibrated to increase benefits by focusing on specific areas where the
Agency has identified significant opportunities. The Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD)
Program51 is a partnership that protects the ozone layer and reduces emissions of greenhouse
gases through the recovery of ODS and HFCs from old refrigerators, freezers, window air
conditioners, and dehumidifiers prior to disposal. RAD has more than 50 partners, including
manufacturers, retailers, utilities, and state governments. The GreenChill Partnership52 helps
48 Montreal Protocol Decision XIX/6: Adjustments to the Montreal Protocol with regard to Annex C, Group I, substances
(hydrochlorofluorocarbons).
49 The United States ratified the Kigali Amendment on September 21,2022, providing EPA the authority under the AIM Act to
collect the data needed for reporting on HFCs under the Montreal Protocol.
50Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Kigali 15 October 2016, found at:
https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CN/2016/CN.872.2016-Eng.pdf.
51 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/rad.
52 For more information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/greenchill.
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supermarkets transition to environmentally friendlier refrigerants, reduce harmful refrigerant
emissions, and move to advanced refrigeration technologies, strategies, and practices that lower
the industry's impact on the ozone layer and climate. The Program includes stores in all 50 states
and represents over 30 percent of the United States' supermarkets. GreenChill partners are
reducing refrigerant leak rates to half the estimated national average and developing annual plans
for further improvements.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.1, Improve Air Quality and Reduce
Localized Pollution and Health Impacts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024 an additional $59.4 million and 24 FTE are requested to implement provisions in the
American Innovation and Manufacturing Act to phase down the use of HFCs, to facilitate U.S.
entry to the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and to restore staff capacity around efforts
to tackle the climate crisis. An additional $5 million is requested for the development of a new
grant program to assist small businesses with the purchase of specialized equipment for the
recycling, recovery, or reclamation of a substitute for a regulated substance as authorized in the
AIM Act.
Title VI of the Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol Activities
In carrying out the requirements of the CAA and the Montreal Protocol in FY 2024, EPA will
continue to meet its ODS consumption caps and work toward the required gradual reduction in
production and consumption of ODS. To meet the FY 2026 long-term performance goal for
lowering consumption of HCFCs to 76.2 tons per year of ozone-depletion potential,53 EPA will:
issue allocations for HCFC production and import in accordance with the requirements established
under CAA Sections 605 and 606; review petitions to import used ODS under sections 604 and
605; manage information that industry identifies as confidential under CAA Section 603; and
implement regulations concerning the production, import, and export of ODS and maintenance of
the tracking system used to collect the information. In FY 2024, EPA anticipates finalizing a rule
on feedstock uses of ODS that was proposed in FY 2023. EPA also will prepare and submit the
annual report under Article 7 of the Montreal Protocol on U.S. consumption and production of ODS
consistent with the treaty.54
EPA will continue to implement the CAA Section 608 and 609 refrigerant management
requirements related to the use and emission of ODS, HFCs, and other substitutes.
CAA Section 612 requires continuous review of alternatives for ODS through EPA's Significant
New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program55 to both find those that pose less overall risk to human
health and the environment and ensure a smooth transition to safer alternatives. Through these
53 The HCFC consumption cap of 15,240 ODP-weighted metric tons for the U.S. was effective January 1, 1996, and became the
U.S. consumption baseline for HCFCs.
54 The Article 7 report prepared by EPA on behalf of the United States contains chemical-specific production, import and export
data that is not available publicly. To protect potential confidential information the report is not available on the internet; however,
the data included in the report is aggregated and available at: https://ozone.uiiep.ore/countries/profile/usa.
55 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.aov/snap.
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evaluations, SNAP generates lists of acceptable and unacceptable substitutes for approximately 50
end-uses across eight industrial sectors. In FY 2024, EPA expects to list through notice as well as
propose notice-and-comment rulemaking that would expand the list of acceptable lower-GWP
alternatives, particularly for end-uses where there is an urgent need for more options such as certain
air-conditioning and refrigeration applications as well as fire suppression, which also will support
implementation of the AIM Act. EPA also will continue to work towards ensuring the uptake of
safer alternatives and technologies, while supporting innovation, and ensuring adoption of
alternatives through support for changes to industry codes and standards. EPA also anticipates
finalizing a rule in FY 2024 that addresses court decisions concerning the extent to which
manufacturers must replace HFCs with substitute substances.
With the decline in allowable ODS production, a significant stock of equipment that continues to
use ODS will need access to recovered and recycled/reclaimed ODS to allow for proper servicing.
EPA will continue to review available market and reported data to monitor availability of recycled
and reclaimed ODS where production and import of new material is phased out to support this
need. In addition, EPA will continue to implement a petition process to allow for the import of
used ODS (primarily halon) for fire suppression purposes. EPA also will implement other
provisions of the Montreal Protocol, including exemption programs to allow for a continued
smooth phaseout of ODS, particularly for laboratory and analytical uses, feedstock, process agents,
and HCFCs used consistent with the servicing tail.56
AIM Act Implementation Activities
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to implement the AIM Act HFC phasedown through an
allowance allocation program established in FY 2021, and this work will support implementation
of EPA's Agency Priority Goal. In FY 2024, as resources allow, the Agency will promulgate
rulemakings to establish requirements for the management of HFCs and HFC substitutes in
equipment, distribute grants to support technology transition and equipment transition, and provide
program support for and coordination of implementation efforts within EPA as well as with other
federal agencies.
The Agency will continue to implement and administer an electronic HFC reporting system and
develop additional tracking, review, and data tools to better ensure compliance with the phasedown
regulations, and work with other agencies to prevent illegal imports. In FY 2024, additional
resources are requested to implement innovative IT solutions, such as a QR system and database
integration across EPA and Customs and Border Patrol databases. Specifically, EPA will: ensure
that the phasedown is not undermined by illegal imports; finalize multi-pronged set of rulemakings
to be proposed in FY 2023 that will establish requirements for the management of HFCs and HFC
substitutes in equipment servicing, repair, disposal, or installation, as appropriate; support
enforcement by EPA and across the government by continuing to lead the interagency HFC
taskforce, and stand up new protocols for rules finalized in FY 2023 addressing products
containing HFCs. EPA also will educate stakeholders on HFC phasedown requirements and launch
a container tracking system. EPA will implement a regulation finalized in FY 2023 to issue
allowances for HFC production and consumption for calendar years 2024 and future years. The
Agency also will complete a review required by the AIM Act and undertake rulemaking on
whether to reauthorize the issuance of application-specific allowances for the six uses of HFCs
56 EPA will implement a rule on process agents that was finalized in FY 2023.
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identified in subsection (e)(4)(B) beyond 2025. Subsection (e)(4)(B) includes the following
applications that use HFCs:
a propellant in metered dose inhalers,
defense sprays.
structural composite preformed polyurethane foam for marine use and trailer use.
• the etching of semiconductor material or wafers and the cleaning of chemical vapor
deposition chambers within the semiconductor manufacturing sector.
• mission-critical military end uses, such as armored vehicle engine and shipboard fire
suppression systems and systems used in deployable and expeditionary applications; and
onboard aerospace fire suppression.
In FY 2024, under subsection (h) of the AIM Act, EPA will finalize and begin implementing a
notice and comment rulemaking proposed in FY 2023 to control certain practices, processes, or
activities regarding: 1) the servicing, repair, disposal, or installation of equipment that involves a
regulated substance; 2) a substitute for a regulated substance; 3) the reclaiming of a regulated
substance used as a refrigerant; or 4) the reclaiming of a substitute for a regulated substance used
as a refrigerant.
In FY 2024, under subsection (i) of the AIM Act, the Agency will finalize and begin implementing
regulations to restrict use of HFCs in products and equipment within certain specific sectors or
subsectors where HFCs are used, promoting a transition to next-generation technologies. EPA will
implement new reporting tools, upgrade existing data systems, and develop additional compliance
mechanisms to implement this regulation. Other activities under subsection (i) include granting
and/or denying petitions for sector-based restrictions on HFCs.
The AIM Act also authorizes EPA to establish a grant program for small businesses for purchase
of recycling, recovery, or reclamation equipment for HFC substitutes, including for servicing
motor vehicle air conditioners. In FY 2024, $5 million is requested to fund distribution of grants
to support technology transition already underway and equipment transition.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to provide technical expertise for the Montreal Protocol's
Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its Technical Options Committees, advancing
reductions of ODS and HFC consumption and ensuring U.S. interests are represented.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support a level playing field for companies operating legally
under the CAA and AIM Act regulations and those that have transitioned to alternatives for ODS
and HFCs. Under both the AIM Act and the Montreal Protocol, in FY 2024, EPA will be
implementing a 40% reduction in HFCs from historic levels. EPA exchanges data with U.S.
Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations on ODS and HFC importers
and exporters to determine admissibility and target illegal shipments entering the United States, as
well as reviews and approves imports flagged in the Automated Commercial Environment. With
the significant reduction of available HFC allowances in FY 2024, this data exchange will increase
in importance as accurate data will be needed on a near real-time basis. EPA also will continue to
work with partner agencies, including through the Interagency Task Force on Illegal HFC Trade,
to detect, deter, and disrupt any attempt to illegally import or produce HFCs in the United States,
as well as work with State Department and other Departments to carry out the Administration's
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whole of government approach. These efforts also include EPA's work to support federal sector
management and transition from HFCs through continued cooperation with organizations such as
Department of Defense and the General Services Administration.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM HCFC) Remaining U.S. consumption of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chemicals that deplete the
Earth's protective ozone layer, in ozone depletion potential (ODP)-weighted metric tons.
FY
2017
FY
20IS
FY
201')
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
76.2
76.2
76.2
Metric
Tons
Actual
374.6
434.1
224.2
-110.8
20.8
Data
Avail
11/2023
(PM HFC) Remaining U.S. consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
273.5
273.5
182.3
MMTC02e
Actual
Data
Avail
11/2023
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$765.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
• (+$59,436.0 / +24.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to implement provisions in
the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act to phase down the use of HFCs, to
facilitate U.S. entry to the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and to restore staff
capacity around efforts to tackle the climate crisis. This investment includes $4,357 million
in payroll costs.
(+$5,000.0) This program change is an increase for the development of a new grant
program to assist small businesses with the purchase of specialized equipment for the
recycling, recovery, or reclamation of a substitute for a regulated substance as authorized
in the AIM Act.
Statutory Authority:
Title VI of the Clean Air Act and the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
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Stratospheric Ozone: Multilateral Fund
Program Area: Clean Air and Climate
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Maiui'^cnicnl
N,S\J2(>
S 9.2-1-1
SIS. 000
S.V. "6
Total Budget Authority
$8,326
$9,244
$18,000
$8,756
Program Project Description:
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol) is the
international treaty designed to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by facilitating a global
phaseout of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and since 2016, phasing down climate-damaging
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under its Kigali Amendment. EPA is phasing down ODS under Title
VI of the Clean Air Act and HFCs under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act
of 2020. As a result of global action to phase out ODS, the ozone layer is expected to recover to
its pre-1980 levels by mid-century. A global phasedown of HFCs is expected to prevent up to
0.5 °C of global warming by 2100.
The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (Multilateral Fund) was
created by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol to provide funds that enable developing countries
to comply with their obligations following agreed upon schedules. The United States and other
developed countries contribute to the Multilateral Fund. The United States holds a permanent seat
on the Multilateral Fund's governing body (the Executive Committee) and can help focus efforts
on cost-effective assistance and encourage climate-friendly transitions. The U.S. contribution to
the Multilateral Fund is split between EPA and the Department of State.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.1, Improve Air Quality and Reduce
Localized Pollution and Health Impacts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
EPA's contributions to the Multilateral Fund in FY 2024 will primarily continue to support cost-
effective projects designed to build capacity and eliminate ODS production and consumption in
over 140 developing countries and provide early support for the global phasedown of HFCs.
Through 2021, the Multilateral Fund supported over 8,146 activities in 145 countries that, have
phased out 497,463 ozone-depletion potential metric tons and 305,336 C02-equivalent tonnes of
consumption of controlled substances. Additional projects will be submitted, considered, and
approved in accordance with Multilateral Fund guidelines.
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In FY 2024, the United States will continue to promote developing country transitions to climate-
friendly alternatives and will begin to support projects to phase down HFCs under the Kigali
Amendment. A small number of demonstration projects aimed at furthering climate projection are
anticipated. These projects will concern either proper refrigerant disposal or energy efficiency
upgrades. The United States also will support preparatory activities such as establishing HFC
baselines and phasedown starting points and will consider the first Kigali HFC Implementation
Plans (KIPs) to phase down HFCs in developing countries, as well as projects to reduce HFC-23
byproduct emissions ensuring that the global HFC phasedown will leverage the expertise and
experience gained during the 30-year history with phasing out ODS. Taken together, this work
will support developing countries' compliance with Protocol obligations.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$8,756.0) This program change reflects an increase to help fund additional activities
associated with the adoption of the Kigali Amendment and developing country phase down
of HFCs while continuing to support ODS phaseout activities.
Statutory Authority:
Title VI of the Clean Air Act.
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Compliance
264
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Compliance Monitoring
Program Area: Compliance
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$108,996
$112,730
$162,105
$ 49,375
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$278
$649
$2,152
$1,503
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$1,278
$1,017
$1,032
$15
Total Budget Authority
$110,552
$114,396
$165,289
$50,893
Total Workyears
438.5
478.9
520.4
41.5
Program Project Description:
The Compliance Monitoring Program is a key component of EPA's Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance (OECA) that supports both compliance with federal environmental laws
as well as efforts to identify noncompliance. Compliance monitoring activities, such as inspections
and investigations, or review of self-reported compliance monitoring information and other forms
of offsite compliance monitoring, are conducted by EPA and other co-regulators (states, federally
recognized tribes, and territories) to determine if regulated entities are complying with
environmental statutes, applicable regulations, and permit conditions. A robust inspection and
enforcement program is essential to advancing the promise of clean air, land, and water to many
communities across the country, including those historically underserved and overburdened, and
for implementing Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
Compliance information gathered from these activities is reported into EPA's data systems for
analyses and targeting, and to make information available to co-regulators and the public. These
activities and data also can be utilized to identify programs and sectors with high noncompliance
to be the subject of national enforcement and compliance initiatives. These initiatives help identify
conditions that may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to human health and the
environment and thereby warrant immediate attention. Given the large number of regulated
entities, effective targeting of compliance monitoring and analysis of compliance data play a
critical role in achieving the goals EPA has set forth for protecting health and the environment.
Tools in the Compliance Monitoring Program include:
Compliance Program Data Management and Electronic Reporting: EPA has a national
enforcement and compliance data system, the Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS),
which supports both the compliance monitoring and civil enforcement programs. As EPA's largest
mission-focused data system, ICIS is a critical infrastructure tool used by the Agency, state, tribal,
local, and territorial governments as well as the regulated community, to track compliance and
enforcement of all EPA statutes, which facilitates greater compliance and thus protection of human
health and the environment. States are a major user of this resource. For instance, 21 state
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governments depend on ICIS to directly manage their clean water permitting and compliance
activities. EPA utilizes ICIS enforcement and compliance data and other information technology
tools to: (1) identify potential violations of the federal environmental laws; (2) facilitate efficient
enforcement; and (3) promote compliance with these requirements. ICIS data is available to the
public via the internet-accessible Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system as
well as the companion data change notification tool ECHO Notify. Using ICIS and ECHO to
electronically track its civil enforcement work allows EPA to better ensure that its enforcement
resources are used to facilitate transparency and address the most significant noncompliance
problems, including noncompliance affecting overburdened or vulnerable communities and
noncompliance that leads to climate impacts. EPA, through the National Targeting Center, also
utilizes the data in ECHO to help identify the worst problem areas to align inspections and
enforcement activities. EPA collaborates with state, local, federal, tribal, and industry partners,
through the E-Enterprise initiative, to leverage technologies such as in promoting electronic
reporting and permitting. EPA and states implement the National Pollution Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) Electronic Reporting Rule through ICIS, one key tool for improving the
availability of clean water compliance data to EPA, states, and the public.57
Support for the Clean Water Act (CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) Program: The Agency will continue to implement Phases 1 and 2 of the
NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule which covers electronic permitting, compliance monitoring
reporting, and data sharing requirements for EPA and states. EPA will continue to work with
states to ensure complete and high-quality data acquisition from permits, compliance, and
enforcement data. EPA also will evaluate and prioritize the development of additional
electronic reporting tools that support states. EPA will continue to provide EPA and states with
tools and support for tracking, interpreting, and reducing their NPDES noncompliance rate and
will provide support to states in strengthening their NPDES compliance programs. In FY 2022,
EPA reduced the percentage of permittees in significant noncompliance with their NPDES
permits from a FY 2018 baseline of 20.3 percent to 9.0 percent. This includes a 75 percent
reduction in significant noncompliance (SNC) rates for federal facilities from their FY 2018
baseline.
Compliance Monitoring - Building Capacity in the Compliance Assurance Program's
Inspector Cadre for EPA, State, Tribal and Local Governments: To ensure the quality of
compliance monitoring activities, EPA develops national policies, updates inspection manuals,
establishes training requirements for inspectors, and issues inspector credentials. Boots on the
ground that can identify public health concerns and environmental regulatory violations is
critical to protect communities that are underserved or disproportionately impacted. Building
capacity in EPA's inspector cadre is critical for advancing the FY 2022 -2026 EPA Strategic
Plan "Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance." This includes OECA's
goal to conduct 55 percent of annual inspections at facilities affecting vulnerable or
overburdened communities by September 30, 2026, an estimated 25 percent increase over
EPA's historical average. In FY 2022, EPA outperformed and achieved nearly 57 percent of
on-site inspections in overburdened communities. EPA delivers critical in-person and online
training courses to new and experienced federal, state, tribal, and local inspectors to ensure the
integrity of the national Compliance Monitoring Program, as well as other training for federal
57 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/compliance/npdes-ereporting
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and state personnel on critical and emerging compliance issues. EPA hosts several in-person
inspector training programs, such as the annual Clean Water Act NPDES Technical Inspector
Workshop, the SDWA Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Inspector Training Program,
and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Pesticide Inspector
Residential Training Program.
Compliance Assistance: Compliance assistance is a valuable tool to assist regulated facilities
in understanding their compliance obligations and achieving and maintaining compliance.
EPA provides compliance assistance by working with third-party organizations and federal
agencies to support 17 web-based, sector-specific compliance assistance centers and other
web-based assistance resources. In addition, the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Program develops webinars, Compliance Advisories, and other assistance materials to help
EPA, state regulators, and the regulated community to understand compliance rules and
obligations. EPA also provides facility specific technical assistance to regulated entities such
as the CWA and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) regulated entities under the Compliance
Advisor Program discussed in greater detail below.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.2, Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, in addition to EPA's request for $9.0 million and 6.4 FTE to rebuild the inspector
cadre through Civil Enforcement and Forensics Support resources, the Agency requests an increase
of $13.6 million and 32.0 FTE in Compliance Monitoring resources to rebuild the inspector cadre,
with most of the FTE being invested in EPA's ten regional offices. Rebuilding EPA's inspector
corps is a priority for EPA in FY 2024. A robust inspection and enforcement program is essential
to advancing the promise of clean air, land, and water to the many communities across the country
that have not received the full benefits from EPA's decades of progress. Having staff on the ground
that can identify public health concerns and potential environmental regulatory violations is critical
to protect communities that are underserved or overburdened.
EPA's inspection programs have been under-resourced for over a decade leading to a loss of
agency expertise and a decline in the numbers of inspections. To meet EPA's Environmental
Justice (EJ) goals and the mission to protect human health and the environment and ensuring that
Americans have clean air, land and water, EPA must rebuild and strengthen its inspection program
with increased hiring and training of new and existing inspectors, including in-person basic
inspector training and travel resources for the following programs: Clean Air Act; Safe Drinking
Water Act; Clean Water Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act; and Toxic Substances Control Act. Additionally, funding will allow
EPA to purchase health and safety equipment and inspection monitoring equipment such as
Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) cameras, Data Acquisition Real-Time (DART), flame
ionization detectors/photo ionization detectors, fenceline monitors, and Smart Tools software and
hardware for inspectors. In addition, travel funding for inspections also is essential for inspectors
to conduct on-site field inspections.
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The increased resources and FTE for rebuilding the inspector cadre also will be used to assess
federal facility compliance with all environmental statutes. EPA proposes to hire additional
inspectors for federal facility investigations to increase sampling capabilities to identify regulatory
violations. This investment will assist in dispute resolution and case development against federal
agencies that are responsible for contamination (e.g., of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS)), thereby protecting public health of surrounding communities affected by those
contaminants.
Funds also will be used to continue the operation and development of the PFAS Analytic Tools, a
data integration platform currently used by EPA and states to analyze national PFAS data sets. The
funding will provide enhancements including increasing data availability to the public, including
communities with EJ concerns. Compliance monitoring funds will advance protection of
communities by increasing inspections and compliance assistance to ensure nearby facilities
adhere to regulations designed to protect vulnerable populations. The increased funding will help
create and expand programs to further environmental protections and increase monitoring
capabilities.
In addition, the Agency will continue to modernize its national enforcement and compliance data
system as it expands its compliance monitoring and technical assistance efforts to address EJ issues
(including the Compliance Advisors for Sustainable Water Systems Program), Smart Tools for
inspectors, implementation of the Evidence Act, PFAS, and climate change concerns including
resilience and reduction in the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
EPA will continue its customer-focused, evidence-based targeting approaches to help inspectors
find environmental problems with software and technical assistance from the National Targeting
Center (NTC). The NTC utilizes media-specific Communities of Practice for collaboration with
EPA, regions and programs, state and tribal partners, relationships with academic data science
labs, and cutting-edge data science approaches to develop training and tools. ECHO (and ECHO
Gov) serves as the data integration hub used by the NTC for developing the models, publishing
the developed tools, and providing a means for accessing the results.
EPA will continue to implement its comprehensive action plan for integrating EJ and climate
change considerations throughout all aspects of the Program, including a performance measure
tracking the percentage of inspections affecting communities with potential EJ concerns. This
effort answers the President's call to "strengthen enforcement of environmental violations with
disproportionate impact on overburdened or underserved communities through the Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance" [EO 14008, sec. 222(b)(i)\, and to "combat the climate
crisis with bold, progressive action" (EO 14008, sec. 201).58 This work includes, but is not limited
to, multi-state/multi-regional matters, issues of national significance, complex contamination at
and from federal facilities, and emergency situations.
58 For additional information on the Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, please see:
https://w\Ąw.whitehouse.eoĄ/briefmg-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/()l/27/executiĄe-order-on-taclding-the-cliniate-crisis-at-
home-and-abroad/.
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In addition, EPA also will provide some targeted oversight and support to state, local, tribal, and
other federal agency programs. To accomplish this objective, the Agency will prioritize work with
states to develop methods that successfully leverage advances in both monitoring and information
technology. The Agency also will maintain accessibility to ICIS for EPA, states, tribes, and federal
partners.
With the resources approved in FY 2022 and received in FY 2023 by the Inflation Reduction Act
(IRA), EPA will continue its data system modernization effort to better support states, tribes, local
governments, other federal agencies, and the public's need for information.59 System
modernization will facilitate EPA's efforts to better target noncompliance that impacts
overburdened or vulnerable communities and will increase the availability of information about
environmental conditions in those communities and elsewhere.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting an increase of $22.9 million and 5.0 FTE to continue its efforts to
modernize ICIS and support better integration with the public ECHO database. As a result of this
data integration, EPA will be in a better position to focus compliance monitoring resources on
areas of highest human and environmental risk, increase transparency to the public and improve
data quality. EPA also will continue to improve ICIS and ECHO, including future integration of
the data collected using Smart Tools, which will facilitate better access of compliance data and
community information (e.g., from EPA's EJ screening tool) to EPA, states, tribes, other federal
agencies, and to the public.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting an increase of $2.0 million to continue expansion of its software
solutions for field inspectors to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of compliance inspections
conducted by EPA and authorized states. In Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021, EPA rolled out its Smart
Tools for inspectors in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Hazardous Waste
Program, and the CWA-NPDES Program respectively. Smart Tools software makes the process
of documenting field inspections and preparing inspection reports more efficient. This tool allows
EPA to use its compliance monitoring resources more efficiently, including monitoring for
noncompliance, which affect overburdened or vulnerable communities, or which may have climate
impacts. It also allows EPA to make inspection reports more readily and timely available to the
regulated entity and to the public in affected communities. The work on the design and
development of software for additional inspection programs will continue through FY 2024 and
beyond (e.g., Underground Storage Tanks, Clean Air Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, FIFRA,
Good Laboratory Practices Standards).
EPA will increase its implementation of the Evidence Act60 through the "Drinking Water Systems
Out of Compliance" priority area in EPA's Learning Agenda. Safe drinking water is critical to the
health of communities and each year, thousands of community water systems violate one or more
health-based drinking water standards. Drinking water noncompliance is greatest in small, under-
resourced communities and may be higher than EPA data suggests due to failures to monitor and
report. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to collect new information and conduct studies under this
59 Inflation Reduction Act: https://www.c0ngress.g0v/l 17/plaws/publl69/PLAW-117publl69.pdf.
60 Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Public Law 115—435):
https://www.coiigress.gov/]. ].S/plaws/publ43S/PLAW~l 15publ435.pdf.
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learning priority area to develop statistically valid data to identify effective policy instruments.
Additional resources will allow for the involvement of more state partners in assessing drinking
water data to determine how accurately the data measures national compliance and substantiates
EPA policy decisions. EPA will evaluate other questions on noncompliance root causes and
corresponding factors and the efficacy of technical assistance, enforcement, and state oversight.
EPA also will conduct an analysis to identify metrics of system technical, managerial, and financial
capacity for early identification of at-risk drinking water systems. The analysis will test existing
and new predictive analytic tools designed to identify at-risk systems. EPA will continue to reach
out to and work with states, tribes, and academic experts to implement OECA's compliance
learning agenda. The compliance learning agenda will improve the effectiveness of enforcement
and compliance programs, approaches, and tools by prioritizing the most pressing programmatic
questions; planning evidence-based studies to address these questions; and identifying effective
and innovative approaches for improving compliance. The first two priority projects identified
through this effort will focus on assessing the effectiveness of offsite compliance monitoring and
identifying the root causes of municipal noncompliance and interventions that are effective at
overcoming impediments to compliance.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue the Agency's Compliance Advisors for Sustainable Water Systems
Program, which reduces noncompliance at small public water systems (PWSs) and small
wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) by providing hands-on technical assistance. Many small
drinking water and wastewater systems are under-resourced, in overburdened or vulnerable
communities, and are unable to achieve and maintain compliance due to lack of technical,
managerial, and financial capacity. These communities are impacted by factors such as aging
infrastructure, workforce shortages, and declining rate bases. These challenges are the root cause
of most violations of the SDWA and CWA. Part trainer and part consultant, Compliance Advisors
troubleshoot issues, develop plans to return systems to compliance, and increase the technical
capacity of operators. The Compliance Advisors may revisit systems as needed, promoting
sustainable compliance.
Through FY 2022, Compliance Advisors have provided technical assistance to approximately 199
small PWSs and 63 WWTFs in under-resourced communities nationwide, across all Regions -
covering 25 states, Puerto Rico, and seven tribes. There are thousands more small systems and
facilities that need technical support to help them achieve and stay in compliance and provide clean
and safe water to the communities they serve. In general, the systems supported by the Compliance
Advisor Program are small (serving populations of less than 10,000). Over 90 percent are in
overburdened or vulnerable communities.61 As of early 2023, Compliance Advisors have delivered
more than 140 Recommendations Reports to small drinking water and wastewater systems and
have provided more than 1,000 standard operating procedures, checklists, and other tools to help
these small systems return to sustained compliance. There is significant demand for assistance that
is targeted where existing technical support efforts cannot meet the needs of the community. The
Compliance Advisor Program supplements other technical assistance efforts across the Agency.
As funds are available, the Regions are requested to work with their states to identify and nominate
systems to receive Compliance Advisor help returning to and sustaining compliance.
61 OECA protocols for identifying Areas of Potential EJ Concern.
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In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support inspections and fund compliance monitoring efforts to
support development of civil enforcement cases. The Agency will use compliance monitoring
funds to continue supporting enforcement and compliance inspections adhering to Clean Air Act
requirements for motor vehicles, engines and fuels, stationary sources, chemical accident
prevention, wood heaters, municipal solid waste landfills, and stratospheric ozone; Clean Water
Act requirements for preventing and addressing oil spills and spills of sewage or other hazardous
substances, wetlands protection, and biosolids use and disposal; Toxic Substance Control Act
requirements for new and existing chemicals, lead based paint and polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs); FIFRA requirements for pesticide registration; and Emergency Planning and Community
Right to Know Act requirements for emergency planning; Toxics Release Inventory reporting;
American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act requirement efforts to reduce the harmful
effects of climate-change causing chemicals like HFCs; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
requirements for hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste; and Safe Drinking Water Act
requirements for public water systems.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue efforts to develop actions to address PFAS. PFAS can present an
urgent public health and environmental threat to communities across the United States, with
significant equity and EJ implications. While these compounds have for decades played an
important role to many areas of society, the Nation is now realizing the potential adverse effects
of their widespread use. Today, PFAS have been found in drinking water, surface water,
groundwater, soil, and air across the country - from remote rural areas to densely populated urban
centers. Adverse health effects from PFAS contamination may most strongly threaten vulnerable
populations (including pregnant women, children, and the elderly).62
In FY 2024, the Agency is requesting an increase to support EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap.
Resources will be used to investigate and identify releases of PFAS to the air, land, and water by
actively investigating under RCRA, Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), CWA, SDWA, and
CAA at the yet-unknown number of processing facilities, waste disposal facilities, and federal
facilities where PFAS are suspected of contaminating various environmental media. Funds will
support case development and issuance of information requests, including the potential
identification of imminent and substantial endangerment issues under CWA, SDWA, or RCRA.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM 409) Number of federal on-site compliance monitoring inspections and evaluations and off-site
compliance monitoring activities.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
14,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
Inspections
&
Evaluations
Actual
11,800
10,600
10,300
8,500
10,800
13,900
62 For additional information, please see: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7530144/pdf7nihms-1627933.pdf
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(PM 444) Percentage of EPA inspection reports sent to the facility within 70 days of inspection.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
20 IS
201')
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
75
75
75
75
75
Percent
Actual
83
85
83
Numerator
4,177
1,940
4,362
Reports
Denominator
5,037
2,287
5,237
(PM 450) Percentage of EPA inspections at facilities affecting communities with potential environmental
justice concerns.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
20 IS
201')
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
45
50
50
Percent
Actual
57
Numerator
3,333
Inspections
Denominator
5,861
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$3,820.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agency wide infrastructure Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity requirements,
electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of Trusted
Vetting 2.0.
(+$22,891.0 / +5.0 FTE) This program increase will allow EPA to accelerate the
modernization of the Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS) and enhance its
integration with the Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) family of
internet-based services. The increased resources will fund adjustments to ICIS and ECHO
that will facilitate better access of compliance data and community information (e.g., from
EPA's EJSCREEN tool) to EPA, states and to the public. This modernization will enhance
EPA's efforts to address compliance concerns in disadvantaged communities. This
investment includes $891.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$13,556.0 / +32.0 FTE) This program increase will rebuild EPA's inspector cadre.
Additional funding will build capacity for inspections, case development, and to
supplement this program's training and travel budget. This funding will enhance EPA's
compliance monitoring programmatic capabilities to improve efforts to address pollution
in overburdened and vulnerable communities. This investment includes $5.7 million for
payroll.
(+$3,000.0) This program increase will allow EPA to investigate and identify releases of
PFAS to the air, land, and water by actively investigating under RCRA, TSCA, CWA, and
SDWA at the yet-unknown number of processing facilities and waste disposal facilities
where PFAS are suspected of contaminating various environmental media. In addition,
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these funds will allow EPA to continue operation and development of the PFAS Analytic
Tools, a data integration platform currently used by EPA and States to analyze national
PFAS data sets.
(+$2,000.0) This program increase will allow the Compliance Advisor Program to provide
critical technical assistance to an additional 80-100 systems to achieve and maintain
compliance. Funding also will be used to support inspections and case development in the
Regions. Funds may be used to support underserved communities identified by the Regions
and States as having concerns because of lead Action Level exceedances.
(+$2,000.0) This program increase will allow EPA to advance work on the Smart Tools
for Field Inspectors to develop the tool for some of the smaller programs that have more
of a direct impact for EJ communities such as the TSCA lead-based paint programs.
(+$1,057.0 / +2.0 FTE) This program increase will allow EPA to evaluate priority
questions in the Drinking Water Learning Agenda, developed under the Evidence Act, and
thereby test the efficacy of policies to address drinking water noncompliance. The increase
also will allow EPA to conduct studies with broader participation (such as involving the
States) to test the effectiveness of inspection and enforcement approaches to improve
compliance in the drinking water program. This investment includes $357.0 thousand for
payroll.
(+$644.0 / +0.5 FTE) This request for climate change adaptation funding will support
implementation of the OECA Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan. Resources will
support completion of priority actions including continued staff training to build climate
change knowledge and consideration of climate change in all aspects of enforcement. This
investment includes $89.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$357.0 / +2.0 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements. This investment includes
$357.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$50.0) This program increase will continue to provide compliance oversight and perform
follow up from recent inspections of the Red Hill Fuel Facility to prevent future fuel leaks
into the military's drinking water.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (MARPOL
Annex VI); American Innovation and Manufacturing Act: Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act;
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act; Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; Oil Pollution Act; Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act; Rivers and Harbors Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Toxic
Substances Control Act.
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Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
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Children and Other Sensitive Populations: Agency Coordination
Program Area: Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$ 6,098
$ 6,362
$ 6,500
$138
Total Budget Authority
$6,098
$6,362
$6,500
$138
Total Workyears
18.3
18.4
18.4
0.0
Program Project Description:
The Children's Health Program coordinates and advances the protection of children's
environmental health across EPA by assisting with developing regulations, improving risk
assessment and science policy, implementing community-level outreach and education programs,
and tracking indicators of progress on children's health. Children's environmental health refers to
the effect of the environment on children's growth, wellness, development, and risk of disease.
EPA strives for all parts of the Agency to apply and promote the use of the best available science,
policy, partnerships, communications, and action to protect children from adverse health effects
resulting from harmful environmental exposures. The Children's Health Program is directed by
the 2021 Policy on Children's Health,61 Executive Order (EO) 13045: Protection of Children's
Health from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks,64 statutory authorities addressing
children's environmental health, and other existing guidance.65 The Program works to tackle the
climate crisis and advance environmental justice (EJ) by identifying and reducing inequitable
impacts of climate change and adverse environmental exposures on children, particularly children
in underserved communities.
In FY 2022, the Children's Health Program supported Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty
Units by providing programming on children's health in EJ communities;66 hosted a workshop to
provide technical assistance to grantees to support the improvement of school facilities with an
emphasis on underserved communities;67 implemented a partnership with the Association of State
and Territorial Health Officials to support inclusion of children's environmental health at the state
level; funded publication of a report and interactive website based on a workshop by the National
Academy of Science to identify the latest priorities to protect children's health; conducted an
internal workshop to prioritize children's health research needs and the inclusion of research
findings in EPA decision-making; partnered with Boys and Girls Clubs of America to provide
students in tribal nations, military installations, and underserved communities with actionable
information to protect children's health, particularly in the face of climate change; updated 28
03 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/children/epas-policv-childrens-health.
04 For more information, please see: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1997-04-23/pdf/97-10695.pdf.
05 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/children/rules-aiid-regulations-impact-childrens-health.
00 For more information, please see: https://www.pehsu.nety.
07 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-selection-organizations-receive-funding-
healthv-learning-environments.
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indicators in America's Children and the Environment and continued to modernize data
visualization capabilities; conducted two plenary meetings of the Children's Health Protection
Advisory Committee (CHPAC),68 and received advice on 1) American's Children and the
Environment, 2) Climate Change Priorities for Children's Health; implemented CHPAC's
recommendations on health learning environments, pesticides and TSCA, and initiated a new
request for advice regarding prevention of lead exposure in infants; hosted a series of events to
educate the public about children's health protection, including webinars regarding the Pediatric
Environmental Health Specialty Units; updated website pages and conducted events and outreach
to stakeholders to reinvigorate EPA's presence and voice, among other initiatives. The Program
supported several Interagency Policy Councils on Child and Maternal Health to assist their
development of all-of-government approaches for protecting children's health in schools and
improving maternal health outcomes. OCHP contributed to the Lead Exposure and Prevention
Advisory Committee and the National Committee on Children, Climate and Disasters hosted by
the Department of Health and Human Services, the Cancer Moonshot, and others.
The Children's Health Program has a successful track record of collaboration with non-
governmental organizations, state, local and tribal governments, and other federal agencies. To
further protect children in EJ communities, and those affected by climate change, the Program led
the steering committee of the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks to Children to conduct a landscape analysis on opportunities for interagency collaboration
on climate, emergencies, and disasters. Work continued to scope the agenda for a new
subcommittee to focus on children's environmental health and chemicals. OCHP played a key role
in the development and publication of EPA's Final Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and
Disparities in U.S. Communities and prepared a companion high-level update to the interagency
Federal Lead Action Plan to Reduce Lead Exposures report. Within EPA, OCHP and the regional
coordinators collaborate closely with EPA's national program managers and regional offices, as
well as with EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, to develop effective
tools and messages in support of children in underserved communities who disproportionately
suffer from adverse environmental exposures, and to advance information and messaging to
address health risks to children from climate change.
In FY 2023, the Children's Health Program will contribute to the development of 100 regulations,
scientific assessments and/or policies, including actions under the Toxic Substances Control Act,
Safe Drinking Water Act, Food Quality Protection Act and Clean Air Act, among others. To
implement EPA's updated 2021 Policy on Children's Health69, OCHP will identify and train
children' health champions in each EPA program office, updated guidance documents for use by
EPA rule managers, and deliver associated training on how to conduct children's health
evaluations. In FY 2023, OCHP also will implement the first year of its first long term performance
goal for advancing protection of children's environmental health applicable to relevant EPA
national programs. Together, EPA programs aim to complete 163 actions toward this long-term
performance goal in FY 2023. OCHP continued a coordinated national approach among regional
Healthy Schools programs. With its newly updated webpages, OCHP will reach stakeholders
68 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/children/childrens-health-protection-advisory-committee-chpac.
69 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/sYsteni/files/docunieiits/2021-10/2021-policY-on-childrens-
health.pdf.
276
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through more than 161,000 page views, and institute approaches to better coordinate headquarters
and regional children's environmental health activities.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to protect children in underserved communities who suffer
disproportionately from the effects of exposures magnified by socio-economic determinants of
health, and to address children's exposures, which are exacerbated by climate change. EPA actions
will be informed by two important considerations: first, the scientific understanding of childhood
as a sequence of life stages, and second, the recognition that protecting children's health is
necessary to protect human health, because every adult was once a child.
In FY 2024, the Children's Health Program will work to tackle the climate crisis and advance EJ
by following up on recommendations from the National Academy of Science, which highlighted
the latest scientific advancement and challenges to protecting children's health. The Program will
continue to implement the 2021 Policy on Children's Health and its associated long-term
performance goal to ensure that EPA consistently and explicitly considers early life exposures and
lifelong health in all human health decisions. OCHP will continue to engage with EPA national
programs to appropriately include assessment and consideration of risk to children's
environmental health in risk assessment, risk management decisions, regulations, policies,
guidance documents, program initiatives and public engagement. The Program will convene the
Steering Committee of President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to
Children to report on progress across the federal government in the areas of climate change and
disasters, childhood lead; asthma disparities; and climate, emergencies and disasters, exposure to
toxic chemicals, and other topics. The Program also will continue to build on partnerships with
key stakeholders such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and others and leverage resources
and work for durable, nationally relevant improvements in children's health protection.
The Program will host a variety of activities to mark Children's Health Month in October to
educate parents, caregivers, teachers, and others on how to better protect children from adverse
environmental exposure and continue to modernize its social media presence to improve outreach
to affected communities. The Program also will coordinate two meetings of the CHPAC, with
delivery of expert responses to additional charge questions related to high priority children's
environmental health issues.
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM CHOI) Number of EPA actions that concern human health that include assessment and consideration of
environmental health information and data for children at all life stages to the extent relevant data are
available.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
50%
163
TBD
Actions
Actual
N/A
(PM CH02) Number of EPA regional offices with stakeholder engagement on children's environmental
health designed to provide durable, replicable, and widespread results.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
3
6
7
Regional
Offices
Actual
6
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$55.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$83.0) This program change is an increase to provide additional support for existing
programs and workforce in the Children's Health Program. This includes updating and
expanding indicators and trends in America's Children and the Environment by gathering
evidence to better represent impacts of environmental exposures on children in underserved
communities and by making improvements in the accessibility and presentation of the
underlying data.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Safe
Drinking Water Act (SDWA); Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA); Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); and Food
Quality Protection Act (FQPA).
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Executive Management and Operations
Program Area: Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
linvironmenlal Programs A- Management
S.\\H'~2
W,. I(,0
V. -J, 00
\1 1J40
Total Budget Authority
$55,872
$56,160
$67,600
$11,440
Total Workyears
266.5
278.6
311.6
33.0
Total workyears in FY 2024 include 6.2 FTE to support Executive Management Operations working capital fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
The Executive Management and Operations Program supports various offices that provide direct
executive and logistical support to EPA's Administrator. In addition to the Administrator's
Immediate Office (10), the Program supports the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental
Relations (OCIR), Office of Administrative and Executive Services (OAES), Office of the
Executive Secretariat (OEX), the Office of Public Affairs (OPA), and the Office of Public
Engagement (OPE).
The Program also supports EPA's 10 regional offices. The Program's management, coordination,
and policy activities link the Agency's engagement with outside entities, including Congress, state
and local governments, tribes, nongovernmental organizations, national and community
associations, and the public.
Within the Program, key functions include responding to congressional requests for information;
coordinating and providing outreach to state and local governments, tribes, and rural communities;
and supporting press and other communications activities. The Program also resources mission
support functions, including but not limited to administrative management services involving
correspondence control and records management systems, human resources management, budget
formulation and execution, outsourcing, and information technology management services.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency requests an additional $11.4 million and 33.0 FTE for the Executive
Management and Operations Program. These additional resources will support engagement with
state and local partners; enhance training of healthcare providers in underserved communities on
the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of children's exposure to lead; implement
and strengthen the Agency's ability to carry out effective risk communication; restore core
capacity to the Executive Management and Operations Program; provide contract support for the
Agency's management operations and multi-media and risk communications; and support
279
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evidence building activities in support of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act
of 2018. This investment also provides an annual payroll increase for existing FTE; essential
workforce support costs; support for critical agency wide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028
cybersecurity requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support; implementation
of Trusted Vetting 2.0; and FTE to support agencywide implementation of EPA's Diversity,
Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and Evidence Act data stewardship and
governance requirements, including data officer support and information technology and
information management support.
OCIR serves as EPA's principal point of contact for Congress, regions, states, and local
governments and as the coordination point for interaction with other agency offices and officials.
OCIR is comprised of two main components: the Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA) and
Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR). OCA facilitates all legislative activity and
interactions with Congress. OIR manages interactions with state and local governments and serves
as the liaison for the Agency with national associations for state and local officials.
In FY 2024, OCA will continue to prepare EPA officials for hearings, oversee responses to written
inquiries and oversight requests from members of Congress, and coordinate and provide technical
assistance and briefings on legislative areas of interest to members of Congress and their staff.
In FY 2024, OIR will continue to inform and consult with state and local governments on
regulations and other EPA activities. Additionally, OIR will continue to lead the Agency's efforts
to support and build partnerships with the states, local governments, and tribes on environmental
priorities through regular engagements with intergovernmental associations and state and local
officials, as well as through the National Environmental Performance Partnership System and the
increased use of Performance Partnership Agreements and Grants with a focus on addressing
climate change and ensuring underserved communities are considered throughout the process. OIR
also will continue to operate its Local Government Advisory Committee and Small Communities
Advisory Subcommittee, which provide critical advice to the Administrator.
In addition, OCIR will continue to regularly review and evaluate its processes for responding to
congressional and intergovernmental correspondence and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
requests; prepare for hearings or briefings; provide technical assistance; and coordinate with
EPA's program offices, regional offices, states, local officials, and associations. In addition, the
Program will support EPA's implementation of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking
Act of 2018. OCIR's activities supporting the Grant Commitments Met learning priority area in
EPA's Learning Agenda, will include conducting reviews of select agency grant programs to learn
if the commitments established and met are achieving the intended environmental results, and
provide recommendations, as appropriate, to inform future grants management.
OPA facilitates the exchange of information between EPA and the public, media, Congress, and
state and local governments; broadly communicates EPA's mission; assists in public awareness of
environmental issues; and informs EPA employees of important issues that affect them. Annually,
OPA issues nearly 1,500 press releases; responds to approximately 8,000 media inquiries; and
oversees more than 150 audio-visual productions, 500 graphic productions, 2,700 event
photographs, and 40 portraits. In addition, in terms of digital media, OPA receives over 160 million
280
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impressions on the internet, including www.epa.gov and EPA social media accounts, and posts
nearly 100 unique EPA homepage internet news banners. Also, to facilitate communications with
EPA employees nationwide, OPA annually posts over 200 intranet banners; issues 48 issues of a
weekly e-newsletter - This Week @ EPA - with a total of 240 articles; and sends more than 100
agencywide employee Mass Mailers from EPA's Administrator, Deputy Administrator, and other
senior leaders. In FY 2024, OPA will continue to inform the media of agency initiatives and deliver
timely, accurate information. The Office will continue to update the Agency's internet site to
provide stakeholders with transparent, accurate, and comprehensive information on EPA's
activities and policies. OPA will continue using social media, multimedia, and new media tools to
provide stakeholders with information. The Office also will work with EPA's program and
regional offices to improve employee communication; external communication on relevant
environmental and human health risks; collaboration and engagement with internal and external
stakeholders; updates to the Agency's intranet site; and the use of other communication tools.
OPA also is responsible for ensuring that EPA carries out effective risk communication by sharing
critical information on how we are addressing human health and environmental risks with the
American public, communities, public officials, and other stakeholders in a way that it is tailored
to their needs, reaching a wide audience, and providing meaningful actions they can take to reduce
risk. This is integral to most of the work done across the Agency's offices and regions and is
essential to carrying out EPA's mission of protecting human health and the environment.
EPA will keep working to ensure that risk communicators at the Agency are connected to best
practices from the field, high quality training opportunities, and agencywide efforts underway to
improve risk communication. Further, EPA regularly faces intractable risk communication issues
that often need sustained focus by highly trained staff who can apply evidence-based practices.
Addressing these issues and meeting the challenges of the future requires creating sustained culture
change, building agency knowledge and a robust community of practice, and developing strong
relationships with the academic community and our federal, state, and tribal partners.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to strengthen EPA's ability to carry out effective and
consistent risk communication and position the Agency to meet the risk communication challenges
of the future by:
(1) Significantly expanding training across the Agency and with its partners, to create a
community of practice and increase staff knowledge in a meaningful and sustainable way.
This will increase the number of staff at the Agency and among partners who are using the
same best practices in their risk communication efforts while at the same time building a
network of staff located across all regions and offices who are well-positioned to share
their risk communication expertise.
(2) Launching an internal risk communication fellowship program to increase EPA's progress
on the most difficult risk communication issues. The fellowship program will be open to
EPA employees and will provide 10 weeks of intensive risk communication study and
training followed by 10 to 13 weeks of applying the knowledge gained to an intractable
risk communication problem facing the home office or region.
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(3) Developing academic partnerships to study EPA's risk communication challenges and
improve the Agency's reliance on evidence-based practices. This includes increasing
research partnerships to develop a research portfolio with the explicit goal of studying
EPA-relevant risk communication questions, and then translating findings into usable
tools, applications, and best practices for use across the Agency.
In FY 2024, the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks will
convene to report on progress across the federal government in the areas of climate change and
disasters, childhood lead, asthma disparities, and exposure to toxic chemicals. The Lead
Subcommittee will continue to focus on an all of government approach to reducing exposures to
lead. There is an opportunity to improve the environmental education and training of healthcare
providers and medical professionals in identifying and communicating the causes and impacts of
childhood lead exposure in underserved communities in an effort to prevent and reduce exposures.
EPA will work with healthcare providers and families to address this problem directly. To further
support the Administration's Lead Exposure Reduction Initiative, and in coordination with EPA's
program and regional offices, in FY 2024, the Agency will continue to lead ongoing efforts to: 1)
strengthen EPA's communications with the public on the risks of lead exposure by working with
external leaders in the field to build upon the way the Agency conducts its outreach; and 2)
leverage EPA's existing relationship with Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units
(PEHSUs)70 to enhance and support training of healthcare providers in underserved communities
to prevent and reduce children's exposure to lead.
There are several unique risk communication challenges regarding lead, but also unique assets for
the Agency to deploy to reduce risk to the American public—especially to children. Lead exposure
to children can result from multiple sources and can cause irreversible and life-long health effects.
There is no level of lead exposure which is safe. This means that anything the Agency can do to
reduce exposure and lower children's blood lead levels will lead to significant improvements in
public health and brighter, more productive futures for America's children. The specific goals for
FY 2024 include: implementing coordinated federal strategies to prevent lead exposure and
associated effects; disseminating information to diverse audiences, including policy makers, health
care providers, the general public, and other stakeholders; and coordinating and disseminating an
inventory of federal actions to reduce childhood lead exposures.
As the central mission support administrative management component of the Administrator's
Office (AO), the OAES provides advice, tools, and assistance to the AO's programmatic
operations across 11 offices. In FY 2024, OAES will continue to conduct the following mission
support functions: human resources management, budget and financial management, information
technology and security, outsourcing, facilities management, and Government Accountability
Office/Office of the Inspector General audit management.
In FY 2024, OEX will continue to provide critical administrative support to the Administrator,
Deputy Administrator, chief of staff, senior agency officials, and staff to comply with the statutory
70 Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (https://www.pehsu.net/') provide expert information, training and consultation
for health care professionals and the public on evidence-based prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of children's
environmental health conditions. The PEHSU Program increases the ability of the general public to take simple steps to reduce
harmful exposures by raising awareness among parents, school officials and community leaders.
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and regulatory requirements under the Federal Records Act, Freedom of Information Act, Plain
Writing Act, Privacy Act and related statutes and regulations. OEX will continue to manage the
AO's correspondence management, records management, records digitization, Privacy Act
implementation, Controlled Unclassified Information and FOIA response activities. OEX also will
continue to manage EPA's enterprise correspondence tracking and workflow management
information technology application.
OEX also will continue to process correspondence for the Administrator and Deputy
Administrator; review and prepare documents for their signature; manage the Administrator's
primary email account; serve as custodian of the Administrator's, Deputy Administrator's and 10
senior officials' records; oversee the records management program for all AO staff offices; oversee
the Controlled Unclassified Information program for all AO staff offices; and review and issue
ethics determinations for gifts received by the Administrator and Deputy Administrator. OEX also
will manage the privacy program for the AO and monitor, review, and audit AO systems of
records. Finally, OEX will continue to manage the AO FOIA program and respond to all requests
for records held by any of the AO's five associate administrator offices, six staff offices, and the
Immediate Office of the Administrator.
In FY 2024, OPE will continue providing advice to the Administrator and senior staff on activities
surrounding different stakeholder groups, including generating and distributing outreach plans for
most regulatory actions. Such plans often include meeting regularly with stakeholder groups to
communicate the Administration's agenda at EPA; providing advance notification
communications to relevant stakeholder groups on upcoming regulatory actions; facilitating in-
state visits by the Administrator and/or senior staff to collect regulatory feedback; communicating
key dates to stakeholders pertaining to opportunities to comment on EPA rulemakings; and
organizing conference calls on regulatory topics with impacted stakeholders.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,009.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$5,640.0 / +20.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support engagement with
state and local partners, enhanced training of healthcare providers in underserved
communities on the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of children's
exposure to lead, and increased funding to implement and strengthen the Agency's ability
to carry out effective risk communication. This investment includes $3.8 million for
payroll.
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(+$2,550.0 / +8.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support evidence building
activities in support of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018.
This investment includes $1.5 million for payroll.
(+$1,752.0 / +2.5 FTE) This program change is an increase to restore core capacity to the
Executive Management and Operations Program and provide contract support for the
Agency's management operations and multi-media and risk communications. This
investment includes $0.5 million for payroll.
(+$489.0 / +2.5 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements. This investment includes
approximately $0.5 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Environmental Research, Development, and
Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA).
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Exchange Network
Program Area: Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
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FY 2024
President's
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$1,328
$1,328
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Total Budget Authority
$14,153
$16,323
$16,013
-$310
Total Workyears
25.2
30.2
30.2
0.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Environmental Information Exchange Network (EN) is a standards-based, secure approach
for EPA and its state, tribal, and territorial partners to exchange and share environmental data over
the internet. Capitalizing on advanced technology, data standards, open-source software, shared
services for EPA's Digital Strategy (EEDS), and reusable tools and applications, the EN offers its
partners tremendous capabilities for managing and analyzing environmental data more effectively
and efficiently, leading to improved decision-making.
The Central Data Exchange (CDX) is the largest component of the EN Program and serves as the
point of entry on the EN for environmental data transactions with the Agency.71 CDX provides a
set of core shared services that promote a leaner and more cost-effective service framework for the
Agency by avoiding the creation of duplicative applications. It enables faster and more efficient
transactions for internal and external EPA clients, resulting in reduced burden.
Working in concert with CDX is EPA's System of Registries, which is a system of shared data
services designed to enhance efficiency, reduce burden on the regulated community, and improve
environmental outcomes, including environmental justice (EJ). EPA and EN partners routinely
reference these shared data registries, from commonly regulated facilities and substances to the
current list of federally recognized tribes. They identify the standard or official names for these
assets, which, when integrated into EPA and partner applications, foster data consistency and data
quality as well as enable data integration.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support core functions for the EN information technology (IT)
systems. The EN Program will continue to be a pivotal component of EPA's Digital Strategy that
71 For more information on the Central Data Exchange, please see: https://cdx.epa.eov/.
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supports business process change agency wide. Under this strategy and the 21st Century Integrated
Digital Experience Act,72 the Agency is streamlining business processes and systems to reduce
reporting burden on states and regulated facilities and to improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of environmental programs for EPA, states, and tribes. EPA also is responsible for managing EN
technical governance groups and administering the pre- and post-award phases of the EN grants
to states, tribes, and territories. These efforts support a standards-based, secure approach for EPA
and its state, tribal, and territorial partners to efficiently exchange and share environmental data
electronically. The Agency also administers and implements the Cross-Media Electronic
Reporting Regulation (CROMERR) that removes regulatory obstacles for e-reporting to EPA
programs under Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
EPA aims to reduce burden and avoid costs while improving IT. The Agency provisioned Virtual
Exchange Services (VES), or virtual nodes, to facilitate data transactions supporting states and
tribal partners. EPA will continue to carry out the baseline support for the adoption and onboarding
of VES and associated services for EPA and its partners. This includes providing a technology
framework - shared CROMERR services - which reduces the burden on programs and external
reporters by providing CROMERR compliant solutions. For example, the shared electronic
identity proofing and signature services for CROMERR supports 29 partner regulatory reporting
programs to date. EPA estimates that partners adopting shared CROMERR services save $120
thousand in development and at least $30 thousand in operations each year, which results in a cost
avoidance of greater than $2.5 million for EN partners.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to improve the functionality and use of the System of Registries.73
In addition to streamlining the Registries, EPA will continue to implement a broader effort across
the enterprise to engage organizations and facilitate the adoption of these data services through
Cloud technology and Representational State Transfer (REST or RESTful) application
programming interfaces (API). Registries are shared data services in which common data are
managed centrally but shared broadly. They improve data quality in EPA systems, enable
integration and interoperability of data across program silos, and facilitate discovery of EPA
information. An example of the Agency's effort to promote the adoption of data services is the
integration of the tribal identification services (TRIBES) across EPA systems.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue implementing a solution related to shared facility identification
information. Centralized facility management also is fundamental to better environmental
management by bringing together EPA data across programmatic silos. Like facility data,
substance information also is regulated across EPA programs, with many EPA programs relying
on the Substance Registry Service (SRS) to improve data quality and reduce burden.
EPA tracks a wide range of data for each registry to measure customer usage and engagement. The
Agency also tracks web service hits to measure the number of users leveraging publicly available
APIs. For example, the SRS website has approximately 90 thousand pageviews per month; many
of these pageviews are users visiting the SRS web area to understand regulatory information about
chemicals. SRS also receives between 20 thousand and 140 thousand web service hits per month
72 For more information on the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act, please refer to:
https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ336/PLAW-115publ336.pdf.
73 For more information, please see: https://ofnipub.epa.goY/sor internet/registrv/sysofreg/about/about.isp.
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(depending on reporting cycles), mostly by EPA systems that have incorporated the web services
into their online reporting forms. FY 2024 priorities for EPA registries include continually
improving registry technologies by migrating the registries to a cloud-based environment open-
source platform to make them easier to locate, access, and utilize.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to expand the number of EPA and partner systems that integrate
registry services into their online reports and systems, reducing burden and improving data quality.
This includes updating EPA's dataset registry to allow EPA scientists, external partners, and others
to share information and make information easier to find in the cloud.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) to maintain, utilize, and improve systems to facilitate the import and
export of legitimate goods and leverage big data and artificial intelligence tools to identify and
prevent or stop illegal goods from entering or leaving the United States. EPA supports over 16
data exchange types within EPA and with CBP to automate and streamline over 8 million annual
import and export filings. This automation is essential for managing a significantly increasing
number of imports and exports (due to e-Commerce) and allows coordinators/officers to focus on
compliance monitoring and key high value targeting activities for non-compliant imports and
exports, and to better coordinate with CBP.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$852.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$1,162.0) This program change in the Exchange Network reflects the completion of a
one-time investment to migrate the TRIBES, SRS, and READ applications to a cloud-
based open-source platform.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA); Clean Air Act (CAA); Clean Water Act
(CWA); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Government Performance and
Results Act (GPRA); Government Management Reform Act (GMRA); Clinger-Cohen Act (CCA).
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Public Engagement, Partnerships, and Environmental Education
Program Area: Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
Goal: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Objective(s): Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State and
Local Levels
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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$8,303
$9,500
$23,972
$14,472
Total Workyears
10.5
11.2
24.2
13.0
Program Project Description:
The Public Engagement, Partnerships and Environmental Education Program coordinates critical
stakeholder outreach across all the EPA's programs and environmental education, supporting the
Agency's mission and Administration priorities.
Public Engagement and Partnerships
EPA's Public Engagement and Partnerships Program initiates and maintains the Agency's
relationship with principal stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of environment decision-
making. EPA is committed to engaging with all stakeholders on important issues and policies and
communicating stakeholder input and concerns to EPA leadership. The achievement of EPA's
environmental goals requires the active engagement of all stakeholders and organizations that are
impacted by EPA policies and regulations, including environmental justice, climate change, and
infrastructure. Resources support communicating and fostering strong relationships with the
public, convening briefings and meetings, organizing events, and gathering timely and relevant
information to inform agency decision making. The Program proactively establishes relationships
with stakeholders to ensure a broad range of voices are captured in the Agency's work.
In FY 2022, the Program coordinated numerous stakeholder and community engagements for the
Administrator and senior leadership. Most notable was the Administrator's Journey to Justice work
to foster community engagement. The three Journey to Justice tours highlighted longstanding
environmental justice concerns in under-served communities at the forefront of environmental
burdens. From these tours, the Agency delivered bold action to address environmental justice
concerns, including increasing enforcement measures for out of compliance facilities and creating
direct lines of communication with the communities and senior EPA officials. These relationships
have been maintained in the months since and residents on the ground have become a part of
agency engagement for announcements on rules and regulations. In FY 2022, EPA also established
EPA's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Council to foster stronger
relationships with HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs); and to explore enhanced
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opportunities for recruitment of students and ways to support HBCUs/MSIs through grants,
contracts, transparent data sharing, and community engagement.
Environmental Education
In 1990, the National Environmental Education Act (NEEA) was established with the objective of
improving the public's understanding and knowledge of the natural and built environment,
enabling people to effectively solve environmental problems. NEEA states "there is growing
evidence of international environmental problems, such as global warming...that pose serious
threats to human health and the environment."74 The Environmental Education Program
implements environmental education (EE) programming that helps EPA address these issues from
the local community to national and international levels with a focus on communities that are
pollution-burdened and as well as underserved communities. Staff manage the National
Environmental Education Act Federal Advisory Committee (NEEAC). Congress established the
Agency' s NEEAC under the NEEA, to advise the Administrator on a wide range of environmental
education matters.
The Program provides management and technical support to these advisory committees. The
Committee provides EPA's Administrator with independent advice on environmental issues,
addresses environmental issues, like climate change, that impact frontline and underserved
communities, through education, a commitment to equity, and stakeholder grants authorized by
the NEEA. The Program supports the Agency's environmental and public health protection goals
by empowering communities with expanded access to quality environmental and climate
education, providing educational materials for teachers, hosting educational events, and engaging
stakeholders through the National Environmental Education and Training Program (teacher
training program), the Presidential Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) Program, and the
Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) Program. These programs
promote civic action to reduce the impacts of climate change and promote environmental and
climate equity through an educational lens.
Each year, our Nation's youth are recognized for their outstanding dedication to environmental
stewardship projects and teachers are honored for promoting environmental awareness and
education. In FY 2022, EPA recognized 13 educators and 49 students for their leadership and
commitment to environmental education and environmental stewardship. The PIAEE awards
recognize outstanding kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who employ innovative approaches
to environmental education and use the environment as a context to engage their students. The
PEYA honors and highlights a wide variety of projects developed by K through 12th grade students,
school classes and clubs, youth camps, and youth organizations to promote environmental
awareness and action in their schools and communities. Students in all 50 U.S. states and territories
are invited to participate in the Program.
74 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/neea.pdf.
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 2/Objective 2.1, Promote Environmental Justice and
Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Levels in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic
Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA requests an investment of $14.3 million and 13.0 FTE for the Public Engagement,
Partnerships and Environmental Education Program to expand activities established in FY 2022,
to explore the creation of a National Environmental Youth Advisory Council, and improve the
Agency's public engagement, partnership, and outreach initiatives at the regional level and across
the Agency. The increased investment will not be used to fund the NEEA, or environmental
education activities as defined under the NEEA.
Public Engagement and Partnerships
In FY 2024, this investment will enable the Program to increase efforts to coordinate critical
stakeholder outreach that supports the Agency's mission and Administration priorities. A key
priority of this Administration is to integrate local communities into agency activities and
environmental initiatives to address disproportionate environmental and public health harms and
risks in underserved communities through a range of local initiatives. With the additional
resources, EPA will provide additional public engagement capacity in the regional and
headquarters offices to foster greater public engagement across the Agency and to communicate
and engage local communities on environmental initiatives. The Program will support local public
engagement activities by developing key partnerships with local stakeholders and community
members to ensure the environmental concerns of local communities are heard. Local, on-the-
ground engagement will further connect the Agency with the American people and foster
relationships across the Agency to implement HBCU and MSI initiatives, and establish a National
Advisory Youth Council.
In FY 2024, resources will support:
• Regional Community Engagement. The Program will work directly with the regional
offices to coordinate and communicate on agency public engagement initiatives (e.g.,
Justice40; Journey to Justice and other community tours; HBCU/MSI engagements). This
will support the Administrator to ensure visibility with local stakeholders, community
members and greater coordination with the Regional Administrators. EPA will maintain
ongoing, proactive communications with stakeholders, and will facilitate opportunities for
the Agency to benefit from stakeholders and community interest groups, who can provide
independent perspective, expertise, and advice.
• Journey to Justice. The Program will continue to manage and plan the Administrator's
Journey to Justice tours, highlighting longstanding environmental justice concerns in
under-severed communities at the forefront of environmental burdens. The Program will
work with the regional offices, community members, stakeholders, and local leaders to
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ensure EPA delivers action to address environmental justice concerns and to maintain
community-level relationships for agency announcements on rules and regulations.
• Public Private Partnerships. The Program will explore, engage, and foster public and
private partnerships with outside stakeholders to elevate the Agency and the Administrator
to non-traditional stakeholders, ensuring a broader group of people are engaged with the
work EPA is doing.
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institution
(MSIs). EPA will create an HBCU/MSI Consortium and Federal Advisory Committee to
increase engagements with EPA and help develop the next generation of environmental
leaders. The HBCU Consortium will establish a funding mechanism for HBCU and MSI
schools toward technical assistance and workforce development related to environmental
justice, climate change, and environmental education. It also will help to create sustainable
partnerships with HBCUs and MSIs resulting in tangible improvements for schools and
students as environmental leaders in underserved communities and increase outreach and
recruitment opportunities for EPA. The HBCU-Federal Advisory Committee will help to
create sustainable partnerships with HBCUs and MSIs resulting in tangible improvements
for schools and students as environmental leaders in underserved communities and increase
outreach and recruitment opportunities for EPA.
• National Environmental Youth Advisory Council. The Program will explore the creation of
a National Environmental Youth Advisory Council. The Council will provide independent
advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on how to increase EPA's efforts
to address a range of environmental issues including but not limited to environmental
justice, pollution reduction, energy, climate change mitigation and resiliency,
environmental health, and racial inequity. Efforts will include a broad range of strategic,
scientific, technological, regulatory, community engagement, and economic issues related
to the above categories and more.
• Environmental Education Outreach. The Program will work to enhance public engagement
to amplify the environmental education work that's happening on the local level. This
includes scheduling regional events and visits with EE grantees and PEYA/PIAEE award
winners to highlight their leadership and commitment to environmental education. The
Program also is creating a digital newsletter as an engagement tool to showcase what
climate action and environmental education looks like across the country. The publication
will include articles, feature stories, videos, resources, events, grantee spotlight,
announcements and more. The content also will be posted throughout EPA's social
networks and on its website.75
75 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/education.
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Environmental Education
In FY 2024, EPA requests approximately $9.3 million for the Environmental Education Program.
The Program will implement the teacher training program and regional grant program with a focus
on fighting climate change and protecting public health through EE and improved engagement
with frontline communities that are pollution-burdened as well as underserved communities.
In FY 2024, resources will:
Support career development through education by funding innovative EE grant proj ects in
frontline communities that can lead to inclusive, just, and pollution-free communities and
an economy that supports high-quality jobs.
Create a grant website tool for the public that provides detailed and valuable information
on all EE regional grants, including information on audience, project format and duration,
environmental topic, and the environmental and educational impacts achieved.
• Ensure formal and non-formal educators have the knowledge and teaching skills necessary
to help advance environmental and climate literacy in America through the National
Environmental Education and Training Program.
• Build strategic partnerships that include underserved and overburdened communities to
increase the conversation around using EE as a tool to achieve environmental protection
goals while achieving environmental justice, climate equity, and economic prosperity.
• Ask the National Environmental Education Advisory Council (NEEAC) to provide a set of
national recommendations on how frontline and underserved communities can use EE to
build capacity to become resilient to the effects of climate change.
Continue the long-standing partnership with NEEF (National Environmental Education
Foundation) as we work collaboratively to identify opportunities to achieve environmental
education goals. EPA and NEEF will have an MOU to work together on water
infrastructure and safe drinking water, public health, climate change, environmental
justice, and citizen and climate science. EPA and NEEF will seek to work together on
additional education and public outreach efforts as appropriate.
Create a whole of federal government approach to environmental and climate education
that promotes environmental stewardship and prioritizes equity, inclusion, EJ, and an
improved economy. For example, collaborate with the Department of Education to enlist
colleges and universities focusing on Minority Serving Institutions to assist underserved
communities through student internships, practicums, and capstone projects.
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• Utilize an information management system that will track outputs and outcomes for each
grant to ensure program effectiveness, improve program efficiency, and improve overall
customer service. The information tracking system also will be used for the PEYA and
PIAEE Programs.
• Partner with the Center of Science and Industry on their Learning Lunchboxes. These EPA
branded kits (water infrastructure themed) will help to make STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and math) learning opportunities more accessible to underserved youth. COSI
plans to distribute 130,000 Learning Lunchbox kits over the next two years.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$170.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE, adjustments to provide essential workforce support,
and changes to benefits costs.
(+$14,302.0 / +13.0 FTE) This program change is an increase for the Public Engagement,
Partnerships and Environmental Education Program to expand activities established in FY
2022, explore the creation of a National Environmental Youth Advisory Council and
improve the Agency's public engagement, partnership, and outreach initiatives at the
regional level and across the Agency. This investment includes approximately $2.35
million for payroll and will not be used to fund environmental education activities as
defined under the National Environmental Education Act.
Statutory Authority:
National Environmental Education Act (NEEA); Clean Air Act (CAA), § 103; Clean Water Act
(CWA), § 104; Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA), § 8001; Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), §
1442; Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), § 10; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), § 20, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).
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Small Business Ombudsman
Program Area: Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
linvironmenlal Programs A- Management
SI.56-/
S 2.250
S2.22'
-S25
Total Budget Authority
$1,564
$2,250
$2,227
-$23
Total Workyears
3.3
5.6
5.6
0.0
Program Project Description:
The Small Business Ombudsman Program includes the Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman
(ASBO),76 housed within the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU).
It also includes the Small Business Advocacy Chair and other small business activities located
within the Office of Policy's (OP) Office of Regulatory Policy and Management. These activities
within OP collectively lead EPA's responsibilities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.77
The ASBO Program provides a suite of resources, technical assistance, and opportunities for small
business engagement, training, and advocacy for fair consideration. The ASBO Program operates
through two roles: EPA's Asbestos Ombudsman and EPA's Small Business Ombudsman. The Asbestos
Ombudsman role services atoll-free hotline, functioning as an informational liaison and guide in
responding to asbestos-related questions and concerns from the public. The Small Business
Ombudsman role provides informal guidance and support in the rulemaking process and offers
environmental compliance assistance and resources for small business. The ASBO advocates for a
fair process in working with small business, and in so doing, partners with a variety of internal and
external stakeholders, including EPA programs and regional offices, State Small Business
Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAPs),78 and the U.S. Small Business Administration
Office of Advocacy, and Office of the National Ombudsman. The ASBO also engages with various
small business groups and associations.
Overall, the core functions of the ASBO include:
• Assisting the public with hotline questions and complaints.
• Improving access to federal and state environmental information and assistance.
Supporting EPA in better understanding small business perspectives when considering
76 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-businesses/asbestos-small-business-
ombudsman.
77 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.g0v/aboutepa/about-office-policv-op#ORPM.
78 For more information, please see: https://iiationalsbeap.ore/.
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regulatory impacts or enforcement issues.
• Advocating for and facilitating informal small entity engagement activities.
• Developing recommendations or reports on EPA's asbestos and small business compliance
assistance programs.
Based on the Agency's overall small business regulatory and environmental compliance assistance
activities, EPA has earned a grade of "A" in the last 16 SB A Office of the National Ombudsman
Annual Reports to Congress.79
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
Consistent with EPA's priorities for addressing climate change, equity, and Environmental Justice
(EJ) in FY 2024, the ASBO will:
• Develop and issue ASBO program reporting to help guide the Agency on issues related to
asbestos, small business regulatory impacts and adherence to the 507 Program
requirements. Under the 1986 Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) (15
U.S.C. §2641-2656) and the 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments' Small Business
Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program (42
U.S.C. §7661f), the ASBO is statutorily required to monitor and report on the effectiveness
of EPA's asbestos and small business environmental compliance assistance programs. In
FY 2022, the ASBO developed, vetted, and issued an integrated strategy for carrying out
these monitoring and reporting responsibilities. In FY 2024, the ASBO will fully
implement these responsibilities, building on its activities in gathering relevant data,
including information collected in FY 2023. This implementation will help identify
opportunities to strengthen operational efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of
program services and support.
Continue to support state small business stakeholder engagement with EPA's EJ activities
through ASBO's ongoing collaboration and cooperative assistance agreement with the
Kansas State University. ASBO funds the cooperative agreement in support of the National
SBEAP. SBEAPs are a key stakeholder on EJ activities as they work directly within the EJ
community and service small and disadvantaged businesses located within their state. In
response to Executive Order (EO) 13985,80 the SBEAPs recently created an EJ
Subcommittee to provide targeted support to small and disadvantaged businesses located
in underserved communities. In FY 2024, the ASBO will support the SBEAP's EJ
Subcommittee efforts through outreach and event planning activities, and assistance with
EPA EJ coordination within states. Through ASBO's cooperative agreement with the
79 For more information, please see: https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/SBA ONO AnnualReport 2020-508 O.pdf.
80 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.eoY/briefma-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executiYe-order-
advancine-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-Eovernment/.
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National SBEAP, the ASBO also will continue to support, enhance, and promote the
SBEAP website's foreign language page, which is a key EJ resource for assisting the
underserved, non-English speaking business community.
Continue to strengthen small business access to regulatory and environmental compliance
resources, training, and stakeholder collaboration. This includes leveraging the ASBO
direct hotline assistance and small business engagement activities to target technical
assistance to overburdened and marginalized small business communities. As an example,
in FY 2023, the ASBO began utilizing an off-the-shelf subscription tracking and
management technology for its monthly newsletter to conduct data analytics to better
identify small business communities for outreach and engagement activities. Additionally,
ASBO will continue to review, update, and expand its portfolio of small business resources.
• Foster stronger internal communication and collaboration within EPA and its rule writers,
especially EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, which has specific implementation
responsibilities for Tackling the Climate Crisis At Home and Abroad, under EO 14008.81
ASBO will offer EPA rule writers virtual facilitation and coordination support for early
and informal small business engagement during the rulemaking process. Early and
informal engagement with the small business community will allow the Agency to better
understand industry practices and business impacts early in the rule development process
to better understand, and when possible, mitigate, regulatory burdens on small and
disadvantaged businesses.
Continue to convene and manage Small Business Advocacy Review Panels, under OP's
Small Business Advocacy Chair, which help to inform agency rule writers of EPA rules
that may have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$23.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This funding change
includes a slight reduction to this program. The Agency will prioritize activities to continue
to maintain compliance with its statutory obligations under the Small Business Act.
Statutory Authority:
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), 1986 (adding Title II to the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA)) (15 U.S.C. §2641-2656); Clean Air Act, Title 5, Section 507;
81 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefmp-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-
on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/.
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Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program
(42 U.S.C. §7661f); Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-
121, as amended by Pub. L. 110-28; Small Business Paperwork Relief Act, 44 U.S.C. 35; 42 U.S.C.
§ 766If; and 15 U.S.C. §§ 2641-2656.
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Small Minority Business Assistance
Program Area: Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$2,564
$2,056
$1,996
-$60
Total Budget Authority
$2,564
$2,056
$1,996
-$60
Total Workyears
8.4
7.6
7.6
0.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) manages the Agency's
Small Business Contracting Program mandated under Section 15(k) of the Small Business Act,
15 U.S.C. § 644(k). As prescribed under that section, the Program provides expertise in ensuring
small business prime and subcontracting opportunities to help promote procurement equity and
expand EPA's competitive supplier base in carrying out the Agency' s mission. Under the Program,
OSDBU provides EPA's contracting community statutorily required counseling and training on
all aspects of governing small business requirements throughout the federal acquisition cycle. It
also engages in statutorily mandated advocacy on behalf of the various categories of small
businesses, including disadvantaged businesses; small businesses located in Historically
Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones); service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses
(SDVOSBs); and women-owned small businesses (WOSBs). In accordance with Section 15(k),
OSDBU further hosts or participates in an average of one small business outreach and training
conference each month, providing needed technical assistance to hundreds of small and
disadvantaged businesses across the country.
In implementing the statutory responsibilities required under Section 15(k), OSDBU reviews
acquisition strategies to maximize small business prime and subcontracting opportunities; provides
expertise in conducting market research for EPA acquisitions; performs contract bundling reviews
to avoid unnecessary or unjustified limitations on small business utilization; reviews purchase card
transactions within the statutory threshold; and evaluates large prime contractor subcontracting
plans. In addition, OSDBU assists in the coordination of unsolicited proposals for agency
acquisitions and in the resolution of small business payment issues under EPA acquisitions. It
further provides a broad range of training, outreach, and technical assistance to new and
prospective small business contract awardees.
Historically, data reported in the Federal Procurement Data Systems (FPDS) indicates that EPA
awards an average of 40 percent of total acquisition dollars to small businesses annually - far
exceeding the government-wide goal of 23 percent. EPA most recently earned the highest grade
of "A+" on the FY 2021 Small Business Procurement Scorecard, outperforming the Agency's
record of an "A" grade for the last 12 consecutive Scorecards.82
82 For more information, please see: https://www.sba.gov/agencv-scorecards/scorecard.html?agencv=EPA&vear=2021
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
Consistent with EPA's priorities to advance Environmental Justice (EJ), further procurement
equity to support underserved businesses and communities, and expand the Nation's supplier base,
in FY 2024, the Program will:
• Leverage technology to foster more efficient and effective vendor engagement as a pivotal
component in expanding small and socioeconomic business participation in EPA
acquisitions. Industry has specifically indicated in various EPA listening sessions held in
FY 2022, that ensuring small business access to federal procurement opportunities and
corresponding officials is indispensable to furthering procurement equity. In FY 2024,
OSDBU will deploy a new system to simplify matching small and socioeconomic vendors
with EPA contracting opportunities and responsible EPA officials. Utilizing matchmaking
technology will take advantage of available artificial intelligence to ensure small and
disadvantaged businesses have meaningful access and opportunities to market their
solutions, experience, and capabilities to EPA officials. Also in FY 2024, OSDBU will
continue to build on its successful deployment of its enhanced electronic vendor profile
database. OSDBU will institute additional reconfigurations to enable EPA officials to
customize discrete vendor lists for specific categories of spend. This will streamline
acquisition planning and market research, resulting in reductions in the overall
procurement action lead time.
• Engage in more dynamic acquisition planning and market research by strengthening
OSDBU's role as an essential member of the Agency's integrated acquisition team. In FY
2024, OSDBU will continue to strengthen agencywide compliance with internal vendor
engagement metrics to expand the Agency's market intelligence and familiarity with
socioeconomic small business sources available in the federal marketplace. OSDBU will
assume a leading role in providing small business expertise and counsel in tailoring and
coordinating innovative vendor engagement strategies to maximize meaningful small and
socioeconomic business procurement opportunities.
• Implement a new policy to expand large business utilization of small and socioeconomic
businesses in the performance of prime contracts. In FY 2022, OSDBU initiated a pilot for
an optional small and socioeconomic business utilization strategy in EPA Superfund
remedial acquisitions. The utilization strategy is intended to incentivize prime contractors
to maximize small business contracting teaming arrangements consistent with the efficient
performance of prime contracts. In FY 2024, OSDBU will partner with EPA's Office of
Acquisition Solutions (OAS) to adopt a formal policy expanding application of the strategy
more broadly to other agency acquisitions, and to provide related training to EPA officials
and industry. Significantly, implementing the strategy more broadly will encourage large
business joint venture, mentor-protege, and subcontracting relationships with small
businesses. This will help build small and socioeconomic business capabilities, capacity,
299
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and experience, and thereby diversify and expand the federal supplier base in accordance
with governmentwide procurement equity directives83 on expanding procurement equity.
Conduct robust EPA in-reach activities to educate the Agency's acquisition workforce on
structuring acquisitions to expand small business contracting opportunities and reduce
barriers to procurement equity. In FY 2024, OSDBU also will collaborate with OAS to
develop a bootcamp training curriculum to equip and enhance small business proficiency
in competing for EPA contract awards and effective contract administration.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM SB1) Percentage of EPA contract spending awarded to HUBZone businesses.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
3.0
3.2
3.4
Percent
Actual
1.6
2.4
2.2
2.0
4.9
3.1
Numerator
25
37
35
30
75
59
Millions of
Dollars
Denominator
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,900
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$60.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This funding change includes a
slight reduction to the Program. The Agency will prioritize activities to continue to
maintain compliance with its statutory obligations under the Small Business Act.
Statutory Authority:
Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C § 644(k).
83 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefmp-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-
order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ and
https://www.whitehouse.goy/wp-content/uploads/202 l/12/M-22-03.pdf
300
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State and Local Prevention and Preparedness
Program Area: Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
S /-A'/"
S Ix-l-lf,
S2J.SS-I
SS.-/JS
Total Budget Authority
$14,957
$15,446
$23,884
$8,438
Total Workyears
57.7
67.1
93.1
26.0
Program Project Description:
The State and Local Prevention and Preparedness Program establishes a structure composed of
federal, state, local, and tribal partners who work together with industry to protect emergency
responders, local communities, facility workers, the environment, and property from chemical
accident risks through accident prevention and emergency response programs, community and
facility engagement, and improved safety systems. This framework provides the foundation for
community and facility chemical hazard response planning and reduction of risk posed by
chemical facilities.
Under Section 112(r) of the 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments, chemical facilities that store
more than a threshold quantity of listed extremely hazardous substances are required to implement
a Risk Management Plan (RMP) program. These facilities, known as RMP facilities, take
preventive measures, report data, mitigate and/or respond to chemical releases, and work with
communities, first responders, and planning groups to increase understanding of risks.84
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 was enacted to
help communities plan for chemical emergencies and to inform the public about chemicals in their
community. Under EPCRA, facilities are required to report about the chemicals they produce, use,
and store to state and local governments. States, tribes, and local governments use this information
to prepare communities for potential chemical releases from these facilities through the
development of local emergency response plans.85
Under Section 31 l(j)(5) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), EPA is required to issue and implement
regulations requiring certain facilities to develop plans to respond to worst case discharges of
hazardous substances that could threaten navigable waters.
84 For additional information, please refer to: fattps://www.epa.gov/rmp.
85 For additional information, please refer to: fattps://www.epa.aov/epora.
301
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the State and Local Prevention and Preparedness Program will perform the following
activities:
Support inspection of RMP and EPCRA facilities to ensure compliance with accident
prevention and preparedness regulations, and work with chemical facilities to reduce
chemical risks and improve safety. There are approximately 12,000 chemical facilities that
are subject to the RMP regulations. Of these, approximately 1,700 facilities have been
designated as high-risk based upon their accident history, quantity of on-site dangerous
chemicals stored, and proximity to large residential populations.86 EPA prioritizes
inspections at high-risk facilities.
The Program generally aims to conduct approximately 300 inspections a year, or three
percent of all RMP facilities. EPA will focus on high-risk facilities located in communities
with environmental justice concerns and communities with increased climate-related risks
(e.g., extreme weather, flooding, wildfires, etc.). Additional resources will allow the
Program to complete approximately 200 more inspections per year once the new inspectors
are trained and credentialed.
• Protect fenceline communities through regulatory updates and outreach, compliance
assistance, and inspections at regulated facilities, thereby reducing risks to human health
and the environment by decreasing the likelihood and impacts of chemical accidents.
• Provide basic and advanced RMP and EPCRA inspector training for federal and state
inspectors.
• Maintain and upgrade the RMP national database, which is the Nation's premier source of
information on chemical process risks and contains hazard information on all RMP
facilities. Industry electronically submits updated RMPs to this secure database. Using
funding requested in FY 2024, EPA will continue improvements to the RMP national
database to accommodate new risk management plan submission elements resulting from
recent regulatory changes and providing increased public access to non-sensitive portions
of the RMP database and subsequent analytics.
• Develop updates to the Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations
(CAMEO) software suite (i.e., the CAMEO Chemicals, CAMEO//??, Areal Locations of
Hazardous Atmospheres and Mapping Application for Response, Planning, and Local
Operational Tasks applications), which provides free and publicly available information
for firefighting, first aid, emergency planning, and spill response activities.
86 Located in EPA's RMP database.
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• Implement the changes made in the RMP Safer Communities by Chemical Accident
Prevention final rule, which the Agency expects to be completed in August 2023. This rule
will initiate the updating of EPA interpretive guidance and training EPA, state, and local
inspectors on new and updated regulatory provisions to address Administration priorities
on environmental justice and climate change.
• Under Section 31 l(j)(5) of the CWA, EPA will continue developing regulations requiring
certain facilities to develop plans for responding to a worst-case discharge, or to a
substantial threat of such a discharge, of CWA-listed hazardous substances. EPA requests
$300 thousand and 2 FTE in FY 2024 to begin implementation efforts for this new
regulatory program. These additional funds and staff will be used to develop
implementation guidance and training and outreach materials and begin training regional
staff on conducting inspections and exercises for the new regulatory provisions.
Conduct outreach to regulated industry concerning changes or updates to RMP and EPCRA
regulations and interpretive guidance.
Coordinate and collaborate with state, tribal, and local response entities on emergency
response plans and procedures to ensure cohesive and effective responses to chemical
releases.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program directly supports performance results in the Superfund: EPA Emergency
Preparedness program under the Superfund appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$419.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$7,519.0 / +26.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support a multi-pronged
approach to protect fenceline communities at risk from nearby chemical facilities,
including providing increased outreach and inspections at regulated facilities to ensure
facilities have measures in place to prevent chemical accidents. This investment includes
$4.5 million for payroll.
(+$500.0) This program increase is to upgrade and support operations and maintenance of
the existing RMP database.
Statutory Authority:
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA); the Clean Air Act (CAA)
§ 112(r); Clean Water Act (CWA) § 31 l(j)(5).
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TRI / Right to Know
Program Area: Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Promote Pollution Prevention
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$13,064
$15,052
$14,018
-$1,034
Total Budget Authority
$13,064
$15,052
$14,018
-$1,034
Total Workyears
36.8
37.0
37.0
0.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's success in carrying out its mission to protect human health and the environment depends
on collecting and making available timely, accurate, and relevant information to communities,
non-governmental organizations, industry, academia, and government agencies at the local, state,
tribal, federal, and international levels. EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program87 supports
the Agency's mission by annually collecting and publishing in a publicly accessible form: release,
other waste management (e.g., recycling), and pollution prevention (P2) data on TRI-listed
chemicals and chemical categories that include almost 200 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS).88 Approximately 21,000 industrial and federal facilities report to TRI annually.
The TRI Program is a premiere source of cross-media toxic chemical release information for
stakeholders. Using technological advances, the TRI Program has developed several analytical
tools that provide the public with easy access, mapping, and analysis of information on TRI
chemicals released or otherwise managed as waste at facilities in communities across the United
States and its territories. Some of these tools incorporate demographic indicators such as low
income, people of color, unemployment, education level, linguistically isolated households, and
young and elderly populations, as well as tribal land and risk indicators.
The Program collaborates with other EPA programs on data analyses to describe relevant trends
in pollutant releases, waste management, and P2 practices with respect to toxic chemicals and to
support innovative approaches by industry and other partners to reduce pollution. As a robust,
community-focused, annual, cross-media dataset on toxic chemical information, the TRI lends
itself to comparative analyses with other program-specific data managed by the Agency, providing
insights that may not be apparent when viewing the datasets independently. Such insights are
especially valuable for 1) identifying opportunities based on TRI-reported, location-specific
release trends to reduce toxic chemical releases in disadvantaged communities in accordance with
the Administration's environmental justice (EJ) priorities, and 2) promoting TRI-reported
87 For additional information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/tri/.
88 Many per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were added to the TRI chemical list as a component of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA) when the Act was signed into law on December 20,2019. The first year of TRI
reporting these PFAS was calendar year 2020.
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pollution prevention (P2) practices that reduce the release of toxic chemicals and/or emissions of
greenhouse gases (GHGs).
The TRI Program serves as a central component of EPA's strategy to increase access to
environmental pollution information and enable communities, scientists, policymakers, and other
stakeholders to apply the information in their decisions and engagements to address impacts and
deter adverse burdens, particularly to low-income and disadvantaged communities.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.2, Promote Pollution Prevention in the
FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to build upon the regulatory foundation of TRI to ensure that
communities have access to timely and meaningful data on toxic chemical releases and other waste
management and pollution prevention activities at facilities. As part of this effort, the TRI Program
will continue to clarify toxic chemical reporting requirements, pursue additional chemical listings,
expand the scope of industry coverage (as applicable), respond to petitions, improve the reporting
experience, take steps to further optimize the quality of TRI data, explore enhanced access and
analytical capability with respect to this valuable information, identify opportunities to reduce
toxic chemical releases, and share and promote pollution prevention approaches with industry.
This work supports the Administration's EJ priorities as the Program will play an important role
in conducting analyses to support EPA's goals for disadvantaged communities with EJ concerns.
Additionally, the Program will work to identify instances where TRI-reported P2 practices reduce
releases of TRI-listed toxic chemicals and/or GHGs in alignment with the Administration's climate
priorities.
EPA also will continue to provide its online reporting application, TRI-MEweb ("TRIMade Easy
web" reporting tool), to assist reporting facilities with the electronic preparation and submission
of TRI reports through EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX),89 which manages TRI access and
authentication services and provides identity proofing. TRI-MEweb has built-in functionality to
help prevent facilities from making reporting errors. In addition, the TRI data collected by EPA
are shared with states, tribes, and territories that are partners of the TRI Data Exchange (TDX).90
EPA will continue to maintain TRI-MEweb and the TDX throughout FY 2024. The Agency also
will continue to support the TRI Processing System (TRIPS) database, which is the repository for
TRI data.
In FY 2024, as a key element of its data quality assurance strategy, the Program will conduct at
least 600 data quality checks to help optimize the accuracy and completeness of the reported data
and thereby improve the Program's analyses and the utility of the data to the public. EPA also will
continue to improve its systems, processes, and products based on feedback from users {i.e.,
communities; academia; industry; and state, tribal and local governments). Additionally, EPA will
89 To access the CDX, please visit: https://cdx.epa.eov/.
90 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/tri-data-exchange.
305
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explore opportunities to streamline the TRI listing process to enhance efficiencies in the TRI
program.
The Program also will continue to publish English and Spanish versions of the annual TRI National
Analysis,91 which describes relevant trends in toxic chemical releases and waste management
practices and highlights innovative approaches by industry to reduce pollution. The Analysis will
include industry sector profiles, parent company analyses, and TRI information reported from
facilities in specific urban communities, watersheds, and tribal lands. The TRI Program also will
continue to make the preliminary data available to the public shortly after the reporting deadline
as downloadable data files and through online analytical tools such as Envirofacts.92 The Program
will continue to provide support to EPA's Enforcement and Compliance Assurance programs by
supplying facility target lists developed through the comparison of TRI reporting with facility
reporting to other EPA programs (e.g., air permits required by the Clean Air Act). The TRI
Program will continue to foster discussions and collaborations in analyzing and using its data with
stakeholders such as industry, government, academia, non-governmental organizations, and the
public. Engagement will include organizing targeted webinars, hosting a TRI National Conference
and, if resources permit, launching a TRI University Challenge.
Section 7321 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 requires EPA to assess certain
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) to determine whether they meet Emergency Planning
and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Section 313 chemical listing criteria. During FY
2024 EPA will finalize a rulemaking to add certain PFAS to the TRI list based on the TRI-listing
criteria. Further, the TRI Program's information, data, and analyses will support the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA) Program, helping to identify conditions of use and to evaluate and
estimate occupational, general population, and potentially exposed and susceptible subpopulation
exposures for those chemicals undergoing risk evaluation and that are included on the TRI
chemical list. This work will assist Agency chemical programs in their prioritization work, from
the identification of candidate chemicals for future risk evaluations to the support of other chemical
assessments across program and regional offices, advancing the work of chemical safety
agencywide.
The TRI Program will additionally pursue chemical listings, including TSCA Work Plan chemicals
and other substances of interest to the Agency that are not included on the TRI chemical list, as
well as respond to TRI chemical listing petitions. Additional chemicals or sectors may be assessed
for TRI listing suitability and associated listing actions, and as required by EPCRA, the Agency
will respond to EPCRA chemical petitions regarding TRI within 180 days after receipt.93 The
quantity and complexity of petitions are unknown until submitted to EPA. EPA will continue to
respond to any TRI chemical petitions received during FY 2024.
91 To access the TRI National Analysis, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/tritiatiotialanalvsis. EPA publishes each National Analysis
approximately six months after that year's data are reported.
92 EnviroFacts may be accessed at: https://etiviro.epa.eov/.
93 Additional information on current petitions may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/toxics~release~inventory~tri-prograni/toxics~
release-inventory-laws-and-regulatory-activities.
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Because electronic systems that collect and disseminate TRI data largely have been developed, FY
2024 work will focus on the operations and maintenance of TRI-MEweb, TRIPS, and processes
that contribute to quality control in the development of the annual TRI National Analysis. By
leveraging agency cloud services, the TRI systems will improve system performance, reliability,
efficiencies, portability, and administrative services (security, upgrades, patches, etc.). This also
will improve integration/consistency with other cloud-based systems and applications and will
provide quicker data processing. Moreover, this will enhance the capabilities of EPA's public-
facing TRI analytical tools.
In FY 2024 the TRI Program will analyze and identify facilities and sectors releasing TRI-listed
substances proximal to disadvantaged communities (using functionalities within EPA's analytical
tools, such as TRI Toxics Tracker and EJ Screen). The Program also will develop maps and other
products to help facilitate exploration and understanding of potential impacts from chemical
releases to surrounding communities, including those that might be more susceptible to climate
change impacts {i.e., sea level rise). TRI will initiate this work for at least two EPA Regions and
will provide outreach and training in how to use and interpret the information within those
locations.
Additionally, TRI reporting includes information on institutional/firm environmental stewardship,
P2, and other sustainability practices and activities (e.g., voluntary climate mitigation-, adaptation-
or resilience-oriented work) undertaken by facilities during the reporting year. TRI's P2 reporting
data94 include thousands of instances of source reduction implementation and other sustainability
activities by facilities, which often reflect economic benefits coupled with improved environmental
performance. TRI's P2 data tools have a wide range of capabilities to help identify and amplify
improvement to environmental practices, and the Program will continue to conduct analyses of
these practices and to develop profiles of these environmental improvements, which can be useful
for P2 practitioners including those seeking to advance sustainability and strengthen the resilience
of facilities near disadvantaged communities with EJ concerns. The Program also will continue to
support the Agency's P2 Program, and other Agency source reduction and sustainability programs,
specifically efforts to advance P2 best practices among national emphasis areas, including tools to
advance priorities such as the P2-EJ Facility Mapping Tool.95
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$457.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agency wide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
94 For additional information, please visit: https//www.epa.gov/tri/p2.
95 To access the P2 EJ Facility Mapping Tool, please visit https://www.epa.gov/p2/p2-ei-facility-mapping-tool.
307
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requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
• (-$1,491.0) This program change is a decrease in contract resources to support IT analytical
tools.
Statutory Authority:
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) § 313; Pollution Prevention
Act of 1990 (PPA) § 6607.
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Tribal - Capacity Building
Program Area: Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
Goal: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Objective(s): Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State and
Local Levels
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
ihivironnicnliil I'ro^rums A- Muiui^cnicnl
SIX
S14. ~/5
S34.f>'4
S IV.V5V
Total Budget Authority
$13,735
$14,715
$34,674
$19,959
Total Workyears
71.5
78.6
166.9
88.3
Program Project Description:
EPA is responsible for protecting human health and the environment under federal environmental
statutes. Under the Agency's 1984 Indian Policy,96 EPA works with federally recognized tribes on
a government-to-government basis, in recognition of the federal government's trust responsibility
to tribes, to implement federal environmental programs in Indian Country.
To do this, EPA will:
• use key environmental justice principles, such as, equity for underserved communities, strong
meaningful tribal engagement, and fair treatment as it prioritizes implementation of EPA
directly implemented programs, and for other activities;
• fully consider ways in which program funding can best be used to address climate change
concerns to build climate resiliency for federally recognized tribes, and;
• work to enhance the consideration and integration of tribal treaty rights and reserved rights
into EPA decision-making and regulatory development.
This program also supports the Categorical Grant: Tribal General Assistance Grants Program.
EPA's American Indian Environmental Office leads the agencywide effort to ensure
environmental protection in Indian country. Please see http ://www.epa. gov/tribal for more
information.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
96 EPA Policy for the Administration of Environmental Programs on Indian Reservations, available at
https://www.epa.KOv/tribal/epa-policv-administration-environmental-programs-indian-reservations-1984-indian-policy.
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Work in this program directly supports Goal 2/Objective 2.1, Promote Environmental Justice and
Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State and Local Levels in the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic
Plan. To support this work, EPA is requesting $20 million in additional resources and an increase
of 88.3 FTEs to focus on advancing environmental justice in Indian Country by ensuring full and
robust implementation of the laws that EPA administers in all areas in need of such protections
while simultaneously honoring the federal trust responsibility to the hundreds of federally
recognized tribes EPA works with throughout FY 2024.
Overall, the Agency continues to make steady progress towards strengthening human health and
environmental protection in Indian Country. In FY 2024, EPA will further the following priorities:
Strengthen tribal partnerships and engagements, including through tribal consultation and
engagement;
• Build tribal capacity to administer and meaningfully participate in environmental
programs;
• Directly implement programs in Indian Country for equitable environmental protection
especially for underserved tribal communities; and,
• Enhance the protection of tribal treaty rights in EPA activities.
The strategic investment will directly result in the following enhancements and deliverables:
• Improve public health by reducing disparities in compliance rates between Indian Country
and the national average through greater Office of International and Tribal Affairs support
and leadership to EPA programs and regions for planning and measuring EPA direct
implementation actions in Indian Country.
• Initiate a General Assistance Program (GAP) oversight process to ensure GAP funds are
being efficiently distributed and used.
• Initiate national coordination with Intertribal Consortia for technical assistance and GAP
planning.
• Implement the revised EPA Tribal Consultation Policy and Implementation Guidance to
improve consultation practices in conformance with Executive Order on Tribal
Consultation and train EPA staff. Review and improve access to and quality of tribal data
and information held in EPA information management systems to enable informed
management and budget decisions on tribal matters.
• Provide technical assistance for tribes to support delegation of federal authority to the tribal
government that allow tribes to implement EPA overseen programs.
• Make EPA regulatory tribal information available to tribal members and the public on
EPA's EJScreen and other data systems through technical changes to existing EPA data
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systems and develop a registry of EPA regulated facilities and entities in Indian Country
that is publicly available.
• Develop best practices for engagement of communities by tribal governments with
delegated federal authority.
• Reduce the ratio of grants per Proj ect Officer for tribal grants.
Support tribes and EPA regions in negotiating EPA-Tribal Environmental Program
Agreements (ETEPs) and all aspects of the National Environmental Performance
Partnership System (NEPPS) including Performance Partnership Grants (PPGs).
• Provide greater regional liaison work to strengthening partnerships with tribes with "more
time per tribe" for GAP technical assistance.
• Provide greater and earlier meaningful engagements with tribes on actions that require
consultation.
• Implement grant performance management system to measure tribal capacity and establish
EPA GAP grant reporting to benefit tribes and EPA.
• Work as national program coordinator and connector for regional Environmental Justice
Thriving Communities Navigators.
• Work as the liaison to the Office of Policy's Climate Adaptation Program to strengthen
regional liaison work to implement tribal-related climate and treaty right priorities in the
EPA Strategic Plan and Climate Adaptation Implementation Plans including consideration
of a whole government approach to implement Tribal Climate Adaptation Implementation
Plans.
Tribal Consultation: In working with the tribes, EPA follows its Policy on Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribes.91 The Consultation Policy builds on EPA's 1984 Indian Policy
and establishes clear Agency standards for a consultation process promoting consistency and
coordination. From FY 2011 through FY 2023, EPA expects to complete over 985 tribal
consultations, nearing an important agency milestone under the EPA Tribal Consultation Policy.
EPA anticipates completing another 125 tribal consultations in FY 2024. EPA will continue to
support the Agency's web-based Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System, a publicly
accessible database used to communicate upcoming and current EPA consultation opportunities to
tribal governments. EPA's work increases access to public benefit programs and advancing
environmental justice through simplified access to TCOTS information The system provides a
management, oversight, and reporting structure that helps ensure accountability and transparency.
Capacity Building: EPA will continue to support mechanisms for tribes to pursue developing and
implementing federal environmental programs, including the "treatment in a manner similar to a
97 Please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/tribal/forms/oonsultation-and-ooordination-tribes.
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state" (TAS) process and the use of the Direct Implementation Tribal Cooperative Agreement
(DITCA) authority. The Agency will continue to provide technical and financial assistance to tribal
governments to build their capacity to meaningfully participate and engage in environmental
protection activities. As of July 2022, EPA had approved 103 TAS regulatory program delegations
to tribes, including 21 approvals for compliance and enforcement authority. EPA had 20 DITCAs
with tribes in place in FY 2022.
Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Capacity Building Support: GAP grants
to tribal governments help build the basic components of a tribal environmental program. The
Agency manages GAP grants according to its Indian Environmental GAP Guidance on Financial
Assistance Agreements.98 In FY 2024, EPA will continue to administer GAP financial assistance
to build tribal capacity and address environmental issues in Indian Country under new GAP
guidance and training. EPA's work in FY 2024 also will continue to enhance EPA-tribal
partnerships through development and implementation of EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans
(ETEPs) with a continued focus on tracking and reporting measurable results of GAP-funded
activities. GAP funding also continues to support EPA PPG goals. EPA will strive to incorporate
environmental justice and climate change considerations in these activities.
GAP Performance Measurement: EPA will adjust the performance management application to
align with the revised GAP Guidance and begin compiling and analyzing data. The information
technology-based performance application will provide a data-driven basis for supporting funding
decisions, funding priorities, and contribute to program accountability. Increased GAP
performance will complement tribal capacity in media programs including efforts for CWA and
SDWA SRF tribal set-asides.
Direct Implementation: In the absence of an authorized tribal program, EPA will continue to
provide federal environmental program protections in Indian Country by directly implementing
programs. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to evaluate its direct implementation responsibilities
and activities on a program-by-program basis in Indian Country and make the data and information
it relies upon available through EPA's EJScreen and other EPA applications.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM E21) Number of significant actions taken by EPA programs with direct implementation authority that
will result in measurable improvements in Indian country.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Established
25
20
Significant
Actions
Actual
25
(PM EC41) Percentage of EPA tribal consultations that may affect tribal treaty rights that consider those
rights as part of the consultation.
98 Please refer to https://www.epa.eoY/tribal/eap-euidance-finaiicial-assistaiice-aereenients for further information.
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I V 2017
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
l"Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
20
25
50
Percent
Actual
100
Numerator
19
Tribal
Consultations
Denominator
19
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,882.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This includes support
for critical agency wide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity requirements,
electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of Trusted Vetting
2.0.
• (+$17,896.0 / +87.3 FTE) This program change increases resources and FTE to advance
equitable implementation of EPA authorities and directives in Indian Country. This
increase also will allow the Agency to work effectively with tribal governments and
communities, administer tribal grants and critical technical assistance, and fulfill the
federal trust responsibilities that align with the environmental statutes. Support will be
provided to priority commitments made in EPA and Tribal Climate Adaptation
Implementation Plans and allow additional incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge into
climate change efforts. This includes $15,971 million in payroll costs.
(+$181.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
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Enforcement
314
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Civil Enforcement
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$179,062
$205,942
$242,585
$36,643
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$631
$661
$682
$21
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$2,660
$2,565
$2,665
$100
Total Budget Authority
$182,354
$209,168
$245,932
$36,764
Total Workyears
883.8
998.1
1.041.7
43.6
Program Project Description:
The overall goal of EPA's Civil Enforcement Program is to protect human health and the
environment by ensuring compliance with the Nation's environmental laws and regulations. The
Civil Enforcement Program works in partnership with its federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial
regulatory partners to encourage compliance, compel regulated entities to correct and/or mitigate
violations, and assess appropriate penalties for violations, including removing any economic
benefit that a violator gained from noncompliance.
The Civil Enforcement Program works closely with the U. S. Department of Justice, state and local
governments, tribal governments, territories, and other federal agencies to ensure consistent and
fair enforcement of all major environmental statutes and numerous regulations implementing each
of those statutes. Millions of public, federal, and private regulated entities are subject to one or
more of these statutory requirements. The Civil Enforcement Program develops, litigates, and
settles administrative and civil judicial cases against violators of environmental laws. In FY 2022,
because of EPA civil enforcement actions, approximately 95 million pounds of air, water, and
toxic pollutants and approximately 100 million pounds of hazardous and non-hazardous waste
were treated, minimized, or properly disposed."
EPA is responsible for direct implementation of programs that are not delegable or where a state
or tribe has not sought or obtained the authority to implement a program (or program components).
Examples of programs that are not delegable include the Clean Air Act (CAA) mobile source and
Ozone Depleting Substances programs; pesticide labeling and registration under the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); the new and existing chemicals program
under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); and enforcement in Indian Country (except
where the Program has been delegated to the tribe). Many statutes have programs or regulations
that states have not obtained authority to implement, including the American Innovation and
99 For additional information on EPA's FY 2022 enforcement and compliance assurance program results, please visit:
https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/enforcement-and-compliance-annual-results-fiscal-vear-2022.
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Manufacturing (AIM) Act, as well as portions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), TSCA (lead-based
paint program), and the CAA (chemical accident prevention).
Even where a state is authorized or has delegated program implementation responsibility, EPA
retains concurrent enforcement authority. The Agency and authorized states have a joint
responsibility to achieve and maintain high levels of compliance with the nation's environmental
laws. EPA works with authorized states and tribes to ensure a level playing field and assists states
and tribes in their implementation of delegated/authorized programs when needed, such as in cases
where the Agency maintains a unique expertise or capability, or where direct federal action is
necessary to take timely or appropriate steps to address threats to public health and the
environment. The Agency also carries out its statutory oversight responsibilities to ensure states
and tribes are meeting national compliance monitoring standards and taking timely and appropriate
actions to return facilities to compliance. EPA's work to protect communities with environmental
justice (EJ) concerns is a shared goal and responsibility of EPA and partner agencies. To carry out
statutory oversight responsibilities, a robust inspection and enforcement program is essential to
advancing the promise of clean air, land, and water to many communities across the country,
especially overburdened communities and communities impacted by climate change.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable, in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency requests an increase of $8.5 million and 5.4 FTE in civil enforcement
resources to rebuild the inspector cadre at Headquarters. This is in addition to the Agency's request
for $14.1 million and 33.0 FTE to rebuild the Headquarters and Regional inspector cadre through
Compliance Monitoring and Forensics Support resources. Rebuilding EPA's inspector corps is an
EPA priority for FY 2024. A robust inspection and enforcement program is essential to advancing
the promise of clean air, land, and water to the many communities across the country that have not
received the full benefits from EPA's decades of progress. Staff on the ground that can identify
public health concerns and potential environmental regulatory violations is critical to protect
communities that are vulnerable or overburdened. EPA's inspection programs have been under-
resourced for over a decade leading to a loss of agency expertise and a decline in the numbers of
inspections. To meet EPA's EJ goals and the mission to protect human health and the environment
and ensuring that Americans have clean air, land and water, EPA must rebuild and strengthen its
inspection program with increased hiring and training of new and existing inspectors, including
in-person basic inspector trainings and travel funding for the trainings for the following programs:
CAA; SDWA; CWA; RCRA; FIFRA; and TSCA. Additionally, funding is needed to purchase
health and safety equipment and inspection monitoring equipment such as Forward Looking
InfraRed (FLIR) cameras, Data Acquisition Real-Time (DART), flame ionization detectors/photo
ionization detectors, fenceline monitors, Smart Tools software and hardware for inspectors. Travel
funding for inspections also is essential to get inspectors into the field.
In FY 2024, the Agency also requests an increase of $8.2 million and 19.9 FTE to enforce the AIM
Act by preventing the illegal importation and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the United
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States, facilitating a transition to next-generation technologies, and managing HFCs in existing
equipment. EPA's job will be exponentially harder in FY 2024 as additional phasedown
requirements and new requirements restricting the import, manufacture, and use of certain
products come into effect. Enforcing the AIM Act in FY 2024 will more than double the level of
effort as compared to enforcing the existing 2021 HFC Phasedown regulations. EPA requests a
significant additional infusion of FTE and extramural resources for equipment, training, and other
important tools, to lead the HFC Task Force and catch and deter potentially widespread illegal
imports in FY 2024. The HFC Task Force will identify, intercept, and interdict illegal HFC
imports, share data to support allowances, train customs officers and enforcement personnel, and
address common HFC import experiences with other countries. EPA also will implement new HFC
allowance modules and expand its ozone depleting substances (ODS) tracking system to assess
ongoing compliance. In addition, in FY 2024, training on the new enforcement techniques and
support for implementation of both rules will be needed. As a result, civil enforcement needs an
infusion of attorneys and inspectors to catch and prosecute violators. The additional FTE for case
development, will assist in developing enforceable AIM Act rulemakings planned for FY 2024
and beyond. Without additional staff to find the violators, EPA will fail to achieve the benefits
Congress intended in promulgating the AIM Act: phasing down HFCs and accelerating the transfer
to new innovative technologies.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to protect fenceline communities at risk from cumulative impacts
of large chemical manufacturing facilities, petrochemical operations, and refineries. Through
coordinated assessment of noncompliance in multiple statutory areas, EPA's Civil Enforcement
Program will plan inspections, case development, and enforcement actions to integrate RCRA,
CWA, SDWA, CAA (including Section 112(r)), TSCA, and the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) to ensure comprehensive compliance with
environmental regulations, thereby reducing risk to human health and the environment by
decreasing the likelihood of excess emissions, releases, and discharges.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to integrate EJ and climate change considerations (including HFCs)
throughout all aspects of EPA's Civil Enforcement Program (e.g., private parties, public and
federal facilities) in headquarters and across EPA's 10 regional offices. This work will answer the
President's call to "strengthen enforcement of environmental violations with disproportionate
impact on underserved communities through the Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance" [EO 14008, sec. 222(b) (i)], and to "combat the climate crisis with bold, progressive
action" (EO 14008, sec. 201).100 EPA will focus on strengthening enforcement and resolving
environmental noncompliance through remedies with tangible benefits for disadvantaged
communities by preventing further pollution due to noncompliance; mitigating past impacts from
pollution; securing penalties to recapture economic benefit of noncompliance and deter future
violations; seeking early and innovative relief (e.g., fenceline monitoring and transparency tools);
and incorporating Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) in settlements, where appropriate
and to the extent permitted by law and policy.
100 For additional information on the Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, please visit:
https://w\Ąw. whitehouse.gov/briefmp-rooni/presideiitial-actioiis/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tacldiiip-the-cliniate-crisis-at-
home-and-abroad/.
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In FY 2024, EPA will incorporate climate and EJ factors into case development while pursuing
enforcement and compliance assurance work (e.g., to emphasize areas where greenhouse gas
emission can be reduced while providing benefits in underserved communities, such as reducing
air emissions from oil & gas and landfills), increase climate and EJ focused inspections,
incorporate community outreach, and expand inclusion of mitigation and adaptation/resilience
remedies in case resolutions. In addition, EPA will ensure that the increasing number of rules
addressing climate change and affecting communities with EJ concerns, as well as permit-related
provisions, are enforceable and implementable. A particular area of EPA's climate change effort
will be the work of the Interagency HFC Task Force, which was established to ensure compliance
with the AIM Act. Additionally, EPA will continue its strong emphasis on identifying and
resolving CAA noncompliance in the oil and gas sector and requiring compliance with the
Renewable Fuel Standard regulations.
In FY 2024, EPA will utilize resources to investigate and identify releases of per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the air, land, and water by actively investigating under
RCRA, TSCA, CWA, SDWA, and CAA at the yet-unknown number of processing facilities, waste
disposal facilities, and federal facilities where PFAS are suspected of contaminating various
environmental media. PFAS released into the environment can present an urgent public health and
environmental threat. EPA will continue to investigate releases, address imminent and substantial
endangerment situations, and prevent exposure to PFAS, under multiple environmental statutes.
OECA is stretching its base resources to (1) issue corporate-wide information requests and analyze
responses, (2) create site profiles and information databases on specific facilities, (3) obtain site-
specific data, and (4) use administrative and judicial authorities to require sampling and other
response actions.
In FY 2024, new statutory and regulatory requirements will mean an increased need to evaluate
and address noncompliance with these rules. As a result, the Agency will increase efforts to enforce
the Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule. EPA's review of publicly posted CCR Rule
compliance information suggests widespread noncompliance with CCR regulations. In enforcing
the CCR Rule, coal ash units would be made more resilient to extreme weather events and
contamination in communities near CCR units would be reduced. CCR evaluations are technically
complex and require review and analysis of facility assessments that cover necessary corrective
action measures and facility plans to permanently close units (the units can sometimes be hundreds
of acres in size). EPA needs to conduct CCR compliance reviews to ensure that facilities properly
address the significant health risks posed by these units and bring enforcement actions when
violations are found. This work is identified as a priority in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic
Plan.
EPA will continue to focus its enforcement resources, over a four-year cycle, on the most serious
environmental violations by developing and implementing National Enforcement and Compliance
Initiatives (NECIs) that seek to improve air quality, provide for clean and safe water, and ensure
chemical safety. 101 EPA issued a notice of public comment period in January 2023 on six proposed
NECIs for FY 2024-2027 (described below). EPA's proposed NECIs will update the current FY
2020-2023 NECIs. As part of that process, EPA proposed to continue or modify four of the current
national initiatives and return two remaining current initiatives to the standard ("core")
101 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eov/eiiforcenieiit/iiatioiial-eiiforcenieiit-aiid-conipliaiice-iiiitiatives
318
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enforcement program. EPA proposed two new NECIs: one that would focus specifically on
mitigating climate change by reducing non-compliance with applicable requirements (e.g., under
the CAA and AIM Act), and second to address PFAS contamination with a focus on manufacturers
and federal facilities. EPA also will fully incorporate EJ considerations into every existing and
proposed NECI as the EPA seeks to reduce environmental harm in vulnerable and overburdened
communities and incorporate climate resiliency considerations in the current and proposed
initiatives. Lastly, EPA also is taking comment on whether to include in the NECIs its ongoing
efforts to address lead exposures (e.g., lead-based paint, lead in drinking water, etc.), and CCR
contamination.
EPA's Proposed FY 2024-2027 NECIs:
The following current initiatives are proposed to continue or be modified:
o Creating Cleaner Air for Communities - focuses on processes with widespread non-
compliance such as flares, storage tanks, wastewater treatment, and
incineration/combustion to reduce excess emissions of harmful air pollutants that
adversely impact vulnerable and pollution-burdened communities,
o Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities -
focuses on decreasing the likelihood of chemical accidents, thereby reducing risk
to communities.
o Reducing Significant Non-Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Permits - focuses on improving compliance rates
with NPDES permits and ensuring the worst violations are timely and appropriately
addressed.
o Reducing Non-Compliance with Drinking Water Standards at Community Water
Systems - focuses on ensuring safe and clean drinking water from regulated
community drinking water systems.
The two potential new NECIs in FY 2024-2027 are described as follows:
o Mitigating Climate Change - focuses on reducing non-compliance with the AIM
Act and the CAA to seek to combat climate change, which poses a risk to human
health and the environment,
o Addressing PFAS Contamination - focuses on implementing the commitments to
action made in EPA's 2021-2024 Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Strategic Roadmap to address PFAS contamination that pose a threat to human
health and the environment. 102
The following current initiatives are proposed to return to the standard "core" enforcement
program:
o Stopping Aftermarket Defeat Devices for Vehicles and Engines - focuses on
stopping the manufacture, sale, and installation of devices on vehicles and engines
that defeat emissions controls, which contribute excess pollution, harming public
health and air quality.
102 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-stratepic-roadniap-epas-coniniitnieiits-actioii-2021-
2024,
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o Reducing Hazardous Air Emissions from Hazardous Waste Facilities - focuses on
improving compliance with RCRA regulations that require the control of organic
air emissions from certain hazardous waste management units and activities.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM 434) Millions of pounds of pollutants and waste reduced, treated, or eliminated through concluded
enforcement actions.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
325
325
325
325
325
325
325
Millions of
Actual
461
810
347
2,058
7,864
195
Pounds
(PM 436) Number of open civil judicial cases more than 2.5 years old without
a complaint filed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
129
120
99
99
96
95
Cases
Actual
94
74
66
65
(PM 446) Quarterly percentage of Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permittees in significant noncompliance with their permit limits.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
17.8
15.2
12.7
10.1
10.1
10.1
Percent
Actual
20.3
17.1
16.4
12.6
9.0
Numerator
8,310
7,015
6,941
5,330
3,942
Permittees
Denominator
40,944
41,085
42,334
42,429
44,015
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$9,630.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agency wide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
• (+$8,533.0 / +5.4 FTE) This program increase will help rebuild EPA's civil enforcement
inspector cadre for inspections, case development and to supplement this program's
training and travel budget. This funding will enhance EPA's civil enforcement
programmatic capabilities to enhance efforts to address pollution in overburdened and
vulnerable communities. This investment includes $1.0 million for payroll.
• (+$8,212.0 / +19.9 FTE) This program increase will allow EPA to expand the work of the
Interagency HFC Task Force, which is focused on ensuring compliance with the AIM Act.
Additional FTE will allow EPA to build this major Congressional priority program from
the ground up, address existing requirements, and prepare for both additional new
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regulatory requirements and expansion of the Program into EPA's regional offices. This
investment includes $3.7 million for payroll.
(+$4,000.0) This change will support increased focus on environmental justice and climate
change considerations by developing and implementing a comprehensive action plan for
integrating climate and EJ considerations throughout all aspects of the Civil Enforcement
Program (e.g., private parties and federal facilities) in Headquarters and across EPA's 10
regional offices.
(+$3,406.0 / +7.0 FTE) This request for Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule/coal ash
resources will increase capacity to enforce the CCR/coal ash rule. The requested resources
are needed to provide technical and legal support when engaging with noncompliant
facilities and, ultimately, to negotiate or issue compliance orders. This investment includes
$1.3 million for payroll.
• (+$946.0 / +4.0 FTE) This program change will increase protection of fenceline
communities from industrial accidents because of increased frequency and intensity of
extreme weather events due to climate change. Increased resources will support CAA sec.
112(r) inspections and enforcement actions to prevent industrial accidents. This investment
includes $746.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$648.0 / +0.5 FTE) This request for climate change adaptation funding will support
implementation of the Office of Enforcement Compliance Assurance Climate Adaptation
Implementation Plan.103 Resources will support completion of priority actions including
continued staff training to build climate change knowledge and consideration of climate
change in all aspects of enforcement. This investment includes $93.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$578.0 / +3.1 FTE) This program increase supports additional FTE for the Agency's
Regional laboratories and its support of the Civil Enforcement Program. This investment
includes $578.0 thousand for payroll.
• (+$410.0 / +2.2 FTE) This investment will increase EPA's effort to use its enforcement
tools to hold major PFAS manufacturers at processing facilities, waste disposal facilities,
and federal facilities accountable to characterize, control, and address ongoing and past
PFAS contamination. This investment includes $410.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$187.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program increase will continue to provide compliance oversight
and perform follow up from recent inspections of the Red Hill Fuel Facility to prevent
future fuel leaks into the military's drinking water. The Agency will review submittals from
the Navy to ensure the facility is prepared for any oil releases to surface waters. In addition,
EPA is planning to lead the technical review of the piping system between Red Hill and
Pearl Harbor. This investment includes $187.0 thousand for payroll.
103 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sYsteni/files/dociinients/2022-10/bhS08-
OECA Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan -Final to OP 9.15.2022.pdf.
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(+$93.0 / +0.5 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements. This investment includes
$93.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (MARPOL
Annex VI); American Innovation and Manufacturing Act; Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act;
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act; Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; Oil Pollution Act; Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; and Toxic Substances Control Act.
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Criminal Enforcement
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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V.
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$8,149
$7,999
$8,644
$645
Total Budget Authority
$63,492
$70,703
$75,131
$4,428
Total Workyears
252.9
269.3
296.0
26.7
Program Project Description:
EPA's Criminal Enforcement Program enforces the Nation's environmental laws through
investigation of criminal conduct, committed by individual and corporate defendants, threatening
public health and the environment. EPA's criminal investigators (special agents) investigate
violations of environmental statutes and associated violations of Title 18 of the United States Code
such as fraud, conspiracy, false statements, and obstruction of justice.
The Criminal Enforcement Program collaborates with other EPA Program offices, the
Environmental Justice (EJ) Program, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to ensure
enforcement work addresses the impacts of illegal environmental pollution activities nationwide
especially on overburdened communities.
Criminal Enforcement special agents are supported by forensic scientists, attorneys, technicians,
engineers, and other experts. EPA's criminal enforcement attorneys provide legal and policy
support for all program responsibilities, including forensics and expert witness preparation, to
ensure program activities are carried out in accordance with legal requirements and EPA policies.
These efforts support environmental crime prosecutions by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the DOJ's
Environmental Crimes Section. In FY 2022, the criminal enforcement program opened 117 new
cases. The conviction rate for criminal defendants charged because of EPA criminal enforcement
investigations in FY 2022 is 94 percent, with a total of 21 years of incarceration given for
defendants sentenced in criminal enforcement investigations.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to focus on the most egregious cases (e.g., significant human
health, environmental, and deterrent impacts.), while balancing its overall case load across all
environmental statutes. The Agency will continue expanding its capacity to support the criminal
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enforcement program, with an emphasis in several priority areas, including communities with EJ
concerns, the HFC (Hydrofluorocarbons) Enforcement Task Force, the After Market Defeat
Device criminal enforcement initiative, and preventing the illegal importation, sale, and
distribution of unregistered pesticides. Program goals and priorities include the following:
• In FY 2024, EPA will continue to prioritize criminal enforcement resources for
investigations which involve vulnerable communities or those that have historically been
overburdened by pollution. This effort has been focused as a Criminal Enforcement
Program Initiative with an emphasis on addressing environmental crimes and crime victims
in these areas.104 The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) works with partners at the
DO J to jointly prosecute wrongdoing and reduce the impact pollution has on these areas
through investigation, judicial actions, and settlements while maintaining case initiation
standards.
• In FY 2024, EPA's Environmental Crime Victim Witness Assistance Program will closely
align its implementation of the Criminal Victims' Rights Act and the Victims' Rights and
Restitution Act with EPA's EJ work. Activities will include data mining and mapping to
identify where communities with EJ concerns, crime victims, and public health impacts
overlap. This strategy will aid the program in identifying sources of pollution impacting
these communities and to focus criminal enforcement resources on the Nation's most
overburdened or vulnerable populations and, where appropriate, use the crime victim
program resources and emergency funds to assist individuals in such communities. EPA
conducts outreach to crime victims and overburdened communities using the social media
platform Nextdoor, sharing information relating to EJ, sources of pollution, and links to
EPA's Report a Violation webpage directly to households in overburdened communities.
• In FY 2024, the Agency requests an additional $714 thousand and 2.1 FTE to support
efforts to interdict the illegal import, manufacture and use of certain HFC products,
pursuant to the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. The Task Force will
continue to identify, intercept, and interdict illegal HFC imports, share data to support
allowances, train customs officers and enforcement personnel, and address common HFC
import experiences with other countries. EPA will continue standing up its new
enforcement and compliance program, which will include training, outreach, and
coordination with federal, state, and local partners. EPA would leverage our experience
working with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), DOJ and other federal partners to
successfully enforce federal laws related to HFCs. Critically important to success in this
media are dedicated analysts in the Criminal Enforcement Program to research, assess, and
coordinate with federal partners, private industry, and task force members.
• In addition, in FY 2024, the Criminal Enforcement Program will continue to work with
Interpol and other federal partners to combat climate change through domestic and
international law enforcement collaboration. This work will include formalized
information sharing related to preventing illegal importation of prohibited products that
contribute to global climate instability and capacity building with other countries.
104 For additional information, please see: https://www.goYiiifo.goY/coiiteiit/pkg/FR-2023-01-12/pdf72023-00500.pdf.
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Specifically, collaboration will occur with an emphasis placed on cases that have a
transnational organized crime nexus.
• In FY 2024, the Criminal Enforcement Program also will increase its collaboration and
coordination with the Civil Enforcement Program to ensure that EPA's Enforcement
Program identifies the most egregious cases and responds to them effectively and
efficiently to ensure compliance and deter future conduct. The Agency will continue to
investigate violations of environmental statutes and associated violations of Title 18 of the
United States Code to protect public health and the environment.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$731.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It includes critical
agencywide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity requirements,
electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of Trusted
Vetting 2.0.
(+$2,338.0 / +23.9 FTE) This net program change supports expanding EPA's capacity for
criminal enforcement, the expansion of the enforcement in communities with
environmental justice concerns, enforcement of climate-related regulations, and increased
polluter accountability. This investment includes $5.3 million for payroll.
(+$714.0 / +2.1 FTE) This program investment will ensure EPA has the capacity and
technical expertise to investigate, analyze, sample, test, and transport HFCs. The increase
in FTE will allow analysts to research, assess, and coordinate with federal partners, private
industry, and task force members. This investment includes $469.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Title 18 of the U.S.C.; 18 U.S.C. § 3063; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as
amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute);
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Clean Water Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Clean Air
Act; Toxic Substances Control Act; Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act;
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; Ocean Dumping Act; Rivers and Harbors
Act; Pollution Prosecution Act of 1990; American Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
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NEPA Implementation
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$17,177
$20,611
$25,760
$5,149
Total Budget Authority
$17,177
$20,611
$25,760
$5,149
Total Workyears
87.5
104.9
115.9
11.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementation Program implements the
environmental requirements of NEPA and Section 309 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to review other
federal agency environmental impact statements (EIS) and NEPA regulations. This work includes
engaging with officials throughout the federal government and across EPA while supporting
EPA's lead NEPA Official. EPA has special authority and responsibilities under CAA section 309
to review and publicly comment on NEPA environmental analyses for major projects across the
federal government. This work is substantially increasing in scope and importance given the recent
legislation related to energy development and infrastructure and the need to incorporate
consideration of climate change and environmental justice (EJ) into these assessments.
Consistent with Executive Orders (EO) 13990 and 14008,105 the Council on Environmental Quality
(CEQ) issued Interim NEPA guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and
Climate Change106 in January 2023. CEQ is in the process of updating NEPA regulations and key
guidance for addressing impacts to communities with EJ concerns. Through a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with CEQ,107 EPA regularly supports and assists CEQ in the development
of guidance and technical tools. EPA also provides technical assistance to other federal agencies
on implementing NEPA, including identifying potential programmatic options to streamline
NEPA analyses while maintaining quality environmental analyses and meaningful engagement
with the public.
EPA focuses on early engagement with other federal agencies consistent with NEPA principles
and uses interagency cooperation for early identification of issues and potential solutions to reduce
impacts and improve environmental outcomes. EPA's expertise helps other agencies analyze
complex NEPA issues. Through our review of other federal agencies' EISs and the tools and
105 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefmg-room/presidential-
actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-protecting-public-health-and-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-climate-crisis/.
100 For additional information, please refer to: Federal Register : National Environmental Policy Act Guidance on Consideration
of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change.
107 1 977 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CEQ and EPA addressed the allocation of responsibilities between the
two agencies for assuring government-wide implementation of NEPA. This includes the operational duties associated with the
administrative aspects of EISs. Through this MOU, EPA became the official recipient for all copies of EISs.
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training we provide, EPA facilitates the robust consideration of impacts related to climate change
and EJ; further, EPA plays a critical role in identifying ways to mitigate environmental impacts,
including on overburdened and underserved communities.
In addition, EPA's NEPA Implementation Program manages e-NEPA, a web-based application
that serves as the official EIS filing system and clearinghouse for all federal EISs on behalf of
CEQ in accordance with the MOU with CEQ and 40 CFR 1506. The Program also oversees EPA's
actions subject to NEPA (40 CFR Part 6) and reviews of EISs for non-governmental activities in
Antarctica (40 CFR Part 8).
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.2, Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA requests an investment of $5.1 million and 11.0 FTE for the NEPA
Implementation Program. EPA acknowledges a partial increase in its FY 2023 Enacted budget but
still has a resource gap which is hereby requested in the FY 2024 budget. These essential resources
are needed for us to meet the increased need for technical expertise in emerging subject matter
areas, including addressing climate change and EJ, and to develop tools and training for
NEPA/CAA 309 reviewers at EPA. This investment will improve EPA's responsiveness, technical
assistance, and support to other agencies in conducting EPA's environmental review function,
which relies upon both adequate staff capacity and expertise. These resources also will assist EPA
in ensuring staff levels are adequate to address anticipated environmental reviews and support
environmental review processes to improve environmental and community outcomes.
In FY 2023, EPA received a total of $40 million as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
These resources will allow EPA to meet the short-term increase in demand to support
environmental reviews from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act but are not a permanent
solution as the funds remain available until September 30, 2026. While the IRA funds will support
environmental reviews in the short term, the FY 2024 investment will allow the Program to
continue to meet some of its recent challenges, including rebuilding core capacity, hiring of subject
matter experts knowledgeable in various sector-based activities, and positioning EPA to respond
to national priorities and provide adequate succession planning and professional development
across EPA's NEPA/309 community going forward. This strategic investment of subject matter
expertise provides new FTE in EPA's regional offices, which is critical as the majority of the
NEPA reviews and programmatic assistance to other federal agency field offices is conducted by
the regions. EPA's FY 2024 long term resource needs will be like those used to support past
economic recovery initiatives. For context, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
triggered a very similar substantial increase in volume of NEPA reviews across the Federal
government. Therefore, EPA requests an adjustment to the NEPA Implementation Program to
address current and anticipated future environmental review workloads, which will require a
corresponding permanent increased staffing and resource support to meet the Nation's goals,
particularly with respect to climate change and environmental justice.
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EPA's NEPA Implementation Program will continue to support the application of CEQ's updates
to NEPA regulations, guidance, and process improvements for priority federal projects. It is
anticipated that in FY 2024, agencies will update NEPA implementation procedures to be
consistent with updated CEQ regulations and guidance. EPA will be required under CAA section
309 to review these procedures for all federal agencies and must provide technical assistance to
CEQ and other agencies. This support will promote quality environmental review processes across
federal agencies to improve environmental and community outcomes.
EPA will continue to work with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), CEQ, and other
federal agencies to evaluate ways to coordinate, streamline, and improve the NEPA process, as
well as to incorporate robust science-based analyses of project-related impacts and potential
measures to minimize and mitigate those impacts. Federal agencies received a substantial increase
in funded actions that will likely require EISs and thus necessitate EPA environmental reviews
due to: the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2),108 the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act (IIJA), the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act
(CHIPs Act), and other economic recovery and federal investment actions, as well as policies and
initiatives, such as EO 14017 America's Supply Chains109 and the Energy Act MOU between the
Bureau of Land Management and EPA. EPA anticipates its existing workload will likely double
based on interagency discussions hosted by CEQ and OMB. This continued substantial increase
in priority actions will require early engagement and may require expedited reviews. With the
additional resources requested in FY 2024, EPA will work with other agencies to prioritize and
support the increase in environmental review of Federal EISs. These initiatives support other
federal agencies establishment of clear timeline goals and will improve EPA's responsiveness,
technical assistance, and support to other agencies to enhance the overall environmental and
community outcomes in other agency environmental reviews.
In alignment with the Administration's Permitting Action Plan, EPA engages early with federal
agencies to improve the quality of EISs and minimize delays. Early engagement helps accelerate
robust environmental reviews through early cross-agency coordination; supports the establishment
of clear timelines and tracking; facilitates early and meaningful outreach and communication with
states, tribes, territories, and local communities; provides technical assistance in areas of subject
matter expertise; and promotes interagency cooperation to improve environmental and community
outcomes. As part of the Permitting Action Plan, EPA has committed to update EPA's Policies
and Procedures Manual for conducting NEPA/309 reviews in FY 2023. In FY 2024, EPA will
update and develop a priority set of technical reviewer guidance documents for mining, renewable
energy, oil and gas activities, transportation and estimating Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and
social cost of GHG for fossil fuel pipeline projects. These technical reviewer guidance documents
are expected to be completed by third quarter FY2024. EPA also plans to conduct training for
NEP A/3 09 reviewers and other federal agencies to incorporate recent changes in CEQ regulations
and guidance for NEPA related topics. In FY 2024, EPA will work to provide early engagement
and to streamline environmental reviews by having dedicated EPA NEP A/3 09 review staff from
the start of the NEPA review and through completion. Updating actions associated with the
Permitting Action Plan will help improve EPA's responsiveness, technical assistance, and support
108 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hrl319/BILLS-117hrl319enr.pdf.
109 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefmg-room/presidential-
actions/2021/02/24/executive-order-on-americas-supply-chains/.
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to other agencies with the objective of improving environmental and community outcomes based
on environmental reviews.
EPA will support and collaborate with other federal agencies on priority actions and/or emerging
sectors, such as critical minerals mining, carbon sequestration, renewable energy, and energy
storage. In FY 2024, EPA will work toward providing staff with specialized expertise at both
headquarters and the regional offices to facilitate timely interagency coordination on
environmental reviews and permitting actions. As part of this specialized expertise, EPA will
support development of analytic tools to help NEPA/309 reviewers and other agencies implement
CEQ Interim NEPA Guidance on Consideration of GHG and Climate Change. This support will
improve EPA's technical assistance capacity to help support improved environmental and
community outcomes in review of other federal agency NEPA documents.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,991.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$3,158.0 / +11.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to build core capacity, support
the increase in environmental reviews of Federal EISs, hire and train new staff and subject
matter experts, and facilitate timely interagency coordination on environmental reviews
and permitting actions. This investment includes $2.0 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Clean Air Act (CAA) § 309; Antarctic Science,
Tourism, and Conservation Act; Clean Water Act § 511(c); Endangered Species Act; Fishery
Conservation and Management Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; and Title 41 of the Fixing
America's Surface Transportation Act.
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Environmental Justice
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Environmental Justice
Program Area: Environmental Justice
Goal: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Objective(s): Embed Environmental Justice and Civil Rights into EPA's Programs, Policies, and
Activities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
ihivironnicnliil I'ro^rums Muiui^cnicnl
S20.455
SI 02.159
s jov.iof,
S2M.V47
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$1,065
$5,876
$5,888
$12
Total Budget Authority
$21,520
$108,035
$374,994
$266,959
Total Workyears
51.8
223.6
264.6
41.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Environmental Justice (EJ) Program coordinates the Agency's efforts to address the needs
of overburdened and vulnerable communities by decreasing environmental burdens, increasing
environmental benefits, and building collaborative partnerships with all stakeholders to build
healthy, sustainable communities based on residents' needs and desires. In 2022, EPA reorganized
its Office of Environmental Justice into a new national program along with the External Civil
Rights Compliance Office and the Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center. This new national
program is the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Right (OEJECR). OEJECR
focuses on collaboration as a central principle and method of advancing justice. The Program's
core philosophy is that EJ challenges need strong collaborative partnerships that include federal,
state, local, and tribal governments along with the private sector, academia, and philanthropy-to
support communities in addressing multifaceted problems and positively changing conditions on
the ground. The Program provides grants, technical assistance, and expert consultative support to
communities, partners at all levels of government, and other stakeholders such as business and
industry, to achieve protection from environmental and public health hazards for people of color,
low-income communities, and indigenous communities.
Work in this program directly supports Administrator Michael Regan's message in the memo titled
"Our Commitment to Environmental Justice" issued on April 7, 2021.110 In addition, this work
supports implementation of Executive Order (EO) 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support
for Under served Communities Through the Federal Government,U1 and EO 14008: Tackling the
Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad112 In accordance with the America's Water Infrastructure Act
110 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/docunients/repan-
messageoncommitmenttoenvironmentaliustice-april072021.pdf.
111 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalrepister.goY/docunieiits/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advaiiciiip-
racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government.
112 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalrepister.goY/docunients/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tacldiiip-the-
climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad.
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(AWIA) of 2018 (P.L. 115-270), every EPA regional office employs a dedicated EJ coordinator,
and the Agency maintains a list of these persons on EPA's website.113
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 2/Objective 2.2, Embed Environmental Justice and
Civil Rights into EPA's Programs, Policies, and Activities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic
Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA requests an additional $266.9 million and 41.0 FTE for the Environmental Justice
Program in the EPM appropriation. This investment will provide unprecedented levels of capacity-
building grants and technical assistance to more communities, governmental partners, and
academic institutions. To ensure greater opportunity for investment and the resulting outcomes for
communities, EPA will offer more grant trainings and methods of technical assistance to help
underserved and under-resourced communities and their partners apply for competitive grant
opportunities and provide robust new levels of support to help communities and their partners
navigate the array of federal assistance programs to maximize the ability of programs to leverage
positive change on the ground. For example, this enhanced assistance will support broader
investment in climate initiatives in communities with EJ concerns as well as provide critical
support to community-based organizations, indigenous organizations, states, tribes, local
governments, territorial governments, and state and local EJ advisory councils, in pursuit of
identifying and addressing EJ issues through multi-partner collaborations. EPA also will continue
to support and engage grantees from previous years' competitions to ensure successful project
completion.
In FY 2024, the existing grant programs include:
1) $65 million Environmental Justice Community Grants Program (formerly named
Environmental Justice Small Grants) that would continue to competitively award a
comprehensive suite of grants to non-profit, community-based organizations to reduce the
disproportionate health impacts of environmental pollution in communities with EJ concerns;
2) $40 million Environmental Justice Government to Government Grant Program (formerly
named State, Tribes, and Territories Environmental Justice Grants) that would continue
funding for states, tribes, local governments, and territories to create or support community-
driven partnerships and associated environmental justice partnerships;
3) $15 million competitive, community-based Participatory Research Grant Program to award
competitive grants to higher education institutions that develop partnerships with community
entities to improve the health outcomes of residents and workers in communities with EJ
concerns; and
4) $10 million competitive, Environmental Justice training program to award competitive grants
to community-based nonprofit organizations and partnerships between community-based
nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education.
113 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.eov/eiwiromiieiitaliustice/foniis/coiitact-us-atx3ut-eiwiromiieiital-
justice.
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Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (EJECR) National Program
In FY 2024, EPA's EJECR National Program will continue leading the integration of EJ in Agency
decision-making and implement a comprehensive framework for considering cumulative impacts
in relevant EPA decisions. Implementation of the cumulative impacts framework, developed as
part of EPA's FY 2022-2023 Agency Priority Goal, will position EPA to consider and address
cumulative impacts that affect community health and well-being in its decisions, thus
fundamentally integrating EJ issues within the core regulatory decisions of the Agency. The
EJECR National Program will provide essential support across all EPA programs to consider EJ
in environmental permitting, rulemaking, enforcement and compliance, emergency/disaster
response and recovery, and climate change priorities. The EJECR National Program will enhance
its engagement with communities by continuing to support Thriving Community Technical
Assistance Centers (TCTACs) established in FY 2023 and increasing their number beyond the
initial goal of one per EPA region. The TCTACs will be instrumental in fundamental technical
assistance and capacity building resources for underserved communities and their partners. The
EJECR National Program will ensure that all community support activities provide a stream of
tools, data, and methods back to the Agency to help other EPA programs analyze the EJ
implications of policy decisions and program implementation, such as through National
Environmental Policy Act processes or the consideration of costs and benefits in economic
analyses.
The FY 2024 resources also will provide capacity to integrate EJ and civil rights compliance
principles across all programs and regularly engage with and support community and state, tribal,
and local partners. This will ensure the elimination of barriers to participation in EPA programs
and other activities by the public. Specific focuses will be on strengthening EPA's language
assistance and other services to improve access for people with Limited English Proficiency and
implementation of EPA external disability program as required under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Action of 1973. Additionally, the EJECR National Program will monitor indicators
established in FY 2023 to track EPA's performance in eliminating disparities in environmental
and public health conditions, as directed by the Agency Priority Goal for the first two years in the
FY 2022 -2026EPA Strategic Plan.
Engagement with Partners, Stakeholders, and Communities
EPA pursues a broad array of activities to support efforts by partners, stakeholders, and
communities to advance EJ. The EJ Program will continue to build and support trainings for an
increasingly broad array of program development and learning resource areas for other
governmental agencies, communities, and other partners. These trainings focus on the integration
of equity and justice from communities through all levels of government, as well as the private
sector, with special focus on state agencies, tribal governments, indigenous populations, territorial
governments, and insular areas such as Pacific Island Nations. During FY 2023, this included
partnership with the Environmental Council of States to provide additional and more finely tailored
resources to support state efforts to advance equity and justice in their agencies and the
establishment of an unprecedented foundation of learning tools and knowledge management
resources available publicly through EPA's EJ Program.
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The FY 2024 Budget proposes to invest $91 million and 50 FTE on building out community-
centered technical assistance hubs to support basic capacity building of communities and their
partners to advance equity and justice in their communities. This effort will be significantly
enhanced through the dedicated addition of funds and staff in EPA's ten regional offices to fully
build out community-centered technical assistance hubs to support base capacity building of
communities and their partners. These hubs, the EJ TCTACs established in FY 2023, will be
enhanced through this dedicated EPA staff support by better leveraging hands-on facilitation of
connecting communities and their partners directly with EPA program resources in addition to the
resources available through other federal programs.
EPA will continue to host regular National EJ Community Engagement calls.114 These calls will
continue to focus on a wide spectrum of topics related to EJ, the Justice40 Initiative115, and EJ
mapping and screening, and will reach thousands of participants. Each call will feature
opportunities, such as expansive listening sessions, during which speakers interact with comments
and questions from participants. EPA also will continue to host "office hours" for users of
EJScreen to engage with the EPA EJScreen team with questions and feedback for further
enhancements to the tool. The EJ Program also will have greater communications presence with
more focused content, targeted communications, and other ways to reach communities and those
not yet engaged through both headquarters and regional EJ program activities and direct outreach
and support.
EPA also continues to directly engage community organizations and leaders while supporting
internal EPA efforts to integrate EJ considerations into all EPA policies, programs, and activities.
Work with the National Environmental Justice Advisory Committee (NEJAC) will continue with
new leadership to help EPA advance and further integrate EJ into Agency decision-making. In
addition to the NEJAC, EPA will report on progress to the Science Advisory Board, National
Tribal Caucus, Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee, Local Government Advisory
Committee, and other regular public engagement forums.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to develop education, training, and outreach resources associated
with EJ to answer the ever-increasing demand for such resources, particularly from other federal
agencies and state and local governmental partners. These resources include 1) an EJ Training
Program to increase the capacity of residents in communities with EJ concerns to identify and
address negative impacts; 2) an EJ educational curriculum to broaden understanding of EJ to more
of the American public; and 3) an EJ Clearinghouse to serve as an online resource for EJ
information.
EJ Grants Program
EPA's EJ Grants Program funding has grown significantly due to the additional $3 billion Inflation
Reduction Act116 resources received in FY 2022 and expanded with new grant and technical
assistance offerings in FY 2023. The new offerings include the establishment of the EJ Thriving
Community Grantmakers Network and the establishment of an innovative new EJ implementation
114 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaliustice/communitv-outreach-and-engagement
115 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaliustice/iustice40/
116 Inflation Reduction Act: https://www.coiipress.goY/117/plaws/publl69/PLA M169.pdf
334
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grant to directly fund community-driven collaborative efforts to lead change-making projects on
the ground in communities. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support the EJ Thriving Community
Grantmakers network to efficiently provide grants to communities and their partners, the EJ
TCTACs to provide technical support to community-based organizations and their partners such
as tribes and local governments, and to award and support the execution of collaborative
community-driven implementation grants across the United States. This holistic approach to grant
funding and technical assistance will build the capacity of community-based organizations and
their partners to build strong collaborative efforts to effectively identify and address community
concerns in addition to providing funding to governmental partners to support their integration of
EJ considerations into their policies, programs, and activities. EPA also will continue to provide
grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories through the EJ Government to
Government grant program. These grants will support our governmental partners' effort to engage
local communities and further equity and justice priorities of their partnerships.
The EJ Grants Program priorities funded in FY 2023 included a new, larger implementation grant
program that funds projects that implement solutions to long-standing EJ challenges, development
of cumulative impacts assessments, public education, engagement of communities with state and
federal processes, training, emergency planning and preparedness, and addressing climate and
disaster resiliency. EPA's EJ Program will continue to focus support primarily for small
community-based nonprofit organizations and their local partners in an attempt to ensure EJ
funding reaches lower-capacity and new organizations with capacity building needs. The EJ Grants
Program also will work to minimize barriers for applicants by working with EPA's Office of
Grants and Debarment to develop submission flexibilities to help applicants from underserved
communities and other low-capacity institutions such as tribes and rural local governments apply
for competitive grant opportunities.
Interagency Coordination
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support the efforts of the NEJAC as referenced above in addition
to supporting the efforts of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC)
established by EO 14008.117 EPA also will support the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
as it leads the Interagency Council on Environmental Justice as well as a suite of EPA bi- and
multi-lateral initiatives to support and partner directly with other federal agencies.
EJScreen
With an investment of $8.9 million provided in FY 2024, EPA will continue to support and
improve our national EJ screening and mapping tool (EJScreen). Efforts will focus on identifying
and adding valuable new data sources to the tool to include potential cumulative impacts index
score(s) for areas facing disproportionate environmental burdens in addition to inclusion of new
climate-relevant data and enhancing user interface elements. EPA will enhance EJScreen based
upon user requests and feedback - from both within EPA and from external users - to further
inform equitable decision making across the federal government in addition to providing more
robust and diverse data to effectively prioritize communities in need and will ensure that EPA
117 For more information, please visit: https://www.federalregister.eoY/docunieiits/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-cliniate-
crisis-at-home-and-abroad
335
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programs develop guidance on using EJ tools such as EJScreen to support their decision making.
These enhancements will enable EPA to further focus program design to benefit communities with
EJ concerns and those most at risk to the effects of climate change.
In FY 2024, EPA requests an additional 0.7 FTE to serve as an EJ coordinator specific to
indigenous and disadvantaged communities in Hawaii. This investment will allow the Agency to
coordinate more effectively with communities under the Red Hill Administrative Order on
Consent and on other matters unique and specific to the Hawaiian Islands. A dedicated resource
on-island can build and maintain the relationships necessary to support communities in addressing
environmental and public health challenges with a whole-of-government approach.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM EJCR01) Percentage of EPA programs that seek feedback and comment from the public that provide
capacity-building resources to communities with environmental justice concerns to support their ability to
meaningfully engage and provide useful feedback to those programs.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
20 IS
201')
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
25
50
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Programs
Denominator
(PM EJCR02) Percentage of EPA programs utilizing extramural vehicles to fund organizations and
individuals providing environmental justice expertise and support to advance EPA priorities and activities.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
^0
75
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Programs
Denominator
(PM EJCR03) Percentage of environmental justice grantees whose funded projects result in a governmental
response.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
\fo
Target
I islablis
lied
No
Target
Establis
hed
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Grantees
Denominator
336
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(PM EJCR04) Percentage of written agreements between EPA and tribes or states implementing delegated
authorities that include commitments to address disproportionate impacts.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
¦)
25
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Agreement
Denominator
s
(PM EJCR05) Percentage of state-issued permits reviewed by EPA that include terms and conditions that are
responsive to environmental justice concerns and comply with civil rights obligations.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
10
25
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Permits
Denominator
(PM EJCR07) Percentage of EPA national program and regional offices that extend paid internships,
fellowships, or clerkships to college students from diverse backgrounds.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
^0
75
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Programs
Denominator
and
Regions
(PM EJCR08) Percentage of significant EPA actions with environmental justice implications that respond to
environmental justice concerns and reduce or address disproportionate impacts.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
40
80
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Actions
Denominator
(PM EJCR09) Percentage of programs that have developed clear guidance on the use of justice and equity
screening tools.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
^0
75
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Programs
Denominator
337
-------
(PM EJCR10) Percentage of EPA programs and regions that work in and with communities that do so in
ways that are community-driven, coordinated and collaborative, support equitable and resilient community
development, and provide for meaningful involvement and fair treatment of communities with environmental
justice concerns.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
20 IS
201')
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
25
50
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Programs
Denominator
(PM EJCR11) Number of established EJ collaborative partnerships utilizing key principles for community
work (e.g., community-driven, coordinated, and collaborative).
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
20 IS
201')
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
30
60
Partnership
Actual
s
(PM E JCR13) Percentage of EPA regions and national programs that have established clear implementation
plans for Goal 2 commitments relative to their policies, programs, and activities and made such available to
external partners.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
100
100
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Regions
and
Programs
Denominator
(PM EJCR18) Number of information sharing sessions and outreach and technical assistance events held
with overburdened and underserved communities and environmental justice advocacy groups on civil rights
and environmental justice issues.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
8
90
100
Sessions
and Events
Actual
40
30
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$9,414.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agency wide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
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(+$90,180.0) This program change increases support for EJ work across the Agency. This
investment supports the significantly expanded base activity and agencywide coordination
required across the EJ Program.
• (+$68,453.0 / +41.0 FTE) This program increase will fully build out the Thriving
Community Technical Assistance Centers to support basic capacity building of
communities and their partners to advance equity and justice in their communities; support
ongoing response efforts for Red Hill, HI to protect communities and ensure safe drinking
water; and support agencywide implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and
Accessibility Strategic Plan and Evidence Act data stewardship and governance
requirements. This investment includes $7.0 million for payroll.
(+$45,000.0) This program change increases the Environmental Justice Community Grant
Program to non-profit, community-based organizations to reduce the disproportionate
health impacts of environmental pollution in communities with EJ concerns.
Appropriations language has been provided in the proposed EPM Bill Language.
(+$17,000.0) This program change increases the EJ Government to Government Grant
Program that would continue funding for states, tribes, local governments, and territories
to create or support community-driven partnerships and associated environmental justice
partnerships. Appropriations language has been provided in the proposed EPM Bill
Language.
(+$13,500.0) This program change increases support for the community-based
Participatory Research Grant Program. Eligible recipients would be higher education
institutions that aim to develop partnerships with community entities to improve the health
outcomes of residents and workers in communities with EJ concerns. Appropriations
language has been provided in the proposed EPM Bill Language.
(+$8,900.0) This program change increases support for EJScreen to improve how the
Agency utilizes nationally consistent data that combines environmental and demographic
indicators to map and identify communities with EJ concerns. In addition, resources are
included to update EPA's IT systems to support the Climate and Economic Justice
Screening tool and the EJ Clearinghouse, which would serve as an online resource for
information on EJ
(+$8,500.0) This program change increases support for an Environmental Justice Training
Program to increase the capacity of residents of underserved communities to identify and
address disproportionately adverse human health or environmental effects. Appropriations
language has been provided in the proposed EPM Bill Language.
(+$6,000.0) This program change increases support for the National Environmental Justice
Advisory Council; other federal advisory council activities; and the White House
Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
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Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
117-2).
340
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Geographic Programs
341
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Geographic Program: Chesapeake Bay
Program Area: Geographic Programs
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
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-------
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Obj ective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will focus on supporting implementation of the two-year logic model and action
plans for the 25 management strategies developed under the Agreement, with particular focus on
improving performance toward achieving outcomes where progress is lagging. The Program is
increasing focus on environmental justice, ensuring the benefits of the Chesapeake Bay Program
are distributed equitably. In addition, the Program is increasing efforts in the climate change space
by focusing initiatives on the resiliency of the watershed. Specific emphases include:
• Implementing the water quality outcomes that describe the commitment of the Agreement
signatories for having all practices in place by 2025 to achieve the necessary pollutant
reductions.
• Accelerating implementation of outcomes that help keep the watershed resilient in the face
of climate change (including forest buffers, urban tree canopy, wetland protection and
restoration, and land conservation).
• Increasing community engagement in achieving program outcomes and initiating efforts
to garner partnership commitment to outyear priorities to achieve a restored Chesapeake
Bay, considering current scientific understanding and emerging issues, and ensuring
consideration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
• Maintaining and expanding the historically strong submerged aquatic vegetation, and tidal
and non-tidal water quality monitoring programs implemented through state grants and
federal interagency agreements.
• Ensuring the most up-to-date science is used throughout the Chesapeake Bay Program to
support decision-making, implementation, and future condition assessment (for example,
improving computer models to help predict the impact of climate change on the
Chesapeake Bay Program's ability to meet water quality standards in the tidal waters of
the Chesapeake Bay); and
• Increasing investment, and tracking of investments, in diversity, equity, inclusion, and
justice in Chesapeake Bay Program restoration efforts, implementing the partnership's
2021 DEIJ action strategy and supporting local level actions, targeting disadvantaged
communities. This includes funding work with the EPA's National Center of
Environmental Economics to develop a methodology for understanding and tracking
benefits to disadvantaged communities from Bay restoration work.
Environmental results, measured through data collected by the states and shared with the federal
government, show the importance of the investment that federal, state, and local governments have
made in providing clean and safe water. Every year, the Chesapeake Bay Program uses available
monitoring information from the 92 segments of the Chesapeake Bay to estimate whether each
segment is attaining criteria for one or more of its designated uses. EPA, along with other federal,
state, and academic partners, are using this information to demonstrate progress toward meeting
water quality standards and the Bay TMDL.
States have reported that, as of 2021, best management practices to reduce pollution are in place
to achieve 49 percent of the nitrogen reductions, 64 percent of the phosphorus reductions, and 100
percent of the sediment reductions needed to attain applicable water quality standards when
343
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compared to the 2009 baseline established in the Bay TMDL.121 In FY 2024, EPA will evaluate
progress toward meeting the 2022-2023 milestone commitments of the seven Chesapeake Bay
jurisdictions. The two-year milestones are intended to demonstrate how the jurisdictions will meet
their pollution reduction goals by 2025 through the major source sectors (agricultural sector, urban
storm water, and wastewater).
EPA will continue to provide the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership with funding and technical
assistance, expand our ability to track and report progress across our suite of outcomes, and
coordinate and facilitate partnership efforts to reach our mutual goals of a healthy Bay and
watershed. While continuing progress toward restoring the Bay watershed, EPA and other
Executive Council members signed and released the historic Statement in Support of Diversity,
Equity, Inclusion and Justice.122 This statement reaffirmed the Executive Council's commitment
to recruit and retain staff and volunteers that reflect the diversity of the watershed, foster a culture
of inclusion and respect across all partner organizations, and ensure the benefits of our science,
restoration, and partnership programs are distributed equitably without disproportionate impacts
on disadvantaged communities.
Additionally, EPA is working to accelerate integration of climate change in Bay restoration efforts.
EPA and other Executive Council members signed and released the Collective Action for Climate
Change6 directive. One key activity is the launch of a Climate Directive Pilot Project which
prioritizes implementation projects that advance progress towards multiple Agreement outcomes
in disadvantaged and/or climate vulnerable communities. EPA also is addressing climate change
in other ways: 1) in 2025, predicting the impact of 2035 climate changes on water quality and
adjusting pollution targets; 2) understanding adaptations needed in the watershed and coastal
regions; and 3) maintaining or improving the watershed's resiliency to climate change. Work is
underway to develop state-of-the-science models of the Chesapeake airshed, watershed, and tidal
waters to refine the 2035 climate risk in the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Assessment. Also, EPA and the
Bay Program partnership are actively investigating best management practices to better protect the
watershed and tidal Bay against the observed increased precipitation volumes and intensity
brought about by climate change in urban and agricultural regions.
In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes $47.6 million
for this program in FY 2024. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting appropriations language that will
provide funding under this program as no-year funds.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
121 For more information, please see https://www.chesapeakeprogress.coni/clean-water/watershed-iniplenieiitatioii-plaiis.
122 For more information, please see
lU v.cliesapeakebav.riet/cliaririel files/40996/deijstatement final all sigriatures.pdf"
6For more information, please see https://dl81evl ok51eia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebav/documents/climatedirective final 3.pdf.
344
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(+$416.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$322.0) This program change is a decrease due to offsets in fixed and other costs.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act, Section 117; Estuary Restoration Act of 2000; Chesapeake Bay Accountability and
Recovery Act of 2014; Clean Air Act; Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Pub. L. 117-328.
345
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Geographic Program: Gulf of Mexico
Program Area: Geographic Programs
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$21,194
$:25,524
$25,558
$34
Total Workyears
16.1
21.7
21.7
0.0
Program Project Description:
The Gulf of Mexico is an iconic and important body of water, providing ecological, economic,
cultural, and recreational opportunities for millions of residents and visitors to the region. The Gulf
of Mexico is heavily impacted by the Mississippi River, the main river system which drains into
it. The Mississippi River watershed captures drainage from 41 percent of the land area of the
contiguous United States (includes nearly 1.5 million square miles over parts of 31 states).
Through the Gulf of Mexico Division (GMD), EPA collaborates with federal, state, and local
partners to restore the Gulf, and ultimately improve the health of the coastal area, benefiting
approximately 16 million Americans.123
The mission of the EPA's GMD is to facilitate collaborative actions that protect, maintain, and
restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic
and ecological well-being of the region. The GMD competitively funds projects and uses
interagency agreements and strategic partnerships to accomplish its mission. All GMD projects
and partnership work are linked to one or more of the following performance measures: 1) improve
and/or restore water quality; 2) protect, enhance, or restore coastal and upland habitats; 3) promote
and support environmental education and outreach to inhabitants of the Gulf watershed; and 4)
support the demonstration of programs, projects, and tools which strengthen community
resilience.124 The GMD provides significant leadership and coordination among state and local
governments, the private sector, tribes, scientists, and citizens to align efforts that address the
challenges facing the communities and ecosystems of the Gulf Coast. The GMD is committed to
voluntary, non-regulatory actions and solutions based on scientific data and technical information
underpinning our work with the aforementioned stakeholders.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
123 For more information please see: https://www.ceiisus.goY/coiiteiit/dani/Census/librarY/visualizatioiis/2019/denio/coastliiie-
america-print.pdf.
124 For more information please see: fattps://www.epa.gov/gulfofiiiexico/2021-gulf-niexico~divisioti~amTual-reporf.
346
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In FY 2024, the Agency will continue supporting specific actions and solutions designed to
improve the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico region through cooperative
efforts and partnerships. Specifically, the Agency will address nutrient reduction on working lands
with targeted habitats. Additionally, GMD will center its focus on sustainable agriculture and
resilience in the farming community. EPA will continue to expand Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) experiential education and workforce development
to underserved communities. Through green infrastructure practices such as artificial reefs,
riparian buffers, prairies, and living shorelines, GMD will continue to build the adaptive capacity
of ecosystems and communities. The GMD projects are competitively funded and coordinated
with and complement ongoing Resource and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities,
Revived Economies (RESTORE) and Natural Resource Damages Assessment (NRDA) activities
related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The GMD continues to seek broad participation and
input from the diverse stakeholders who live, work, and recreate in the Gulf Coast region.
The GMD directly funds assistance agreements, interagency agreements and partnerships, which
support the following activities:
Environmental Education and Outreach
In FY 2024, the GMD will continue to promote the use of best available science and sustainable
environmental practices by developing programs, establishing partnerships, and competitively
funding projects that increase environmental literacy. The GMD will enhance experiential learning
opportunities for Gulf residents and visitors alike.
To ensure that environmental education and outreach efforts extend to overburdened and
underserved populations, GMD will work with various sectors of government, community leaders,
and academia on projects that promote capacity building and lead to behavioral changes in
communities with environmental justice concerns. Education and outreach are vital to
accomplishing the Agency's mission to protect human health and the environment, to inform and
provide actionable information to communities with environmental justice challenges, and to meet
the GMD-specific goals of promoting healthy and resilient coastal communities.
GMD will evaluate success of this performance measure by tracking the number of participants
involved in environmental literacy and stewardship activities. Recipients of competitively funded
projects are required to report on this data quarterly and personnel must input direct engagement
efforts into the GMD's quarterly metrics tracking database.
Strengthen Community Resilience
Coastal and inland communities continuously face a range of natural and man-made challenges,
including storm risk, land and habitat loss, depletion of natural resources, compromised water
quality, and resulting economic instability. In FY 2024, the GMD will continue to emphasize
robust partnerships and extensive community engagement to strengthen coastal and near-shore
community preparedness. Through actions, activities, partnerships, and projects, communities
throughout the Gulf will be more resilient, and thus better prepared for natural disasters or other
347
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emergencies. The GMD will leverage its Community Resilience Index Tool to provide
municipalities with a method to assess vulnerabilities and take steps to mitigate risks.
GMD will evaluate success of this performance measure by tracking the number of communities
informed on vulnerabilities and risks and those with programs, projects, and tools developed and/or
demonstrated to identify vulnerabilities and to manage risks as a way of improving the social well-
being, the economy, and/or the environment. Recipients of competitively funded projects are
required to report on this data quarterly and personnel must input direct engagement efforts into
the GMD's quarterly metrics tracking database.
Improve Water Quality
The Clean Water Act provides authority and resources to protect and improve the water quality in
the Gulf of Mexico and all waters of the United States. The GMD supports projects and works
with partners, such as the Hypoxia Task Force, to improve water and habitat quality throughout
the Gulf of Mexico watershed. In FY 2024, the GMD will fund projects which improve water
quality on a watershed basis through monitoring nutrient reduction, analyzing data, and assessing
changes.
Enhance. Protect, or Restore Coastal Habitats
Managing critical ecosystems is widely recognized as a fundamental environmental priority
throughout the Gulf Coast region. Critical issues include, but are not limited to, sediment
management, marsh/habitat loss due to subsidence, the continued reduction of freshwater in-flow,
and climate change. For decades, the Gulf Coast has endured extensive natural and man-made
damage to key habitats such as coastal wetlands, estuaries, barrier islands, upland habitats, seagrass
vegetation, oyster reefs, coral reefs, and offshore habitats. In FY 2024, the GMD will continue to
fund projects and work with partners to enhance coastal ecosystems, improve sediment
movement/management, restore acreage where feasible and cost-effective, and reverse the effects
of long-term habitat degradation.
GMD will evaluate success of this performance measure by tracking the number of habitats
restored, improved, or enhanced through competitively funded projects and partnerships with
stakeholders. Recipients of competitively funded projects are required to report on this data
quarterly and personnel must input direct engagement efforts into the GMD's quarterly metrics
tracking database.
In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes $10.6 million
for this program in FY 2024. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting appropriations language that will
provide funding under this program as no-year funds and that will allow utilization of funds to
support infrastructure projects or activities.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
348
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$593.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$559.0) This program change is a decrease due to offsets in fixed and other costs.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Pub. L. 117-328.
349
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Geographic Program: Lake Champlain
Program Area: Geographic Programs
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Maiui'^cnicnl
s iv.tm
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Total Budget Authority
$19,096
$25,000
$25,000
$0
Total Workyears
0.0
1.0
1.0
0.0
Program Project Description:
The trans-boundary region of Lake Champlain is a resource of national significance and home to
more than 600,000 people, about 35 percent of whom depend on the lake for drinking water. The
8,234-square mile basin includes areas in Vermont, New York, and the Province of Quebec. Lake
Champlain draws millions of visitors annually. The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program
(LCBP) supports implementation in Vermont and New York of a comprehensive pollution
prevention, control, and restoration plan for protecting the future of the Lake Champlain Basin.
Through the LCBP, EPA is addressing various threats to Lake Champlain's water quality,
including phosphorus loadings, invasive species, and toxic substances.125
The Program's goal is to achieve clean waters that will sustain diverse ecosystems, vibrant
communities, and working landscapes. These ecosystems should provide clean water for drinking
and recreation and support a habitat that is resilient to extreme events and free of aquatic invasive
species.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
EPA's budget request will allow the Program to address high levels of phosphorus by
implementing priority actions identified in the Opportunities for Action Management Plan to
reduce phosphorus loads. The 2016 Vermont Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Phosphorus
for Lake Champlain is central to the planning and implementation work within the Lake
Champlain Basin to reduce phosphorus loads and meet the wasteload and load allocations specified
in the TMDL. Phosphorus reductions from the New York portion of the Basin continue to be
subject to the TMDL approved in 2002. The Program also seeks to prevent the impacts of aquatic
invasive species and to restore habitat across its basin.
125 For additional information see: https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/lake-champlain-phosphorus-tmdl-commitment-clean-water and
http://www.lcbp.ore.
350
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The LCBP will also increase efforts to better understand how to address harmful algal blooms
(HABs) and prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.
In FY 2024 EPA will focus on the following activities:
• Ninety-three percent of the total phosphorus load to the lake is from stormwater or nonpoint
source runoff, and seven percent is from wastewater treatment plant sources in Vermont,
New York, and Quebec. EPA and its partners will continue to reduce phosphorous
pollution from stormwater runoff, nonpoint sources, and wastewater treatment facilities to
meet reductions specified in the Vermont and New York Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDLs). Specifically, EPA will focus on:
o Implementing stormwater planning, design, and construction of green stormwater
infrastructure at Vermont public schools and state universities and implementing
best management practices on rural roads in both Vermont and New York, thereby
increasing their resiliency to climate impacts,
o Addressing agricultural nonpoint sources including continued research to
determine the efficiency of agricultural best management practices; evaluating farm
practices to identify where improvements to practices are needed; and
decommissioning former agricultural lands better suited for habitat and floodplain
restoration efforts.
o Ensuring that wastewater facilities' permits remain consistent with the Clean Water
Act, necessary upgrades to treatment facilities are completed, and the treatment
optimization efforts continue throughout the Basin.
The Program also aims to restore healthy ecosystems to provide clean water for recreation
and drinking water and intact habitat that is resilient to extreme events and invasive species.
In FY 2024 the Program will support:
o Biodiversity, prevent habitat fragmentation and improve resilience to changing
weather conditions.
o Prevention of aquatic invasive species that harm the environment, economy, or
human health, including aquatic plants, animals, and pathogens. EPA will continue
to work with partners to understand the impact of any potential spread. The Agency
also will continue to monitor invasive water chestnuts and fund efforts to reduce
their density and distribution. Additionally, EPA and its partners will continue to
implement the activities identified in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Invasive
Species Program Report submitted to Congress under requirements of the Vessel
Incidental Discharge Act.126
The LCBP will continue to support the development of new ways to understand the high
seasonal concentrations of Harmful Algal Blooms, report on their potential health impacts,
and provide necessary information to the health departments of New York and Vermont to
close beaches, protect drinking water intakes, or take other actions. In addition, the
Program will investigate developing new approaches for urban and agricultural stormwater
control.
126 For more information please visit: https://www.epa.eov/ereatlakes/ereat-lakes-and-lake-chaniplain-iiwasive-species-prograni-
report.
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LCBP will continue efforts to increase the participation of new and diverse partners in
LCBP programs and decision-making by assessing LCBP's committee membership and
structure, programs, and outreach strategy to engage with disadvantaged communities
more effectively, including a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the 2022
Opportunities for Action update to better describe how the Program will engage with all
residents and communities of the basin.
The Program's 2022 management plan includes new metric to expand tracking and
reporting of implementation efforts. In FY 2024 the Program will continue development
of a new project tracking database.
In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes $8 million
for this program in FY 2024. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting appropriations language that will
provide funding under this program as no-year funds.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909; Clean Water Act §120; Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023
(PL. 117-328).
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Geographic Program: Long Island Sound
Program Area: Geographic Programs
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$29,758
$40,002
$40,005
$3
Total Workyears
1.7
8.0
8.0
0.0
Program Project Description:
The Long Island Sound Program protects wildlife habitat and water quality in one of the most
densely populated areas of the United States, with nearly nine million people living in the
watershed. In total, the Long Island Sound watershed comprises more than 16 thousand square
miles, including virtually the entire state of Connecticut, and portions of New York, Rhode Island,
Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The Long Island Sound provides recreation for
millions of people each year and provides a critical transportation corridor for goods and people.
The Long Island Sound continues to provide feeding, breeding, nesting, and nursery areas for
diverse animal and plant life. The ability of the Long Island Sound to support these uses is
dependent on the quality of its waters, habitats, and living resources. The Long Island Sound
watershed's natural capital provides between $17 and $37 billion in ecosystem goods and services
every year.127
Improving water quality and reducing nitrogen pollution are priorities of the Long Island Sound
Program. The Program is making measurable differences in the region. Through State Revolving
Fund and local investments of more than $2.5 billion to improve wastewater treatment, the total
nitrogen load to the Long Island Sound in 2021 decreased by more than 49 million pounds from
1990 levels, a 60 percent reduction. This and other investments have enabled the EPA-State
partnership to attain the pollution reduction targets set in the nitrogen TMDL 2000.
The Program is also focused on habitat protection and restoration. Program partners have restored
593 acres of coastal habitat between 2015-2022, well ahead of the pace needed to achieve the goal
of restoring 1,000 coastal acres by 2035. In 2022, program partners completed 25 projects in
coastal habitats, restoring 134.3 acres. An average of 50 acres a year is needed to meet the 2035
target. The Program is currently averaging 89.6 acres a year.
127 For more information please see: Kocian, M., Fletcher, A., Schundler, G., Batker, D., Schwartz, A., Briceno, T. 2015. The
Trillion Dollar Asset: The Economic Value of the Long Island Sound Basin. Earth Economics, Tacoma, WA.
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Program will continue to oversee implementation of the Long Island Sound Study
(LISS) Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) by coordinating the cleanup
and restoration actions of the LISS Management Conference. The LISS CCMP is organized around
four major themes:128 1) Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds; 2) Thriving Habitats and
Abundant Wildlife; 3) Sustainable and Resilient Communities; and 4) Sound Science and Inclusive
Management. Throughout the four themes, the CCMP incorporates key challenges and
environmental priorities including resiliency to climate change, long-term sustainability, and
environmental justice. The plan also set 20 quantitative ecosystem recovery targets to drive
progress. In 2020, the LISS updated the CCMP with 136 implementation actions covering the
period 2020-2024. In FY 2024, the EPA will focus on the following:
Continue to reduce nitrogen pollution through implementing the Nitrogen Reduction
Strategy. EPA will work cooperatively with Connecticut and New York to expand
modeling and monitoring to develop numeric nitrogen targets that are protective of
designated uses and set local nitrogen reduction targets where necessary.
Coordinate priority watershed protection programs such as increasing streamside buffer
zones as natural filters of pollution.
Support community sustainability and resiliency through the Sustainable and Resilient
Communities Work Group to help communities plan for climate change impacts while
strengthening ecological health and protecting local economies.
Coordinate the protection and restoration of critical coastal habitats to improve the
productivity of tidal wetlands, inter-tidal zones, and other key habitats that have been
adversely affected by unplanned development, overuse, land use-related pollution effects,
and climate change (e.g., sea level rise, warming temperatures, changes in salinity, and
other ecological effects).
• Integrate environmental justice considerations across program decision-making and
implementation through the new LISS Environmental Justice Work Group.
Conduct targeted outreach and engagement efforts to understand community needs in areas
with environmental justice concerns.
• Increase the participation of new and diverse partners in LISS programs and decision-
making.
• Expand tracking and reporting of implementation efforts.
Continue coordinated water quality monitoring.
Support community partnerships to reduce pollution, protect and restore habitats, and
increase sustainability and resiliency through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund.
Conduct focused scientific research into the causes and effects of pollution on the Sound's
living marine resources, ecosystems, water quality, and human uses to assist managers and
128 For more information please visit: https://loiipislandsouiidstudY.iiet/2015/09/2015-conipreheiisiYe-conservatioii-aiid-
management-plan/.
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public decision-makers in developing policies and strategies to address environmental,
social, and human health impacts.
Submit the next biennial Report to Congress covering progress in implementing the CCMP
during the period 2022-2023.
• Update the CCMP's actions for the period 2025 to 2029.
In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes $21.2 million
for this program in FY 2024. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting appropriations language that will
provide funding under this program as no-year funds.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$73.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$76.0) This program change is an increase to provide increased resources to add to the
restoration of the Long Island Sound.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act § 119.
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Geographic Program: Other
Program Area: Geographic Programs
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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SI 2.
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Total Budget Authority
$12,797
$14,200
$14,212
$12
Total Workyears
5.3
6.7
6.7
0.0
Program Project Description:
EPA targets efforts to protect and restore many of the unique communities and ecosystems across
the United States through the geographic programs. To protect and restore these treasured
resources, the Agency develops and implements approaches to mitigate sources of pollution and
cumulative risks posed by a variety of geographically distinct environmental stressors. These
approaches improve water resource quality in ecosystems and the health and economic vitality of
residents that rely on them. While substantial progress has been made in all these programs, more
work is required to further reduce toxins, lower nutrient loads into watersheds and water bodies,
increase ecologically and economically important species, restore habitats, and protect human
health. The programs are also focused on targeting investments and benefits to disadvantaged
communities within their territories, consistent with the goals of the Justice40 initiative, and
prioritizing investments with climate adaptation and mitigation outcomes.
The Northwest Forest Program
The Northwest Forest Program addresses water quality impairments in forested watersheds and
works to improve the quality and quantity of surface water to meet beneficial use and drinking
water/source water protection goals. Climate change is increasing the demands on the program
due to the increase of catastrophic wildfires and resulting impacts to water quality and municipal
drinking water.
The Northwest Forest Program supports monitoring of watershed conditions across 72 million
acres of forest and rangelands in the Northwest. In Oregon and Washington, 40 to 90 percent of
the land area within national forests supply drinking water to communities west of the Cascade
Range crest. This program provides the data communities need to help manage these drinking
water resources. Funding allows EPA to provide critical support to the Aquatic Riparian
Effectiveness Monitoring Program and the Pacfish/Infish Biological Opinion Effectiveness
Monitoring Program. These regional scale watershed monitoring programs are essential to
determining the effectiveness of riparian management in meeting aquatic/riparian habitat,
ecosystem function, and water quality standards.
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The Northwest Forest Program also helps EPA respond to tribal trust and treaty responsibilities.
EPA staff are key to protection and restoration of watersheds and water quality important to tribes.
EPA has tribal trust responsibilities in the Northwest for tribes reliant on salmon and shellfish.
The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program
The purpose of this Program is to restore the ecological health of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin by
developing and funding restoration projects and related scientific and public education projects.
The Basin comprises 16 Louisiana parishes and 4 Mississippi counties. The land use of the Basin
ranges from rural to urban and is the most densely populated region in Louisiana, including
metropolitan New Orleans and Louisiana's capitol, Baton Rouge. The Basin provides a home and
natural habitat to 2.1 million people and many plants, animals, and fish. It is one of the largest
estuarian systems in the United States, containing over 22 essential habitats. The Basin's
topography ranges from rolling woodlands in the north to coastal marshes in the south, with the
630 square mile Lake Pontchartrain, the second largest saltwater lake in the United States, as its
centerpiece.
Projects funded under this program maintain, protect, and restore the water quality and ecosystems
of the Basin. These projects reduce the risk of pollution, increase protection of fisheries and
drinking water sources and enhance recreational opportunities for the citizens of Louisiana.
Southeast New England Program (SNEP)
Southeast New England (from Westerly, Rhode Island, to Pleasant Bay, Massachusetts) faces
environmental challenges that are both unique and highly representative of critical national
problems, especially in coastal areas. Typical problems include rivers hydrologically disconnected
by dams and restrictions, lost wetland functions, urbanization, and centuries-old infrastructure -
all compounded by the increasing impacts of excess nutrients from wastewater, stormwater runoff,
and atmospheric deposition. Excess nutrients have contributed to severe water quality problems
including algal blooms, low dissolved oxygen conditions, fish kills, impaired benthic
communities, and habitat loss (sea grass and salt marsh) in estuaries and near-coastal waters of
this region and worldwide. The impacts of climate change, especially the likelihood of extreme
weather events and increased precipitation, will further stress these systems in coming years, not
only environmentally but also socially and economically. The Program seeks to link environmental
quality to economic opportunity and jobs by delivering local solutions in a regional and watershed
context. Taking up and successfully addressing these issues will enable the program to serve as a
model for other areas.
SNEP serves as a hub to enable protection and restoration of the coastal watersheds of Southeast
New England. Protecting these watersheds and the ecosystem services they provide will help
sustain the region's communities and environmental assets into the future. SNEP draws upon
networks of stakeholders and experts to seek out and support innovations in practices, technology,
and policies that will enable better and more effective watershed protection and restoration. The
goal is to create a sustainable path for change and to lead the next generation of environmental
management by:
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• Developing and investing in innovative, cost-effective restoration and protection practices,
as well as new regulatory, economic, and technology approaches.
• Providing technical assistance to municipalities, tribes, and local organizations.
Supporting local restoration efforts.
• Integrating delivery of programs to the public by our fellow agencies and partners.
• Focusing on ecosystem services.
• Improving technology transfer and delivery of restoration programs across the region.
• Developing regional approaches to collate water quality and habitat data in order to provide
a report on regional trends.
• Developing and implementing metrics to track the impact of SNEP proj ects throughout the
region.
Columbia River Program (CRBRP)
The Columbia River Basin (Basin) is one of North America's largest watersheds, covering
approximately 260 thousand square miles, originating in British Columbia, Canada, with seven
states including significant portions of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The Basin
provides environmental, economic, cultural, and social benefits and is vital to many entities and
industries in the Pacific Northwest, including tribal, recreational, and commercial fisheries;
agriculture; forestry; recreation; and electric power generation.
Human activities have contributed to impaired water quality that impacts human health, and fish
and wildlife species survival. Tribal fish consumers, other high fish consumers and subsistence
fishers, are exposed to known toxic contaminants and increased human health risks. Beginning in
2004, EPA has made a priority commitment to reducing toxics in the Basin reflecting a
responsibility to environmental justice for tribal people to protect human health and help restore
and protect fish and wildlife populations. There are several endangered fish and wildlife species
throughout the Basin. A major salmon restoration effort is underway that has expended millions
of dollars to restore salmon throughout the Basin.
In 2016, Congress adopted the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act as Section 123 of the Clean
Water Act (CWA), which directs EPA to lead a Basin-wide collaboration and competitive grant
program to assess and reduce toxics in the Basin. Section 123 also directs EPA to: establish a
Columbia River Basin Restoration Program (CRBRP) to assess trends in water quality; collect and
assess data to identify possible causes of environmental problems; provide grants for projects for
specific purposes; and establish a voluntary Columbia River Basin Restoration Working Group.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Funding will be split amongst the Northwest Forest Program, Lake Pontchartrain Program,
Southern New England Program, and Columbia River Basin Program for restoration of the four
geographic programs with an emphasis on initiatives that advance environmental justice and
address the threats exacerbated by climate change.
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Northwest Forest Program
In FY 2024, the Program will support the following activities:
• Wildfires impact monitoring and assessment of water quality in watersheds impacted by
the catastrophic 2020 Labor Day fires in Oregon and anticipated future fire seasons in the
Pacific Northwest.
• Aquatic and Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program (AREMP) of the Northwest
Forest Plan and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Western Oregon Resource
Management Plan to help maintain and restore watersheds across 24 million acres of
federal lands in western Washington and Oregon, and northern California.
• The PacFish/InFish Biological Opinion Effectiveness Monitoring Program to monitor
stream and riparian habitats for both inland fish species and anadromous fish like salmon
that rely on both the Pacific Ocean and freshwater rivers to ensure conservation strategies
are working effectively to sustain fish populations.
The Drinking Water Providers Partnership - an annual public-private funding opportunity
for water providers and watershed restoration practitioners in Oregon and Washington to
implement riparian or in-stream restoration actions to restore and protect the health of
watersheds and drinking water.
States' implementation of forestry non-point source programs and development of Total
Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Best Management Practices for forestry.
• Development of Spatial Statistical Network models to evaluate impacts of forest practices
and climate change on stream temperatures across entire watersheds. Further support for
watershed management and development and implementation of TMDLs.
Collaboration with partners and local water providers to address sediment and temperature
impairments in forested watersheds.
Lake Pontchartrain
In FY 2024, the Program will help restore the ecological health of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin
by:
• Implementing the current Lake Pontchartrain Basin Program Comprehensive Management
Plan (CCMP) and Comprehensive Habitat Management Plan (CCHP), including
implementation of restoration projects to address saltwater intrusion-wetland loss,
agricultural, and stormwater runoff.
• Revising the CCMP/CCHP to meet the current needs of the Basin and updating
recommendations to meet current Best Management Practices and technology. This will
be the first update to the Management Plan since 1995.
• Working with the executive committee to expand the reach of the program to communities
who have not participated in the past and to reinvigorate participation in the management
conference.
• Incorporating Justice40 into the Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) through:
identification of key areas for investments
development of robust protocols for proposal review and proj ect
outreach to subaward grantees to include investments and benefits to disadvantaged
communities in their projects and
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tracking and reporting the investments and benefits of PRP projects to
disadvantaged communities in the Basin
• Protecting and restoring critical habitats and encouraging sustainable growth by providing
information and guidance on habitat protection and green development techniques.
Southeast New England Program (SNEP)
In FY 2024, the Program will support technical assistance, grants, interagency agreements, and
contracts to spur investment in regionally significant and/or landscape-scale restoration
opportunities, more fully integrate restoration actions, build local capacity, promote policy and
technology innovation, encourage ecosystem (water quality and habitat) approaches, and enact the
Southeast New England Program's Five-Year Strategic Plan.129 SNEP is tracking community
engagement and is committed to provide funding or technical assistance to 25 percent of regional
municipalities (34 out of 133) and over 50 percent of federally-recognized tribes (at least 2 of 3)
by the end of FY 2025. Specific activities include:
• Investing in on-the-ground environmental restoration/protection projects through the
SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants (SWIG) Program.
• Building capacity of municipalities and other organizations to actively participate in
implementing restoration projects and effectively manage their environmental programs
through the SNEP Network.
• Promoting the development of next-generation watershed management tools.
Collaborating among the Narragansett Bay and Buzzards Bay National Estuary Programs,
the states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, the Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard
Commissions and other Cape and Island organizations, municipalities, and key
stakeholders to identify, test, promote, and implement approaches that can be replicated
across Southeastern New England, with a focus on the nexus between habitat, nutrients,
and stormwater and ecosystem and community resilience.
• Funding pilot projects and research to introduce innovations and practices that accelerate
and guide ecosystem restoration and avoid or reduce nutrient impacts.
Continuing the SNEP Pilot Watershed Initiative which seeks to concentrate and
quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of coordinated environmental restoration projects
at a sub-watershed scale. Leveraging for efficiency and effectiveness by coordinating
operations, resources, and funding principles among restoration partners, including federal
and state agencies.
Continuing development of a regional water and habitat monitoring strategy that
incorporates current monitoring efforts to tracks environmental restoration progress and
inform the public about the health of the SNEP region.
Columbia River Basin Program (CRBRP) - Section 123 of the Clean Water Act
The EPA CRBRP's vision is to be a catalyst for broad toxics reduction work efforts and basin-
wide collaboration to achieve a healthy ecosystem with significantly reduced toxic levels in fish,
129 For more information visit: https://www.epa.eov/siiep/snep-strategic-plan.
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wildlife, and water to enable communities to access unimpaired watersheds with healthy fish and
wildlife habitat. Key FY 2024 plans for EPA's CRBRP include:
Continuing to manage the implementation of the CRBRP grant program awards to monitor
and reduce toxics in the Basin.
Competing a fourth round of CRBRP funding assistance utilizing FY 2023 and FY 2024
appropriations.
• Providing technical assistance and communication products for the Columbia River Basin
Restoration Working Group and the general public.
Continuing to update the EPA Columbia River Basin website which serves as a source of
technical references and other information on understanding and reducing toxics in the
Basin.
• Integrating Environmental and Tribal Justice and Treaty Rights into the program.
Supporting climate adaptation strategies and resilience as it relates to toxics reduction.
In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes $30.2 million
for this program in FY 2024. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting appropriations language that will
provide funding under this program as no-year funds.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$12.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act.
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Geographic Program: South Florida
Program Area: Geographic Programs
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$6,917
$8,500
$8,503
$3
Total Workyears
1.6
3.0
3.0
0.0
Program Project Description:
The South Florida Program ecosystem extends from Chain of Lakes near Orlando, Florida, to
Florida Bay which is 250 miles south. Nine million people, two Federally Recognized Native
American Tribes: Seminole and Miccosukee, three National Parks, 15 National Wildlife Refuges,
Big Cypress National Preserve, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Everglades, and
unique coastal resources: St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries, Indian River Lagoon, Biscayne
Bay, Florida Bay, Florida Keys, and coral reefs make up this unique and sensitive ecosystem.
These ecosystems support a multi-billion-dollar economy through outdoor tourism, boating,
recreational and commercial fishing, coral reef diving, and world-class beaches.
Challenges faced include: the long-term sustainability of sensitive natural areas, agriculture, and
the expanding human population; balancing the region's often conflicting flood control, water
supply and water quality needs; and mitigating and adapting to extreme weather events and sea-
level rise.
EPA's South Florida Program coordinates restoration activities in South Florida where water
quality and habitat are directly affected by pollution and climate change. The Program is
developing an Equity Strategy that will include an emphasis on addressing the dual burdens of
pollution and climate in disadvantaged communities. EPA implements, coordinates, and facilitates
activities through a variety of programs in the region including: the Clean Water Act (CWA)
Section 404 Wetlands Program; the Everglades Water Quality Restoration Strategies Program; the
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program; the Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Program; the Coral Reef Environmental
Monitoring Program; the Benthic Habitat Monitoring Program; the Southeast Florida Coral Reef
Initiative, as directed by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force; and other programs.130'2
130 For more information please see: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-epa-region-4-southeast.
2 For more information please see: https://www.epa.gov/everglades.
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
The South Florida Program supports efforts to protect and restore ecosystems impacted by
environmental challenges. In FY 2024, EPA will focus on the Florida Keys Water Quality
Protection Program, Florida Coral Reef Tract, Everglades Restoration, nutrient reduction to reduce
harmful algal blooms, and CWA Section 404 implementation.
Through the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program, the
South Florida Program will engage stakeholders across the breadth of the Florida Keys to
review long-term monitoring projects of water quality and ecosystems related to water quality
in the Keys. Data generated by EPA partners informs these programs which have documented
periodic oceanographic events such as algal blooms, seagrass die-offs, and coral diseases, and
have provided the foundational data for the development of nutrient numeric criteria. The long-
term status and trend collected by the Coral Reef Environmental Monitoring Program is
tracking the ongoing Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease that continues to decimate over 20 reef
building corals species of the Florida Reef Tract. To date, the South Florida Program has
provided more than $3 million to support coral research to hinder or halt the disease destroying
corals reefs that are vital to Florida's eco-tourism industry and that serve as a natural mitigation
barrier from storms and hurricanes. The Program will continue to support these efforts.
The Program will complete study reports associated with the Everglades Regional
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program in 2024 and 2025 based upon monitoring
completed in 2023. This is an EPA-conducted extensive assessment of the Everglades' health
since 1993. Federal and state agencies, tribes, agriculture, the public, non-governmental
organizations, and the National Academies of Sciences use the data to understand water quality
and ecological conditions and to assess restoration progress. The data also help to explain the
effectiveness of control programs for phosphorus and mercury.
• EPA will continue CWA and National Environmental Policy Act coordination with the US
Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida
Water Management District, and tribes for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan
(CERP) and Western Everglades Restoration Plan planning and Implementation. CERP is a
$20 billion federal-state restoration effort with over 60 projects that affect aquatic resources
throughout south Florida. EPA will continue CWA and National Environmental Policy Act
coordination with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, South Florida Water Management District and Tribes for CERP planning and
implementation.
This program will continue implementation of the Florida Keys Wastewater Master Plan to
provide Advanced Wastewater Treatment or Best Available Technology services to all homes
and businesses in the Florida Keys through the EPA and state co-chaired Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) Water Quality Protection Program. The goal is to remove from
service all non-functioning septic tanks, cesspits, and non-compliant wastewater facilities.
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More than 90 percent of Florida Keys homes and business are on advanced wastewater
treatment systems and more than 30 thousand septic tanks have been eliminated.
The Program will continue support for restoration, monitoring, and modeling of seagrass
communities within St. Lucie Estuary, the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Indian River Lagoon,
Biscayne Bay, and Florida Keys to address of loss of seagrass meadows from phosphorus
enrichment and chlorophyll increases resulting in dying seagrass beds, increasing harmful algal
blooms, fish kills, and manatee deaths.
• EPA will continue work with State and local governments, universities, and non-governmental
organizations to implement on-the-ground and satellite water quality monitoring programs for
the Florida Keys, Biscayne Bay, St. Lucie Estuary, Florida Bay, and Caloosahatchee Estuary.
EPA has provided more than $4 million to support water quality that includes water quality
monitoring; harmful algal blooms detection, nutrient source identification and tracking;
bacteria (enterococcus) tracking for healthy beaches; and submarine groundwater discharge to
evaluate groundwater as a potential nutrient source.
The FY 2024 budget request continues support for oysters, seagrass, mangroves, and sponge
restoration efforts that reestablish and rehabilitate these natural systems; identify and map
habitat areas for protection, restoration, and management; and develop conservation/
restoration plans for these resilient ecosystems that provide habitat, food, nutrient removal,
water filtration, storm attenuation, carbon storage and shoreline stabilization in South Florida.
• EPA will develop an annual Request for Applications for FY 2024 funds and continue
management of more than $20 million in South Florida prior-year projects enhancing water
quality, coral, and seagrass monitoring; restoring coral, seagrass, and sponge ecosystems;
developing models to identify pollutant sources; investigating emerging contaminants and
researching water quality environments conducive to algal blooms.
• EPA will continue to work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP),
local municipalities, and grantees to quantifying the impact of shallow wastewater effluent
injection on groundwater nutrient fluxes to surface waters in the FKNMS.
The Program will support CWA Section 404 implementation, including wetlands conservation,
permitting, dredge and fill, and mitigation banking strategies through collaboration with U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers and FDEP.
• EPA will continue to work with the State of Florida on Everglades Water Quality Restoration
Strategies to address pollution. Part of this work will be tracking progress on the National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits and consent orders within the Everglades,
including discharge limits for phosphorus and corrective actions that are consistent with state
and federal law and federal court consent decree requirements.
In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes $3.2 million
for this program in FY 2024. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting appropriations language that will
provide funding under this program as no-year funds.
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Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$123.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$120.0) This program change is a decrease due to offsets in fixed and other costs.
Statutory Authority:
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act of 1990; National Marine Sanctuaries
Program Amendments Act of 1992; Clean Water Act; Water Resources Development Act of 1996;
Water Resources Development Act of 2000; National Environmental Policy Act.
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Geographic Program: San Francisco Bay
Program Area: Geographic Programs
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
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FY 2024
President's
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FY 2024 President's
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FY 2023 Enacted
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1.7
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Program Project Description:
The San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary has long been recognized as an estuary of national
importance by EPA, other federal agencies, state partners, and local stakeholders. The Bay Area,
home to more than seven million people, is one of the densest urban areas in the nation. While
historically, San Francisco Bay had about 200 thousand acres of mudflats and tidal marshes, over
90 percent of that was lost to diking and filling for agriculture and urbanization. San Francisco
Bay supports 500 species of wildlife, more than a quarter of which are either threatened or
endangered. Investing in wetland restoration is pivotal to the bay's resiliency to rising sea levels
and other hydrologic changes.
Since 2008, EPA has received an annual appropriation for a competitive grant program, the San
Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund (SFBWQIF), to support projects that protect and
restore San Francisco Bay and advance Blueprint/Comprehensive Conservation and Management
Plan (CCMP) restoration goals.131 Funding for the SFBWQIF is specifically targeted for the
watersheds and shoreline areas of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties that drain into the
Bay. Since 2008, the SFBWQIF has invested over $72.4 million in 59 grant awards to restore over
four thousand acres of wetlands around the Bay and minimize polluted runoff from entering the
San Francisco Bay. SFBWQIF grants have leveraged $183 million in funding from partners and
represents a collaborative investment with local partners guided by the consensus-based
Blueprint/CCMP. The San Francisco Estuary restoration community is working rapidly to meet its
goal of restoring 100,000 acres of wetlands that can provide flood protection, recreation, water
quality improvement, and habitat for surrounding communities. Since 2008, approximately $32
million of the SFBWQIF funds have been provided through grants to restore wetland habitat.
The FY 2024 request will support increased investments in projects around San Francisco Bay that
are designed for resiliency considering a wide range of climate change impacts. The Program will
increase focus on historically underserved and overburdened communities through continued
outreach and capacity building with partner organizations.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
131 For more information, please see: https://www.sfestuarY.org/estuarv-Miieprint/.
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Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will focus on the following activities:
• Issue a Request for Applications soliciting proposals to restore wetlands, restore water quality,
and implement green development practices that use natural hydrologic processes to treat
polluted runoff around San Francisco Bay.
• Issue a Request for Applications soliciting proposals to support underserved populations in the
Bay Area to improve the habitat and water quality in their local communities and improve the
ease in which underserved community voices are included in the planning for regional
environmental projects.
Continue to administer the SF Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund and gather evidence of
progress, consistent with the San Francisco Estuary Partnership's (SFEP) Comprehensive
Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).132
Continue to build the resilience of San Francisco Bay ecosystems, shorelines and communities
to climate change and sea level rise.
Continue to use EPA grants to fund climate resilient projects and improve access to funds for
underserved communities.
• Provide funding and technical support to implement a new regional monitoring program for
San Francisco Bay wetlands. The Wetlands Regional Monitoring Program will provide
baseline data and include the following: a) Monitoring site network; b) Open data sharing
platform; c) Comprehensive science framework.
Continue technical support for the San Francisco Bay Regional Monitoring Program (RMP), a
28-year-old partnership between regulatory agencies and the regulated community to provide
a long-term data set and scientific foundation to make water quality management decisions.
The RMP monitors water quality, sediment quality and bioaccumulation of priority pollutants
in fish, bivalves, and birds. To improve monitoring measurements or the interpretation of data,
the RMP also regularly funds special studies.
Seek to leverage other sources of funding such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and
Federal Emergency Management Agency's pre-hazard mitigation funds in support of priority
CCMP projects such as the San Francisco Estuary Partnership working with municipal partners
on the Hayward Shoreline horizontal levee pilot project and the related "First Mile" project.
Continue EPA's participation in the Bay Restoration Regulatory Integration Team (BRRIT), a
five-year, multi-agency pilot effort to facilitate the complex permitting of restoration projects.
The goal of BRRIT is for agencies with permitting jurisdiction over multi-benefit habitat
restoration projects to improve the permitting process. BRRIT agencies use dedicated staff
time to conduct early design review, provide written guidance and comments, identify Agency
requirements that need to be met, and resolve regulatory issues early in the project planning
and design phase. This permitting effort enables the accelerated implementation of BRRIT
funded restoration projects.
Continue to increase the reuse of dredged material for wetlands restoration, which is critical in
preparing and responding to sea level rise in San Francisco Bay.
132Please see the SFEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (2016) at
https://www.sfestuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CCMP-v26a-all-pages-web.pdf.
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Continue to partner with the academic and science organizations supporting the San Francisco
Bay buoy array, partially funded by EPA, to monitor low-pH and low-oxygen events due to
intrusion of upwelled water from the ocean and assessing its impacts, as well as watershed
nutrient inputs.
• Key actions include continued partnerships with state and federal agencies to implement and
track fourteen TMDLs,133 provide technical assistance when asked by Delta stakeholders to
sustain the Delta Regional Monitoring Program (RMP), and work towards continued
integration of long-term data sets in the Bay and Delta, such as the Bay Regional Monitoring
Program for water quality (RMP) and the Interagency Ecological Program.
• Begin work on the creation of the San Francisco Bay Program Office as authorized by the
Water Resources Development Act of 2022.
In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes $4.8 million
for this program in FY 2024.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting appropriations language that will provide funding under this
program as no-year funds.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$679.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$674.0) This program change is a decrease due to offsets in fixed and other costs.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328).
133 For more information, please see the SF Bay Delta TMDL Progress Assessment at
http://www.epa.KOv/sfbav-delta/sf-bay-delta-tmdl-progress-assessment.
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Geographic Program: Puget Sound
Program Area: Geographic Programs
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
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FY 2024
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FY 2023 Enacted
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$34,746
$54,000
$54,022
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Total Workyears
7.2
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9.0
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Program Project Description:
Puget Sound is the southern portion of the international Salish Sea and is the largest estuary by
water volume in the United States (U.S.). The Sound is an economic and cultural engine for the
region's more than 4.7 million people, including nineteen federally recognized tribes. Nearly 71
percent of all jobs and 77 percent of total income in Washington State are found in the Puget Sound
Basin. By 2040, the population is projected to grow to seven million, the equivalent of adding
approximately four cities the size of Seattle to the watershed.
Puget Sound's beneficial uses are significant. In 2017, the value of Puget Sound commercial
fishing (finfish and shellfish) was $114 million, and the Gross Domestic Product from Puget
Sound-related tourism and recreation activities was $4.7 billion. Puget Sound's shellfish industry
is considered the Nation's most valuable and is an important source of family wage jobs in
economically challenged rural communities.
Development and land use conversion have adversely impacted the beneficial uses of Puget
Sound's waters. For example, pollution and agricultural runoff reduce the safe harvest and
consumption of shellfish across 143 thousand acres of shellfish beds and cause the closure of
popular swimming beaches and recreational sites annually. Southern resident killer whales and 59
populations of Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout are listed under the Endangered Species
Act. Tribal nations also are unable to sustain their culture and way of life.
A healthy and functioning Puget Sound benefits all who live, visit, or recreate there, or have a
connection to the region. A properly functioning ecosystem provides residents with food, water,
and raw materials; regulates and moderates harmful elements; and provides cultural, spiritual, and
recreational experiences.
Federal support of Puget Sound recovery comes from many programs, most of which are
administered by EPA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Interior, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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Since 2010, Congress has appropriated over $400 million using Clean Water Act Section
320 authority for Puget Sound. Under Section 320, EPA has provided the National Estuary
Program and Geographic Program funding and support to help communities make on-the-ground
improvements for clean and safe water, protect, and restore habitat, allow for thriving species and
a vibrant quality of life for all, while supporting local jobs.
EPA's work with the Puget Sound Partnership, state agencies, tribes, and other partners has
supported important gains in recovery. Examples include:
Comprehensive regional plans to restore the Sound;
• More than $1 billion of non-federal dollars leveraged for recovery;
• Partnerships with 19 federally recognized tribes;
Transboundary collaboration with Canada;
Scientific gains on toxic effects of urban stormwater;
• Development and use of decision-making tools to integrate Environmental Justice and
Climate Adaptation plans and projects;
Since 2007, a net increase of harvestable shellfish beds;
Over 41 thousand acres of habitat protected and/or restored (cumulative from 2006); and
• More than six thousand acres of shellfish harvest bed upgraded (cumulative from 2007).
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Key FY 2024 activities for EPA's Puget Sound Program include:
• EPA will fund assistance agreements with the 19 federally recognized tribes in Puget
Sound, three Tribal consortia, and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. EPA
proposes to provide funding to tribes for both capacity building and implementing priority
tribal projects in the Puget Sound basin.
• EPA will fund over $7 million in tribal projects to support key local watershed science and
monitoring; local partnerships in restoration projects to support habitat and water quality;
and enhancement of ongoing programs and policies for recovery.
• EPA is a co-chair of the overall federal effort to address Tribal Treaty Rights at Risk
consistent with the roles assigned by the Council on Environmental Quality. This is an
essential role for EPA and other federal leaders in the region to meaningfully engage and
develop actions with Puget Sound tribes to address their important treaty rights.
The program will be developing and implementing actions to establish the Puget Sound
National Program Office and the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force as outlined
in the new Clean Water Act amendment for Puget Sound (Section 126 of the CWA). This
includes a report to Congress in December 2023.
The Program will enhance Federal Task Force leadership, including leadership and
implementation of the FY 2022-2026 Action Plan.134 This leverages hundreds of millions
134 For more information please visit: https://www.epa.goY/sYsteni/files/docunients/2022-06/puget-souiid-federal-task-force-
action-plan-2022-2026.pdf.
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of dollars in federal investments in Puget Sound and provides alignment of program and
policies for recovery.
The Program will build on over 20 years of international cooperation with Canada
implementing the Canada-U.S. Cooperation in the Salish Sea: 2021-2024 Action Plan,135
The Program will participate in a series of workshops on topics of shared interest in
transboundary work including joint efforts for Southern Resident Killer Whales, science
collaboration and enhancing transboundary governance opportunities.
The FY 2024 budget request will help fulfill National Estuary Program responsibilities,
including support for the implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and
Management Plan (CCMP) for recovering Puget Sound (the Action Agenda). The Program
received, reviewed, and approved the updated CCMP in FY 2022 that sets up the next four
years of collaborative implementation of recovery efforts in Puget Sound.
The Program will continue to integrate climate adaptation and environmental justice while
supporting local jobs. The Program is building climate resiliency into the actions and
projects funded with Puget Sound assistance agreements for habitat, shellfish and water
quality, which presents the opportunity to grow and integrate climate justice in all of our
program areas with federal, state, tribal and local partners.
The Program will be managing and awarding up to $100 million in projects from Puget
Sound funding over the next five years consistent with the EPA's 2021 Strategic Initiative
Lead Funding Model,136 The Program will fund over $17 million in shellfish, habitat and
storm water projects and programs.
The Program will continue to fund and coordinate cutting-edge science in the Salish Sea
with funding over $6 million in science projects from Puget Sound funding and programs
with federal, state, tribal and academic partners.
In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes $17.8 million
for this program in FY 2024. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting appropriations language that will
provide funding under this program as no-year funds.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$678.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$656.0) This program change is a decrease due to offsets in fixed and other costs.
135 For more information please see: https://www.epa.eov/puget-souiid/actioiis-plaiis-us-caiiada-cooperatioii-salish-sea.
136 For more information please visit: http://siiohoniishcountYwa.goY/DocunientCeiiter/View/87563/FY21-EPA-Fundiiip-
Guidance-to-SILs FINAL.
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Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328).
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Great Lakes Restoration
Program Area: Geographic Programs
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
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$349,157
$368,000
$368,154
$154
Total Workyears
68.2
77.0
77.0
0.0
Program Project Description:
The Great Lakes are the largest system of surface freshwater on Earth, containing 20 percent of
the world's surface freshwater and 95 percent of the United States' surface freshwater. The
watershed includes two nations, eight United States (U.S.), two Canadian provinces, and 35 tribes.
Through a coordinated interagency process led by EPA, the implementation of the Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is helping to restore the ecosystem. This restoration effort provides
environmental and public health benefits to the region's thirty million Americans who rely on the
Great Lakes for drinking water, recreation, and fishing. The restoration and protection of the Great
Lakes also fuels local and regional economies and community revitalization efforts across the
basin.
This interagency collaboration accelerates progress, promotes leveraging, avoids potential
duplication of effort, and saves money. In accordance with the Clean Water Act (CWA), EPA and
its partners are accomplishing this restoration through the implementation of a five-year GLRI
Action Plan. The implementation of the GLRI Action Plan III, covering FY 2020 through FY
2024, began in October 2019.
EPA and its partners have achieved significant results since the GLRI started in 20 1 0137, including:
• Five Areas of Concerns (AOCs) delisted, including the Ashtabula River AOC in FY 2021.
(Prior to GLRI, only one Great Lakes AOC was delisted.) Eleven others have had the
cleanup and restoration actions necessary for delisting completed.
104 Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) at 28 AOCs in the eight Great Lakes states have
been removed, ten times the total number of BUIs removed in the preceding 22 years.
Over 4.3 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment have been remediated.
Over 215,000 acres on which invasive species control activities have been implemented.
Self-sustaining populations of Silver and Bighead carp have been kept out of the Great
Lakes.
137 For more information, please see https://www.epa.gov/greatlakes. AOC and BUI information in the first two bullets is as of
6/1/22 and the contaminated sediment remediation is as of 12/31/21. Information in the remaining bullets is as of 9/30/21.
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Over 16 million pounds of invasive carp have been removed from the Illinois River,
reducing the potential for these species to invade the Great Lakes.
• Loadings of over 2 million pounds of phosphorus were reduced through implementation of
conservation practices (phosphorus is a major driver of harmful algal blooms in Great
Lakes priority watersheds).
• More than 475,000 acres of habitat have been protected, restored, or enhanced; and
Over 625,000 youths have benefited from Great Lakes based education and stewardship
projects.
Under the GLRI, funds are first appropriated to EPA. After annual evaluation and prioritization
consistent with the GLRI Action Plan, EPA and its partner agencies collaboratively identify
projects and programs that will best advance progress under GLRI. EPA then provides a substantial
portion of those funds to its partner federal agencies to implement GLRI projects and programs in
partnership with EPA, states, and tribes. EPA and its partner federal agencies will directly
implement projects and fund projects performed by other entities such as states, tribes,
municipalities, counties, universities, and nongovernmental organizations. GLRI funding can
supplement each partner agency's base funding.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Obj ective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the GLRI will continue to support programs and projects which target the most
significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes. Emphasis will continue to be placed on 1)
cleaning up and delisting AOCs, which will help to revitalize and generate community benefits in
environmental justice communities; 2) reducing phosphorus contributions that contribute to
harmful algal blooms and other water quality impairments; and 3) invasive species prevention
GLRI Action Plan III targets GLRI restoration within the focus areas, objectives, and performance
goals described below.
Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern Objectives:
• Remediate, restore, and delist AOCs: EPA, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE), United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other GLRI partners will continue accelerating
the pace of U.S. BUI removals. EPA and its federal partners will work with and fund
stakeholders to implement management actions necessary to remove the BUIs (indicators of
poor environmental health) that will ultimately lead to the delisting of the remaining AOCs on
the U.S. side of the border. Agencies target collective efforts under the GLRI to maximize
removal of BUIs and delisting of AOCs. Agencies will support BUI removal through sediment
remediation under the Great Lakes Legacy Act (part of the GLRI) and other restoration
activities. FY 2024 targets are:
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Ten BUIs (128 BUIs cumulative since 1987) removed in AOCs; and
Three AOCs (31 AOCs cumulative since 1987 - 100 percent of the AOCs) with
complete and approved lists of management actions necessary for delisting.
• Share information on the risks and benefits of consuming Great Lakes fish, wildlife, and
harvested plant resources with the people who consume them: Federal agencies and their state
and tribal partners will continue to help the public make informed decisions about healthy
options for safe fish consumption. Expansion of successful pilot programs will increase the
availability and accessibility of safe fish consumption guidelines to vulnerable populations that
consume Great Lakes fish. Additional emphasis will be placed on the safe consumption of
wildlife and harvested plant resources.
• Increase knowledge about 1) "Chemicals of Mutual Concern " identifiedpursuant to the Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement Annex 3; and 2) other priority chemicals that have negatively
impacted, or have the potential to negatively impact, the ecological or public health of the
Great Lakes: Federal agencies will coordinate with appropriate state and tribal partners to
begin to fill critical monitoring and data gaps for priority chemicals in the Great Lakes.
Monitoring data from this process will provide information on the magnitude and extent of
these chemicals in the Great Lakes and help in the evaluation of associated ecological,
economic, and recreational consequences.
Invasive Species Objectives:
• Prevent introductions of new invasive species: Federal agencies and their partners will continue
to prevent new invasive species (including invasive carp) from establishing self-sustaining
populations in the Great Lakes ecosystem. Federal agencies and their partners will work to
increase the effectiveness of existing surveillance programs by increasing detection abilities.
Federal agencies will continue to support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement
Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plans which will be used for annual "readiness
exercises" and actual responses to new detections of invasive species. GLRI partners will be
able to use risk assessments in combination with updated "least wanted" lists to focus
prevention activities. Increasing the ability and frequency of Great Lakes states to quickly
address new invasions or range expansion of existing invasive species will be a key GLRI
strategy. In FY 2024, the goal is to conduct eight rapid responses exercises.
• Control established invasive species: Federal agencies and their partners will bring an
enhanced focus to the quality of acreage to be restored as they restore sites degraded by aquatic,
wetland, and terrestrial invasive species. Federal agencies will implement control projects in
national forests, parks, and wildlife refuges, and will partner with states and neighboring
communities to promote larger scale protection and restoration through applicable control
programs. GLRI funding will help the Great Lakes Sea Lamprey Control Program to locate
and address strategic barriers while also advancing new control technologies. In FY 2024, the
target is to control invasive species on 6,000 acres.
• Develop invasive species control technologies and refine management techniques: Federal
agencies and their partners will continue to develop and enhance technologies to control non-
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native phragmites, sea lamprey, and red swamp crayfish so that on-the-ground land managers
can field test these new approaches. Federal agencies also will develop and enhance invasive
species "collaboratives" to support rapid responses and to communicate the latest control and
management techniques for non-native species such as Hydrilla, Dreissenidae mussels,
hemlock wooly adelgid, and emerald ash borer. Federal agencies and their partners will support
a Great Lakes telemetry network to track aquatic invasive species movements (e.g., grass carp)
and refine rapid response actions.
Nonpoint Source Pollution Impacts on Nearshore Health Objectives:
• Reduce nutrient loads from agricultural watersheds: EPA, federal agencies, and their partners
will continue working on farms and in streams to reduce nutrient loads from agricultural
watersheds, emphasizing utilization of conservation systems and work in priority watersheds,
particularly the Lower Fox River (WI), Saginaw River (MI), Maumee River (OH), and
Genesee River (NY). This work will reduce the most significant loadings from nutrient runoff.
Federal agencies and their partners will improve the effectiveness of existing programs,
encourage the adoption of technologies and performance-based approaches to reduce runoff
and soil losses, expand demonstration farm networks to increase adoption of nutrient
management practices, promote practices for slowing down and filtering stormwater runoff,
and emphasize long-term and sustainable nutrient reductions. EPA and its federal partners will
target resources and activities at locations that are the most significant cause of harmful algal
blooms. FY 2024 targets are:
• Reduce 300,000 pounds (2.8 million pounds cumulative since 2010) of phosphorus
from conservation practice implementation throughout Great Lakes watersheds; and
• Provide technical or financial assistance on 132,500 acres (2.8175 million acres
cumulative since 2010) in priority watersheds.
• Reduce untreated stormwater runoff: EPA and its federal partners will continue to accelerate
implementation of green infrastructure projects to reduce the impacts of polluted urban runoff
on nearshore water quality at beaches and in other coastal areas. These projects will capture or
slow the flow of untreated runoff and filter out sediment, nutrients, toxic contaminants,
pathogens, and other pollutants prior to entering Great Lakes tributaries and nearshore waters.
Federal agencies and their partners also will continue to support watershed management
projects that slow and intercept runoff, including installation of tributary buffers, restoration
of coastal wetlands, and re-vegetation and re-forestation of areas near Great Lakes coasts and
tributaries. FY 2024 targets are:
Capture or treat 50 million gallons (550 million gallons cumulative since 2015) of
untreated stormwater runoff captured or treated; and
• Restore or protect seven miles (61 miles cumulative since 2015) of Great Lakes
shoreline and riparian corridors restored or protected.
• Improve effectiveness of nonpoint source control and refine management efforts: EPA and its
federal partners will continue to adaptively manage to maximize nonpoint source control
efforts. Strategies will include conducting edge-of-field monitoring studies in agricultural
priority watersheds to test the effectiveness of innovative practices such as bioreactors;
application of previously supported tools and lessons learned to optimize project results; and
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development of new strategies such as nutrient recovery and manure transformation
technologies. FY 2024 targets are:
Conduct 30 nutrient monitoring and assessment activities; and
• Develop or evaluate ten nutrient or stormwater runoff reduction practices or tools.
Habitats and Species Objectives:
• Protect and restore communities of native aquatic and terrestrial species important to the
Great Lakes: EPA and its federal partners will implement protection, restoration, and
enhancement projects focused on open water, nearshore, connecting channels, coastal wetland,
and other habitats to protect and restore native species. They will build upon and shore-up past
investments while advancing protection and restoration in new areas important to targeted
species. Projects will be largely based on priorities in regional scale conservation strategies
and will include:
o Protecting, restoring, and enhancing coastal wetlands;
o Removing dams and replacing culverts to create fish habitat and reconnect migratory
species to Great Lakes tributaries,
o Restoring habitat necessary to sustain populations of migratory native species; and
o Protecting, restoring, and managing existing wetlands and high-quality upland areas to
sustain diverse, complex, and interconnected habitats for species reproduction, growth,
and seasonal refuge.
FY 2024 targets are:
o Restore, protect, or enhance 12,000 acres of coastal wetland, nearshore, and other
habitats (442,000 acres cumulative since 2010); and
o 200 miles (6,500 miles cumulative since 2010) of connectivity between rivers, streams,
and lakes providing passage for aquatic species.
Increase resiliency of species through comprehensive approaches that complement on-the-ground
habitat restoration and protection: EPA and its federal partners will maintain, restore, and enhance
the habitats of native fish and wildlife species to increase the resiliency and overall health of these
species. Agencies will maximize habitat improvements (coastal wetlands in particular) for aquatic
and terrestrial species through collaborative conservation and monitoring at local and regional
scales. Project benefits are expected to include avoiding species extinction, identification of key
habitats and of limiting factors to species recovery and increasing or protecting population levels.
GLRI agencies and their partners will continue to support protection of native species that have
cultural, subsistence, and economic value. In FY 2024 the target is to complete actions to
significantly protect or promote recovery of populations of two species (eight species cumulative
since 2018).
Foundations for Future Restoration Actions Objectives:
• Educate the next generation about the Great Lakes ecosystem: EPA and its federal partners
will promote Great Lakes-based environmental education and stewardship for students and
other interested community members (e.g., courses at parks, nature centers, on board vessels,
museums, and zoos). With an emphasis on educating K-12 youth, GLRI partners will support
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experience-based learning opportunities. GLRI agencies and their partners also will continue
to develop Great Lakes-literate educators to maximize the number of youths impacted using
principles and concepts in the Great Lakes Literacy curriculum. These activities will support
the overall goal of impacting youth to foster Great Lakes stewardship, promote conservation,
and expose and prepare under-represented youth for higher education opportunities in natural
resource management.
• Conduct comprehensive science programs and projects: EPA and its federal partners will
continue to investigate the most significant ecological problems in the Great Lakes. Great
Lakes monitoring will include: coastal wetlands, water quality, and the lower food web in the
offshore waters; nutrient cycling and harmful algal blooms in priority areas; and contaminants
in Great Lakes fish, sediments, and air. Federal agencies and their partners will identify and
address science priorities to support implementation of the GLRI and the Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement. They will continue to: develop new tools for monitoring and forecasting;
measure project effectiveness; prioritize management activities; and consider environmental
and health outcomes.
In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Public Law 117-58) includes $200
million for this program in FY 2024. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting appropriations language that
will provide funding under this program as no-year funds.
GLRI Funding Allocations:
EPA leads the cooperative process to determine funding allocations for programs and projects of
the GLRI agencies. Under the CWA Section 118, EPA provides the appropriate authorizing and
appropriating committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives a yearly detailed
description of the progress of the GLRI and amounts transferred to participating federal
departments and agencies.
Summary of FY 2017 - FY 2024 Allocations* by Focus Area
(Dollars in r
^housands)
Focus Area
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Toxic Substances and
AOC
$107,500
$105,60C
$107,40C
$115,80(
$118,50C
$62,60(
$102,16!
TBE
Invasive Species
$62,200
$56,70(
$57,00(
$62,90(
$66,00(
$81,00(
$70,213
TBE
Nonpoint Source
Pollution Impacts on
Nearshore Health
$47,900
$50,60(
$51,20(
$51,00(
$55,40(
$83,80(
$79,47S
TBE
Habitat and Species
$49,500
$52,40(
$51,40(
$54,50(
$56,20(
$79,50(
$75,112
TBE
Foundations for Future
Restoration Actions
$32,900
$34,70(
$33,00(
$35,80(
$33,90(
$41,10C
$41,031
TBE
TOTAL
$300,000
$300,00C
$300,00C
$320,00(
$330,00C
$348,00C
$368,00C
TBE
Allocations are based on budgets approved by Regional Working Group agencies. The FY 2022 and FY 2023
allocations reflect adjustments as a result of allocating BIL funding, principally to cleanup of AOCs. RWG agencies
develop allocations for future funding, such as FY 2023 and FY 2024, based on the authorized GLRI funding level
and will make adjustments upon appropriation.
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Summary of FY 2017 - FY 2024 Allocations* by Agency
Dollars in Thousands"
Agency
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
DHS-USCG
$1,580
$500
$1,661
$1,250
$1,300
$1,200
TBD
TBD
DOC-NOAA
$12,027
$24,629
$29,405
$28,163
$16,621
$29,420
TBD
TBD
DOD-USACE
$55,940
$43,559
$37,387
$30,599
$42,612
$17,687
TBD
TBD
DOI-BIA
$10,904
$11,617
$9,842
$15,840
$15,765
$19,368
TBD
TBD
DOI-NPS
$4,379
$3,940
$3,822
$3,794
$4,968
$7,996
TBD
TBD
DOI-USFWS
$41,794
$52,902
$47,272
$53,523
$59,288
$78,910
TBD
TBD
DOI-USGS
$26,817
$25,724
$21,603
$19,780
$19,790
$20,702
TBD
TBD
DOT-MARAD
$800
$675
$803
$5,500
$8,000
$6,500
TBD
TBD
HHS-ATSDR/CDC
$593
$590
$0
$0
$0
$0
TBD
TBD
USDA-APHIS
$1,262
$1,176
$1,312
$1,378
$1,459
$1,830
TBD
TBD
USDA-NRCS
$22,072
$25,096
$20,697
$22,239
$24,374
$31,824
TBD
TBD
USDA-USFS
$11,355
$10,153
$11,646
$9,921
$12,464
$12,958
TBD
TBD
LA Totals:
$189,522
$200,560
$185,448
$191,988
$206,641
$228,395
TBD
TBD
EPA and Misc. LAs
$110,478
$99,440
$114,552
$128,012
$123,359
$119,605
TBD
TBD
Totals:
$300,000
$300,000
$300,000
$320,000
$330,000
$348,000
$368,000
TBD
Allocations are based on budgets approved by Regional Working Group agencies. The FY 2022
allocations reflect adjustments as a result of allocating BIL funding, principally to cleanup of
AOCs. RWG agencies develop allocations for future funding, such as FY 2023 and FY 2024,
based on the authorized GLRI funding level and will make adjustments upon appropriation.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,500.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$1,346.0) This program change is a decrease due to offsets in fixed and other costs.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act Section 118.
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Homeland Security
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Homeland Security: Communication and Information
Program Area: Homeland Security
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$4,054
$4,692
$6,051
$1,359
Total Workyears
10.9
13.3
15.3
2.0
Program Project Description:
There has been an evolution of the term and mission of national and homeland security since 9/11.
National security is now widely understood to include non-military dimensions, such as climate
and environmental security, economic security, energy security, and cybersecurity, as well as
traditional homeland security topics. Due to this, the homeland security roles and responsibilities
of the EPA have expanded, and several areas (e.g., climate, natural disasters) now involve
engagement from the broader national security community. Systematic preparation is essential for
the threats that pose the greatest risk to the security of the Nation, including acts of terrorism,
climate change, pandemics, catastrophic natural disasters, cyber-attacks, and other national
security emergencies. The White House, Congress, and the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) have defined responsibilities for EPA in several areas, including water critical infrastructure
protection and response to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear events, through a series
of statutes, presidential directives, and national plans.
In addition, EPA supports disaster recovery and mitigation, yet this essential work has been
steadily expanding to include climate change and climate security work identified in recent
Executive Orders. EPA's Mitigation and Recovery Order 2074 reaffirms our role using EPA
programs and resources and directs Regions to assign coordinators to support the agency-wide
efforts with mitigation and recovery. EPA's critical mitigation work prepares communities to
prevent or reduce impacts when natural (e.g., climate change) or human-made disaster (e.g., dirty
bomb, anthrax) occurs. Regions work with federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local communities
to provide technical assistance to reduce loss of life and environmental impact per the National
Mitigation Framework and the National Investment Mitigation Strategy. Climate change will
continue to increase the frequency, extent, and severity of natural disasters.
As our response roles are executed and the event continuum transfers to recovery, EPA then
focuses on how best to restore, redevelop, and revitalize the health, social fabric, economy, and
environment of the community using the six Recovery Support Functions of the National Disaster
Recovery Framework.
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EPA's Homeland Security: Communication and Information Program has two components. The
Office of Homeland Security (OHS) supports the Agency's coordination and communication
activities related to national security and homeland security. The Office of Mission Support, which
manages the Agency's Enterprise Security Operations Center (SOC), is responsible for the
centralized, integrated, and coordinated cybersecurity prevention, detection, response, and
supporting recovery capability for EPA networks.
OHS provides technical, policy, and intelligence advice to senior agency leadership related to
national and homeland security. OHS coordinates the Agency's intelligence activities including
EPA's engagement with the White House, National Security Council (NSC), and other federal
departments and agencies on the development of new national and homeland security policies and
requirements. OHS also ensures that the NSC and other lead federal entities understand the impacts
of new national security initiatives and policies on existing EPA programs. OHS maintains
intelligence operations and analyses capabilities focusing on EPA's equities, including the
protection of critical infrastructure, specifically the water sector, climate change and security
issues, and biodefense and global health security issues. OHS serves as the Federal Intelligence
Coordinating Office (FICO) for EPA and coordinates with the Intelligence Community (IC) in
support of policy development and consequence management efforts. OHS also focuses on
coordination and integration of chemical, biological, and radiological preparedness and response
programs. More specifically, OHS focuses on the protection of air and water quality and the
prevention of land contamination, through external engagement with federal departments and
agencies and internal coordination with EPA program offices with homeland security
responsibilities. OHS also has developed a Classified Information Management Program to ensure
effective classified communications with all ten EPA Regions in the event of a national security
emergency or incident. OHS coordinates with regional, state, and local Fusion Centers and Joint
Terrorism Task Forces to focus on integrating EPA regional offices with the information sharing
environment and DHS' intelligence sharing network. OHS also advances implementation of the
National Counterintelligence and Security Center's Enterprise Threat Mitigation Framework via
the following programs: EPA Insider Threat, Suspicious Activity Reporting, National Operations
Security (OPSEC), and Counterintelligence. OHS also manages the program that supports the
Department of Treasury with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.
In addition, OHS works closely with EPA's Water Program to coordinate and integrate water
security efforts internally and externally with stakeholders regarding physical threats and
contamination and cyber threats to operations. EPA serves as the Sector Risk Management Agency
(SRMA) for the water sector. The October 2020 DHS Homeland Threat Assessment and the 2021
Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) (April 2021)138 indicated that
cyber threats from nation states and non-nation states remain an acute growing problem threatening
U.S. critical infrastructure. Cyberattacks across critical infrastructure sectors are rapidly increasing
in volume and sophistication, impacting both information technology (IT) and operational
technology (OT) systems in the water sector.
138 Please see the following for more information: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publicatioiis/2020 10 06 homeland-
threat-assessment, txlf.
https://www.dni.gov/files/QDNI/documents/assessments/ATA-2021-Unclassified-Repoi1.pdf.
382
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EPA's Enterprise SOC provides a centralized, integrated, and coordinated cybersecurity incident
response capability that defends against unauthorized activity within computer networks, by
preventing, detecting, monitoring, analyzing, and responding to suspicious or malicious activity
through its Computer Security Incident Response Capability (CSIRC). The SOC and CSIRC also
provide situational and threat awareness; cyber network defense infrastructure; cybersecurity tool
engineering and support; vulnerability and risk assessments; and threat intelligence processing and
threat hunting capabilities. The SOC leverages an enterprise security information and event
manager, enterprise logging, endpoint detection and response, and other capabilities to perform its
mission. The SOC maintains communications with DHS' Liaison Officers to respond to alerts that
have potential national security impact.
National and homeland security information technology efforts are closely coordinated with the
agency wide information security and infrastructure activities, which are managed by EPA's
Information Security and IT/Data Management programs. These IT support programs also enable
contact among localities, EPA program and regional offices, and laboratories in emergency
situations.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. With the resources
requested in FY 2024, this program will:
Continue to promote a coordinated approach to EPA's homeland security activities and
support the alignment of resources with government-wide national and homeland security
priorities and requirements as defined by the NSC and the IC, including climate security,
cybersecurity, and biodefense.
Continue to build on and develop the Agency's cybersecurity intelligence capabilities to
provide a level of support that would enable EPA to better prepare for and respond timely
to specific threats, mitigate attacks, assess evolving water sector cyber intelligence
requirements, and assist in developing proposals to prevent/mitigate cyber incidents. By
further building these capabilities, the Agency will be able to increase research, analyses,
and engagement with the water and wastewater sector and partner agencies who deal with
cybersecurity {i.e., DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)) and
help EPA fulfill the requirements in Section 9002 of the FY 2021 National Defense
Authorization Act. All indicators suggest cybersecurity threats and requirements,
particularly those associated with the critical infrastructure sector, will only increase in
number, complexity, and potential consequences for the foreseeable future.
OHS and EPA's Water Program will develop an integrated strategy to work together more
effectively to coordinate water and wastewater sector-wide cybersecurity threat
information and intelligence sharing efforts. Specific examples of OHS'
roles/responsibilities in this area include:
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o Engaging with the Water Sector Coordinating Council and the Water Information
Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) to more closely work with CISA and the
intelligence and law enforcement communities to facilitate the identification of
intelligence requirements and priorities of critical infrastructure owners and operators
in the water and wastewater sector in coordination with the Director of National
Intelligence and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate;
o Supporting risk assessment and risk management efforts by EPA in conjunction with
CISA; and
o Working with CISA to provide and facilitate awareness, within the water and
wastewater sector, of ongoing, and where possible, real-time awareness of identified
threats, vulnerabilities, mitigations, and other actions related to the security of the water
and wastewater sector.
Continue to develop new collaborative practices and methods with Intelligence
Community agencies to meet the cybersecurity needs of the water and wastewater sector,
along with other critical sectors, to address increasingly sophisticated and complex threat
actor tactics and techniques. EPA has coordinated with NSC, CISA, Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), and water sector entities, on several occasions, regarding cyber-attacks
on the water sector's IT and OT systems, which has resulted in a renewed emphasis on
notification and communication efforts with the water utilities.
Continue to develop new collaborative practices and methods with Intelligence
Community agencies and the National Security Council to: meet the requirement in
Executive Order (EO) 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,139 "to
place the climate crisis at the forefront of this Nation's foreign policy and national security
planning," and to address emerging domestic and global biological risks, including
pandemics and national bio-preparedness policies.
• Provide more comprehensive support to the expanding collaborations with Department of
Energy (DOE), CISA, WaterlSAC, and other programs on cyber threat response.
• Promote a coordinated approach to communicating classified and sensitive information to
EPA programs, laboratories, and regional offices via secure communications systems to
support timely intelligence and information sharing to enable safe and effective operational
preparedness and response.
Continue to develop a program, working with the Office of Policy, to support the regional
Disaster Recovery Coordinators, increasing national disaster mitigation and recovery
capacity. OHS also will support regional Mitigation Coordinators to increase mitigation
planning and advance policy to increase resilience in support of Executive Order 14008
Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
139 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.eoY/briefiiig-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-
order-on-tackline-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/.
384
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Support federal, state, tribal, and local efforts to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to, and
recover from the impacts of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other emergencies by
providing leadership and coordination across EPA's program offices and regions.
• Ensure appropriate agency representation in various White House and other federal
national security and homeland security policy activities. These efforts include serving as
EPA's representative for homeland security, national disaster response, and mitigation and
recovery policy in monthly meetings of the Homeland Preparedness and Response
Interagency Policy Committee (IPC), the Homeland Critical Infrastructure Resilience
Interagency Policy Committee, chaired by the NSC, and in weekly NSC Cyber Response
Group meetings and other national security policy committees. In addition, OHS serves as
EPA's representative in monthly meetings of the Recovery Support Function Leaders
Group, chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the
Mitigation Framework Leadership Group, also chaired by FEMA, and on other interagency
workgroups.
• In support of agency representation in various White House and other federal national
security and homeland security policy activities, EPA will expand its secure video
telecommunications (SVTC) capabilities.
• Focus on filling critical policy, knowledge, and technology gaps that may be essential for
an effective EPA response, including working with our interagency partners to define
collective capabilities and resources that may contribute to closing common homeland
security gaps, including emerging chemical threats and cybersecurity concerns for critical
water infrastructure.
• Provide EPA end-users with relevant, accurate, reliable, objective, and timely intelligence
bearing on matters of environmental policy and regulation and domestic threats and
counterintelligence, where EPA functions to preserve or assist in the restoration of human
health and the environment.
• Continue phased implementation of EO 13587, Structural Reforms to Improve the Security
of Classified Networks and the Responsible Sharing and Safeguarding of Classified
Information140 to meet the main pillars of classified information protection with a focus on
the implementation of an Insider Threat Program to address and mitigate threats to national
security.
Track emerging national and homeland security issues, through close coordination with the
U.S. Intelligence Community, to anticipate and avoid crisis situations and target the
agency's efforts proactively against threats to the United States.
• Phase in National Security Presidential Memorandum 28 (NSPM-28) to support OPSEC
for the Agency.
140 For more information, please see: https://obaniawhitehouse.archives.gOv/the-press-of:Tice/2011/10/07/executive-order-13587-
structural-refornis-iniprove-securitv-classified-net.
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Support the coordination and communication requirements of NSPM-32 to share
information on critical incidents in a timely and effective manner.
In FY 2024, EPA also will support implementation of EO 14028, Improving the Nation's
Cyber security,141 through monitoring across the Agency's IT infrastructure to detect, remediate,
and eradicate malicious activity/software from EPA's computer and data networks. Specific
activities include:
Continue to mature and enhance internal Computer Security Incident Response Capability
to ensure rapid identification and reporting of suspicious activity through increased training
and awareness of cybersecurity threats. Training opportunities are provided to individual
users to identify the most recent cybersecurity threats along with tabletop exercises to
develop agency staff proficiency in responding to cyber security incidents.
• Improve threat intelligence sharing. EPA personnel are active participants in the United
States Computer Emergency Readiness Team, a DHS-led group of experts from incident
response and security response teams. Indicators and warnings are shared between EPA
incident responders and their cleared counterparts in other agencies and with the
Intelligence Community. This provides the ability to integrate actionable intelligence with
deployed systems to improve cybersecurity defensive capabilities.
Continue maturation and refinement of the Agency's Incident Response procedures in
compliance with EO 14028 and CISA's Playbook for Responding to Cybersecurity
Vulnerabilities and Incidents.
• In compliance with OMB Memorandum M-22-01, Improving Detection of Cybersecurity
Vulnerabilities and Incidents on Federal Government Systems through Endpoint Detection
and Response,142 continue work to integrate End Point Detection and Response (EDR)
capabilities with the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation Program to support proactive
detection of cybersecurity incidents within the EPA information environment, supporting
active cyber hunting, containment and remediation, and incident response. This work
includes extensive coordination with CISA and deployment of capabilities across the
Agency.
• Mature the security logging capabilities as outlined in OMB Memorandum M-21-31,
Improving the Federal Government's Investigative and Remediation Capabilities Related
to Cybersecurity Incidents1^ This activity will build on implementation of Event Logging
Level 3 for Advanced Logging requirements at all criticality levels. It will focus on fully
implementing Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response tools to streamline threat
and vulnerability management, incident response, and security operations automation, as
141 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.eoY/briefing-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/05/12/executive-
order-on-improving-the-nations-cvbersecurity/.
142 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/M-22-01.pdf.
143 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.goY/wp-coiiteiit/uploads/2021/08/M-21-31-I.mproYiiip-the-
Federal-Governments-Investigative-and-Remediation-Capabilities-Related-to-Cybersecuritv-Incidents.pdf.
386
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well as User Behavior Monitoring analytics to enable early detection of malicious
behavior.
• In compliance with OMB Memorandum M-22-09,144 Moving the U.S. Government Toward
Zero Trust Cybersecurity Principles, the SOC will support implementation of a Zero Trust
Architecture across the Agency.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$282.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$1,320.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program change increases resources and FTE for
implementing the EPA Climate Adaptation Action Plan, supporting the increased
resilience of EPA programs, and strengthening the capacity of states, communities, and
businesses to adapt to climate change, with a particular focus on enhancing environmental
justice. This investment includes $210.0 thousand for payroll costs.
(+$372.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program change increases resources and FTE for enhancing
homeland security coordination and communication efforts across the Agency. This
investment includes $210.0 thousand for payroll costs.
(-$51.0) This program change reflects efficiencies realized from streamlining homeland
security IT efforts across the agency.
Statutory Authority:
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, §§ 1001, 2001, 3001, 3005; Safe Drinking Water Act;
Clean Water Act, §§ 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107; Clean Air Act, §§ 102, 103, 104, 108; Toxic
Substances Control Act, §§ 201, 301, 401; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act,
§§ 136a-136y; Bio Terrorism Act of2002, §§ 303, 305, 306, 307; Homeland Security Act of 2002;
Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act; Defense Against Weapons of Mass
Destruction Act; and Food Safety Modernization Act, § 208.
144 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.goY/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/M-22-09.pdf.
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Homeland Security: Critical Infrastructure Protection
Program Area: Homeland Security
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
ihivironnicnliil I'ro^rums Muiui^cnicnl
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Science & Technology
$9,941
$10,852
$34,205
$23,353
Total Budget Authority
$10,814
$11,775
$35,228
$23,453
Total Workyears
26.1
26.6
57.6
31.0
Program Project Description:
The Critical Infrastructure Protection Program supports EPA's efforts to coordinate and provide
technical expertise to enhance the protection of the Nation's critical water infrastructure from
terrorist threats and all-hazard events through effective information sharing and dissemination.
This program provides water systems with current information on methods and strategies to build
preparedness for natural and man-made threats.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. This program also
supports the Agency's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act implementation priorities including
preparing for and responding to cybersecurity challenges so that water systems are more resilient.
In FY 2024, EPA will build the capacity at water systems to identify and respond to threats to
critical national water infrastructure by:
• Providing timely information on contaminant properties, water treatment effectiveness,
detection technologies, analytical protocols, and laboratory capabilities;
Supporting effective communication conduits to disseminate threat and incident
information and to serve as a clearinghouse for sensitive information;
• Encouraging information sharing between the water sector and environmental
professionals, scientists, emergency services personnel, law enforcement, public health
agencies, the intelligence community, and technical assistance providers. Through this
exchange, water systems can obtain up-to-date information on current technologies in
water security, accurately assess their vulnerabilities to terror acts, and work cooperatively
with public health officials, first responders, and law enforcement officials to respond
effectively in the event of an emergency;
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• Providing water utilities, of all sizes, with access to a comprehensive range of important
materials, including the most current information, tools, training, and protocols designed
to enhance the security (including cybersecurity), preparedness, and resiliency of the water
sector (including addressing natural hazards and climate change); and
• Ensuring that water utilities receive timely and informative alerts about changes in the
homeland security advisory level and regional and national trends in certain types of water-
related incidents. For example, should there be types of specific, water-related threats or
incidents that are recurring, EPA, in coordination with the Department of Homeland
Security and other appropriate agencies, will alert utilities of the increasing occurrence of
or trends in these incidents.
Providing this information, coupled with effective information sharing processes, allows the water
sector to improve its understanding of the latest water security and resiliency protocols and threats.
These protocols reduce risk by enhancing the water sector's ability to prepare for an emergency.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) implementation and
compliance and performance results in the Drinking Water Programs, under the EPM
appropriation, to support safe drinking water for the Nation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$37.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$63.0) This program change provides increased resources to promote the protection of
critical water infrastructure.
Statutory Authority:
SDWA, §§ 1431-1435; Clean Water Act; Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Emergency and
Response Act of 2002; Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, §§ 301-305.
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Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure
Program Area: Homeland Security
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Science & Technology
$501
$625
$501
-$124
Building and Facilities
$7,049
$6,676
$6,676
$0
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$1,201
$1,029
$1,530
$501
Total Budget Authority
$13,653
$13,518
$13,865
$347
Total Workyears
12.0
13.3
9.2
-4.1
Total workyears in FY 2024 include 9.2 FTE to support Homeland Security Working Capital Fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
Environmental Programs and Management resources for the Homeland Security: Protection of
EPA Personnel and Infrastructure Program ensure that EPA maintains a robust physical security
and preparedness infrastructure, ensuring that its numerous facilities are secured and protected in
line with the federally mandated Interagency Security Committee standards.
In order to secure and protect EPA's personnel and physical infrastructure, the Agency operates a
USAccess Personal Identity Verification (PIV) program, which adheres to the requirements as set
forth in Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12).145 This program ensures the
Agency complies with government-wide standards for the issuance of secure and reliable forms of
identification to federal employees and contractors who require access to federally controlled
facilities and networks. Additionally, EPA's National Security Information (NSI) program
manages and safeguards EPA's classified information for its federal workforce and contractors,
including conducting mandatory training and NSI inspections at EPA's accredited facilities. In
addition to the NSI program, EPA operates a Personnel Security Program that initiates and
adjudicates personnel background investigations, processes fingerprint checks, determines
individual eligibility to access classified NSI, and maintains personnel security records for all
federal and non-federal employees.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
As part of the nationwide protection of buildings and critical infrastructure, EPA performs
vulnerability assessments on facilities each year. Through this program, the Agency also
145 For additional information, please see: https://www.dhs.eov/honielaiid-securitv-presideiitial-directive-12
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recommends security risk mitigations, oversees access control measures, determines physical
security measures for new construction and leases, and manages the lifecycle of security
equipment.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to partner with the General Services Administration (GSA) on the
Enterprise Physical Access Control System (ePACS). ePACS supports the Agency's
modernization of its security infrastructure in compliance with HSPD-12 and ensures that the
Agency is undertaking every effort to enhance safety, security, and efficiency by more effectively
controlling access into all EPA-controiled physical space and networks. In addition, the Agency
will continue to utilize GSA's Managed Service Office program, USAccess, for PIV card
enrollment and issuance. USAccess is a GSA managed, shared services solution that provides EPA
the ability to produce and maintain secure and reliable forms of identification, as required per
HSPD-12, for all EPA employees and contractors.
The Agency will continue to prioritize implementation of Trusted Workforce 2.0146 (TW 2.0). TW
2.0 is a whole-of-government background investigation reform effort overhauling the personnel
vetting process by creating one government-wide system that allows reciprocity across
organizations. This effort includes moving from periodic reinvestigations every five to ten years
towards a Continuous Vetting program, which protects the trusted workforce in real time.
In FY 2024, pursuant to the April 2022 Trusted Workforce Implementation Strategy issued by the
Security, Suitability, and Credentialing Performance Accountability Council, EPA will complete
projects that support the transition to TW 2.0, including: enrollment of EPA personnel into the
continuous evaluation program managed by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency,
and integration of EPA processes with National Background Investigation Services (NBIS),147 a
new personnel vetting IT system for the background investigation process to deliver stronger
security, faster processing, and better information sharing.
EPA complies with 5 CFR 1400, which requires that federal and non-federal positions are
designated for both risk and sensitivity and that personnel have appropriate background
investigations commensurate with their position's risk and sensitivity designation. EPA will
continue to manage the personnel security, suitability, fitness, and NSI programs and conduct
background investigations following appropriate federal guidance, ensuring that personnel are
properly investigated for the positions they encumber and that classified material and activity is
properly handled. As federal guidelines and policies change or are introduced, the systems
supporting background investigations and the NSI program will be updated and enhanced as
needed.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
146 For additional information, please see: https://www.perfoniiance.eov/trusted-workforce/.
147 For more information, please refer to: https://wwiv.dcsa.niil/is/nbis/.
391
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(-$30.0) This program change reflects cost efficiencies associated with the continued
adoption of the Enterprise Physical Access Control System (ePACS) shared service across
EPA facilities.
Statutory Authority:
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004; Privacy Act of 1974; REAL ID Act
of 2005; Homeland Security Act of 2002; Americans with Disabilities Act; Reorganization Plan
No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.)
(EPA's organic statute).
392
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Indoor Air and Radiation
393
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Indoor Air: Radon Program
Program Area: Indoor Air and Radiation
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Science & Technology
$116
$199
$173
-$26
Total Budget Authority
$3,082
$3,563
$5,286
$1,723
Total Workyears
8.4
9.0
12.4
3.4
Program Project Description:
Title III of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) authorizes EPA to take a variety of actions
to address the public health risk posed by exposure to indoor radon. Under the statute, EPA studies
the health effects of radon, assesses exposure levels, sets an action level, provides technical
assistance to states, industry, and the public, advises the public of steps they can take to reduce
exposure, and promotes the availability of reliable radon services and service providers to the
public.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States - and the leading cause of
lung cancer mortality among non-smokers - accounting for about 21,000 deaths per year.148 EPA's
non-regulatory Indoor Air: Radon Program promotes actions to reduce the public's health risk
from indoor radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend that all homes be tested for radon
and if radon levels above EPA's guidelines are confirmed, elevated levels should be reduced by
home mitigation using proven, straightforward techniques. EPA also recommends that new homes
be built using radon-resistant features in areas where there is elevated radon. Nationally, risks from
radon have been reduced in many homes over the years, but millions of homes are still in need of
mitigation. Additionally, low-income families and tribal communities lack access to resources to
address radon. This voluntary program promotes partnerships among national organizations, the
private sector, and more than 50 state, local, tribal, and territory governmental programs to reduce
radon risk.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.2, Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
EPA will continue to lead the federal government's response to radon and to implement the
Agency's own multi-pronged radon program. Work in this program supports the President's
148 https://www.epa.eov/radon.
394
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priority of advancing environmental justice. EPA will drive action at the national level to reduce
radon risk in homes and schools through the National Radon Action Plan, partnerships with the
private sector and public health groups, technical assistance to states and industry, public outreach,
and education activities. The Agency will encourage radon risk reduction as a normal part of doing
business in the real estate marketplace, will promote local and state adoption of radon prevention
standards in building codes, and will participate in the development of national voluntary standards
(e.g., mitigation and construction protocols) for adoption by states and the radon industry. EPA
will continue working to update the framework that ensures a quality, credentialed radon
workforce.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM LCD) Number of lung cancer deaths prevented through lower radon exposure.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
1,881
1,981
2,083
Deaths
Prevented
Actual
1,383
1,482
1,578
1,684
1,795
1,894
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$50.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$1,699.0 / +3.4 FTE) This increase in resources and FTE supports efforts to restore
EPA's staff expertise, analysis, and capacity in the indoor air radon program in order to
better lead the federal government's response to radon and to implement the Agency's own
multi-pronged radon program. This investment includes $675.0 thousand in payroll costs.
Statutory Authority:
Title III of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Title IV of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act (SARA); Clean Air Act.
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Radiation: Protection
Program Area: Indoor Air and Radiation
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Maiui'^cnicnl
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S 2.550
Science & Technology
$2,224
$1,683
$2,349
$666
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$2,011
$2,472
$3,010
$538
Total Budget Authority
$12,479
$13,243
$16,997
$3,754
Total Workyears
53.9
54.8
67.2
12.4
Program Project Description:
EPA has general and specific duties to protect human health and the environment from harmful
and avoidable exposure to radiation under multiple statutes. EPA's Radiation Protection Program
carries out these responsibilities through its federal guidance and standard-setting activities,
including: regulatory oversight and implementation of radioactive waste disposal standards for the
Department of Energy's (DOE) Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP); the regulation of airborne
radioactive emissions; general disposal standards for nuclear waste repositories; and the
development and determination of appropriate methods to measure and to model radioactive
releases and exposures under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act. The Radiation Protection Program
also supports EPA, state, local and tribal authorities by providing radiation protection scientific
analyses and recommendations needed to inform risk management policies, and the necessary
radiation risk communications expertise to support local community engagement on issues related
to legacy contamination and environmental justice needs.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.2, Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
EPA will meet its statutory obligation to implement its regulatory oversight responsibilities for
DOE activities at the WIPP facility, as mandated by Congress in the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act
of 1992. In FY 2024, EPA anticipates conducting a detailed review of the DOE request for
expanding the WIPP repository to address needs for more waste disposal area, permitting disposal
of previously identified transuranic waste as well as more recently identified needs for disposal of
surplus plutonium. EPA will review and implement regulations or guidance, as necessary.
The Agency also will provide technical and policy analysis supporting scientific goals for space
exploration. EPA serves on the Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Board with NASA and DOD
to provide launch safety analysis.
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EPA scientists will participate, as appropriate, in interagency working groups to examine issues of
low-dose radiation health impacts and identify any needed changes to existing technical and policy
guidance. EPA radiation risk communicators will provide radiation-related website and
communications product content that is clear and accessible to the general public, including those
with limited English proficiency.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$106.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$2,352.0 / +7.3 FTE) This program change is an increase that supports efforts to restore
EPA's staff expertise, analysis, and capacity in the radiation protection program to provide
radiation protection scientific analyses and recommendations needed to inform risk
management policies. It also supports the necessary radiation risk communications
expertise for local community engagement on issues related to legacy contamination and
environmental justice needs. This investment includes $1,454 million in payroll.
(+$92.0 / +0.5 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements.
Statutory Authority:
Atomic Energy Act of 1954; Clean Air Act; Energy Policy Act of 1992; Nuclear Waste Policy Act
of 1982; Public Health Service Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation
Control Act (UMTRCA) of 1978; Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act of 1992;
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; Clean Water Act.
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Radiation: Response Preparedness
Program Area: Indoor Air and Radiation
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Maiui'^cnicnl
S j?/o.V
S 2.(>50
SJ.NJ
S-IVJ
Science & Technology
$2,928
$3,596
$4,686
$1,090
Total Budget Authority
$5,586
$6,246
$7,829
$1,583
Total Workyears
31.0
33.3
41.4
8.1
Program Project Description:
EPA responds to radiological emergencies; conducts essential national and regional radiological
response planning and training; and develops response plans for radiological incidents or
accidents. EPA will continue to conduct assessment and preparedness for response to incidents
involving foreign and domestic nuclear technology used in space nuclear systems and advanced
reactor technologies. EPA generates policy guidance and procedures for the Agency's radiological
emergency response under the National Response Framework (NRF) and the National Oil and
Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The Agency maintains its own
Radiological Emergency Response Team (RERT) and is a member of the Department of
Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Radiological Preparedness
Coordinating Committee (FRPCC), the Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Board and leads the
Federal Advisory Team for Environment, Food and Health (the "A-Team"). The A-Team includes
radiation protection experts from EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food
and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture, and their function is to advise
federal, state, local and tribal authorities during radiological/nuclear emergencies on public safety
issues including evacuation, sheltering, and contamination concerns for food, drinking water and
other resources.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.2, Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to streamline activities and fill gaps in the expertise that is critical
for essential preparedness work, restoring critical capacity to meet EPA's core mission. The RERT
will maintain essential readiness to support federal radiological emergency response and recovery
operations under the NRF and NCP. EPA will participate in interagency training and exercises to
maintain readiness levels needed to fulfill EPA's responsibilities.
398
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Evaluation of Response Plans
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with interagency partners, including those under the FRPCC
as well as those at the state, local, and tribal levels to examine and, as needed, revise radiation
emergency response plans, protocols, and standards. Under the NRF, EPA is the coordinating
agency for responding to foreign nuclear incidents, such as the Fukushima accident. In FY 2024,
EPA will maintain staff readiness and training needed to meet the Agency's mission during such
incidents. EPA will review and revise preparedness guidance to ensure that the Agency's response
efforts address the needs of the public, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable.
EPA will support the U.S. Government assessment of foreign and domestic nuclear technology
used in space nuclear systems and advanced reactor technologies. Building on efforts in FY 2023,
EPA will continue work on the safety evaluations of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's
Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) mission and the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration's Dragonfly mission for potential impacts to human health
and the environment from these space nuclear systems. EPA will continue radiological contingency
planning and preparedness for DRACO and Dragonfly mission launches in 2025 and 2027,
respectively.
Coordinating Preparedness Efforts
EPA will continue essential planning and will participate in interagency tabletop and field exercises,
including radiological accident and incident response and anti-terrorism activities with the Advisory
Team for Environment, Food, and Health, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of
Energy, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security. The Agency also
will provide technical support on priority issues to federal, state, local, and tribal radiation,
emergency management, solid waste and health programs responsible for implementing
radiological emergency response and preparedness programs. The Agency will continue to train
and advise on the Protective Action Guidance149 and use lessons learned from incidents and
exercises to ensure the effective delivery of EPA support in coordination with other federal, state,
local, and tribal authorities.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM RAD2) Percentage of radiation emergency response program personnel and assets that meet functional
readiness requirements necessary to support federal radiological emergency response and recovery
operation.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
90
92
92
Percent
Actual
92
88
Numerator
128.24
122.78
Personnel
and Assets
Denominator
140
140
149 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-
01/documents/epa pae manual final revisions 01-11-2017 cover disclaimer 8.pdf.
399
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$118.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$611.0 / +3.1 FTE) This program change is an increase that supports efforts to restore
EPA's staff expertise, analysis, and capacity in the radiation response program in order to
examine and, as needed, revise radiation emergency response plans, protocols, and
standards and continue essential planning for preparedness efforts. This investment
includes $589.0 thousand in payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Homeland Security Act of 2002; Atomic Energy Act of 1954; Clean Air Act; Post-Katrina
Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA); Public Health Service Act (PHSA);
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA).
400
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Reduce Risks from Indoor Air
Program Area: Indoor Air and Radiation
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Maiui'^cnicnl
SI 2.011
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-------
communities to reduce asthma disparities; and provide technical support to high-risk and low-
income communities to reduce radon lung cancer risk.
In FY 2024, the Indoor Air Program will include efforts targeted to children, underserved
communities, and other vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on new demands and
opportunities for improvements in ventilation, filtration, and other protective indoor air practices,
including those created by the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfire events. EPA will continue to lead
on these issues by providing technical assistance and guidance on upgrading public buildings,
including schools, to protect against airborne disease transmission and wildfire smoke exposure
and provide guidance to the general public to reduce harmful exposures indoors, emphasizing that
these upgrades will be beneficial to not only pandemic preparedness and disaster resilience, but
also improved public health in the long-term.
Additionally, EPA will collaborate with public and private sector organizations to provide clear
and verifiable protocols and specifications for promoting good indoor air quality and support
adoption of these protocols and specifications into existing healthy, energy efficiency, and green
building programs and initiatives to promote healthy buildings for a changing climate. EPA also
will equip the housing sector with guidance to promote the adoption of these best practices with
the aim of creating healthier, more energy efficient homes, including for low-income families.
EPA also will equip school leaders and the school sector, through the Indoor Air Quality Tools for
Schools program, to put in place comprehensive indoor air quality management programs that
implement sustainable ventilation, filtration and other indoor air quality improvements to promote
healthy school environments for students and staff. EPA will provide and promote technical
assistance, training, outreach and other support to improve indoor air in schools nationwide,
including those in low-income and disadvantaged communities. EPA will build the capacity of
community-based organizations to provide comprehensive asthma care that integrates
management of indoor environmental asthma triggers and health care services, with a particular
focus on low-income, minority, and tribal communities. As of FY 2021, EPA had equipped 2,446
programs to support the infrastructure, delivery, and sustainability of comprehensive asthma care.
In FY 2024, EPA's goal is to have equipped 3,005 programs.
Internationally, EPA will renew support of the household energy sector, providing technical
assistance and promoting the adoption of voluntary international stove standards to accelerate
adoption of clean cookstoves and fuels, in order to reduce the climate, health, and equity impacts
of rudimentary stove use in developing nations. EPA will work with partners to increase the
sustained use of clean and efficient cookstoves by helping ensure the distribution of 60 million
clean cookstoves worldwide in FY 2024.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM CS) Millions of demonstrably improved (field or lab tested) cookstoves sold.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
50
60
60
Millions of
Cookstoves
Actual
50
402
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(PMIA) Number of programs, annually, equipped to support the infrastructure, delivery and sustainability
of comprehensive asthma care.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
600
1,800
2,855
3,005
Programs
Actual
884
1,232
1,645
2,132
2,446
2,705
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$172.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$33,968.0 / +32.2 FTE) This program change is an increase that supports efforts to
restore EPA's staff expertise, analysis, and capacity in the indoor air program. Funds also
support efforts to address indoor air quality during wildfires, reduce asthma disparities,
promote healthy school facilities in low-income communities in the U.S., and address the
international climate crisis by improving public health through the adoption of clean
cookstoves. This investment includes $6,071 million in payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Title IV of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA); Title III Toxic
Substances Control Act; Clean Air Act.
403
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International Programs
404
-------
International Sources of Pollution
Program Area: International Programs
Goal: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective(s): Advance International and Subnational Climate Efforts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$7,220
$7,323
$26,044
$18,721
Total Workyears
30.9
33.4
50.9
17.5
Program Project Description:
The United States works with international partners to address global sources of pollution,
including greenhouse gases (GHGs), as well as the impacts of pollution from the United States on
other countries, regions, and the global environment. International sources of pollution impact air,
water, land, the oceans, food crops, and food chains. Healthy environments, ecosystems, and
communities provide the foundation for protecting human health and the environment and creating
sustainable economic development, job opportunities, and sustainable growth.
Tackling the Climate Crisis, Accelerating Environmental and Economic Justice
EPA works with international partners, such as foreign governments and international
organizations, to deploy assistance for measures that can strengthen on the ground action to tackle
the climate crisis, reduce transboundary pollution that impacts local communities and travels
through the environment to impact other communities across the globe; this assistance can also
strengthen the fundamental environmental rule of law. These actions typically rely upon U.S. best
practices, technical knowledge, and expertise that promote U.S. priorities such as protecting
underserved and vulnerable communities. EPA's international mission is essential to addressing
transboundary pollution and adverse environmental impacts in the United States and helps
facilitate a cleaner and healthier environment around the world. Strengthening environmental
protection abroad so that it is on par with practices in the U.S. helps level the playing field for
industry and create incentives for innovation and deploying cleaner technologies. EPA's
international programs also play an important role in fulfilling national security and foreign policy
objectives and create a platform for promoting U.S. innovation and showcasing state and local
breakthrough programs and policies.
An important example of this work is EPA's engagement in the Group of Seven (G7) and the
Group of Twenty (G20) through environment ministerial meetings, which negotiate outcomes on
key EPA issues such as climate change, food waste, marine litter, resource efficiency, lead
pollution, and air quality. EPA's engagement with international financial institutions, United
Nations (UN) entities, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
has helped advance recognition of the critically important role of environmental factors, including
405
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air pollution and toxic chemicals that contribute to the global burden of non-communicable
diseases (NCDs), and of the role that sound environmental laws can play in reducing these risks.
Additionally, EPA's participation in the North American Commission for Environmental
Cooperation (CEC) provides regional and international leadership to advance environmental
protection, human health, and sustainable economic growth in North America.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 1/Objective 1.3, Advance International and
Subnational Climate Efforts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to engage both bilaterally, regionally, and through multilateral
institutions to improve international cooperation to reduce greenhouse gases, increase resilience
and adaptive capacity, as well as prevent and address the transboundary movement of conventional
pollution and waste. All related records will be maintained to ensure robust electronic recording
consistent with the OMB issued M-23-07, Update to Transition to Electronic Records.
Climate and Equity
Specifically, in line with the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan, EPA will provide technical
assistance through the transfer of tools and knowledge to address climate change with partner
countries, with the goal of leveling the playing field, addressing disproportionate adverse human
health and environmental impacts in vulnerable and underserved communities, and helping to
ensure that all countries make meaningful progress in implementing their nationally determined
contributions under the Paris Agreement. This helps fulfill EPA's commitment to implementing,
by 2026, at least 40 international climate engagements that result in an individual partner
commitment or action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG emissions, adapt to climate change, or
improve resilience in a manner that promotes equity. In FY 2022, EPA made significant progress
towards this goal with applicable engagements implemented. These actions are consistent with
EPA's draft International Climate Strategy Plan. Specifically, EPA's international work will
further the environmental governance of priority partner countries so that they can implement and
enforce effective climate mitigation activities and incorporate environmental justice climate
principles. Without basic governance infrastructure, it is difficult for many countries to make
progress on their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. This
strategic direction responds to ongoing and anticipated requests from the White House and the
Special Envoy on Climate Change (SPEC) for whole of government action on climate change as
described in Section 103 of E.O 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting $18.7 million and 17.5 FTE to enhance capacity building
governance programs for priority countries with increasing GHG footprints and increase their
capacity to implement partnerships as well as legislative, regulatory, and legal enforcement efforts.
These programs will also work to improve adaptive capacity and mitigation strategies of pollution-
burdened, vulnerable, and indigenous communities.
Actions will include re-engaging the Secretariat of Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles
(PCFV) to identify project partners to assist in transitioning to electric mobility solutions in key
406
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countries, particularly in underserved and vulnerable communities, to finalize a high ambition
workplan with the Secretariat. Additionally, EPA will initiate stakeholder consultations with key
priority countries on critical mineral supply-chain transparency guidelines, focused on minerals
needed for low carbon technology. For the pilot programs, EPA will provide meaningful technical
assistance internationally on climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience by sharing expertise and
building the environmental management capacity of key EPA partners and priority countries
identified by the Biden-Harris Administration. This will enable countries to set and meet ambitious
greenhouse gas reductions. In implementing these pilot programs, EPA will seek opportunities to
engage with partner governments and organizations to develop and use best practices and tools to
address the unique needs and challenges of vulnerable and underserved communities.
In FY 2024, the Agency will work in the Arctic Council to provide in-kind expertise and help to
identify external resources to screen sources of black carbon that may impact local health
conditions, with the potential of expanding across a wider range of Alaskan Native Villages
(ANVs). EPA also will co-chair the Arctic Council expert group on short-lived climate pollutants
(SLCPs) to facilitate the development and implementation of projects to reduce SLCP emissions
in and near the arctic. EPA also will continue to share Agency tools that can help partners increase
their adaptative capacity to climate change and understand the impacts of climate change on
vulnerable and underserved communities through the UN Environment Program, the Global
Adaptation Network, and existing and new bilateral work programs.
Marine Litter
EPA will continue to engage internationally to prevent and reduce marine litter, including plastics,
through sharing best practices and U.S. innovation as well as through existing or new global
instruments. Marine plastic litter is an increasingly prominent global issue that can negatively
impact water quality, tourism, industry, and public health in the United States. Working with other
federal departments, EPA will continue to provide leadership and expertise on how to best address
land-based sources of marine litter, including plastics. Specifically, EPA will provide critical
technical and policy expertise through a multilateral intergovernmental negotiating committee
(INC) process to develop a new binding international arrangement to end plastic pollution151.
Since 80 percent of plastic marine litter comes from land-based sources of waste,152 countries with
inadequate waste management contribute to the pollution in our shared oceans. Improving
integrated waste management in these countries will continue to be a priority.
In FY 2024, EPA will share tools and provide technical assistance, including through efforts
related to Trash Free Waters, to key contributing countries in Asia and countries in Africa as well
as building on past projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Technical support may include
developing national, regional, and local action plans to reduce leakage of trash to the environment;
identifying steps to implement relevant and applicable waste collection/management systems; and
modest implementation projects where possible. EPA will continue to collaborate with leaders in
innovation on the domestic stakeholder community to identify ways to leverage efforts to tackle
this pressing global problem. EPA will continue to strengthen actions with a regional focus on
151 https://www.unep.org/about-un-environment/inc-plastic-pollution.
152 J. R. Jambeck, R. Geyer, C. Wilcox, T. R. Siegler, M. Perryman, A. Andrady, R. Narayan, and K. L. Law, "Plastic waste
inputs from land into the ocean," Science, 2015, Volume 347, Number 622.
407
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major source countries in Southeast Asia and key partners in Latin America, the Caribbean, and
Africa through bilateral relationships and/or partnerships with UNEP leaders on implementing and
disseminating governance measures, policies, and technology to prevent marine litter.
Air Quality
EPA will engage with key priority countries and UN institutions to address air pollution that
contributes significant pollution to the domestic and international environment. For example,
several Asian countries (e.g., Thailand) are implementing national air quality monitoring,
planning, and control strategies with advice and lessons learned from the United States.
Environmental policies adopted and implemented overseas will improve competitiveness for U.S.
businesses, drive demand for U.S. emissions control technologies, and expand exports of U.S.
environmental goods and services, which will create green jobs at home and improve air quality
conditions in the United States.
In FY 2024, building upon FY 2023 North America Leaders' Summit (NALS) deliverable for a
North American Strategy on Methane and Black Carbon, EPA will continue working with Canada
and Mexico to reduce methane emissions from the solid waste and wastewater sector by at least
15 percent by 2030 from 2020 levels and deepen collaboration on waste and agriculture methane
measurement and mitigation, including achieving the Global Methane Pledge through trilateral
cooperation on methane and black carbon emissions.
Food Waste
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to cooperate with the United Nations and the Office of
Management and Budget to ensure that methodologies used to track international progress on
reducing food waste accurately reflect U.S. progress and to better understand the climate benefits
of reducing food waste. Approximately eight to ten percent of global greenhouse gas emissions
are from food loss in the agricultural supply chain and consumer food waste. 153 The Agency will
continue to advance food waste efforts, which is an increasing portion of landfill waste in rapidly
urbanizing cities in developing countries. The problems of food insecurity, in particular for the
most vulnerable, have been exacerbated by COVID-19, thus underscoring the need for greater
attention to reducing food waste. For example, EPA will bring together experts from the U.S. and
partner country governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, the private
sector, and the UN to promote best practices and technologies related to food loss and waste. In
FY 2024, EPA will implement another commitment made at the FY 2023 North America Leader's
Summit NALS by working with interagency partners at USD A and FDA to develop a Food Loss
and Waste Reduction Action Plan by the end of 2025 outlining efforts to cut food loss and waste
in half by 2030.154
153 For more information, please see: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) Special Report on Climate Change and
Land, Chapter 5 Food Security, pg 440, https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/sites/4/2021/02/08 Chapter-5 3.pdf.
154 See https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefinp-rooni/statenients-releases/2023/01/10/fact-sheet-keY-deliYerables-for-the-2023-
north-american-leaders-summit/.
408
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Chemicals
EPA also will maintain efforts to reduce environmental threats to U.S. citizens from global
contaminants impacting air, water, and land. EPA will continue technical and policy assistance for
global, regional, and bilateral efforts to address international sources of harmful pollutants, such
as mercury. Since 70 percent of the mercury deposited in the U.S. comes from global sources,155
both domestic efforts and international cooperation are important to address mercury pollution.
EPA will continue to work with international partners and key countries to fully implement
obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury to protect the U.S. population from
mercury emissions originating in other countries, including from artisanal and small-scale gold
mining. EPA also continues its leadership role within the United Nations Environment Program's
Global Mercury Partnership. The Partnership coordinates effective and essential implementation
activities by governments, academia, and public and private organizations and businesses in
targeted sectors that are important for reducing the presence of mercury in the environment.
With respect to mercury, EPA continues to work with partner countries to develop National Action
Plans (NAPs) that demonstrate how they will reduce or eliminate the use of mercury in the
Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector. ASGM is the largest source of global
mercury releases156 and the development of NAPs called for by the Minamata Convention on
Mercury is a critical first step to help major emitters reduce the use and release of mercury into the
environment.
EPA will continue to play a leadership role in the Lead Paint Alliance to increase the number of
countries that establish effective laws to limit lead in paint, which remains a priority health concern
following successful efforts to eliminate lead in gasoline worldwide. EPA consistently meets
objectives for reviewing the development of laws in other countries to control their levels of lead
in paint in a manner consistent with U.S. regulations. In doing so, these countries will not only
reduce the exposure of their children to lead and prevent the subsequent health effects of this potent
developmental neurotoxin, but also will reduce the amount of lead-based paint on products in
international commerce that often reach U.S. markets. In the G7, Germany, through its G7
Presidency in 2022, co-hosted with EPA a lead pollution workshop for G7 countries that took
stock of activities undertaken by G7 and others to address lead pollution and developed possible
options for future work and cooperation on sources of lead to reduce lead exposure in developing
countries. EPA will continue to advance options towards commitments by G7 countries and others
to reduce lead exposure in developing countries which will also help to reduce lead in products
destined for U.S. markets.
In addition, EPA will continue to work with International Arctic partners to further develop a joint
project proposal on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This effort will focus on aqueous
film-forming fire-fighting foams (AFFFs) in arctic airports through in-kind technical expertise.
155 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/iiitematioiial-cooperatioii/niiiianiata-coiweiitioii-niercurY
and www.niercurYconvention.org.
156 For more information, please see: Global mercury assessment I UNEP - UN Environment Programme.
409
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM E13a) Number of climate engagements that result in an individual partner commitment or action to
reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adapt to climate change, or improve resilience in a manner that
promotes equity.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
8
10
10
Engagements
Actual
8
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$456.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
• (+$17,965.0 / +16.0 FTE) This program change increases resources and FTE to support efforts
for climate change work, including greenhouse gas guidance, pilot programs, and
indigenous engagements on climate change. This increase also will enhance capacity
building governance programs for priority countries with increasing GHG footprints to
increase their capacity to implement partnerships as well as support legislative, regulatory,
and legal enforcement efforts. This includes $3,501 million in payroll.
(+$300.0 / +1.5 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements.
Statutory Authority:
In conjunction with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) § 102(2)(F): Clean Air Act §
103(a); Clean Water Act § 104(a)(l)-(2); Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) § 1442(a)(1);
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) § 8001(a)(1); Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) §§ 17(d), 20(a); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) §10(a);
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) § 203(a)(1); E.O. 13547; E.O. 13689;
U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. §§ 4501-4372.
410
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Trade and Governance
Program Area: International Programs
Goal: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective(s): Advance International and Subnational Climate Efforts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
ihivironnicnliil I'ro^rums Muiui^cnicnl
S 0.252
Y\5/«
s-j.\i
S//.-/.*
Total Budget Authority
$6,252
$5,510
$7,153
$1,643
Total Workyears
12.6
15.3
18.0
2.7
Program Project Description:
EPA has played a key role in trade policy development since the 1972 Trade Act mandated that
the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) engage in interagency consultations. Specifically, EPA is
a member of the Trade Policy Staff Committee, the Trade Policy Review Group, and relevant
subcommittees-interagency mechanisms that provide advice, guidance, and clearance to the
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in the development of U.S. international trade and
investment policy. Trade influences the nature and scope of economic activity and therefore the
levels of pollutant emissions and natural resource use. EPA's role in trade negotiations is to ensure
that agreements have provisions that are consistent with the Administration's environmental
protection goals while not putting the United States at an economic disadvantage. EPA offers
technical assistance and environmental governance capacity building for trade partners to support
implementation of environmental commitments made in Free Trade Agreements. EPA also
provides technical expertise on environmental governance and policy for international financial
institutions, including environmental policy reviews and project-level environmental guidance.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 1/Objective 1.3, Advance International and
Subnational Climate Efforts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Free Trade Agreements and United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
In FY 2024, EPA will continue its participation in the North American Commission for
Environmental Cooperation (CEC), which provides regional and international leadership to
advance environmental protection, human health, and sustainable economic growth in North
America. EPA will continue work on implementation of the Environment Chapter of the United
States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and other free trade agreements. The CEC work on
border watersheds supports America the Beautiful (AtB); specifically, the Administration is
pursuing a national conservation goal to protect or conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and
waters by 2030. EPA activities will include monitoring and verifying provisions pertaining to
global and national environmental requirements in the agreement and providing subject matter
411
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expertise including activities that enhance capacity building governance programs in North
America that increase the capacity to implement partnerships as well as legislative, regulatory, and
legal enforcement to reduce the overall GHG footprint. These additional international activities
would fall into the following categories: reducing short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs);
improving household and commercial energy efficiency; improving integrated air quality
management, including global GHG modeling, monitoring, and reporting; boosting national and
local climate adaptation and resilience strategies; and supporting resource efficiency actions to
reduce GHG emissions from overlooked sources.
EPA will continue active participation in the United States Trade Representative (USTR) led
Interagency Environment Committee for Monitoring and Environment (IECME) established to
access implementation and maintenance by Mexico and Canada compliance of their environmental
obligations.
In addition, EPA will continue to play an active role in the negotiation of agreements with other
countries to facilitate trade and to promote good regulatory practices and anti-corruption measures,
and then provide technical assistance to support implementation of environmental commitments
within those agreements. At present, EPA collaborates through the USTR-led interagency process
to support the negotiation of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, the U.S.-Kenya
Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership, and the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade.
Further, given the Biden Administration 2022 Trade Agenda emphasis on achieving climate
change objectives and supporting underserved and vulnerable communities, including possibly
through trade measures, EPA will provide technical advice and input for the negotiation of a
sectoral agreement with the EU on steel and aluminum that will lead to decarbonizing production
and provide governance capacity building for incentivizing the abatement of methane emissions
and the transition to cleaner energy.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with partners (including the Treasury Department, State
Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, and the U.S. International Development
Finance Corporation) to improve environmental governance of U.S. funded international
development projects that enhance capacity building governance programs for priority countries
with increasing GHG footprints and increase their capacity to implement partnerships as well as
legislative, regulatory, and legal enforcement. EPA will support the environmental performance
of international financial institutions such as the development of environmental safeguards,
including climate performance.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$22.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
412
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• (+$1,665.0 / +2.7 FTE) This program change supports an increase in resources and FTE to
provide support and capacity building for regional and international Trade and Governance
programs and projects addressing climate change and environmental justice. This includes
$523.0 thousand in payroll.
Statutory Authority:
In conjunction with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) § 102(2)(F): Clean Air Act §
103(a); Clean Water Act § 104(a)(l)-(2); Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) § 1442(a)(1);
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) § 8001(a)(1); Federal Insecticide Fungicide
and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) §§ 17(d), 20(a); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) §10(a);
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) § 203(a)(1); E.O. 12915; E.O. 13141;
E.O. 13277; U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. §§4501-
4372.
413
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US Mexico Border
Program Area: International Programs
Goal: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective(s): Advance International and Subnational Climate Efforts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
ihivironnicnliil I'ro^rums Muiui^cnicnl
S2.SS(,
S2.VV3
St.OSS
sj.im
Total Budget Authority
$2,886
$2,993
$5,088
$2,095
Total Workyears
11.6
12.4
17.4
5.0
Program Project Description:
The two-thousand-mile border between the United States and Mexico is one of the most complex
and dynamic regions in the world, where the benefits of international programs are very apparent.
This region accounts for three of the ten poorest counties in the U.S. and is characterized by higher-
than-average poverty, unemployment, uninsurance, and lower than average median incomes.157 In
addition, over 500 thousand of the 15 million people in the region live in colonias,158 which are
unincorporated communities characterized by substandard housing and unsafe drinking water or
wastewater systems. Population growth indexes show a trend of increasing growth, related among
other factors to the influx of migrants from different regions. This trend has increased the pressure
on basic infrastructure and services in border cities, which struggle to keep up with population
growth. The adoption of the Border Programs has gone a long way to protect and improve the
health and environmental conditions along a border that extends from the Gulf of Mexico to the
Pacific Ocean.
The Border 2025 Program will continue to emphasize local priority-setting, focus on measurable
environmental results, and encourage broad public participation. Specifically, Border 2025 builds
on earlier program work, which includes project-promoted solutions or monitoring related to air
quality, used tire management, environmental health promotion, response to environmental
emergencies, and treatment of wastewater.159 In addition, the Border 2025 Program has helped
highlight regional areas where environmental improvements are most needed and establish
thematic goals supporting the implementation of projects, while considering the guiding principles
and encouraging the achievements of more ambitious environmental and public health goals.
The Border 2025 Program identifies four long-term goals to address the serious environmental and
environmentally related public health challenges, including the impact of transboundary transport
of pollutants in the border region. These strategic goals are: Goal 1: Reduce Air Pollution, Goal 2:
157 For additional information, please visit:
fattps://www.ruralfaealtfa.us/MRHA/media/Enierge NRHA/Advocacy/Policy%20documents/05-11-18-NRHA-Policv-Border-
Health.pdf.
158 https://www.dallasfed.Org/~/niedia/docunients/cd/pubs/lascolonias.pdf.
159 https://www.epa.aov/sites/default/files/2021-05/documents/final 1)2020 acc report may 24 2021.pdf.
414
-------
Improve Water Quality, Goal 3: Promote Sustainable Materials and Waste Management and Clean
Sites, and Goal 4: Improve Joint Preparedness for and Response to Hazardous Environmental
Emergencies. Within the goals are specific objectives that identify actions that will be taken in
support of the program's mission. The Border 2025 Program supports the President's Executive
Order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workplace as well as cross-
Agency efforts of tackling the climate crisis and advancing environmental justice.
Guiding principles support the mission statement, ensure consistency among all aspects of the
Border 2025 Program, and continue successful elements of previous binational environmental
programs. Prioritizing environmental equity and addressing disproportionate environmental
impacts in border communities by protecting, improving, and promoting environmental awareness
and environmental and human health is one of the program's core principles. This principle aligns
with one of EPA" s priorities to promote equity for underserved communities and civil rights in the
U.S. border region.
The Border 2025 program is under the Justice40 Initiative that has as its goal to ensure that 40
percent of overall benefits of federal investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. To
help support Justice40 implementation, activities may include developing benefits methodologies
and identifying, tracking, analyzing, and reporting Justice40 data. EPA and the Secretariat of
Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) will continue to closely collaborate with the
ten border states (four U.S./six Mexican), twenty-seven U.S. federally recognized tribes,
indigenous communities including the afro-Mexican community in Mexico, and local
communities in prioritizing and implementing projects that address their particular needs.
Note: The border water and wastewater infrastructure programs are described in the State and
Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) appropriation, Infrastructure Assistance: Mexico Border
Program.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 1/Objective 1.3, Advance International and
Subnational Climate Efforts in the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
All records will be consistent with the Update to Transition to Electronic Records as per OMB
issued M-23-07, Update to Transition to Electronic Records, including Border Office Records.
Air Pollution
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to focus on air pollution reductions in binational airsheds, work on
reducing emissions through implementing policy-based or technology-based programs and
maintain effective air quality monitoring networks and timely access to air quality data along the
border region to help support the Administration's goal of reducing air pollution and the effects of
climate change. This effort to meet health-based air quality standards, especially for particulate
matter and/or ozone, is expected to mitigate negative effects on public health by deploying
innovative strategies or technologies and building public awareness of associated health risks to
protect public health and advance environmental justice.
415
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EPA and SEMARNAT will continue to build on the successful air quality efforts conducted in the
Border 2020 program, which resulted in complete greenhouse gas emissions inventories for each
Mexico border state, and improved public health, especially in underserved communities. In
addition, building upon over 20 years of binational air quality success within the New Mexico,
Texas, and Chihuahua shared air basin, local coordinated efforts will advance work to address
mobile sources at two designated border cities.
EPA will assist in expanding technical training to promote standardized approaches and
improvements to emissions inventory development, improved compliance with vehicle emission
standards, establishment of and compliance with vehicle inspection and maintenance programs,
increased data-sharing on used vehicle emissions testing, and strengthened Green Freight
Programs such as Transporte Limpio (Mexico) and SmartWay (United States). The benefit in
cooperation with Mexican border cities has a high positive impact to Texas' largest populated
border city of El Paso in protecting U.S. citizens and vulnerable populations, as Juarez and El Paso
make up a metropolitan area that shares and breathes the same air. Along the U.S. border,
California, Arizona, and New Mexico have completed Climate Change Action Plans.
Water Management
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to address border water management in the Tijuana River
Watershed. The United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) authorizes and directs
EPA to coordinate with specific federal, state, and local entities to plan and implement high priority
infrastructure projects that address transboundary pollution affecting San Diego County. EPA will
advance implementation of projects to prevent and reduce the levels of trash and sediment from
entering high priority binational watersheds. Other projects that prevent/reduce marine litter
should primarily focus on preventing waste at the source through improvements to solid waste
management systems, education campaigns, and monitoring as well as reducing trash entering the
aquatic environment through the capture of litter using river booms in known watershed litter hot
spots.
Sustainable Materials Management
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to collaborate and partner on sustainable materials management
demonstration projects to prevent waste and improve the recovery of materials, such as plastic, e-
waste, and scrap tires, through public-private partnership programs and infrastructure investments
in the border region to mitigate public health and environmental impacts and avoid costly cleanup
efforts. Additionally, EPA will work to increase institutional capacity for resource efficiency and
sustainable management of materials and develop/implement strategies to reduce illegal dumping,
maximize material recovery, and promote environmentally sound disposal practices. Each region
of the northern border has different economic, social, and cultural situations, with different
capacities to mitigate the generation and management of waste and secondary materials.
EPA will continue to work to increase institutional capabilities in planning and technical
assistance, enabling the development of programs, projects, or actions, which consider the life
cycle analysis on natural resource economics, manufacturing, transport, and other market factors
to more effectively collect and use materials and avoid them from being lost to landfills.
416
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Emergency Preparedness and Response
Additionally, the United States and Mexico will work together to enhance joint preparedness for
environmental response and facilitate easier transboundary movement of emergency response
equipment and personnel by activities such as: updating Sister City Plans with preparedness and
prevention and providing training to emergency responders on preparedness and prevention related
activities. As part of the efforts for binational emergency preparedness and response, the Program
will continue updating the Mexico-U.S. Joint Contingency Plan in both Spanish and Englishes
well as conducting knowledge exchange and tabletop exercise activities to build partnership
capacity and provide locals with the opportunity to test and improve emergency plans in their
areasr In addition, both countries will coordinate binational efforts border wide.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM E13b) Number of Border 2025 actions implemented in the U.S.-Mexico Border area to improve water
quality, solid waste management and air quality including those that address climate change, and advance
emergency response efforts.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
20IS
201')
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
3
10
10
Actions
Actual
6
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$392.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$1,703.0 / +5.0 FTE) This program change increase supports efforts addressing pollution
and climate change related activities along the United States and Mexico Border. To
address the priority needs in the region and in support of the Border 2025 Program
priorities, this effort continues to focus on smaller scale sustainability and core capacity
building projects designed to improve the environment and protect the health of people
living along the U.S.-Mexico border. This includes $916.0 thousand in payroll.
Statutory Authority:
In conjunction with the 1983 Agreement between the United States of America and the Mexican
United States on Cooperation for the Protection and Improvement of the Environment in the
Border Area (La Paz Agreement) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) § 102(2)(F):
Clean Air Act § 103(a); Clean Water Act § 104(a)(l)-(2); Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) §§
1442(a)(1); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) § 8001(a)(1); Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) §§ 17(d), 20(a); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
417
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§ 10(a); Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) § 203(a)(1); U.S.-Mexico-
Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. §§ 4501-4372.
418
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IT/ Data Management/ Security
419
-------
Information Security
Program Area: IT / Data Management / Security
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
liiiviroiiiiwiitiil Programs A- Mtiiid^t'iiwul
S 111,-151)
S'JJ-12
S JJ.MV
S 14.-4'
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$1,209
$1,062
$7,859
$6,797
Total Budget Authority
$11,659
$10,204
$31,748
$21,544
Total Workyears
10.9
14.1
17.1
3.0
Program Project Description:
Digital information is a valuable national resource and a strategic asset that enables EPA to fulfill
its mission to protect human health and the environment. The Information Security Program's
mission is to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of EPA's information assets. The
information protection strategy includes, but is not limited to, risk management, oversight, and
training; network management and protection; and incident management.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA requests $14.7 million to support enhancements to protect the Agency's
information technology portfolio. This investment will increase EPA's information technology
resiliency and limit vulnerabilities in the event of a malicious attack. EPA will work toward full
compliance with the five high priority directives (Adoption of Multifactor Authentication,
Encryption of Data At Rest, Encryption of Data In Transit, Zero Trust Architecture, and Event
Logging) in Executive Order (EO) 14028: Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity 160
160 Work in this program takes direction for IT implementation practices and priorities from the following:
• EO 14028: Improving the Nation 's Cybersecurity (https://www.whilehoiise.spv/brie1inz-room/presidenlial-
actions/2021/05/'12/executive-order-on-improvi:ns-the-nations-cybersecurity/)
• OMB Memo M-23-03: Fiscal Year 2023 Guidance on Federal Information Security and Privacy Management Requirements
(https://www. whitehouse. gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/M-23-03-FY2 3-FISMA-Guidance-2.pdf)
• OMB Memo M-19-26: Update to the Trusted Internet Connection (TIC) Initiative (https://www.whitehouse.sov/wp-
content/uploads/2019/09/M-l 9-26.pd1)
• OMB Memo M-21-30: Protecting Critical Software Through Enhanced Security Measures (https://whitehouse.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2021/08/M-21 -30. pdf)
• OMB Memo M-21-31: Improving the Federal Government's Investigative and OMB Memorandum Remediation Capabilities
Related to Cybersecurity Incidents (https://www.whitehouse.sov/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/M-21-31-lmprovins-the-
Federal-(:k)vemments-Investisative-and-Remediation-Capabilities-Related-to-Cvbersecuritv-Incidents.pd'l)
• OMB Memo M-22-01: Improving Detection of Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities and Incidents on Federal Government Systems
through Endpoint Detection and Response (https://www.whitehouse.sov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/M-22-01. pdf)
• OMB Memo M-22-09: Moving the U.S. Government Toward Zero Trust Cybersecurity Principles
(https://www.whitehouse.sov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/M-22-09. pdf)
420
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Improving the Defense and Resilience of Government Networks
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)
A key priority for EPA's information security needs is the development of networks which can
resist malevolent actions regardless of their origin. ZTA will grant authorized users full access to
the tools and resources needed to perform their jobs but limit access to unnecessary areas. Proper
permissions for a given user's needs are a critical component of Zero Trust Architecture and coding
for more granular control over the network environment is an information security priority.
EPA will continue to improve defense and resilience of government networks in accordance with
ZTA security principles, which focus on virtual identity management capabilities. These
improvements ensure agency staff can access necessary software applications while providing
resistance to malicious phishing campaigns and sophisticated online attacks. For those system
environments not integrated into the larger enterprise system, which may not be compatible with
the enterprise-wide identity management capabilities, EPA will continue efforts to harden those
systems with continuous monitoring capabilities to reduce risk.
EPA will continue to implement cybersecurity enhancements necessary to support a larger remote
workforce, which includes strengthening cloud security monitoring and access to sensitive data,
cyber incident response, and cloud platform management services. These enhancements allow
agency staff to securely use systems and services in the cloud while also improving application
performance and reducing costs associated with Trusted Internet Connections (TIC). The Agency
also will pilot enterprise web application control tools to protect web applications by preventing
malicious traffic from accessing the web application or agency data. The Agency will continue to
build its Insider Threat Program for the unclassified network to monitor Privileged Users and
Systems Administrators activity, as recommended by several cybersecurity assessments,161 and to
monitor and report on EPA networks and systems.
IT Modernization for Federal Cybersecurity by Design
EPA will continue to strengthen information technology (IT) assets and develop resiliency against
potential cybersecurity threats. This work includes enhancing Multifactor Authentication to
strengthen access controls to data and evaluating areas which still may require implementation of
encryption for Data at Rest and Data in Transit to protect data. EPA has prioritized investments to
protect the most sensitive systems and information. Additionally, EPA will work with the
Department of Homeland Security and the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM)
Program to ensure up-to-date technologies are implemented.
• OMB Memo M-22-16: Administration Cybersecurity Priorities for the FY 2024 Budget (https://www.whitehouse.sov/wp-
conlentJuploads/2022/07/M-22-16. vdf)
• OMB Memo M-23-03: Fiscal Year 2023 Guidance on Federal Information Security and Privacy Management Requirements
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/M-23-Q3-FY23-FISMA-Guidance-2.pdf)
• NIST 800-53
161 These assessments include Annual Assessments and Classified briefings with the Department of Flomeland Security and
EPA's Office of Flomeland Security, as well as a 2017 OIG Report, available at:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-10/documents/ epaoie 20171030-18-p-0031.pdf.
421
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Cyberattacks are rapidly increasing in volume and sophistication, impacting both IT and
operational technology systems. EPA's Agency IT Security and Privacy (AITSP) Program enables
agency wide implementation, management, and oversight of the Chief Information Officer's (CIO)
Information Security and Privacy Programs through continuous monitoring functions. These
capabilities serve to identify and address security vulnerabilities and incidents quickly, ensuring
that EPA's information environment remains safe.
EPA will continue to support the ongoing implementation of capabilities for data labeling and data
loss prevention, which will improve security information and event management by collecting,
synthesizing, managing, and reporting cybersecurity events for systems across the Agency.
The Information Security Program supports EPA's Enterprise Security Operations Center (SOC),
which manages the Computer Security Incident Response Capability (CSIRC) processes to support
identification, response, alerting, and reporting of suspicious activity. EPA will mature the system
logging capabilities in Event Logging (EL) Level 3 for Advanced Logging requirements at all
criticality levels, leveraging Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response tools to streamline
threat and vulnerability management, incident response, and security operations automation.
Additionally, EL 3 will employ User Behavior Monitoring analytics to enable early detection of
malicious behavior. Through CSIRC, EPA will continue to maintain relationships with other
federal agencies and law enforcement entities, as needed, to support the Agency's mission.
The Agency's Security Operations Center will continue work to integrate End Point Detection and
Response capabilities with the CDM Program to support proactive detection of cybersecurity
incidents, active cyber hunting, containment and remediation, and incident response. EPA will
continue modernizing its network and system logging capabilities (on-premises systems and
connections hosted by third parties, such as Cloud Service Providers) for both investigation and
remediation purposes.
EPA leverages CDM capabilities to address the Agency's cybersecurity security gaps and
efficiently identify and respond to government-wide cybersecurity threats and incidents. In FY
2024, as part of the work with the Department of Homeland Security to support implementation
of current and future Phase CDM requirements, the CDM Program will continue closing gaps in
privileged access to EPA's network and will continue to provide critical security controls for the
Agency's cloud applications. The CDM Program also will review interior EPA network boundary
protection from interconnections to external networks, expand endpoint detection and response
capabilities. In line with OMB and DHS direction, the CDM Program will implement priority
capabilities as they are identified. In FY 2024, EPA estimates a $13 million budget for the CDM
Program.
Strengthening the Foundations of our Digitally-Enabled Future
Securing Infrastructure Investments
The Agency collects Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) metrics and
evaluates related processes, tools, and personnel to identify gaps and opportunities for
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improvement.162 EPA's CIO, who also is the Senior Agency Official for Privacy (SAOP), in
coordination with the Chief Information Security Officer, will continue to monitor and report on
these metrics. EPA will:
• Modernize and automate the methodology and workflow for collecting Federal
Information Registry data supporting the System of Record Notice Management process.
Continue implementing Ground Truth Testing to validate security and find weaknesses
through manual and automated penetration testing and red team exercises.
The Agency continues to work on refinements to improve the ability to track and report on critical
software used by the Agency in compliance with Federal Information System Reporting and OMB
direction.
EPA includes cybersecurity and privacy components in senior leadership program reviews. These
reviews enhance CIO oversight by enabling better risk area determination and targeted
improvement to system and mission program managers. While EPA program and regional offices
maintain responsibility for improving their performance in specific cybersecurity measures, EPA's
senior leadership routinely reviews performance results and potential challenges for achieving
continuous improvement.
Human Capital
EPA will further enhance agency-specific role-based training to ensure personnel in key
cybersecurity roles have a comprehensive understanding of modern, secure IT and cybersecurity
requirements, with the skills, knowledge, and capabilities to effectively support EPA's
cybersecurity posture.
Technology Ecosystems
EPA will build on efforts to fully carry out the Agency's program to implement Cybersecurity
Supply Chain Risk Management Controls to comply with the Government Accountability Office
findings and NIST 800-53 Rev 5 Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and
Organization163'164 This work includes coordinating across the Agency with professionals from
Information Technology, Information Security, and Procurement to update the policy and obtain
the necessary tools to address these critical security requirements. EPA will continue to implement
standards, procedures, and criteria to harden and secure software development environments, and
investigate the addition of automated tools to secure the development environment.
162 Including those found in Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 and Federal Information Security
Cybersecurity Act of 2015.
163 Government Accountability Office Report on information and communications technology (ICT) Supply Chain: GAO-21-
164SU.
164 For more information, please see: https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-53/rev-5/final.
423
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM ALR) Implementation of advanced event logging requirements (EL3) across EPA networks.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
ELI
EL3
EL3
Tier
Actual
EL0
(PM PAR) Percentage of EPA data at rest in compliance with encryption requirements.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
90
95
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Systems
Penominator
(PM PIT) Percentage of EPA data in transit in compliance with encryption requirements.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
90
95
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Systems
Penominator
(PM MFA) Percentage of EPA applications in compliance with multifactor authentication requirements.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
75
85
90
Percent
Actual
48
Numerator
223
Applications
Penominator
463
(PM ZTA) Percentage of "Zero Trust Architecture" projects completed on time.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
100
100
Percent
Actual
Numerator
TBD
Penominator
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$214.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$14,533.0 / +3.0 FTE) This program change supports enhancements to protect the
Agency's information technology infrastructure portfolio and advance the implementation
of EO 14028: Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity. This investment will increase EPA's
information technology resiliency and limit vulnerabilities in the event of a malicious
attack. This investment includes $617.0 thousand for payroll.
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Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Cybersecurity Act of 2015; Federal Information
Security Modernization Act (FISMA); Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA);
Government Management Reform Act (GMRA); Clinger-Cohen Act (CCA).
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IT / Data Management
Program Area: IT / Data Management / Security
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
liiiviroiiiiwiitiil Programs A- Mtiiid^t'iiwiil
S W.02V
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Science & Technology
$2,799
$3,197
$3,313
$116
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$16,075
$19,764
$17,727
-$2,037
Total Budget Authority
$108,903
$114,782
$126,908
$12,126
Total Workyears
463.6
490.9
503.9
13.0
Total work years in FY 2024 include 172.0 FTE to support IT/Data Management working capital fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
This program supports the maintenance of EPA's Information Technology (IT) and Information
Management (IT/IM) services that enable citizens, regulated facilities, states, and other entities to
interact with EPA electronically to access, analyze and understand, and share environmental data
on-demand. The IT/DM Program also provides support to other IT development projects and
essential technology to EPA staff, enabling them to conduct their work effectively and efficiently
in the context of federal IT requirements, including the Federal Information Technology
Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA); Technology Business Management (TBM); Capital Planning
and Investment Control; and the Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency requests an additional $4.0 million to continue to support Future of Work
efforts of the Agency through maintaining and enhancing the IT infrastructure required to support
a permanent increase in telework, remote work, and operational readiness, consistent with Office
of Management and Budget Memorandum M-21-25.165 This includes modernizing the Agency's
obsolete voice communications system and investing in the enterprise network to support
enhanced collaboration flowing smoothly and efficiently within a widely distributed community.
Additionally, EPA requests $6.1 million in FY 2024 for the maintenance and modernization of the
Agency's enterprise network switch infrastructure. This funding ensures critical infrastructure is
replaced when it reaches end of life/end of support. Failure to replace switch infrastructure may
result in network degradation, which leaves EPA vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, and can
disrupt operations.
165 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/M-21-25.pdf.
426
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In FY 2024, EPA will continue implementation of the agencywide Digitization Strategy, which
includes the operation of two EPA digitization centers and the development and operation of a
modernized electronic Agency Records Management System (ARMS), which is necessary to meet
the requirements of Memoranda M-19-21 Transition to Electronic Records issued by the Office
of Management and Budget and the National Archives and Records Administration.166 In FY 2024,
two EPA digitization centers will digitize, validate, and upload electronic files into the ARMS.
Additionally, EPA will leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to assist staff with
appropriately scheduling electronic records that are saved to ARMS. The Agency will operate the
Paper Asset Tracking Tool (PATT) to track paper records as they are submitted and processed
through the digitization centers.
The Agency also will continue implementing the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act
(P.L. 115-336), which includes modernization of internal and public-facing websites and digital
services, as well as digitization of paper forms and non-digital services. EPA will continue
digitizing the Agency's public-facing paper forms in compliance with the 21st Century Integrated
Digital Experience Act and based on the completed inventory of the Agency's forms.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to maintain and manage its core IT/DM services, including
Information Collection Requests, the National Library Network, the Agency's Docket Center, and
EPA's Section 508 Program, which directly supports the requirements under Executive Order
14035.167 Key initiatives include,
9 Further strengthening the Agency's IT acquisition and portfolio review process as part of
the implementation of FITARA. In the most recent FITARA scorecard, released in
December 2022,168 EPA scored an overall B. EPA will continue to use the results of the
FITARA scorecard to drive agency priorities and investments.
Continuing work on converting prioritized internal administrative paper or analog
workflows into modern digital workflows to speed up common administrative tasks, reduce
burdensome paperwork for EPA employees and managers, improve internal data collection
and reporting, and improve cross-agency data interoperability and delivery to the public.
This work includes identifying a set of processes which will yield the greatest benefit for
the Agency upon automation and complete a high priority pilot automation project.
Continuing work on EPA's Controlled Unclassified Information Program to standardize,
simplify, and improve information management and IT practices to facilitate the sharing
of important sensitive data within the Agency, with key stakeholders outside of the Agency,
and with the public, meeting federal standards as required by Executive Order 13556:
Controlled Unclassified Information.169
• Increasing the use of registries, continue migration to a cloud infrastructure, and improve
registry quality by modernizing from custom built solutions to commercial off-the-shelf
166 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/Q8/M-19-21-new-2.pdf.
167 For more information, please refer to Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/06/25/executive-order-on-diversitv-equitv-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce/.
168 For additional information, please refer to:
https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/COR%20Scorecard%2014.pdf.
169 For more information, please refer to Executive Order: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2010/11/09/2010-
28360/controlled-unclassified-information.
427
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tools with expanded capabilities. Registries are shared data services in which common data
are managed centrally but shared broadly; they improve data quality in EPA systems,
enable integration and interoperability of data across program silos, and facilitate discovery
of EPA information publicly and internally.
EPA's Customer Experience (CX) Program will focus on improving the mission support
experience of EPA staff to improve their ability to serve the public, in line with the guidance in
Executive Order 14058.170 The Program focuses on collaborations such as the Hiring and
Onboarding process, which collects feedback from IT professionals, hiring managers, regions,
programs, and other stakeholders to improve the experience for hiring authorities and new
employees at EPA. The CX Program collects customer feedback, conducts data analytics, assesses
priorities within a governing community of practice, and presents recommendations to senior
leaders to allocate resources to improve CX initiatives.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to support the essential capabilities of GeoPlatform, a shared
technology enterprise for geospatial information and analysis. By implementing geospatial data,
applications, and services such as the Facility Registry System, the Agency can integrate, interpret,
and visualize multiple data sets and information sources to support environmental decisions. The
Agency will continue developing and increasing capabilities of EPA's Data Management and
Analytics Platform, which has both internal and public facing elements, such as Envirofacts. EPA
will partner with other agencies, states, tribes, and academic institutions to propose innovative
ways to use, analyze, and visualize data through EPA's Data Management and Analytics Platform.
Throughout FY 2023 and FY 2024, based on the Agency's assessment of options for improving
regulated facility data, EPA will establish a governance framework for implementing an enterprise
data life cycle approach for managing regulated facility data.
In FY 2024, Web Infrastructure Management will continue to modernize EPA's web presence to
support internal and external users with information on EPA business, support employees with
internal information, and provide a clearinghouse for the Agency to communicate initiatives and
successes. EPA also will continue to upgrade its web infrastructure to ensure that it meets current
statutory and evolving security requirements.
The EPA Chief Data Officer (CDO), with support from the Agency's Data Governance Council
(DGC) will continue to develop enterprise scale data governance, including data policies,
procedures, and standards to ensure all priority data assets are fully available. Additionally, they
will promote data management that emphasizes equitability and FAIR (Findable, Accessible,
Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles. EPA's enterprise data governance implementation
plans depend on coordination across the Agency's program offices and regions. Currently, EPA
relies on a network of data managers and stewards across the Agency to implement governance.
To facilitate effective communication between the DGC and responsible parties, as well as to
ensure development and implementation of the most effective data policies, procedures, and
standards, EPA proposes to establish a data officer position in each of the 23 EPA program offices
170 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalrepister.goY/docunients/2021/12/16/2021-27380/transfoniiiiip-
federal-customer-experience-and-service-deli very-to-rebuild-trust-in-Kovernment. For additional information, please refer to:
https://www.federalreRister.KOv/documents/2021/12/16/2021-27380/transformmK-federal-customer-experience~and-service~
deliverv-to-rebuild-trust-in-Kovernment.
428
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and regions. These data officers will fulfill essential communication and coordination functions
and serve as anchors for building a stronger culture of utilizing data to build evidence and support
decision making across EPA.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM GOP A) Percentage of priority internal administrative processes automated.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
20 IS
201')
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
10
10
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Internal
Denominator
Processes
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$568.0) This (net) change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$6,160.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase to provide funding for the
enterprise network switch infrastructure necessary for the operations of the EPA network
including data centers. This funding ensures critical infrastructure is replaced when it
reaches end of life/end of support. Failure to replace switch infrastructure may result in
network degradation, leave EPA vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, and disrupt EPA
operations.
(+$4,000.0) This program change is an increase to provide the necessary support for a
hybrid modern workforce and will require the integration of facilities and infrastructure,
human resources, and information technology programs in order to successfully re-
envision the federal work environment.
(+$3,124.0 / +15.0 FTE) This program change supports agencywide implementation
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements. This investment includes
$2,776.0 for payroll.
(+$195.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program change provides increased support for ongoing
response efforts for Red Hill in Region 9 to protect communities and ensure safe drinking
water. This investment includes $185.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at
Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act; Federal
Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA); Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA);
Government Management Reform Act (GMRA); Clinger- Cohen Act (CCA); Rehabilitation Act of 1973 §
508; Foundations for Evidence-Based Policy Making Act of 2018; Geospatial Data Act of 2018.
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Legal/ Science/ Regulatory/ Economic Review
430
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Administrative Law
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
linvironmenlal Programs A- Management
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V../M
S'2I
Total Budget Authority
$5,022
$5,395
$6,116
$721
Total Workyears
20.1
25.8
25.8
0.0
Program Project Description:
This program supports EPA's Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and the Environmental Appeals
Board (EAB).
Administrative Law Judges
The ALJs preside in hearings and issue initial decisions in cases initiated by EPA's enforcement
program concerning environmental, civil rights, and government program fraud related violations.
Additionally, pursuant to an interagency agreement providing for reimbursement of services, the
ALJs also adjudicate enforcement actions brought by National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), primarily under statutes protecting marine mammals and endangered
species over which EPA and NOAA share jurisdiction, such as the Marine Protection, Research,
and Sanctuaries Act and Endangered Species Act. The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the
United States of America guarantees the regulated community the right to due process of the law.
The ALJs issue orders and decisions under the authority of the Administrative Procedure Act
(APA) and the various environmental, civil rights, and anti-fraud statutes that establish
administrative enforcement authority and implement the Constitution's guarantee of due process.
The ALJs preside in hearings in cases initiated at EPA Headquarters and in each of EPA's 10
regional offices. Parties participating before the ALJs include local and national community
groups, private parties, and federal, state, and local governments. The ALJs promote public
participation in the administrative hearing process through remote hearings and prehearing
conferences. They maintain an extensive website, accessible to the public, containing all initial
decisions and case filings. Additionally, to promote access to justice, participants in cases pending
before the ALJs may file documents electronically and are not required to pay a filing fee or be
represented by counsel. The ALJs also offer an opportunity for alternative dispute resolution to
completely resolve disputed issues or narrow the issues to be decided after a hearing, which may
further reduce costs.
The right of affected persons to appeal ALJ initial decisions is conferred by various statutes,
regulations, and constitutional due process rights. A small subset of the initial decisions issued by
the ALJs are appealed to the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB).
431
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Environmental Appeals Board
The Environmental Appeals Board is a four-member appellate tribunal established by regulation
in 1992 to hear appeals and issue decisions in environmental adjudications (primarily enforcement
and permit related) under all major environmental statutes that EPA administers. The EAB
promotes the rule of law and furthers the Agency's mission to protect human health and the
environment. The EAB furthers the Agency's mission to advance environmental justice (EJ) and
address climate-related issues by ensuring the integrity of federal decision-making and fairness in
its adjudication of administrative appeals.
Since the 1994 Executive Order on Environmental Justice171 was issued, the EAB has played a
pioneering role in ensuring that the Agency meets its obligation with respect to EJ and, for
example, in the context of permitting, has remanded several permit cases where the record did not
support a finding that the permit authority reasonably considered the contested EJ issues in their
permit decision making process.
To promote access to justice, parties appearing before the EAB are not required to be represented
by counsel or pay a filing fee. Additionally, the EAB promotes public participation in the appeals
process through remote oral arguments and maintaining an extensive website, accessible to the
public, containing all final EAB decisions and case filings. Among others, parties participating
before the EAB include local and national community groups, tribal nations, private parties, and
state and local governments.
The EAB also decides petitions for reimbursement under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 106(b); hears appeals of pesticide
licensing and cancellation proceedings under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA); and serves as the final approving body for proposed settlements of enforcement
actions initiated at EPA. The EAB issues decisions in a fair and timely manner consistent with the
APA and the applicable environmental statutes, and under the authority delegated by the
Administrator and pursuant to regulation, ensuring consistency in the application of legal
requirements. In 90 percent of matters decided by the EAB, no further appeal is taken to federal
court, providing a final resolution to the dispute. The EAB also offers an opportunity for alternative
dispute resolution.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the ALJs will continue to convene formal hearings either remotely or in the location
of the alleged violator or violation, as required by statute. As the Agency continues its focus on
reviewing FIFRA registrations and making determinations on certain claims against the Superfund
under CERCLA into FY 2024, the ALJs will support adjudication of these time-sensitive matters.
In FY 2024, the EAB will continue to efficiently and fairly adjudicate permit and enforcement
171 Executive Order 12898 - Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations.
432
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appeals under all statutes as well as petitions for reimbursement under CERCLA, expediting
appeals such as Clean Air Act New Source Review cases and FIFRA licensing proceedings that
are particularly time sensitive. The EAB and ALJs also anticipate addressing a potential increase
in EJ-related issues and in new work assuring access to justice, including for tribal nations and
parties impacted by EJ-related concerns.172 In FY 2024, the EAB will support the implementation
of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM Act) of 2020, specifically administrative
enforcement of its provisions concerning hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are designed to phase
down the production and consumption of listed HFCs, manage these HFCs, and facilitate transition
to next generation technologies.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$401.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$320.0) This program change is an increase to support programmatic investments
relating to advancing environmental justice through the Administrative Law Program.
Statutory Authority:
Administrative Procedure Act (APA); Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as
amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute);
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA); Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Clean Water Act (CWA); Clean Air Act
(CAA); Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA); Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA); Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA); Emergency
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA); Marine Protection, Research, and
Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA); Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act
(MCRBMA); the Act to Prevent Pollution From Ships (APPS).
172 For additional information, please refer to Executive Order 14008: "Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,"
https://www.federalregister.KOv/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad.
433
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Alternative Dispute Resolution
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
ihivironnicnliil I'ro^rums A- Muiui^cnicnl
SI.I'M,
S V2
S2.IV-I
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Hazardous Substance Superfund
$698
$791
$880
$89
Total Budget Authority
$1,894
$1,763
$3,074
$1,311
Total Workyears
5.5
5.9
10.0
4.1
Program Project Description:
EPA's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program offers cost-effective processes for
preventing and resolving conflicts on environmental matters and some workplace conflicts as an
alternative to litigation. The Program provides facilitation, mediation, public involvement,
training, and consensus building advice and support for the entire Agency. The Program's ADR
services especially support the meaningful engagement of EPA programs with communities and
other stakeholders, including states and tribes, by helping to develop collaborative and effective
partnerships.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA requests an additional $1.2 million and 4.1 FTE for the ADR Program. EPA will
continue to provide conflict prevention and ADR services to all EPA programs and external
stakeholders on environmental matters. This program will continue to support implementation of
Executive Order (EO) 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Supportfor Underserved Communities
Through the Federal Government,173 This investment also will be used to build capacity to
improve oversight and enforcement of civil rights compliance and to prioritize and advance EJ
concerns.
Specifically, the ADR Program will:
• Administer its five-year, $53 million Conflict Prevention and Resolution Services contract,
through which it provides most of its conflict prevention and resolution services to the
Agency. The contract supports facilitation and mediation services for more than 100 active
projects involving stakeholders across the Agency and is expected to take on an additional
173 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefinp-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-
order-advancing-racial-eguitv-and-support-for-underserved-communities-throueh-the-federal-KOvernment/.
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20 to 30 projects in FY 2024. The ADR Program expects continued growth in the areas of
environmental justice, climate change, and Title VI civil rights cases. Contract support
contributes to more productive engagement between EPA programs and communities,
especially underserved and overburdened communities.
• Provide facilitation, mediation, and training services through the four conflict resolution
specialists on staff and the Regional Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution
(ECCR) specialists, who perform environmental ADR work as collateral duty with support
from the ADR Program. The ADR Program expects to provide support through conflict
resolution specialists and ECCR specialists for agency programs and stakeholders by
providing facilitation, mediation, or other consensus building support on 20 to 30 projects
in FY 2024, including up to 10 Title VI civil rights cases. The ADR Program initiated a
pilot program in FY 2022 to provide facilitation services to resolve Title VI civil rights
complaints as part of the Informal Resolution Agreement process; the Program is now fully
formed, and demand for facilitation services to resolve complaints continues to grow. As
with contract support, direct staff support promotes greater collaboration among EPA and
its stakeholders, as well as greater inclusion of overburdened and underserved
communities.
• Provide training to EPA staff in conflict resolution concepts and skills. The ADR Program
offers this training through eight interactively designed courses to all national program
offices and regions. The ADR Program created virtual versions of its trainings during
COVID, which has expanded its reach throughout the Agency. As of February 2023, the
ADR Program has delivered eight trainings and has scheduled several more. The ADR
Program expects a continued increase in training requests in FY 2024. Trainings include
the building of skills such as working across cultural divides and supporting productive
dialogue, which help EPA programs better engage with communities.
• Help to achieve the goals of President Biden's Justice40 initiative by tracking the number
of ADR Program projects in which services are provided to underserved and overburdened
communities. In FY 2024, the ADR Program expects to increase services to underserved
and overburdened communities.
The following are examples of FY 2022 accomplishments:
Successfully managed a $53 million Conflict Prevention and Resolution Services contract
and administered 330 contract actions valued at slightly over $44 million in the first three
years. Through contract support, the ADR Program provided conflict resolution services
for multiple projects and in dozens of communities to promote greater collaboration and
inclusion of underserved and overburdened communities.
Supported 99 environmental collaboration and conflict resolution cases nationwide,
including multiple Administrator priority projects, such as the WOTUS National
Roundtable Facilitation, Red Hill Facility Closure Facilitation, the USMCA-Tijuana River
Watershed, the Clean School Bus Program, and Underground Injection Control. To support
these projects, the ADR Program provided design and facilitation support to gather public
input on controversial issues, supported community outreach efforts by facilitating
listening sessions, and helped key stakeholders to reach agreement.
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• Provided facilitation services for four Title VI civil rights cases to support the inclusion of
all parties in the development of Informal Resolution Agreements between EPA and
recipients of Title VI complaints.
• Trained more than 400 EPA personnel in conflict resolution skills through 10 courses and
supported additional conflict resolution trainings, led by Regional Environmental
Collaboration and Conflict Resolution Specialists, for 147 EPA staff and managers.
Performance Measures Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$17.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agency wide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$1,239.0 / +4.1 FTE) This program change is an increase for the use of alternative
dispute resolution processes, such as mediation and facilitation, to promote equity by
including underserved communities in negotiations. This investment includes $798.0
thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Administrative Dispute Resolution Act (ADRA) of 1996; Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1996;
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
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Civil Rights Program
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Goal: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Objective(s): Strengthen Civil Rights Enforcement in Communities with Environmental Justice
Concerns
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$10,061
$12,866
$31,462
$18,596
Total Budget Authority
$10,061
$12,866
$31,462
$18,596
Total Workyears
47.3
66.4
143.6
77.2
Program Project Description:
EPA has long held and elevated three fundamental principles to follow the science, follow the law,
and be transparent. In 2022 EPA also added a fourth foundational principle: advance justice and
equity. By so doing, EPA solidified its recognition that it was time to include this principle to
infuse the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals into all
EPA policies, practices, and programs. These principles form the basis of the Agency's culture
and guide its operations and decision making - whether with respect to the public and
communities, or EPA's workforce.
EPA's Civil Rights Program mitigates the Agency's liability by enhancing efforts to meet
regulatory responsibilities under Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended
among other applicable civil rights statutes and regulations, including 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7, 29
C.F.R. § 1614.102(c)174 and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Management Directive 110,175 which require federal agencies to fully fund its civil rights program.
The Civil Rights Program enforces federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination against
EPA employees and applicants for employment and by applicants for and recipients of EPA federal
financial assistance. EPA also has committed to strengthening external civil rights enforcement to
address health and environmental disparities, eliminate discriminatory barriers to clean air, water,
and land, and ensure the protection of human health and the environment for all persons in the
United States. There are two offices within the Agency's civil rights program, the Office of Civil
Rights (OCR) and Office of External Civil Rights Compliance (OECRC). OCR and OECRC (the
Civil Rights Program) are included in the same historic budget line, though the resource profiles
of these two offices are very different. OCR has responsibility for the internal enforcement of
several civil rights laws related to equal employment opportunity (EEO), and OECRC carries out
the external enforcement of several civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or
activities that receive federal financial assistance from EPA. Together, both offices comprise
174 For more information, please see: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1614/subpart-A/section-
1614.102.
175 For more information, please see: https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/management-directive/management-directive-110.
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EPA's civil rights program and its foundational commitment to the advancement of justice,
equality, and equity.
EPA's Civil Rights Program provides leadership, direction, and guidance in carrying out the
Agency's civil rights mission to senior leadership, EPA managers, employees, applicants, and
recipients of federal financial assistance in carrying out civil rights responsibilities. The Program
provides counseling and investigates discrimination complaints filed against EPA and EPA federal
financial assistance recipients. The Program identifies triggers and eliminates barriers to EEO and
environmental justice. The Program promotes alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve
discrimination complaints. The Program develops policy to clarify recipients' legal obligations. It
conducts pre-award reviews and affirmative post-award compliance reviews and audits. EPA also
provides technical assistance to recipients and enhances communication and engagement with
environmentally overburdened and disadvantaged communities.
The Program processes accommodation requests due to disability that are made by employees and
applicants. The Program issues final agency decisions in employment discrimination complaints.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 2, including/Objective 2.3, Strengthen Civil Rights
Enforcement in Communities with Environmental Justice Concerns.176
Internal Civil Rights
In FY 2024, EPA must meet statutory and regulatory requirements to address potential barriers to
employment and advancement and deliver training and services to EPA employees. EPA
endeavors to assess organizational EEO efforts through listening sessions and during Technical
Assistant Visits (TAVs) with program and regional offices. EPA typically has more requests for
these interactive TAVs than time and resources to support them all in a year. EPA will continue to
prioritize its interagency agreements to ensure impartial investigations of EEO complaints.
Additionally, EPA will actively support, and as required, lead specific efforts and workgroups to
implement its DEIA Strategic Plan as required by Executive Order 14035.177
Employee Complaints and Resolution (ECR)
In FY 2024, EPA will dedicate a majority of its resources to the processing of discrimination
complaints. It also will market the benefits of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program
to address informal complaints. It also will continue to take proactive steps, including educating
through trainings, listening sessions, and community outreach. EPA is expected to engage in the
following activities:
176 It also provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across strategic goals and objectives in the FY
2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
177 For more information, please see: https://www.federalrepister.gov/docunieiits/2021/06/30/2021-14127/diversitY-equitY-
inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce.
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Track and manage investigations, draft final agency decisions, and track compliance of
EEOC decisions within standard timelines set by the EEOC.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the revised procedures for processing final agency decisions.
• Implement strategies for transparently communicating and addressing trends in formal
complaints at program and region offices.
• Implement ADR training (for management and staff) to strengthen participants' knowledge
and to increase offers and participation in the ADR process.
• Implement a revised TAV agenda based on feedback from previous TAVs completed to
ensure an enhanced customer experience and usefulness.
Conduct assistance visits for a total of four EPA regional and program offices.
• Recruit and train new collateral duty EEO Counselors, Special Emphasis Program
Managers, and Local Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators.
• Implement new EEO Case Management database to effectively track EEO complaints,
ensure timeliness, and the ability to produce annual required reports to the EEOC,
Congress, OPM, and the Department of Justice.
Affirmative Employment, Analysis, and Accountability (AEAA)
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to focus on identifying and eliminating barriers to employment
and advancement at the Agency. EPA dedicates a significant amount of labor to assembling and
analyzing data for the Management Directive 715 Report (MD-715), EPA's annual report to the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The MD-715 highlights EPA's efforts to establish and maintain a model civil rights program and
drives the State of the EEO briefing to the Administrator each year. This effort will include guiding
every region and program office through the collection of enhanced data and investigating
workforce data triggers. In FY 2024, EPA expects to engage in the following activities:
Continue to monitor the effectiveness of measures implemented from the "Barrier Analysis
Report: Increasing the Use of the Schedule A (Disability) Hiring Authority."
• Analyze, complete, and/or monitor, as appropriate, two other Barrier Analysis efforts:
"Upward Mobility of Hispanic Employees into the Senior Executive Service (SES)" and
"Upward Mobility of Employees into the Senior Executive Service (SES) based on the
EEO Categories of Race and Sex."
• Continue to implement recommendations resulting from the EPA MD-715 priority
regarding the collection of applicant flow data for Career Development Opportunities.178
• Evaluate the underrepresentation of EEO groups from MD-715 reports.
• Monitor and assist the Administrator's Office and regional and program offices with
implementation of their workforce EEO Actions Plans.
• Manage EPA's ten Special Emphasis Programs.179
Collaborate in the planning of EPA's National Commemorative Programs.
Conduct TAVs for a total of four region and program offices.
178 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2021~05/docunients/nid-
715 report fy20 final 28 apr 21 signed.pdf.
179 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.aov/ocr/affirmative-emplovment-analysis-and-accountabilitv/-/special.
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• Provide effective training and tools for managers to report and carry out their
responsibilities under the MD-715.
National Reasonable Accommodations Program (NRAP)
In FY 2024, EPA will work to enhance the effectiveness of services through training, policy
development, and improving the support functions of the Local Reasonable Accommodation
Coordinators (LORACs). The Agency has a legal obligation to provide an effective
accommodation for employees and applicants with disabilities absent an undue hardship. In FY
2024, EPA expects to engage in the following activities:
• Receive, track, advise on response, and monitor the delivery of requested reasonable
accommodations for all national programs and oversee similar actions in every region.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of revised procedures for providing Personal Assistant Services.
Support the Agency's efforts to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.
• Evaluate the Reasonable Accommodations Management System (RAMS) and
upgrade/enhance features as necessary.
Conduct recertification training for LORACs.
Conduct TAVs for a total of four EPA regional and program offices.
To be an effective internal civil rights program, it must be trusted by all EPA employees for its
impartiality and transparency.
External Civil Rights
In FY 2024, EPA requests an additional $17.0 million and 76.5 FTE to enforce the Nation's
external civil rights laws through EPA's Headquarters program as well as the regional offices. This
investment will provide essential program support to investigate and resolve critical civil rights
complaints, initiate affirmative compliance reviews, and work toward achieving measurable
environmental, public health, and quality of life improvements in the most overburdened,
vulnerable, and underserved communities.
EPA will continue to elevate environmental justice and external civil rights within the Agency and
integrate environmental justice considerations and full compliance with civil rights obligations
across all of EPA's policies, programs, and activities. EPA also will continue to advance its
commitment to bring justice to frontline communities that experience the worst impacts of
environmental pollution.
Through the continued implementation of Goal 2 of EPA's FY 2022 - 2026 Strategic Plan: "Take
Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights." EPA will promote
further the integration of environmental justice and external civil rights throughout EPA and carry
out the objectives, sub-objectives, and annual and long-term goals articulated in Strategic Plan
Goal 2. In particular, EPA's request includes critical FTE for external civil rights compliance
activities in the regional offices, including participation in pre-award reviews and post-award
complaint and compliance review investigations and resolutions.
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Specifically, with respect to external civil rights, in FY 2024, EPA will:
Continue its shift to proactive activities, by initiating proactive pre-award and post-award
civil rights compliance reviews to address the impacts of potentially discriminatory
activities on overburdened communities.
• Fully implement its authority to address actions, policies, and practices by recipients of
EPA funding that have a discriminatory impact on overburdened and disadvantaged
communities.
Continue to develop and implement clear and strong civil rights guidance and
corresponding training and technical assistance to increase recipients' compliance with
civil rights laws.
Conduct timely and effective civil rights complaint investigations and resolutions -
including investigations and informal resolution agreements that effectively address
discriminatory practices.
Continue to implement and refine the Case Resolution Manual that was updated in FY
2023.
• Fully implement the EPA Limited English Proficiency policy and procedures and Order,
revised in FY 2023, and develop and finalize an EPA Order to ensure meaningful access
for persons with disabilities to EPA programs services and activities.
• Enhance communication and engagement with environmentally overburdened
communities to meaningfully inform EPA's civil rights complaint resolution work and to
empower and increase their participation in critical decision making.
Increase transparency by continuing to affirmatively provide information and case-related
documents to the public through the interactive "Complaint Docket" online.180
Strengthen federal interagency collaboration and coordination on complaints, compliance
reviews, and policy guidance to enforce federal civil rights laws.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM EJCR05) Percentage of state-issued permits reviewed by EPA that include terms and conditions that are
responsive to environmental justice concerns and comply with civil rights obligations.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
10
25
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Permits
Denominator
(PM EJCR06) Percentage of required civil rights procedural safeguard elements implemented by state
permitting agencies that are recipients of EPA financial assistance.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
20
40
45
Percent
Actual
33
Numerator
138
Elements
Denominator
408
180 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/extemal-civil-rights/extemal-civil-rights-docket-2014-present.
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(PM EJCR13) Percentage of EPA regions and national programs that have established clear implementation
plans for Goal 2 commitments relative to their policies, programs, and activities and made such available to
external partners.
I V 2017
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
I V 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
100
100
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Regions and
Programs
Denominator
(PM EJCR14) Percentage of EPA programs and regions that have implemented program and region-specific
language assistance plans.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
30
35
60
Percent
Actual
0
Numerator
0
Programs and
Regions
Denominator
23
(PM EJCR15) Percentage of EPA programs and regions that have implemented program and region-specific
disability access plans.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No T arget
Establish
ed
25
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Programs and
Regions
Denominator
(PM EJCR16) Number of proactive post-award civil rights compliance reviews initiated to address
discrimination issues in environmentally overburdened and underserved communities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
3
6
12
Compliance
Reviews
Actual
1
1
(I
1
(PM EJCR17) Number of audits completed to ensure EPA financial assistance recipients are complying with
federal civil rights laws.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
25
30
50
Audits
Actual
0
0
(PM EJCR18) Number of information sharing sessions and outreach and technical assistance events held
with overburdened and underserved communities and environmental justice advocacy groups on civil rights
and environmental justice issues.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
8
90
100
Sessions and
Events
Actual
40
30
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,439.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical Agencywide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$17,025.0 / +76.5 FTE) This program change increases staffing and capacity to enforce
the Nation's external civil rights laws and to work toward the goal of achieving measurable
environmental, public health, and quality of life improvements in the most overburdened,
vulnerable, and underserved communities; supports activities including investigations into
claims of discrimination by underserved communities and pre-award and post-award
compliance activities. This investment includes $14.4 million for payroll.
(+$132.0 / +0.7 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements. This investment includes
$132.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Equal Pay Act of 1963; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964; Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967; Title IX of the Educational
Amendments of 1972; Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 § 13;
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 §§ 501, 504, 505, 508; Rehabilitation Act of 1973 § 504; Age
Discrimination Act of 1975; Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; ADA Amendments Act of
2008; and Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008.
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Integrated Environmental Strategies
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Goal: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective(s): Accelerate Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
SIO.xl-l
S 11.2V
S" I.'22
SMf.425
Total Budget Authority
$10,534
$11,297
$71,722
$60,425
Total Workyears
45.7
55.5
91.0
35.5
Program Project Description:
The Integrated Environmental Strategies (IES) Program advances the Agency's mission of
protecting human health and the environment by focusing on cross-media environmental concerns.
The IES Program provides tools, training, advice, and resources to help EPA work as a more
effective organization. Nationally, IES is focused on: 1) providing for the development of efficient,
accurate, and timely reviews for permitting and approval processes which support automation,
oversight, and integration of environmental justice (EJ) and climate change in environmental
permitting; 2) working with industrial sectors to identify and develop innovative approaches to
better protect the environment and public health; 3) collaborating with partners, including federal,
state, municipalities, communities, businesses, and other stakeholders, to implement locally-led,
community-driven approaches to environmental protection through technical assistance, policy
analysis, and training; and 4) partnering with states, territories, tribes, local governments,
businesses, other federal agencies, and others to increase the resilience of the Nation to the impacts
of climate change, with a particular focus on advancing climate justice.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 1/Objective 1.2, Accelerate Resilience and
Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA requests an investment of $60.4 million and 35.5 FTE for the IES Program.
Within this amount, $14.5 million and 9.0 FTE are needed support the coordination, streamlining,
oversight, automation, and integration of EJ and climate change into environmental permitting.
These resources also will be used to support core program capacity and to build the program by
addressing the Administration's priorities and adhering to the goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA
Strategic Plan. The Program will continue to focus on four major areas, each presenting unique
opportunities to improve delivery of environmental protection across multiple media and
stakeholders. These four areas include permitting strategies, sector strategies, community-driven
environmental protection, and climate adaptation and resilience.
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Permitting Strategies
EPA implements its statutory authority through various permitting programs. The Agency
continues to focus efforts across EPA program and regional offices and with state and tribal co-
regulators to support coordination, efficiencies, oversight, automation, and integration of EJ and
climate change for environmental permitting. The Office of Federal Activities (OF A) coordinates
across 13 other federal agencies, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, the
Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Management and Budget to coordinate on
permitting and meet EPA's Permitting Action Implementation Plan goals. EPA uses its EPA
Permitting Action Implementation Plan to help address the expansion of permitting for major
infrastructure projects, expanded FAST-41 covered sectors, and to address seven critical elements
of the Plan:
• Accelerating smart permitting through early cross-agency coordination.
• Establishing clear timeline goals and tracking key proj ect information.
• Engaging in early and meaningful outreach and communication with States, Tribes,
Territories, and local communities.
• Improving agency responsiveness, technical assistance, and support.
• Using agency resources and the environmental review process to improve environmental
and community outcomes.
• Ensuring staffing levels are adequate to address anticipated environmental review and
permitting-related workloads.
• Addressing, elevating, and resolving schedule delays, disputes and other issues impacting
the environmental and permitting process in a timely manner.
Additionally, OFA addresses cross-cutting permitting and major infrastructure topics that are
identified as critical for infrastructure development. These topics, often new or cutting-edge
national priorities (e.g., critical minerals production, quantum processing/manufacture, etc.),
require integration of permitting policy, implementation, and evaluation.
EPA is working to transition the Agency's major permitting programs from paper submissions to
electronic processes through the automation of permit application review and issuance. The
benefits of permit automation will reduce the processing time on issuing permits, decrease the time
between receiving monitoring data and engaging in enforcement actions, and increase
transparency by allowing communities to search, track, and access permit actions easily. Permit
automation improves the integration of climate change and EJ considerations into permit processes
and ensures that climate change and EJ are evaluated and addressed appropriately within the terms
and conditions of the permit. For the regulated community, permit automation provides a
simplified, streamlined, and transparent permitting process, resulting in both time and cost savings.
EPA's renewed focus on effective integration of EJ and climate change considerations within the
Agency's various decentralized permitting programs, continues to play a leading role in
coordinated efforts aligned with the Administration's priorities including:
1. Coordinating permit support for major infrastructure projects, including carbon
capture/use/sequestration and renewable energy projects requiring a permit.
2. Supporting integration of EJ and climate change analysis into permit development.
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3. Supporting EPA and FAST-41 oversight, permit quality, permit timelines, and permit program
integrity.
4. Documentation of best practices and addressing cross-cutting permitting and policy issues
(e.g., Endangered Species Act and National Historic Preservation Act coordination); and, in
partnership with other federal agencies, state and tribal permitting offices, continuing to
streamline and gain efficiencies in the review of all permits.
5. Expansion of a successfully piloted e-permitting application tool to other permitting program
areas.
Smart Sectors
EPA's Smart Sectors Program (SSP) provides a platform for the Agency to collaborate with
industry to develop innovative approaches to protect the environment and public health from a
multi-media perspective. SSP serves as a hub for understanding and addressing sector specific
environmental challenges and opportunities, facilitating dialogue with industry representatives and
other stakeholders, and managing a network of SSPs in all 10 EPA regional offices. The Program
will continue as a liaison to connect, convene, and facilitate discussions among agency experts and
business leaders to address discrete issues unique to each sector and help sectors drive
improvements that serve the Agency's greater mission of protecting human health and the
environment.
In FY 2024, SSP will focus activities in three areas: broad multi-stakeholder engagement, cross-
agency coordination, and policy and program initiatives as they relate to industry sectors. Multi-
stakeholder engagements will provide a platform for working with industry trade associations and
leading companies, as well as other stakeholders on key issues such as climate change, EJ, and
fostering environmentally sustainable infrastructure development. In addition to industry, the
Program will work with non-governmental organizations, organized labor, the academic
community, state/local governments, and overburdened and vulnerable communities with EJ
concerns, as appropriate. The Program will coordinate and/or lead cross-agency, sector-based
projects, and activities to address the Administration's priorities, including tackling climate
change, delivering EJ, and securing environmentally responsible and resilient supply chains.
Community-Driven Environmental Protection
The IES Program delivers technical assistance, training, and tools to economically distressed
communities and coordinates the Agency's work with communities to increase efficiency,
effectiveness, and accountability leading to improved environmental and public health protection.
In FY 2024, the Program will continue to deliver direct technical assistance to communities. In FY
2022, the Program developed new technical assistance approaches specifically focused on helping
communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-related economic downturn, attracting
private investment, growing in more resilient ways, and rebuilding to improve environmental and
human health outcomes. For example, in FY 2023 the Program collaborated with the US Forest
Service, Northern Border Regional Commission and Appalachian Regional Commission to
develop and deploy a Recreation Economy for Rural Communities toolkit in 25 communities. This
collaboration supports community driven development approaches that protect and conserve
natural lands, support reinvestment in existing neighborhoods, and protect air and water quality.
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The Recreation Economy for Rural Communities tool is one of many developed by the Program.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to deploy tools and expertise, through technical assistance delivery.
These resources will continue to strengthen EPA's efforts to leverage public and private sector
investments in support of improved economic development and environmental outcomes.
In FY 2024, the Program will continue to support community-driven solutions to local
environmental challenges, focusing on the Administration's priorities, such as leveraging private
investment and aligning federal investments to maximize benefits to vulnerable and underserved
communities, and increasing climate resilience. Technical assistance and training are the
cornerstones of EPA's cooperative approach to addressing environmental challenges in
communities, particularly communities that are economically distressed. In FY 2024, the Program
will continue to prioritize technical assistance, capacity building and training, with the objective
of helping communities as well as tribal, state, and local governments increase their capacity to
protect the environment while growing their economies, creating jobs, spending public and private
sector investments and other resources more efficiently, and promoting more equitable approaches
to development. Where appropriate, EPA will partner with other agencies to help achieve locally
led, community-driven approaches to protecting air, land, and water, while at the same time
supporting equitable economic revitalization. In FY 2024, the Program will partner with EPA
program and regional offices to support their delivery of resources and assistance to communities
in ways that align with the principles of community driven solutions.
In FY 2024, the Program will continue analyses on emerging trends, innovative practices, and
tools that support equity, climate resilience, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction, and clean air, land,
and water outcomes. EPA will continue to develop tools to help interested communities
incorporate innovative, equitable approaches to infrastructure and land development policies. This
assistance helps deliver multiple economic, community, and human health goals embedded in
EPA's core mission, including managing stormwater, improving local air and water quality,
cleaning up and reusing previously developed sites, and supporting revitalization and
redevelopment in economically distressed communities to create economic opportunities while
reducing GHG emissions and protecting the environment.
Climate Adaptation Program
The impacts of climate change affect people in every region of the country, threatening lives and
livelihoods and damaging infrastructure, ecosystems, and social systems in communities across
the Nation. Climate change also challenges EPA's ability to accomplish its mission to protect
human health and the environment. The Climate Adaptation Program is taking the actions
necessary to ensure that EPA continues to fulfill its mission even as the climate changes and is
working with other federal agencies to increase the resilience of the Nation.
The Program recognizes that certain parts of the population, such as communities of color, low-
income communities, children, the elderly, tribes and indigenous people, and small rural
communities, are often especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. To that end, the
Program will particularly focus on engaging the most overburdened and vulnerable groups of
people and communities to improve their capacity to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to or recover
from climate change impacts.
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The Climate Adaptation Program's overarching goals and expected accomplishments are 1)
ensuring EPA continues to fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the environment even
as the climate changes and disruptive impacts increase, 2) meeting (or exceeding) the Long-Term
Performance Goals in Objective 1.2 of the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan, and 3) ultimately
empowering all 40,000 communities across the Nation and all 574 tribes to adapt to the risks of
climate change, with a particular focus on advancing climate justice.
In FY 2024, EPA requests approximately $45.3 million and 26.5 FTE for its work in the Climate
Adaptation program. With this investment EPA will provide targeted assistance to states, tribes
and indigenous peoples, territories, local governments, communities, and businesses to bolster
these groups' climate resilience efforts. The Agency will focus resources on communities with
environmental justice concerns to develop new strategies that strengthen their adaptive capacity
and increase climate resilience across the Nation. EPA also will produce and deliver training, tools,
technical assistance, financial incentives, and information the agency's partners indicate they need
to adapt and to increase resilience to climate change.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement its 2021 Climate Adaptation Action Plan and the 20
Climate Adaptation Implementation Plans developed by the Program and Regional Offices.181
EPA will leverage the additional resources and FTE provided in FY 2024 to implement selected
additional priority actions identified in the Implementation Plans. These additional actions will
enhance the adaptive capacity and resilience of states, tribes, territories, local governments, and
communities by providing technical assistance through the Program and Regional offices. These
strategies are informed by the best available science and deliver co-benefits for mitigation of GHG
and other pollution, public health, economic growth and job creation, national security, and
environmental justice—all of which will be central to building a more resilient future. These
actions will integrate climate adaptation planning into Agency programs, policies, rulemaking
processes, enforcement and compliance assurance activities, financial mechanisms, and operations
to ensure they are effective even as the climate changes.
EPA also will continue to monitor progress toward established targets for each of the Long -Term
Performance Measures in Objective 1.2 ("Accelerate Resilience and Adaptation to Climate
Change Impacts") of the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan. The baseline and additional priority
actions identified in the 20 Climate Adaptation Implementation Plans support EPA's efforts to
continue to fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the environment even as the climate
changes and disruptive impacts increase. The additional resources also will be used to advance
climate justice through the provision of grants and technical assistance and protect communities
that are disproportionately affected by climate change.
In FY 2024, the Program will continue to modernize EPA financial assistance programs to
encourage climate-resilient investments across the Nation. Particular attention will be given to
ensuring that the outcomes of investments made with funds from the Infrastructure Investment and
Job Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will be resilient to the impacts of climate
change, as well as support climate mitigation goals. The Program also will establish a National
Adaptation Grants and Technical Assistance Program to provide financial incentives beyond the
181 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/cliniate-adaptatioii/cliniate-adaptation-plans.
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IIJA to support climate-resilient investments and encourage adaptation planning and
implementation by states, tribes, territories, and local communities.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM AD07) Number of priority actions completed in EPA's Climate Adaptation Action Plan and Program
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
100
100
100
Priority
Actions
Actual
155
(PM AD08) Number of EPA national program offices that have developed adaptation training for programs
and staff.
I V 2017
I V 20IS
I V 2019
I V 2020
I V 2021
l"Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
4
10
12
Program
Offices
Actual
4
(PM AD09) Cumulative number of federally recognized tribes assisted by EPA to take action to anticipate,
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
100
150
200
Tribes
Actual
Data Avail
3/2023
(PM AD10) Cumulative number of states, territories, local governments, and communities (i.e., EPA
partners) assisted by EPA to take action to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from the impacts of
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
250
300
350
Partners
Actual
Data Avail
3/2023
(PM AD11) Number of tribal, state, regional, and/or territorial versions of the Climate Change Adaptation
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
3
6
6
Versions
Actual
1
(PM AD12) Hours of appropriate subject matter expert time provided by EPA to help communities adapt to
climate impacts, build long-term resilience, and support the most underserved and vulnerable communities
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Established
No Target
Established
No Target
Established
Hours
Actual
9,763
(PM COl) Percentage of technical assistance projects in support of environmentally sustainable and
I V 2017
I V 2018
I V 2019
I V 2020
I V 2021
I V 2022
I V 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Established
TBD
Percent
Actual
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(PM PAT) Percentage of EPA permitting processes automated.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
10
30
Percent
Actual
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$665.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$45,267.0 / +26.5 FTE) This change is an increase provided for EPA's Climate
Adaptation Program to support increased resilience of EPA's programs and strengthen the
adaptive capacity of states, tribes, territories, local governments, communities, and
businesses. This investment includes $4.98 million for payroll.
(+$11,493.0 / +3.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support core program
capacity and build the program by addressing the Administration's priorities and adhering
to the goals in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. This investment includes $1.7
million for payroll.
(+$3,000.0 / +6.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support the coordination,
streamlining, oversight, automation, and integration of EJ and climate change into
environmental permitting. This investment includes $1.1 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); National Environmental Policy Act; CAA §
309; Endangered Species Act; National Historic Preservation Act; Archaeological and Historic
Preservation Act; Fishery Conservation and Management Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act;
and Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act.
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Legal Advice: Environmental Program
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
linvironnicnlul Programs A- \lanugcmen!
Vo, "V.i
S 60,061
S.S'i.JiJ
S2.\IVI
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$475
$599
$477
-$122
Total Budget Authority
$64,270
$60,660
$85,729
$25,069
Total Workyears
262.6
273.3
343.5
70.2
Total Workyears in FY 2024 include 8.3 FTE funded by TSCA fees and 17.1 FTE to support Legal Advice working capital fund
(WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
The Legal Advice Environmental Program provides legal representational services, legal
counseling, and legal support for all the Agency's environmental activities. The legal support
provided by this program is essential to the Agency's core mission. The personnel assigned to this
program possess essential expertise in critical fields that EPA relies on for all decisions and
activities in furtherance of its mission: to protect human health and the environment.
The Program provides legal counsel on nearly every major action the Agency takes. It plays a
central role in all statutory and regulatory interpretation of new and existing rules, as well as rule
and guidance development under EPA's environmental authorities. The Program also provides
essential legal advice for every petition response and emergency response. When the Agency acts
to protect the public from pollutants or health-threatening chemicals in the air we breathe, in the
water we drink, or in the food we eat, the Program provides counsel on the Agency's authority to
take that action. The Program then provides the advice and support necessary to finalize and
implement that action. When that action is challenged in court, the Program defends it, in
coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Program also provides support and legal
counsel in adhering to court orders and mandates. The Program also supports EPA's National
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office and the Ethics Office as part of the legal services
activity within the Agency's Working Capital Fund.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency requests an investment of $25.2 million and 70.2 FTE to defend and assist
EPA's environmental programs in their increased efforts to tackle the climate crisis; advance
environmental justice; support the Office of Air and Radiation's priority rulemakings for climate
and clean air; and to support the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention's pesticide
program among its many other initiatives and responsibilities. This builds upon investments from
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FY 2023. The Program has seen a significant increase in work to respond to coal combustion
residuals (CCR) actions, and rulemakings and emerging issues like per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFAS); support Toxic Substances and Control Act (TSCA) implementation; and
support the Administration's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on tribal engagement and
tribal treaty rights. Additional resources will provide continued support to the Office of Chemical
Safety and Pollution Prevention's (OCSPP) expansion to the expedited settlement agreements
(ESA) investment that was made in the FY 2023 budget. During the past several years EPA's
Office of General Counsel's (OGC) workload has significantly outpaced staffing resources, even
as the Program has added work on vital new Administration priorities including regulatory
changes, climate change, and environmental justice. OGC will also provide legal support to the
newly established Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) necessary
in order to fully implement the essential environmental justice deliverables so that EPA can
maintain its promise to protect human health and the environment for all persons in the U.S.
Lastly, the Program will continue to provide legal representation in judicial and administrative
litigation and provide counseling outside of the litigation context in the highest priority issues
arising under all the environmental statutes administered by EPA.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to focus on its core mission to apply the most effective
approaches by implementing EPA's environmental programs under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), TSCA, Federal
Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, Food Quality Protection Act, Safe Drinking Water Act,
and other authorities. This strategy will help ensure that human health and the environment are
protected, including clean air, water, and land, and safe chemicals and pesticides. OGC will use
additional resources to strengthen staffing and attorney training for those who provide legal advice
and counsel in support of CERCLA, RCRA, CAA, CWA, and other regulations to assist EPA in
its ability to broaden and accelerate cleanup and management of PFAS contamination to protect
human health and ecological systems.
EPA also will continue to strengthen its FOIA implementation to enhance transparency, build
public trust in agency actions, and support public participation by working to achieve the FY2022
- 2026 EPA Strategic Plan long-term performance goal to eliminate the backlog of overdue FOIA
responses. Timely disclosure helps achieve the core purpose of the FOIA to ensure an informed
citizenry. Additional resources will also support EPA's continuing effort to reduce the FOIA
backlog, and to support increased work associated with the procurement of a new FOIA case
management and recordkeeping software solution to replace FOIAonline, which will be terminated
in FY 2023.182 This additional work will include the configuration and deployment of the new tool,
as well as training of EPA staff and the public on how to use it.
The Program includes oversight and implementation of the Agency's Ethics responsibilities to
bolster all of the principles articulated in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. Public trust in
the integrity of EPA's scientific and legal efforts necessarily depends upon all EPA employees
faithfully carrying out their official duties ethically and impartially.
182 EPA's Chief Information Officer determined EPA must replace the current FOIA Online system due to unresolvable technical
issues that would cost more to troubleshoot, than to replace the entire system.
452
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Legal counseling resources continue to be in high demand, which requires OGC to maintain full
staffing and proficiently trained attorneys to support the Agency's response to states seeking
assistance developing or implementing environmental programs, industrial facilities seeking
permits to allow them to undertake new economic activity or continue existing activity, and
citizens seeking actions to protect local environmental quality, among other things. The Program
will prioritize resources after supporting judicial and administrative litigation to counsel agency
clients on these matters.
The following are examples of recent 2022 accomplishments and work being completed to
illustrate this program's role in implementing the Agency's core mission:
EPA's Water Law Office (WLO) provided critical legal support for development of the
Agency's latest rulemaking defining "waters of the United States," a key CWA term that
defines the limits of federal jurisdiction over discharges into, or filling of, surface waters
throughout the United States. WLO expects to continue its work on legal issues associated
with this agency priority in FY 2024, including supporting the Solicitor General's Office
in addressing the Sackett v. EPA petition in the Supreme Court (argued in October 2022)
and responding to a decision in this case (expected in early 2023), as well as defending the
new rule, finalized on December 30, 2022. Additionally, WLO also has provided critical
legal support for the decision to reconsider and revise the Agency's 2020 rule
implementing CWA section 401 to facilitate states' and tribes' ability to protect the quality
of their waters. These actions will protect the quality of rivers, lakes, and other waters
throughout the nation so they can be safely used by the public for drinking water, fishing,
swimming, and other recreation as well as support healthy and abundant fish and other
wildlife.
• EPA's Pesticides and Toxic Substances Law Office (PTSLO) continues to provide critical
legal advice in support of EPA's continuing implementation of the Frank R. Lautenberg
Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which modernized and substantially overhauled
the TSCA. PTSLO also provides substantial support to EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs
in its activities related to the operation of a national licensing program for pesticides sold
and used in the United States, which involves the issuance of over 2,000 reviewable final
agency actions each year, including the grant of new pesticide registrations; amendments
to existing pesticide registrations; new or amended tolerance regulations authorizing the
presence of specific levels of pesticide residues on food sold in the United States;
determinations related to the statutorily-mandated review of all existing pesticide
registrations; state special local needs registrations; and emergency exemptions from the
requirements of the pesticide statute.
• EPA's Air and Radiation Law Office (ARLO) played a key role in implementing the
American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. ARLO attorneys are playing a critical
role in helping EPA propose and finalize regulations and decisions implementing the AIM
Act, which Congress passed in December of 2020. Among other things, this law requires
the phase down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a potent class of greenhouse gases. ARLO
also has played a key role in developing a rulemaking to regulate methane emissions from
the oil and natural gas industry under CAA section 111, as well as defending EPA's
453
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authority to effectively regulate greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector under that
section. Additionally, ARLO played a key role in a number of recent actions to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and will work closely with the DOJ to defend the
recent light duty vehicle and aircraft greenhouse gas actions. These actions, particularly
the rulemakings, will significantly advance the Administration's goal of addressing the
devastating effects of climate change.
• EPA's Solid Waste and Emergency Response Law Office (SWERLO) provided critical
legal advice on multiple EPA actions to protect communities and hold facilities
accountable for controlling and cleaning up the contamination created by decades of coal
ash disposal, which can pollute waterways, groundwater, drinking water, and the air. The
actions advance the Agency's commitment to protecting groundwater from coal ash
contamination and include: 1) proposing decisions on requests for extensions to the current
deadline for initiating closure of unlined Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) surface
impoundments; 2) putting several facilities on notice regarding their obligations to comply
with CCR regulations; and 3) laying out plans for future regulatory actions to ensure coal
ash impoundments meet strong environmental and safety standards. SWERLO also served
as agency lead in successfully defending D C. Circuit litigation challenging EPA's
approval of the Oklahoma CCR Program (Water keeper Alliance, Inc., etal. vs. Regan (No.
20-5174, D.C. Cir., July 26, 2022)). SWERLO continues to take a significant role in
addressing CCR issues, including proposing the first batch of Part A decisions and
responding to comments on those actions, which address extensions of the date unlined
CCR units must cease receipt of waste. Additionally, SWERLO counseled on multiple
issues related to the top Administration priority of addressing PFAS contamination,
including the use of RCRA authority to compel investigation of PFAS and a novel petition
from a state governor to list PFAS as RCRA hazardous wastes.
• EPA's Cross-Cutting Issues Law Office (CCILO), in collaboration with OGC's ARLO,
WLO, PTSLO, and SWERLO law offices, continues to provide critical legal advice in
support of EPA rulemaking efforts to protect human health and the environment pursuant
to its statutory authorities such as the CAA, CWA, TSCA, CERCLA, and RCRA.
Specifically, CCILO provided specialized legal and tactical expertise in legal counseling
on a range of administrative law matters including counseling on the update and legal
defense of the social cost of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the implementation of
several new Executive Orders and strengthening transparency in agency science. CCILO
also provides critical legal advice on EPA's obligations to ensure meaningful public
engagement in its regulatory actions, as well as with other obligations that benefit the
public by fostering open and transparent operations under the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, the Paperwork Reduction Act, and the Information Quality Act. CCILO also provided
critical legal support to advance the Administration's environmental justice goals by
updating EPA Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice (EJ Legal Tools) to
incorporate new and revised environmental and civil rights statutes to advance
environmental justice, provided training to Headquarters, Regional Offices, and
stakeholders on EJ Legal Tools. This work supports EPA and the Administration's priority
to address environmental harms and protect public health in communities with
environmental justice concerns and other vulnerable and underserved populations. Finally,
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CCILO continued to support the Administration's Memorandum on Tribal engagement in
a variety of contexts, including in the context of addressing the inequity to Oklahoma tribes
created by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation, Equity Act
(SAFETEA) decision, and playing a pivotal counseling role in the crafting of EPA's draft
Tribal Reserved Rights Rule under the CWA.
• EPA's National Freedom of Information Office (NFO) provided legal advice and support
to the agencywide FOIA Program. NFO completed the initial review and assignment of
6,698 FOIA requests; processed 234 applications for expedited response; processed 797
applications for fee waivers; and processed and closed more than 1,760 FOIA requests.
The NFO also began a major procurement initiative to replace FOIAonline, provided
project management support to several EPA program offices to reduce their FOIA response
backlogs, and led the Agency in reducing its backlog of overdue FOIA responses by over
10 percent in FY 2022
• EPA's Ethics Office managed the overall agency ethics program to ensure that employees
carry out their duties ethically. In FY 2022, over 7,800 confidential financial disclosure
reports were submitted to the more than 100 deputy ethics officials throughout the Agency.
Of those, 97 percent were certified timely. The Ethics Office is solely responsible for
assigning, reviewing, and certifying public financial disclosure reports and periodic
transaction reports. The Ethics Office received more than 640 reports in FY 2022, and
nearly 90 percent of those were reviewed and certified timely.
The executive branch ethics program is more than a disclosure-based program. Public trust
in EPA and its actions is supported when EPA employees make impartial decisions based
on the interests of the public and when they consistently serve as good stewards over public
resources and adhere loyally to the Constitution and federal laws and regulations. The
Ethics Office actively provides robust ethics training to EPA employees. In FY 2022, the
Office introduced the "Ethics Minute" to begin the Administrator's weekly senior staff
meeting and provided one-on-one initial ethics training to every incoming political and
Administratively Determined appointee. It also provided tailored training on recusals and
vetting invitations to incoming Regional Administrators. In FY 2022, it delivered high-
quality annual training on gifts that also met the regulatory training requirements; more
than 9,000 employees attended this training.
The Resource Management Office (RMO), located in OGC, manages OGC's budget,
human resources, information technology, and administrative key functions {i.e.,
acquisition resources, strategic planning, Diversity Equity Inclusion and Accessibility
(DEIA), and LEAN process improvement efforts for the office). In FY 2022, RMO
oversaw the implementation of OGC's DEIA efforts in support of the President's FY 2021
DEIA Executive Order (EO): 13985183 and EO 14035184. RMO coordinated and led the
swift response to write and implement the OGC Anti-Racism and Workplace Equity Plan,
183 For more information, please see: https://www.federalregister.eoY/docunients/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-
equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-eovernment.
184 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.eoY/briefmg-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/06/25/executiYe-
order-on-diversitv-equitv-inclusion-and-accessibilitv-in-the-federal-workforce/.
455
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including implementing the first Equity Assessment for OGC, and within EPA. This work
entailed facilitating the completion of OGC's Equity Assessment contract, which allowed
OGC to conduct a survey, create focus groups, and interview OGC employees to collect
and analyze their experiences, opinions, and feedback on the state of workplace fairness
and equality and capture ideas on how to improve identified areas. RMO also managed the
Anti-Racism and Workplace Equity Plan by coordinating the efforts of six sub-groups
working on action plans to address issues from recruitment and outreach to training and
career development.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM F02) Number of FOIA responses in backlog.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
845
712
474
Responses
Actual
2,761
2,128
1,395
1,056
950
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$6,091.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$11,500.0 / +41.7 FTE) This program change addresses a need for increased defensive
litigation work in multiple environmental statutes, including legal work in pesticides and
rulemakings for climate and clean air toxics. These additional resources also will assist
EPA in tackling the climate crisis and securing environmental justice. This investment
provides additional funding for essential core workforce support costs and includes $10.0
million for payroll.
(+$7,600.0 / +28.5 FTE) This program change strengthens staffing and attorney training
for those who provide legal advice and counsel in support of CERCLA, RCRA, CAA,
CWA, and other regulations to assist EPA in its ability to broaden and accelerate cleanup
and management of PFAS contamination to protect human health and ecological systems.
This program change includes $6.7 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
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Legal Advice: Support Program
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
linvironnicnlul Programs A- \lanugcmen!
SI H. 2-If,
SIH.V"
S20J22
SlJfo
Total Budget Authority
$18,246
$18,957
$20,322
$1,365
Total Workyears
74.5
83.7
93.7
10.0
Total Workyears in FY 2024 include 6.1 FTE funded by TSCA fees.
Program Project Description:
The Legal Advice: Support Program provides legal representational services, legal counseling, and
legal support for all activities necessary for EPA's operations. The Program provides legal counsel
and support on a wide variety of issues and plays an important role in meeting and addressing legal
support for work under the Civil Rights Statutes, contracts, grants, employment law, and Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA) requirements. It provides critical counseling on a range of Information
Law, Employment and Labor Law, Intellectual Property Law, Appropriations Law, and National
Security Law matters. With enhanced FOIA implementation, community consultations and other
public participation opportunities, the beneficiaries of environmental protection - the American
people including communities with civil rights concerns - will be able to engage more
meaningfully through their communities, local governments, and state and tribal governments.
For example, if an EPA program office needs guidance on the legal parameters of grant
disbursement, how to respond to a FOIA request, whether it may spend money on a certain activity,
or what to do if a tort claim is filed with the Agency, this program provides answers, options, and
legal advice. Additionally, the Program provides comprehensive counseling on civil rights issues
including equal protection. The Program provides counsel and advice for settlement of Equal
Employment Opportunity (EEO) mediations and counsels on a range of sensitive and complex
national security law matters. The Program also supports EPA in maintaining high professional
standards and in complying with all laws and policies that govern the Agency's operations.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and obj ectives in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency requests an investment of $1.4 million and 10 FTE to strengthen EPA's
Legal Advice: Support Program. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to address and manage the growing
information requests, legal support for work under the Civil Rights Statutes, and employment law.
There also is an ongoing need for a high level of involvement in questions related to contracts, ethics,
grants, finance, appropriations, and employment.
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The additional resources in this program are critical to ensure that the Agency continues to make
legally sound decisions that advance EPA's mission and serve the American public. During the
past several years, the Legal Advice: Support Program workload has outpaced staffing resources.
Additional resources are required to maintain adequate staffing to provide counseling and defend
lawsuits on matters including FOIA, torts and contracts, employment law, intellectual property
law, and national security law matters. This is vital to ensure compliance with EPA's legal
obligations while protecting EPA resources for the Agency to continue its essential work. In
addition, the Program will counsel the Agency in carrying out plans to implement congressionally
directed spending by certain offices. EPA's FOIA counseling and litigation work are essential parts
of ensuring transparency and accountability at the Agency. EPA's employment law portfolio is
critical to ensuring fair and impartial hiring and retention of a qualified workforce. EPA's Federal
Tort Claims Act portfolio also has increased with incredibly complex, billion-dollar cases such as
(1) the Flint, Michigan drinking water lawsuits, including In re FTC A Flint Water Cases, seeking
redress for drinking water contamination injuries and (2) In re: Gold King Mine Release, stemming
from a release of mine waste into the Animas River, both of which have required very significant
resources for discovery and/or settlement preparation.
Further, EPA's civil rights lawyers have a critical role to play in "Affirmatively advancing equity,
civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity", pursuant to Executive Order 13985: Advancing
Racial Equity and Supportfor Under served Communities Through the Federal Government1*5. To
this end, EPA made environmental justice (EJ) and civil rights compliance the focus of one of its
strategic goals in its FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan186 to "Take Decisive Action to Advance
Environmental Justice and Civil Rights." The Strategic Plan provides the framework for the
Agency to center its mission on the integration of justice, equity, and civil rights across the
Nation's environmental protection enterprise. Achieving this goal in FY 2024 will require
additional legal resources and FTE to provide the expanded legal counseling necessary to support
increased efforts by the new Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR)
National Program Manager (NPM) to improve oversight and enforcement of civil rights and
prioritize and advance EJ concerns.
The following are examples of FY 2022 accomplishments:
Prior to the official creation of OEJECR (September 2022), which now includes the
External Civil Rights Compliance Office (ECRCO), the Program provided critical legal
advice to ECRCO as it pivoted from being a primarily reactive civil rights program to a
proactive program. This included providing advice on the ongoing affirmative compliance
review of a state environmental agency and on the general compliance review process and
the criteria ECRCO will apply to prioritize and select affirmative compliance reviews on
an annual basis memorialized in the January 6, 2022 memorandum "External Civil Rights
Compliance Office (ECRCO) Process and Criteria for Prioritizing and Selecting
Affirmative Compliance Reviews." Affirmative compliance reviews are conducted
subsequent to the award of Federal financial assistance to determine whether a recipient
complies with federal civil rights laws and EPA's implementing regulation. In addition,
185 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.eoY/briefiiig-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-
order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/.
186 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strateaicplan.
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the Program provided legal advice to ECRCO on its development of guidance for recipients
on the procedural safeguards required by EPA's regulation, to be issued in the near future,
as well as providing legal advice on a wide range of complaint investigations of important
civil rights issues in environmentally burdened communities.
• Provided ongoing agencywide legal support to address questions that were key to allowing
the Agency to return to the workplace. This included the use of appropriated funds for
travel issues, as well as for various items addressing workplace safety. The Program also
provided critical employment and privacy law advice and assistance in navigating a series
of COVID-19 related issues. The Program continued to provide support to the agency
leadership and program offices on COVID-19 related matters that required procurement
analysis. Legal counsel ranged from related to the applicability of return-to-work policies
to contractor employees.
• Developed legal guidance regarding how to advance executive orders related to equity and
EJ in a legally sustainable way. This diverse and varied work will continue into FY 2024.
This work allows the Agency to take action to advance equity, diversity, inclusion and EJ
consistent with equal protection principles, which ensures that all individuals have an equal
opportunity to benefit from the Agency's employment programs, as well as its programs
to protect human health and the environment.
• Provided and continue to provide significant legal support in the Flint, Michigan defensive
litigation arising under the Federal Tort Claims Act, in connection with drinking water
contaminants. Discovery in the cases has demanded substantial time and effort from a
large team of attorneys in order to ensure that EPA is accurate and timely in responding to
court deadlines and is regularly coordinating with the Department of Justice as the trials
progress.
• Provided essential counseling on: employment and labor law matters, including EEO
mediations; a range of sensitive and complex national security law matters; and key
confidential business information issues.
• Initiated a comprehensive overhaul of agency eDiscovery practice, including updated legal
guidance for agency personnel and development of robust cross-agency eDiscovery legal
practitioner and paralegal support to enhance consistency of practice. Provided critical
legal counsel on EPA's information preservation obligations relating to the use of
enterprise-wide software integral to EPA's hybrid workplace and to the transition of
approximately 2,700 agency mobile devices to new management software, ensuring that
this information is maintained for the American public.
Significantly furthered EPA's duties under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by
completing over 4,000 Confidential Business Information (CBI) determinations on
confidentiality claims. The timely adjudication of CBI determinations is critical to
transparency and public access to information.
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• Defended the Agency in more than 45 FOIA cases and more than 100 employment law
matters. Completed 130 FOIA administrative appeals, eliminating the Agency's appeals
backlog by responding to every appeal within the statutory timeframe.
Trained more than 500 employees and senior officials on CBI, FOIA, and eDiscovery;
trained 250 management officials throughout the Agency on employment laws; and helped
train 128 EPA scientists and laboratory staff on intellectual property (IP). EPA's highly
successful information law training program significantly improves awareness of the
Agency's legal responsibilities and ultimately promotes improved transparency and
responsiveness to public information requests. EPA's employment law training helps
ensure a healthy workplace based on merit promotion and fairness. Finally, EPA's IP
training is key to helping EPA scientists and laboratory staff understand the IP process to
promote innovation and technology transfer.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Legal Advice: Environmental
Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$213.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$1,578.0 / +10.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support Legal Advice:
Support Program projects, with a priority for work related to defending the increase in
litigation, building capacity, improving oversight, and enforcement of civil rights issues
including External Civil Rights and equal protection compliance and for prioritizing and
advancing EJ concerns. This investment includes $1.5 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
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Regulatory/Economic-Management and Analysis
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Goal: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Objective(s): Embed Environmental Justice and Civil Rights into EPA's Programs, Policies, and
Activities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$16,725
$17,475
$16,930
-$545
Total Budget Authority
$16,725
$17,475
$16,930
-$545
Total Workyears
68.9
73.7
76.0
2.3
Program Project Description:
The Regulatory/Economic, Management, and Analysis Program is responsible for reviewing the
Agency's regulations to ensure that they are developed in accordance with the governing statutes,
executive orders, and agency commitments and are based on sound technical, economic, scientific,
and policy assumptions. Further, the Program ensures consistent and appropriate economic
analysis of regulatory actions, conducts analyses of regulatory and non-regulatory approaches, and
considers interactions between regulations across different environmental media. The Program
provides all technical support to the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse
Gases (GHGs) to develop final SC-CO2, SC-N2O and SC-CH4 values required under Executive
Order (EO) 13990, Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To
Tackle the Climate Crisis.187 The Program helps to implement the President's Memorandum on
Modernizing Regulatory Review188 and EO 13985 Advancing Racial Equity and Support for
Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government189 by developing appropriate
modeling, data, and analysis to inform the consideration of environmental justice (EJ) concerns in
regulatory and non-regulatory actions. The Program ensures the Agency's regulations comply with
statutory and EO requirements, including the Congressional Review Act,190 the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act),191 and
EOs 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review192 and 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory
187 For more information on EO 13990, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefmg-rooni/presidential-
actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-protecting-public-health-and-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-climate-crisis/.
188 For more information on the Memorandum Modernizing Regulatory Review, please see:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefiiig-room/presideiitial-actioiis/2021/01/20/modernizing-regulatorv-review/.
189 For more information on EO 13985, please to see: https://www.federalregister.gov/docunients/2021/01/25/2021-
01753/advancing-racial-equitv-and-support-for-underserved-coniniunities-through-the-federal-governnient.
190 For more information on the Congressional Review Act, please see Subtitle E: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-
104publ 121 /pdf/PLAW-104publ 121 .pdf.
191 For more information on the Regulatory Flexibility act, please see: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-
94/pdf/STATUTE-94-Pgl 164.pdf. and as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement and Fairness Act, please see:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-104publl21/pdl7PLAW-104publl21.pdf.
192 For more information on EO 12866 Regulatory Planning and Review, please see https://www.archives.gov/files/federal-
register/executive-orders/pdl712866.pdf.
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Review193 regarding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulatory review. The
Program manages the development and deployment of EPA's economy-wide model for analyzing
the economic impacts of environmental regulations. The Program also includes the Agency's Chief
Statistical Official charged with implementing major elements of the Foundations for Evidence
Based Policy Act.194
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Strategic Goal 2/Objective 2.2, Embed Environmental
Justice and Civil Rights into EPA's Programs, Policies, and Activities in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA
Strategic Plan.
The Program assists the Administrator and other senior agency leaders in implementing regulatory
policy priorities.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue its efforts to assess and review the benefits and costs to
communities, businesses, government entities, and the broader economy associated with each
economically significant regulatory action to maximize the net benefits of policies protecting
human health and the environment. EPA will conduct and integrate analysis of EJ concerns in the
rulemaking process to address the Administration's priorities. EPA will collect data and build
models to assess regulatory proposals and their impacts on benefits, economic performance, and
EJ. Planned key program activities in FY 2024 include:
• Represent EPA on, and prepare information and analyses for, the Interagency Working
Group on the Social Cost of GHGs, engage the public, stakeholders, and experts to provide
recommendations for reviewing, and, as appropriate, updating the social cost of carbon
(SC-CO2), social cost of nitrous oxide (SC-N2O), and social cost of methane (SC-CH4) to
ensure that these costs are based on the best available economics and science.
• Represent EPA in recommending improvements to modernize the regulatory review
process to promote policies that reflect new developments in scientific and economic
understanding, fully accounts for regulatory benefits that are difficult or impossible to
quantify and does not have harmful anti-regulatory or deregulatory effects. Develop
procedures that consider the distributional consequences of regulations as part of any
quantitative or qualitative analysis of the benefits and costs of regulations, to ensure that
regulatory initiatives appropriately benefit and do not inappropriately burden underserved,
vulnerable, or marginalized communities across all life stages.
Support EPA's Chief Statistical Official, who will provide technical support for projects
under EPA's Learning Agenda, evaluation plan, and capacity assessment; design
statistically sound policy analyses and evaluations; assist in the continued development of
EPA's Learning Agenda; and promote a culture of evidence-based decision making.
193 For more information on EO 13563 Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, please see:
https://obaniawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/201 l/01/18/executive-order-13563-improving-regulation-and-regulatory-
review.
194 For more information, please see: https://wwiv.conpress.goY/11 S/plaws/publ43S/PL,AW-115publ435.pdf.
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Conduct training for EPA regulatory staff on a broad range of topics, including EPA's
internal Action Development Process, developing EJ analysis for rulemakings, updated
Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses, and Congressional Review Act requirements
to help ensure that rules meet policy goals and address legal and administrative
requirements and are informed by high quality EJ and economic analyses.
• Expand analytic capabilities for conducting EJ analyses for rulemaking through
development of flexible analytic tools and novel datasets.
• Implement EPA's updated Technical Guidance for Assessing Environmental Justice in
Regulatory Analysis, including training on new additions that address how the EJ analysis
can be used to inform policy options and newer techniques for conducting EJ analyses.
• Provide updates to EPA's Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses, revised to
incorporate updated analytic requirements and practices developed under the President's
Memorandum on Modernizing Regulatory Review195 and the recommendations from the
Science Advisory Board's peer review. The guidelines help ensure that EPA's economic
analyses provide a complete accounting of the economic benefits, costs, and impacts of
regulatory actions, including distributional consequences, and are consistent across EPA
programs.
Continue to deploy a model of the U.S. economy so that EPA routinely assesses how
regulations affect the economy, including distributional impacts, costs, and broader macro-
economic performance.196 EPA will continue to update the model consistent with
recommendations from EPA's Science Advisory Board, deploy the model in regulatory
analyses where appropriate, and advance the development of open-source data resources
to support transparent analyses. This modeling capacity provides critical evidence-based
analyses to inform decision making.
Continue to manage EPA's response to recently issued EOs, particularly with an eye
toward identifying regulatory actions that advance human health and environmental
protection for all people.
• Review economic analyses prepared by EPA to ensure compliance with statutory and other
related requirements. Provide the Administrator and the public with high-quality analyses
of the costs, benefits, and impacts on jobs, businesses, and communities of major regulatory
proposals to better inform decision-making and ensure transparency about the
consequences of regulation.197
• Apply the best modeling tools to assess the economic effects of approaches that reduce
climate pollution in every sector of the economy, deliver EJ, and spur well-paying union
jobs and economic growth, including methods designed to examine how alternative
195 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefinp-rooni/presidential-actioiis/2021/01/20/niodemizmp-
regulatory-review/.
196 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.aov/environmental-economics/cae-mcxlelina-reaulatorv-analvsis.
197 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/eiwiromiiental-econoniics/guidelines-preparinp-econoniic-analYses.
463
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regulatory options affect employment. Continue development of open-source data and
economic models, including sector-specific cost models, to support these efforts in a
manner that maximizes the transparency of these EPA analyses.
Continue development of a modeling platform capable of assessing the benefits of national
regulations that affect water quality. This effort will provide important evidence-based data
and analyses, consistent with economic science best practices, to inform decision making.
Strengthen available data and methods to estimate the monetized benefits of health
outcomes of chemical exposures, water pollution, and air pollution for use in EPA's benefit
cost analyses.
Continue to develop EPA's semiannual unified Regulatory Agenda and manage EPA's
compliance with the Congressional Review Act.198
• Manage EPA's internal Action Development Process and expand and upgrade regulatory
planning and tracking tools to facilitate timely decisions and coordination across programs,
on multimedia regulatory and policy issues such as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
(PFAS), climate, and EJ.
• Review all regulatory actions prior to signature by the EPA Administrator to ensure agency
actions are of consistently high quality and supported with strong analysis.
Serve as EPA's liaison with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within OMB.
Serve as EPA's liaison with the Office of the Federal Register by reviewing, editing, and
submitting documents for publication, so that the public, states, other agencies, and
Congress are informed about EPA's regulatory activities in a timely manner.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$2,657.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$1,442.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support the Administration's
goal to tackle the climate crisis and ensures consistent and appropriate economic analysis
of regulatory actions including advancements in the ability to model the economic impacts
198 For more information on the Congressional Review Act, please see: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-
ICMpubl 121/pdfZPLAW- 104piibl 121 .pdf
464
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of climate change for assessing the mitigation benefits and macroeconomic effects. This
investment includes $190.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$670.0 / +1.3 FTE) This program change is an increase to support cross-agency
coordination, analysis, and review of regulatory activity across statutory programs,
particular emphasis is to be placed on pending climate regulations. This investment
includes $246.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
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Science Advisory Board
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
linvironmenlal Programs A- Management
SJ..S54
S4 .155
S 4.124
-S51
Total Budget Authority
$3,854
$4,155
$4,124
-$31
Total Workyears
17.6
18.7
18.7
0.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Science Advisory Board Staff Office (SABSO) manages two Federal Advisory
Committees. Congress established the Agency's Science Advisory Board (SAB) in 1978, under
the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act, to advise the Administrator
on a wide range of highly visible and important scientific matters. The Clean Air Scientific
Advisory Committee (CASAC) was established under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 to
provide independent advice to the EPA Administrator on the technical bases for EPA's National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The SAB and the CASAC, both statutorily mandated
chartered Federal Advisory Committees, draw from a balanced range of non-EPA scientists and
technical specialists from academia, states, tribes, independent research institutions, non-
governmental organizations, and industry. The Program provides management and technical
support to these advisory committees. The Committees provide EPA's Administrator independent
advice and objective scientific peer review on the technical aspects of environmental issues as well
as the science used to establish criteria, standards, regulations, and research planning, as
requested.199
In FY 2022 and thus far in FY 2023, the SAB has finalized four scientific peer review, two
consultations, and submitted seven reports on the science supporting decisions framework, while
CASAC has produced three scientific peer reviews and one consultation. SABSO expects these
totals to increase in FY 2023 as both Committees have several current activities on-going that we
anticipate completing this fiscal year. In January 2023, both the SAB and CASAC published
Federal Register Notices soliciting new nominations for membership and to serve as expert
advisors to EPA. SABSO will follow a thorough and transparent public process and recommend
experts with the disciplines to align with the Agency's strategic priorities to the Administrator for
his consideration and selection.
Since SABSO provides an in-house resource for EPA peer reviews, the Program costs are low in
comparison to external peer review conducted by groups such as the National Academy of
Sciences (NAS).
199 For more information, please see: http://www.epa.eov/sab/ and http://www.epa.eov/casac/.
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
Using the best available science and a credible, defensible, and transparent scientific approach,
SABSO supports the EPA's mission by conducting independent, scientific, public, peer reviews
of some of the most challenging regulatory and science-based topics facing EPA and America. In
FY 2024, SABSO anticipates SAB and CAS AC will complete 16-18 peer reviews, consultations,
and regulatory reviews in accordance with the Biden Administration's science and policy agenda.
In FY 2024, the CASAC is expecting completing reviews of NAAQS for several critical pollutants,
including Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Oxides (SOx), and lead. The SAB will conduct peer
reviews on Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Chemical reviews, risk assessment models,
climate science reports, economic analyses, Environmental Justice (EJ) reports, and other similar
projects. In addition, SABSO also expects to conduct four to seven regulatory reviews.
The SAB will directly support EPA Administrator Michael Regan's message "Our Commitment
to Environmental Justice" issued on April 7, 2021,200 in addition to supporting implementation of
Executive Order (EO) 13985. Advancing Racial Equity and Supportfor Under served Communities
Through the Federal Government. 201 EO 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and
Abroad;202 and Strategic Goal 4, Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for all Communities. In FY 2024,
the EJ Science Committee and Climate Science Committee (both standing committees of the SAB)
expect to complete three climate and EJ risk analyses.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$31.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. The reduction is offset
by a program increase for conducting peer reviews to support priority rulemakings and
analyses, including PFAS and several critical pollutants.
Statutory Authority:
Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA);
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA); and Clean Air Act (CAA).
200 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/iiewsreleases/epa-adniimstrator-regaii-amiouiices-iiew-imtiatives-
support-environmental-iustice-and.
201 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefmp-rooni/presideiitial-actioiis/2021/01/20/executiYe-
order-advancing-racial-equitv-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/.
202 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefmg-rooni/presidential-actioiis/2021/01/27/executiYe-
order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/.
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Operations and Administration
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Acquisition Management
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
liiiviroiiiiwiitiil Programs A- Mtiiid^t'iiwiil
SMi.ltf]
V i'.JM
S-/I.60V
S-/..W
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$158
$181
$136
-$45
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$23,550
$27,247
$33,758
$6,511
Total Budget Authority
$59,759
$64,679
$75,503
$10,824
Total Workyears
281.7
307.7
355.7
48.0
Program Project Description:
Environmental Programs and Management (EPM) resources in the Acquisition Management
Program support EPA's contract activities, which cover planning, awarding, and administering
contracts for the Agency. Efforts include issuing acquisition policy and interpreting acquisition
regulations; administering training for contracting and program acquisition personnel; providing
advice and oversight to regional procurement offices; and providing information technology (IT)
improvements for acquisition.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to strengthen EPA's capacity to process new, increased, and
existing award contract actions in a timely manner; advance EPA utilization of small and
disadvantaged businesses; support "Made in America" initiatives; and support supply chain risk
management activities for information and communication technology. Efforts to process and
award contract actions in a timely manner will be in accordance with Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR) and guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of
Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP).
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support the implementation of supply chain risk requirements
in Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act and the "Made in America Laws"
referenced in Executive Order 14005, Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of
America's Workers,203 while furthering Category Management implementation requirements. The
Agency will develop a Made in America Acquisition training curriculum to help educate the
acquisition workforce on navigating the process. EPA also will focus on establishing a
203 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/01/25/executive-order-on-ensuring-the-future-is-made-in-all-of-america-by-all-of-americas-workers/.
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comprehensive architecture for the Agency's supply chain as well as mechanisms to identify and
mitigate risk.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to identify activities and resources to enhance and modernize its
acquisition process, allowing the Agency to connect with a more diverse business base to address
inequities in the acquisition process and build domestic markets and capabilities. EPA will
leverage its three-year Acquisition Forecast database and existing spend data to engage in early
market research to ensure enough time is available to thoroughly analyze the market for domestic
vendors or seek a waiver if none exist. The Agency will overhaul the Advance Procurement
Planning component of the Agency's requisition dashboard to easily gather data regarding the
planning phase of the procurement process. Furthermore, EPA will expand the Acquisition Portal
to include an up-to-date Made In America toolkit, a Contingency Planning toolkit, Acquisition Lab
Toolkits for Agency Acquisition personnel, and a repository for Vendor marketing information.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue working to eliminate barriers to full and equal participation in
agency procurement and contracting opportunities for all communities. The Agency will promote
the equitable delivery of government benefits and opportunities by making contracting and
procurement opportunities available on an equal basis to all eligible providers of goods and
services. This work aims to increase the percentage of EPA contract spend awarded to small
businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones). These businesses
often lack dedicated resources and in-house capacity to master complex federal requirements
needed to capitalize on agency acquisition and financial assistance opportunities.
EPA remains committed to leveraging Category Management, Spend Under Management (SUM),
Best-In-Class (BIC), and strategic sourcing principles in each of its programs and purchasing areas
to save taxpayer dollars and improve mission outcomes. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to utilize
data provided by the General Services Administration and implement spend analysis, trend
analysis, and data visualization tools to measure progress toward the implementation of Category
Management and the adoption of federal strategic sourcing vehicles and BIC acquisition solutions.
OMB's SUM initiative focuses on managed total acquisition spend and agency activities which
transition spend to contract vehicles unaligned with Category Management principles. In
accordance with OMB Memorandum M-22-03, Advancing Equity in Federal Procurement,204
EPA revised its Acquisition Guidance section 8.0.100, Requirements for Mandatory Use of
Common Contract Solutions, to add clarification of the SUM Tier 2-SB designation which is
afforded to contracts of any size awarded to small and disadvantaged businesses. The revision
emphasizes EPA's focus on small business utilization and ensures continued alignment with
federal category management and equity goals.
EPA will continue to implement a full Category Management strategy for IT and to increase
transparency and visibility for IT purchases, including improving the Financial Information
Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) process. 205 In FY 2023 through FY 2025, EPA
204 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.eov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/M-22-03.pdf.
205 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.conpress.gov/]. 13/plaws/puM291/PI.,AW-
113publ291 .pdf#page= 148%5D.
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will focus on establishing the full category-level strategy for the IT software, hardware, and
services acquisition processes, as well as on addressing opportunities for efficiency.
In addition to establishing the IT Category-level strategy, EPA will begin planning and
implementation efforts to establish category-level strategies in the Agency's other top contract
spending areas in FY 2023: Professional Services, Industrial Products & Services, Human Capital,
and Office Management. For Professional Services in particular, the Agency will build
understanding of mission-critical services and explore opportunities to develop enterprise-wide
solutions in mission support areas nuanced to EPA's specific needs.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement SUM principles to leverage pre-vetted agency and
government-wide contracts. Through SUM Tier 2 and BIC solutions, acquisition experts will
optimize spending within the government-wide category management framework and increase the
transactional data available for agency-level analysis of buying behaviors. To modernize the
acquisition process and remove barriers to entry for obtaining government contracts, EPA has
developed two innovative tools available agencywide: the EPA Solution Finder, which provides
solution and ordering information for all EPA enterprise-wide contract solutions; and the BIC
Opportunity Tool, which recommends BIC solutions to address newly identified agency
requirements for commodities and services and those supported on expiring contracts.
EPA also will elevate its focus on the Category Management approach to improvement
management and results of its portfolio of contracts. EPA will continue to maximize considerations
for implementing Strategic Sourcing Initiatives (SSIs), thereby enhancing purchase coordination,
improving price uniformity and knowledge-sharing, and leveraging small business capabilities to
meet acquisition goals. EPA will continue to implement strategic sourcing initiatives first launched
in FY 2023 in the areas of Lab Equipment Maintenance; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and
Accessibility (DEIA); Memberships; Freight Services; Business and Financial Services; and
Intellitrak software.
The Category Management Program (CMP) allows the Agency to research, assess, and award
contract vehicles that will maximize time and resource savings. Long-term implementation of the
CMP will transform the Agency's acquisition process into a strategically driven function, ensuring
maximum value for every acquisition dollar spent. In FY 2022, EPA realized approximately $24
million in cost avoidance in specific, measurable costs for: four agencywide software solutions;
print services; cellular services; shipping; voice services; office supplies; lab supplies; computers;
furniture and furniture management services; Covid testing; and laboratory equipment
maintenance.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to utilize a government-wide Unique Entity Identifier for
acquisition awards in line with General Services Administration and OMB requirements. EPA will
continue implementing FITARA through competing contracts with multiple vendors and avoid
vendor lock-in by confining the scope of a contract to a limited task. Additionally, the Agency will
develop acquisition vehicles to further support FITARA compliance and implementation.
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Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Small Minority Business Assistance
Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,443.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$2,915.0 / +20.0 FTE) This net program change will strengthen EPA's capacity to
process new, increased, and existing award contract actions in a timely manner; advance
EPA utilization of small and disadvantaged business; support "Made in America"
initiatives; and support supply chain risk management activities for information and
communication technology. The change is partially offset by a reduction in system
operations and development resources for the EPA Acquisition System. This investment
includes $3.6 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
472
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Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$360
$457
$469
$12
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund
$149
$0
$0
$0
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$29,102
$31,338
$30,207
-$1,131
Total Budget Authority
$112,392
$118,894
$130,488
$11,594
Total Workyears
435.5
469.0
480.0
11.0
Total workyears in FY2024 include 2.0 FTE funded by TSCA fees.
Total workyears in FY 2024 include 39.0 FTE to support Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance working capital fund (WCF)
services.
Program Project Description:
Activities under the Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance Program support the management
of integrated planning, budgeting, financial management, performance and accountability
processes, risk assessments and reporting, and financial systems to ensure effective stewardship of
resources. This includes managing and supporting the Agency's financial management systems.
Functions include financial payment and support services for EPA; general and specialized fiscal
and accounting services for many of EPA's programs; strategic planning and accountability for
environmental, fiscal, and managerial results; developing and executing an Enterprise Risk
Management Program to support effective and efficient mission delivery and decision-making;
providing policy, systems, training, reports, and oversight essentials for EPA's financial
operations; managing the agencywide Working Capital Fund (WCF); and managing the Agency's
annual budget process. This program supports agency activities to meet requirements of the
Government Performance and Results Modernization Act (GPRMA) of 2010,206 as amended by
the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 ("Evidence Act"), with an
emphasis on Title I of the Act;207 the Digital Accountability and Transparency (DATA) Act of
2014;208 the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) of 2015;209 the
Federal Management Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA);210 the Inspector General Act of 1978.211
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
206 For more information, please see: https://www.c0ngress.g0v/l 1 l/plaws/publ352/PLAW-l 1 lpubl352.pdf.
207 For more information, please see: https://www.congress.KOv/115/plaws/publ435/PLAW-115publ435.pdf.
208 For more information, please see: https://www.congress.gov/113/plaws/publ 101/PLAW-113publ 101 .pdf.
209 FITARA became law as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Title VIII, Subtitle D),
https://www.congress.gov/113/plaws/publ291/PLA'W-113publ291.pdf.
210 For more information, please see: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-96/pdf7STATUTE-96-Pg814.pdf.
211 For more information, please see: https://www.govinfo.gOv/content/pkg/USCODE-2012-title5/pdf7USCODE-2012-title5-app-
inspector.pdf.
473
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Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency requests an additional $12.7 million and 13.1 FTE. This increase invests
in a solution that would move the Agency forward in assessing enterprise and programmatic risk,
internal control, audit management and provides for necessary fixed costs increases. The additional
FTE will support agency wide implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and
Accessibility Strategic Plan and Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements.
EPA will continue to provide resource stewardship to ensure that all agency programs operate with
fiscal responsibility and management integrity, financial services are efficiently and consistently
delivered nationwide, and programs demonstrate results. The Program will continue maintaining
key planning, budgeting, performance measurement, and financial management activities. The
Program also will implement enhancements to technical training, outreach, and reporting to
assistance recipients and programs with a goal of reducing the barriers to managing complex
federal requirements intended to ensure sound financial management. The Program will ensure
secure and efficient operations and maintenance of core agency financial management systems:
Compass, PeoplePlus (Time and Attendance), Budget Formulation System, which includes a
Performance Module, and related financial reporting systems.
The Agency continues to modernize its financial systems to gain greater efficiencies through
leveraging the accounting system and eliminating legacy systems, as well as provide accessible
tools to manage resources and track performance. In FY 2024, Robotics Process Automation
(BOTS) will be incorporated as a part of the overall strategy to reduce manual work and improve
efficiency throughout the Agency. The Program also will begin planning activities for a major
upgrade to the Agency's financial management system Compass. EPA will continue to expand
and enhance easy to use dashboards for financial management. Dashboards are now in place to
support payroll and FTE management, and to support GPRMA performance planning and
systematic tracking of progress. The Program will continue to modify systems and data flows to
meet Justice40 location reporting needs. This will involve extensive evaluation of systems
architecture to streamline and modernize interconnections and to improve system performance as
well as customer experience.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to standardize and streamline internal business processes, reduce
the number of administrative systems, and adopt federal shared services when supported by
business case analysis. Modernizing or integrating legacy payment systems will continue to be a
focus. For example, EPA has implemented Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) for
reviewing invoices and paying commercial vendors. As of January 2023, roughly 98 percent of
contract invoices are being handled through this system. In FY 2023, EPA will add additional
payment types to this system, including Superfund Contract Laboratory Program and Simplified
Acquisition payments through a system interface. This implementation will greatly reduce manual
effort, improve data quality, and allow for the elimination of two legacy administrative systems.
In FY 2024, EPA intends to initiate the acquisition process and transition planning for the
Agency's Time and Attendance system based on the results of the FY 2023 alternatives analysis.
By the end of FY 2023, the Agency will have fully implemented G-invoicing for new and existing
474
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agreements. In FY 2024, the Program will continue to focus on post implementation activities and
review, to address system user process concerns.
Equally important is the ability to adapt systems to meet increased transparency needs, such as
those prescribed in the DATA Act. The DATA Act reporting will continue to evolve with more
stringent timelines, certification requirements, data standards and validation checks, as well as
additional areas of federal financial spending. The Agency plans to be flexible to adapt to the new
transparency requirements and to provide timely and accurate spending information to the public
while ensuring appropriate security controls and data governance.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support formal evaluations as well as efforts to improve critical
data collections and data sharing in priority areas as directed by the Evidence Act. In alignment
with the Act, EPA has been steadily building the capacity for this important work, and in FY 2022
the Agency published its first Learning Agenda at the same time as the FY 2022-2026 EPA
Strategic Plan. The first Learning Agenda helped established the policy framework for the
Agency's evaluation program. In FY 2024, the Agency will continue implementing the larger goals
of the Act. In alignment with the Act, EPA will use findings from its FY 2022 and FY 2023
capacity assessment activities to prioritize strategic investments at an enterprise level that will
expand capacity for robust evidence and evaluation, data use, research and development, analysis,
and Lean Management. The Act requires EPA to develop an evidence-building portfolio to support
policy and program implementation decisions by generating evaluation studies to help the Agency
improve, advance, or modify existing programs, policies, projects, or operations. In FY 2024, EPA
will continue to execute the Agency's Learning Agenda, build evaluation and evidence-building
into the planning for new and enhanced programs, enhance strategic and annual planning,
collaborate with external evaluation experts, and implement EPA's evaluation policy framework.
EPA will invest in evaluation and other evidence-building activities addressing environmental
justice (EJ), climate change, community engagement, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and
accessibility (DEIA). As part of the Agency's FY 2024 evidence-building portfolio, EPA activities
will reflect the FY 2023 cross-government effort to develop evidence-building guidelines and
initiate evaluation studies related to the execution of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of
2021 (IIJA) investments.
In FY 2024, the Program will continue to focus on core responsibilities in the areas of strategic
planning; performance measurement, assessment, and reporting; enterprise risk management. As
the Agency lead in designing and implementing performance measurement and risk management
strategies that inform agency decision-making and advance mission results, the Program will focus
on driving progress toward the Administrator's priorities by regularly assessing performance
results against ambitious targets, monitoring and mitigating risks, and adjusting strategies as
needed. This includes convening Quarterly Performance Reviews (QPRs) to assess progress;
promoting an increased use of data analytics and evidence-based decision-making practices;
working collaboratively with agency programs to assess and analyze performance and risk data;
and providing technical assistance on agencywide measures of governance to enhance data quality.
EPA also will continue to use the performance data and other evidence to answer fundamental
business questions and identify opportunities for service improvements.
475
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During FY 2024, EPA will continue to leverage a management system that uses Lean Management
techniques and tools to promote continuous improvement. Lean Management techniques will
continue to complement EPA's performance framework to help the Agency meet the requirements
and spirit of the GPRMA. As of January 2023, EPA has improved nearly 1,300 processes and
implemented over 6,800 employee ideas. Improvements and innovations have been made in a
variety of administrative areas, such as hiring, improving diversity, equity, inclusion, and
accessibility (DEIA), and in many other programmatic areas.
Moving forward, EPA will continue measuring process improvements as a long-term performance
goal in support of the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. EPA successfully built flexibility into
its Continuous Improvement Program to better integrate with the Agency's range of programs and
approaches. Additionally, the Agency continues to leverage senior staff engagement in continuous
improvement through nearly 100 executive-sponsored improvement projects annually. EPA also
has applied continuous improvement tools and projects to support IIJA implementation with an
emphasis on improving processes related to hiring and grants. EPA also expects to continue
partnering with states and tribes in continuous improvement efforts to improve processes related
to authorized or delegated federal programs in key priority areas.
EPA has made significant strides in recent years to strengthen programs considered susceptible to
improper payment. However, the Agency continues to be vigilant in reducing fraud, waste, and
abuse, and strengthening internal controls over improper payments. In addition, as required by the
Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA) (P.L. 116-117),212 and OMB Memorandum M-
21-19 Appendix C,213 EPA conducts risk assessments of all its payment streams. Other
improvements include the recent implementation of upgraded systems used for payments and
invoice processing through which the Agency anticipates even fewer payment errors moving
forward. To strengthen our processes, the Program is developing risk assessment plans for
significant increases or new funding the Agency receives. These risk assessments outline potential
areas that will need additional guidance as well as tracking and reporting, performance measures
and internal controls that will help prevent and detect possible improper payment activities.
The Program will continue to conduct internal control program reviews and use the results and
recommendations from the Office of Inspector General to provide evidence of the soundness of
EPA's financial management program and identify areas for further improvement. Annually, the
Agency conducts internal control reviews of multiple programs. The Program also will collect key
operational statistics for its financial management program to further evaluate its operations and
for management decision-making. For example, in FY 2022, the Office of the Chief Financial
Officer (OCFO) recognized additional opportunities for engagement with the Office of Inspector
General (OIG) by providing an Audit Preparedness Guide. The Audit Preparedness Guide is
intended as a tool to encourage a proactive approach to addressing common OIG and Government
Accountability Office findings before audits are initiated. Additionally, OCFO is utilizing data
analytics in validating and documenting measures to ensure that the process is standardized across
the Agency while providing more customer-level support.
212 For more information, please see: https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ 117/PLAW-116publ 117.pdf.
213 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.KOv/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/M-21-19.pdf.
476
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With increased focused on internal controls, audit management, and enterprise risk assessment, in
FY 2024, the Agency will be expanding its efforts in this area including implementing a new
integrity tool for managing risk. The new Integrity Tool allows the Agency to easily crosswalk the
anticipated increase in the number of audits related to IIJA and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
activities for program integrity to the 600+ risks and internal controls. The Integrity Tool will help
the Agency to better monitor the effectiveness and impact of the internal controls set in place.
The Program will continue to support FITARA requirements in accordance with EPA's
Implementation Plan.214 The Chief Information Officer will continue to be engaged throughout the
budget planning process to ensure that information technology needs are properly planned and
resourced in accordance with FITARA.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM OP1) Number of operational processes improved.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
25
50
72
500
200
200
200
Operational
Processes
Actual
N/A
66
502
507
208
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$4,271.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agency wide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$6,415.0 / +7.2 FTE) This increase supports the duties of the Evaluation Officer in
implementing the Evidence Act and early integration of evidence into the IRA programs.
The increase in funding will continue supporting the data, reporting, and evidence-building
capacity of EPA grant recipients. The funding also will increase contract resources needed
to support EPA's central evaluation function, including evaluation policy implementation
activities and increasing EPA's program evaluation capacity. The increase will support the
funding of 3 to 4 comprehensive program evaluations and allow for a higher degree of
planning to better prioritize and integrate evidence-building and evidence-based decision-
making into agency programs. This investment includes $1.3 million for payroll.
(+$1,570.0 / +3.4 FTE) This investment supports a new management integrity tool to turn
manual data collection and analysis activities into a streamlined, customer-focused and
agencywide tool that meets the analytical needs for IIJA and IRA activities and agency wide
needs of enterprise risk, internal control, and audit environments. The FTE will support
system configuration, training, on-going administrative functions and expanded agency
analysis and compilation activities. This investment includes $621.0 thousand for payroll.
214 For more information, please see: http://www.epa.gov/opeii/fitara-iniplenieiitatioii-plaii-aiid-chief-iiifoniiatioii-officer-
assignment-plan.
477
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(+$457.0 / +2.5 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements. This investment includes
$457.0 thousand for payroll.
(-2.6 FTE) This is an adjustment based on expected Central Planning, Budgeting, and
Finance working capital fund services.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified as Title 5 App.) (EPA's organic statute).
478
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Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Science & Technology
$68,347
$67,500
$72,043
$4,543
Building and Facilities
$24,681
$42,076
$105,009
$62,933
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$922
$754
$727
-$27
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$854
$682
$641
-$41
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$76,108
$65,634
$71,540
$5,906
Total Budget Authority
$462,412
$459,976
$555,713
$95,737
Total Workyears
310.6
321.8
330.4
8.6
Total work years in FY 2024 include 5.4 FTE to support Facilities Infrastructure and Operations working capital fund (WCF)
services.
Program Project Description:
Environmental Programs and Management (EPM) resources in the Facilities Infrastructure and
Operations Program fund the Agency's rent, utilities, and security. The Program also supports
centralized administrative activities and support services, including health and safety,
environmental compliance and management, facilities maintenance and operations, space
planning, sustainable facilities and energy conservation planning and support, property
management, mail, and transportation services. Funding for such services is allocated among the
major appropriations for the Agency.
This program also includes the Agency's Protection Services Detail (PSD) that provides physical
protection for the Administrator through security for daily activities and events. The PSD
coordinates all personnel and logistical requirements including scheduling, local support, travel
arrangements, and the management of special equipment.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency proposes an investment of $22.4 million and 8.8 FTE for the Facilities
Infrastructure and Operations Program. These additional resources will support agencywide
climate sustainability and resiliency initiatives, EPA facilities projects, and EPA's Climate
Adaptation Action Plan. The Agency will continue to pursue agencywide climate sustainability
and resiliency initiatives and EPA facilities projects. Investing in the reconfiguration of EPA's
workspaces enables the Agency to release office space and avoid long-term rent costs, consistent
479
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with HR 4465, the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 215 EPA is implementing a long-
term space consolidation plan that aims to reduce the number of occupied facilities, consolidate
and optimize space within remaining facilities, and reduce square footage wherever practical. The
Agency's space consolidation efforts are expected to result in cost avoidances due to projected
rent increases over ten years. EPA also will continue working to enhance its federal infrastructure
and operations in a manner that increases efficiency. These enhancements also support the Future
of Work as the Agency continues to implement hybrid, remote, and physical workspaces,
consistent with OMB Memorandum M-21-25.216 For FY 2024, the Agency requests $153.55
million for rent, $7.65 million for utilities, and $27.88 million for security in the EPM
appropriation. EPA uses a standard methodology to ensure that rent charging appropriately reflects
planned and enacted resources at the appropriation level.
EPA also will work to secure physical and operational resiliency for Agency facilities. As part of
this work, EPA will continue conducting climate resiliency assessments at all EPA-owned
facilities to identify critical upgrades that are necessary to improve facility resiliency against the
impacts of climate change, such as roofing stability or seawall construction projects. In FY 2024,
EPA will conduct climate assessments at the following facilities: Office of Air and Radiation
Laboratory - Montgomery; Edison Environmental Center; Region 4 Field Annex - Athens; Athens
Environmental Center; Corvallis Environmental Laboratory; and Newport Environmental
Laboratory. EPA will initiate all high-priority projects within 24 months of the completion of a
climate assessment.
Further, EPA will continue reconfiguring EPA's workplaces with the goal of reducing long-term
rent costs while increasing EPA facility sustainability to combat the effects of climate change and
ensuring a space footprint that accommodates a growing workforce.217 Space reconfiguration
enables EPA to reduce its footprint to create a more efficient, collaborative, and technologically
sophisticated workplace. However, even if modifications are kept to a minimum, each move
requires initial funding to achieve long-term cost avoidance and sustainability goals. These
investments support sustainable federal infrastructure, a clean energy future, and goals to achieve
net-zero emissions by 2050.
In FY 2024, EPA will pursue aggressive energy, water, and building infrastructure requirements
with emphasis on environmental programs (e.g., Environmental Management Systems,
Environmental Compliance Programs, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Certification, alternative fuel use, fleet reductions, telematics, sustainability assessments). This
investment in infrastructure (e.g., architectural and design) and mechanical systems (e.g.,
Optimized Building Managements Systems for heating and cooling with load demand driven
controls) is necessary to meet the Administration's climate sustainability goals. Additionally, in
2024, EPA will direct $3.5 million to continue the Agency's transition to electric vehicles through
215 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.congress.eov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4465. Federal Assets Sale
and Transfer Act of 2016.
216 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/M-21-25.pdf..
217 Work in this program takes direction for climate change and sustainability related initiatives from the following:
EO 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/01/27/executive~order-on~tackling-the~climate~crisis-at-home~and-abroad/)
EO 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefmg~
rooni/presidential-actions/2021/12/08/executive-order-on-catalvzing-clean-energv-industries-and-iobs-through-federal-
sustainability/)
480
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direct purchase (mobile lab vehicles) or lease through the General Services Administration (GSA)
for all future fleet procurements where economically feasible. EPA also will identify opportunities
to build out necessary charging infrastructure at EPA facility locations. In line with federal
sustainability goals, EPA will work to utilize 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity on a net
annual basis by 2030.
EPA also will meet regulatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
obligations and provide health and safety training to field staff (e.g., inspections, monitoring, on-
scene coordinators) and track capital equipment of $25 thousand or more. The Agency will
continue its partnership with GSA to utilize shared services solutions, USAccess and Enterprise
Physical Access Control System (ePACS) programs. USAccess provides standardized HSPD-12
approved Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card enrollment and issuance and ePACS provides
centralized access control of EPA space, including restricted and secure areas.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM CAA) Number of EPA-owned facility climate adaptation assessments completed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
2
5
6
Assessments
Actual
1
(PM CRP) Percentage of priority climate resiliency projects for EPA-owned facilities initiated within 24
months of a completed facility climate assessment and project prioritization.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
100
100
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Projects
Denominator
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$13,453.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This change includes
adjustments to rent, utilities, security, and transit subsidy needs.
(+$6,870.0 / +8.8 FTE) This program change supports implementation of EO 14057:
Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability requirements
that will require EPA to increase facility resiliency against the impact of climate change
and to advance sustainability of EPA operations. EPA will invest in facility climate
assessments and Optimized Building Management Systems; EPA facilities projects to
ensure EPA has optimal footprint to support the proposed FTE increase in the FY 2024
Budget request; and EPA's Climate Adaptation Action Plan. This investment includes $1.6
million for payroll.
481
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(+$2,100.0) This investment supports the Agency's transition to electric vehicles and to
build out necessary charging infrastructure at EPA facility locations.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Property and Administration Services Act; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat.
2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
482
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Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Hazardous Substance Superfund
$4,188
$4,002
$4,601
$599
Total Budget Authority
$33,258
$34,190
$38,951
$4,761
Total Workyears
141.1
156.8
184.5
27.7
Program Project Description:
Environmental Program and Management (EPM) resources in the Financial Assistance Grants and
Interagency Agreement (IA) Management Program support the management of grants and IAs as
well as suspension and debarment activities for assistance and procurement programs. Grants and
IAs historically comprise approximately 60 percent of EPA's annual appropriations. Resources in
this program ensure EPA manages grants and IAs to meet the highest fiduciary standards and
achieve measurable results for environmental programs and agency priorities, and that the
government's financial resources and business interests are protected from fraud and
mismanagement.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue implementing the FY 2021-2025 Grants Management Plan,
focusing on the award and effective management of assistance agreements, enhancing partnerships
within the grants management community, promoting environmental justice (EJ), and ensuring
effective grant oversight and accountability.
EPA will continue to provide technical assistance and outreach to first time recipients of federal
funding; improve capacity for oversight and tracking of new and increased grant investments; and
process financial assistance agreements in a timely manner. EPA will continue to implement grants
management activities to achieve efficiency, enhance quality, and ensure fiscal accountability. In
addition, EPA will conduct a robust training program for EPA staff and grant applicants and
recipients. In FY 2024, the training program will focus on (1) helping applicants find and apply
for competitive and non-competitive grant opportunities, compliance-assistance under the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA); and (2)
understanding the federal requirements that are passed down to subrecipients, and the oversight
that pass-through entities are responsible for on EPA's behalf. EPA also will explore methods to
use or update the grant competition and grant-making processes to promote equity and support for
483
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underserved communities. For example, EPA will provide technical assistance to potential
grantees from underserved communities on sound financial management practices to reduce
barriers to competition for EPA grant resources. EPA also will track grant place of performance
to help determine whether underserved and communities with EJ concerns are realizing the
benefits of EPA grant programs.
EPA also will continue to ensure compliance with "Made in America" laws and policies in its
financial assistance programs, consistent with Executive Order 14005 and Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-22-11.218219 These efforts include establishing appropriate
terms and conditions, developing information to share with recipients, outreach, and market
research, and providing waivers when consistent with statutory requirements and OMB directives.
EPA will continue investments in modernizing grant and IA information technology/information
management (IT/IM) systems, support the improved capacity for oversight and tracking of new
and increased grant investments, and ensure the timely processing of financial assistance
agreements. EPA will manage its Next Generation Grants System (NGGS) to ensure it aligns with
the requirements of the Grant Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency (GREAT) Act,
applicable OMB Quality Service Management Offices (QSMO) standards, and the Federal
Integrated Business Framework for grants {i.e., required standard data elements for grants
reporting). In FY 2024, EPA will operate and maintain an electronic grants record management
system that integrates with EPA's enterprise records management system and aligns with
applicable QSMO standards. The Agency also will utilize the government-wide Unique Entity
Identifier system for grant awards to meet OMB requirements.
EPA will complete all activities to align its IA business processes to ensure compatibility with the
government-wide mandate to adopt G-Invoicing, the federal shared service for intragovernmental
transactions. EPA met the October 1, 2022, deadline for new IAs, and will complete the transition
for existing IAs by Treasury's October 1, 2023, deadline. EPA provides quarterly progress updates
to Treasury that highlight activities under the Agency's approved G-Invoicing Implementation
Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to make use of discretionary debarments and suspensions
as well as statutory disqualifications under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act to protect the
integrity of federal assistance and procurement programs. Congress and federal courts have long
recognized federal agencies' inherent authority and obligation to exclude non-responsible parties
from eligibility to receive government contracts and federal assistance awards {e.g., grants,
cooperative agreements, loans, and loan guarantees).
218 For more information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gOv/documents/2021/01/28/2021-02038/ensuring-the-
future-is-made-in-all-of-america-by-all-of-americas-workers For more information, please refer to:
https://www.federalregister.KOv/documents/2021/01/28/2021-02038/ensuring-the-future-is-made-in-all-of-america-bv-all-of-
america s-workers.
219 For more information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/M-22-
11 .pdfhttps://www. whitehouse.gov/wp~content/uDloads/2022/Q4/M-22-11 .pdf.
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Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,214.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$3,832.0 / +23.0 FTE) This program change will support technical assistance and
outreach to first time recipients of federal funding; improve capacity for oversight and
tracking of new and increased grant investments; and the timely processing of financial
assistance agreements. This investment includes $4.1 million for payroll.
(-$884.0) This program change is due to completing development on an interagency
agreement pre-work processing system.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, A pp.) (EPA's organic statute); Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act;
Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act § 2455.
485
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Human Resources Management
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
liiiviroiiiiwiitiil Programs A- Mtiiid^t'iiwiil
~nv
S 51.261
S ~1JW
SI V. S3 2
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$7,253
$7,419
$8,751
$1,332
Total Budget Authority
$63,963
$58,680
$79,844
$21,164
Total Workyears
221.8
254.4
327.4
73.0
Total work years in FY2024 include 0.2 FTE to support Human Resources Management working capital fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
Environmental Programs and Management (EPM) resources for the Human Resources (HR)
Management Program support human capital management (HCM) activities throughout EPA.
HCM activities including recruitment, hiring, employee development, performance management,
leadership development, workforce planning, and labor union engagement are critical for building,
developing, and retaining a diverse and talented workforce at EPA. Additional HCM activities
supported by EPM resources include personnel and payroll processing through the Human
Resources Line of Business. EPM resources also support overall federal advisory committee
management and Chief Human Capital Officer Council activities under applicable statutes and
guidance, including the Agency's Human Capital Operating Plan.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency's HR Management Program will continue to implement EPA's Diversity,
Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan, establishment of a centralized EPA
intern program, evidence-gathering under EPA's Learning Agenda, and strengthening agencywide
capacity to hire and onboard staff in a timely and equitable manner. The activities supported by
EPA's HR Management Program contribute to effective workforce management and are critical
for strengthening the workforce, retaining expertise, and capturing institutional knowledge. EPA
continues developing mechanisms to ensure that employees have the right skills to successfully
achieve the Agency's core mission today and in the future.
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EPA is committed to advancing equity, in line with President Biden's Executive Orders (EOs)
13985,220 13988,221 14020,222 14035,223 and 14075.224 In FY 2024, in line with EO 14035, EPA
will implement the actions identified in the DEIA Strategic Plan to assess whether agency
recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention, professional development, performance evaluations, pay
and compensation policies, reasonable accommodations access, and training policies and practices
are equitable. EPA will undertake an evidence-based and data-driven approach to determine
whether, and to what extent, Agency practices result in inequitable employment outcomes, and
whether Agency actions may help to overcome systemic societal and organizational barriers.
Further, the Agency will assess the status and effects of existing DEIA initiatives or programs and
review the institutional resources available to support human resources activities. For areas where
evidence is lacking, the Agency will propose opportunities to advance DEIA. EPA will continue
to involve employees at all levels of the organization in the assessment of DEIA initiatives and
programs.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue its Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program
launched in FY 2023. The Program will focus on incorporating DEIA strategies so that future
executives reflect the diversity of the American population and possess the skills necessary to lead
a diverse and talented workforce operating in a hybrid work environment. The Agency will
implement a centralized paid internship program, which expands on existing internship
opportunities across the Agency to strengthen talent and workforce acquisition. This paid
internship program focuses on expanding federal work experience opportunities for
underrepresented and underserved populations, which may experience barriers to applying or fully
participating in existing opportunities. EPA's program will provide a total of approximately 180
four-month internship opportunities across EPA Programs and Regional Offices. Additionally,
EPA will implement a plan to convert eligible interns to permanent federal service based on
performance and completing program requirements.
EPA has increased efforts to improve DEIA with virtual outreach events, targeting diverse
networks such as veterans, persons with disabilities, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and
Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions. To recruit
EPA's next generation of employees, EPA will continue outreach to new potential sources for
future employees and use all available hiring authorities, including Schedule A and recruitment
incentives. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics-focused institutions and organizations such as the Society of Hispanic Professional
Engineers and National Society of Black Engineers. EPA also will participate in the President's
Management Council Interagency Rotational Program to create leadership development
assignments for GS 13-15 level employees. EPA will continue to review applicant flow diversity
data every quarter to assess progress and identify areas for improvement.
220 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.eoY/docunieiits/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-
racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government.
221 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.eoY/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01761/preventina-
and-combating-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-eender-identitv-or-sexual-orientation.
222 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.eoY/docunients/2021/03/11/2021-05183/establishment-
of-the-white-house-gender-policy-council.
223 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.goY/docunients/2021/06/30/2021-14127/diYersitv-
equitv-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce.
224 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.goY/docunients/2022/06/21/2022-13391/adYaiiciiig-
equalitv-for-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transeender-queer-and-intersex-individuals.
487
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In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement flexible work policies in line with OMB Memoranda
M-21-25 - Integrating Planning for A Safe Increased Return of Federal Employees and
Contractors to Physical Workplaces with Post-Reentry Personnel Policies and Work
Environment,225 including designation of remote work status to certain positions, providing work
schedule flexibilities, and increasing the use of telework. EPA strives to be a model federal
employer and these efforts will strengthen the Agency's ability to attract, recruit, retain and
empower top talent while advancing DEIA. EPA also will continue to support front-line supervisor
training for managing individuals and teams working in hybrid environments, with a focus on
employee communication, mentorship, and equity.
The Agency will continue to build Talent Teams to effectively expand recruitment and hiring to
meet critical agency skill needs, as well as continue to leverage childcare subsidies to support
retention. EPA also will continue to support evidence-building activities to carry out a workforce
strategy guided by data-driven decisions as part of its implementation of the Evidence Act through
the Workforce Planning learning priority area in EPA's Learning Agenda. This work includes
determining Mission Critical Competencies, enhancement of EPA's competency assessment tool,
skills gap analysis across the Agency, and knowledge transfer strategies to support Succession
Management.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to operate and maintain the Talent Enterprise Diagnostic (TED)
tool to allow EPA to make data-driven, strategic workforce decisions. TED data will serve a crucial
role in EPA's Workforce Planning and Succession Management activities by identifying potential
competency gaps across the Agency and by increasing management's understanding of where
needed skill sets should reside within EPA. Additionally, EPA will continue to maintain and
operate dashboards related to Mission Critical Occupations, Workforce Demographics, and
Diversity. These dashboards provide data visualizations and easy-to-understand information about
the current workforce, assisting EPA with Succession Management by identifying workforce gaps
due to anticipated retirements and attrition trends. This is critical considering approximately 23
percent of EPA's workforce is retirement eligible and another 15 percent of the current workforce
will become retirement eligible over the next five years.
The Agency will continue to implement Executive Order 14003, Protecting the Federal
Workforce,226 issued on January 22, 2021. EPA reviewed its unions' agreements to identify and
eliminate provisions influenced by four revoked executive orders and will increase the focus on
pre-decisional involvement and interest-based bargaining. In FY 2024, EPA will continue working
to reset and repair relationships and involve unions in a collaborative way, promoting the Agency's
and the unions' shared goal of the positive and equitable treatment of newly empowered
employees.
Finally, EPA's advisory committees have proven effective in building consensus among the
Agency's diverse external partners and stakeholders. In line with President Biden's Memorandum
on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based
225 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.eov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/M-21-25.pdf.
226 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefinp-rooni/presidential-actioiis/2021/01/22/executive-
order-protecting-the-federal-workforce/.
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Policymaking,227 EPA remains committed to ensuring that highly qualified external experts serve
on agency committees and that those members and future nominees of EPA advisory committees
reflect the diversity of America in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, geography, and other
characteristics.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM DEIA) Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility (DEIA) actions completed toward Maturity Level
"Leading and Sustaining" achieved.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
2
4
Actions
Actual
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$3,790.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$8,515.0 / +45.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to continue to develop and
diversify its new paid internship program to strengthen talent and workforce acquisition
and focus on expanding federal work experience opportunities for underrepresented and
underserved populations. This investment includes $8.1 million for payroll.
(+$3,935.0 / +5.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support the implementation
Executive Order 14035 - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the
Federal Workforce and taking the actions identified in EPA's DEIA Strategic Plan. This
investment includes $896.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$1,608.0 / +8.5 FTE) This program change strengthens agencywide capacity to quickly
increase staff levels in key offices and programs (i.e., environmental justice, climate,
infrastructure programs, etc.). This investment includes $1.5 million for payroll.
(+$1,000.0) This program change is an increase to support the continuation of the Senior
Executive Service Candidate Development Program with a goal that EPA senior leaders
reflect the diversity of the American people and will include a special focus on developing
diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity competencies.
(+$984.0 / +5.2 FTE) This program change is an increase in support of the Foundations for
Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018. Resources will be used for Learning Agenda's
evidence-gathering activities. This investment includes $932.0 thousand for payroll.
227 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/01/27/ineinoranduni-on-restorina-trust-in-eovemnient-through-scientific-intearitv-and-evidence-based-
policymaking/.
489
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(-1.3 FTE) This is an adjustment based on expected Human Resources Management
working capital fund services.
Statutory Authority:
Title 5 of the U.S.C.; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L.
98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
490
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Regional Science and Technology
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$1,345
$1,554
$ 4,972
$3,418
Total Budget Authority
$1,345
$1,554
$4,972
$3,418
Total Workyears
0.5
1.7
6.7
5.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Regional Science and Technology (RS&T) Program provides direct regional support to
multiple Agency programs including implementing the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Clean Water Act (CWA); Safe Drinking Water
Act (SDWA); Clean Air Act (CAA); and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act (CERCLA). The RS&T Program supports the Agency's strategic goals by
performing laboratory analysis, and mobile laboratory services to provide credible scientific data
on environmental pollutants and conditions to Agency decision makers. The RS&T Program also
assists state environmental agencies by providing specialized technical assistance including
assistance to vulnerable and highly exposed communities. Additionally, the Program assists tribal
communities to help build tribal capacity for environmental monitoring and assessment.
The RS&T Program provides essential expertise and scientific data for a wide array of
environmental media, including ambient air; surface, drinking, and ground water; soil and
sediment; solid and hazardous waste; and biological tissue. This work focuses on the immediate
scientific information needed to make short-term local decisions. A strategic strength of the
regional laboratories is their ability to respond to events requiring surge capacity. In the event of
an emergency or project impacting a large area, regional laboratories work together to leverage the
strengths and capacities of individual lab facilities and deploy mobile laboratory services where
needed.
Extreme weather events often disproportionally affect vulnerable and highly exposed populations
including fence line communities most closely adjacent to chemical facilities. As extreme weather
events and related wildfires, flooding, and service interruptions increase in frequency due to
climate change, the public expectation for a rapid and effective response will continue to grow
over time. These events often require assistance from EPA's regional labs for quick turnaround
sample analyses as well as technical support. When extreme weather events occur, local area
laboratories can become overwhelmed. Each year, in response to natural and/or man-made
disasters across the county, the regions mobilize to provide critical support of urgent analytical
results to assist communities whose drinking water is threatened, air quality impacted, or properties
inundated. Regional laboratories have a strong record of backing up each other during incidents
when there is a high demand for services, such as 2021 's Winter Storm Uri, where Regions 4 and
491
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7 assisted Region 6. Regional laboratories continue to stand ready to assist each other during
increasing wildfire events and other natural disasters.
The RS&T Program provides support for areas such as environmental biology, microbiology,
chemistry, field sampling, enforcement and criminal investigations, and quality assurance, as well
as support for special or non-routine analytical requests that EPA cannot readily obtain from other
sources within required timeframes. Funding for up-to-date scientific equipment under this
program is essential for maintaining high level capabilities in EPA regional laboratories. New and
improved technology strengthens science-based decision-making for regulatory efforts,
environmental assessment of contaminants, and development of critical and timely environmental
data in response to accidents and natural or man-made disasters. As technology improves, the
sensitivity of equipment advances to detect lower levels of contaminants. Newer, more advanced
instrumentation improves environmental data collection and laboratory analytical capability.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, resources will continue to support regional implementation of the Agency's statutory
mandates through fixed and mobile laboratory operations for environmental sampling, monitoring
and enforcement compliance support. Resources improve timely decision-making in regional
program management and implementation of regulatory work across all media and enable the
Agency to address environmental issues specific to geographic areas (e.g., energy extraction,
mining, wood treating operations, specialty manufacturing), natural disasters and extreme climate
events such as flooding, drought and wildfires, and homeland security threats.
In FY 2024, regional laboratories will continue to coordinate within the Regional Laboratory
Network (RLN) to provide needed expert analytical services. The regional laboratories have the
capability to analyze a full suite of contaminants using an array of established methods, including
regulatory or guidance methods such as the RCRA, CWA and SDWA methods. Laboratories also
utilize new methods and adapt methods based on immediate needs or circumstances. These efforts
help support the underserved communities that benefit from response times for both routine and
enforcement sample analyses related to contaminated sites in urban areas where legacy
contamination persists. For example, brownfield sites tend to be in densely developed, centralized
locations, redevelopment in these areas lead to multiple positive outcomes in urban communities
including reducing exposure to toxic chemicals, increased access to green space and reducing
vehicle miles driven due to more efficient home/work travel patterns.228 As the Agency
implements an ambitious agenda on climate change, environmental justice, aging infrastructure,
and emerging contaminants, the need for sound analytical capabilities and capacity increase.
Additional state-of-the science instrumentation is necessary to address these complex and inter-
connected challenges.
228 For more information please see: https://www.epa.goY/browiifields/browiifields-prograni-eiiviromiieiital-and-econoniic-
benefits.
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In FY 2024, the regional laboratories will continue to work toward replacement and upgrading of
aging analytical equipment and modernization of associated critical IT infrastructure. This will
support the risk identification and assessment associated with pesticides, organic chemicals, and
other high-risk chemicals, as well as support the Agency's science priorities related to informing
communities at risk from increasing challenges from climate change, chemical exposures, and
aging infrastructure. The Agency's mission to protect human health and the environment often
requires the availability of scientific data at lower detection levels, which requires specialized
equipment. Almost all scientific instrumentation is computer-controlled or interfaced. As
computer technology improves, instrument efficiencies and sensitivity also improve - these
advances in technology leading to lower detection levels of contaminants are essential for some
compounds where health-based risk levels are decreasing (e.g., hexavalent chromium and PFAS
chemicals). When measuring for these compounds, the instrument detection levels need to be as
low as technically feasible, requiring laboratories to modify an existing method, modify existing
equipment, or purchase newer instrumentation.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$81.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$3,499.0 / +5.0 FTE) This program change will support replace and upgrade aging analytical
equipment and modernize associated critical IT infrastructure necessary to meet increasing
demands for immediate scientific information needed to make short-term local decisions. This
investment includes $828.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authorities:
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Clean
Water Act (CWA); Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA); Clean Air Act (CAA); Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); Pollution Prevention Act
(PPA); Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
493
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Pesticides Licensing
494
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Pesticides: Protect Human Health from Pesticide Risk
Program Area: Pesticides Licensing
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
Vo..W
S(>2.I25
Vo,.r?V
S3.-/IN
Science & Technology
$2,854
$2,894
$4,031
$1,137
Total Budget Authority
$68,187
$65,019
$69,560
$4,541
Total Workyears
420.3
385.6
385.6
0.0
Total program work years in FY 2024 include 82.1 FTE funded by the Reregistration and Expedited Processing Revolving Fund.
Program Project Description:
Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)229 and the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996
(FQPA) and the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5),230 EPA is charged
with protecting people from the health risks that pesticide use can pose. FIFRA requires EPA to
register pesticide products before they are marketed for use in the U.S. Registration is based on
the review of scientific data sufficient to demonstrate that the product can perform its intended
function without unreasonable adverse effects on people or the environment. This program
emphasizes the use of reduced risk methods of pest control, including the use of reduced risk
pesticides and helping growers and other pesticide users learn about new, safer products and
methods of using pesticides.
Under FFDCA, if a pesticide is to be used in a manner that may result in pesticide residues in food
or animal feed, EPA must establish a tolerance, or maximum legal residue level, or an exemption
from the requirement of a tolerance, before it can be registered. To establish a tolerance, EPA must
find that the residues are "safe," which, under FFDCA, means that there is a reasonable certainty
of no harm to human health from aggregate exposure to the pesticide residue in food and from all
other exposure except occupational exposure.231 EPA must periodically review the registration and
tolerances that the Agency issues to ensure that public health is adequately protected.
229 For additional information on FIFRA, please visit: liftps://www.epa.gov/1 aws-regulations/summary-federal-insecticide-
funaicide-and-rodenticide-act.
230 On December 29, 2022, Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2022 (PRIA 5) was signed into law, which
reauthorizes PRIA for 5 years through fiscal year 2027 and updates the fee collection provisions of the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
231 Additional information related to pesticide registration, the setting of tolerance levels, and the pesticide risk assessment process
can be found at the following location: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-toleraiices/setting-tolerances-pesticide-residues-foods.
495
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Pesticide Review and Registration
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to review and register new pesticides, new uses for existing
pesticides, and other registration requests in accordance with statutory requirements, making sure
exposure to infants and children is reflected in the human health risk assessments supporting these
regulatory determinations. Many assessments also address potential exposure to pregnant women.
In addition, the Agency will evaluate pesticides that are already in the market against current
scientific standards for human health. To advance EPA's work supporting environmental justice
(EJ) and children's health, EPA also will evaluate these registration requests with special
consideration for impacts on members of overburdened communities and sensitive life stages,
especially infants and children. Under the FQPA, EPA is statutorily required to ensure that its
regulatory decisions are protective of children's health and other vulnerable subpopulations. EPA
also will continue to emphasize the registration of reduced risk pesticides, including biopesticides,
to provide farmers and other pesticide users with new, safer alternatives. The Agency, in
collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USD A), also will work to ensure that minor
use registrations receive appropriate support and that needs are met for reduced risk pesticides for
minor use crops. EPA also will assist farmers and other pesticide users in learning about new, safer
products and methods of using existing products through workshops, demonstrations, small grants,
and materials on the website and in print.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to review the registrations of existing pesticides with a focus on
assessing and ensuring that pesticides are used safely, without unreasonable adverse effects to
human health and the environment. The goal of the registration review process, as mandated by
statute, is to review pesticide registrations every 15 years to determine whether they continue to
meet the FIFRA standard for registration.232 With the reauthorization of PRIA5 on December 29,
2022, the deadline to complete the initial registration review of each pesticide or pesticide case
was extended four years to October 1, 2026, and EPA will continue working on registration review
cases in FY 2024. For pesticides registered before October 1, 2007, EPA is required to make
registration review decisions by October 1, 2026. EPA will focus its FY 2024 resources on
completing decisions for cases with the FY 2026 statutory deadline and on cases with 15-year due
dates in FY 2024 and beyond. Regarding those registration review cases due by October 1, 2026,
through FY 2023 Q1 EPA has completed opening dockets for all 726 cases in registration review.
EPA has completed a total of 685 draft risk assessments and 582 final or interim decisions, with
41 draft risk assessments and 144 final or interim decisions remaining to be completed to meet the
FY 2026 statutory deadline.
As EPA approaches the October 1, 2026 deadline, many of the remaining cases involve highly
complex scientific and regulatory issues, which have resulted in requests from stakeholders to
extend the comment periods for proposed decisions, lengthening the amount of time needed to
complete the necessary reviews. In addition, EPA continues to await data and/or registrant input
critical to finalizing several registration review decisions. Further ongoing challenges in
232 For additional information please visit the EPA Pesticide Registration Internet site: https://www.epa.eov/pesticide-registration.
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completing actions that are due in October 2026 and beyond include: delayed registrant submittal
of additional data, the need for inter- and intra-agency coordination, resource constraints, and
recent court decisions which may prevent EPA from taking action on issuing Interim Decisions.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue enhancements to the Pesticide Registration Information System
(PRISM). Expanding the capabilities of PRISM by integrating more of EPA's regulatory workflow
into a single system will reduce paperwork burden and maximize efficiency, in accordance with
the President's Management Agenda (PMA), by converting paper-based processes into electronic
processes and corresponding workflows for the Pesticide Program's regulated entities. In addition,
PRISM will create an iterative/inclusive, streamlined electronic workflow to support pesticide
product registration, chemical reviews, and assessments, and will be used as a centralized data
repository to electronically store associated data as they relate to regulatory decisions and scientific
information. Overall, the Agency projects that expanding PRISM and related projects will improve
over 150 existing business process workflows supporting the implementation of PRIA. This digital
transformation will consolidate over 30 different custom-built systems into a single platform to
track registration or re-registration of a chemical from the moment EPA receives a case to the final
regulatory decision. Being able to track all reviews in a single system will eliminate the need for
hundreds of spreadsheets or Access databases that are currently used to track work at a team,
branch, divisional, or office level. This transformation focuses on improving both the employee's
experience and the customer experience.
Reducing Pesticide Risks to People through the Registration of Lower Risk Pesticides
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to promote reduced-risk pesticides by giving registration priority
to pesticides that have lower toxicity to humans and non-target organisms such as birds, fish, and
plants; low potential for contaminating groundwater; lower use rates; low pest resistance potential;
and compatibility with Integrated Pest Management (IPM).233 Several other countries and
international organizations also have instituted programs to facilitate registering reduced-risk
pesticides. EPA works with the international scientific community and the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries to register new reduced-risk
pesticides and to establish related tolerances (maximum residue limits). Through these efforts,
EPA will help reduce risks to Americans from foods imported from other countries. In FY 2024,
EPA will continue to assist pesticide users in learning about new, safer products as well as safer
methods for using existing products. Through its Center for IPM, educational webinars, science-
based publications, informational social media outreach, and collaborations with federal partners,
states, commodity and other non-governmental organizations, the Agency also will encourage the
use of IPM tools, biological pesticides, and biotechnology where they present lower-risk solutions
to pest problems.
Protecting Workers from On-the-Job Pesticide Risks
Millions of America's workers are exposed to pesticides in occupations such as agriculture, lawn
care, food preparation, and landscape maintenance. A very large proportion of these workers are
members of communities with EJ concerns. EPA's work in this area will be guided by Executive
Order (EO) 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through
233For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-scieiice-aiid-assessiiip-pesticide-risks/overview-risk-
assessment-pesticide-program. Please also see EPA's IPM website: https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-
management-ipm-principles#for more-information.
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the Federal Government and, where regulatory action is taken, by the Agency's Guidance on
Considering Environmental Justice During the Development of an Action234 and its companion
Technical Guidance for Assessing Environmental Justice in Regulatory Analysis,235 Protecting
pesticide applicators, handlers and agricultural workers from potential effects of pesticides is an
important role of the Pesticide Program. Pesticide handlers in a number of sectors may be exposed
to pesticides when they prepare pesticides for use, such as by mixing a concentrate with water or
loading and applying the pesticide. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support the implementation
of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS)236 and the Certification of Pesticide
Applicators (CPA)237 rule through regulation development, guidance development, education and
outreach, and grant programs. Efforts to implement the WPS include addressing EJ issues in rural
communities, especially by considering farmworkers and their families. In FY 2024, following the
FY 2023 publication of a proposed rule, EPA plans to finalize a rule for the WPS's Application
Exclusion Zone provisions. Programs include a subaward program that supports community-based
projects for the development of pesticide educational resources and training targeted toward
agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. Efforts include addressing the education needs of the
target audience to ensure trainings are effective and in the appropriate cultural context. As required
by PRIA 5, EPA also will develop a grant program that considers stakeholder input to support
healthcare providers in the recognition and management of pesticide-related illnesses. The grant
program will focus on training health care providers serving the migrant and seasonal farmworker
community, aiming to improve the treatment of agricultural workers and rural communities
potentially exposed to pesticides. Support also will include efforts to improve reporting of
occupation-related pesticide incidents. In addition, EPA will continue to support the development
of resources, training, and educational forums for applicators, including the development of a
virtual pesticide training for certification of private applicators in Indian Country covered under
the EPA-administered plan to meet the requirements of using restricted use pesticides in
agriculture.
Implementation of the CPA rule also includes continued support of state Pesticide Safety
Education Programs, which play a crucial role in training and certifying pesticide handlers in
proper pesticide use, thereby enabling the handlers to protect themselves and other workers, as
well as the public and the environment. In FY 2024, EPA will focus on implementation of amended
state, tribal, and federal certification programs based on the 2017 CPA rule. EPA will support that
effort by providing technical assistance for updates to state/tribal applicator training materials
including manuals, exams, and other recertification materials to meet the CPA rule requirements.
PRIA 5 amends FIFRA to require bilingual labeling on end use pesticide products for those parts
of the label where translation exists in EPA's Spanish Translation Guide and provides a schedule
for incremental implementation by registrants based on pesticide type and acute toxicity
categories. EPA is directed to work with states on implementation and with stakeholders on ways
to make these labels accessible to farmworkers, and to develop a plan to track adoption of the
234 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/eiwiromiieiitaliustice/euidaiice-coiisideriiig-eiwiromiieiital-iustice-
during-development-action.
235 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eoY/eiwiromiieiitaliustice/techmcal-euidaiice-assessiiia-eiwiromiieiital-
justice-regulatory-analysis.
236 For more information, please see: https://wwiv.epa.eoY/pesticide-worker-safetv/aericultural-worker-protection-staiidard-wps
237 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eoY/pesticide-worker-safetv/revised-certificatioii-staiidards-
pesticide-applicators.
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bilingual labeling. In FY24 EPA will continue the implementation of these bilingual labeling
requirements.
Public Health Antimicrobials and Pandemic Preparedness
In FY 2024, the Pesticide Program will continue to update and modernize EPA's registered
disinfectant lists. There are currently 16 disinfectant lists, lists A-Q, with different target public
health microorganisms. The most viewed list, List N, contains disinfectants that are effective
against SARS-CoV-2. The newest list, list Q, includes products that are effective against emerging
viral pathogens including mpox (formerly monkeypox). A continued priority is to enhance search
and sort functions for the disinfectant lists to enhance usability. OCSPP is also co-leading a PPDC
(Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee) Emerging Viral Pathogens Workgroup to
implement stakeholder recommendations and strategies for revisions to EPA's Emerging Viral
Pathogen's guidance. In FY 2024, EPA expects to continue implementing recommendations from
the Workgroup including but not limited to education through webinars and conferences on proper
and effective antimicrobial pesticide use for different stakeholder groups (e.g., schools, food
service, hospitality, etc.)
In FY 2024, the Pesticide Program is also working on policy and method updates that will expand
the range of public health antimicrobial products available. We anticipate finalization of minimum
testing criteria to support chemical air treatment claims for unoccupied spaces and posting for
comment testing criteria for occupied spaces. There are very few registered antimicrobial products
intended to treat the air, an important route of transmission from public health pathogens. In
addition, the Pesticide Program anticipates finalization of a policy to expand virucidal claims to
sanitizer products which were previously not eligible to have these claims. This policy change will
be implemented with consideration of public of comment.
General Pesticide Outreach and Education
In FY 2024, the Pesticide Program will continue environmental education and training efforts for
growers, pesticide applicators, and workers, as well as the public in general. Giving priority to
reduced risk and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) friendly pesticides are two steps toward
protecting human health. Also, the Pesticide Safety Education Program provides education through
training and is a key component to the implementation of applicator certification programs across
the nation, including on tribal lands and along the US-Mexico border, and helps ensure pesticides
are used in a manner to protect human health and the environment. In addition, EPA will continue
to make information easily accessible to the public and pesticide users, update safety information
on pesticides, support the National Pesticide Information Center238 that provides a bilingual hotline
for pesticide information and develop outreach materials for the public and incident reporting.
Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC)
The Pesticide Program will also continue to manage the Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC)
cooperative agreement. This national partnership group was formed in 1999 as a forum for tribes
and Alaska Native Villages to work with EPA to address pesticide issues and concerns. The TPPC
also provides a forum for tribes and Alaska Native Villages to provide input in developing policies
that would strengthen their pesticide programs, provide guidance for tribes that do not have such
programs, and provide networking opportunities and support for tribal pesticide regulators. In FY
238 For additional information, please visit: http://npic.orst.edu/.
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2024, EPA will continue to work with the TPPC to identify concerns related to EJ and climate
change that EPA can begin to address.
Reducing Animal Testing
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to use its guiding principles on data needs239 to ensure that
it has sufficient information to support strong regulatory decisions to protect human health, while
reducing and, in some cases, eliminating unnecessary animal testing. EPA's Hazard and Science
Policy Council (HASPOC) plays an important role in the implementation of the vision of the 2007
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report on toxicity testing in the 21st Century—which
recommended moving toward smarter testing strategies by waiving human health toxicity studies
that do not provide useful information. Since its inception, HASPOC has waived hundreds of
studies resulting in the saving of tens of thousands of animals and tens of millions of dollars
without compromising the integrity of the science supporting EPA's regulatory decision-making
for pesticides. In addition, the Agency will continue to develop and implement 21st Century
toxicology and exposure methods, including additional retrospective analysis of the reproductive
avian study, and the use of computer-modeling and in vitro testing techniques for acute oral
toxicity, skin and eye irritation, and inhalation toxicity. All of these activities advance more
efficient and effective human health risk assessments that support sound, risk-based, regulatory
decision-making.
Related Metrics
In FY 2024, the Agency will be measuring performance for the second cycle of registration review,
tracking intermediate stages such as docket openings, draft risk assessment completion, and final
registration review case completions under the 15-year cycle of pesticide registration review.
Additionally, EPA will be tracking metrics related to pesticide safety training of farmworkers
funded through a 5-year cooperative grant; metric details will be provided by the grantee and will
capture the number of farmworkers trained and knowledge comprehension based on pre- and post-
training assessment.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM WPSla) Number of farmworkers receiving EPA-supported WPS pesticide safety training.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
20,000
12,000
12,000
Farmworkers
Actual
12,716
(PM WPS lb) Percentage of content knowledge learned by farmworker/trainees upon completion of EPA-
supported WPS pesticide training.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
95
95
95
Percent
Actual
96
239 Additional information on reducing animal testing may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/pestioides/new-epa-guidanoe-testing-
pesticides-will-reduce-aninial-testing.
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$2,025.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$1,379.0) This program change is an increase for the modernization of the pesticides
incident database where the regulated community reports human health and ecological
incidents related to misuse of, or an unexpected adverse event related to pesticide usage.
EPA plans to make this data more accessible to the public which requires a rebuild of the
database to safeguard Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and other sensitive
information.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FFDCA) § 408.
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Pesticides: Protect the Environment from Pesticide Risk
Program Area: Pesticides Licensing
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Maiui'^cnicnl
S43MH
S-/.V. '<>-!
S ~.\.W
Science & Technology
$2,487
$2,334
$2,339
$5
Total Budget Authority
$46,175
$51,038
$77,730
$26,692
Total Workyears
312.7
259.6
282.1
22.5
Total program work years in FY 2024 include 53.2 FTE funded by the Reregistration and Expedited Processing Revolving Fund.
Program Project Description:
The goal of this program, authorized under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA) and the Pesticide
Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5), is to protect the environment from the potential
risks posed by pesticide use. To achieve this goal, EPA must conduct risk assessments before the
initial registration of each pesticide for each use, as well as re-evaluate each pesticide at least every
15 years, as required by FQPA. This periodic review is accomplished through EPA's Pesticide
Registration Review Program.240 In addition to FIFRA responsibilities, the Agency has distinct
obligations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA),241 which include ensuring that pesticide
regulatory decisions will not destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat or jeopardize
the continued existence of species listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS) or the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (jointly, "the Services").
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Protection of Endangered Species
EPA is responsible for complying with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and for ensuring that
federally endangered and threatened species are not harmed from exposure when it registers
pesticides. This presents a great challenge given that there are approximately 1,200 active
ingredients in more than 17,000 pesticide products—many of which have multiple uses.
Endangered species risk assessments are extraordinarily complex, national in scope, and involve
comprehensive evaluations that consider risks to over 1,600 listed endangered species and 800
240 FIFRA requires EPA to register a pesticide if, among other things, the product "will also not generally cause unreasonable
adverse effects on the environment" when used in accordance with labeling and common practices.
241 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/endangered-species.
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designated critical habitats in the U.S. with diverse biological attributes, habitat requirements, and
geographic ranges.
Given the complexity of evaluating potential effects to diverse listed species under ESA, EPA has
been subject to numerous successful litigation challenges to registration and registration review
actions. This litigation has impacted EPA's ability to carry out its mission of protecting human
health and the environment. In April 2022, EPA released a workplan outlining priorities for
coming into compliance with ESA across the numerous types of actions it completes each year. In
the short term and given its existing resources, EPA prioritized meeting its ESA obligations for all
conventional new active ingredient applications whereby all new active ingredient registrations
will only be registered under conditions that comply with ESA. EPA also continued to prioritize
ESA determinations in response to litigation commitments and court decisions. The increase that
EPA received in the FY 2023 enacted budget serves as initial funding which supports EPA in
meeting these specific workplan commitments.
In November 2022, EPA released a Workplan Update that announced EPA's approach to
incorporate additional ecological mitigations for non-target species, including listed species, into
registration review processes. The Update also describes additional initiatives to make even faster
progress on some of our ESA goals. In particular, the update describes multiple programmatic
approaches to be conducted in FY2024 and beyond such as (1) developing mitigations for listed
species that are particularly vulnerable to pesticides and applying them across pesticides, and (2)
grouping pesticides such as insecticides for ESA analyses and early mitigations. EPA plans to
continue to develop and expand on these programmatic approaches, which will ultimately reduce
the Program's workload for future ESA environmental assessments and identification of
mitigations for listed species for pesticide registration and registration review actions. 242
In FY 2024, in order to continue to support EPA's priority ESA commitments and incrementally
increase the extent to which EPA can integrate ESA mandates into the pesticide registration
processes as described in the Workplan and Update, EPA requests an additional $24.7 million and
20 FTE for the Pesticide Program. As described above, these resources will enable EPA to make
additional progress towards meeting our ESA obligations for an increased number of pesticide
registrations and registration review decisions. This includes resources to ensure EPA can
implement the mitigations required in biological opinions from the Services following completion
of consultation and to develop tools to expedite the incorporation of measures to protect listed
species in pesticide decisions. However, it still will not allow EPA to be in full ESA compliance
for hundreds of pesticide registration and registration review actions it makes each year as well as
those it has made over past decades, leaving these actions vulnerable to litigation, and limiting
EPA's ability to protect human health and the environment.243 These additional resources are
needed to continue to demonstrate measured progress and increase EPA's ability to comply with
its ESA obligations for pesticides.
In FY 2024, the Agency also will assess whether listed endangered or threatened species or their
designated critical habitat may be affected by use of pesticide products in a manner described in
242 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/svsteni/files/docunients/2022-l 1/esa-workplan-update.pdf.
243 For example, recently the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals remanded to EPA for further consideration the interim registration
review decision for glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the U.S., in part, due to noncompliance with the ESA.
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reports to Congress.244 Where effects are identified in a biological evaluation, EPA will continue
to work with the Services in a consultation245 process to ensure these new or existing pesticide
registrations meet the ESA standard.246 As required by the 2018 Farm Bill, EPA will continue to
develop processes to protect listed species earlier in the regulatory and consultation processes as
resources allow, and work with the Services, USD A, and other agencies to improve the
consultation process and apply appropriate methods and exposure reduction measures to selected
pesticide risk assessments.247 EPA also will work with the Services towards developing approaches
to conduct consultations programmatically which will also increase efficiency and reduce needed
resources for EPA and the Services.
The Agency will continue to provide technical support for compliance with the requirements of
the ESA. In FY 2024, EPA also will continue the advancement and integration of state-of-the-art
science models, knowledge bases, and analytic processes to increase productivity and better
address the challenge of potential risks of specific pesticides to specific species. Interconnection
of the various databases within the Program also will provide improved support to the risk
assessment process during registration review by allowing risk assessors to analyze complex
scenarios more easily regarding endangered species. EPA also will continue to improve its system
used to implement spatially explicit protections for listed species, Bulletins Live! Two (BLT).248
EPA plans to continue to solicit and receive feedback on the usability of BLT, maintain and
improve the underlying data, and enhance the usability of the system based on feedback as more
bulletins continue to be created and released as part of registration and registration review
decisions.
Assessing the Risks Pesticides Pose to the Environment
To accomplish the goals set out in FIFRA, in FY 2024, EPA will continue to conduct ecological
risk assessments249 to determine what risks are posed by each pesticide to plants, animals, and
ecosystems that are not the targets of the pesticide and whether changes are necessary to protect
these resources.250 In FY 2024, EPA will continue to examine all toxicity and environmental fate
data submitted with each new pesticide registration application to determine what risks the new
active ingredient may pose to the environment. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to increase the
number of pesticide registrations that include protections for federally threatened and endangered
species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). When complex scientific issues arise, the
Agency may solicit external review, such as consultation with the FIFRA Scientific Advisory
Panel,251 for independent scientific advice.
244 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.aov/endangered-species/reports-congress-improving-consu1tation-
process- under-endangered-species-act.
245 For additional information, please visit: h ttps://www.epa.aov/endanaered-species/assessina-pesti cides-under-endanaered-
sj»ecies-act..
240 Additional information on how EPA protects endangered species from pesticides can be found at:
ll! v..epa..gov/eridarigered-species.
24¦ For more information, please see: https .cpB.gov/endangcred-speeies/epas-workplan-and-progress-toward-better-
248 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.aov/endanaered-speci es/biilletiris-live-two-bll-tutorial..
249 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eoY/pesticide-science-aiid-assessiiia-pesticide-risks/factsheet-
ecoloaical-risk-assessment-pesticides.
250 Additional information may be found at: https://www.epa.aoY/pesticide-scieiice-and-assessina-pesticide-risks/oYerYiew-risk-
assessnient-pesticide-proarani.
251 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.aov/sap.
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Ensuring Proper Pesticide Use through Labeling
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to use pesticide labels to indicate what uses are appropriate and to
ensure that the pesticide is used at the application rates and according to the methods and timing
approved.252
Pesticide Registration Review
In FY 2024, EPA's activities will involve increased efforts on comprehensive risk assessments to
protect the environment. With the reauthorization of PRIA on December 29, 2022, the deadline to
complete the initial Registration Review of each pesticide or pesticide case was extended four
years to October 1, 2026, and EPA will continue working on registration review cases in FY 2024.
For pesticides registered before October 1, 2007, EPA is required to make registration review
decisions by October 1, 2026. EPA has completed opening dockets for all 726 cases in registration
review. EPA will focus its FY 2024 resources on completing decisions for cases that meet the FY
2026 statutory deadline and on cases with 15-year due dates in FY 2024 and beyond. Through FY
2023 Ql, EPA has completed a total of 685 draft risk assessments and 582 final or interim
decisions, with 41 draft risk assessments and 144 final or interim decisions remaining to be
completed to meet the FY 2026 statutory deadline.
As EPA approaches the October 1, 2026, deadline, many of the remaining cases involve highly
complex scientific and regulatory issues, which has resulted in requests from stakeholders to
extend the comment periods for proposed decisions, lengthening the amount of time needed to
complete the necessary reviews. In addition, EPA continues to await data and/or registrant input
critical to finalizing several registration review decisions. Further ongoing challenges in meeting
the FY 2026 deadline include delayed registrant submittal of additional data, the need for inter-
and intra-agency coordination, and resource constraints.
Pesticide Registration and Risk Reduction Through the Use of Safer Pesticides and Methods
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to promote reduced-risk pesticides by giving registration priority
to pesticides that have lower toxicity to people and non-target organisms such as birds, fish, and
plants; low potential for contaminating groundwater; lower use rates; low pest resistance potential;
and compatibility with Integrated Pest Management (IPM).253'254 Several other countries and
international organizations also have instituted programs to facilitate registering reduced-risk
pesticides. EPA works with the international scientific community and the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries to register new reduced-risk
pesticides and to establish related tolerances (maximum residue limits). Through these efforts,
EPA will help reduce risks to Americans from foods imported from other countries. In FY 2024,
EPA will continue to assist pesticide users in learning about new, safer products as well as safer
methods for using existing products. Through its Center for IPM, educational webinars, science-
based publications, informational social media outreach, and collaborations with federal partners,
252 Under FIFRA, it is illegal to use a registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with the label instructions and precautions.
253 Attaining risk reduction would be significantly hampered without availability of alternative products to these pesticides for
consumers. Consequently, the Registration Program's work in ensuring the availability of reduced risk pesticides plays a
significant role in meeting the environmental outcome of improved ecosystem protection. For additional information on pesticide
risk, please visit: https://www.epa.eov/pesticide-science-aiid-assessing-pesticide-risks/overview-risk-assessnieiit-pesticide-
program.
254 For additional information on IPM, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/safepestoontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-
principles.
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states, commodity and other non-governmental organizations, the Agency also will encourage the
use of IPM tools, biological pesticides, and biotechnology where they present lower-risk solutions
to pest problems.
Reducing Animal Testing
In FY 2024, EPA will continue its efforts to promote the use of alternative methods to whole
animal toxicity testing for characterizing the effects of pesticide active ingredients on terrestrial
and aquatic vertebrates. EPA also will continue its partnership with the National Toxicology
Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods
(NICEATM). A focus area will be the evaluation of Collaborative Acute Toxicity Modeling Suite
(CATMoS) estimates of acute oral toxicity to potentially replace mammal testing in ecological
risk assessment. EPA also will complete an evaluation of the feasibility of reducing the number of
tested species of fish used to characterize acute effects. This effort is expected to complement
EPA's work with other federal agencies to collect, describe, and develop performance-based
evaluations for a suite of in-silico and in-vitro methods for estimating acute lethal endpoints in
fish. By addressing both the endpoint needs and the available estimation tools concurrently, EPA
expects to increase the efficiency of performance evaluation and narrow the scope of needed
estimation methods for consideration, thereby expediting the acceptance process. Additionally,
through stakeholder discussions and participation in intergovernmental working groups, the
Agency will work to identify opportunities to reduce the use of animals in ecological hazard
testing. EPA also will reach out to non-governmental organizations to collaborate on projects (e.g.,
to retrospectively analyze the results of ecological hazard testing). Based on the results of those
projects, EPA will then develop and disseminate guidance materials for companies to clarify
ecotoxicology testing requirements/needs.
Minimizing Environmental Impacts through Outreach and Education
Through public outreach, the Agency will continue to encourage the use of IPM and other practices
to maximize the benefits pesticides can yield while minimizing their impacts on the environment.
As a continued requirement of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention's National
Program Guidance, regional pesticide offices will initiate specific IPM-related projects that target
disadvantaged communities, or vulnerable populations, such as children attending preschools and
tribal schools. The Agency also will develop and disseminate pesticide safety brochures, videos,
links, and webinars which provide education on potential benefits of IPM and promote outreach
through its Center for IPM on the success of IPM to encourage its use.255 To encourage responsible
pesticide use that does not endanger the environment, EPA also will reach out to the public through
its website and social media accounts, and to workers and professional pesticide applicators
through worker training programs. The Pesticide Safety Education Program256 provides education
to professional pesticide applicators through training and is a key component to the implementation
of applicator certification programs across the nation and helps ensure pesticides are used in a
manner to protect human health and the environment.
Pollinator Protection
Bees and other pollinators play a critical role in ensuring the production of food. USDA is leading
the federal government's effort to understand the causes of declining pollinator health and identify
255 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles.
256 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.KOv/pesticide~worker-safety/pesticide~safety-ediication~programs-0.
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actions that will improve pollinator health. EPA is part of this effort and is focusing on the potential
role of pesticides while ensuring that the pesticides used represent acceptable risks to pollinators
and that products are available for commercial beekeepers to manage pests that impact pollinator
health.
EPA continues to carefully evaluate potential effects that pesticides may have on bees through the
registration of new active ingredients and registration review, in cooperation with the Government
of Canada and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. EPA is continuing to work with
USDA to identify and address factors associated with declines in pollinator health. EPA also has
been working with a wide range of stakeholders in the government and private sectors, both
domestically and internationally, to develop and implement strategies to address factors associated
with pollinator declines and to ensure that the best available science serves as a foundation for
regulatory decisions. EPA is currently updating the estimated burden for collecting the suite of
honeybee data.
In FY 2024, EPA also will continue to apply the best available science and risk management
methods to reduce potential exposures to pollinators from pesticides.257 In addition, some of the
endangered species protection work described previously will protect pollinators. For example,
several of the pilot ESA-FIFRA projects to identify mitigations for pesticides early in the
registration review process are intended to result in protections to several pollinator species as well
as protections for plants that provide sustenance for pollinator species.
Protection of Water Resources
Reduced concentration of pesticides in water sources is an indication of the effectiveness of EPA's
risk assessment, management, mitigation, and communication activities. In FY 2024, the Agency
will continue to evaluate monitoring data as it prepares aquatic exposure assessments and will
continue to apply risk management measures, when appropriate, to reduce pesticide loadings in
water. EPA also will update aquatic benchmarks so that states and other stakeholders can
determine if measured pesticide levels might impact aquatic life. Water quality is a critical
endpoint for measuring exposure and risk to the environment and a key factor in assessing EPA's
ability to reduce exposure from these key pesticides of concern.258
Performance Measurement
In FY 2024, the Agency will be measuring performance for the registration review cases with 15-
year due dates in FY 2024 and beyond, tracking intermediate stages such as docket openings, draft
risk assessment completion, and final registration review case completions under the 15-year cycle
of pesticide registration review. The Agency expects to improve protections to endangered species
by increasing the percentage of new active ingredient registrations and registration review risk
assessments that incorporate considerations of threatened and endangered species and leverage
those improvements for other related processes in subsequent years (e.g., new uses).
257 Additional actions EPA is taking to protect pollinators from pesticides can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/pollmator-
protection.
258 The most sensitive aquatic benchmarks for the chemicals are posted on the website: http://www.epa.gov/pestioide-soienoe-
and-assessing-pestici de-risks/aqua tic-life-benchmarks-pesticide-registration.
507
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM ESA1) Percentage of risk assessments supporting pesticide registration decisions for new active
ingredients that consider the effects determinations or protections for federally threatened and endangered
species.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
40
80
90
Percent
Actual
50
62
100
Numerator
8
8
14
Risk
Denominator
16
13
14
Assessments
(PM ESA2) Percentage of risk assessments supporting pesticide registration review decisions that include
effects determinations or protections of federally threatened and endangered species.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
20
30
30
Percent
Actual
27
79
Numerator
29
27
Risk
Assessments
Denominator
107
34
(PM FIFRA3a) Number of pesticide registration review cases completed with statutory due dates that fall
after October 1, 2022.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
15
8
14
Cases
Actual
16
(PM FIFRA3b) Number of pesticide registration review dockets opened for registration review cases with
statutory completion dates that fall after October 1, 2022.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
25
20
28
Dockets
Actual
35
(PM FIFRA3c) Number of draft risk assessments completed for pesticide registration review cases with
statutory completion dates that fall after October 1, 2022.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
9
16
19
Draft
Actual
25
Assessments
508
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,465.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$24,726.0 / +20.0 FTE) This program change supports an increase in available funding
and FTE for EPA to implement Endangered Species Act (ESA) considerations into
pesticide regulatory decisions, including ESA compliance for all new active ingredient
registrations. These additional resources will allow EPA to continue to train employees and
develop the regulatory processes, strategies, and approaches to allow EPA to come into
fuller compliance with ESA. This includes $3,764 million in payroll.
(+$496.0 / +2.5 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements. This includes $471.0
thousand in payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Endangered Species Act (ESA).
509
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Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide Availability
Program Area: Pesticides Licensing
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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$941
$925
$1,002
$77
Total Budget Authority
$7,963
$8,562
$9,236
$674
Total Workyears
32.7
35.8
35.8
0.0
Program Project Description:
This program seeks to realize the value of pesticides that can be used safely to yield many benefits,
such as killing viruses and bacteria in America's hospitals. These benefits also include guarding
the Nation's abundant food supply, protecting the public from disease-carrying pests, and
protecting the environment from the introduction of invasive species from other parts of the world.
In fulfilling its mission, the Program manages the following types of pesticide registrations and
regulatory actions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA):259
Special Local Needs under FIFRA Section 24(c).
• Federal registrations at the national level under FIFRA Section 3.
• Experimental Use Permit Section 5.
• Emergency, Quarantine, and Crisis Exemption Section 18; and,
• Periodic review of existing chemicals under the Registration Review Program.260
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Meeting Agriculture's Need for Safe. Effective Pest Control Products
With the passage of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), Congress acknowledged the
importance of and need for "reduced-risk pesticides" and supported expedited agency review to
help these pesticides reach the market sooner and replace other pesticides of higher risk.261 In FY
259 The primary federal law that governs how EPA oversees pesticide manufacture, distribution, and use in the United States is the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Originally enacted in 1947, FIFRA has been significantly amended
several times, including by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA) and the Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension
Act of 2018 (PRIA). FIFRA requires that EPA register pesticides based on a finding that they will not cause unreasonable adverse
effects to people and the environment, taking into account the economic, social, and environmental costs and benefits of the use of
any pesticide.
260 Additional information may be found here: https://www.epa.KOv/pesticide-registration/types-registrations-under-fifra.
261 The law defines a reduced risk pesticide as one that "may reasonably be expected to accomplish one or more of the following:
(1) reduces pesticide risks to human health; (2) reduces pesticide risks to non-target organisms; (3) reduces the potential for
510
-------
2024, EPA will continue to support and develop procedures and guidelines for expedited review
of applications for registration or amendments for reduced risk pesticides.
Registration of Generic Pesticides
FIFRA authorizes EPA to register products that are identical to or substantially similar to already
registered products (also known as "me too products"). Applicants for these products may rely on,
or cite data already submitted by another registrant. The entry of these new products into the
market can cause price reductions resulting from new competition and broader access to products,
benefitting farmers and consumers. The Agency will continue to prioritize and review generic
registrations consistent with the statutory decision-making schedule. Application submissions for
these actions can generally be reviewed in four months. The Agency completed 1,656 "me too"
new products and amendments in FY 2021. The Agency expects to complete a similar volume of
registrations in FY 2024.
Outreach and Education
The Pesticide Program is invested in outreach and training efforts for people who use pesticides
and the public in general. In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to encourage Integrated Pest
Management (IPM), which emphasizes minimizing the use of broad-spectrum chemicals and
maximizing the use of sanitation, biological controls, and selective methods of application.
Providing on-the-ground assistance to our partners, EPA's regional offices work with states, tribes,
and territories to implement their pesticide programs and carry out IPM projects that inform
pesticide users about the pest control options, which pesticides to use, how to use them, and how
to maintain the site so pests do not return. In addition, the Pesticide Program and its Center for
IPM will provide outreach through webinars on a range of pest management and pollinator
protection topics, many of which are of importance in areas with environmental justice (EJ)
concerns and tribal communities.
Review and Registration
During FY 2024, EPA will continue to review and register new pesticides and new uses for existing
pesticides, and act on other registration requests in accordance with FIFRA and Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act standards, as well as Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act
timeframes. Many of these actions will be for reduced-risk conventional pesticides and
biopesticides, which, once registered and used by consumers, will increase societal benefits,
including for infants and children as well as susceptible subpopulations. Working together with
the affected communities, through IPM and related activities, the Agency plans to accelerate the
adoption of lower-risk products.
The Agency's work harmonizing pesticide tolerance levels with our top trade partners will reduce
international trade barriers. For FY 2024, EPA will undertake regulatory decisions on an estimated
seven new chemicals with food uses. For each of these evaluations, EPA will consider whether
there are existing Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) set by trade partners and whether the science
supports harmonizing with those levels in which tolerance harmonization will be a component of
a portion of these decisions. Also, during FY 2024, EPA will continue rulemaking and
implementation efforts to improve its crop group system which provides the regulatory definitions
contamination of valued, environmental resources, or (4) broadens adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or makes it
more effective."
511
-------
for crops which are in inter-state and international commerce, such as Phase VI of its proposed
revisions to pesticide tolerance crop group regulations.
Emergency. Quarantine, and Crisis Exemptions
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to prioritize emergency exemptions under FIFRA Section 18,
which authorizes EPA to allow an unregistered use of a pesticide for a limited time in the event of
an emergency, such as a severe pest infestation, public health emergency, or invasive pest species
quarantine. The economic benefit of the Section 18 Program to growers is the avoidance of losses
incurred in the absence of pesticides exempted under FIFRA's emergency exemption provisions.
In addition, exemptions serve as important public health controls to avert pests that may cause
significant risk to human health. In FY 2021 the Agency received 76 requests for emergency uses;
and EPA has received 30 requests for emergency uses in FY 2022 to date. Although emergency
exemption submissions cannot be precisely predicted, EPA estimates it may receive approximately
45 requests in FY 2024.
Performance Measurement
In FY 2024, the Agency will be measuring performance for the registration review cases with 15-
year due dates in FY 2024 and beyond, tracking intermediate stages such as docket openings, draft
risk assessment completion, and final registration review case completions under the 15-year cycle
of pesticide registration review. The Agency expects to improve protections to endangered species
by increasing the percentage of new active ingredient registrations and registration review risk
assessments that incorporate considerations of threatened and endangered species and leverage
those improvements for other related processes in subsequent years (e.g., new uses). Per its policy
released in January 2022, EPA anticipates registering new conventional active ingredients only
under conditions that are compliant with ESA. Additionally, EPA will be tracking metrics related
to pesticide safety training of farmworkers funded through a 5-year cooperative grant; metric
details will be provided by the grantee and will capture the number of farmworkers trained and
knowledge comprehension based on pre- and post-training assessment.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Pesticides: Protect the Environment
from Pesticide Risk Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$295.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide essential
workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$302.0) This program change is an increase that supports enhancement of pesticides registration
processes for the program.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA) § 408.
512
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Science Policy and Biotechnology
Program Area: Pesticides Licensing
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$1,185
$1,811
$1,627
-$184
Total Workyears
3.7
4.6
4.6
0.0
Program Project Description:
The Science Policy and Biotechnology Program provides scientific and policy expertise supporting
independent, external scientific peer review of matters related to pesticides and toxic substances,
including biotechnology. The Program primarily supports two federal advisory committees: the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA
SAP), and the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) established under the 2016
amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The FIFRA SAP and the SACC are
both statutorily mandated, chartered Federal Advisory Committees drawing from a balanced range
of non-EPA scientists and technical specialists from, for example, academia, other federal
government agencies, states, non-governmental organizations, and industry. These Committees
provide the EPA's Administrator independent advice and objective scientific peer review on the
technical aspects of pesticide and toxic substance issues as well as the science used to establish
guidelines and regulations, as requested. The scientific peer review conducted under this program
promotes coordination among EPA programs including but not limited to pesticides, toxic
substances, air, water, and research and development, facilitating coherent and consistent scientific
policy from a broad Agency perspective.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. In FY 2024, the Science Policy and
Biotechnology Program will continue to support the peer review of the scientific and technical
issues associated with pesticide and chemical safety. In addition, other science policy issues will
be supported by the Program when decisions require expert scientific advice from an independent
scientific peer review panel (e.g., biotechnology and new approach methodologies).
FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel
The FIFRA SAP, operating under the rules and regulations of the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, will continue to serve as the primary external independent scientific peer review mechanism
for EPA's pesticide programs. As the Nation's primary pesticide regulatory agency, EPA makes
decisions that require EPA to review scientific data on pesticide risks to wildlife, farmworkers,
513
-------
pesticide applicators, sensitive and vulnerable populations, ecosystems, and the general public.
The scientific data involved in these decisions are complex. A critical component of EPA's use of
the best available science to address such issues is seeking technical advice and scientific peer
review from the FIFRA SAP.
The FIFRA SAP conducts reviews each year on a variety of scientific topics. Specific topics to be
placed on the FIFRA SAP agenda are usually confirmed in advance of each session and include
difficult, new, or controversial scientific issues identified in the course of EPA's pesticide program
activities. In early FY 2023, EPA appointed two new members and reappointed one existing
member of the FIFRA SAP. One FIFRA SAP meeting is planned for late FY 2023. Consistent
with the FIFRA SAP Charter, EPA anticipates convening approximately five FIFRA SAP
meetings in FY 2024. These meetings will focus on the impact of pesticides on human health and
the environment and include the peer review of scientific data, methodologies, models, and
assessments, as needed.
Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals
The SACC, operating under the rules and regulations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, will
continue to serve as the primary external independent scientific peer review mechanism for EPA's
chemical safety programs. EPA makes decisions that require the Agency to review scientific data
on risks that chemicals pose to a variety of populations including women, children, and other
potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations. The scientific data, assessments,
methodologies, and measures involved in these decisions are complex. Many of EPA's tools and
models for examining exposures to industrial chemicals rely on inputs that are sensitive to climate
data. The SACC provides independent, expert scientific advice and recommendations to EPA on
the scientific basis for risk assessments, methodologies, and pollution prevention measures and
approaches for chemicals regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and is a
critical component of EPA's use of the best available science to protect human health and the
environment.
The SACC conducts reviews each year on a variety of scientific topics. Similarly, to the FIFRA
SAP, specific topics to be placed on the SACC agenda include difficult, new, or controversial
scientific issues identified in the course of EPA's chemicals program activities. Two SACC
meetings are planned for mid- and late FY 2023. In addition, EPA anticipates appointing eight
new SACC members in late FY 2023. Consistent with the SACC Charter, EPA anticipates
convening approximately four to six SACC meetings in FY 2024. These meetings will focus on
the impact of industrial chemicals on human health and the environment and include the peer
review of scientific data, methodologies, models, and assessments, as needed.
Planned Committee Meetings
Based on the estimates reflected in the 2022-2024 committee charters,262 EPA anticipates
convening up to a total of nine to 11 meetings in FY 2024. These meetings will focus on the impact
of pesticides and chemicals on human health and the environment and include the peer review of
scientific data, methodologies, models, and assessments, as needed.
262 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eov/sap/fifra-scieiitific-advisorv-paiiel-chai1er and
https://www.epa.gov/tsca-peer-review/science-advisory-committee-chemicals-charter.
514
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Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$3.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$181.0) This program change is a decrease that will reduce support of science advisory
committee oversight.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics
Act (FFDCA), §408; Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA).
515
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Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
516
-------
RCRA: Corrective Action
Program Area: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$43,061
$40,512
$41,669
$1,157
Total Budget Authority
$43,061
$40,512
$41,669
$1,157
Total Workyears
169.4
174.9
174.4
-0.5
Program Project Description:
To reduce risks from exposure to hazardous wastes, EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Program ensures that contaminated facilities subject to RCRA
requirements are cleaned up by the responsible party, returns contaminated property to productive
use, and keeps costs from being transferred to the taxpayer-funded portion of the Superfund
Program. Implementing the Program's 2030 Goals263 and RCRA Corrective Action regulations
and administrative orders, EPA and authorized states will continue to oversee cleanups conducted
by facility owner/operators to ensure that the facilities meet their cleanup obligations and to protect
taxpayers from having to pay the bill. RCRA cleanups contribute many environmental and
economic benefits to their communities. A recent EPA analysis of 79 RCRA cleanups showed that
these facilities support 1,028 on-site businesses providing economic benefits including $39 billion
in annual sales revenue, over 82,000 jobs, and $7.9 billion in estimated annual employment
income.264 Approximately 113 million Americans live within three miles of a RCRA corrective
action facility (roughly 35 percent of the U.S. population),265 and the total area covered by these
corrective action sites is approximately 18 million acres.266
EPA works in close partnership with 44 states and one territory authorized to implement the
Corrective Action Program267 to ensure that cleanups protect human health and the environment.
The Corrective Action Program allows for the return of properties to beneficial use, which benefits
the surrounding communities, reduces liabilities for facilities, and allows facilities to redirect
resources to productive activities. The Agency provides program direction, leadership, and support
to its state partners. This includes specialized technical and program expertise, policy development
for effective program management, national program priority setting, measurement and tracking,
training and technical tools, and data collection/management/documentation. In addition, through
203 U.S. EPA, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, 2020. RCRA Corrective Action Program Vision/Mission/Goals for
2030. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/documents/rcra corrective action program vision.pdf.
204 U.S. EPA, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, 2022. Summary of 2021 RCRA Corrective Action Economic
Benefits Study and Research Methodology.
205 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2021. Data collected includes: 1) RCRA CA site information as of the
end ofFY2020- and 2) population data from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey.
200 Compiled RCRAInfo data.
207 State implementation of the Corrective Action Program is funded through the STAG Categorical Grant: Hazardous Waste
Financial Assistance and matching state contributions.
517
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work-sharing, the Agency serves as lead or support for a significant number of complex and
challenging cleanups in both non-authorized and authorized states.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Corrective Action Program will focus its resources on continuing cleanup of 3,983
priority contaminated facilities (the Corrective Action Progress Track), which include highly
contaminated and technically challenging sites, and on assessing others to determine whether
cleanups are necessary. As of the end of FY 2022, only 41 percent of these facilities have
completed final and permanent cleanups, leaving approximately 2,300 facilities still requiring
oversight and technical support to reach final site-wide cleanup objectives. In FY 2022, EPA
approved 124 RCRA corrective action facilities as ready for anticipated use (RAU), bringing the
total number of RCRA RAU facilities to 1,922. In addition, in FY 2022 the Program achieved
remedy construction at 55 facilities, resulting in a total of 2,896 with remedies constructed, and
achieved performance standards attained at 66 facilities, resulting in a total of 1,653 facilities with
standards attained.268 The Program's goals are to control human exposures, control migration of
contaminated groundwater, complete final cleanups for the Corrective Action Progress Track
facilities, and identify, assess, and clean up additional priority facilities.
In FY 2024, EPA will:
Continue to make RCRA corrective action sites RAU, ensuring that properties are returned
to productive use and human health and the environment are protected into the future.
• Assess its universe of cleanup facilities, priorities, and measures to ensure that resources
are directed to addressing those facilities that present risk to human health and the
environment and supporting environmental justice and climate resiliency.
• Provide technical assistance to authorized states in the areas of site characterization,
sampling, remedy selection, reaching final cleanup goals, and long-term stewardship for
cleanups with contamination remaining in place in order to support communities at risk
from multiple health stressors and/or climate change impacts.
• Prioritize and focus the Program on completing site investigations to identify the most
significant threats, establishing interim remedies to reduce or eliminate exposure, and
selecting and constructing safe, effective long-term remedies that also maintain the
economic viability of operating facilities.
• For high priority facilities, utilize oversight tools and work-sharing agreements to assist
with facilities that have complex issues269 or special tasks.
268 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/hw/lists-facilities-resource-coiiservatioii-aiid-recoverY-act-rcra-
2020-corrective-action-baseline.
269 For example, vapor intrusion, wetlands contamination, or extensive groundwater issues.
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Continue to improve cleanup approaches and share best practices and cleanup
innovations270 to speed up and improve cleanups.
Complete rulemaking to clarify that the definition of hazardous waste found in RCRA
section 1004(5) is applicable to corrective action for releases from solid waste management
units.
• Update and maintain RCRAInfo, which is the primary data system that many states rely
upon to manage their RCRA permitting, corrective action, and hazardous waste generator
programs. RCRAInfo receives data from hazardous waste handlers for the National
Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report. The data from the 2021 biennial reporting cycle
showed there were 19,141 generators of over 36 million tons of hazardous waste.
RCRAInfo provides the only national-level RCRA hazardous waste data and statistics to
track the environmental progress of approximately 20,000 hazardous waste units at 6,600
facilities.
Contribute to efforts ensuring the proper management, disposal, and cleanup of per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM CA5RC) Number of RCRA corrective action facilities with final remedies constructed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
98
98
73
55
55
52
Facilities
Actual
67
70
80
64
57
55
(PM RSRAU) Number of RCRA corrective action facilities made Ready for Anticipated Use.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
75
91
117
133
114
100
85
Facilities
Actual
72
117
127
169
146
124
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,245.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base payroll costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$88.0 / -0.5 FTE) This program change reduces FTE support for RCRA Corrective Action
activities including cleanups. This includes a reduction of $88.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
§§3004,3005, 8001.
270 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/hw/toolbox-corrective-action-resource-conservation-and-recoverv-
act-facilities-investigation-remedv.
519
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RCRA: Waste Management
Program Area: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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face also evolve; this requires new direction and changes in the federal hazardous waste program
through updated regulations, guidance, and other tools.
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. Additionally, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCB) cleanup and disposal program is implemented under the Waste Management Program to
reduce PCB exposure from improper disposal, storage, and spills. The Program reviews and
approves PCB cleanup, storage, and disposal activities. This federal authority is not delegated to
state programs. PCBs were banned in 1979, but legacy use and contamination still exists, and
PCBs can still be released into the environment from poorly maintained hazardous waste sites that
contain them.
Maintaining updated permits and controls ensures that facilities: 1) have consistent and protective
standards to prevent release; 2) have proper standards for waste management to protect human
health and prevent land contamination/degradation; and 3) avoid future cleanups and associated
substantial costs. EPA will work with authorized states to ensure that permit decisions, including
decisions to issue, renew, or deny permits, reflect the latest technology and standards. EPA also
will work with authorized states to ensure that all communities, including those who are
marginalized and overburdened, have an equitable opportunity to engage in the permitting process.
States, tribes, territories, communities, and RCRA facilities are beginning to experience impacts
from climate change, such as extreme weather and wildfires, and these impacts are expected to
increase in the future. EPA is working to implement the EPA Climate Adaptation Action Plan;274
increase resilience of Corrective Action, PCB, and RCRA permitted facilities to extreme weather
events and sea level rise; improve PCB guidance during emergency situations; assist municipalities
with natural disaster preparedness and debris management planning; and strengthen the capacity
of states, tribes, territories, communities, and businesses to adapt to climate change.
Where communities adversely impacted by environmental conditions are advocating for more
transparency or involvement in decision-making or where the trust is strained, providing enhanced,
tailored engagement through the Community Engagement and Technical Assistance (CETA)
program will allow EPA to build a better bridge between the region, state, facility, and
community. The CETA program serves as the vehicle to deliver risk communications, technical
assistance, and engagement support to fenceline and overburdened communities, ensuring
equitable access and the opportunity to participate in environmental decisions that impact their
health and wellbeing.
There continues to be increased public and congressional attention to issues around post-consumer
materials management, especially plastics, in the environment and EPA's role in addressing them
(e.g., marine litter prevention and reduction, environmental justice concerns in countries to which
the U.S. exports plastics, and the climate impacts of single-use plastics). Marine litter and plastic
pollution is an increasingly prominent global problem that can negatively affect public health, the
274 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/sYsteni/files/docunieiits/2021-09/epa-cliniate-adaptatioii-plan-
pdf-version.pdf, https://www.epa.gov/systeni/files/docunients/2022-10/bhS08-
QLEM%20| gust%202022 POST OGCreview 9.12.2022.pdf.
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environment, and the economy. Most marine litter and plastic is from land-based sources and
makes its way into our waterways and ultimately to the ocean, creating a direct link between waste
management practices and ocean pollution.275 The Save Our Seas 2.0 Act,276 enacted in December
2020, was passed with bipartisan congressional support and provides EPA with authority to further
act on post-consumer materials management.
The Program also plays a central role in establishing and updating standards for analytical test
methods that are used across the country and the world to provide consistent, reliable
determinations as to whether waste is hazardous, as well as the presence and extent of hazardous
waste in the environment. This work provides the foundation that underlies waste management
approaches and ensures that method standards evolve with technology for conducting these
analyses.
In addition to overseeing the management of hazardous waste under RCRA Subtitle C, EPA also
plays a role in solid waste management under Subtitle D. While much of this area is delegated to
the states, EPA is actively working on aspects of coal combustion residuals (CCR) under this area
of the law, including the establishment and refinement of appropriate regulations and, as directed
by the 2016 Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN Act), the development
of a new federal permitting program for CCR surface impoundments and landfills. In
implementing regulations for CCR, EPA is taking action to ensure that the concerns of nearby
communities are addressed in a protective manner.
While the majority of the work is focused on domestic issues, the Program also is responsible for
issues related to international movement of wastes. EPA oversees the notification and consent
process for hazardous waste imports and exports. Most of these movements are for recycling and,
thus, are critical to resource conservation. In coordination with other agencies and departments,
EPA represents the U.S. Government in numerous international forums concerned with waste
issues. This representation is vital to protecting U.S. interests and furthering U.S. policy goals.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.2, Reduce Waste and Prevent
Environmental Contamination in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA requests an additional $14.7 million and 45.5 FTE for the RCRA Waste
Management Recycling Program. The Program will:
• Provide technical assistance, guidance, tools, and support to regions, states, and tribes
regarding the development and implementation of solid waste programs (e.g., the RCRA
hazardous waste generator, transporter, treatment, storage, and disposal regulations and
implementing guidance; the RCRA non-hazardous waste program; the TSCA PCB
disposal and cleanup program; and the hazardous waste import/export program).
275 U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, "Ten Things you
should Know about Marine Debris," https://oceaiiserYice.iioaa.eoY/iiews/niariiiedebris/ten-things.htnil.
276 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.conaress.eoY/116/plaws/publ224/PLAW-116publ224.pdf.
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• Enhance risk communications and deliver technical assistance support directly to
communities, particularly fenceline communities, with environmental concerns related to
RCRA facilities.
• Provide technical and implementation assistance, oversight, and support to facilities that
generate, treat, store, recycle, and dispose of hazardous waste.
• Review and approve PCB cleanup, storage, and disposal activities to reduce exposures,
particularly in sensitive areas like schools and other public spaces. Issuing PCB approvals
is a federal responsibility, non-delegable to states.
• Manage and monitor the RCRA permitting program and ensure the issuance of permits
efficiently to achieve program goals. This includes progress towards meeting the Agency's
goal of increasing the percentage of permits kept up to date for the approximately 6,700
hazardous waste units (e.g., incinerators, landfills, and tanks) located at 1,300 permitted
treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.
• Implement the EPA Climate Adaptation Action Plan and provide technical assistance and
guidance to strengthen the capacity of states, tribes, territories, communities, and facilities
to adapt to climate change.
Continue analysis of existing regulations to ensure protective standards for managing solid
and hazardous waste and PCBs. In FY 2024, this includes assessment of standards related
to open burning/open detonation of hazardous waste, PCB cleanup and disposal, and other
regulatory amendments to reflect current standards, policies, and practices.
• Manage the hazardous waste import/export notice and consent process in order to make
shipping hazardous waste across borders more efficient. Managing hazardous waste
imports and exports is a federal responsibility, non-delegable to states.
• Provide technical hazardous waste management assistance to tribes to encourage
sustainable practices and reduce exposure to toxins from hazardous waste.
• Directly implement the RCRA Program in unauthorized states, on tribal lands, and other
unauthorized portions of state RCRA programs. Issue and update permits, including
continuing to improve permitting processes.
• Establish and update standards for analytical test methods that are used across the country
and the world to provide consistent, reliable determinations as to whether waste is
hazardous, as well as the presence and extent of hazardous waste in the environment.
Take action to ensure protective management of CCR through the implementation of
existing regulations, promulgation of additional regulations to address legacy surface
impoundments, and the launch of a federal permitting program. The Agency promulgated
regulations specifying improved management and disposal practices to ensure people and
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ecosystems are protected. The Agency will continue to work with our stakeholders through
technical assistance and guidance as we develop and implement regulations.
• Implement applicable provisions of the WIIN Act, which enables states to submit state
CCR permit programs for EPA approval. The Agency will continue to work closely with
state partners to review and make determinations on state programs. Subject to
appropriations, EPA will implement a permit program for CCR disposal facilities in non-
participating states and on tribal lands.
• As part of an EPA effort to reduce ocean pollution and plastics, the Program will provide
technical expertise and funding to support development and implementation of solid waste
management systems and infrastructure to help ensure that non-hazardous waste items are
appropriately collected, recycled, reused, or properly disposed of to prevent litter from
entering waterways from land.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM HW5) Number of updated permits issued at hazardous waste facilities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
64
64
105
100
90
100
110
Permits
Actual
125
109
124
104
130
107
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$2,772.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base payroll costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support for
critical agency wide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity requirements,
electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of Trusted
Vetting 2.0.
(+$6,118.0 / +22.0 FTE) This program change will expand the Community Engagement
and Technical Assistance program to help protect economically disadvantaged
communities from hazardous substance releases from facilities. This investment includes
$4.1 million for payroll.
(+$4,599.0 / +22.5 FTE) This program change is to provide sufficient staffing levels to
implement the coal combustion residual federal permitting program. This investment
includes $4.2 million for payroll.
• (+$1,187.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program change will help implement the EPA Climate
Adaptation Action Plan, support increased resilience at Transportation, Storage, and
Disposal Facilities and PCB Storage facilities, and strengthen the capacity of states, tribes,
territories, communities, and businesses to adapt to climate change. This investment
includes $187.0 thousand for payroll.
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Statutory Authority:
Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
§§ 3002, 3004, 3005, 3017; Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) § 6. Save our Seas 2.0, 2020,
Pub. L. 116-224.
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RCRA: Waste Minimization & Recycling
Program Area: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
S12.60J
SI 0.252
S12.MS
S 2.416
Total Budget Authority
$12,603
$10,252
$12,668
$2,416
Total Workyears
36.7
43.4
53.4
10.0
Program Project Description:
The RCRA Waste Minimization and Recycling Program supports the sustainable management of
resources, including managing materials that sustainably promote economic growth, reducing
environmental impacts, and advancing a circular economy for all.
The U.S. recycling industry provides approximately 680,000 jobs and $5.5 billion annually in
tax revenues and there is opportunity for greater contribution to the economy and environmental
protection, as recent data indicate materials worth as much as $9 billion are thrown away each
year.277 Recycling is an important part of a circular economy, which refers to a system of activities
that is restorative to the environment, enables resources to maintain their highest values, and
designs out waste. A circular economy approach provides direct, measurable reductions in
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as natural resource extraction and processing make up
approximately 50 percent of total global GHG emissions.278
Further, living near waste and waste-related facilities can place burdens on communities when
waste is not properly managed, which can lead to higher levels of chronic health issues.
Communities whose residents are predominantly persons of color, Indigenous, or low-income
continue to be disproportionately impacted by high pollution levels, resulting in adverse health
and environmental impacts. It is critical to implement materials management strategies that are
inclusive of communities with environmental justice concerns as well as pursue innovations that
offer the benefits of cleaner processing of materials to all. Recycling is not enough to achieve a
circular economy, but it is an important part of addressing climate change, creating jobs, and
reducing environmental and social impacts.
EPA established a National Recycling Goal to increase the recycling rate from a rate of 32.1
percent in 2018 to 50 percent by 2030,279 and finalized and released the National Recycling
277 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/smm/recvcling-economic-infonnation-rei-report.
278 U.N. Environment International Resource Panel, Global Resources Outlook, 2019, p. 8.
https://www.resourcepanel.org/reports/global-resources-outlook.
279 In 2018, in the United States, approximately 292 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) were generated. Of the MSW
generated, approximately 94 million tons were recycled or composted, equivalent to a 32.1 percent recycling and composting
rate, https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/docunients/2018 ft" fact sheet dec 2020 fill 508.pdf.
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Strategy on November 15, 2021.280 The National Recycling Strategy is part one of a series of
strategies the Agency is developing to build a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective recycling
system and a circular economy for all. Reducing waste helps alleviate burdens on populations that
bear the brunt of poorly run waste management facilities and transfer stations. When applied to
critical minerals, a circular economy approach facilitates end-of-life recycling and the recovery of
critical minerals in order to support a secure supply chain. Future strategies will focus on plastics,
critical minerals and electronics, food waste/organics, textiles, and the built environment (e.g.,
construction and demolition debris).
Congressional and public interest continues to grow regarding plastics in the environment and
EPA's role in addressing them (e.g., ocean plastics, environmental justice concerns in countries to
whom the U.S. exports plastics, and the climate impacts of single-use plastics). The Save Our Seas
2.0 Act,281 enacted in December 2020, was passed with bipartisan congressional support and
provides EPA with authority to further act on domestic recycling and address plastic waste through
new grant programs, studies, and increased federal coordination. Additionally, the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (IDA), as well as STAG appropriations, provide funding for recycling
infrastructure grants authorized by section 302(a) of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act. IDA also provided
funding for education and outreach grants focused on improving material recycling, recovery, and
management and established new programs focused on battery recycling. EPA was also charged
with developing a model recycling program toolkit, increasing coordination and review of federal
procurement guidelines, and providing assistance to the educational community to incorporate
recycling best practices into school curriculum.
The RCRA Waste Minimization and Recycling Program also promotes the efficient management
of food as a resource. Reducing food loss and waste means more food for communities, fewer
GHG emissions and climate impacts, and increased economic growth. EPA works to meet the
national goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50 percent by 2030 by providing national
estimates of food waste generation and management; convening, educating, and supporting
communities seeking to reduce food waste; working collaboratively with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce food waste; and providing funding
to demonstrate anaerobic digester applications.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.2, Reduce Waste and Prevent
Environmental Contamination in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA requests an additional $2.4 million and 10.0 FTE for the RCRA Waste
Minimization and Recycling Program. This investment will focus on efforts to strengthen the U.S.
recycling system by investing in solid waste management infrastructure and consumer education
and outreach, address the global issue of plastic waste, engage communities, and prevent and
reduce food loss and waste. The Program will conduct the following activities:
280 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.eov/svsteni/files/docunients/2021-l 1/final-national-recvcling-
strategy.pdf.
281 For more information, please refer to: https://www.conaress.aov/] 16/plaws/puM224/PL,AW-l 16publ224.pdf.
527
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• Provide national leadership and direction on approaches to reduce environmental impacts
and increase the safe and effective reuse/recycling of materials, with a special focus on
plastic waste, food waste, and critical minerals and electronics.
Contribute towards global climate change efforts and demonstrate U.S. leadership
internationally through participation in resource efficiency dialogues.
• Implement the National Recycling Strategy through the Solid Waste Infrastructure for
Recycling (SWIFR) grant program, the Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) grant
program, and other activities. Develop and implement additional strategies in key areas
with the greatest potential to reduce the lifecycle impacts of materials, including plastic
waste, food waste, critical minerals and electronics (e.g., batteries), textiles, and
construction and demolition debris.
• Increased resources will support efforts to gather data and provide high-quality scientific
information on materials management, including releasing a report on the investment
required to modernize waste management infrastructure to achieve consistent collection
across the Nation and to provide all citizens with access to recycling services on par with
access to disposal; releasing data on curbside recycling and single-use plastics; finalizing
an analysis of different policy approaches for recovering materials; finalizing a study on
the social costs associated with nonrecycling or uncontrolled disposal; and continuing to
work with the National Academy of Sciences to analyze the cost of recycling programs to
state and local governments.
Continue to administer grants for state, territorial, tribal, and local governments to build
and enhance recycling capacity, infrastructure, and consumer education and outreach
around the country. The grant programs will continue to support state, territorial, and tribal
communities seeking to enhance their capacity to recover and recycle materials by
modernizing local waste management systems and improving education and outreach.
Provide technical assistance to communities to enhance their capacity to apply for federal
funding opportunities. Announce new funding opportunities for the SWIFR and REO grant
programs that are primarily funded by IIJA.
• Administer and enhance the model recycling program toolkit developed for use in carrying
out the REO grant program funded by IIJA, and provide assistance to the educational
community to promote the introduction of recycling principles and best practices into
public school curricula.
Continue coordinating with federal agencies to reduce food waste in their facilities,
increase composting, complete food waste prevention pilot projects, and connect
stakeholders with food waste reduction technologies such as anaerobic digestion.
• Enhance the Knowledge Management System for grant programs for recycling
infrastructure and education and outreach to assist in tracking funded project development
through completion and expedite result reporting.
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Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$522.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base payroll costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$1,894.0 / +10.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to assist EPA with
implementation of the National Recycling Strategy, oversight of the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act grants, and challenges on recycling and the circular economy.
This investment includes $1.8 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA);
Save our Seas 2.0 Act, 2020, Pub. L. 116-224; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Pub.
L. 117-58
529
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Toxics Risk Review and Prevention
530
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Endocrine Disruptors
Program Area: Toxics Risk Review and Prevention
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
S6.fi2'J
S -.(,1-1
S'/iSO
Wi
Total Budget Authority
$6,629
$7,614
$7,680
S66
Total Workyears
6.4
7.6
7.6
0.0
Program Project Description:
The Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) was established in 1996 under authorities
contained in the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
amendments. The EDSP is transitioning to the use of high throughput (HT) screening and
computational toxicology (CompTox)282 tools to screen thousands of chemicals for endocrine
activity; establish policies and procedures for screening and testing; and evaluate data to ensure
chemical safety by protecting public health and the environment from endocrine disrupting
chemicals. Implementing EDSP work into the Agency's risk assessment and risk management
functions supports EPA's environmental justice (EJ) priorities, both by targeting substances based
on effects to sensitive life stages and deploying rapid methods for assessing disparate chemical
exposures to vulnerable communities.
EPA has run thousands of chemicals through HT assays, including the estrogen receptor (ER) and
androgen receptor (AR) pathway models and the HT steroidogenesis assay. To further support the
evaluation and validation of HT approaches, the EDSP has completed some limited targeted in
vivo Tier 1 & 2 assays and is conducting systematic reviews of relevant in vivo data meeting EPA
guidelines.
The Agency continues to engage the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) in the scientific peer review of HT tools including ToxCast283 to
evaluate their use in chemical screening as alternatives to Tier 1 assays and to integrate into more
complex evaluation frameworks. Embedded into the EDSP approach is a focus on sensitive life
stages during the tiered testing and assessment processes. As this data is incorporated into
conceptual risk assessment models, it can specifically inform decisions on vulnerable
subpopulations. Further, as EDSP prioritizes future chemical assessments, HT tools such as
ExpoCast2U will assist in the identification of priority chemical targets with vulnerable
subpopulations and EJ concerns for further investigation.
282 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eov/eiidocriiie-disruptioii/use-hieh-throughput-assavs-aiid-
computational-tools-endocrine-disruptor.
283 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eov/ehemical-research/toxicitv-forecastina.
284 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eoY/cheniical-research/rapid-cheniical-exposure-and-dose-research.
531
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Under the current tiered framework, imposing the EDSP Tier 1 battery for all 10,000+ substances
in the EDSP Universe of Chemicals would cost the regulated community more than $10 billion in
addition to EPA resources for staff to manage the regulatory infrastructure to order and review the
tests.285 Given the current national and international laboratory testing capacity, it would take many
years to complete, and involve the sacrifice of many millions of animals. To address these issues,
in FY 2024, the Agency will:
Continue collaborations with EPA's research programs in order to increase scientific
confidence in HT approaches which will support a more refined, integrated endocrine activity
exposure-based approach to EDSP chemical screening.
Continue execution of a multi-year plan for implementation of the EDSP for pesticide active
ingredients and inerts.,
• In collaboration with EPA's research programs, continue HT screening on pesticide substances
that were not part of the ToxCast chemical sets.
In FY 2024 these efforts will address several key milestones including: 1) working towards
finalizing EDSP List 1, Tier 1 decisions including potential initiation of Tier 2 assays; and 2)
implementing EDSP evaluations of pesticide active ingredients to support pesticide registrations
and registration review, in line with Administration priorities on EJ. The EDSP screening and
testing framework explicitly includes evaluations on vulnerable subpopulations such as differences
among life stages including pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. Moreover, the EDSP Tier 1
battery is designed to identify potential effects on reproduction, a key indicator for EJ.
In FY 2021, the EDSP was the subject of an EPA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report;286 the
milestones above are consistent with that report. In response to this report, in FY 2023, the EDSP
will begin conducting annual internal program reviews, develop a strategic plan to support
implementation, develop short-term performance metrics, and release a key document related to
use of new approach methodologies (NAMs) in the EDSP. In response to the OIG, EPA has already
established better communications between offices with testing responsibilities and updated the
EDSP webpage to be more informative for stakeholders.287
Another accomplishment is the establishment in FY 2022 of the Endocrine Disruptor Science and
Policy Committee (EDSPOC), whose primary function is to serve as OPP's central forum to
review hazard and exposure evaluations to the extent relevant for making recommendations on
FFDCA section 408(p)(4) exemptions. In January 2023, the EDSP published a white paper for
285 https://www.sciencedirect.coni/science/ai1icle/pii/S0273230011000055? via%3Dihub. https://www.epa.gov/eiidocriiie-
disruption/universe-cheniicals-potential-endocrine-disruptor-screenina-and-testina &
https://www.federalreaister.gOv/documents/2023/01/19/2023-00940/availability-of-new-approach-methodologies-in-the-
endocrine-disruptor-screenina-prograni-notice-of
286 For additional information on OIG's report "EPA's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program Has Made Limited Progress in
Assessing Pesticides," please visit: https://www.epa.gov/office-inspector-general/repoi1-epas-eiidocriiie-disruptor-screemna-
program-has-made-limited.
287 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/eiidocriiie-disruptioii.
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public comment titled "Availability of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in the Endocrine
Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP)" which will designate certain NAMs as validated. The data
from these validated NAMs will provide partial Tier 1 screening data for about 500 pesticide
chemicals. In FY 2024, in addition to the milestones above, the EDSP will continue to make
progress on potential issuance of test orders on outstanding chemicals and determinations of the
endocrine-relevant data to make mandatory as part of the pesticide registration process.
As outlined in the OIG report, during FY 2024, EPA plans to begin and continue incorporating
EDSP into the regulatory programs for which it was intended. Planning for this is ongoing,
including development of a new strategic planning document focused on implementation,
development of performance measures, and annual reviews. Further, no program has
systematically incorporated HT and CompTox tools and results into their regulatory decision-
making. A refined, multi-year estimate beyond the baseline testing and review costs cannot be
established until the program has gained more experience with actual decisions.
The EDSP will continue to collaborate with relevant bodies and international partners, such as the
Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) and
the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to maximize the
efficiency of EPA's resources and promote adoption of internationally harmonized test methods,
particularly high throughput, or computational approaches, for evaluating the potential endocrine
effects of chemicals. EPA represents the U.S. as either the lead or a participant in OECD projects
involving the improvement of assay systems, including the development of non-animal screening
and testing methods.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$145.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$79.0) This is a programmatic decrease for endocrine disruption screening contractual
support.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA),
§ 1457.
§ 408(p); Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA),
533
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Pollution Prevention Program
Program Area: Toxics Risk Review and Prevention
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Promote Pollution Prevention
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
ihivironnicnliil I'ro^rums Muiui^cnicnl
sii.'m
SI2.W
S2V.00V
SI 6.1122
Total Budget Authority
$11,988
$12,987
$29,009
$16,022
Total Workyears
45.6
51.2
69.2
18.0
Program Project Description:
The Pollution Prevention (P2) Program is one of EPA's primary tools for advancing environmental
stewardship and sustainability for federal, state, and tribal governments as well as businesses,
communities, and individuals. The program also is the primary implementation mechanism for the
Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) of 1990. The P2 Program seeks to alleviate environmental
problems by helping businesses and others with developing and implementing source reduction
practices before pollution is created. As a result of these approaches, the P2 Program protects the
environment by conserving and protecting natural resources while strengthening economic growth
through cost reductions and increased market opportunities. Pollution prevention approaches
include, but are not limited to, reducing hazardous releases to air, water, and land; the use of
hazardous materials; the generation of greenhouse gases; and the use of water. The program's
efforts advance EPA's priorities to pursue sustainability; to act on climate change; make a visible
difference in communities, including advancing environmental justice (EJ) in disadvantaged
communities; and ensure chemical safety. The program includes a counterpart P2 Categorical
Grants Program in the State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) account.288
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.2, Promote Pollution Prevention of the
FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. FY 2024 funding will continue to support the following P2
programs:
P2 Technical Assistance
The P2 technical assistance program supports businesses, states, tribes, and other partners to
promote and facilitate the adoption of source reduction approaches that make good business sense
and to improve multimedia environmental conditions and climate impacts through reductions in
the release of hazardous materials and pollutants such as greenhouse gases. EPA invests in
analyses, tool development, training, outreach, and partnerships to provide the information and
tools needed to bring awareness to industries of P2 approaches and benefits and to enable their
widespread implementation to prevent or reduce pollution. The P2 program leverages the success
288 For additional information about the EPA P2 Program, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/p2/.
534
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of EPA grantees and client businesses by amplifying and replicating environmental stewardship
and sustainability successes for similar businesses in other locales.289 Such economies of scale for
P2 are central to maximizing the effectiveness of the program.
To further advance EJ in FY 2024, EPA will use analyses of toxic chemical releases from the
Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and other chemical release data to identify facilities and industries
near communities with EJ concerns. These analyses will be combined with sector-specific case
studies, best practices, and outreach and training efforts to facilitate adoption of P2 practices in
such communities. In FY 2024, EPA also will initiate efforts to work with stakeholders to identify
technically and economically feasible opportunities for small businesses to adopt safer alternatives
for uses of TSCA High Priority Substances undergoing risk evaluation.
In FY 2024, an additional $9.7 million and 9.0 FTE will support small businesses with transitioning
to TSCA compliant practices and mitigating any associated economic impacts. This new grant
program would provide technical assistance to small businesses for identifying and adopting
alternatives to current practices and minimizing economic impacts associated with such transitions,
which may include direct financial assistance. EPA's P2 grant program has supported work by P2
grantees, over several years, to work with businesses and industry to identify technically and
economically feasible alternatives to toxic chemicals, including some that are the focus of current
TSCA risk evaluation and management (e.g., halogenated solvents used in a variety of industries
such as degreasing in metal fabrication). The additional resources requested will facilitate the
development of additional grant Request for Applications (RFAs) and grant performance measures
publication of RFAs, evaluation of applications, awarding of grants, finalization of workplans, and
initiation of grant work. Resources will also provide ongoing support to grantees including
coordination, networking and information sharing, and documentation and dissemination of best
practices.
P2 reporting under the TRI program collects information on facility-level P2 practices associated
with reductions in use and release of toxic chemicals. In FY 2024, EPA will evaluate and integrate
P2 case studies and best practices relevant to TSCA risk management efforts by small businesses,
clarify technical and economic factors associated with such transitions, and develop and deploy
pilot programs to leverage training and ongoing support for small businesses expected to make P2
transitions in response to TSCA risk management.
Safer Choice Program
EPA certifies and allows use of the Safer Choice label290 on products containing ingredients that
meet stringent health and environmental criteria and undergo annual audits to confirm the products
are manufactured to the Safer Choice Standard's rigorous health and environmental requirements.
Safer Choice is a voluntary program that certifies safer products so consumers, businesses, and
purchasers can find products that work well and contain ingredients safer for human health and
the environment, including helping reduce exposure to carcinogens in products.
With hundreds of partner companies and approximately 1,800 certified products in the
marketplace, companies have invested heavily in this EPA partnership. Consumer, retailer, and
289 For additional information, please see the Pollution Prevention Program narrative under the STAG account/appropriation.
290 For additional information about the Safer Choice Program, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice.
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industry interest in Safer Choice and safer chemical products continues to grow across chemical
product value chains. Under the same stringent criteria, EPA certifies disinfectant products
registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) using the Design
for the Environment logo. The Safer Choice Program will expand into additional product
categories and seek to increase consumer and commercial recognition of Safer Choice products.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue its Partner of the Year Awards Program,291 which recognizes
organizations and companies for their leadership in formulating products made with safer
ingredients and making them available to communities.
In FY 2024, Safer Choice will integrate and address EJ concerns through outreach and partnership
activities. Efforts to make Safer Choice-certified products more accessible to communities with
EJ concerns will expand with particular focus on low-income, tribal, and indigenous populations
and other vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing medical
conditions. Safer Choice will work with retailers and product manufacturers to help them develop
even more products containing safer chemical ingredients that are easy to identify and purchase.
Safer Choice will work to empower custodial staff and house cleaning companies and enable
facilities through education to gain access to Safer Choice-certified products to improve indoor air
quality and reduce exposure-related asthma.292
To enhance transparency and to facilitate expansion and use of safer chemicals and products, EPA
has included on the program's website a list of non-confidential chemicals that meet the Safer
Choice Program criteria and that are allowed in the program's labeled products. In Q1 of FY 2023,
the Safer Chemical Ingredients List contained 1,055 safer chemicals, up from 1,033 in Q1 of FY
2022, and EPA will continue to update this list in future years as the program evaluates additional
chemical ingredients and chemical categories and approves products for the use of the Safer Choice
label.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program (EPP)
The Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program293 implements direction provided to
EPA in the Pollution Prevention Act, the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act,294
Federal Acquisition Regulations, and Executive Orders that mandate sustainable federal
procurement, including through development and use of sustainability standards, specifications,
and ecolabels. In FY 2015 the EPP Program issued the EPA Recommendations of Specifications,
Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing. Through FY 2022 these recommendations have
been maintained and updated to include 48 private sector standards and ecolabels covering 30
product and service categories. These recommendations help federal procurement officials
determine which private sector standards and ecolabels, among sometimes dozens within a single
purchase category, are appropriate and effective in meeting federal procurement goals and
mandates. Beginning in FY 2023, the EPP Program is expanding the Recommendations in new
291 For additional information on the Partner of the Year Awards program, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer-
choice-partner-year-awards.
292 For additional information, please see:
https://iournals.lww.com/ioem/Fulltext/2003/0500Q/Cleaning Products and Work Related Asthma. 17.aspx.
293 For additional information on the EPP Program, please visit: http://www.epa.goY/greeiierproducts/buYiiip-green-federal-
purchasers.
294 For additional information on the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, please visit:
https://www.iiist.gov/staiidardsgov/iiatioiial-techiiologY-traiisfer-aiid-advancenieiit-act-1995.
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categories to support the Biden-Harris Administration's environmental and human health goals
and mandates including net-zero emissions procurement, low embodied carbon construction
materials, and products that do not contain PFAS. The program has received applications for over
70 standards/ecolabels from 29 organizations to be considered for assessment and recommendation
in federal purchasing. These cover the following high-impact federal procurement sectors: food
and cafeteria services; uniforms/clothing; professional services; laboratories and healthcare;
building/construction; infrastructure; and landscaping.
The EPP Program's work has generated significant cost savings and environmental benefits to the
federal government. For example, for electronics products, the federal government purchased
nearly 27.6 million Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)-registered
products in 2020, resulting in a cost savings to the federal government of around $830 million.
EPEAT is one of over 40 referenced and relevant private sector standards and ecolabels that help
federal purchasers identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services.295 EPA
also coordinates federal procurement programs that integrate environmental performance into
procurement, including building tools for integrating sustainable procurement into government
contracts, and putting tools into the hands of federal procurement officials, collaborating with
federal agencies such as the General Services Administration, National Institute of Standards and
Technology, the Departments of Defense and Energy, and more.
EPA is characterizing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) provisions of existing private
sector sustainability standards, ecolabels, and certifications to identify products and purchase
categories associated with key PFAS use and to prioritize PFAS conditions of use. In FY 2024,
EPA will enhance public protection from potential effects of PFAS through recommendations of
additional standards/ecolabels to help purchasers identify products that meet specific
environmental performance criteria. EPA will conduct the following activities:
• Assess and recommend additional ecolabels and standards with criteria specifically supporting
reduction or elimination of PFAS use in key product categories not yet covered by the EPA
Recommendations for Standards, Specifications, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing.296
• Build, implement, maintain, and update tools for integrating EPA recommendations into
federal e-procurement systems, initiate identification and monitoring of relevant government
contracts for sustainable purchasing requirements, and develop tools to ensure that PFAS data
is captured for compliance in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS).
• Initiate and engage in private sector standards development activities that address product
categories known to contain PFAS.
• Work with GSA and others to create a central product registry to identify products that meet
EPA's assessment of PFAS specifications.
Collaborate with the Department of Defense (DoD) on performance-based, rather than
material-based, specifications and standards for equipment (e.g., textiles, coatings, firefighting
foam) for DoD and Department of Homeland Security uses.
• Work with other federal agencies and the private sector to initiate a performance-based
technology innovation challenge for a set of PFAS-free product categories for which use of
295 For additional information on Recommendations for Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing, please
visit: https://www.epa.eoY/ereeiierproducts/reconiniendatioiis-specificatioiis-staiidards-and-ecolabels-federal-purchasing.
296 For additional information, please visit:: https://www.epa.gov/ereenerproducts/how-epas-recommended-standards-and-
ecolabels-address-and-polvfluoroalkvl-substances.
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non-PFAS options could be technically and economically feasible with respect to key federal
purchasing categories.
To further support EPA's goals for equity and EJ, the EPP Program will begin to develop and
implement training and outreach for disadvantaged communities, as well as state, tribal, and local
governments, to assist in facilitating product and service procurement choices that are
environmentally sound and promote human and environmental health.
Green Chemistry
The Green Chemistry Program297 fosters the sustainable design of chemical products and
processes. The program also analyzes green chemistry innovations and works with partners and
external stakeholders to facilitate market adoption and penetration of new commercially successful
chemistries and technologies. The program's Green Chemistry Challenge Awards serve a critical
role in raising the profile, importance, and credibility of innovative and market-ready green and
sustainable chemistry technologies. During the program's more than 25 years of progress, EPA
has received more than 1,800 nominations and presented awards to 133 technologies,
demonstrating the interest among stakeholders to be recognized at the national level for developing
market-ready and/or market-mature green chemistry solutions. The contribution of greener
chemistries to addressing climate change is clear. Winning technologies are estimated to eliminate
7.8 billion pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents released to air—the equivalent of taking 770,000
cars off the road each year.298 In FY 2024 EPA will begin to utilize training materials developed
in FY 2022 to help state, tribal, local, and industry stakeholders acquire information and
understanding of the benefits from these innovations.299
In FY 2024 the Green Chemistry Program will begin to work with awardees and nominees to
pursue the goal of market-oriented environmental and economic progress through increased
adoption of these innovations. EPA will support and lead portions of EPA's responsibilities for
implementation of the Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2020.
Climate Adaptation
Additional funds are requested to fund the implementation of activities to fulfill the P2-related
Long-Term Performance Goals of EPA's Strategic Plan (Objective 1.2), meet commitments in the
EPA Climate Adaptation Action Plan, support increased resilience of EPA's programs, strengthen
the adaptive capacity of states, tribes, territories, communities, and businesses, and increase the
resilience of the nation, with a particular focus on advancing environmental justice. Resources will
be used to oversee the integration of climate adaptation planning into these programs, policies,
rules, and operations (including ensuring EPA facilities and supply chains are resilient to climate
impacts).
Performance Measure Targets:
297 For additional information on the Green Chemistry Program, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry.
298 For additional information, please visit: https://w\yw.epa.gov/greencheniistiT/infoniiation-about-green-cheniistrY-challeiige.
299 P2 Training materials are available to the public on various EPA websites including but not limited to: 1)
https://www.epa.gov/p2/grant-progranis-pollutioii-prevention (Grant Programs for P2); 2) https://www.epa.gov/p2/p2-grant-
progra 111-re sources-applicants (Resources for grant applicants [FAQs, application checklist, P2-EJ Facility Mapping Tool and a
recorded webinar]); 3) https://www.epa.gov/p2/pollutioii-preventioii-tools-and-calculators (P2 Tools and calculators); and 4)
https://www.epa.gov/p2/p2-resources-business (P2 resources for business).
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(PM P2mtc) Reduction in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCChe) released per year
attributed to EPA pollution prevention grants.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Lislablished
1.2
1.2
1.2
MMTC02e
Actual
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
i.i
Data Avail
10/2023
(PM P2sc) Number of products certified by EPA's Safer Choice program.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
1,950
2,000
2,100
Products
Actual
1,948
1,958
1,989
1,929
1,892
1,835
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$672.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$7,857.0 / +9.0 FTE) This program change is an increase for a new grant program
supporting small businesses with transitioning to TSCA compliant practices and with
mitigation of economic impacts. This includes $1,649 million for payroll.
(+$6,201.0 / +8.0 FTE) This program change is an increase supporting analyses, tool
development, training, outreach, and partnerships to provide the information and tools
needed to bring awareness to industries of P2 approaches and benefits and to enable their
widespread implementation to prevent or reduce pollution. This includes $1,466 million
for payroll.
• (+$1,292.0 / +1.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to implement the EPA Climate
Adaptation Action Plan, support increased resilience of EPA's programs, and strengthen
the capacity of states, tribes, territories, communities, and businesses to adapt to climate
change. This includes $192.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 (PPA); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
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Toxic Substances: Chemical Risk Review and Reduction
Program Area: Toxics Risk Review and Prevention
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$85,218
$82,822
$130,711
$ 47,889
Total Budget Authority
$85,218
$82,822
$130,711
$47,889
Total Workyears
291.0
360.8
534.8
174.0
Total program workyears in FY 2024 includes 83.0 FTE funded by TSCA fees, an increase of 61.5 FTE. TSCA Service Fees and
associated FTE are not included in the budget formulation nor in the explanations of change, but EPA is projected to collect $35.9
million in FY 2024 with the possibility of an additional $1.49 million down payment collected for one TSCA Section 6
Manufacturer-Requested Risk Evaluation, should the request be received and granted. Projected fee collections are subject to
changes in the TSCA User Fee Rule, which is required by statute to be updated every three years.
Program Project Description:
EPA has significant responsibilities under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for ensuring
the safety of chemicals in or entering into commerce and addressing unreasonable risks to human
health and the environment. These responsibilities are executed by EPA through the Chemical
Risk Review and Reduction (CRRR) Program, which works to ensure the safety of:
• Existing chemicals,300 by collecting chemical data, prioritizing chemicals for risk evaluation,
conducting risk evaluations, and developing and issuing risk management rules to prevent any
unreasonable risk posed by their manufacture, processing, use, distribution in commerce,
and/or disposal.;
• New chemicals, by reviewing new chemical submissions from manufacturers and processors
and taking action to mitigate potential unreasonable risks to health or the environment before
those chemicals can enter the marketplace; and
Other chemicals that may pose unreasonable risks to human health and the environment.
The CRRR Program plays an important role in achieving the Administration's goals to enhance
environmental justice (EJ) and to tackle the climate crisis. Examples include engaging
disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, including tribes, in identifying exposure pathways;
issuing proposed risk management regulations to ensure needed low-global warming potential
chemicals are available to manufacture refrigerants as the American Innovation and Manufacturing
(AIM) Act is implemented; incorporating into TSCA chemical risk evaluations the assessment of
risks to communities potentially facing disproportionate impacts from chemical exposure because
they are located near industrial activity; adhering to EPA's Guidance on Considering
300 "Existing Chemicals" are those already in use when TSCA was first enacted in 1976 and those which have since gone through
review by the TSCA New Chemicals Program. These include certain prevalent, high-risk chemicals known generally as "legacy
chemicals" (e.g., PCBs, mercury), which were previously covered in a separate Chemical Risk Management (CRM) budget
justification. The CRM program area was combined with Chemical Risk Review and Reduction effective FY 2015.
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Environmental Justice During the Development of Regulatory Actions and TSCA's statutory
requirement to consider risks to potentially exposed and susceptible subpopulations;301 ensuring
that TSCA chemical safety data analytical tools are made publicly available in ways that are
accessible to vulnerable communities; and informing decision making that advances the
introduction of more environmentally sustainable chemicals into commerce.
All elements of EPA's implementation of TSCA, including new chemicals, existing chemicals,
and the information technology supporting those programs, also contribute to the Biden-Harris
Administration's Cancer Moonshot. While not all chemicals cause cancer, when information
indicates that cancer risk may be a concern, EPA's TSCA program evaluates and estimates the risk
of an individual getting cancer during their lifetime from exposure to the chemical. Where the
Agency finds that the risk is unreasonable, EPA establishes requirements and regulations to
eliminate the unreasonable risk.
TSCA authorizes EPA to collect fees from chemical manufacturers and processors to
defray up to 25 percent of the costs for administering certain sections302 of TSCA.303 Fee
levels are set by regulation and may be adjusted on a three-year basis for inflation and to
ensure that fees defray approximately 25 percent of relevant costs. The first TSCA Fees
rule became effective on October 1, 20 1 8.304 CRRR Program fees collected or projected to
be collected in FY 2019-FY 2021 under this rule equated to approximately 14 percent of
associated expenditures for those three fiscal years. EPA proposed revisions to the rule in
January 2021, and in light of public comments supplemented the proposal in November
2022.305
EPA recently proposed revisions to the TSCA fees and expects to finalize the fees rule in 2023.
The rulemaking is intended to establish TSCA fees that would defray up to 25 percent of relevant
costs, as statutorily allowed,306 and consistent with direction by Congress that the Agency should
properly consider full costs in its rulemaking as intended by the Lautenberg Act.307
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety, in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
301 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.eov/eiwiromiieiitaliustice/euidaiice-coiisideriiig-eiwiromiieiital-iustice-
during-development-action.
302 The costs of implementing TSCA Sections 4-6 are defrayable up to the statutory caps, as are the costs of collecting, processing,
reviewing, and providing access to and protecting from disclosure, as appropriate, chemical information under Section 14.
303 The authority to assess fees is conditioned on appropriations for the CRRR Program, excluding fees, being held at least equal
to the amount appropriated for FY 2014.
304 The statute authorizes EPA to collect fees from chemical manufacturers (including importers) and, in limited instances,
processors who: are required to submit information (Section 4); submit notification of or information related to intent to
manufacture a new chemical or significant new use of a chemical (Section 5); manufacture (including import) a chemical substance
that is subject to an EPA-initiated risk evaluation (Section 6); or request that EPA conduct a risk evaluation on an existing chemical
(Section 6), subject to the Agency's approval of the request.
305 For more information on 87 FR 68647, please see https://www.epa.eov/tsca-fees/proposed-revisions-tsca-fees-rule.
306 This rule may not go into effect until FY 2024. https://www.federalregister.gOv/documents/2022/l 1/16/2022-24137/fees-for-
the-admini strati on-of-the-toxic-substances-control-act-tsca
307 Joint Explanatory Statement from the Flouse and Division G - Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2022.
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In FY 2024, EPA will emphasize the integrity of scientific products, adherence to statutory intent
and requirements, and timelines applicable to pre-market review of new chemicals, chemical risk
evaluation and management, data development and information collection, the review of
Confidential Business Information (CBI) claims, and other statutory requirements. The resources
requested are essential for EPA to address its workload, including:
• Maintaining at least 20 EPA-initiated existing chemical risk evaluations in development at all
times and completing EPA-initiated existing chemical risk evaluations within the statutory
timeframe.
• Having up to five existing chemical risk evaluations requested by manufacturers in
development.
• Issuing protective regulations in accordance with statutory timelines addressing all
unreasonable risks identified in each risk evaluation.
• Establishing a pipeline of chemicals to be prioritized for future risk evaluation.
• Using test orders and a new strategy for tiered data collection, requiring development of data
critical to existing chemical risk evaluation and risk management activities, and systematically
collecting, reviewing, and synthesizing data for risk assessments in a transparent manner as
mandated by the 2016 TSCA Amendments.
Conducting risk assessments for approximately 550 new chemical notices and exemption
submissions and managing the identified risks associated with the chemicals.
Continuing to implement a collaborative research program focused on developing new
scientific approaches for performing risk assessments on new chemical substances.
• Reviewing and making determinations on CBI claims contained in TSCA submissions; making
certain non-CBI information available to stakeholders; and publishing identifiers for each
chemical substance for which a confidentiality claim for specific chemical identity is approved.
Carrying out other required TSCA CRRR activities as described below.
Primary TSCA Implementation Activities
Section 4: Testing of Chemical Substances and Mixtures. In January 2021, the Agency issued Test
Orders for nine additional chemicals currently undergoing TSCA risk evaluation and issued
additional Test Orders for eight of these chemicals in March 2022. In addition, EPA will continue
to implement and refine the National Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (PFAS) Testing
Strategy in FY 2024. EPA issued the first Test Order for a PFAS in June 2022 and the second in
January 2023. EPA will continue to refine and implement the National PFAS Testing Strategy and
issue additional Test Orders for PFAS chemicals in FY 2024. In parallel with the Test Order
approach, EPA has requested voluntary submission of PFAS test data. In FY 2024 EPA intends to
refine the initial structural categories developed by EPA's Office of Research and Development
(ORD) to incorporate additional substances as appropriate and consider physical-chemical
properties. In FY 2024, the resources requested will support Agency review of test protocols
review of test data submitted voluntarily or in response to Test Orders, Test Rules, and Enforceable
Consent Agreements (ECAs); initial implementation of additional phases of the National PFAS
Testing Strategy; and issuance of additional Test Orders.
Section 5: New Chemicals. The New Chemicals Program is important in ensuring the safety of
new chemicals before they enter commerce. The 2016 TSCA amendments significantly changed
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the way EPA implemented the New Chemicals Program. Under the prior law, EPA only issued
formal written unreasonable risk determinations for about 20 percent of new chemical
submissions, whereas under the amended law, EPA is required to issue determinations for 100
percent of new chemical submissions (a five-fold increase). In FY 2024, the Agency expects to
conduct risk assessments for approximately 550 new chemical notices and exemption
submissions;308 make affirmative determinations on whether unreasonable risks are posed under
those chemicals' conditions of use; manage identified risks associated with the chemicals through
the issuance of Orders and Significant New Use Rules (SNURs); require development of additional
data where information is insufficient to conduct a reasoned evaluation and then evaluate such data
received.309 The Agency also will conduct a similar effort on notices received in previous years
that are not yet complete. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement innovative approaches to
add consistency and efficiency to new chemical submission reviews for categories such as biofuels
and mixed metal oxides and to develop new streamlined approaches. Additionally, the Agency
will continue to support outreach to submitters on how to provide the most complete submissions
to enable timely reviews. EPA also intends to continue its commitment to transparency by making
information generated in the review of notices available to the public via the ChemView database310
and on EPA websites — to include TSCA Sections 5 and 8(e) data, CDR 2020 data, TSCA section
5 communications from submitters received via CDX, Notice of Commencement (NOC) data and
TSCA section 4 data.
In FY 2024, EPA expects to finalize SNURs associated with approximately 150 consent orders
previously issued for PFAS. Issuance of the SNURs will ensure that companies that are planning
a significant new use beyond those allowed for the PFAS must notify EPA, and EPA will then
have the chance to conduct a risk assessment of the new use and impose any needed restrictions
before it is allowed into commerce. Additionally, EPA is implementing a performance metric to
measure compliance with past TSCA regulatory actions, including consent orders and SNURs
issued for PFAS. The new chemicals program also expects to continue implementing the policy of
generally denying Low Volume Exemptions (LVEs) submitted for PFAS and requiring testing in
Consent Orders for PFAS, as needed.
The New Chemicals Program will also continue implementation of its PFAS LVE Stewardship
Program to encourage industry to voluntarily withdraw LVEs for PFAS already granted under the
exemption. Furthermore, EPA expects to issue a final rulemaking amending TSCA section 5
procedural regulations to better align with the 2016 Lautenberg Amendments. EPA also will
continue to make strides in its efforts to revise hundreds of critical high-priority standard operating
procedures (SOPs) and science policies to increase consistency and ensure protection of human
health and the environment when conducting new chemical reviews.
The New Chemicals Program has developed and implemented new strategies that will standardize
new chemical review and risk management approaches to support the Administration's climate
308 New chemical submissions may include Pre-Manufacture Notices (PMNs), significant new use notifications (SNUNs),
microbial commercial activity notices (MCANs), low volume exemptions (LVEs), low releases and low exposures exemptions
(LoREX), test marketing exemption (TME), TSCA experimental release application (TERA), and Tier 1 and 2 exemptions.
309 For PMNs, MCANs, and SNUNs, as required by law, the Agency must generally complete the review, determination, and
associated risk management activities within 90days of receiving the submission, subject to extensions or suspension under certain
circumstances.
310 To access ChemView, please visit: https://chenwiew.epa.gov/chenwiew.
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adaptation goals. Under the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Protection's Climate
Adaptation Plan, goals and priorities have been established to take actions that directly support
climate adaptation related to new chemistries and innovative technologies or other related
processes. For biofuels, the program has developed a robust, consistent, and efficient process to
assess the risk and apply mitigation measures for substitutes to petroleum-based fuels and fuel
additives, with focus to support qualifying advanced biofuels that could contribute to the annual
volume mandates under the EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program and help support the
goals of energy security through increasing domestic production within the United States.
In addition, EPA developed a standardized risk assessment and risk management approach for
mixed metal oxides (MMOs), which include new and modified cathode active materials (CAMs),
which are a key component in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. MMOs also have
applications in semi-conductors and renewable energy generation and storage, such as solar cells
and wind power turbines. Both efforts support the Biden-Harris Administration's agenda to tackle
the climate crisis and will complement resources provided to EPA from legislative enactments
such as clean energy initiatives under the Inflation Reduction Act, tax credits for electric vehicles,
and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Section 6: Existing Chemicals. TSCA requires a continuing process of identifying existing
chemicals for evaluation to identify unreasonable risks and, where unreasonable risks in existing
chemicals are found, the Agency also must commence risk management action under TSCA
Section 6 to address those risks. The resources requested in FY 2024 are critical for the Agency to
continue implementing these additional requirements to prioritize, evaluate, and address the risks
of existing chemicals, including:
• Prioritization. The initial step in the process of evaluating existing chemicals under TSCA,
prioritization is codified in a final Chemical Prioritization Process rule.311 The purpose of
prioritization is to designate a chemical substance as either High-Priority for further risk
evaluation or Low-Priority for which risk evaluation is not warranted at the time.312'313 TSCA
requires that upon completion of a risk evaluation for a High-Priority substance (HPS), EPA
must designate at least one additional HPS to take its place, ensuring that at least 20 EPA-
initiated risk evaluations are constantly underway. In FY 2024 EPA will continue working to
identify additional HPS supported by obtaining, validating, and analyzing chemical safety data
to identify chemicals for which sufficient data are available to conduct scientifically sound risk
evaluations and the order in which such chemicals are evaluated.
• Risk Evaluation. EPA initiated risk evaluations for the first 10 chemicals in December 2016.
EPA missed the statutory deadline for completing TSCA risk evaluations for nine of the
chemicals, and work on many of those chemical risk evaluations has continued.314 In FY 2021
311 For additional information, please visit: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HO-OPPT-2Q 16-0636-0074.
312 TSCA required that EPA designate by December 2019 at least 20 chemical substances as High-Priority for risk evaluation and
also at least 20 chemical substances as Low-Priority. On December 20, 2019, EPA finalized the designation of 20 chemical
substances as High-Priority for upcoming risk evaluations. For additional information, please visit:
https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/chemical-substances-undergoing-prioritization-high.
313 On February 20,2020, EPA finalized the designation of 20 chemical substances as Low-Priority. For additional information,
please visit: https://www.epa.eov/assessing-and-nianaeing-cheniicals-uiider-tsca/low-prioritv-substances-under-tsca.
314 EPA revised its risk determinations for 8 of the first 10 chemicals to reflect EPA's unreasonable risk finding on the chemical
substance as a whole, rather than on individual conditions of use; in addition, the revised risk determinations do not assume that
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and FY 2022, EPA developed approaches for the consideration of exposure pathways {i.e., air,
water, disposal) that were originally omitted from the scopes of the HPS and Manufacturer-
Requested Risk Evaluations (MRREs) and to address "fenceline" risk (risks to exposed
populations in communities adjacent to the perimeter of manufacturing facilities, often
vulnerable and underserved populations) for seven of the first 10 chemical risk evaluations.
This work added to the challenge of completing additional risk evaluations, and in FY 2024
this work will continue, incorporating exposure to "fenceline" communities into the next 20
chemical evaluations initiated in December 2019 and currently underway.315 EPA released
final revised risk determinations for HBCD, PV29, methylene chloride, PCE, NMP, 1-BP,
carbon tetrachloride, and TCE. The final revised risk determinations found that these chemicals
present an unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment when evaluated
under their conditions of use. EPA intends to revise its 2017 risk evaluation procedures rule to
better align with statutory language, court decisions, and executive orders; build on the
agency's experience with its first 10 risk evaluations; and increase program clarity,
transparency, sustainability, and flexibility.
EPA initiated risk evaluations for the first set of 20 High-Priority chemicals in December
2019.316 On September 4, 2020, EPA released final scoping documents for these chemicals.317
Because of shifts in policy and resource constraints, EPA did not meet the December 2022
statutory deadline for completing these risk evaluations. In addition, in June 2022 EPA issued
the final scope document for "Asbestos Part 2: Supplemental Evaluation Including Legacy
Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos." EPA also is developing a supplement to the 1,4-
dioxane risk evaluation to assess pathways and exposures not addressed in the risk evaluation.
The Agency is expanding the focus of the risk evaluations to ensure that exposure pathways
affecting the general public, "fenceline" communities, and disadvantaged communities are
properly evaluated in accordance with the law. Specifically, it is expected that the Agency will
include expanded consideration of potentially exposed and susceptible subpopulations (a term
defined in the statute), including environmental justice considerations, as a result of
engagement with overburdened communities through mechanisms including the National
Tribal Operations Committee (NTOC)318 and the National Tribal Toxics Council (NTTC).319
workers always and appropriately wear personal protective equipment (consideration of PPE will be part of risk management).
EPA also re-examined the risk evaluations of seven of those chemicals to address overlooked and/or inadequately assessed
exposure pathways (including those affecting fenceline, underserved, or disproportionately burdened communities), is developing
a supplemental risk evaluation for one chemical due to omission of exposure pathways, and, in part as a result of litigation
against the Agency, and is conducting a second risk evaluation for asbestos to include types and uses that were excluded from the
first one.
315 In January 2022, EPA released for public comment and peer review version 1.0 of a screening methodology that will be used
to further examine whether the policy decision to exclude air and water exposure pathways from the risk evaluations will lead to
a failure to identify and protect fenceline communities. Review of the screening level methodology will include review by the
Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC). See. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-releases-soreenin8-
methodology-evaluate-chemical-exposures-and-risks-fenceline.
316 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eoY/assessiiia-aiid-nianaeina-cheniicals-under-tsca/cheniical-
substances-undereoina-prioritization-hieh.
317 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eoY/cheniicals-under-tsca/epa-releases-fiiial-scope-docunients-and-
list-businesses-subiect-fees-next-20.
318 For additional information onNTOC, please visit: https://www.epa.gOv/tribal/tribal-partnership-groups#ntoc.
319 For additional information on NTTC, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/chemicals-under-tsca/national-tribal-toxics-council-
nttc-technical-support-request-applications.
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In addition, manufacturers may submit requests to EPA to evaluate specific additional
chemicals. The first two MRREs began in FY 2020. A third was started in FY 2021, and a
fourth request is currently being considered. Those initial MRREs will continue throughout
FY 2023 and are for chemicals that were on the 2014 TSCA Work Plan.320 The resources
requested for FY 2024 will support efforts to meet statutory mandates and other requirements
related to the evaluation of existing chemicals while maintaining EPA's commitment to
evidence-based decisions guided by the best available science and data.
• Risk Management. When unreasonable risks are identified in the final risk evaluation, EPA
must promulgate risk management actions under TSCA Section 6(a) to address the
unreasonable risks. EPA commenced development of risk management actions in FYs 2020
and 2021 to address unreasonable risks identified for the first 10 chemicals evaluated under
TSCA Section 6. On April 5, 2022, EPA released a proposed rule to ban chrysotile asbestos,
the only known form of asbestos currently imported into the United States. Chrysotile asbestos
is found in products such as asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket
automotive brakes/linings, other vehicle friction products, and other imported gaskets. In FY
2023, EPA will finalize the asbestos rulemaking action. By the end of the first quarter of FY
2024, EPA plans to issue proposed TSCA section 6 rules for six chemicals. Later in FY 2024,
EPA plans to propose additional rules and continue work on final rules for actions proposed in
FY 2022 and FY 2023.321 This work will adhere to EPA's Guidance on Considering
Environmental Justice During the Development of an Action and its companion Technical
Guidance for Assessing Environmental Justice in Regulatory Analysis.322
TSCA also mandates that EPA promulgate Section 6 risk management rules for certain Persistent,
Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) chemicals on the 2014 TSCA Work Plan without undertaking
further risk evaluation.323 EPA issued five final rules for PBTs in January 2021. EPA requested
and received comments on the January 2021 PBT rules and in September 2021 announced its intent
to initiate a new rulemaking to further reduce exposures, promote environmental justice, and better
protect human health and the environment, as well as implementation changes that may need to be
made to current exclusions. EPA anticipates proposing new rules for certain of these PBTs in FY
2023, with finalization anticipated in FY 2024.
In addition, risk management actions for existing chemicals under TSCA Section 5 are ongoing.
EPA expects to propose SNURs in FY 2023 for discontinued uses of the 20 high-priority
substances (HPS) undergoing risk evaluation. When final, these rules will ensure that any phased-
out uses of the 20 HPS cannot resume without EPA review and action, as necessary, to protect
health and the environment from potential unreasonable risks. EPA is also issuing a proposed
SNUR for inactive PFAS to ensure these uses cannot restart without prior EPA risk assessment
and action, as necessary, under section 5. The inactive PFAS notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) was signed on January 17, 2023.
320 See https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/tsca-work-plan-chemicals.
321 EPA will continue to engage stakeholders in dialogue regarding these risk management actions to ensure the Agency has the
benefit of input from interested parties. This engagement will include meetings with key stakeholders and participation in events
such as conferences and trade association meetings where EPA and stakeholders can share information.
322 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaliustice/technical-guidance-assessing-
environmental-iustice-regulatorv-analysis.
323 TSCA, as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, Section 6(h) (1) and (2).
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Section 14: Confidential Business Information. EPA is required under TSCA Section 14 to review
and make determinations on CBI claims contained in TSCA submissions; to process requests from
TSCA submitters and to make certain CBI information available to states, tribes, health and
medical professionals, and first responders under defined circumstances; and to assign and publish
unique identifiers for each chemical substance for which a confidentiality claim for a specific
chemical identity is approved. In FY 2024 EPA will assign unique identifiers to chemicals where
CBI claims for chemical identity are approved and expects to complete CBI claim reviews for
more than 1,500 new cases and approximately 1,500 chemical identity claims made in existing
Notice of Activity reports under the 2017 TSCA Inventory Notification (Active-Inactive)
Requirements rule.
These reviews are expected to be conducted in accordance with new and updated procedures and
with reporting and communications tools developed in the new CBI procedures rule, which is
expected to be final in FY 2023. The same rule will provide the regulatory infrastructure necessary
to develop further internal procedures and reporting tools to support the review of expiring CBI
claims, beginning in FY 2026.
TSCA Information Technology (IT) and Data Tools Infrastructure. IT systems development and
maintenance will continue in FY 2024 with the goal of minimizing reporting burdens on industry
and streamlining data management by EPA, including the following activities:
Continuing enhancement of the TSCA Chemical Information System to reduce manual
handling of data, to increase internal EPA access to data relevant to chemical assessments, and
to expedite review of chemicals.
• Initiating development of new tools for hazard and exposure identification, assessment, and
characterization while improving existing tools to better assess chemical risks.
• Maintaining the functionality of ChemView,324 continuing to increase transparency, and
expanding the information ChemView makes available to the public, including newly
completed chemical assessments, worker protection information, and other new data reported
to EPA under TSCA.
Continuing TSCA CBI LAN network and Chemical Information System stabilization and
modernization efforts.
Implementing TSCA depends on the collection and availability of information on chemicals from
a wide variety of public and confidential sources. EPA's data currently resides in multiple formats
including paper files, microfiche, and numerous old electronic file formats. A critical need for
improving EPA's performance on TSCA implementation is modernizing the IT systems necessary
for chemical data collation, storage, and curation and making the data received under TSCA
available in structured and consistent formats. The funding requested will support the following
activities: advancing modernization of the existing TSCA IT infrastructure; enhancing the New
Chemical Review (NCR) system; initiating steps toward automating publication of New Chemical
Consent Orders and SNURs; continuing efforts regarding remaining TSCA CBI review workflow
enhancements; analyzing and updating TSCA records data to identify and organize records for
324 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/assessiiip-aiid-niaiiagiiip-cheniicals-uiider-tsca/iiitroductioii-
chemview.
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publication; making progress toward the development of a framework for enabling CIS to
automatically assign unique identifiers (UIDs) as CBI claims are approved; making progress in
the effort to digitize the remaining legacy 8(e)s and publish them in ChemView; and initiating
digitization of legacy documents.
Chemical Data Management Modernization. The international regulatory community has been
moving toward using the International Uniform Chemical Information Database (IUCLID) to
capture, store, maintain, and exchange data on intrinsic and hazardous properties of chemical
substances. Data in IUCLID is centered around standardized reporting templates consistent with
internationally accepted test guidelines and has CBI protection built in. EPA has initiated the
process to incorporate IUCLID template structures into OPPT's CBI LAN, but resource constraints
have limited EPA's implementation and adoption of IUCLID. With increased resources in FY
2024, the TSCA program will continue to collaborate with ORD to implement a IUCLID instance
in its CBI LAN to capture, store, and maintain data on intrinsic and hazard properties of chemicals.
The Agency also will work with international partners to modify software applications to ensure
EPA's unique needs and federal IT requirements are incorporated. Along with integration and
consolidation of other legacy data systems, this initiative will modernize EPA's chemical data
management infrastructure and deliver more efficient searching, collating, managing, and
integrating of data on chemicals, resulting in significant time and cost savings.
Collaborative Research Program to Support New Chemical Reviews.325 In FY 2024 EPA will
continue to develop and implement a multi-year collaborative research program in partnership with
ORD and other federal agencies. This collaboration is focused on developing new science
approaches for performing risk assessments on new chemical substances under TSCA. The effort
is expected to bring innovative science to new chemical reviews; modernize the approaches used;
increase the transparency of the human health and ecological risk assessment process; and expand
utilization of current information technology tools and databases. The resources requested for FY
2024 will allow EPA to accelerate implementation of the collaborative research program, including
application of new approach methodologies (NAMs) and the new chemicals program in
accordance with statutory mandates and to address the backlog of older submissions. These
resources also are critical to ensuring that the Agency can conduct robust risk assessments using
best available science and data within the statutory timelines.
Other TSCA Sections. Mandates, and Activities
Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) & Tiered Data Reporting (TDR) Rule 326 In FY 2024 EPA plans
to propose a rule that expands reporting requirements for chemicals that are candidates for—or
selected as—high-priority substances. The purpose is to acquire the most relevant and applicable
data that will support risk evaluation. In FY 2024, EPA plans to finalize the Rule after responding
to comments on the proposed Rule and modifying certain CDR requirements. Additionally, EPA
325 See. fattps://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa~annoMices~collatx3rative~researcfa~prograni~suppot1-tiew~cfaeniical-reviews.
326 Section 8(a) of TSCA requires manufacturers (including importers) to provide EPA with information on the production and
use of chemicals in commerce. In March 2020, EPA amended the Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) rule to reduce burden for
certain CDR reporters, improve data quality, and align reporting requirements with amended TSCA. The recent Calendar Year
2020 CDR Reporting Cycle, which occurs every four years and covers CY 2016-2019, commenced on June 1, 2020, and
concluded on January 29, 2021.
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will update existing CDR guidance documents, refine the CDR reporting tool, and address
questions from the reporting community ahead of the CDR cycle occurring in FY 2024.
Other Section 8 Activities. In FY 2024 EPA will analyze 300 Substantial Risk (Section 8(e))
Notifications submitted by industry327 and continue issuing other data gathering rules to obtain
data needed for Section 6 prioritization and risk evaluations. Also in FY 2024, EPA will continue
to implement the data request under the section 8(a) asbestos reporting rule and section 8(a)(7)
PFAS reporting rule, both of which will have been finalized in 2023. EPA continues to develop
and test the reporting tools for each of these rules ahead of their respective data submission periods.
PFAS Roadmap Support. PFAS has been manufactured and used in a variety of industries globally
since the 1940s, and they are still being used today. FY 2024 work will include continuing to
implement the PFAS national testing strategy; ensuring a robust review process for new PFAS;
reviewing previous decisions on PFAS; closing the door on abandoned PFAS and uses;
implementing a new PFAS reporting rule; and leading the development of a voluntary PFAS
Stewardship Program. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the inactive PFAS was
signed on January 17, 2023. The funding requested in the FY 2024 budget request will allow EPA
to improve the Agency data submission process for test data and ensure early engagement with
Test Order recipients and, where there is interest expressed, with other key stakeholders to
facilitate robust data collection. The requested funding also will allow EPA to review study plans
required to be submitted as a result of Test Orders and data submitted pursuant to the first round
of Test Orders issued under TSCA for human health effects; to integrate submitted data into
systematic review databases; and to analyze existing data in preparation for issuing additional
orders to require additional testing for chemicals already subject to testing.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are a nationwide problem and found in every region.
TSCA requires essential work in evaluating a site for PCB exposures and reducing risks at that
site. EPA Regions do this by making site-specific PCB "use" determinations, evaluating
exposures, and providing recommendations and specialized technical support to address the risks
associated with PCBs legally and illegally "in use." EPA's Regional offices will work with
building owners to implement practical interim measures; to develop outreach and technical
assistance materials to prevent or reduce exposure to PCBs; and to conduct risk evaluation of PCB
exposure at local sites.
Mercury. In FY 2024 EPA will maintain the Mercury Electronic Reporting Application328 and
conduct outreach to stakeholders on reporting requirements. EPA also will continue work under
the Mercury Export Ban Act and amendments related to prohibiting export of certain mercury
compounds and to supporting compliance with the Minamata Convention on Mercury to which
the United States is a party. EPA will collect and prepare information for publication in the CY
2024 update to the national mercury inventory and consider recommending actions to further
reduce mercury use.
327 TSCA Section 8(e) Notifications require EPA be notified immediately when a company learns that a substance or mixture
presents a substantial risk of injury to health or the environment.
328 The Mercury Electronic Reporting application is an electronic reporting interface and database within the Central Data Exchange
(CDX).
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TSCA Citizen Petitions. In FY 2024 EPA will continue to meet the requirements of section 21 of
TSCA, which authorizes citizen petitions for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of certain actions
(rules and orders) promulgated under specific components of TSCA sections 4, 5, 6, and 8. The
Agency must grant or deny a section 21 petition within 90 days. If EPA grants a petition, the
requested action must be initiated in a timely fashion. EPA has received a total of 29 TSCA section
21 petitions since September 2007. 11 of those petitions have been submitted since enactment of
the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.329
Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products. In FY 2024 EPA will continue
implementing regulations under the TSCA Title VI Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood
Products Act (Public Law 111-199), which established national emission standards for
formaldehyde in new composite wood products.330 In February 2023, EPA published a final rule
providing technical updates to voluntary consensus standards cross-referenced in the
Formaldehyde Emissions Standards for Composite Wood Products rule/57
TSCA User Fees. TSCA section 26 authorizes EPA to collect user fees to offset 25 percent of the
Agency's full costs for implementing TSCA sections 4, 5, 6, and 14.332 In FY 2021 EPA collected
$28.6 million: $3.3 million from Section 5, $24.05 million from 19 of the 20 Section 6 EPA-
Initiated Risk Evaluations, and $1.25 million from one Section 6 MRRE for a TSCA Work Plan
chemical.333 EPA's FY 2021 collections were as follows:
TSCA Section
Amount Collected
Section 5
$3.3 million
Section 6 EPA-initiated Risk Evaluations
$24.05 million
Section 6 MRREs
$1.25 million
Total
$28.6 million
Because nearly $17 million of the collections for the 19 Section 6 Risk Evaluations was not due to
be paid until September 2, 2021, those funds were inaccessible to EPA until FY 2022. EPA will
apportion FY 2021 section 6 collections over the risk evaluation lifecycle (3.5 years). In FY 2022
EPA collected approximately $5.1 million334 and is projected to collect $5.23 million in FY
20 2 3 335 and $35.9 million in FY 2024336. Projected collections also are subject to potential changes
in fee levels, which are required to be updated every three years under TSCA.337 EPA proposed
revisions to the fee rule in January 2021. Based on public comments received on the proposed rule,
329 For additional information, please visit: httpsi. a.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/tsca-section-21.
330 For additional information, please visit: 1 jy2.epa.gov/forma1dehyde/forma1dehyde-emission-standards-composite-
wood-products.
331 See https://www.federalregister.Kov/documents/2023/02/21/2023-03444/voluntarv-consensus-standards-uixlate-
formaldehyde-emission-standards-for-composite-wood-products
332 TSCA, as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, Section 26(b) (1) and (4).
333 The Agency invoiced $88.2 thousand for Section 4 Test Orders in FY 2020 and FY 2021 but did not start receiving
submissions until FY 2022.
334 $1.46 million from the remaining Section 6 EPA-Initiated Risk Evaluations invoices, $3.5 million from Section 5
submissions, and $88,200 thousand from Section 4 Test Order submissions.
335 $3.65 million in Section 5 submissions, $93.2 thousand from Section 4 Test Order invoices, and an additional amount from
one TSCA Section 6 Manufacturer-Requested Risk Evaluation at $1.49M if the MRRE request is granted.
336 $3.8 million in Section 5 submissions and $32.1 million from the next round of Section 6 EPA-initiated chemical risk
evaluations.
337 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/tsca-fees/fees-adniimstration-toxic-substances-control-act.
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as well as stakeholder engagement and EPA's continued experience in implementing the 2018 Fee
Rule, the Agency issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking in November 2022 that
adds to and modifies this earlier proposal. EPA intends to finalize the rule in late FY 2023 or early
FY 2024.
Cumulative risk methodologies. EPA is developing aggregate exposure and cumulative risk
approaches to characterizing chemical exposure and risk in risk evaluations under TSCA. In FY
2024 the following foundational activities will be conducted to support statutory deadlines:
• Develop approaches to determine when aggregating chemical exposure across conditions of
use is applicable in risk evaluations.
• Develop approaches to identify co-exposure to chemicals to inform prioritization and to
determine when cumulative assessments should be considered for relevant chemicals.
• Apply, where appropriate and feasible, approaches for conducting aggregate exposure and
cumulative risk assessments.
• Evaluate applicability and feasibility of using biomonitoring data in risk evaluations.
To begin integrating cumulative assessment into the TSCA program, in May 2023 EPA plans
to release for public comment and SACC peer review a cumulative risk assessment framework,
with phthalate chemicals as a case study.
• In FY 2023, EPA will release for public comment and SACC peer review a 1,4-dioxane risk
evaluation supplement that advances the Agency's use of aggregate exposure and fenceline
analysis in its TSCA chemical evaluation program.
• Develop and revise exposure and hazard models.
Support for scientific and other publications.
Continuous Improvement of TSCA Implementation. In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to
monitor and evaluate its progress related to core responsibilities under TSCA, such as completing
all EPA-initiated risk evaluations and associated risk management actions for existing chemicals
within statutory timelines. In addition, EPA will continue to reduce the backlog and work towards
meeting the applicable review period of 90 days for Section 5 new chemicals submissions (such
as PMNs, MCANs, and SNUNs). EPA also will undertake other forms of assessment and data
gathering in FY 2024. Based on experience and chemical-specific information EPA will continue
to apply fit-for-purpose application of systematic review to support TSCA risk evaluations.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM TSCA4) Number of HPS TSCA risk evaluations completed within statutory timelines.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
0
0
7
Evaluations
Actual
1
(I
0
(PM TSCA5) Percentage of existing chemical TSCA risk management actions initiated within 45 days of the
completion of a final existing chemical risk evaluation.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
100
100
100
Percent
Actual
N/A
Numerator
Actions
Denominator
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(PM TSCA6a) Percentage of past TSCA new chemical substances decisions with risk management actions
reviewed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
5
25
30
Percent
Actual
N/A
Numerator
Decisions
Denominator
(PM TSCA6b) Percentage of TSCA new chemical substances with risk management actions reported to the
2020 CDR reviewed for adherence/non-adherence with TSCA Section 5 risk management actions that are
determined to adhere to those requirements.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
N/A
25
30
Percent
Actual
N/A
Numerator
Substances
Denominator
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$7,965.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$39,924.0 / +112.5 FTE) This increase enables EPA to develop and review data critical
to existing chemical risk evaluation and risk management activities; update and develop
21st century information technology and data tools to meet increasing demands; and begin
to transform New Chemicals review into an efficient and sustainable process to complete
cases in keeping with the statutory requirements. This program change also will support an
agencywide multi-year collaborative research program for new chemicals that is focused
on modernizing the process and incorporating scientific advances in new chemical
evaluations under TSCA. This investment includes $20,971 million in payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
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Toxic Substances: Lead Risk Reduction Program
Program Area: Toxics Risk Review and Prevention
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$12,404
$14,359
$14,437
$78
Total Budget Authority
$12,404
$14,359
$14,437
$78
Total Workyears
56.1
62.9
62.9
0.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Lead Risk Reduction Program contributes to the goal of reducing lead exposure and works
toward addressing historic and persistent disproportional vulnerabilities of certain communities.338
This program thereby plays an important role in achieving the Administration's goals to enhance
environmental justice (EJ) and equity by:
Implementing standards governing lead paint hazard identification and abatement practices.
Identifying and providing access toa national pool of certified firms and individuals trained to
carry out lead paint hazard identification and abatement practices and/or renovation, repair,
and painting projects while adhering to the lead-safe work practice standards and minimizing
lead dust hazards created in such projects; and
Providing information and outreach to housing occupants and the public so they can make
informed decisions and take actions about lead paint hazards in their homes.
Lead is highly toxic, especially to young children. Exposure to lead is associated with decreased
intelligence, impaired neurobehavioral development, decreased stature and growth, and impaired
hearing acuity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), no safe blood
lead level in children has been identified, and effects of lead exposure cannot be corrected.339 340
Reducing exposure to lead-based paint (LBP) in old housing continues to offer the potential to
significantly decrease blood lead levels in the largest number of children. Housing units
constructed before 1950 are most likely to contain LBP. The most recent national survey estimated
that 34.6 million homes in the U.S. have LBP and that 29 million homes have significant LBP
hazards.341 Children living at or below the poverty line who live in older housing are at greatest
338 Childhood blood lead levels (BLL) have declined substantially since the 1970s, due largely to the phasing out of lead in
gasoline and to the reduction in the number of homes with lead-based paint hazards. The median concentration of lead in the
blood of children aged 1 to 5 years dropped from 15 micrograms per deciliter in 1976-1980 to 0.7 micrograms per deciliter in
2013-2014, a decrease of 95%. See. America's Children and the Environment (EPA, 2019), found at:
https://www.epa.gov/americaschildrenenvironment.
339 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Blood Lead Levels in Children, found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/blood-lead-levels.htm.
340 America's Children and the Environment (EPA, 2019), found at: https://www.epa.gov/americaschildrenenvironment.
341 See. American Healthy Homes Survey II Lead Findings (HUD, 2021), found at:
https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/ElHydocuments/AElHS II Lead Findings Report Final 29oct21.pdf.
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risk. Additionally, some racial and ethnic groups and those living in older housing are
disproportionately affected by LBP.342
Because of historic and persistent disproportional vulnerabilities of certain racial, low-income, and
overburdened and underserved communities, the Lead Risk Reduction Program has the potential
to create significant EJ gains and provides strategic opportunities to advance EPA's work in
support of the Administration's goals to enhance EJ and equity as seen in the Strategy to Reduce
Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities,343
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Renovation. Repair and Painting Program
In FY 2024 EPA will continue to implement the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule
to address lead hazards created by renovation, repair, and painting activities in homes and child-
occupied facilities344 and to advance EPA's EJ goals. Fifteen states and one tribe have been
authorized to administer this program and rule. In the remaining non-authorized states, tribes, and
territories, EPA will continue to accredit training providers, track training class notifications, and
certify renovation firms. EPA also will assist in the development and review of state and tribal
applications for authorization to administer training and certification programs, provide
information to renovators and homeowners, provide oversight and guidance to all authorized
programs, and disseminate model training courses for lead-safe work practices. As of October
2022, there were 299 accredited RRP training providers and almost 56,000 certified renovation
firms. In FY 2022, about 31 percent of renovation firms with expiring certifications were
recertified before their certifications expired.
DLHS. Definition of LBP. DLCL. and Public and Commercial Buildings (P&CBs)
As a result of a May 2021 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the dust-
lead hazard standards (DLHS), the definition of LBP, and the dust-lead clearance levels (DLCL)
regulations have been identified by the Administration as rules to reconsider.345 FY 2024 funding
will enable EPA to finalize revisions to the DLHS and DLCL, while conducting activities
necessary to revisit the definition of LBP and SLHS. In addition, EPA must continue work to
evaluate whether hazards are created from renovations of public and commercial buildings
(P&CBs). Reconsideration and development of these rulemakings will help ensure the most
protective approaches are taken to reduce lead exposure in homes and child-occupied facilities,
342 Among children ages 1 to 5 years in families with incomes below poverty level, the 95th percentile BLL was 3.0 (ig/dL, and
among those in families at or above the poverty level, it was 2.1 (ig/dL, a difference that was statistically significant. The 95th
percentile BLL among all children ages 1 to 5 years was 2.5 (ig/dL. The 95th percentile BLL in Black non-Hispanic children ages
1 to 5 years was 3.0 (ig/dL, compared with 2.4 (ig/dL for White non-Hispanic children, 1.8 (ig/dL for Mexican-American children,
and 2.7 (ig/dL for children of "All Other Races/Ethnicities." The differences in 95th percentile BLL between race/ethnicity groups
were all statistically significant, after accounting for differences by age, sex, and income. See America's Children and the
Environment (EPA, 2019), found at: https://www.epa.eov/aniericaschildreneiwiromiient.
343 Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities (EPA, 2022) found at
https://www.epa.eov/svsteni/files/docunients/2022-1 ]./Lead%20Strategy 1 .pdf.
344 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eoY/lead/lead-retiovation-repair-and-painting-prograni.
345 For additional information, please visit: https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.eoY/datastore/opimons/2021/05/14/19-71930.pdf.
554
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with benefits for overburdened and underserved communities where disproportionate impacts
occur from LBP in support of the Administration's goals to enhance EJ and equity. The DLHS
defines hazardous levels of lead in residential paint, dust, and soil, and post abatement clearance
levels for lead in interior house dust.
As resources allow, EPA will conduct technical analyses and rulemaking efforts to address issues
related to preventing childhood lead poisoning, revising the soil-lead hazard standards (SLHS);
and continuing work to identify and subsequently address LBP hazards identified in public and
commercial buildings. The definition of lead-based paint is incorporated throughout the lead-based
paint regulations, and application of this definition is central to how the lead-based paint program
functions. In collaboration with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), EPA
will revisit the definition of LBP and, as appropriate, revise the definition to make it more
protective. EPA is currently evaluating how best to move forward on this issue.
In FY 2024 EPA will continue to evaluate risk from renovations of public and commercial
buildings pursuant to TSCA §402(c)(3), which directs EPA to promulgate regulations for
renovations in target housing, public buildings built before 1978, and commercial buildings that
create lead-based paint hazards. EPA will determine whether such renovations create LBP hazards
and, if they do, EPA will address those hazards by promulgating work practice, training, and
certification requirements for public and commercial buildings. Because low-income, minority
children are disproportionally vulnerable to lead exposure, these efforts, as well as others that focus
on reducing environmental lead levels, have the potential to create significant EJ gains.
Lead-Based Paint (LBP) Activities
In FY 2024 EPA will continue to implement the LBP Activities (Abatement, Risk Assessment,
and Inspection) Rule by administering the federal program to review and certify firms and
individuals and to accredit training providers. Ensuring that those who undertake LBP Activities
are properly trained and certified is a critical aspect of federal efforts to reduce lead exposure and
to work toward addressing the historic and persistent disproportional vulnerabilities of certain
racial, low-income, and overburdened and underserved communities. Additionally, the Agency
will continue to review and process requests by states, territories, and tribes for authorization to
administer the lead abatement program in lieu of the federal program. Thirty-nine states, four
tribes, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have been authorized to run the LBP abatement
program.
Education and Outreach
In FY 2024 the Agency will continue to provide education and outreach to the public on the
hazards of LBP, emphasizing compliance assistance and outreach to support implementation of
the RRP rule and to increase public awareness about preventing childhood lead exposure and lead
poisoning. The Agency will further its work in reaching contractors and the public in underserved
communities through the "Enhancing Lead-Safe Work Practices through Education and Outreach"
initiative, by increasing the number of RRP certified contractors and by providing community
leaders a means to educate their own communities about lead hazards, reducing and preventing
potential exposure to lead, and the importance of hiring certified lead professionals. This initiative,
in combination with other regional outreach, is designed to reduce harm to children from exposure
to lead in underrepresented and underserved communities disproportionately affected by lead
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exposure, including a focus on low income, overburdened, underserved, and tribal communities.
The Agency will continue to provide multimedia outreach for the National Lead Poisoning
Prevention Week, a collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and HUD. Actions
include formal announcements, social media, web revisions, and other outreach. Finally, EPA will
continue to provide support to the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) to disseminate
information to the public.346
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM RRP30) Percentage of lead-based paint RRP firms whose certifications are scheduled to expire that are
recertified before the expiration date.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
32
33
34
Percent
Actual
18
17
19
40
36
31
Numerator
1,793
1,134
1,185
9,006
6,524
2,874
RRP Finns
Denominator
9,851
6,855
6,091
22,384
18,158
9,423
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$875.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agencywide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(-$797.0) This program change is an offset to contracts for the increase for payroll fixed
costs.
Statutory Authority:
Toxic Substances Control Act(TSCA), 15 U.S.C. 2601 etseq. - Sections 401-412.
346 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/lead/foniis/lead-hotliiie-iiatioiial-lead-iiifoniiatioii-ceiiter.
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Underground Storage Tanks (LUST/UST)
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LUST / UST
Program Area: Underground Storage Tanks (LUST / UST)
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy
Communities, Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
ihivironnicnliil I'ro^rums Muiui^cnicnl
sn.xtr
S 12.021
S/-/.75/
S 2M0
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$9,707
$9,991
$14,665
$4,674
Total Budget Authority
$21,512
$22,012
$29,116
$7,104
Total Workyears
87.8
97.9
108.6
10.7
Program Project Description:
Environmental Program Management (EPM) resources fund EPA's work in the Leaking
Underground Storage Tank (LUST)/UST Program to help prevent releases of petroleum through
activities such as inspection and compliance assistance support. The EPM LUST/UST Program
provides states347 and tribes with technical assistance and guidance and directly funds projects that
assist states and tribes in their program implementation, such as the Tribal Underground Storage
Tanks Database (TrUSTD). EPA is the primary implementer of the UST Program in Indian
Country. With few exceptions, tribes do not have independent UST program resources. EPA will
provide facility-specific compliance assistance for UST facility owners and operators in
communities with environmental justice concerns in Indian country.
This program supports the Administration's priority of mitigating the negative environmental
impacts to communities that are historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by
persistent poverty and inequality, as articulated in Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial
Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government ,348 As of July
2021, approximately 53 million people lived within a quarter mile of an active UST facility,
representing 16 percent of the total U.S population. These communities tend to be more minority
and lower income than the U.S. population as a whole.349
In 2005, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) which, along with other release
prevention measures, requires states to inspect facilities at least once every three years. EPA has
347 States as referenced here also include the District of Columbia and five territories as described in the definition of state in the
Solid Waste Disposal Act.
348 For more information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.eoY/briefmg-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-
order-advancine-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/.
349 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2021. Data collected includes: 1) UST information as of late-2018 to
mid-2019 depending on the state from ORD & OUST, UST Map,
https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html7idH303763d3f2754461adf86fl21345d7bc; and 2) population data
from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey.
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been supporting states in these efforts. Between 2008 and 2022, the number of annual confirmed
releases has decreased by 38 percent (from 7,364 to 4,568).350
An EPA study suggests that increased UST compliance is a result of increasing inspection
frequency. EPA's statistical analysis, using the State of Louisiana's and Arkansas's UST data,
showed a positive and statistically significant effect of increased inspection frequency on facility
compliance.351 This evidence supports the data trends the Agency witnessed: compliance rates rose
notably after fully implementing the three-year inspection requirement.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.2, Reduce Waste and Prevent
Environmental Contamination in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
EPA estimates that only two percent of the Nation's 125,000 retail fuel locations have the
appropriate equipment to store higher blends of ethanol, which means that the remaining UST
systems will need some level of upgrade before they can safely and legally store El 5. This could
pose a greater risk of an accidental fuel release in nearby communities. To help address this, EPA
is requesting approximately $2.3 million and 5.0 FTE to establish a targeted, national program to
improve the compatibility of UST systems with E15 in fenceline communities where E15 is more
prevalently used.
Requested resources will be used to:
Conduct outreach and education to UST owners to ensure they both understand the
regulatory requirements to store El5 and the technical process they can use to determine
their compatibility in complying with those requirements so they can safely store El 5; and
• Hire staff to support state inspection programs and to conduct direct El5 compliance
inspections in Indian Country.
Additionally, in FY 2024, EPA will continue to engage in the following core activities:
Support enhanced inspections and evaluations for UST owners/operators to ensure that
UST systems meet current regulations. This will include expanded development and use
of a facility specific compliance assistance application for use in Indian Country.
• Develop tools and resources to assist states in adapting to the impacts of climate change
and extreme weather events. This includes developing tools and resources to assist states
in identifying facilities that are more prone to flooding or wildfires and helping these
facilities prepare for these events before they occur.
350 For more information, please refer to https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-l l/ca-2l-34.pdf.
351 Sullivan, K. A.; Kafle, A (2020). The Energy Policy Act of2005: Increased Inspection Frequency and Compliance at
Underground Storage Tank Facilities. OCPA Working Paper No. 2020-01.
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• Provide oversight for state LUST prevention grants and provide compatibility compliance
assistance for tribal facilities.
Continue research studies that identify the compatibility of new fuel formulations with
current tank systems.
Continue to coordinate with state UST prevention programs.
• Provide technical assistance, compliance help, and expert consultation to states, tribes, and
stakeholders on both policy and technical matters. This support strives to strengthen the
network of federal, state, tribal, and local partners (specifically communities and people
living and working near UST sites) and assists implementation of the UST regulations.
• Provide guidance, training, and assistance to the regulated community to improve
understanding and compliance.
Continue to work with industry, states, and tribes to identify causes and potential solutions
for corrosion in diesel tanks. Work in this area is important given the significant findings
regarding the increasing prevalence of corrosion of UST system equipment containing
ethanol or diesel fuels.352
EPA will continue to collect data regarding both the compliance rate and the number of new
releases for UST systems in Indian Country. The compliance rate will help determine progress
toward meeting EPA's revised regulations and help identify any areas that need specific attention.
In addition, EPA will continue its work to evaluate the effectiveness of its 2015 regulations, which
are designed to ensure existing UST equipment continues to function properly.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the LUST Prevention Program under the LUST
appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$ 171.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base payroll
costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide essential workforce
support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$2,259.0 / +5.5 FTE) This program change requests additional FTE to conduct direct E15
compliance inspections in Indian Country. Resources also will be used for the development and
coordination of outreach materials to the regulated community. This investment includes $1.0
million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act §§ 8001, 9001-9011.
352 For more information, please refer to: www.epa.gov/ust/emerging-fuels-and-underground-storage-tanks-usts#tab-3
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Water Ecosystems
561
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National Estuary Program / Coastal Waterways
Program Area: Protecting Estuaries and Wetlands
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$33,958
$40,000
$32,514
-$7,486
Total Budget Authority
$33,958
$40,000
$32,514
-$7,486
Total Workyears
36.0
36.9
36.9
0.0
Program Project Description:
The National Estuary Program (NEP)/Coastal Waterways Programs work to restore the physical,
chemical, and biological integrity of estuaries of national significance and coastal watersheds by
protecting and restoring water quality, habitat, and living resources.353
The Nation's coasts are facing devastating ecological and societal stress now, and communities
with environmental justice concerns, especially people of color, low-income, and indigenous
communities, are experiencing disproportionate climate impacts. Sea level rise and shoreline loss,
dead zones, harmful algal blooms, coral bleaching, coastal acidification, wetland and habitat loss,
shifts in species composition and habitat, frequent flooding, degraded water quality, and storms
that result in billion-dollar damages are becoming routine. The water quality and ecological
integrity of estuarine and coastal areas is critical to the economic vitality of the U.S. While the
estuarine regions of the U.S. comprise just 12.6 percent of U.S. land area, they contain 43 percent
of the U.S. population and provide 49 percent of all U.S. economic output.354 The economic value
of coastal recreation in the U.S. - for beachgoing, fishing, bird watching, and snorkeling/diving -
has been conservatively estimated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to be
in the order of $20 billion to $60 billion annually.355
Wetlands also protect coastal property, providing a buffer against storms, floods, and high waves.
They stabilize shorelines, prevent land from eroding, and provide carbon sequestration. The storm
damage mitigation services provided by wetlands are valued at over $23 billion dollars annually.
The NEP has collectively protected and restored over 2.6 million acres of habitat within 28
estuaries of national significance since 2000. Most of these acres are wetland habitat providing the
benefits described above to coastal watersheds and their communities stretching across 39 percent
of U.S. shoreline miles and containing 24 percent of the U.S. population. NEPs do this by working
collaboratively and proactively with local governments and other partners through broad networks
and leveraging other sources of funding.
353 For more information, please visit https://www.epa.gov/nep.
354 For more information, please visit https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/habitat-conservatiori/estuarv-habitat.
355 For more information, please visit https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/habitat-conservation/coastal-wetlands-too-
valuable-lose.
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will:
• Provide $19.6 million in Clean Water Act Section 320 grants for 28 NEPs ($700 thousand
perNEP). This is a highly leveraged program with projects that address coastal, estuarine,
and inland freshwater ecosystem needs. On average, NEPs leverage more than $17 for
every dollar provided by EPA. This funding will strengthen EPA's staff and internal
resource capacity to support and manage core NEP programmatic activities, including the
implementation of each NEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan,
conducting and addressing findings from regular program evaluations of individual NEPs,
oversight of the day-to-day operations of the NEPs, and management of Clean Water Act
Section 320 grant funds;
These resources provide capacity to support NEP programs that address priority issues such
as nutrient management, habitat protection and restoration, water quality, green
infrastructure, and marine litter. Throughout the NEPs' work, the program is seeking to
prioritize climate adaptation and resiliency and greenhouse gas mitigation co-benefits
through blue carbon measures, and equitably distribute federal investments and their
benefits, including to disadvantaged communities. NEPs will continue to develop and
implement climate adaptation and resiliency strategies, engage and educate stakeholders,
and implement collaborative projects with regional, state, and local partners;
• Funding will also support the NEPs in developing the skills and capacity to integrate
environmental and climate justice into their guiding documents and daily operations. These
activities will benefit disadvantaged communities and help achieve the goals of the
Administration's Justice40 initiative; and
Conduct Program Evaluations to assess how the NEPs are making progress in achieving
programmatic and environmental results through implementation of their Comprehensive
Conservation and Management Plans. The evaluation process has proven to be an effective,
interactive management process that ensures national program accountability and
transparency, while incorporating local priorities and considerations. It also demonstrates
the value of federal investment in estuarine and coastal watershed restoration and
protection at the local and regional levels.
FY 2024 funding will be used to reinvigorate the Climate Ready Estuaries (CRE) program356 and
other important coastal program activities, including restoration and protection of coastal wetlands
(e.g., avoiding and removing tidal restrictions). CRE develops resources and provides technical
support to NEPs and other coastal community leaders and advises on coastal climate resiliency
nationally. EPA will continue to work with other federal agencies, states, and tribes to assess
356 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/cre.
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challenges such as increasing temperatures and ocean and coastal acidification and identify
opportunities to implement actions to mitigate the effects of ocean acidification.
EPA continues to work with states, tribes, trust territories, NEPs, and Federal agencies to
implement the National Aquatic Resource Survey (NARS) in coastal/estuarine waters. In FY 2023,
theNARS coastal survey will complete analysis and interpretation of the sample results and share
them with state and tribal partners. The web-report and results dashboard for the 2020 National
Coastal Condition Assessment will be released in late FY 2023. In FY 2024, EPA will initiate
planning activities with our partners for the 2025 National Coastal Condition Assessment.
EPA, as the federal chair of the Gulf Hypoxia Task Force, will work with other task force member
federal agencies and twelve member states to continue implementation of the 2008 Gulf Hypoxia
Action Plan. This activity complements other coordination and implementation resources in the
Geographic Program: Gulf of Mexico and Surface Water Protection Program. A key goal of the
Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan is to improve water quality in the Mississippi River Basin and reduce
the size of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico by implementing existing and innovative
approaches to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the Basin and the Gulf.
The Hypoxia Task Force is developing basin-wide metrics, while Task Force member states are
using Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act resources to implement nutrient reduction strategies,
partner with land grant universities, report on measures to track progress, and identify a need for
adaptive management. Excessive nutrients can have both ecological and human health effects. For
example, high nitrate levels in drinking water have been linked to serious illness.357 In addition to
the public health risks, there are considerable economic costs from impaired drinking water. State
support for effective nutrient reduction in the Gulf will be coordinated with other Hypoxia Task
Force federal member agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Geological
Survey, in high-priority watersheds.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes $38.4 million for this
program in FY 2024.
Performance Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$379.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
• (-$7,865.0) This program change reduces the resources available for this program. Significant
additional funding for these activities is available in FY 2024 through the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act.
357 For more information, please visit: National Service Center for Environmental Publications
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Statutory Authority:
2021 Protect and Restore America's Estuaries Act; 1990 Great Lakes Critical Programs Act of the
Clean Water Act; Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008; Clean Water Act; Estuaries
and Clean Waters Act of 2000; Protection and Restoration Act of 1990; North American Wetlands
Conservation Act; Water Resources Development Act; 2012 Great Lakes Water Quality
Agreement; 1987 Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances; 1909 Boundary Waters
Treaty; Marine Debris Research, Prevention and Reduction Act of 2006; Marine Plastic Pollution
Research and Control Act of 1987, and the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and
Control Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 note).
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Wetlands
Program Area: Protecting Estuaries and Wetlands
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Maiui'^cnicnl
S 21. HO
S 21. "-I
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w ,vr
Total Budget Authority
$21,103
$21,754
$26,671
$4,917
Total Workyears
116.4
118.4
138.0
19.6
Program Project Description:
EPA's Wetlands Protection Program has two primary components: 1) the Clean Water Act (CWA)
Section 404 regulatory program and 2) the state and tribal wetland development program. Major
activities of the Wetlands Protection Program include timely and efficient review of CWA Section
404 permit applications submitted to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) or
authorized states; engaging and partnering with US ACE, states, and other stakeholders to develop
stream and wetland assessment tools, and improving compensatory mitigation effectiveness and
availability of credits; assisting in the development of state and tribal wetlands protection and
restoration programs under CWA, including 404 program assumption and 401 water quality
certification; and providing technical assistance to the public on wetland management and legal
requirements.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Working with federal, state, tribal, and local partners, EPA will strive to ensure an effective,
consistent approach to wetlands protection, restoration, and permitting. To achieve this goal, the
Agency will continue its collaborative relationship with US ACE in the CWA Section 404
permitting program. In addition, EPA will continue its work with states and tribes to build their
wetlands programs to monitor, protect, and restore wetlands to achieve multiple societal benefits,
including adapting and mitigating the effects of climate change.
CWA Section 404
Section 404 of the CWA is an established program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill
material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. USACE is responsible for managing
the day-to-day permit processes nationwide under CWA Section 404.358 EPA engages in the CWA
358 Currently, three states, Michigan, New Jersey, and Florida, have assumed the CWA Section 404 permit program. CWA
Section 404(g) gives states and tribes the option of assuming, or taking over, the permitting responsibility and administration of
the CWA Section 404 permit program for certain waters.
566
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404 permit process to ensure compliance with the CWA Section 404(b)(1) guidelines as the
permitting authority formulates their proposed permits. EPA will perform its CWA responsibilities
to support new infrastructure projects funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
of 2021. In 2008, EPA and USACE issued a final rule governing compensatory mitigation for
activities authorized by the CWA 404 and associated losses of aquatic resources. The regulation
prescribes a review and approval process for the establishment and management of mitigation
banks and in-lieu of fees program. EPA and USACE will continue to work together to evaluate
the effectiveness of the program, provide training to regulators and the public, and consider further
enhancements to the rule and program.
In FY 2024, EPA will support the development of stream and wetland assessment methods,
trainings for regulators, and regional crediting protocols for compensatory mitigation to improve
the efficiency and environmental outcomes of federal and state agency review. In addition, EPA
and USACE will continue to build internal capacity through trainings and improve efficiencies in
federal CWA Section 404 permitting to help with reducing potential costs and delays; increasing
consistency and predictability; improving protection of public health and the environment,
including assessing climate impacts and impacts to disadvantaged communities; and ensuring
permit decisions are legally defensible.
EPA also will continue carrying out its responsibilities as a member of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem
Restoration Council authorized under the Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourist
Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States (RESTORE) Act, and as a Natural
Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Trustee for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill under the Oil
Pollution Act (OP A). Under CWA Section 404, the RESTORE Act, and OP A, EPA's
responsibilities include timely, environmentally sound, and compliant implementation of National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and associated permitting. Under NRDA, EPA is a
cooperating or lead federal agency for NEPA on all Deepwater Horizon Trustee Implementation
Group restoration plans and ensures the appropriate level of NEPA analysis is integrated into those
referenced restoration plans. EPA's RESTORE responsibilities include NEPA analysis for projects
that the Council assigns to EPA. As a NRDA Trustee, EPA undertakes mandatory independent
third-party financial audits every three years to ensure accountability regarding the use of funds
provided under a 2016 consent decree.359 The first independent third-party financial audit was
initiated in FY 2018 and concluded in FY 2020 with no negative findings. The second audit was
initiated in FY 2021 and concluded in FY 2022 with no significant findings. EPA anticipates
initiating its third audit in late FY 2023.
Building State and Tribal Wetlands Programs
EPA will continue to work with states and tribes to target Wetlands Protection Program funds to
core statutory requirements while providing states and tribes flexibility to best address their
priorities. This includes providing assistance to states and tribes interested in assuming the
administration of the CWA Section 404 (g) program. EPA intends to finalize a regulation in FY
2024 to update the existing assumption regulations and provide greater clarity to state and tribes
on what waters may be assumed. EPA also will continue to administer Wetland Program
Development Grants, which is a Justice40 covered program, in support of state and tribal wetland
programs. The Agency will focus on working more efficiently with states and tribes to achieve
359 For more information, please see: fattps://www.epa.gov/deetywaterfaorizon.
567
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specific program development outcomes including protecting and restoring wetlands to address
climate impacts, provide benefits to disadvantaged communities, support state and tribal
assumption of the CWA Section 404 program, and support states and tribes with implementing
CWA Section 401.360
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$25.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$4,942.0 / +19.6 FTE) This increase of resources and FTE supports the implementation
of the Clean Water Act to protect and restore wetlands. This investment includes $3,385
million in payroll costs.
Statutory Authority:
CWA § 404, § 104(b)(3).
360 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/wetlaiids.
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Water: Human Health Protection
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Beach / Fish Programs
Program Area: Ensure Safe Water
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
S 1.20V
S2.2-H>
S2JSI
S/.V
Total Budget Authority
$1,209
$2,246
$2,381
$135
Total Workyears
1.8
in
3.8
1.1
Program Project Description:
The Beach/Fish Program provides up-to-date science, guidance, technical assistance, and
nationwide information to state, tribal, and federal agencies to protect human health of beachgoers
from contaminated recreation waters, as well as recreational and subsistence fishers (e.g., tribal
communities and other underserved populations) from consumption of contaminated fish.
The Agency implements the following activities under this Program:
• Develop and disseminate methodologies and guidance that states and tribes use to sample,
analyze, and assess fish tissue in support of waterbody specific or regional consumption
advisories.
• Develop and disseminate guidance that states and tribes can use to conduct local fish
consumption surveys.
• Develop and disseminate guidance that states and tribes can use to communicate the risks
of consuming chemically contaminated fish.
Gather, analyze, and disseminate information to the public and health professionals that
informs decisions on when and where to fish, and how to prepare fish caught by
recreational and subsistence fishers.
• Provide best practices on public notification of beach closures and advisories.
• Develop tools such as the sanitary survey app, predictive modeling, and improved
analytical methods; and
• Maintain the E-Beaches IT system to collect data required by the Beaches Environmental
Assessment and Coastal Help (BEACH) Act.
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In addition to providing technical support to states and tribes on beach monitoring and data
reporting, these programs are part of EPA's ongoing effort to increase public awareness of the
risks to human health associated with contact with recreational water contaminated with pathogens
or Harmful Algal Blooms, and with eating locally caught fish that contain pollutants such as
mercury, PCBs, or PFAS at levels of concern. These efforts are directly linked to the Agency's
mission to protect human health.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to:
• Update science and public policy to assess and manage the risks and benefits of fish
consumption.
• Provide analytical tools and collect data associated with beach monitoring.
• Provide technical support to states in the operation of their fish consumption advisories and
beach monitoring programs.
• Build program capacity, particularly in areas related to environmental justice, water
infrastructure support and oversight, climate change resilience, and regulatory reviews.
• Per the Agency's PFAS Roadmap, complete list of recommended target analytes for state
and tribal fish advisory programs that are either known or thought to be present in samples
of edible freshwater fish in high occurrence nationwide.
Complete National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS) National Lakes Assessment analysis
of fish tissue for contaminants including PFAS;
• Per the Agency's PFAS Roadmap, complete reporting for PFAS levels in the Nation's lakes
for the first time; and
• Implement the Justice 40 initiative in the BEACH Act Program.
In FY 2024, EPA also will make investments in providing up-to-date science, guidance, and
technical assistance so states and tribes have equitable and effective beach and fish advisory
programs. This information allows the public, including underserved communities, to make
informed choices about recreational activities in local waters and eating locally caught fish. EPA
will maintain the E-Beaches IT system and make updates if needed.
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Performance Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this Program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$89.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$46.0 / +1.1 FTE) This net change in resources and FTE builds program capacity,
particularly in areas related to environmental justice, water infrastructure support and
oversight, climate change resilience, and regulatory reviews.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act, § 101, 104, and 303.
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Drinking Water Programs
Program Area: Ensure Safe Water
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Science & Technology
$4,177
$5,098
$6,975
$1,877
Total Budget Authority
$121,382
$126,705
$149,558
$22,853
Total Workyears
473.1
539.4
554.5
15.1
Program Project Description:
Safe drinking water is critical for protecting human health and the economic vitality of the Nation.
Approximately 320 million Americans rely on public water systems to deliver safe tap water that
complies with national drinking water standards.361 EPA's Drinking Water Program is based on a
multiple-barrier and source-to-tap approach to protect public health from contaminants in drinking
water.362 EPA protects public health through:
Source water assessment and protection;
• Promulgation of new or revised National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs);
Training, technical assistance, and financial assistance programs to enhance public water
system capacity to comply with regulations and provide safe drinking water;
• Underground Inj ection Control (UIC) programs;
Support for implementation of NPDWRs by state and tribal drinking water programs
through regulatory, non-regulatory, and voluntary programs and policies; and
• Funding, assistance, and resources for states and tribes to support the financing of water
infrastructure improvements nationwide that will improve compliance, address drinking
water contaminants such as lead, and ensure water systems are more resilient to threats,
like cyber-attacks and natural hazards such as climate change.363
361 For more information on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS/FED),
please see: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/datait/databases/drink/sdwisfed/index.cfm.
362 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-
10/documents/guide swppocket 2002 updated.pdf.
363 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water.
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Current events, including the detection of lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in
drinking water, highlight the importance of drinking water protection programs that safeguard
public health. It is also important to protect the sources of drinking water. Moreover, incidents of
drinking water contamination with lead and PFAS, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA),
perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and GenX chemicals, exemplify the increased demand for risk
communication and other resources that can help communities protect public health and address
these chemicals.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.1, Ensure Safe Drinking Water and
Reliable Water Infrastructure in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the program will continue to support the Agency's national drinking water priorities
and implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 (Public Law 117-
58), including:
• Addressing lead and emerging contaminants such as PFAS;
• Improving resilience in drinking water systems to address natural hazards, including
climate change, and human threats by enhancing cybersecurity; and,
• Improving drinking water and water quality across the Nation, especially in rural, small,
underserved, and disadvantaged communities across the country.
EPA is requesting additional resources in FY 2024 to integrate climate adaptation planning into
water programs, policies, and rulemaking processes, and consult and partner with states, tribes,
territories, local governments, environmental justice organizations, community groups,
businesses, and other federal agencies to strengthen the adaptive capacity and increase the
resilience of the Nation. The Agency also is requesting resources to support regulatory analysis,
development and training, technical assistance for state, tribal, and local communities to address
drinking water contaminants (including lead and emerging contaminants like PFAS) in their efforts
to ensure safe and affordable drinking water.
The Agency will continue to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its programs for states
and tribes, including work to ensure EPA water programs and resources reach communities that
too often have been left behind, including rural and tribal communities. In FY 2022, over 1,000
tribal, small, rural, or underserved communities were provided with technical, managerial, or
financial assistance to improve operations of their drinking water or wastewater systems. The
Drinking Water Program supports this effort by providing training and assistance to state drinking
water programs, tribal drinking water officials, and technical assistance providers. The training
includes:
• Achieving and maintaining compliance at drinking water systems;
• Developing and amplifying best practices and providing technical assistance;
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Strengthening state and tribal program capacity; and
Certifying drinking water operators and maintaining an essential workforce.
EPA is overseeing state drinking water programs by completing the annual public water system
supervision (PWSS) program review for each primacy agency as required under the Safe Drinking
Water Act (SDWA). Information gained during the program reviews, which occur throughout the
year, includes an analysis of the completion of sanitary surveys by primacy agencies and an
evaluation of whether each primacy agency is implementing its programs in accordance with
SDWA. The annual program reviews directly support the work of the states and the Agency to
reduce the number of community water systems in noncompliance with health-based standards.
As of January 2023, 2,988 of the 3,508 systems with health-based violations on September 30,
2017, have been returned to compliance {i.e., 520 systems are still in violation).
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with states towards long-term remediation of systems with
health-based violations. The Agency is also continuing to work with states on completing the
development of the Drinking Water State-Federal-Tribal Information Exchange System (DW-
SFTIES) as the long-term replacement for the Safe Drinking Water Information System for states
(SDWIS-State). As of FY 2023, 42 states use SDWIS-State for day-to-day information
management for implementing state drinking water programs. EPA is also supporting states in
their transition planning activities, helping them to prepare to transition to DW-SFTIES after its
scheduled completion in 2025. The information gained from the PWSS reviews and the database
modernization efforts will continue to support evidence-building activities as part of EPA's
implementation of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Evidence Act).
The Agency also continues to provide training and collaborate with states on:
• Helping underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities with SDWA compliance and
providing households access to drinking water services and household water quality
testing, including testing for unregulated contaminants;
• Maintaining the states' capacity development programs and providing resources, tools, and
technical assistance to help water systems with SDWA compliance;
• Effectively implementing Public Water System Supervision (PWSS Programs; and
• Providing operator certification programs to support the water sector workforce.
Water Infrastructure
Infrastructure investment is essential. The Nation's aging infrastructure poses a significant
challenge for the drinking water and wastewater sectors to protect public health and the
environment. These challenges are particularly pressing in small, rural, overburdened, and
underserved communities. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support improvements to the Nation's
drinking water infrastructure, including identification of infrastructure needs and assistance for
underserved and tribal communities. The Agency also will support activities to leverage and
encourage public and private collaborative efforts and investments. This Program also supports
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the Agency's efforts in implementing IIJA. EPA will focus on collaborating with the states to help
small and underserved communities access the funding provided by IDA.
In FY 2023, EPA will release the seventh Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and
Assessment (DWINSA). This survey provides a 20-year capital investment need for public water
systems that are eligible to receive funding from state Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF) programs. The survey also informs the DWSRF allocation formula as required under
SDWA. Beginning in FY 2024, early framework activities for the eighth DWINSA will begin.
'Lessons Learned' sessions will also be held with EPA's state partners to discuss the previous
survey cycle and how to improve moving forward. The FY 2024 request includes up to $1.5 million
set aside from the DWSRF to ensure there are consistent and reliable resources to fund this
important work.
In addition to the DWSRF Program, in FY 2024 EPA will continue to support drinking water
infrastructure programs by implementing the following statutes:
Consolidated Appropriations Acts of 2022 and 2023 (EPA Community Grants);
• Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA) within IIJA;
• America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA);
• Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016 (WIIN); and
The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (WIFIA).
Collectively, these laws strengthened existing programs and created new ones to tackle significant
public health concerns and environmental needs. The programs created in these laws are vital to
protecting public health, continuing to grow the United States' economy, and ensuring that rural
and urban communities from coast-to-coast can thrive. EPA will continue to provide WIIN,
AWIA, and IIJA grant funding to support projects focusing on reducing lead and addressing
emerging contaminants in drinking water and to enhance water system resiliency to natural hazards
such as climate change and man-made threats such as cyber-attacks, with a focus on small and
disadvantaged communities.
Funding for infrastructure supports EPA's goal to increase the cumulative amount of non-federal
dollars leveraged by water infrastructure finance programs by $9.5 billion in FY 2024. These water
infrastructure finance programs include the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, DWSRF, and the
WIFIA program. In FY 2022, over $14.6 billion has been leveraged by these programs increasing
the funds available to improve, repair, and modernize the Nation's water infrastructure. In addition,
the IIJA provides $5 million for this program to support states seeking to gain primacy for UIC
class CI wells in FY 2024.
Drinking Water Program Implementation
In FY 2024, the Agency is requesting additional resources to support continued work with states
to implement requirements for all NPDWRs to ensure that systems install, operate, and maintain
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appropriate levels of treatment and effectively manage their drinking water plants and distribution
systems. The program activities are designed to improve drinking water and water quality across
the Nation, especially in tribal and underserved and vulnerable communities. Activities include:
• Working with states to provide training, technical assistance, and resources to replace lead
service lines and optimize corrosion control treatment, develop other strategies to minimize
exposure to lead, and maintain simultaneous compliance;
• Developing guidance, tools, and trainings to support water systems and primacy agencies
in implementing the Lead and Copper Rule and its revision;
• Implementing regulations to improve the clarity, readability, and accuracy of information
in Consumer Confidence Reports;
• Implementing SDWA Section 1414 requirements allowing states to mandate water system
restructuring assessments;
• Focusing on the reduction of the number of community water systems with health-based
violations, especially small systems, tribal systems, and systems in underserved
communities;
• In preparation of the PFAS NPDWR, supporting the development of the draft Small
System Compliance Guidance Document; and,
• Developing implementation guidance manual and training for states in advance of the new
Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).
EPA will continue the development of the Drinking Water State-Federal-Tribal Information
Exchange System (DW-SFTIES) and support state migration to the Compliance Monitoring Data
Portal, which enables drinking water utilities and laboratories to report drinking water data
electronically. In addition, EPA will continue the development of efficient program data
management and reporting tools focusing on drinking water regulation, system technical,
managerial, and financial capacity, and activities that inform status of SDWA compliance and
decisions to support human health protection.
In FY 2024, EPA will conduct the following activities to facilitate compliance with drinking water
rules:
Overseeing the national PWSS Program by administering grants to states and measuring
program results based on state reporting of health-based rule violations at public water
systems for over 90 drinking water contaminants;
Offering training and technical assistance to states, tribes, and public water systems,
especially those in underserved and disadvantaged communities, with a priority on
addressing significant noncompliance with the NPDWRs;
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Bolstering its strong partnership with the states to provide small system technical
assistance, especially in disadvantaged communities, with a focus on compliance with
rules, operational efficiencies, and system sustainability and resiliency to ensure public
health protection;
Directly implementing the Aircraft Drinking Water Rule, designed to protect millions of
people who travel on approximately 5,700 aircraft in the United States annually; and,
Directly implementing the Drinking Water Program where states and tribes do not have
primacy (e.g., Wyoming, the District of Columbia, and tribal lands excluding the Navajo
Nation).
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement the Evidence Act and make evidence-based decisions
guided by the best available science and data. EPA will continue to help develop statistical
evidence where it is lacking and improve EPA's capacity to generate and share science and data,
and use it in policy, budget, operational, regulatory, and management processes and decisions.
Specifically, the Agency will be conducting evidence-building activities and gathering information
from SDWIS that inform the data quality of the Agency's drinking water compliance information.
Through these efforts, EPA has identified a need for access to states' compliance monitoring data
and is developing the regulatory authority and tools necessary to fill this gap. Furthermore, EPA
expects to identify additional data needs, potential sources of additional information, and
mechanisms to fill data gaps. EPA also will identify system characteristics that support compliance
and those that cause compliance challenges. EPA will use these findings to inform and develop
policy instruments.
Drinking Water Standards
To assure the American people that their water is safe to drink, EPA's drinking water regulatory
program monitors for a broad array of contaminants, evaluates whether contaminants are a public
health concern, and regulates contaminants when there is a meaningful opportunity for health risk
reduction for persons served by public water systems. In FY 2024, the Agency also will address
drinking water risks with the following actions:
Continuing to develop the new NPDWR, LCRI. In FY 2021, EPA issued the Lead and
Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and subsequently reviewed those revisions in accordance
with Executive Order 13990.364 Through this review, the Agency concluded that there are
significant opportunities to improve the LCRR to support the overarching goal of
proactively removing lead service lines and more equitably protecting public health (86 FR
71574). EPA intends to propose the LCRI in 2023 and finalize by October 16, 2024.
Conducting human health effects assessments for water contaminants to support SDWA
actions, including the derivation of maximum contaminant level goals, drinking water
health advisories, and human health benchmarks. Consideration of those potentially most
364 For additional information, please see: https://www.federalrepister.goY/docunieiits/2021/01/25/2021-01765/protectiiip-public-
health-and-the-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-the-climate-crisis
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at risk - especially sensitive subpopulations and critical life stages (e.g., infants and
children) - is key in development of health effects assessments for contaminants in water.
• Finalizing the PFAS NPDWR in FY 2024 after proposing the regulation in FY 2023. In
FY 2021, EPA began the process to establish enforceable limits for PFAS chemicals,
including PFOA and PFOS, under SDWA. The proposal will be supported by health effects
assessments/science, external consultations, peer reviews, and other work undertaken in
FY 2022 and continuing in FY 2023. EPA will address public comments; conduct
additional analyses (if needed) in response to public comments; conduct stakeholder
engagement activities; and revise support documents as part of drafting the final regulation.
Continuing the development of the SDWA-mandated draft Regulatory Determinations
(Reg Det) for the CCL 5 in FY 2023 and publishing the draft Reg Det for CCL 5 in FY
2024.
• Initiating the process to develop the Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6) in FY 2024
following the FY 2023 publication of the Federal Register notice requesting nominations
of drinking water contaminants for the CCL 6.365
Continuing to participate in interagency actions and support cross-agency efforts to address
PFAS; establishing better understanding of the health impacts and extent of their
occurrence in the environment and resulting human exposures; and supporting priorities
identified by the EPA's PFAS Council and in EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap.
• Developing drinking water health advisories for PFAS with final toxicity values.
Continuing to develop risk communication and other tools to support states, tribes, and
localities in managing PFAS and other emerging contaminants in their communities.
Concluding the technical analyses that support the fourth six-year review (SYR4) of
existing NPDWRs and publishing the SYR4 Federal Register notice.
Continuing to support state and tribal efforts to manage cyanotoxins in drinking water,
including providing technical assistance.
Concluding the technical analyses requested by the National Drinking Water Advisory
Council (NDWAC) Working Group and evaluating the NDWAC recommendations as the
Agency considers the potential revisions to the existing Microbial and Disinfection
Byproducts Rules.
• Continuing to monitor PFAS and lithium from January 2023 - December 2025 under
UCMR 5, conducting occurrence analyses, and providing support to drinking water
systems and laboratories as they collect and analyze samples during implementation.
365 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/ccl/draft-coiitaniiiiaiit-caiididate-list-6-ccl-6
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Collecting and analyzing Community Water System Survey data to capture changes in the
conditions of public water systems that have taken place in water systems since 2006.
Source Water Protection
SDWA requires drinking water utilities that meet the definition of a public water system to meet
requirements for source water protection set by EPA and state primacy agencies. Protecting source
water from contamination helps reduce treatment costs and may avoid or defer the need for
complex treatment. EPA will continue to partner with states, federal counterparts, drinking water
utilities, and other stakeholders to identify and address current and potential threats to sources of
drinking water. In FY 2024, the Agency will be:
Continuing to develop data-layers and decision support tools to assist source water
assessment, planning, and emergency preparation including updates to the Drinking Water
Mapping Application for Protecting Source Waters (DWMAPS) on EPA's web-based
geospatial platform, GeoPlatform;366
• Working with state, federal, utility, and local stakeholders to leverage resources, support
efforts to assist communities in source water protection activities and projects, and promote
ongoing efforts, including funding opportunities through the Funding Integration Tool for
Source water (FITS), to protect drinking water sources;
Continuing to partner with the Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Natural Resources
Conservation Service and Forest Service and state partners to support implementation of
the source water protection provisions of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018
Farm Bill). This presents an opportunity to forge stronger connections between EPA and
USDA to address agriculture-related impacts to drinking water sources; and
Continuing to provide support for workshops that promote source water protection at the
local level and support the integration of source water protection into related programs at
the state and federal levels, focusing on reducing nutrient pollution impacts on drinking
water sources.
Underground Injection Control
Roughly one-third of the United States' population is served by public water systems that receive
water from groundwater. To safeguard current and future underground sources of drinking water
from contamination, the UIC Program regulates the use of injection wells that place fluids
underground for storage, disposal, enhanced recovery of oil and gas, and minerals recovery.
Protecting ground water requires proper permitting, construction, operation, and closure of
injection wells. In FY 2024, planned activities in the UIC Program include:
Supporting implementation of DWWIA to support comprehensive carbon dioxide
infrastructure in the United States by working with applicants on Class VI permits for
366 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/dwmaps
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secure geologic storage of carbon dioxide and with state UIC programs seeking to obtain
primacy for the Class VI program;
Supporting the implementation of the UIC STAG and IIJA funded Class VI grant
programs;
Supporting efforts to advance environmental justice in UIC programs;
Supporting states and tribes in applying for primary enforcement responsibility and
implementing UIC Program revisions;
Continuing to provide technical assistance, tools, and strategies to states to improve
implementation of UIC programs, including development of e-learning material, and to
support permitting in direction implementation;
• Using national UIC data to assist with promoting consistent approaches to program
oversight of state and EPA's UIC programs; and
Streamlining EPA's UIC direct implementation permitting process and reducing the permit
application backlog.
Water Reuse
To assure a safe and reliable source of water that is resilient to drought, flooding, and population
growth, EPA is working to advance water reuse nationwide. This work is being done in
collaboration with a broad group of stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations,
states, tribes, and local governments. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support the National Water
Reuse Action Plan and the Federal Water Reuse Interagency Working Group. The Agency will
develop and pursue actions that prioritize advancing technical and scientific knowledge on water
reuse to ensure its safety across a range of uses and applications. EPA will also pursue actions that
provide technical and financial tools for stakeholders to ensure the accessibility of water reuse.367
One Water/One Community
EPA will coordinate CWA and SDWA resources toward historically underserved and
overburdened communities that are facing greater climate and water equity challenges to achieve
greater resilience, access to clean and safe water, and an improved quality of life. This program
will provide holistic support to communities as they respond to the climate crisis by increasing
funding for planning and implementation actions across the country. Additionally, EPA will work
with tribes to meet the unique needs of their communities.
Permitting Related to Infrastructure
EPA is requesting additional resources to help process the increase in permits across the country
driven by this Administration's historical investment in infrastructure. These additional FTE are
necessary to handle the influx in a variety of different permit types that require EPA approval.
367 For more information, please see https://www.epa.gov/wateiTeuse.
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This program also includes resources to support the increasing and new costs associated with
mandatory Agency support services provided through the Working Capital Funding (WCF),
support delegated responsibilities for Mission Support functions across the Agency, and support
Agency-wide implementation of OMB Cybersecurity mandates.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM DW-02) Number of community water systems still in noncompliance with health-based standards since
March 31, 2021.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
875
640
450
400
CWSs
Actual
3,508
1,718
1,128
1,048
654
537
(PM DW-07) Number of drinking water and wastewater systems, state and tribal officials, and water sector
partners provided with security, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience training and technical
assistance.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
2,000
3,500
3,500
Systems
and
Partners
Actual
3,939
(PM DWT-02) Number of community water systems in Indian Country still in noncompliance with health-
based standards since March 31, 2021.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
100
55
35
CWSs
Actual
74
(PM INFRA-06) Number of Tribal, small, rural, or underserved communities provided with technical,
managerial, or financial assistance to improve system operations.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
339
542
542
Communiti
es
Actual
187
1,668
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$11,071.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical Agency wide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity requirements,
electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of Trusted Vetting
2.0.
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• (+$218.0 / +1.2 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support Agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements. This investment includes
$218.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$1,282.0 / + 1.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support implementation of
EPA's Climate Adaptation Action Plan. In particular, this increase will support priority
commitments, such as actions to integrate climate adaptation into EPA programs, policies,
and processes, efforts to address climate adaptation science and data needs, and efforts to
consult and partner with outside stakeholders.
(+$8,405.0 / +8.9 FTE) This program change is an increase in resources and FTE that
supports regulatory analysis, development and training, permit review, technical assistance
for state, tribal, and local communities to address drinking water contaminants (including
Lead and PFAS) in their efforts to ensure safe and affordable drinking water. This increase
also supports development of the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions and the Unregulated
Contaminant Monitoring Rule. This investment includes $1,841 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
SDWA; CWA.
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Water Quality Protection
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Marine Pollution
Program Area: Ensure Clean Water
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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$8,699
$10,187
$12,624
$2,437
Total Workyears
26.5
32.8
38.0
5.2
Program Project Description:
EPA's Marine Pollution Program: 1) aims to reduce marine litter in the Nation's waterways and
communities in coastal regions and on major river systems, improve trash capture activities across
the country, and support the Trash Free Waters Program; 2) addresses incidental discharges under
the Clean Water Act Section 312; and 3) protects human health and the marine environment from
pollution caused by dumping by implementing the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries
Act (MPRSA) and supporting the Ocean Dumping Management Program.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Trash Free Waters Program
The FY 2024 request includes resources and Full Time Equivalents (FTE) to support trash capture
and prevention programs across the United States tied to water quality and waste management
goals and to implement activities under the Save Our Seas Act 2.0. This program provides support
to states and municipalities in coastal regions and on major river systems, with a special focus on
lower-income areas with environmental justice concerns.
FY 2024 funding will allow the Program to:
Support the installation of trash capture systems in stormwater conveyance systems and in
waterways using technologies that are cost-effective and that have high trash-removal
efficiencies;
• Provide assistance on integrating trash prevention provisions into municipal stormwater
management permits and practices, as well as broader watershed plans.
• Aid targeted source reduction efforts.
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• Promote appropriate protocols for trash monitoring efforts.
• Research and address microplastics (including microfibers) in waterways.
• Engage in targeted outreach and education efforts in support of place-based trash capture
and reduction; and
• Validate and replicate the most effective tools, projects, metrics, and partnerships across
the Nation for subsequent application in locations within the United States and in countries
with the greatest need.
The Trash Free Waters Program has been able to increase the number of place-based projects year
by year through active engagement with partners. Since 2013, over two hundred aquatic trash
related projects have been undertaken with EPA assistance, public education and outreach,
research, or implementation of regional program strategies. EPA will continue to work with its
partners to advance this initiative in FY 2024 and evaluate progress by reviewing best practices
and challenges and applying lessons learned to future projects.
Vessels Program
In December 2018, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) was signed into law establishing
a new framework for the regulation of discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels.
EPA is reviewing and considering public comments on the proposed rule and developing a
supplemental proposal to set national performance standards for approximately thirty different
categories of discharges from commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in length, and for ballast
water from commercial vessels of all sizes. Following finalization of the regulations, EPA will
coordinate with the United States Coast Guard on their implementing regulations. In FY 2023,
EPA plans to issue revised sewage no-discharge zone guidance and in FY 2024 will continue to
work with states on designating no-discharge zones within their waters.
Ocean Dumping Management Program
MPRSA regulates the disposition of any material in the ocean unless expressly excluded under
MPRSA. In the United States, MPRSA implements the requirements of the London Convention.
In FY 2024, EPA will evaluate MPRSA permitting inquiries and requests for the ocean dumping
of all materials except dredged materials and, as appropriate, issue MPRSA emergency, research,
general, and special permits. This will include investigating any needed regulatory updates and
addressing MPRSA permitting requests for climate mitigation approaches including sub-seabed
sequestration of CO2 in geological formations, ocean-based carbon dioxide removal activities,
ocean alkalinity enhancement activities, or ocean-based solar radiation management activities.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers uses EPA's ocean dumping criteria when evaluating requests
for MPRSA permits and MPRSA federal project authorizations for the ocean dumping of dredged
material (e.g., to support the expansion of ports and harbors or maintenance of navigation
channels). All dredged material MPRSA permits and federal project authorizations are subject to
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EPA review and written concurrence and EPA will continue to work expeditiously consistent with
the Permitting Action Plan. In FY 2024, EPA will manage approximately one hundred EPA-
designated ocean disposal sites, conduct ocean monitoring surveys at approximately six sites and
evaluate lessons learned from each survey, review and update, as necessary, MPRSA-required site
management and monitoring plans established for each EPA-designated site, and evaluate requests
to designate (through rulemaking) new ocean disposal sites and/or modify {i.e., expand the
capacity of) existing EPA-designated sites.
EPA will perform its MPRSA responsibilities to support new port and navigation infrastructure
projects funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. EPA will maintain
national program capacity by training EPA staff and developing technical/regulatory tools to
improve MPRSA permitting, site designation, and site management and monitoring. EPA will
provide training for new Chief Scientist candidates and existing Chief Scientists responsible for
designing and implementing ocean monitoring surveys to meet MPRSA requirements. In FY 2024,
EPA will serve as the Head of the United States Delegation for the annual London Convention
(LC) and London Protocol (LP) Scientific Groups Meetings, serve as Alternate Head of the United
States Delegation for the annual Consultative Meeting of the LC and LP Parties, and represent the
United States at the annual LP Compliance Group Meeting. An EPA representative will chair the
annual LC/LP Consultative Meeting. With the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, EPA will submit
the annual United States Ocean Dumping Report to the International Maritime Organization.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$539.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$1,898.0 / +5.2 FTE) This increase of resources and FTE builds program capacity,
particularly in areas related to environmental justice, water infrastructure support and
oversight, climate change resilience, and regulatory reviews. This investment includes
$999.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act; Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (Ocean Dumping Act);
Marine Debris Research, Prevention and Reduction Act of 2006; Marine Plastic Pollution
Research and Control Act of 1987; Save Our Seas Act 2.0.
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Surface Water Protection
Program Area: Ensure Clean Water
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Maiui'^cnicnl
s jr. 125
S22-I.-I'J2
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-------
change resilience, conducting CWA regulatory reviews, and advancing environmental justice
through technical assistance and stakeholder engagement. The FY 2024 request also provides an
increase of funding that will focus on investing in programs to put in place the national regulatory
requirements needed to identify and control discharge of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS), nutrients and bacteria in surface waters and publicly owned treatment works (POTWs).
This program project also includes resources to support the increasing and new costs associated
with mandatory Agency support services provided through the Working Capital Funding (WCF),
support delegated responsibilities for Mission Support functions across the Agency, and support
Agency-wide implementation of OMB Cybersecurity mandates.
Program Implementation
Water Quality Criteria and Standards. Water quality criteria and standards provide the scientific
and regulatory foundation for water quality protection programs under the CWA. EPA will provide
new and revised national recommended ambient water quality criteria as required by CWA Section
304. EPA also will be supporting states and tribes with the adoption and implementation of water
quality standards in accordance with 40 CFR part 131. In FY 2024, the Agency will place special
emphasis on engaging with underserved communities in the review and setting of state water
quality standards. The Agency also will place special emphasis on improving the water quality
standards in tribal waters on reserved lands and in waterways where tribes retain treaty rights to
better ensure that tribes' health and natural resources are protected.
Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELGs). As required under the CWA, EPA will continue to
annually review industrial sources of pollution and publish a preliminary ELG plan for public
review, followed by a final biennial ELG plan informed by public comment. These plans will
identify any industrial categories where ELGs need to be revised or where new ELGs need to be
developed. In FY 2023, EPA intends to increase the capability of EPA's Effluent Guidelines
program to reduce industrial pollutant discharges through innovative technology nationwide. EPA
will continue the ELG rulemaking to strengthen wastewater guidelines for power plants that use
steam to generate electricity. As part of the rulemaking, EPA remains committed to meaningful
engagement with impacted communities and other stakeholders on potential revisions to the Steam
Electric ELGs. EPA expects to publish a proposed rule in FY 2023 and complete the final rule in
FY 2024.
In FY 2024, EPA will seek to complete a rulemaking to establish more protective nutrient limits
on wastewater discharges from meat and poultry product facilities. EPA also will propose and
finalize rulemakings to establish PFAS limits for the organic chemical manufacturing, metal
finishing/electroplating, and landfills industrial point source categories. Additionally, EPA will
collect data on additional industrial discharges of PFAS to surface waters and influent to POTWs
and conduct rulemakings on one or more additional categories of industrial dischargers of PFAS
as the Agency determines necessary.
Clean Water Act Analytical Methods Program. EPA will continue developing and updating
analytical methods (test procedures) that are used by industries and municipalities to analyze the
chemical, physical, and biological components of wastewater and other environmental samples.
EPA periodically updates existing analytical methods to reflect advances in analytical
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instrumentation and to foster innovation and improvement in the analytical chemistry community.
In addition, as novel pollutants are identified for regulation under CWA programs, EPA develops
and promulgates new analytical methods than can then be incorporated into NPDES and other
permits. During FY 2024, EPA intends to continue developing analytical methods for determining
PFAS in industrial wastewater to support ongoing PFAS industrial category rulemakings, as well
as investing in updating existing analytical methods for pollutants such as pesticides/herbicides,
microbial contaminants, radiological contaminants, and nutrients in wastewater.
Biosolids. EPA will continue to implement the Biosolids (sewage sludge) Program as required
under CWA Section 405, including reviewing the biosolids regulations at least every two years to
identify additional toxic pollutants and promulgate regulations for such pollutants consistent with
the CWA. EPA also will continue to develop tools to conduct risk assessments for chemicals and
pathogens found in biosolids. EPA will focus resources on obtaining and using the latest scientific
knowledge to identify resource recovery and reuse alternatives, understanding and managing the
biosolids lifecycle, engaging partners — particularly those communities most affected — and
conducting research. Investment in the biosolids program is critical to addressing near term risks
from PFAS, dioxins and dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other chemicals
known to be in domestic sewage sludge that is currently applied to land.
Impaired Waters Listings and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). EPA will work with states,
territories, tribes, and other partners to identify impaired waters, as required by CWA Section
303(d), and on developing and implementing TMDLs for listed impaired waterbodies. TMDLs
focus on clearly defined environmental goals and establish a pollutant budget, which is then
implemented through local, state, and federal watershed plans and programs to restore waters. EPA
will work with and provide support to states, territories, and tribes to ensure that TMDLs are
effective and implementation ready. EPA also will support states, territories, and tribes develop
other restoration approaches and plans for the protection of unimpaired or high-quality waters.
The TMDL Program is at an important inflection point as EPA begins the new "2022 - 2032 Vision
for the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Program" and continues to build on the work done
throughout the first 10-year 303(d) Vision. As part of the 2022 - 2032 Vision, EPA provided four
themes to consider in the CWA Section 303(d) program implementation - 1) Environmental
Justice, 2) Climate Change, 3) Tribal Water Quality and Program Development, and 4) Program
Capacity Building.
Monitoring and National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS). EPA will continue working with
states and tribes to support the NARS statistically representative monitoring of the condition of
the Nation's waters which supports CWA Section 305(b). EPA will explore opportunities to
leverage NARS data analysis to gain insight on disparities in water quality and the impacts of
climate change. EPA will leverage NARS training programs to support workforce development in
water quality monitoring and build tribal capacity for monitoring and assessment. EPA will
continue working with states and tribes to support base water quality monitoring programs and
priority enhancements that serve state and tribal CWA programs in a cost-efficient and effective
manner. The FY 2024 request would support EPA's assistance for states and tribes to expand
monitoring and reporting for PFAS and other priority water quality concerns. EPA will continue
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supporting state and tribal water quality data exchange and tools to maximize the use of data from
multiple organizations to support water quality management decisions.
Waters of the United States. EPA and the Department of the Army published the final revised
definition for the "Waters of the United States" rule in January 2023. The agencies developed this
rule with consideration of the relevant provisions of the Clean Water Act and the statute as a whole,
relevant Supreme Court case law, and the agencies' technical expertise after more than 45 years
of implementing the longstanding pre-2015 "Waters of the United States" framework. EPA will
continue to support the development of tools and resources with state and federal partners to
facilitate implementation, such as the Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods.
Water Quality Certification. In accordance with Executive Order 13990, EPA completed a review
of the 2020 CWA Section 401 certification rule and proposed a new rule on June 9, 2022, which
will be completed in 2023. EPA will continue to support the development of tools and resources
with the federal licensing and permitting agencies as well as the certifying agencies. Section 401
of the CWA gives states and authorized tribes the authority to assess potential water quality
impacts of discharges from federally permitted or licensed projects that may affect the "Waters of
the United States."
Water Quality Programs. The NPDES Program protects human health, safety, and the
environment by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States.
In an average year, over 10 thousand permits are issued to address discharges from among the
approximately 15 thousand wastewater treatment facilities, nearly 60 categories of industries, and
almost 300 thousand stormwater facilities. EPA authorizes the NPDES permit program to state,
tribal, and territorial governments, and currently 48 states, tribes in Maine, and U.S. Virgin Islands
have authorized programs.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement a permitting program that helps control point source
discharges through permitting and pretreatment programs. The permitting process is a vital tool
for protecting waterways, particularly in underserved communities that may suffer from a
combination of economic, health, and environmental burdens, by setting effluent limits,
monitoring, and reporting requirements, and other provisions. As climate change increases the
stress on waterways, these permits allow EPA and the states to set appropriate requirements for
the waste streams to protect water quality and public health.
In addition, as required under the CWA and Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and
Review,369 EPA will continue to support cost-benefit analysis for CWA regulatory actions. EPA
will work with states, tribes, territories, and local communities to safeguard human health;
maintain, restore, and improve water quality; and make America's water systems sustainable and
secure, supporting new technology and innovation wherever possible.
Nutrient and Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Reductions. The FY 2024 request includes resources
and FTE to support efforts to reduce nutrient pollution and HABs, which remain the most
significant widespread water quality challenge across the country, despite decades of efforts to
369 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/laws-repulatiotis/sutmiiarY-executive-order-12866-regulatorY-
platming-and-review.
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achieve reductions.370 Climate change is exacerbating HABs. The sources and impacts of nutrient
pollution and HABs vary depending on geographic location, and span urban, rural, and coastal
landscapes. EPA has been working with its partners to address these challenges. At the end of
2022, almost 12 thousand square miles of watersheds with waters identified as impaired by
nutrients are now attaining standards. The FY 2024 request will allow EPA to assist states,
territories, and authorized tribes in the development of numeric nutrient criteria through the
Nutrient Scientific Technical Exchange Partnership & Support (N-STEPS) Program,
establishment of numeric targets to apply narrative water quality standards (WQS), perform
assessments and identify impaired waters, develop TMDLs, and support science research related
to HABs.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The FY 2024 request directs resources toward
addressing PFAS in surface waters through the development of national recommended ambient
water quality criteria for PFOA and PFOS; biosolids risk assessments for PFOA and PFOS;
methods for detecting PFAS in wastewater; national collection of information on discharges of
PFAS from industrial point source categories to determine if revisions to ELGs are warranted;
revising existing ELGs for metal finishing operations, organic chemical manufacturers, and
landfills to include numeric effluent limits on PFAS discharges; incorporating PFAS monitoring
requirements in NPDES permits; and fish tissue monitoring. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to
implement the four-year PFAS Strategic Roadmap which contains a comprehensive set of actions
that guide the Agency's efforts on PFAS.
Water Reuse. To assure that communities have safe, reliable sources of water that are resilient to
drought, flooding, and population growth, EPA is working to advance water reuse nationwide.
This work is being done in collaboration with a broad group of stakeholders including non-
governmental organizations, states, tribes, and local governments. In FY 2024, EPA will continue
to support the National Water Reuse Action Plan and the Federal Water Reuse Interagency
Working Group. The Agency will develop and pursue actions that prioritize advancing technical
and scientific knowledge on water reuse to ensure its safety across a range of uses and applications.
EPA also will pursue actions that provide technical and financial tools to stakeholders to ensure
the accessibility of water reuse.371
WaterSense. The WaterSense Program is a key component of the Agency's efforts to ensure long-
term sustainable water infrastructure. WaterSense provides consumers with a simple label to
identify and select water-efficient products to help them save water and money and provides
resources and tools to help water utilities carry out efforts to manage water demand and wastewater
flows. Products and homes may only bear the WaterSense label after being independently certified
to ensure that they meet WaterSense criteria for efficiency and performance. As of February 2023,
the Program has labeled more than 39 thousand models of plumbing and irrigation products, and
more than 6,400 homes have earned the WaterSense label. Through 2021, the Program helped save
more than 6.4 trillion gallons of water and 288 metric tons of greenhouse gases.372 In FY 2024, the
Program will work on a new specification for point-of-use reverse osmosis water treatment
370 For more information, please see https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution.
371 For more information, please see https://wwiv.epa.eoY/wateiTeuse.
372 WaterSense Accomplishment Reports (updated annually). For more information visit:
https://www.epa.gov/waterseiise/acconiplishnieiits-aiid-historv.
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systems and irrigation spray sprinkler nozzles and carry out consumer campaigns that encourage
consumers to switch to WaterSense-labeled products.
Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program (UWFP). The Urban Waters Federal Partnership
Program (UWFP reconnects urban communities with their waterways, particularly communities
that are overburdened and underserved. The Program supports local urban water champions
(Ambassadors) who work with diverse local stakeholder groups to collaborate on community-led
revitalization efforts to improve the Nation's waters and promote their economic, environmental,
and social well-being. At the national level, EPA leads a coalition of over 15 federal agencies that
support 21 designated UWFP partnership locations. In FY 2024, the UWFP will continue to
implement the actions identified in the Framework for the Future that was included in the 2021
Partner Recommitment,373 including: strengthening the existing Partnership, increasing the
number of communities that benefit from it, and leveraging the UWFP to address Administration
and community priorities, including climate resilience and using nature-based solutions for
multiple community benefits.
One Water/One Community. EPA will coordinate CWA and Safe Drinking Water Act resources
toward historically underserved and overburdened communities that are facing greater climate and
water equity challenges to achieve greater resilience, access to clean and safe water, and an
improved quality of life. This program will provide holistic support to communities as they
respond to the climate crisis by increasing funding for planning and implementation actions across
the country. Additionally, EPA will work with tribes to meet the unique needs of their
communities.
Infrastructure
EPA will continue its support of the Nation's infrastructure, focusing on efforts to leverage and
encourage public and private collaborative efforts and investments in improving the Nation's water
infrastructure. This program supports the policy and fiduciary oversight of the Clean Water State
Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program, which provides low-interest loans and additional
subsidization to help finance wastewater treatment facilities and other water quality projects.374
Federal capitalization to the SRFs is significantly leveraged; since 1988, the CWSRF Program has
made 46,224 assistance agreements, funding over $163 billion in wastewater infrastructure and
other water quality projects.
The FY 2024 request:
Supports funding for the Environmental Finance Centers Program which will help
communities across the country improve their wastewater and stormwater systems,
particularly through innovative financing.
• Drives progress on water infrastructure by increasing non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA
water infrastructure finance programs (CWSRF, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund,
373 For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/svstetii/files/docutiietits/2021-l 1/urban-waters-recommitment-report-
112221 508.pdf.
374 For more information, please see fattps://www.epa. gov/cwsrf.
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and Water Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act). EPA leveraged $14.6 billion in non-
federal dollars in FY 2022.
Supports decentralized systems (septic or onsite) that provide communities and
homeowners with a safe, affordable wastewater treatment option by implementing the 2020
Decentralized Wastewater Management Memorandum of Understanding and by improving
access to CWSRF financing for communities who rely on decentralized systems.
Supports the Wastewater Technology Center that provides accurate and objective resources
on innovative and alternative wastewater technologies with a focus on small, mid-sized,
and underserved communities.
Supports the Wastewater Technology Clearinghouse, a searchable database that will
provide reliable, objective information on proven innovative and alternative technologies
for decentralized and centralized alternative wastewater treatment, such as water reuse,
small system technologies used by lagoons, resource recovery, and nutrients.
Supports the Sustainable Utility Management programs, implemented in partnership with
industry associations and designed to protect and improve infrastructure investments
through the Effective Utility Management Program, the Water Workforce Initiative, and
tools such as augmented alternatives analysis that help communities leverage investments
to achieve water protection goals and other community economic and societal goals; and
Supports the Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center in assisting local leaders
in identifying financial approaches for their drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater
infrastructure needs.
Program Oversight/Accountability
The Assessment TMDL Tracking Implementation System (ATTAINS). ATTAINS is an online
system for accessing information about the conditions in the Nation's surface waters. ATTAINS
provides key information to the Agency, as well as states, territories, and tribes, who play a critical
role in implementing the CWA. The Agency will continue to support states, tribes, and territories
in electronically reporting CWA Section 303(d) and Section 305(b) assessment conclusions
through ATTAINS to track improvements in impaired waters. This tool allows states and EPA to
track and report progress in meeting water quality standards.
EPA, through a new "bridge metric," continues to track state progress in completing TMDLs, other
restoration approaches, or protection approaches with the goal of approximately 19 thousand
square miles of addressed bridge metric waters by the end of FY 2024. As of December 2022, over
four thousand square miles of state bridge metric waters were addressed by a TMDL, other
restoration approach, or protection approach. Following the conclusion of this bridge metric,
EPA's plan is that states will continue to set priorities every two years under a long-term Vision
metric until the conclusion of the 2022 303(d) Vision.
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EPA continues to support streamlining efforts to allow states to reduce the time they spend on
administrative reporting. EPA will work on improved reporting of the Agency's metric to reduce
the number of square miles of watershed with surface water not meeting standards. In FY 2022,
over 20 thousand square miles of watersheds that contained previously impaired waters attained
compliance with water quality standards.
NPDES Oversight. The National Program continues to work with the federal and state permitting
authorities to provide oversight, technical assistance, and training to the permit writers in an effort
to support program implementation and pursue comprehensive protection of water quality on a
watershed basis. EPA's oversight includes the National Pretreatment Programs, which is a
cooperative effort of federal, state, and local governments that perform permitting and enforcement
tasks for discharges to publicly owned treatment works.
EPA continues to collaborate with the federal and state permitting authorities to identify
opportunities to enhance the integrity and timely issuance of NPDES permits and permitting
backlogs. After program improvements, between March 2018 and the end of September 2022, the
backlog of EPA-issued new and existing NPDES permits decreased from 106 to 20 and 547 to
229, respectively. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to host NPDES-related workshops and provide
technical assistance to build permit writer capacity on a range of topics including permit writing,
pretreatment, whole effluent toxicity, stormwater, and nutrients. EPA also will issue general
permits where appropriate to address permit integrity and timeliness to continue to reduce the
backlog of permits.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with the federal and state permitting authorities to address
PFAS in NPDES permitting. In FY 2023, EPA published a memorandum titled, AddressingPFAS
Discharges in NPDES Permits and Through the Pretreatment Program and Monitoring Programs,
which provides detailed instructions regarding how permitting authorities would address PFAS
discharges in NPDES permits. EPA encourages permitting authorities to propose monitoring
requirements at facilities where PFAS are expected or suspected to be present in wastewater and
stormwater discharges, utilizing EPA's recently published analytical method 1633, which
addresses 40 unique PFAS. In FY 2024, EPA also will continue to build upon this strategy by
compiling best practices from state permitting authorities to address PFAS in NPDES permits,
conducting training, and sharing the latest research and practices to prevent these contaminants
from reaching surface waters.
EPA will work on addressing court decisions related to Maui, Hawaii in the permitting program.
In County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, the Supreme Court held that discharges from point
sources through groundwater that eventually reach a water of the United States require an NPDES
permit if they are the "functional equivalent" of a direct discharge to a water of the United States.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to provide technical assistance to permit writers to implement this
decision effectively in permits.
Integrated Planning. Clean water infrastructure investment needs are documented to be several
hundred billion dollars, with wet weather improvements (combined sewer overflows [CSOs],
sanitary sewer overflows [SSOs], bypasses, and stormwater discharges) comprising a significant
portion of this total. Investment needs of this magnitude affect utility rates and disproportionately
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impact underserved communities. Integrated planning, utilizing green infrastructure, and other
tools allow communities to synchronize infrastructure investments with broader community
development goals. An integrated approach creates opportunities for affordable, multi-benefit
investments that protect public health and enhance resiliency. As an effort to promote
the adoption of green or nature-based infrastructure as effective solutions to advance climate
resilience or support the resilience of traditional hard infrastructure, EPA has reinvigorated the
Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative.,75 This cooperative effort fosters engagement and
cooperation between agencies that actively work to promote the implementation of green
infrastructure. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement integrated planning and green
infrastructure practices to address wet weather challenges and increase infrastructure resiliency.
Building Coalitions to Advance the Permitting Program. EPA continues to work with stakeholders
and industry to identify challenges in implementation and best management practices. In FY 2024,
EPA will continue to lead the Animal Agriculture Discussion Group (AADG), which consists of
animal agriculture representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the animal feeding
industry, and the states. AADG provides a forum for industry to engage with permitting authorities,
resulting in a shared understanding of how to enhance agricultural practices that lead to greater
water quality protection.
Improving National Aquatic Resource Survey (NARS) Data. Another process improvement effort
is focused on streamlining the flow of NARS data from EPA labs to state partners and data
analysts. The Agency will continue to implement these process improvements and monitor the
impact of data delivery on timeliness of analysis and reporting.
Improving Timeliness of Water Quality Standards Actions. EPA is investing in reducing the
backlog of WQS actions. The Agency will continue to work to decrease the number of state and
tribal WQS revision actions that have been submitted to EPA which EPA neither approved nor
disapproved within the first 60 days after submittal and that have yet to be acted upon. The CWA
requires EPA to review state and tribal WQS revisions and either approve within 60 days or
disapprove within 90 days.
401(a)(2) Notifications. In FY 2022, EPA developed a system to track 401(a)(2) notifications.
EPA will track whether a "may effect" determination has been made and to who (state or tribe)
and then note the follow-up coordination, including potential public hearings, EPA
recommendations, and whether the EPA recommendation led to improvements in the federal
permit or license. The notifications will mostly come from the Army Corps of Engineers but can
come from any federal permitting or licensing agency.
Permitting Related to Infrastructure. EPA is requesting additional resources to help process the
increase in permits across the country driven by the Administration's historical investment in
infrastructure. These additional FTE are necessary to handle the influx in a variety of different
permit types that require EPA approval or review, including Section 401 certification.
375 For more information please visit: https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/green-infrastructure-federal-collaborative.
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PMINFRA-06) Number of tribal, small, rural, or underserved communities provided with technical,
managerial, or financial assistance to improve system operations. i
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
339
542
542
Communities
Actual
187
1,668
(PM NPDES-03) Number
of existing
EPA-issued NPDES individual permits in backlog.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
360
280
230
250
210
195
Permits
Actual
456
373
333
284
229
(PM SWP-01) Annual increase in square miles of watersheds with surface water meeting standards that
previously did not meet standards.
I V 2017
I V 2018
I V 2019
I V 2020
I V 2021
l"Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
8,000
8,000
17,100
Square Miles
Actual
20,511
(PM SWP-02) Annual increase in square miles of watersheds with previously impaired surface waters due to
nutrients that now meet standards for nutrients.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
2,100
1,400
1,400
Square Miles
Actual
12,833
(PM TMDL-03) Square miles of priority areas covered by TMDLs, other restoration plans, or protection
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
7,940
19,280
Square miles
Actual
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$13,685.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This change also
includes support for critical agency wide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028
cybersecurity requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and
implementation of Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$14,053.0 / +22.0 FTE) This program change increases resources and FTE to accelerate
progress on EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap, to enable EPA to move more quickly on
policy, regulatory, and enforcement actions across multiple statutory authorities, and to
support states and tribes in taking action on PFAS. This investment includes $4,053 million
for payroll.
(+$15,500.0 / +22.8 FTE) This increase of resources and FTE supports the advancement
of clean water infrastructure programs, with an emphasis on building climate change
resilience, conducting Clean Water Act regulatory and permit reviews, and advancing
environmental justice. This investment also includes $4.2 million for payroll.
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• (+$239.0 / +1.3 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support Agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements. This investment includes $239.0
thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act; Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; Marine Debris Research,
Prevention and Reduction Act of2006; Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987.
598
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Congressional Priorities
599
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Congressional Priorities
Program Area: Clean and Safe Water Technical Assistance Grants
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l:iiviroiinn'iiltil Programs A- Management
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Science & Technology
$7,492
$30,751
$0
-$30,751
Total Budget Authority
$29,192
$61,451
$0
-$61,451
Project Description:
The purpose of the Water Quality Research and Support Grants Program is to provide training and
technical assistance for small public water systems, to help such systems achieve and maintain
compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and to provide training and technical
assistance for small publicly owned wastewater systems, communities served by onsite /
decentralized wastewater systems, and private well owners improving water quality under the
Clean Water Act (CWA).
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Resources are proposed for elimination for this program in FY 2024. States have the ability to
develop technical assistance plans for their water systems using Public Water System Supervision
Program grant funds and set asides from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$30,700.0) This program change proposes to eliminate this Grant Program. Resources
are available through other existing programs and states are best positioned to develop
technical assistance plans for their water systems.
Statutory Authority:
SDWA § 1442(e); Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act; Food Quality Protection Act;
Endangered Species Act; CWA § 104(b)(3).
600
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601
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Inspector General
Resource Summary Table 604
Program Projects in IG 604
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations 605
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations 606
602
-------
603
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: Inspector General
Resource Summary Table
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2023
President's Budget
FY 2022
Enacted
FY 2024
v.
Final
Operating
President's
FY 2023 Enacted
Actuals
Plan
Budget
Operating Plan
Inspector General
Budget Authority
$48,605
$44,030
$64,526
$20,496
Total Work years
244.4
227.5
284.5
57.0
*For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund account.
Bill Language: Office of Inspector General
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General in carrying out the provisions of the
Inspector General Act of1978, $64,526,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025.
Program Projects in IG
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
$48,605
$44,030
$64,526
$20,496
TOTAL IG
$48,605
$44,030
$64,526
$20,496
*For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund account.
604
-------
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
605
-------
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Program Area: Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Inspector (ieneru!
S4HM5
s 4-um
S 20,-tVf,
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$8,706
$11,800
$13,847
$2,047
Total Budget Authority
$57,310
$55,830
$78,373
$22,543
Total Work years
285.0
270.0
333.5
63.5
Program Project Description:
EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, created by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. In support of that
independence, Congress provides the OIG with a separate appropriation, within the Agency's
budget. The vision of the OIG is to be a premier oversight organization trusted to speak the truth,
promote good governance, and contribute to improved human health and the environment. This
vision is pursued through the mission of the OIG.
The OIG conducts independent audits, evaluations, special reviews, and investigations. The OIG
also makes evidence-based recommendations to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.
The OIG seeks to identify risks and vulnerabilities within the Agency to prevent and detect fraud,
waste, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct for EPA as well as the U.S. Chemical Safety and
Hazard Investigation Board (CSB).
The OIG promotes public trust and safety by keeping the head of the Agency, Congress, and the
CSB Chair fully and immediately informed of deficiencies, vulnerabilities, and other activities that
indicate the presence of fraud, waste, and/or abuse, the necessity for and progress toward OIG
recommended corrective actions, and for being responsive with a sense of urgency to hotline and
whistleblower complaints submitted for immediate action. The OIG's activities assist in the
prevention and detection of fraud in EPA's and CSB's programs and operations, including but not
limited to financial, scientific, cyber, and other. The OIG consistently provides a significant
positive return on investment to the public in the form of recommendations for improvements in
the delivery of EPA's and CSB's mission, reduction in operational and environmental risks, costs
savings and recoveries, and improvements in program efficiencies and integrity.1 In FY 2021, the
OIG's appropriation was $55,086,000, with a return of investment of $149,632,858. The results
were a 272 percent return on investment from audits and investigations.
OIG's auditing arm resides within the Office of Audit (OA). The OA is comprised of five
permanent directorates: Financial; Business Operations; Information Resources Management;
1 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/office-iiispector-eeiieral/epa-oie-oreaiiizatioii-profile
606
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Pollution Control and Cleanup; and Environmental Investment and Infrastructure. In addition to
these five directorates, OA established another four directorates to provide oversight of the EPA's
implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Drinking Water Investments;
Special Drinking Water Projects; Clean Water Investments; and Recycling, Clean Up, and
Pollution Prevention. Together, they are responsible for independent oversight of EPA and CSB
programs and for recommending needed improvements to programs and operations. Specifically,
OA conducts performance audits to assess the economy, efficiency, effectiveness, internal control,
and compliance of EPA programs and EPA business operations. In addition, OA conducts up to
15 statutorily mandated audits each year, including financial audits of EPA and CSB financial
statements as required by the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act and audits of the
information security practices of EPA and CSB as required by the Federal Information Security
Modernization Act.
OIG's evaluations arm resides with the Office of Special Review and Evaluation (OSRE). OSRE
is comprised of four directorates. OSRE's three evaluation directorates are responsible for
independent oversight of EPA programs and recommending needed improvements to programs
and operations. The three evaluation directorates within OSRE are: 1) Programs, Offices, and
Centers Oversight Directorate; 2) the Implementation, Execution, and Enforcement Directorate;
and 3) the Environmental Infrastructure Oversight Directorate. OSRE's fourth directorate, the
Administrative Investigations Directorate, conducts administrative investigations into allegations
of misconduct by senior agency employees and complaints of whistleblower reprisal by agency
employees, or employees of agency contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees or personal
services contractors. The directorate also performs special reviews of significant events and
emergent issues of concern that involve a suspected or alleged violation of law, regulation, or
policy, or allegations of serious mismanagement.
OA conducts its mission in compliance with the Inspector General Act, as amended, and the
Generally Accepted Government Accounting Standards. OSRE conducts its mission in
compliance with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency's Quality
Standards for Inspection and Evaluation and Quality Standards for Federal Offices of Inspector
General, as applicable based upon the work performed. Work efforts focus on efficiency and
program operations: program performance, including the award and administration of grants and
contracts; statutorily mandated audits; financial reviews of grantees and contractors; and
information resources management. In addition, performance audits, program reviews,
evaluations, and inspections are conducted specifically to ensure targeted coverage of EPA
programs and offices providing the greatest impact and receiving the greatest resources.
The investigative mission of the OIG is to conduct criminal, civil, and administrative investigations
into fraud and serious misconduct within EPA that undermine the organization's integrity and
public trust or creates an imminent risk or danger. OIG investigations are coordinated with the
Department of Justice and other federal, state, and local law enforcement entities, as appropriate.
These investigations may lead to prosecution and civil judgments wherein there is a recovery and
repayment of financial losses. The major areas of investigative focus include fraudulent practices,
program integrity, laboratory fraud, serious employee misconduct, and cyber-crimes.
607
-------
The audit, special review and evaluations, and investigative core mission program offices are
directly supported by the OIG's management and administrative functions of its Office of the Chief
of Staff, and Office of Counsel and Congressional and Public Affairs.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
The OIG is focused on assessing EPA and CSB programs and operations in order to improve upon
human health and the environment through the conduct of audits, special reviews and evaluations,
and investigations. The goal is to improve EPA and CSB business practices and accountability to
meet stakeholders' needs. The OIG assists the Agency in its efforts to develop and enforce
regulations that implement environmental laws by making recommendations to improve program
operations; save taxpayer dollars; reduce the potential for fraud, waste, and abuse; and resolve
identified top management challenges and internal control weaknesses. These efforts are designed
to promote cleaner air, land, and water, and ensure chemical safety for America. During FY 2021,
the Agency implemented 122 corrective actions in response to OIG's recommendations to improve
EPA programs and/or processes. In FY 2024, the OIG will target initiatives supporting EPA's Top
Management Challenges; EPA's stated priorities within its FY2022-FY2026EPA Strategic Plan
and as they align with the Administration's priorities and targeted funding (i.e., climate change,
environmental justice, infrastructure, etc.); Congressional interests; environmental issues with
significant public interest; and invest $1 million to provide oversight of EPA's execution of the
$41.5 billion received in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), with a particular focus on its
implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. In order to carry out its foci, the OIG will
seek to increase its agility to assess emerging environmental threats; increase its use of data
analytics and business intelligence to increase its capability to strategically target resources to
address high risk, high vulnerability areas of interest; commit $5 million as an initial investment
to begin expanding its IT capabilities to maintain autonomy from the EPA and anonymity for
whistleblowers and hotline complaints; employ best practices in support of improving efficiency,
effectiveness, accountability, and monetary benefits; focus on measurable impact; and increase its
return on investment to the American public through substantive recommendations followed
through to implementation. With the OIG's initial investment for IRA oversight, it will be able to
identify initial lessons learned, perform site inspections, and oversight capacity to manage the rapid
flow of funding to the Agency. Additionally, the OIG's expanded evaluation capacity enhances its
ability for oversight in other emerging areas.
Based on prior work, cross-agency risk assessment, agency challenges, future priorities, and
extensive stakeholder input, the OIG will focus its resources on efforts in the following areas of
concentration during FY 2024:
Audits, Special Reviews, and Evaluations
Sound and Economical Management
• Annual mandated improper payments audits in EPA and CSB
608
-------
• Annual mandated financial statement audits in EPA and CSB, including audits of toxic
substances fees in accordance with the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act and Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
• Audits of costs claimed by selected grantees and contractors
Grant, cooperative agreement, and contract administration, such as grantee management of
funds
Cost efficiencies maximization and process improvement, such as improved acquisition
planning
• Mandated travel card program, including risk assessment in accordance with the
Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012
• Mandated purchase card and convenience check program, including risk assessment
• Efficiency and effectiveness of collection and payment processes
Single audit activity monitoring
• Internal controls
Efficient Processes and Use of Resources
• Partnerships and coordination with other federal, state, and local agencies to maximize
efficiencies
Opportunities to reduce duplication, overlap, and fragmentation within EPA
• Efficiency and effectiveness of human capital management programs/workforce analysis
and management
• Assessment of high-risk contractors
Continuity of Operations (COOP) readiness of delegated programs to continue their
operations/business as usual during COOP event
Ensuring the Integrity of EPA Information
• Agency efforts to enhance its capability to respond to cyber-attacks
Cybersecurity/infrastructure development; and assessment of processes to ensure
protection and security of information systems from fraud, waste, and abuse
Classification and security controls of EPA's high-value information technology assets
• Annual mandated audit of compliance with the Federal Information Security
Modernization Act for EPA and CSB
Oversight of Chief Information Officer's responsibilities under the Federal Information
Technology Acquisition Reform Act
• IT support to the mandated financial statement audits
Assessing Risk Management and Performance Measurement
• Implementation of Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act, Federal Information Security
Management Act, and Government Performance and Results Act
• Resilience of water infrastructure against climate change
• EPA's annual review of Clean Water State Revolving Funds
Technical assistance to communities for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund resources
for lead service lines and emerging contaminants
Oversight of state drinking water system operator certification programs
• Adherence of Clean School Bus Program awards to prioritization and eligibility criteria
609
-------
• Assistance agreements related to cleanup and Brownfields
Assessing Program Integrity. Results. Oversight. Enforcement
• Evaluation of EPA's programs, activities, requirements, and initiatives to address
environmental justice
• Evaluations of EPA's programs and activities to protect human health and the environment
through progress toward goals and compliance with requirements
• Evaluation of EPA's programs and adherence to requirements to protect and restore water
that sustains human health and the environment
• Evaluation of controls and processes in EPA's research and development and enforcement
programs
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of EPA's oversight and enforcement activities
• Evaluations on the EPA's adherence to scientific integrity policies and procedures,
including frequent coordination with the Agency's Scientific Integrity Official on scientific
misconduct concerns for the OIG's attention
Oversight of clean and drinking water state revolving loan funds
• Assess EPA's policy, procedures, and internal controls to prevent or reduce improper
computer use
Oversight of grant, rebate, and loan programs in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,
including programs for clean heavy-duty vehicles, reducing air pollution at ports, zero-
emission technologies, diesel emissions reductions, air monitoring, testing of wood heater
emissions, and methane reduction
Oversight of EPA's use of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 related to
technical assistance, education, partnerships, testing, compliance monitoring, and
permitting
Investigations
The Inspector General Act identifies the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations as
responsible for developing and implementing an investigative program that furthers OIG
objectives. The OIG's Office of Investigations (01) conducts independent investigations to detect
and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, while protecting the integrity of EPA and CSB programs,
operations, and resources. Investigations focus on allegations of criminal activity and serious
misconduct in EPA and CSB programs and operations. The OIG performs its proactive work
strategically as opportunities and resources allow. Investigations are opened in accordance with
priorities set forth in the OIG Strategic Plan for FY 2019 - 2023 and in consideration of
prosecutorial guidelines established by U.S. Attorneys. OI investigations are governed by the
Attorney General Guidelines for Offices of Inspector General with Statutory Law Enforcement
Authority and by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency's Quality
Standards for Investigations, as well as other federal statutes and regulations.
The investigative mission of the OIG continues to evolve in conducting criminal and civil
investigations into fraud and serious misconduct within EPA programs and operations that
undermine the organization's integrity and public trust or create an imminent risk or danger.
Special Agents within the 01 are duly appointed federal criminal investigators and have statutory
authority to carry firearms, make arrests, execute search and seizure warrants, and perform other
610
-------
law enforcement duties. To strengthen the organization's integrity and public trust, and in
compliance with Executive Order 14074, Advancing Effective, Accountable Policing and Criminal
Justice Practices to Enhance Public trust and Public Safety, the OIG needs $500 thousand to equip
its law enforcement personnel with body worn cameras. The 01 often collaborates with other law
enforcement entities and external stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of its work. The OIG
investigations are coordinated with the Department of Justice and other federal, state, and local
law enforcement entities for criminal and civil litigation or with EPA management for
administrative action. Investigative efforts may lead to criminal convictions, administrative
sanctions, civil monetary penalties, and judgments wherein there is a recovery and repayment of
financial losses. Additionally, during and at the conclusion of investigations, the 01 works with
the Suspension and Debarment Office within the EPA "whose actions protect the government from
doing business with entities that pose a business risk to the government." The OIG's measure to
capture criminal, civil, and administrative actions showed a result of 58 OIG investigations on
fraud, waste, and abuse in FY 2021.
The OIG plays a critical oversight role helping to ensure that EPA and CSB funds are properly
expended and not subject to fraud, waste, or abuse. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the
resulting frauds have emphasized the nature of the OIG in protecting the integrity of the EPA's
programs. Major areas of investigative focus in this oversight include: 1) financial fraud related to
agency grants and contracts concerning State Revolving Funds, interagency and cooperative
agreements, and fraud related to mischarging, defective pricing, defective products and collusion
on contracts; 2) laboratory fraud, including that related to water quality data as well as payments
made by EPA for erroneous environmental testing; 3) employee integrity and alleged criminal
conduct or serious administrative misconduct focusing on activities that could undermine the
integrity of agency programs involving safety and public health, and erode confidence in the
Agency pursuing its mission; 4) program integrity focusing on serious misconduct or criminal
activity that could undermine or erode the public trust and confidence in EPA, its programs, or its
employees; and 5) cybercrime to identify and counter information technology security threats,
illegal intrusions, and abuse of EPA computer systems, critical environmental infrastructure in the
air and water sectors, as well as investigations and responses in support of EPA's Office of
Homeland Security, to include possible cyber terrorist attacks on EPA's computer infrastructure.
Over the last year, the OIG has seen an increase in ransomware attacks and business email
compromises resulting in significant financial disruption to critical environmental infrastructure
and operations. To combat the rapidly expanding cyberthreat landscape, the OIG continues to
increase its participation and presence with law enforcement cyber investigations, task forces,
critical infrastructure security partners, and agency directorates. Furthermore, together with its
local, state and federal law enforcement partners, OIG will respond to growing threats against
water utilities implicating public safety and the environment.
Finally, the 01 often makes observations or "lessons learned" for EPA's management to reduce
the Agency's vulnerability to criminal activity. The results of the 01's investigations are published
in the OIG's semiannual reports and can serve as a deterrent to future misconduct. In addition, the
01's investigations provide measurable results wherein recovery and restitution of financial losses
are achieved, and administrative actions are taken to prevent those involved from further
participation in any of EPA's programs or operations which may lead to better accountability and
deterrence.
611
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The 01 has organized its Field Operations Directorate into two regional offices - the Eastern
Region Field Office and the Western Region Field Office, with five associated field offices - the
Northeast, Washington Metropolitan, Southeast reporting to the Eastern region and Southwest and
Western reporting to the Western region. The Eastern Region Field Office is responsible for
matters within EPA Regions 1 through 5 while the Western Region Field Office is responsible for
matters within EPA Regions 6 through 10. This realignment has improved the efficiency,
effectiveness, and consistency of the OI's operations by allowing the Field Operations Directorate
to better oversee its field operations and investigations. In addition, the 01 Headquarters hired an
attorney-advisor to support its investigative operations.
Follow-up and Policy/Regulatory Analysis
To further promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness, the OIG will publish compendiums of
unimplemented recommendations, which report instances where agency corrective actions have
not been planned or implemented for OIG recommendations or where intended improvements
have not been achieved. This process will serve as a means for keeping Congress and EPA
leadership apprised of accomplishments and opportunities for needed corrective actions and
facilitate greater accountability for results from the OIG operations.
Additionally, as directed by the IG Act, as amended, the OIG's audits and evaluations often cover
assessment of proposed and existing policies, rules, regulations, and legislation to identify
vulnerability to waste, fraud, and abuse. These assessments also consider possible duplication,
gaps, or conflicts with existing authority, leading to recommendations for improvements in their
structure, content, and application.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$2,307.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agency wide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$11,937.0 / +31.0 FTE) This investment will expand the oversight arm of audit,
evaluations, investigation, and support offices within the OIG, to include administrative
investigations into allegations of misconduct by senior agency employees and complaints
of whistleblowers; data analytics and business intelligence tools to address high risk, high
vulnerability areas of interest. This investment includes $5.8 million for payroll.
612
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(+$4,877.0 / + 24.0 FTE) This program change provides resources and FTE to oversee the
creation of a standalone IT system. This investment change includes $4.5 million for
payroll.
(+$1,000.0) This program investment provides resources to oversee the Agency's spending
under the Inflation Reduction Act of2022 with a particular focus on EPA's implementation
of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
(+$375.0 / +2.0 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements.
Statutory Authority:
Inspector General Act of 1978.
Inspector General Reform Act:
The following information is provided pursuant to Section 6(g)(2) of the Inspector General Reform
Act:
The aggregate budget request from the Inspector General for the operations of the OIG is
$78.4 million ($64.5 million Inspector General: $13.8 million Superfund Transfer)
The aggregate President's Budget for the operations of the OIG is $78.4 million ($64.5
million Inspector General: $13.8 million Superfund Transfer)
The portion of the aggregate President's Budget needed for training is $1.1 million ($864.0
thousand Inspector General: $190.0 thousand Superfund Transfer)
The portion of the aggregate President's Budget needed to support the Council of the
Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency is $282.4 thousand ($231.6 thousand
Inspector General: $50.8 thousand Superfund Transfer)
"I certify as the Inspector General of the Environmental Protection Agency that the amount I have
requested for training satisfies all OIG training needs for FY 2024".
613
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Buildings and Facilities
Resource Summary Table 616
Program Projects in B&F 616
Homeland Security 617
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure 618
Operations and Administration 620
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations 621
614
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615
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: Building and Facilities
Resource Summary Table
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2023
President's Budget
FY 2022
Enacted
FY 2024
v.
Final
Operating
President's
FY 2023 Enacted
Actuals
Plan
Budget
Operating Plan
Building and Facilities
Budget Authority
$31,730
$48,752
$111,685
$62,933
Total Work years
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Bill Language: Building and Facilities
For construction, repair, improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase offixed equipment or
facilities of, or for use by, the Environmental Protection Agency, $111,685,000, to remain
available until expended.
Program Projects in B&F
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Homeland Security
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel
and Infrastructure
$7,049
$6,676
$6,676
$0
Operations and Administration
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$24,681
$42,076
$105,009
$62,933
TOTAL B&F
$31,730
$48,752
$111,685
$62,933
616
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Homeland Security
617
-------
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure
Program Area: Homeland Security
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$4,903
$5,188
$5,158
-$30
Science & Technology
$501
$625
$501
-$124
liiiililiii'fi iintl I 'dci/ilii's
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Hazardous Substance Superfund
$1,201
$1,029
$1,530
$501
Total Budget Authority
$13,653
$13,518
$13,865
$347
Total Work years
12.0
13.3
9.2
-4.1
Total work years in FY 2024 include 9.2 FTE to support Homeland Security Working Capital Fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
EPA's Buildings and Facilities resources, in the Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel
and Infrastructure Program, support the protection of federal employees, contractors, grantees, and
private citizens (occupants) who work within or visit EPA facilities nationwide. EPA's buildings
are a combination of headquarters and regional administrative offices, program and research
laboratories, and support facilities/warehouses. These facilities are either EPA owned/leased or
General Services Administration (GSA) owned/leased. This funding ensures federal mandates are
met as they relate to physical security and local emergency preparedness for all agency locations.
These funds support the physical security protection equipment and mechanisms required to
protect occupants, facility relocation (e.g., moves, new leases, consolidations, etc.), physical
equipment upgrades/modernization, or corrective actions required to address security
vulnerabilities identified during security assessments.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to partner with GSA on the Enterprise Physical Access Control
System (ePACS). ePACS supports the Agency's modernization of its security infrastructure in
compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12)1 and ensures that the
Agency is undertaking every effort to enhance safety, security, and efficiency by more effectively
controlling access into all EPA-controiled physical space and networks.
1 For additional information, please see: https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-presidential-directive-12.
618
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In FY 2024, EPA will complete security projects to ensure protection of occupants and compliance
with federal mandates for physical security, including:
• Migrating to ePACS at the Research Triangle Park, NC Laboratory; the Ann Arbor, MI
Laboratory; the Newport, OR Environmental Laboratory; the Kansas City, KS Digitization
Center West; the Ann Arbor, MI Office of Air and Radiation Laboratory and Office; the
Duluth, MN Office of Research and Development Laboratory; the Chicago, IL Laboratory,
Office, and Warehouse; and the EPA Headquarters facilities in Washington, DC.
• Upgrading closed-circuit television and physical security in response to vulnerabilities
identified from previously conducted physical security assessments.
The Agency will continue to utilize GSA's Managed Service Office program, US Access, for
Personal Identity Verification card enrollment and issuance. USAccess is a GSA managed, shared
services solution that provides EPA the ability to produce and maintain secure and reliable forms
of identification, as required per HSPD-12, for all EPA employees and contractors.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004; Homeland Security Act of 2002;
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
619
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Operations and Administration
620
-------
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$291,501
$283,330
$305,753
$22,423
Science & Technology
$68,347
$67,500
$72,043
$4,543
liiiililiii'fi iintl I 'dci/ilii's
S24.MI
W 2,0 ~f,
SI 05.00V
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$922
$754
$727
-$27
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$854
$682
$641
-$41
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$76,108
$65,634
$71,540
$5,906
Total Budget Authority
$462,412
$459,976
$555,713
$95,737
Total Workyears
310.6
321.8
330.4
8.6
Total work years in FY 2024 include 5.4 FTE to support Facilities Infrastructure and Operations working capital fund (WCF)
services.
Program Project Description:
EPA's Buildings and Facilities (B&F) appropriation supports the design, construction, repair, and
improvement of EPA's federally owned and leased land and structures in accordance with
applicable codes and standards; construction, renovation, and alteration projects costing more than
$300 thousand must use B&F funding per statute. B&F resources ensure that the Agency complies
with various mandates and goals including: the Energy Policy Act of 2005; the Energy Act of
2020; the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA); and regulatory mandates
associated with soil and water pesticides testing.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In accordance with the Memorandum on Implementation of agencywide Real Property Capital
Planning (M-20-03) and the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016, 2'3 the Agency will
continue to review its space needs. EPA is implementing a long-term space consolidation plan that
aims to reduce the number of occupied leased facilities, consolidate and optimize space within
owned facilities, and reduce square footage wherever practical. B&F resources are essential to the
implementation of the long-term space consolidation plan. B&F resources also support facility-
related construction and the repair and improvement (R&I) of EPA's aging real estate inventory,
including the laboratory facilities necessary to support EPA's mission. Good stewardship practices
2 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/ll/M-20-03.pdf.
3 For additional information, please refer to: Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016,
hltos://www. congress, eov/114/plaws/publ2S 7/PLA W-114publ2S 7. vdf.
621
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demand that the physical conditions, functionality, safety and health, security, and research
capabilities of the Agency's facilities are adequately maintained to ensure successful completion
of EPA's mission requirements and goals.
In FY 2024, EPA proposes an administrative provision to raise the B&F per project threshold from
$300 thousand in FY 2023 to $350 thousand. The purpose of this proposed increase is to regularly
adjust the threshold to keep it in line with construction and labor costs for smaller-scale
construction and R&I projects. The current $300 thousand project threshold was set in FY 2023
after 10 years at $150 thousand. Additional information is found in the Proposed FY 2024
Administrative Provisions section.
In FY 2024, the Agency proposes an investment of $62.9 million for this program. In FY 2024,
the Agency will reconfigure and modernize the EPA-owned lab space at the Andrew W.
Breidenbach Environmental Research Center (AWBERC) in Cincinnati, Ohio to improve the
Agency's per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) research conducted by the Office of
Research and Development. Currently this work is conducted across several isolated PFAS
analytical laboratories in the AWBERC facility, resulting in inefficient processes that limit the
timeliness and number of analyses that can be completed. This reconfiguration would create one
contiguous laboratory dedicated to PFAS research, invest in state-of-the-art equipment to advance
PFAS analyses, and support the implementation of a modernized and integrated Laboratory
Information Management System (LIMS) for sample tracking, analysis, data validation, and data
reporting. The Agency also will utilize this investment to support critical facility space
consolidation, construction and the repair and improvement (R&I) of EPA's aging real estate
inventory, including laboratory facilities necessary to support EPA's mission. EPA also will work
on reducing its over $100 million in backlogged R&I projects across its real estate portfolio.
This program supports EPA's efforts to increase facility resiliency and sustainability to combat
the effects of climate change while adapting EPA space to a growing workforce.4 In FY 2024,
EPA will continue to conduct climate resiliency assessments at all EPA-owned facilities and
prioritize additional opportunities to reduce climate-related fiscal risks. Assessments will identify
potential projects the Agency can undertake to increase facility resiliency against the impacts of
climate change, such as roof stability or seawall construction projects. EPA will initiate all high-
priority projects within 24 months of a climate assessment.
Through master planning and nationwide efforts to use space more efficiently, EPA identifies B&F
projects which support the long-term conditions and efficiency of EPA facilities. Further, B&F
resources are necessary for EPA to comply with GSA leasing practices requiring agencies to fund
construction initiatives, including sustainable features as tenant improvements (TI) or up front and
ongoing project costs.5 These requirements significantly increase TI cost for new leases, pulling
4 Work in this program takes direction for climate change and sustainability related initiatives from the following:
• EO 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefmg-rooni/presideiitial-
actions/2021/()]./27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-cliniate-crisis-at-honie-and-abroad/)
• EO 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefiiig-rooni/presideiitial-actioiis/2021/12/08/executive-order-oii-catalvziiig-cleaii-eiierev-
industries-and-iobs-through-federal-sustainability/)
5 Many of these features are required by EISA or executive orders.
622
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critical funding from ongoing efforts to consolidate space and reduce the Agency's footprint in
accordance with the Federal Asset Sale and Transfer Act of 2016.
Space consolidation and reconfiguration enable EPA to reduce its footprint to create a more
efficient, collaborative, and technologically sophisticated workplace; in FY 2024, the Agency will
continue to reconfigure EPA's workplaces to ensure the space footprint can accommodate a
growing and increasingly hybrid workforce. EPA will consider all opportunities for supporting the
Future of Work, in line with OMB Memoranda M-21-25, including the potential for releasing
underutilized space or sharing with other federal agencies, investing in facility enhancements to
assess utilization and inform future consolidations or releases, and converting workspaces to
support hoteling and hybrid collaboration. EPA will ensure that its facilities continue to remain a
critical place to collaborate, maintain connections - including engagement with local stakeholders
and the public, and perform specialized work. Overall, EPA will work to ensure that its space
footprint is optimized to keep long-term rent costs from increasing.
The FY 2024 request will support the initiation of, and ongoing, projects that provide critical
maintenance for aging laboratory facilities and are key to ensuring that the Agency has access to
preeminent laboratory science. EPA must invest in structural infrastructure (e.g., architectural and
design) and mechanical systems (e.g., electrical, water/steam, HVAC). These projects also will
maintain a safe workplace, provide for high quality science, support Agency priorities, and
advance the Agency's mission. EPA will focus on critical facility repairs and infrastructure
upgrades to maintain an acceptable Facility Condition Index (FCI), which measures the current
state of EPA owned facilities and informs B&F investment decisions.6 Delaying essential repairs
results in the deterioration of EPA's facilities, which increases long-term repair costs and presents
safety risks.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to prioritize climate sustainability and resiliency investments
in new construction and the rehabilitation of United States Government installations, buildings,
and facilities to ensure they are climate ready. Examples of shovel-ready investments include:
• Narragansett, Edison, and Newport Laboratories. EPA will invest in climate resiliency-
infrastructure protection for these regional and programmatic laboratories, including sea
level and storm rise protection and power resiliency. Facility climate resiliency
assessments at Newport, Edison and Narragansett will be completed by the end of FY 2023;
identified high priority resiliency projects must be initiated within 24 months of the
completed assessment.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue the following space optimization projects with the potential
for the greatest long-term cost and energy savings:
Co-Locating in the Ada, Oklahoma laboratory. EPA will continue its work to
consolidate employees currently in leased laboratory space into owned space. The Agency
is co-locating operations for the regional laboratory in Houston, Texas with the EPA-
6 For additional information on the Synthesis Report of the U.S. EPA Laboratory Enterprise Evaluation, please refer to:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/svnthesisreportoflheusepalaboratoryent erprise.pdf.
623
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owned laboratory in Ada, Oklahoma. In FY 2024, EPA will begin Phase 2 and 3 of
construction.
Optimizing space at the Athens, Georgia laboratory. In FY 2024, EPA will continue
construction in the Main Lab Building (Office of Research and Development - Athens).
Co-Locating in the Corvallis, Oregon laboratory. The Agency is co-locating operations
for the Region 9 laboratory in Richmond, California with the EPA-owned laboratory in
Corvallis, Oregon. In FY 2024, the Agency will finalize construction of the Region 9
Facilities Support Services Center, which is designed for Region 9 laboratory support. In
FY 2024, there will be minor renovations to the Plant Ecology Building to accommodate
Region 9 laboratory storage space in Corvallis, Oregon.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM CAA) Number of EPA-owned facility climate adaptation assessments completed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
2
5
6
Assessment
s
Actual
1
(PM CRP) Percentage of priority climate resiliency projects for EPA-owned facilities initiated within 24
months of a completed facility climate assessment and project prioritization.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
100
100
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Projects
Denominator
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$51,933.0) This program change supports implementation of EO 14057: Catalyzing
Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability requirements that will
require EPA to increase facility resiliency against the impact of climate change and to
advance sustainability of EPA operations. EPA will invest in climate resiliency projects at
the Narragansett, Edison, and Newport Laboratories and work to modernize structural and
mechanical systems.
(+$6,000.0) This program change will reconfigure lab space and invest in state-of-the-art
equipment at the Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center (AWBERC) in
Cincinnati, Ohio to improve the Agency's PFAS research conducted by ORD.
(+$5,000.0) This program change is an increase to modernize and transform EPA
workplaces to support a hybrid workforce and to ensure an optimal footprint to support the
proposed FTE increase in the FY 2024 Budget request.
624
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Statutory Authority:
Federal Property and Administration Services Act; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat.
2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic
statute).
625
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Superfund
Resource Summary Table 628
Program Projects in Superfund 628
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations 631
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations 632
Compliance 638
Compliance Monitoring 639
Exchange Network 641
Enforcement 644
Criminal Enforcement 645
Forensics Support 648
Superfund: Enforcement 651
Superfund: Federal Facilities Enforcement 655
Environmental Justice 657
Environmental Justice 658
Homeland Security 661
Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery 662
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure 666
Indoor Air and Radiation 668
Radiation: Protection 669
IT/ Data Management/ Security 671
Information Security 672
IT / Data Management 678
Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review 682
Alternative Dispute Resolution 683
Legal Advice: Environmental Program 686
Operations and Administration 689
Acquisition Management 690
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance 694
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations 698
Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management 701
626
-------
Human Resources Management 704
Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability 708
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment 709
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability 714
Research: Sustainable Communities 717
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities 718
Recent Accomplishments of the SHC Research Program include 719
Superfund Cleanup 722
Superfund: Emergency Response and Removal 723
Superfund: EPA Emergency Preparedness 726
Superfund: Remedial 729
Superfund: Federal Facilities 734
SUPERFUND SPECIAL ACCOUNTS 738
SUPERFUND TAX RECEIPTS 743
627
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: Hazardous Substance Superfund
Resource Summary Table
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2023
President's Budget
FY 2022
Enacted
FY 2024
v.
Final
Operating
President's
FY 2023 Enacted
Actuals
Plan
Budget
Operating Plan
Hazardous Substance Superfund
Budget Authority
$1,249,039
$1,282,700
$355,856
-$926,844
Total Workyears
2,623.2
2,678.0
2,726.4
48.4
For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund account.
Bill Language: Hazardous Substance Superfund
For necessary expenses to carry out the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), including sections 111(c)(3), (c)(5), (c)(6), and (e)(4) (42
U.S.C. 9611), andhire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft, $355,856,000, to remain available
until expended, consisting of such sums as are available in the Trust Fund on September 30, 2023,
and not otherwise appropriated from the Trust Fund, as authorized by section 517(a) of the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) and up to $355,856,000 as a
payment from general revenues to the Flazardous Substance Superfundfor purposes as authorized
by section 517(b) of SARA: Provided, That funds appropriated under this heading may be
allocated to other Federal agencies in accordance with section 111(a) of CERCLA: Provided
further, That of the funds appropriated under this heading, $13,847,000 shall be paid to the "Office
of Inspector General" appropriation to remain available until September 30, 2025, and
$31,928,000 shall be paid to the "Science and Technology" appropriation to remain available
until September 30, 2025.
Program Projects in Superfund
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Indoor Air and Radiation
Radiation: Protection
$2,011
$2,472
$3,010
$538
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
$8,706
$11,800
$13,847
$2,047
628
-------
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Compliance
Compliance Monitoring
$1,278
$1,017
$1,032
$15
Enforcement
Criminal Enforcement
$8,149
$7,999
$8,644
$645
Forensics Support
$1,676
$1,240
$1,648
$408
Superfund: Enforcement
$169,444
$171,347
$0
-$171,347
Superfund: Federal Facilities Enforcement
$7,263
$8,192
$10,366
$2,174
Subtotal, Enforcement
$186,532
$188,778
$20,658
-$168,120
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
$1,065
$5,876
$5,888
$12
Homeland Security
Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and
Recovery
$35,026
$34,661
$56,484
$21,823
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel
and Infrastructure
$1,201
$1,029
$1,530
$501
Subtotal, Homeland Security
$36,226
$35,690
$58,014
$22,324
IT / Data Management / Security
Exchange Network
$1,137
$1,328
$1,328
$0
Information Security
$1,209
$1,062
$7,859
$6,797
IT / Data Management
$16,075
$19,764
$17,727
-$2,037
Subtotal, IT / Data Management / Security
$18,421
$22,154
$26,914
$4,760
Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Alternative Dispute Resolution
$698
$791
$880
$89
Legal Advice: Environmental Program
$475
$599
$477
-$122
Subtotal, Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic
Review
$1,173
$1,390
$1,357
-$33
Operations and Administration
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
$29,102
$31,338
$30,207
-$1,131
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$76,108
$65,634
$71,540
$5,906
Acquisition Management
$23,550
$27,247
$33,758
$6,511
Human Resources Management
$7,253
$7,419
$8,751
$1,332
Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management
$4,188
$4,002
$4,601
$599
Subtotal, Operations and Administration
$140,202
$135,640
$148,857
$13,217
Research: Sustainable Communities
629
-------
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
$16,562
$16,937
$17,364
$427
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
$9,405
$4,901
$5,005
$104
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
$2,579
$8,060
$8,060
$0
Subtotal, Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability
$11,984
$12,961
$13,065
$104
Superfund Cleanup
Superfund: Emergency Response and Removal
$239,807
$195,000
$0
-$195,000
Superfund: EPA Emergency Preparedness
$9,071
$8,056
$8,445
$389
Superfund: Federal Facilities
$23,911
$26,189
$37,405
$11,216
Superfund: Remedial
$552,089
$618,740
$0
-$618,740
Subtotal, Superfund Cleanup
$824,879
$847,985
$45,850
-$802,135
TOTAL Superfund
$1,249,039
$1,282,700
$355,856
$926,844
For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund account.
630
-------
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
631
-------
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Program Area: Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Inspector General
$48,605
$44,030
$64,526
$20,496
Hit:.unions Substance Sn/>t'r/nii(l
S.V. ~uu
s u.mt
S/.\.S'-T
S2.0-I'
Total Budget Authority
$57,310
$55,830
$78,373
$22,543
Total Workyears
285.0
270.0
333.5
63.5
Program Project Description:
EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, created by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. In support of that
independence, Congress provides the OIG with a separate appropriation, within the Agency's
budget to support OIG's Superfund activities. The vision of the OIG is to be a premier oversight
organization trusted to speak the truth, promote good governance, and contribute to improved
human health and the environment. This vision is met through the mission of the OIG.
The OIG conducts independent audits, special reviews, evaluations, and investigations. The OIG
makes evidence-based recommendations to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. The
OIG seeks to identify risks and vulnerabilities within the Agency to prevent and detect fraud,
waste, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as
well as the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB).
The OIG promotes public trust and safety by keeping the head of the Agency and Congress fully
and immediately informed of deficiencies, vulnerabilities, and other agency activities that indicate
the presence of fraud, waste and/or abuse, and the necessity for and progress toward OIG
recommended corrective actions and being responsive with a sense of urgency to hotline and
whistleblower complaints submitted for immediate action. The OIG's activities assist in the
prevention and detection of fraud in EPA's Superfund programs and operations. The OIG
consistently provides a significant positive return on investment to the public in the form of
recommendations for improvements in the delivery of EPA's mission, reduction in operational and
environmental risks, costs savings and recoveries, and improvements in program efficiencies and
integrity.1 In FY 2021, the OIG's appropriation was $55,086,000, with a return of investment of
$149,632,858. The results were a 272 percent return on investment from audits and investigations.
OIG's Office of Audit (OA) is comprised of five permanent directorates: Financial; Business
Operations; Information Resources Management; Pollution Control and Cleanup; and
Environmental Investment and Infrastructure. In addition to these five directorates, OA established
1 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/office-iiispector-eeiieral/epa-oie-oreaiiizatioii-profile
632
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another four directorates to provide oversight of the EPA's implementation of the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act: Drinking Water Investments; Special Drinking Water Projects; Clean
Water Investments; and Recycling, Clean Up, and Pollution Prevention. Together, they are
responsible for independent oversight of EPA and CSB programs and for recommending needed
improvements to programs and operations. Specifically, OA conducts financial and performance
audits to assess the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness, internal control, and compliance of
EPA Superfund programs and EPA Superfund business operations.
OIG's evaluations arm resides with the Office of Special Review and Evaluation (OSRE). OSRE
is comprised of four directorates. OSRE's three evaluation directorates are responsible for
independent oversight of EPA programs and recommending needed improvements to programs
and operations. The three evaluation directorates within OSRE are: 1) Programs, Offices, and
Centers Oversight Directorate; 2) the Implementation, Execution, and Enforcement Directorate;
3) the Environmental Infrastructure Oversight Directorate. OSRE's fourth directorate the
Administrative Investigations Directorate, conducts administrative investigations into allegations
of misconduct by senior agency employees and complaints of whistleblower reprisal by agency
employees, or employees of agency contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees or personal
services contractors. The directorate also performs special reviews of significant events and
emergent issues of concern that involve a suspected or alleged violation of law, regulation, or
policy, or allegations of serious mismanagement.
OA conducts its mission in compliance with the Inspector General Act, as amended, and the
Generally Accepted Government Accounting Standards. OSRE conducts its mission in
compliance with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency's Quality
Standards for Inspection and Evaluation and Quality Standards for Federal Offices of Inspector
General, as applicable based upon the work performed. Work efforts focus on efficiency and
program operations: program performance, including the award and administration of grants and
contracts; statutorily mandated audits; financial reviews of grantees and contractors; and
information resources management. In addition, performance audits, program reviews,
evaluations, and inspections are conducted specifically to ensure targeted coverage of EPA
programs and offices providing the greatest impact and receiving the greatest resources.
The investigative mission of the OIG is to conduct criminal, civil, and administrative investigations
into fraud and serious misconduct within the EPA that undermine the organization's integrity and
public trust or creates an imminent risk or danger. OIG investigations are coordinated with the
Department of Justice and other federal, state, and local law enforcement entities, as appropriate.
These investigations may lead to prosecution and civil judgments wherein there is a recovery and
repayment of financial losses. The major areas of investigative focus include fraudulent practices,
program integrity, laboratory fraud, serious employee misconduct, and cyber-crimes.
The audit, special review and evaluations, and investigative core mission program offices are
directly supported by the OIG's management and administrative functions of its Office of the Chief
of Staff, and Office of Counsel and Congressional and Public Affairs.
633
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
The activities of the OIG are supported through the core value to be the best in public service
through customer service, integrity, and accountability. The summary of this value is to contribute
to improved EPA Superfund and other cleanup programs and operations, protecting human health
and the environment, and enhancing safety; and conduct audits, evaluations, and investigations
that enable EPA to improve business practices and accountability to meet stakeholders' needs. The
OIG assists the Agency in its efforts to develop and enforce regulations that implement
environmental laws by making recommendations to improve program operations; save taxpayer
dollars; reduce the potential for fraud, waste, and abuse; respond to cybercrimes; and resolve
previously identified major management challenges and internal control weaknesses resulting in
cleaner air, land, and water, and ensured chemical safety for America. During FY 2021, the Agency
implemented 122 corrective actions in response to OIG's recommendations to improve EPA
programs and/or processes.
In FY 2024, the OIG will target initiatives supporting EPA's Top Management Challenges and
stated priorities. To execute this mission, the OIG will increase its agility to assess emerging
environmental threats; increase its use of data analytics, business analytics, and business
intelligence to better target resources to address high risk, high vulnerability areas of interest;
employ best practices in support of improving efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, and
monetary benefits; focus on measurable impact; and increase its return on investment to the
American public regarding issues related to the Superfund Program.
Based on prior work, agency challenges, cross-agency risk assessment, future priorities, and
extensive stakeholder input, the OIG will focus its resources on efforts in the following areas of
concentration during FY 2024:
Audits and Evaluations
The OIG Office of Audit and Office of Special Review and Evaluation conduct projects to oversee
EPA's efforts to improve human health and the environment. The Offices will identify program
and management risks and determine if EPA is efficiently and effectively reducing human health
risks; taking effective enforcement actions; cleaning up hazardous waste; managing waste;
restoring previously polluted sites to appropriate uses; and ensuring long-term stewardship of those
sites. The OIG assignments will include: assessment of the adequacy of internal controls in EPA
(and its grantees and contractors) to protect resources and achieve program results; project
management to ensure that EPA (and its grantees and contractors) have clear plans and
accountability for performance progress; enforcement to evaluate whether there is consistent,
adequate, and appropriate application of the laws and regulations across jurisdictions with
coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement activities; and evaluation of grants
and contracts to verify that such awards are made based upon uniform risk assessment, and that
grantees and contractors perform with integrity.
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Prior audits and evaluations of the Superfund Program have identified numerous barriers to
implementing effective resource management and program improvements. Therefore, the OIG will
concentrate its resources on efforts in the following assignment areas:
• Whether EPA is managing its Superfund special accounts in accordance with statutory and
regulatory requirements and EPA's policy and guidance.
• Whether EPA is using funds from the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act to begin
construction projects at Superfund sites awaiting funding as required by the Act.
• Whether EPA has achieved its goal, through Superfund institutional controls, to prevent
human exposure at Superfund sites.
• How the EPA's Office of Land and Emergency Management allocates funding and staffing
resources to accomplish work required by statute or executive order versus work that is not
statutorily required.
In addition, the OIG will assess ways to minimize fraud, waste, and abuse, with emphasis on
identifying opportunities for cost savings and reducing risk of resource loss, while maximizing
results achieved from Superfund contracts and assistance agreements.
Investigations
The Inspector General Act identifies the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations as
responsible for developing and implementing an investigative program that furthers OIG
objectives. The OIG's Office of Investigations (01) conducts independent investigations to detect
and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, while protecting the integrity of EPA's Superfund Program.
Investigations focus on allegations of criminal activity and serious misconduct in EPA Superfund
programs and operations. The OIG performs its proactive work strategically as opportunities and
resources allow. Investigations are opened in accordance with priorities set forth in the OIG
Strategic Plan for FY 2019 - 2023 and in consideration of prosecutorial guidelines established by
U.S. Attorneys. OIG investigations are governed by the Attorney General Guidelines for Offices
of Inspector General with Statutory Law Enforcement Authority and by the Council of the
Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency's Quality Standards for Investigations, as well as
other federal statutes and regulations.
The investigative mission of the OIG continues to evolve in conducting criminal and civil
investigations into fraud and serious misconduct within EPA Superfund programs and operations
that undermine the organization's integrity and public trust or create an imminent risk or danger.
Special Agents within the 01 are duly appointed federal criminal investigators and have statutory
authority to carry firearms, make arrests, execute search and seizure warrants, and perform other
law enforcement duties. The 01 often collaborates with other law enforcement entities and external
stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of its work. The OIG investigations are coordinated with
the Department of Justice and other federal, state, and local law enforcement entities for criminal
and civil litigation or with EPA management for administrative action. Investigative efforts may
lead to criminal convictions, administrative sanctions, civil monetary penalties, and judgments
wherein there is a recovery and repayment of financial losses. In addition, during and at the
conclusion of investigations, the 01 works with the Suspension and Debarment Office within EPA,
"whose actions protect the government from doing business with entities that pose a business risk
635
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to the government." The OIG's measure to capture criminal, civil, and administrative actions
showed a result of 58 OIG investigations on fraud, waste, and abuse in FY 2021.
The OIG plays a critical oversight role helping to ensure that EPA and CSB funds are properly
expended and not subject to fraud, waste, or abuse. Investigative focus in this oversight include:
1) fraudulent practices in awarding, performing, and paying Superfund contracts, grants, or other
assistance agreements; 2) program fraud or other acts that undermine the integrity of, or confidence
in the Superfund Program and create imminent environmental risks; 3) laboratory fraud relating to
data, and false claims, or erroneous laboratory results that undermine the basis for decision-
making, regulatory compliance, or enforcement actions in the Superfund Program; 4) criminal
conduct or serious administrative misconduct by EPA employees involved in the Superfund
Program; and 5) intrusions into and attacks against EPA's network supporting Superfund Program
data, contractors and grant recipients handling sensitive EPA data, as well as incidents of computer
misuse and theft of intellectual property or sensitive/proprietary Superfund data.
Finally, the 01 often makes observations or "lessons learned" for EPA's management to reduce
the Agency's vulnerability to criminal activity in the Superfund Program. The results of 01's
investigations are published and can serve as a deterrent to future misconduct. In addition, the 01's
investigations provide measurable results wherein recovery and restitution of financial losses are
achieved, and administrative actions are taken to prevent those involved from further participation
in any Superfund Program or operation which may lead to better accountability and deterrence.
The 01 has organized its Field Operations Directorate into two regional offices - the Eastern
Region Field Office and the Western Region Field Office, with five associated field offices - the
Northeast, Washington Metropolitan, Southeast reporting to the Eastern region and Southwest and
Western reporting to the Western region. The Eastern Region Field Office is responsible for
matters within EPA Regions 1 through 5 while the Western Region Field Office is responsible for
matters within EPA Regions 6 through 10. This realignment has improved the efficiency,
effectiveness, and consistency of the OI's operations by allowing the Field Operations Directorate
to better oversee its field operations and investigations. In addition, the 01 Headquarters hired an
attorney-advisor to support its investigative operations.
Follow-up and Policy/Regulatory Analysis
To further promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness, the OIG will publish compendiums of
unimplemented recommendations, which report instances where appropriate agency corrective
actions have not been planned or implemented for OIG recommendations or where intended
improvements have not been achieved. This process will serve as a means for keeping Congress
and EPA leadership apprised of accomplishments and opportunities for needed corrective actions
and facilitate greater accountability for results from the OIG operations.
Additionally, as directed by the IG Act, as amended, the OIG's audits and evaluations often cover
assessment of proposed and existing policies, rules, regulations, and legislation pertaining to the
clean-up programs, to include Superfund, to identify vulnerability to waste, fraud, and abuse.
These assessments also consider possible duplication, gaps, or conflicts with existing authority,
leading to recommendations for improvements in their structure, content, and application.
636
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Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$649.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agency wide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$1,300.0 / +6.0 FTE) This investment provides resources to create a standalone IT
system and to conduct audits, evaluations, and investigations relating to oversight of the
Agency's Superfund Program. This investment includes $1.2 million for payroll.
(+$98.0 / +0.5 FTE) This program change increases FTE to support agencywide
implementation of EPA's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan and
Evidence Act data stewardship and governance requirements.
Statutory Authority:
Inspector General Act of 1978.
Inspector General Reform Act:
The following information is provided pursuant to Section 6(g)(2) of the Inspector General Reform
Act:
The aggregate budget request from the Inspector General for the operations of the OIG is
$78.4 million ($64.5 million Inspector General: $13.8 million Superfund Transfer)
The aggregate President's Budget for the operations of the OIG is $78.4 million ($64.5
million Inspector General: $13.8 million Superfund Transfer)
The portion of the aggregate President's Budget needed for training is $1.1 million ($864.0
thousand Inspector General: $190.0 thousand Superfund Transfer)
The portion of the aggregate President's Budget needed to support the Council of the
Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency is $282.4 thousand ($231.6 thousand
Inspector General: $50.8 thousand Superfund Transfer)
"I certify as the Inspector General of the Environmental Protection Agency that the amount I have
requested for training satisfies all OIG training needs for FY 2024".
637
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Compliance
638
-------
Compliance Monitoring
Program Area: Compliance
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$108,996
$112,730
$162,105
$49,375
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$278
$649
$2,152
$1,503
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Total Budget Authority
$110,552
$114,396
$165,289
$50,893
Total Workyears
438.5
478.9
520.4
41.5
Program Project Description:
The Superfund Compliance Monitoring Program supports enforcement of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) or "Superfund" law.
EPA's national enforcement and compliance data system, the Integrated Compliance Information
System (ICIS) and the Enforcement Compliance History Online (ECHO), include and tracks
Superfund-related enforcement activities. Electronic tracking of Superfund enforcement work
allows EPA to ensure that its enforcement resources are allocated to address the most significant
concerns and facilitates transparency.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.2, Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will focus on timely enforcement in communities with potential environmental
justice (EJ) concerns. The Program will continue to support tracking of CERCLA compliance and
enforcement activities in ICIS and ECHO.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM 409) Number of federal on-site compliance monitoring inspections and evaluations and off-site
compliance monitoring activities.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
14,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
Inspections
&
Evaluations
Actual
11,800
10,600
10,300
8,500
10,800
13,900
639
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$15.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA);
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.).
640
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Exchange Network
Program Area: IT / Data Management / Security
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
S1X016
SI 4.995
$14,685
-$310
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Total Budget Authority
$14,153
$16,323
$16,013
-$310
Total Workyears
25.2
30.2
30.2
0.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Environmental Information Exchange Network (EN) is a standards-based, secure approach
for EPA and its state, tribal, and territorial partners to exchange and share environmental data over
the internet. Capitalizing on advanced technology, data standards, open-source software, shared
services for EPA's Digital Strategy, and reusable tools and applications, the EN offers its partners
tremendous capabilities for managing and analyzing environmental data more effectively and
efficiently, leading to improved decision-making.
The Central Data Exchange (CDX) is the largest component of the EN Program and serves as the
point of entry on the EN for environmental data transactions with the Agency.2 CDX provides a
set of core shared services that promote a leaner and more cost-effective service framework for the
Agency by avoiding the creation of duplicative applications. It enables faster and more efficient
transactions for internal and external EPA clients, resulting in reduced burden.
Working in concert with CDX is EPA's System of Registries, which is a system of shared data
services designed to enhance efficiency, reduce burden on the regulated community, and improve
environmental outcomes, including environmental justice (EJ). EPA and EN partners routinely
reference these shared data registries, from commonly regulated facilities and substances to the
current list of federally recognized tribes. They identify the standard or official names for these
assets, which, when integrated into EPA and partner applications, foster data consistency and data
quality as well as enable data integration.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support core functions for the EN information technology (IT)
systems. The EN Program will continue to be a pivotal component of EPA's Digital Strategy that
2 For more information on the Central Data Exchange, please see: https://cdx.epa.gov/.
641
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supports business process change agency wide. Under this strategy and the 21st Century Integrated
Digital Experience Act,3 the Agency is streamlining business processes and systems to reduce
reporting burden on states and regulated facilities and to improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of environmental programs for EPA, states, and tribes. EPA also is responsible for managing EN
technical governance groups and administering the pre- and post-award phases of the EN grants
to states, tribes, and territories. These efforts support a standards-based, secure approach for EPA
and its state, tribal, and territorial partners to efficiently exchange and share environmental data
electronically. The Agency also administers and implements the Cross-Media Electronic
Reporting Regulation (CROMERR) that removes regulatory obstacles for e-reporting to EPA
programs under Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
EPA aims to reduce burden and avoid costs while improving IT. The Agency provisioned Virtual
Exchange Services (VES), or virtual nodes, to facilitate data transactions supporting states and
tribal partners. EPA will continue to carry out the baseline support for the adoption and onboarding
of VES and associated services for EPA and its partners. This includes providing a technology
framework - shared CROMERR services - which reduces the burden on programs and external
reporters by providing CROMERR compliant solutions. For example, the shared electronic
identity proofing and signature services for CROMERR support 31 partner regulatory reporting
programs to date. EPA estimates that partners adopting shared CROMERR services save $120
thousand in development and at least $30 thousand in operations each year, which results in a cost
avoidance of greater than $2.5 million for EN partners.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to improve the functionality and use of the System of Registries.4
In addition to streamlining the Registries, EPA will continue to implement a broader effort across
the enterprise to engage organizations and facilitate the adoption of these data services through
Cloud technology and Representational State Transfer (REST or RESTful) application
programming interfaces (API). Registries are shared data services in which common data are
managed centrally but shared broadly. They improve data quality in EPA systems, enable
integration and interoperability of data across program silos, and facilitate discovery of EPA
information. An example is the Agency's effort to promote the adoption of data services is the
integration of tribal identification services (TRIBES) across EPA systems.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue implementing a solution related to shared facility identification
information. Centralized facility management also is fundamental to better environmental
management by bringing together EPA data across programmatic silos. Like facility data,
substance information also is regulated across EPA programs, with many EPA programs relying
on the Substance Registry Service (SRS) to improve data quality and reduce burden.
EPA tracks a wide range of data for each registry to measure customer usage and engagement. The
Agency also tracks web service hits to measure the number of users leveraging publicly available
APIs. For example, the SRS website receives approximately 90 thousand pageviews per month;
many of these pageviews are users visiting SRS web area to understand regulatory information
about chemicals. SRS also receives between 20 thousand and 140 thousand web service hits per
3 For more information on the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act, please refer to:
https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ336/PLAW-115publ336.pdf.
4 For more information, please see: https://ofnipub.epa.goY/sor internet/registry/svsofreg/about/about.isp.
642
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month (depending on reporting cycles), mostly by EPA systems that have incorporated the web
services into their online reporting forms. In FY 2024, priorities for EPA registries include
continually improving registry technologies by migrating the registries to the cloud environment
to make them easier to locate, access, and utilize.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to expand the number of EPA and partner systems that integrate
registry services into their online reports and systems, reducing burden and improving data quality.
This includes updating EPA's dataset registry to allow EPA scientists, external partners, and others
to share information and make information easier to find in the cloud.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA); Clean Air Act (CAA); Clean Water Act
(CWA); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Government Performance and
Results Act (GPRA); Government Management Reform Act (GMRA); Clinger-Cohen Act (CCA).
643
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Enforcement
644
-------
Criminal Enforcement
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$55,343
S62.704
$66,487
$3,783
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Total Budget Authority
$63,492
$70,703
$75,131
$4,428
Total Workyears
252.9
269.3
296.0
26.7
Program Project Description:
The Criminal Enforcement Program investigates and works with the U.S. Department of Justice
(DOJ) to prosecute criminal violations of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and associated violations of Title 18 of the United
States Code such as fraud, conspiracy, false statements, and obstruction of justice. EPA's criminal
investigators (Special Agents) do this through investigation of criminal conduct, committed by
individual and corporate defendants that threatens public health and the environment.
The Criminal Enforcement Program is strengthened by an ongoing collaboration with the
Environmental Justice (EJ) Program, other EPA program offices, and DOJ to ensure our Superfund
enforcement work is informed and targeted to address overburdened or vulnerable communities
and to expand outreach opportunities through those offices.
Within the Criminal Enforcement Program, forensic scientists, attorneys, technicians, engineers,
and other program experts assist Special Agents in their investigations. EPA's criminal
enforcement attorneys provide legal and policy support for all the program's responsibilities,
including forensics and expert witness preparation, information law, and personnel law to ensure
that program activities are carried out in accordance with legal requirements and agency policies.
These efforts support environmental crimes prosecutions primarily by the United States Attorneys
and DOJ's Environmental Crimes Section. In FY 2022, the Criminal Enforcement Program opened
117 new cases. The conviction rate for criminal defendants charged because of EPA criminal
enforcement investigations in FY 2022 is 94 percent, with a total of 21 years of incarceration given
for defendants sentenced in criminal enforcement investigations.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
645
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In FY 2024, the Agency requests an additional $546.0 thousand and 0.7 FTE to support efforts to
interdict the illegal import, manufacture, and use of certain hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) products,
pursuant to the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. EPA will continue efforts to
devote resources toward, and effectively focus on, those areas and communities that are
disproportionally affected by pollution and environmental crime.
EPA will continue to address Superfund-related issues within criminal enforcement, including in
overburdened communities. The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) works with partners at
DOJ to jointly prosecute wrongdoing and reduce the impact pollution has on these areas through
investigation, judicial actions, and settlements. The Environmental Justice Criminal Initiative
focuses prioritization of investigative resources to overburdened and vulnerable communities,5
while maintaining case initiation standards and reducing the impact of pollution. In FY 2024, EPA
will continue to prioritize criminal enforcement resources for investigations which involve
vulnerable communities or those that have historically been overburdened by pollution. This effort
has been focused as a Criminal Enforcement Program Initiative with an emphasis on addressing
environmental crimes and crime victims in these areas. EPA program goals and priorities include
the following:
• In FY 2024, EPA's Environmental Crime Victim Witness Assistance Program will closely
align its implementation of the Criminal Victims' Rights Act and the Victims' Rights and
Restitution Act with EPA's environmental justice work. Activities will include data mining
and mapping to identify where communities with EJ concerns, crime victims, and public
health impacts overlap. This strategy will aid the Program in identifying sources of
pollution impacting these communities and will focus criminal enforcement resources on
the nation's most overburdened and vulnerable populations and, where appropriate, use of
crime victim program resources and emergency funds to assist individuals in such
communities. EPA conducts outreach to crime victims and overburdened communities
using the social media platform Nextdoor, sharing information relating to EJ, sources of
pollution, and links to EPA's Report a Violation webpage directly to households in
overburdened communities.
• In FY 2024, the Criminal Enforcement Program, working with Office of Air and Radiation
and the Department of Homeland Security, will continue implementing its responsibilities
as a part of the HFC Enforcement Task Force, whose permanent mission is to ensure U.S.
compliance with the AIM Act. The Task Force will continue to identify, intercept, and
interdict illegal HFC imports, share data to support allowances, train customs officers and
enforcement personnel, and address common HFC import experiences with other
countries. EPA will need to continue standing up its new enforcement and compliance
framework. EPA would leverage our experience working with Customs and Border
Protection (CBP), DOJ, and other federal partners to successfully enforce federal laws
related to HFCs. Critically important to success in this media are dedicated analysts in the
Criminal Enforcement Program to research, assess, and coordinate with federal partners,
private industry, and task force members.
5 For additional information, please see: https://www.goYiiifo.goY/coiiteiit/pkg/FR-2023-01-12/pdf72023-00500.pdf.
646
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Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$99.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$546.0 / +0.7 FTE) This program investment will ensure EPA has the capacity and
technical expertise to investigate, analyze, sample, test, transport, and store HFCs. The
increase in FTE will allow analysts to research, assess, and coordinate with federal
partners, private industry, and task force members. This investment includes $157.0
thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Title 18 of the U.S.C.; 18 U.S.C. § 3063; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as
amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute);
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); American
Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
647
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Forensics Support
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Science & Technology
$14,815
$15,532
$18,657
$3,125
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Total Budget Authority
$16,491
$16,772
$20,305
$3,533
Total Workyears
71.6
70.3
76.3
6.0
Program Project Description:
The Forensics Support Program provides expert scientific and technical support for Superfund
civil and criminal enforcement cases, as well as technical expertise for the Agency's compliance
efforts. EPA's National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC) is an environmental forensic
center accredited for both laboratory analysis and field sampling operations that generate
environmental data for law enforcement purposes. It is fully accredited under International
Standards Organization (ISO) 17025, the main standard used by testing and calibration
laboratories, as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences.6 The NEIC maintains a
sophisticated chemistry and physical science laboratory, and a corps of highly trained inspectors
and scientists with expertise across environmental media. The NEIC works closely with EPA's
Criminal Enforcement Program to provide technical support (e.g., sampling, analysis,
consultation, and testimony) to criminal investigations. The NEIC also works closely with other
EPA programs to provide technical assistance, consultation, and on-site inspection, investigation,
and case resolution services in support of the Agency's Superfund Enforcement Program.
The Forensics Support Program will continue to provide expert scientific and technical support for
EPA's Superfund enforcement efforts, focus its work on collecting and analyzing materials to
characterize contamination, and attribute it to individual sources and/or facilities. The work NEIC
performs typically represents the most complex cases nationwide, requiring a level of expertise
and equipment not found elsewhere in EPA, as well as support to evaluate and leverage emerging
technologies. The laboratory also will continue to coordinate its support for the Agency's
Superfund, Research and Development, and Land and Emergency Management Programs.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.2, Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
6 Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, National Academy of Sciences, 2009, available at:
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php7record id=12589.
648
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In FY 2024, the Agency requests an additional $109.0 thousand and 0.2 FTE to ensure EPA has
the capacity and technical expertise to investigate, analyze, sample, test, and transport
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Effective enforcement relies on the best available science, and the
additional funding and FTE will help ensure the Agency is well positioned to address the harm
presented by HFCs. The additional funding supports critical climate change initiatives, including
forensics support of climate change enforcement efforts both in civil and criminal enforcement.
This is vital to EPA's ability to enforce HFC phase down regulations which are imperative to
reducing climate impacts. In FY 2024, NEIC will make significant investments to assist with HFC-
related enforcement capabilities, including inspector training, acquisition of field sampling
equipment, and expansion of laboratory analytical capabilities to the meet the urgent demand for
highly complex HFC analysis.
In FY 2024, NEIC will support the President's directive to deliver environmental justice (EJ) to
communities across America and to hold polluters accountable for their actions. To achieve these
goals, the Agency will employ NEIC's environmental forensics expertise to investigate violations
of environmental statutes and prosecute environmental crimes in communities that are
disproportionally affected by pollution and environmental crime, and to target those areas more
effectively. NEIC supports EJ concerns by targeting critical industry inspections in overburdened
or vulnerable communities and utilizes the data to work with the EPA regional office to take an
enforcement action that could ultimately improve air and water quality in such communities. NEIC
also will further develop and deploy the Agency's Geospatial Measurement of Air Pollution
(GMAP) van, a mobile tool to help identify Clean Air Act noncompliance throughout the United
States.
In FY 2024, NEIC will continue to streamline its forensics work and identify enhancements to the
Agency's sampling and analytical methods, using existing and emerging technology. The NEIC
will continue to build on its previous progress to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of its
operations, reduce the time for completion of civil inspection reports, improve procurement
processes, and continue to identify and implement further efficiencies in laboratory operations.
NEIC will continue to enhance the work completed in FY 2021 and FY 2022 to support criminal
and civil program efforts to combat climate change. The results of these efforts will inform EPA's
work in FY 2024 and beyond.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$12.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, changes to benefits costs, and changes to lab utilities
and security costs.
649
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(+$109.0 / +0.2 FTE) This program investment will ensure EPA has the capacity and
technical expertise to investigate, analyze, sample, test, transport, and store HFCs. This
investment includes $37.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$287.0) This program net increase will be used to support the Agency's forensics
laboratory at the National Enforcement Investigations Center.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); American Innovation Manufacturing Act.
650
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Superfund: Enforcement
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$169,444
$171,347
$0
-$171,347
Total Workyears
737.9
771.3
771.8
0.5
In FY 2024, the Budget proposes to transition the Superfund 771.3 FTE from the annual Superfund appropriated resources to the
Superfund tax receipts as reimbursable FTE. These FTE are built into the Agency's FTE ceiling.
Program Project Description:
The Superfund Enforcement Program protects communities by ensuring prompt site cleanup using
an "enforcement first" approach that maximizes the participation of liable and viable parties in
performing and paying for cleanups and preserving federal dollars for sites where there are no
liable or viable parties. The Superfund Enforcement Program obtains potentially responsible
parties' (PRPs) commitments to perform or pay for cleanups through judicial and administrative
enforcement actions. The Superfund Enforcement Program works closely with the Superfund
Remedial and Superfund Emergency Response and Removal Programs and the U.S. Department
of Justice (DOJ) to combine legal and technical skills to bring enforcement actions and address
emerging issues. Superfund enforcement efforts ensure that_Superfund sites with responsible
parties are cleaned up in a timely manner and result in more site cleanups than would be possible
using only government funds.
The Superfund Enforcement Program:
Obtains cleanup commitments from responsible parties and other third parties, thereby
providing long term human health and environmental protections and making contaminated
properties available for reuse.
• Negotiates site cleanup agreements and, where necessary, takes enforcement actions to
require cleanup and recover costs, thereby preserving federal taxpayer dollars for sites
where there are no viable contributing parties.
• Develops cleanup enforcement policies.
• Provides guidance and tools that clarify potential environmental cleanup liability, with
specific attention to the cleanup, reuse, and revitalization of contaminated properties.
In FY 2022, the Superfund Enforcement Program secured commitments for cleanup and cost
recovery and billed parties for oversight costs, all totaling more than $670.2 million. The use of
Superfund enforcement tools resulted in cleanup and redevelopment at 131 private party sites in
FY 2022.
Payments received pursuant to settlement agreements with responsible parties for past costs EPA
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expended on cleanups as well as cash-out funds received from parties for future site cleanup may
be deposited into site-specific special accounts established for use consistent with a settlement
agreement for a specific site. Site specific special accounts provide needed cleanup dollars at many
sites that otherwise may not have received funding. In FY 2022, EPA collected $280.9 million
from responsible parties to deposit into special accounts and disbursed or obligated approximately
$237.7 million from special accounts to perform cleanup actions at sites (excluding
reclassifications).
The Superfund Enforcement Program continues to encourage and facilitate PRPs' expeditious and
thorough cleanup of sites, to create oversight efficiencies, and to promote the redevelopment and
reuse of sites by encouraging PRPs to invest in cleanup that facilitate reuse outcomes. In addition,
the Superfund Enforcement Program encourages new private investment in the cleanup and reuse
of sites by optimizing tools to encourage third-party investment. EPA also works to ensure that
legally enforceable institutional controls and financial assurance requirements are in place at
Superfund sites to ensure the long-term protectiveness of Superfund cleanup remedies.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the President's Budget proposes to transition the Superfund Enforcement Program
from the annual Superfund appropriated resources to the Superfund tax receipts.7 The Program
will continue to encourage and facilitate PRP's prompt site cleanup in FY 2024 to preserve more
of the tax dollars for cleanups where there are no viable PRPs.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to strengthen EPA's Superfund Enforcement Program,
complement work in the Superfund Remedial and Superfund Emergency Response and Removal
Programs, provide financial support for DOJ to pursue judicial actions to compel PRP cleanup,
and support possible actions in response to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) releases.
EPA will continue its work to achieve prompt site cleanup, maximize the work participation by
PRPs, and secure private party funding of cleanups. In addition, the Agency will prioritize its
efforts on the most significant sites in terms of human health and environmental impact. To support
the Agency's focus on environmental justice and climate change, the Superfund Enforcement
Program intends to:
• Require responsible parties to take early cleanup actions;
• Ensure prompt cleanup actions by responsible parties;
• Develop robust enforcement instruments that address impacts on communities and
climate change vulnerabilities;
• Increase oversight of enforcement instruments;
• Build trust and capacity through increased community engagement; and
• Integrate sustainability principles into enforcement tools, policies, and guidance used for
the cleanup and reuse of contaminated sites.
7 The U.S Treasury forecasts collecting a total of $2.54 billion in Superfund tax receipts in FY 2023 which will be available for
use in FY 2024 across EPA Superfund programs.
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The Agency will continue its efforts to establish site-specific special accounts to facilitate cleanup.
As special account funds may only be used for sites and uses specified in the settlement agreement,
special account resources, annually appropriated resources, and Superfund tax receipts are critical
to the Superfund Program to clean up Superfund sites. In addition, the Agency continues to work
under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
to address PFAS contamination by gathering information to support possible actions under
multiple statutory authorities in response to PFAS releases. In anticipation of PFAS being
designated as CERCLA hazardous substances, the Agency expects the Superfund enforcement
workload to increase significantly. In addition, the Superfund Enforcement Program will continue
its efforts to address contamination at historically impacted communities, focusing on community
engagement and facilitating cleanup at such sites.
DOJ's participation in CERCLA cases is statutorily mandated for settlements related to remedial
action cleanups, most cost recovery settlements, and is required for all judicial enforcement
matters. DOJ's support will be prioritized to maximize PRP performance of cleanup, particularly
protection of human health at sites located in historically impacted communities. EPA provides
financial support to DOJ for these activities. In FY 2024, similar to the Superfund Enforcement
program, DOJ's support is proposed to be transitioned to the Superfund tax receipts through an
interagency agreement.
Cost Recovery Support:
In FY 2024, the Agency also will continue to standardize and streamline the financial management
processes for the financial management aspects of Superfund cost recovery and the collection of
debt to the federal government. EPA's financial, programmatic, and legal offices will continue to
maintain the accounting and billing of Superfund oversight costs attributable to responsible parties.
These costs represent EPA's cost of overseeing Superfund site cleanup efforts by responsible
parties as stipulated in the terms of settlement agreements. In FY 2022, the Agency collected
$303.9 million in cost recoveries, of which $24.9 million were returned to the Superfund Trust
Fund and $279 million were deposited in site-specific, interest-bearing special accounts.
The Agency will continue to pursue an "enforcement first" approach that maximizes PRP
participation at Superfund sites by performing enforcement activities such as conducting PRP
searches, negotiating site-specific settlements, and recovering costs. These activities ensure that
responsible parties conduct or pay for cleanups and preserve federal dollars for sites where there
are no viable contributing parties. EPA also will work to increase opportunities for community
engagement.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
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(-$171,347.0 / -771.3 FTE) In FY 2024, the Superfund Enforcement Program is proposed
to be transitioned from the annual Superfund appropriated resources to the Superfund tax
receipts. In FY 2023, the U.S Treasury forecasts collecting a total of $2.54 billion in
Superfund taxes which will be available for use in FY 2024 across EPA Superfund
programs. As a result, the pace of work is not expected to be impacted.
• (+771.8 FTE) In FY 2024, the Agency proposes to transition 771.8 Superfund Enforcement
FTE from the annual Superfund appropriated resources to the Superfund tax receipts as
reimbursable FTE.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
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Superfund: Federal Facilities Enforcement
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$7,263
$8,192
$10,366
$2,174
Total Workyears
33.6
40.9
45.2
4.3
Program Project Description:
EPA's Superfund Federal Facilities Enforcement Program monitors compliance and pursues
enforcement primarily at sites where there is federal ownership or a federal operator, whether full
or partial, and the federal owner conducts or is involved in the cleanup under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or "Superfund"). After
years of service and operation, many federal facilities are contaminated with hazardous substances,
pollutants, and contaminants, such as unexploded ordnance and radioactive wastes. Enforcement
actions can facilitate timely cleanup and potential redevelopment of these sites to protect public
health and the environment.
Pursuant to CERCLA Section 120, EPA must enter into Interagency Agreements, commonly
referred to as Federal Facility Agreements (FFAs), with responsible federal entities to ensure
protective and timely cleanup of their National Priorities List (NPL) sites. The agreements provide
that EPA will oversee the cleanups to ensure that they protect public health and the environment.
These FFAs govern cleanups at 174 federal facility Superfund sites, which include many of the
Nation's largest and most complex cleanup projects. While only 10 percent of the NPL sites are
federal facility sites, over 41 percent of the total Operable Units in the Superfund Program are at
these sites. Operable units are sites that can be divided into a number of distinct areas depending
on the complexity of the problems associated with the site. These areas called operable units may
address geographic areas of a site, specific site problems, or areas where a specific action is
required. An example of a typical operable unit could include removal of drums and tanks from
the surface of a site.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to support possible actions in response to significant
contamination from federal facilities, including a request for an increase of approximately $2.2
million and 4.3 FTE to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) releases. EPA will
655
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continue to focus its enforcement resources on the highest priority sites, particularly those that may
present an imminent and substantial endangerment, have human exposure not yet under control,
have an impact on overburdened or vulnerable communities with environmental justice concerns,
or have the potential for beneficial redevelopment. EPA also will negotiate and amend, as
appropriate, FFAs for federal facility sites on the NPL, and continue to monitor FFAs for
compliance. EPA will expedite cleanup and redevelopment of federal facility sites, particularly
those located in communities with environmental justice concerns, and will use alternative dispute
resolution processes and other approaches to timely resolve formal and informal cleanup disputes.
EPA also will continue to seek ways to improve its engagement with other federal agencies, state,
tribal, local governments, and their partners, emphasizing protective, timely cleanups that address
communities' needs. EPA will work with its federal partners to encourage greater community
outreach and transparency.
The Agency also will work to address PFAS contaminations and releases by developing
information to support possible actions under multiple statutory authorities. Federal facilities (e.g.,
Department of Defense military bases and Department of Energy sites) are starting to act at their
PFAS-contaminated NPL sites. As federal agencies conduct this work at their federal facility NPL
sites, CERCLA requires EPA to oversee the work. An increased investment for EPA's Superfund
Federal Facilities Enforcement Program will support EPA's efforts to monitor the increasing
number of initiated PFAS remedial investigations projected to occur at federal facilities in the
coming years. In FY 2024, the Program will pursue enforcement actions, where needed, to ensure
compliance with CERCLA and other federal environmental laws, and to protect public health.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$1.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. The reduction is offset
by an increase in critical agencywide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028
cybersecurity requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and
implementation of Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$2,175.0 / +4.3 FTE). This program increase will be used to address PFAS contamination
by overseeing the increasing number of initiated remedial investigations projected to occur
at federal facilities. This investment includes $792.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) § 120.
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Environmental Justice
657
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Environmental Justice
Program Area: Environmental Justice
Goal: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Objective(s): Embed Environmental Justice and Civil Rights into EPA's Programs, Policies, and
Activities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$20,455
$102,159
$369,106
$266,947
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$1,065
$ 5,876
$ 5,888
$12
Total Budget Authority
$21,520
$108,035
$374,994
$266,959
Total Workyears
51.8
223.6
264.6
41.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Environmental Justice (EJ) Program coordinates the Agency's efforts to address the needs
of overburdened and vulnerable communities by decreasing environmental burdens, increasing
environmental benefits, and building collaborative partnerships with all stakeholders to build
healthy, sustainable communities based on residents' needs and desires. EPA's EJ Program
focuses on collaboration as a central principle and method of advancing justice. The Program's
core philosophy is that EJ challenges need strong collaborative partnerships that include federal,
state, local, and tribal governments along with the private sector, academia, and philanthropy-to
support communities in addressing multifaceted problems and positively changing conditions on
the ground. The Program provides technical assistance and expert consultative support to
communities, partners at all levels of government, and other stakeholders such as business and
industry, to achieve protection from environmental and public health hazards for people of color,
low-income communities, and indigenous communities at or near Superfund sites.
Work in this program directly supports Administrator Michael Regan's message "Our
Commitment to Environmental Justice" issued on April 7, 2021,8 in addition to supporting
implementation of Executive Order (EO) 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for
Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,9 EO 14008: Tackling the Climate
Crisis at Home and Abroad,10 and Goal 2, Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice
and Civil Rights, of the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. In accordance with the American
Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-270), every EPA regional office employs a dedicated
EJ coordinator, and the Agency maintains a list of these persons on the EPA's website.11 The
8 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-administrator-regan-announces-new-initiatives-
support-environmental-i ustice-and.
9 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-
advancing-racial-eauitv-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/.
10 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefmg-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-
on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/.
11 For more information on EPA's regional office contacts, please see: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaliustice/forms/contact-
us-about-environmental-i ustice.
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Superfund portion of this program has focused on issues that affect people of color, low income,
and indigenous communities at or near Superfund sites. The EJ Program complements the
Agency's community outreach and other work done under the Superfund Program at affected sites.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 2/Objective 2.2, Embed Environmental Justice and
Civil Rights into EPA's Programs, Policies, and Activities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic
Plan.
EPA will advance implementation of EJ activities in support of the Superfund Program. The EJ
Program will elevate and expand the use of coordinated and collaborative community-driven
partnerships to address community priorities by promoting the active engagement of community-
based organizations, other federal agencies, and tribal, state, and local governments. This will
advance environmental protection and public health for overburdened communities at or near
Superfund sites. The EJ Program will guide EPA's efforts to empower communities to identify
and develop solutions to address environmental harms, working to utilize nationally consistent
data that combines environmental and demographic indicators in mapping and prioritizing
communities with EJ concerns at or near Superfund sites. These efforts help build healthy and
sustainable communities through technical assistance, enabling overburdened and vulnerable
communities to revitalize their local economies while also better facilitating EPA efforts to further
focus federal resources and program design to benefit communities with EJ concerns and those
most at risk of climate change impacts at or near Superfund sites.
The EJ Program will continue to partner with and support other agency programs in their efforts
to fully integrate EJ considerations into all of EPA's policies, programs, and activities while also
developing nationally consistent data that combines environmental and demographic indicators in
mapping and prioritizing communities with EJ concerns at or near Superfund sites.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Environmental Justice Program
under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$12.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This funding change
includes a slight reduction to the Program. The Agency will continue to address the needs
of overburdened, underserved, and vulnerable communities.
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Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); and Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
660
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Homeland Security
661
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Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
Program Area: Homeland Security
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Science & Technology
$24,536
$25,347
$39,539
$14,192
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$59,561
$60,008
$96,023
$36,015
Total Workyears
121.8
124.1
138.3
14.2
Program Project Description:
EPA leads or supports many aspects of preparing for and responding to a nationally significant
incident involving possible chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents. The
Homeland Security Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Program implements a broad range of
activities that cover multifaceted federal efforts, including:
• National trainings;
• Participation in national interagency exercises with federal and state partners;
Support for headquarters and regional Emergency Operations Centers;
• Enhancements for national information technology systems;
Secured warehouse space for homeland security operations and storage; and
• Laboratory analyses of environmental samples and site decontamination projects.
EPA's homeland security effort develops these responsibilities through research and maintaining
a level of expertise, training, and preparedness specifically focused on threats associated with
CBRN. This work is consistent with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS') National
Response Framework.
EPA assists with multi-media training and exercise development and implementation for
responders, which establishes and sustains coordination with states, local communities, tribes, and
other federal agencies (OF As). The Agency also provides technical assistance to OF As, including
DHS, the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Justice (DO J), and the Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS), in the areas of environmental characterization,
decontamination, and waste disposal methods. In addition, the program operates a national
environmental laboratory for chemical warfare agents and implements EPA's National Approach
to Response.
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Homeland Security Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Program will:
• Utilize the Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology
(ASPECT) aircraft. ASPECT aids first responders by providing aerial surveillance
screening for wide-area chemical, radiological, and nuclear detection, as well as infrared
and advanced imagery products with real-time data delivery.
• Initiate a multi-year strategic modernization of the ASPECT airborne screening capability
to the Chemical Incident and Radiological Reconnaissance on Unmanned Systems
(CIRRUS) program. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting an increase of $12.3 million and 1.8
FTE to support CIRRUS needed to expedite emergency response. Transition this capability
to remotely piloted platforms to more effectively and efficiently support emergency
response, climate crisis, and environmental justice missions. This system would
simultaneously reduce response time to a broader geographic area, enhance response
redundancy, capitalize on potential cost-efficiencies of remotely piloted vehicles, and
significantly reduce the hazards associated with crewed flight operations at extremely low
altitudes.
Operate, enhance, and significantly overhaul the aging Portable High-Throughput
Integrated Identification System (PHILIS) capability. PHILIS units provide the Nation
with mobile analytical "all hazards" confirmatory labs (qualitative and quantitative) with
unique capability to analyze chemical and biological warfare threat agents. PHILIS
provides on-scene, high-throughput analyses of air, soil, and water samples in areas that
have experienced a significant incident. PHILIS can support risk mitigation of
contaminated sites which face climate change impacts and affect communities with
environmental justice concerns by mobilizing laboratory capabilities to areas of need. In
FY 2024, EPA is requesting an increase of $10 million to replace outdated PHILIS
equipment. This modernization will upgrade the platform (mobility) and the laboratory
(analytical equipment). The platform replacements will provide greatly improved long-
distance mobility, reliability, maintenance and operating costs, and operational uniformity.
The equipment investment will procure state-of-the-art systems to increase overall
automation, throughput, and sensitivity of the PHILIS assets as well as bring parity in
capabilities between the two ("East" and "West") PHILIS labs.
• Participate in trainings and exercises on CBRN preparedness and response topics with key
federal response partners (e.g., DHS, DOD, and DOJ) on select inter-agency workgroups.
Target exercises to improve preparedness for communities with environmental justice
concerns and increase incorporation of environmental justice into preparedness activities.
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• Provide expertise on detection, environmental characterization, decontamination, and
waste disposal methods following the release of a CBRN agent.
• Maintain operational support for the Emergency Management Portal and WebEOC
response systems.
Conduct research to enhance response capabilities by developing methods, tools, and
information for site characterization, decontamination, waste management, and clearance
for priority chemical, biological, and radiological threats all while reducing time and cost,
and ensuring safety.
Conduct research to generate resources, tools, and training for risk communication
outreach, building relationships, and community engagement to empower under-resourced
communities and populations with environmental justice concerns.
• Proceed with the development of sample collection protocols and analysis methods for
inclusion in EPA's Environmental Sampling & Analytical Methods (ESAM)12 on-line tool.
EPA's ESAM detection, sampling, and analysis tool helps local, state, territorial, tribal,
and federal emergency response field personnel and their supporting laboratories more
effectively and efficiently respond to incidents, enabling smooth transitions of samples and
data from the field to the laboratory to decision makers.
• Maintain a highly skilled, well-trained, and well-equipped response workforce that has the
capacity to respond to simultaneous incidents as well as threats involving CBRN
substances. This includes training On-Scene Coordinators, volunteers of the Response
Support Corps (RSC), and members of Incident Management Teams. RSC volunteers
provide critical support to headquarters and regional Emergency Operations Centers and
assist with operations in the field. To ensure technical proficiency, this cadre of response
personnel requires initial training and routine refresher training.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program directly supports performance results in the Superfund: EPA Emergency
Preparedness program under the Superfund appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$531.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$12,346.0 / +1.8 FTE) This program change is an increase in resources and FTE to
support Chemical Incident and Radiological Reconnaissance on Unmanned Systems
(CIRRUS) needed to expedite emergency response and provide additional assistance to
12 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/esam.
664
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partners external to the agency. These efforts will assist in improving preparedness for
communities with environmental justice concerns such as fenceline communities. This
investment includes $332.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$10,000.0) This program change is an increase in resources to replace outdated PHILIS
equipment. These funds will allow the program to complete a PHILIS equipment upgrade,
update all mobile lab technology, and replace vehicle platforms. These efforts will assist
in improving preparedness for communities with environmental justice concerns such as
fenceline communities.
(-$178.0) This program change is a decrease in resources for site characterization and
decontamination research.
(+$186.0 / +1.2 FTE) This program change increases resources and FTE for homeland
security preparedness efforts. This includes $186.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, §§ 104, 105, and 106;
Homeland Security Act of 2002.
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Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure
Program Area: Homeland Security
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$4,903
$5,188
$5,158
-$30
Science & Technology
$501
$625
$501
-$124
Building and Facilities
$7,049
$6,676
$6,676
$0
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Total Budget Authority
$13,653
$13,518
$13,865
$347
Total Workyears
12.0
13.3
9.2
-4.1
Total workyears in FY 2024 include 9.2 FTE to support Homeland Security Working Capital Fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
The federal government develops and maintains Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans and
procedures that provide for the continued performance of its essential functions. The Homeland
Security COOP Program works with other government and non-government organizations to
ensure that Mission Essential Functions (MEFs) and Primary Mission Essential Functions
(PMEFs) continue to be performed during emergency situations. The Department of Homeland
Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Federal Continuity Directive-1
requires EPA to develop a continuity plan that ensures its ability to accomplish its MEFs from
an alternate site during a national disaster continues, and that the Agency will be able to continue
operations successfully with limited staffing and without access to resources available during
normal activities.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will:
• Expand efforts, under FEMA's Federal Mission Resiliency (FMR) directives, including
assessment of the FMR strategy, building upon existing National Continuity Policy,
updating training and exercise materials to incorporate FMR constructs, and developing
assessment tools to measure progress.
Conduct selected annual reviews of regional COOP plans, PMEFs and MEFs, and make
updates as needed.
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• Monitor the continuity programs across the Agency, focusing on testing, training, and
exercises as related to general COOP awareness and procedures.
• Undergo a monthly evaluation of the headquarters' COOP Program, including program
plans and procedures, risk management, budgeting, and essential functions. Further,
FEMA will perform an in-person biannual review of EPA's COOP Program and provide
the results to the Administrator and to the Executive Office of the President.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$501.0) This program change is an increase in resources to support EPA's COOP
implementation and training.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act §§ 104, 105, 106;
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004; Homeland Security Act of 2002;
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
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Indoor Air and Radiation
668
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Radiation: Protection
Program Area: Indoor Air and Radiation
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$8,244
$9,088
$11,638
$2,550
Science & Technology
$2,224
$1,683
$2,349
$666
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$2,011
$2,472
$3,010
$ 538
Total Budget Authority
$12,479
$13,243
$16,997
$3,754
Total Workyears
53.9
54.8
67.2
12.4
Program Project Description:
This program addresses potential radiation risks that may be found at Superfund and hazardous
waste sites. Through this program, EPA ensures that Superfund site cleanup activities reduce
and/or mitigate the health and environmental risks of radiation by including support of removal
actions, as needed.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.2, Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Work in this program directly supports protecting communities from hazardous waste and
environmental damage, thereby protecting human health and the environment and contributing to
the well-being of disadvantaged communities that may be disproportionately impacted by
radioactive releases. In FY 2024, EPA's National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory
(NAREL) in Montgomery, Alabama, and National Center for Radiation Field Operations
(NCRFO) in Las Vegas, Nevada, will continue to provide analytical and field support to manage
and mitigate radioactive releases and exposures. These two organizations provide analytical and
technical support for the characterization and cleanup of Superfund and hazardous waste sites.
NAREL and NCRFO provide data evaluation and assessment, document review, and field support
through ongoing fixed and mobile analytical capability. Thousands of radiochemical analyses are
performed annually at NAREL on a variety of samples from contaminated sites. NAREL is EPA's
only radiological laboratory with in-house radiochemical analytical capability. NCRFO provides
field-based technical support for screening and identifying radiological contaminants at Superfund
and non-Superfund sites across the country, including air sampling equipment and expert
personnel.
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More specifically, these organizations focus on providing technical support and high-quality data
to support agency decisions at sites across the country. They also develop guidance for cleaning
up Superfund and other sites that are contaminated with radioactive materials.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to this
program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$31.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$37.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of lab
utilities.
(+$532.0 / +2.4 FTE) This program change reflects an increase in program capacity for
activities such as analytical and field support to assess, manage, and mitigate radioactive
releases and exposures at contaminated sites. This investment includes $418.0 thousand
in payroll costs.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
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IT/ Data Management/ Security
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Information Security
Program Area: IT / Data Management / Security
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
SI 0.450
S9.142
$23,889
$14,747
Hit:.unions Substance Sn/>t'r/Hii(l
S J.20V
S 1.002
S ,S'5f
Vi, ~V "
Total Budget Authority
$11,659
$10,204
$31,748
$21,544
Total Workyears
10.9
14.1
17.1
3.0
Program Project Description:
Digital information is a valuable national resource and a strategic asset that enables EPA to fulfill
its mission to protect human health and the environment. The Information Security Program's
mission is to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of EPA's information assets. The
information protection strategy includes, but is not limited to, risk management, oversight, and
training; network management and protection; and incident management.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA requests $6.8 million to support enhancements to protect the Agency's
information technology portfolio. This investment will increase EPA's information technology
resiliency and limit vulnerabilities in the event of a malicious attack. EPA will work toward full
compliance with the five high priority directives (Adoption of Multifactor Authentication,
Encryption of Data At Rest, Encryption of Data In Transit, Zero Trust Architecture, and Event
Logging) in Executive Order (EO) 14028: Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity ,13
13Work in this program takes direction for IT implementation practices and priorities from the following:
• EO 14028: Improving the Nation 's Cybersecurity (https://www.whilehoiise.spv/briefinz-room/presidenlial-
actions/2021/05/'12/executive-order-on-improvi:ns-the-nations-cybersecurity/)
• OMB Memo M-23-03: Fiscal Year 2023 Guidance on Federal Information Security and Privacy Management Requirements
(https://www. whitehouse. gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/M-23-03-FY2 3-FISMA-Guidance-2.pdf)
• OMB Memo M-19-26: Update to the Trusted Internet Connection (TIC) Initiative (https://www.whitehouse.sov/wp-
conlenl/uploads/2019/09/M-l 9-26.pdf)
• OMB Memo M-21-30: Protecting Critical Software Through Enhanced Security Measures (https://whitehouse.gov/wp-
conlenl/uploads/2021/0S/M-21 -30. pdf)
• OMB Memo M-21-31: Improving the Federal Government's Investigative and OMB Memorandum Remediation Capabilities
Related to Cybersecurity Incidents (https://www. whilehouse.gov/wp-conlenl/uploads/2021/08/M-21-31-Improving-the-
Federal-Govemments-Investigative-and-Remediation-Capabililies-Related-lo-Cvbersecuritv-Incidents.pdf)
• OMB Memo M-22-01: Improving Detection of Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities and Incidents on Federal Government Systems
through Endpoint Detection and Response (https://www.whitehouse.sov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/M-22-01.pdf)
• OMB Memo M-22-09: Moving the U.S. Government Toward Zero Trust Cybersecurity Principles
(https://www.whitehouse.eov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/M-22-09.pdf)
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Improving the Defense and Resilience of Government Networks
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)
A key priority for EPA's information security needs is the development of networks which can
resist malevolent actions regardless of their origin. ZTA will grant authorized users full access to
the tools and resources needed to perform their jobs but limit access to unnecessary areas. Proper
permissions for a given user's needs are a critical component of Zero Trust Architecture and coding
for more granular control over the network environment is an information security priority.
EPA will continue to improve defense and resilience of government networks in accordance with
ZTA security principles, which focuses on virtual identity management capabilities. These
improvements ensure agency staff can access necessary software applications while providing
resistance to malicious phishing campaigns and sophisticated online attacks. For those system
environments not integrated into the larger enterprise system, which may not be compatible with
the enterprise-wide identity management capabilities, EPA will continue efforts to harden those
systems with continuous monitoring capabilities to reduce risk.
EPA will continue to implement cybersecurity enhancements necessary to support a larger remote
workforce, which includes strengthening cloud security monitoring and access to sensitive data,
cyber incident response, and cloud platform management services. These enhancements allow
agency staff to securely use systems and services in the cloud while also improving application
performance and reducing costs associated with Trusted Internet Connections (TIC). The Agency
also will pilot enterprise web application control tools to protect web applications by preventing
malicious traffic from accessing the web application or agency data. The Agency will continue to
build its Insider Threat Program for the unclassified network to monitor Privileged Users and
Systems Administrators activity, as recommended by several cybersecurity assessments,14 and to
monitor and report on EPA networks and systems.
IT Modernization for Federal Cybersecurity by Design
EPA will continue to strengthen information technology (IT) assets and develop resiliency against
potential cybersecurity threats. This work includes enhancing Multifactor Authentication to
strengthen access controls to data and evaluating areas which still may require implementation of
encryption for Data at Rest and Data in Transit to protect data. EPA has prioritized investments to
protect the most sensitive systems and information. Additionally, EPA will work with the
Department of Homeland Security and the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation Program
(CDM) to ensure up-to-date technologies are implemented.
• OMB Memo M-22-16: Administration Cybersecurity Priorities for the FY 2024 Budget (https://www.whitehouse.sov/wp-
conlentJuploads/2022/07/M-22-16. vdf)
• OMB Memo M-23-03: Fiscal Year 2023 Guidance on Federal Information Security and Privacy Management Requirements
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/M-23-Q3-FY23-FISMA-Guidance-2.pdf)
• NIST 800-53
14 These assessments include Annual Assessments and Classified briefings with the Department of Flomeland Security and EPA's
Office of Flomeland Security, as well as a 2017 OIG Report, available at: https://www.epa.gov/sites/produotion/files/2017-
10/documents/ epaoie 20171030-18-P-0031 .pdf.
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Cyberattacks are rapidly increasing in volume and sophistication, impacting both IT and
operational technology systems. EPA's Agency IT Security and Privacy (AITSP) Program enables
agencywide implementation, management, and oversight of the CIO's Information Security and
Privacy Programs through continuous monitoring functions. These capabilities serve to identify
and address security vulnerabilities and incidents quickly, ensuring that EPA's information
environment remains safe.
EPA will continue to support the ongoing implementation of capabilities for data labeling and data
loss prevention, which will improve security information and event management by collecting,
synthesizing, managing, and reporting cybersecurity events for systems across the Agency.
The Information Security Program supports EPA's Enterprise Security Operations Center (SOC),
which manages the Computer Security Incident Response Capability (CSIRC) processes to support
identification, response, alerting, and reporting of suspicious activity. EPA will mature the system
logging capabilities in Event Logging (EL) Level 3 for Advanced Logging requirements at all
criticality levels, leveraging Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response tools to streamline
threat and vulnerability management, incident response, and security operations automation.
Additionally, EL 3 will employ User Behavior Monitoring analytics to enable early detection of
malicious behavior. Through CSIRC, EPA will continue to maintain relationships with other
federal agencies and law enforcement entities, as needed, to support the Agency's mission.
The Agency's Security Operations Center will continue work to integrate End Point Detection and
Response capabilities with the CDM Program to support proactive detection of cybersecurity
incidents, active cyber hunting, containment and remediation, and incident response. EPA will
continue modernizing its network and system logging capabilities (on-premises systems and
connections hosted by third parties, such as Cloud Service Providers) for both investigation and
remediation purposes.
EPA leverages CDM capabilities to address the Agency's cybersecurity security gaps and
efficiently identify and respond to government-wide cybersecurity threats and incidents. In FY
2024, as part of the work with the Department of Homeland Security to support implementation
of current and future Phase CDM requirements, the CDM Program will continue closing gaps in
privileged access to EPA's network and will continue to provide critical security controls for the
Agency's cloud applications. The CDM Program also will review interior EPA network boundary
protection from interconnections to external networks, expand endpoint detection, and response
capabilities. In line with OMB and DHS direction, the CDM Program will implement priority
capabilities as they are identified. In FY 2024, EPA estimates a $13 million budget for the CDM
Program.
Strengthening the Foundations of our Digitally-Enabled Future
Securing Infrastructure Investments
The Agency collects Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) metrics and
evaluates related processes, tools, and personnel to identify gaps and opportunities for
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improvement.15 EPA's CIO, who also is the Senior Agency Official for Privacy (SAOP), in
coordination with the Chief Information Security Officer, will continue to monitor and report on
these metrics. EPA will:
• Modernize and automate the methodology and workflow for collecting Federal
Information Registry data supporting the System of Record Notice Management process.
Continue implementing Ground Truth Testing to validate security and find weaknesses
through manual and automated penetration testing and red team exercises.
The Agency continues to work on refinements to improve the ability to track and report on critical
software used by the Agency in compliance with Federal Information System Reporting and OMB
direction.
EPA includes cybersecurity and privacy components in senior leadership program reviews. These
reviews enhance CIO oversight by enabling better risk area determination and targeted
improvement to system and mission program managers. While EPA program and regional offices
maintain responsibility for improving their performance in specific cybersecurity measures, EPA's
senior leadership routinely reviews performance results and potential challenges for achieving
continuous improvement.
Human Capital
EPA will further enhance agency-specific role-based training to ensure personnel in key
cybersecurity roles have a comprehensive understanding of modern, secure IT and cybersecurity
requirements, with the skills, knowledge, and capabilities to effectively support EPA's
cybersecurity posture.
Technology Ecosystems
EPA will build on efforts to fully carry out the Agency's program to implement Cybersecurity
Supply Chain Risk Management Controls to comply with the Government Accountability Office
findings and NIST 800-53 Rev 5 Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and
Organization,16'17 This work includes coordinating across the Agency with professionals from
Information Technology, Information Security, and Procurement to update the policy and obtain
the necessary tools to address these critical security requirements. EPA will continue to implement
standards, procedures, and criteria to harden and secure software development environments, and
investigate the addition of automated tools to secure the development environment.
15 Including those found in Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 and Federal Information Security
Cybersecurity Act of 2015.
16 Government Accountability Office Report on information and communications technology (ICT) Supply Chain: GAO-21-
164SU.
17 For more information, please see: https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-53/rev-5/final.
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM ALR) Implementation of advanced event logging requirements (EL3) across EPA networks.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
ELI
EL3
EL3
Tier
Actual
EL0
(PM DAR) Percentage of EPA data at rest in compliance with encryption requirements.
I V 2017
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
I V 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
90
95
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Systems
Denominator
(PM DIT) Percentage of EPA data in transit in compliance with encryption requirements.
I V 2017
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
I V 2022
I V 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
90
95
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Systems
Denominator
(PM MFA) Percentage of EPA applications in compliance with multifactor authentication requirements.
I V 2017
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
l"Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
75
85
90
Percent
Actual
48
Numerator
223
Applications
Denominator
463
(PM ZTA) Percentage of "Zero Trust Architecture" projects completed on time.
I V 2017
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
I V 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
100
100
Percent
Actual
Numerator
TBD
Denominator
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$6,797.0) This program change supports enhancements to protect the Agency's
information technology infrastructure and advance the implementation of Executive Order
14028: Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity. This investment will increase EPA's
information technology resiliency and limit vulnerabilities in the event of a malicious
attack.
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Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Cybersecurity Act of 2015; Federal Information
Security Modernization Act (FISMA); Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA);
Government Management Reform Act (GMRA); Clinger-Cohen Act (CCA).
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IT / Data Management
Program Area: IT / Data Management / Security
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$90,029
$91,821
$105,868
$14,047
Science & Technology
S2.799
S3.197
S3.313
SI 16
Ha:.unions Substance Siiper/iiml
si fi.tr.*
SI'J. '(>-!
sr.-J'
-S 2.03 ~
Total Budget Authority
$108,903
$114,782
$126,908
$12,126
Total Workyears
463.6
490.9
503.9
13.0
Total work years in FY2024 include 172.0 FTE to support IT/Data Management working capital fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
The work performed under the Information Technology/Data Management (IT/DM) Program
supports human health and the environment by providing critical IT infrastructure and data
management. The Program ensures analytical support for interpreting and understanding
environmental information; exchange and storage of data, analysis, and computation; rapid, secure,
and efficient communication; and access to scientific, regulatory, policy, and guidance information
needed by the Agency, regulated community, and the public.
This program supports the maintenance of EPA's IT and Information Management (IT/IM)
services that enable citizens, regulated facilities, states, and other entities to interact with EPA
electronically to access, analyze and understand, and share environmental data on-demand. The
IT/DM Program also provides support to other IT development projects and essential technology
to EPA staff, enabling them to conduct their work effectively and efficiently in the context of
federal IT requirements, including the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act
(FITARA); Technology Business Management (TBM); Capital Planning and Investment Control;
and the Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to support Future of Work efforts of the Agency through
maintaining and enhancing the IT infrastructure required to support a permanent increase in
telework, remote work, and operational readiness, consistent with Office of Management and
Budget Memorandum M-21-25.18 This includes modernizing the Agency's obsolete voice
18 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.goY/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/M-21-25.pdf
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communications system and investing in the enterprise network to support enhanced collaboration
flowing smoothly and efficiently within a widely distributed community.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to maintain and modernize the Agency's enterprise network switch
infrastructure necessary for the operations of the EPA network including data centers. This will
ensure critical infrastructure is replaced when it reaches end of life/end of support. Failure to
replace switch infrastructure may result in network degradation, which leaves EPA vulnerable to
cybersecurity threats, and can disrupt operations.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue implementation of the Agencywide Digitization Strategy, which
includes the operation of two EPA digitization centers and the development and operation of a
modernized electronic Agency Records Management System (ARMS), which is necessary to meet
the requirements of Memoranda M-19-21 Transition to Electronic Records issued by the Office
of Management and Budget and the National Archives and Records Administration.19 In FY 2024,
two EPA digitization centers will digitize, validate, and upload electronic files into the ARMS.
Additionally, EPA will leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to assist staff with
appropriately scheduling electronic records that are saved to ARMS. The Agency will operate the
Paper Asset Tracking Tool (PATT) to track paper records as they are submitted and processed
through the digitization centers.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to maintain and manage its core IT/ DM services, including
Information Collection Requests, the National Library Network, the Agency's Docket Center, and
EPA's Section 508 Program, which directly supports the requirements under Executive Order
14035.20 Key initiatives include,
9 Further strengthening the Agency's IT acquisition and portfolio review process as part of
the implementation of FITARA. In the most recent FITARA scorecard, released in
December 2022,21 EPA scored an overall B. EPA will continue to use the results of the
FITARA scorecard to drive agency priorities and investments.
Continuing work on converting prioritized internal administrative paper or analog
workflows into modern digital workflows to speed up common administrative tasks, reduce
burdensome paperwork for EPA employees and managers, improve internal data collection
and reporting, and improve cross-agency data interoperability and delivery to the public.
This work includes identifying a set of processes which will yield the greatest benefit for
the Agency upon automation and complete a high priority pilot automation project.
Continuing work on EPA's Controlled Unclassified Information Program to standardize,
simplify, and improve information management and IT practices to facilitate the sharing
of important sensitive data within the Agency, with key stakeholders outside of the Agency,
19 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.goY/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/M-19-21-iiew-2.pdf.
20 For more information, please refer to Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefina-room/presidential-
actions/2021/06/25/executive-order-on-diversitv-equity-inclusion-and-accessibilitv-in-the-federal-workforce/. For more
information, please refer to Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.eoy/briefina-rooni/presidential-
actions/2021/06/25/executive-order-on-diversitv-equitv-inclusion-and-accessibilitv-in-the-federal-workforce/.
21 For additional information, please refer to:
https://oversiKht.house.eov/sites/democrats.oversieht.house.eov/files/COR%20Scorecard%2014.pdf.
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and with the public, meeting federal standards as required by Executive Order 13556:
Controlled Unclassified Information.22
• Increasing the use of registries, continue migration to a cloud infrastructure, and improve
registry quality by modernizing from custom built solutions to commercial off-the-shelf
tools with expanded capabilities. Registries are shared data services in which common data
are managed centrally but shared broadly; they improve data quality in EPA systems,
enable integration and interoperability of data across program silos, and facilitate discovery
of EPA information publicly and internally.
EPA's Customer Experience (CX) Program will focus on improving the mission support
experience of EPA staff to improve their ability to serve the public, in line with the guidance in
Executive Order 14058.23 The Program focuses on collaborations such as the Hiring and
Onboarding process, which collects feedback from IT professionals, hiring managers, regions,
programs, and other stakeholders to improve the experience for hiring authorities and new
employees at EPA. The CX Program collects customer feedback, conducts data analytics, assesses
priorities within a governing community of practice, and presents recommendations to senior
leaders to allocate resources to improve CX initiatives.
The Agency's Chief Technology Officer, Chief Architect, and Chief Data Officer will continue to
enhance enterprise software development and architecture capabilities, including application
development, deployment approaches, and technical platform support. EPA will identify and
prioritize the interoperability of data within EPA and across federal agencies that benefits internal
and public-facing services. Driven by demand from federal partners, EPA will identify
opportunities to share data with other federal partners in the National Secure Data Service and
other sharing platforms. EPA will support data collection in a few priority areas, where required,
to improve our efforts to address our learning agenda priority questions, environmental justice,
and other agency efforts focused on civil rights and equity challenges.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to support the essential capabilities of GeoPlatform, a shared
technology enterprise for geospatial information and analysis. By implementing geospatial data,
applications, and services such as the Facility Registry System, the Agency can integrate, interpret,
and visualize multiple data sets and information sources to support environmental decisions. The
Agency will continue developing and increasing capabilities of EPA's Data Management and
Analytics Platform, which has both internal and public facing elements, such as Envirofacts. EPA
will partner with other agencies, states, tribes, and academic institutions to propose innovative
ways to use, analyze, and visualize data through EPA's Data Management and Analytics Platform.
Throughout FY 2023 and FY 2024, based on the Agency's assessment of options for improving
regulated facility data, EPA will establish a governance framework for implementing an enterprise
data life cycle approach for managing regulated facility data.
22 For more information, please refer to Executive Order: https://www.federalrepister.gov/docunients/2010/]. 1/09/2010-
28360/controlled-unclassified-inforniation.
23 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/12/16/2021-27380/transforming-
federal-customer-experience-and-service-delivery-to-rebuild-trust-in-government For additional information, please refer to:
https://www.federalrepister.gov/docuiiieiits/2021/12/16/2021-27380/traiisfoniiiiip-federal-custoiiier-experieiice-aiid-service-
deliverv-to-rebuild-trust-in-govermnent.
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In FY 2024, Web Infrastructure Management will continue to modernize EPA's web presence to
support internal and external users with information on EPA business, support employees with
internal information, and provide a clearinghouse for the Agency to communicate initiatives and
successes. EPA also will continue upgrading its web infrastructure to ensure that it meets current
statutory and security requirements.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Information Technology/Data
Management Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$14.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$2,051.0) This decrease represents a resource shift within the Information
Technology/Data Management/Security Program Area to support the high-priority
implementation of Executive Order 14028 - Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity in the
Information Security Program Project.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Federal Information Technology Acquisition
Reform Act; Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA); Government
Performance and Results Act (GPRA); Government Management Reform Act (GMRA); Clinger-
Cohen Act (CCA); Rehabilitation Act of 1973 § 508.
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Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
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Alternative Dispute Resolution
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
SI. 196
S972
$2,194
$1,222
IIa:.unions Substance Siiiwrjimil
ViWf
S "«>/
ssso
sftv
Total Budget Authority
$1,894
$1,763
$3,074
$1,311
Total Workyears
5.5
5.9
10.0
4.1
Program Project Description:
EPA's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program offers cost-effective processes for
preventing and resolving conflicts on Superfund Program matters as an alternative to litigation.
The Program provides facilitation, mediation, public involvement, training, and consensus
building advice and support for the entire Agency. The Program's ADR services support the
Superfund Program's work with communities, Potentially Responsible Parties, and other
stakeholders, and in particular assist the Superfund Program in meeting their legal requirements to
engage meaningfully with communities by helping to develop collaborative and effective
partnerships.
Significantly, the ADR Program provides conflict resolution and community engagement support
for the Superfund Program to assist with contentious situations at some of the most challenging
sites, including a recent request for ADR Program support for public meetings in Ohio in the wake
of the Norfolk Southern freight train derailment. In addition to the conflict prevention and
resolution support that the ADR Program provides at several Superfund sites across the country,
the ADR Program also supports the Superfund Program's needs for training in negotiation, public
involvement, and other similar topics. Beginning in FY 2023, for the first time in nearly a decade,
the ADR Program will deliver conflict resolution training for the Community Involvement
Training Program, the National Association of Remedial Project Managers Training Program, and
the On-Scene Coordinators Readiness Training Program. The Program expects to do so again in
FY 2024.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA expects to provide conflict prevention and ADR services on an increasing
number of Superfund Program matters. This program also supports implementation of Executive
683
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Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the
Federal Government24
Specifically, the ADR Program will:
• Administer its five-year, $53 million Conflict Prevention and Resolution Services contract,
through which it provides most of its conflict prevention and resolution services to the
Agency. The contract supports more than 34 Superfund projects by providing facilitators
and mediators to resolve conflicts at Superfund sites and is expected to take on an
additional 20 to 30 projects in FY 2024. The ADR Program has experienced an increase in
requests for contract services to support community involvement at Superfund sites in FY
2022 and thus far in FY 2023, and the trend is expected to continue. Contract support
contributes to more productive engagement between the Superfund Program and affected
communities, especially underserved and overburdened communities.
• Provide the services described above through the four conflict resolution specialists on staff
and Regional Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution (ECCR) Specialists,
who perform environmental ADR work as collateral duty with support from the ADR
Program. The ADR Program expects to provide support through conflict resolution
specialists and ECCR Specialists for agency programs and stakeholders by providing
facilitation of public meetings, mediation, or other consensus building support on 6 to 10
Superfund projects. As with contract support, direct staff support promotes greater
collaboration and the inclusion of underserved and overburdened communities at
Superfund sites experiencing conflict.
• Provide training to EPA staff in conflict resolution concepts and skills. The ADR Program
offers this training through eight interactively designed courses to all national program
offices and regional offices. The ADR Program delivered two trainings to agencywide
Superfund audiences in FY 2022, including negotiation training for the National
Association for Remedial Project Managers' annual conference. As of February 2023, the
ADR Program has delivered two trainings to Superfund audiences and has at least two
more planned. The ADR Program expects to increase routine training for Superfund
Community Involvement Coordinators in FY 2024. Trainings include the building of
critical skills for Superfund personnel, such as working across cultural divides and
supporting productive dialogue. These skills help Superfund Program staff better engage
with communities.
• Help to achieve the goals of President Biden's Justice40 initiative by tracking the number
of ADR program projects in which services are provided to underserved and overburdened
communities. In FY 2024 the ADR Program expects to increase services to underserved
and overburdened communities.
The following are examples of FY 2022 accomplishments supporting the Superfund Program:
24 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.eoY/briefmg-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-
advancine-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-Eovernment/.
684
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• Provided facilitation and mediation assistance for more than 41 agency supported
Superfund projects, an increase of 37 percent over FY 2021, including multiple sites with
challenging community engagement issues.
• Developed a Community Involvement Plan for the Baird & McGuire Superfund Site in
Region 1 after completing a conflict assessment. The detailed plan guides community
involvement efforts to support environmental justice at the site, design meetings and
materials that are accessible to marginalized communities, provide access to site
information and cleanup efforts, practice consistent outreach and communication, and
coordinate with state, local, and tribal governments.
• Provided facilitation services for a Region 2 Superfund Community Advisory Group with
a high degree of ethnic, religious, and socio-economic diversity. The facilitator has assisted
the group with conflicts related to issues of diversity and inclusion, and they have helped
the group improve communication and engagement practices.
• Provided training support for Superfund audiences, including negotiation and other courses
for Community Involvement Coordinators, Remedial Project Managers, and others
working on Superfund sites.
Performance Measures Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$89.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This change includes a
program increase for the use of alternative dispute resolution processes, such as mediation
and facilitation, to promote equity by including underserved communities in negotiations.
Statutory Authority:
Administrative Dispute Resolution Act (ADRA) of 1996; Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1996;
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
685
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Legal Advice: Environmental Program
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$63,795
$60.061
$85,252
$25,191
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Total Budget Authority
$64,270
$60,660
$85,729
$25,069
Total Workyears
262.6
273.3
343.5
70.2
Total Workyears in FY 2024 include 8.3 FTE funded by TSCA fees and 17.1 FTE to support Legal Advice working capital fund
(WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
The Legal Advice Environmental Program provides legal representation, legal counseling, and
legal support for environmental activities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Funding supports legal advice needed in the
Superfund Program's extensive work to clean up contaminated sites, which advances
environmental justice (EJ) for neighboring communities and supports EPA's state, tribal, and local
partners. For example, the Program provides legal analysis and advice to help inform EPA's
decisions regarding the assessment of certain contaminants at a given Superfund site under federal
law, and a party's potential liability under CERCLA.
The Program supports EPA's Superfund work at thousands of sites spanning the wide array of
Superfund legal issues regarding removal and remedial cleanups costing billions of dollars. The
Program is essential to providing the high-quality legal work to ensure that EPA's decisions protect
human health and the environment.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will prioritize legal support for the Superfund Program in order to assist with the
Administration's priorities including: tackling the climate crisis, advancing EJ, and supporting
state, tribal and local partners. The Program's increasing work to support CERCLA activities and
these priorities includes but is not limited to: counseling on how to address EJ and climate
resiliency in EPA's remedy decisions at Superfund sites, counseling on authorities to address
emergencies and disasters, counseling on the defensibility of agency actions, drafting significant
portions of agency actions, and participating in litigation in defense of agency actions.
In particular, the Program expects a continued significant increase in work to provide key legal
advice related to cleanups, enforcement, rulemakings, guidance, and litigation concerning PFAS.
686
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The Program provides critical legal advice on actions that are part of the EPA's "PFAS Strategic
Roadmap", an Administration priority which takes a whole-of-agency approach to address per-
and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). For example, the Program will provide significant counsel
on EPA's proposal to designate PFAS as a CERCLA hazardous substance, an action that, if
finalized, could significantly advance EJ goals for communities across the country impacted by
PFAS. Similarly, the Program provides legal counsel on other agency actions, including an
advance notice of proposed rulemaking on various PFAS and guidance related to the destruction
and disposal of PFAS. Legal review is critical to the Superfund Program at many points throughout
the cleanup process. This program also provides legal advice and counseling for final rules adding
Superfund sites to the National Priorities List (NPL), an important step in advancing cleanup at
the Nation's most contaminated sites. This benefits states, tribes, and local communities, who may
not have adequate resources to address these sites on their own. The Program also provides legal
advice on the statutory and regulatory requirements governing the remedy selection process (such
as the consideration of state and tribal standards). This work also benefits states, tribes and local
communities to allow for state/tribal and public engagement on cleanups in their communities.
The following are examples of FY 2022 accomplishments, which illustrate this program's
important role in implementing the Agency's core priorities and mission:
• Legal Support on PFAS: Provided a significant amount of critical legal advice on a top
Administration priority of addressing PFAS contamination. The Solid Waste and
Emergency Response Law Office (SWERLO) counseled on multiple complex issues,
including a proposed rule to designate Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)/Perfluorooctane
sulfonic acid (PFOS) as CERCLA hazardous substances (published Sept. 6, 2022), the use
of CERCLA authority to compel potentially responsible parties to investigate and address
PFAS, and the impacts of proposed legislation on EPA's authorities. SWERLO also
represented EPA's interests in ongoing interagency discussions related to the federal
government's approach to PFAS investigation and cleanup, including at military bases.
Gold King Mine Litigation Settlements (In re Gold King Mine Release, No. l:18-md-
02824, (D.N.M., May 13, 2021)): Served as the Agency lead in settlement negotiations
with New Mexico and Navajo Nation, resulting in a $32 million and a $31 million
settlement, respectively, in exchange for dismissal of all claims - valued by plaintiffs at
approximately $300 million - pending against EPA and the United States. As a result of
these settlements, EPA will not further litigate its potential CERCLA liability for
involvement with the 2015 Gold King Mine release. An adverse outcome on EPA's
liability could have had significant implications for the Superfund Program.
• Favorable Decision in Superfund Litigation (Daikin Applied Americas, Inc., et al v. EPA,
No. 20-1479 (D.C. Cir. July 8, 2022)): Served as the Agency lead in successfully defending
EPA in the D.C. Circuit case challenging EPA's placement of the Highway 100 and County
Road 3 Groundwater Plume site near Minneapolis, Minnesota on the Superfund NPL. The
D.C. Circuit upheld EPA's listing, concluding that EPA properly followed the Hazard
Ranking System (HRS) scoring procedures, supported its conclusions with substantial
evidence and adequately addressed the petitioners' comments.
687
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• Legal Support for Superfund cleanups: Provided critical legal support related to cleanup of
Superfund and related sites, including performing legal review of Action Memos for almost
$100 million in CERCLA removal actions and counseling on remedial action legal issues
at numerous high-profile sites, such as Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, Agriculture Street
Landfill, and Oak Ridge Reservation.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$122.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This funding change
includes a slight reduction to the Program. The Program will continue to provide legal
representation, counsel, and support for the Agency's CERCLA activities.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
688
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Operations and Administration
689
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Acquisition Management
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$36,051
$37,251
$41,609
$4,358
T.caking Underground Storage Tanks
SI 58
$181
$136
-$45
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Total Budget Authority
$59,759
$64,679
$75,503
$10,824
Total Workyears
281.7
307.7
355.7
48.0
Program Project Description:
Superfund resources in the Acquisition Management Program support EPA's contract activities,
which cover planning, awarding, and administering contracts for the Agency. Efforts include
issuing acquisition policy and interpreting acquisition regulations; administering training for
contracting and program acquisition personnel; providing advice and oversight to regional
procurement offices; and providing information technology (IT) improvements for acquisition.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to strengthen EPA's capacity to process new, increased, and
existing award contract actions in a timely manner; advance EPA utilization of small and
disadvantaged businesses; support "Made in America" initiatives; and support supply chain risk
management activities for information and communication technology. Efforts to process and
award contract actions in a timely manner will be in accordance with Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR) and guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of
Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP).
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support the implementation of supply chain risk requirements
in Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act and the "Made in America" laws
referenced in Executive Order 14005, Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of
America's Workers,25 while furthering Category Management implementation requirements The
Agency will develop a Made in America Acquisition training curriculum to help educate the
acquisition workforce on navigating the process. EPA also will focus on establishing a
25 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/01/25/executive-order-on-ensuring-the-future-is-made-in-all-of-america-by-all-of-americas-workers/.
690
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comprehensive architecture for the Agency's supply chain as well as mechanisms to identify and
mitigate risk.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue working to eliminate barriers to full and equal participation in
agency procurement and contracting opportunities for all communities. The Agency will promote
the equitable delivery of government benefits and opportunities by making contracting and
procurement opportunities available on an equal basis to all eligible providers of goods and
services. This work aims to increase the percentage of EPA contract spend awarded to small
businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones). These businesses
often lack dedicated resources and in-house capacity to master complex federal requirements
needed to capitalize on agency acquisition and financial assistance opportunities.
In FY 2024, in support of Administration climate sustainability initiatives, EPA will work with
applicable program offices to identify and prioritize procurement plans that spur innovation,
commercialization, and deployment of clean energy technologies.
EPA remains committed to leveraging Category Management, Spend Under Management (SUM),
Best-In-Class (BIC), and strategic sourcing principles in each of its programs and purchasing areas
to save taxpayer dollars and improve mission outcomes. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to utilize
data provided by the General Services Administration and implement spend analysis, trend
analysis, and data visualization tools to measure progress toward the implementation of Category
Management and the adoption of federal strategic sourcing vehicles and BIC acquisition solutions.
OMB's SUM initiative focuses on managed total acquisition spend and agency activities which
transition spend to contract vehicles unaligned with Category Management principles. In
accordance with OMB Memorandum M-22-03, Advancing Equity in Federal Procurement,26 EPA
revised its Acquisition Guidance section 8.0.100, Requirements for Mandatory Use of Common
Contract Solutions, to add clarification of the SUM Tier 2-SB designation which is afforded to
contracts of any size awarded to small and disadvantaged businesses. The revision emphasizes
EPA's focus on small business utilization and ensures continued alignment with federal category
management and equity goals.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement SUM principles to leverage pre-vetted agency and
government-wide contracts. Through SUM Tier 2 and BIC solutions, acquisition experts will
optimize spending within the government-wide category management framework and increase the
transactional data available for agency-level analysis of buying behaviors. To modernize the
acquisition process and remove barriers to entry for obtaining government contracts, EPA has
developed two innovative tools available agencywide: the EPA Solution Finder, which provides
solution and ordering information for all EPA enterprise-wide contract solutions; and the BIC
Opportunity Tool, which recommends BIC solutions to address newly identified agency
requirements for commodities and services and those supported on expiring contracts.
EPA also will elevate its focus on the Category Management approach to improvement
management and results of its portfolio of contracts. EPA will continue to maximize considerations
for implementing Strategic Sourcing Initiatives (SSIs), thereby enhancing purchase coordination,
26 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/M-22-03.pdf.
691
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improving price uniformity and knowledge-sharing, and leveraging small business capabilities to
meet acquisition goals. EPA will continue to implement strategic sourcing initiatives first launched
in FY 2023 in the areas of Lab Equipment Maintenance; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and
Accessibility (DEIA); Memberships; Freight Services; Business and Financial Services; and
Intellitrak software.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to evaluate options for replacing the EPA Acquisition System with
an approved government-wide Federal Shared Service Provider for a contract writing system in
line with government-wide mandates to increase the use of shared services.27 The Agency is
focusing on a modern acquisition solution that reduces costs while increasing efficiency by
standardizing federal procurement planning, contract award, administration, and close-out
processes. Transition preparations include data management strategies, business process reviews,
and user engagement to develop a business case and ensure data elements conform with Federal
Government Procurement standards. As part of this effort, in FY 2024, EPA will continue to utilize
a government-wide Unique Entity Identifier for acquisition awards in line with General Services
Administration and OMB requirements. EPA will continue implementing FITARA through
competing contracts with multiple vendors and avoid vendor lock-in by confining the scope of a
contract to a limited task. Additionally, the Agency will develop acquisition vehicles to further
support FITARA compliance and implementation.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Small Minority Business Assistance
Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$2,350.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$5,231.0 / +28.0 FTE) This program change will strengthen EPA's capacity to process
new, increased, and existing award contract actions in a timely manner; advance EPA
utilization of small and disadvantaged business; support "Made in America" initiatives;
and support supply chain risk management activities for information and communication
technology. This investment includes $5.2 million for payroll.
(-$1,070.0) The program change is a reduction in system operations and development
resources for EPA's Acquisition System.
27 OMB-19-16 "Centralized Mission Support Capabilities for the Federal Government, for more information, please refer to:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/M-19-16.pdf.
692
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Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
693
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Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$82,781
$87,099
$99,812
$12,713
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$360
$457
$469
$12
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund
$149
$0
$0
$0
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Total Budget Authority
$112,392
$118,894
$130,488
$11,594
Total Workyears
435.5
469.0
480.0
11.0
Total workyears in FY2024 include 2.0 FTE funded by TSCA fees.
Total workyears in FY 2024 include 39.0 FTE to support Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance working capital fund (WCF)
services.
Program Project Description:
EPA's financial management community maintains a strong partnership with the Superfund
Program. EPA's Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) supports this continuing partnership
by providing a full array of financial management support services and systems necessary to pay
Superfund bills and recoup cleanup and oversight costs for the Trust Fund. EPA's OCFO manages
Superfund activities under the Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance Program in support of
integrated planning, budget formulation and execution, financial management, performance and
accountability processes, financial cost recovery, and systems to ensure effective stewardship of
Superfund resources. This program supports agency activities to meet requirements of the
Government Performance and Results Modernization Act (GPRMA) of 2010,28 as amended by the
Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 ("Evidence Act"), with an emphasis
on Title I of the Act;29 the Digital Accountability and Transparency (DATA) Act of 2014;30 the
Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) of 2015;31 the Federal
Management Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA);32 the Inspector General Act of 1978.33
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
28 For more information, please see: https://www.c0ngress.g0v/l 1 l/plaws/publ352/PLAW-l 1 lpubl352.pdf.
29 For more information, please see: https://www.congress.KOv/115/plaws/publ435/PLAW-l 15publ435.pdf.
30 For more information, please see: https://www.congress.gov/113/plaws/publlOl/PLAW-l 13publl01.pdf.
31 FITARA became law as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Title VIII, Subtitle D),
https://www.congress.gov/113/plaws/publ291/PLA'W-113publ291.pdf.
32 For more information, please see: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-96/pdf7STATUTE-96-Pg814.pdf.
33 For more information, please see: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2012-title5/pdf7USCODE-2012-title5-app-
inspector.pdf.
694
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In FY 2024, the Agency requests an additional 0.5 FTE in this program project. This increase
invests in a solution that would move the Agency forward in assessing enterprise and
programmatic risk, internal control, and audit management and provides for necessary fixed costs
increases. EPA will continue to provide resource stewardship to ensure that all agency programs
operate with fiscal responsibility and management integrity, financial services are efficiently and
consistently delivered nationwide, and programs demonstrate results. EPA will maintain key
planning, budgeting, and financial management activities. EPA will ensure secure and efficient
operations and maintenance of core agency financial management systems: Compass, PeoplePlus
(Time and Attendance), Budget Formulation System, which includes a Performance Module, and
related financial reporting systems. The Agency is reviewing its financial systems for
modernization opportunities to support greater efficiencies and effectiveness and targeting legacy
systems for replacement. Dashboards are now in place to support payroll and FTE management,
and to support GPRMA performance planning and systematic tracking of progress.
In FY 2024, EPA also will continue to standardize and streamline business processes and
operations to promote transparency and efficiency. The Program will apply Lean Management
techniques and leverage input from customer-focused councils, advisory groups, and technical
workgroups to continue improving as a high-performance organization. Additionally, EPA has
implemented Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) for reviewing invoices and paying
commercial vendors. As of July 2023, roughly 98 percent of contract invoices are being handled
through this system. Beginning in FY 2023, EPA will add additional payment types to this system,
including Superfund Contract Laboratory Program and Simplified Acquisition payments through
a system interface. This implementation will greatly reduce manual effort, improve data quality,
and allow for the elimination of two legacy administrative systems. By the end of FY 2023, the
Agency will have fully implemented G-invoicing for new and existing agreements, which will
streamline processing and improve management of Interagency Agreements (IA) with the Army
Corps of Engineers for Superfund site clean-up. In FY 2024, EPA will focus on post
implementation activities and review and address system user process concerns.
In FY 2024, the Program will continue to focus on core responsibilities in the areas of strategic
planning and budget preparation, financial reporting, transaction processing, and Superfund Cost
Recovery. In FY 2024, EPA will be using a new eRecovery system for Superfund, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, and Oil Spill billing and cost recovery. This new system will
modernize and replace the legacy system to improve functionality and security. The Program will
continue to implement FITARA requirements in accordance with EPA's Implementation Plan.34
The Chief Information Officer will continue to be engaged throughout the budget planning process
to ensure that information technology (IT) needs are properly planned and resourced in accordance
with FITARA.
The Program will continue to conduct internal control program reviews and use the results and
recommendations from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to provide evidence of the soundness
of EPA's financial management program and identify areas for further improvement. Annually,
EPA conducts internal control reviews of multiple programs. The Program also will collect key
operational statistics for its financial management program to further evaluate its operations and
34 For more information please see: http://www.epa.gov/open/fitara-implementation-plan-and-chief-information-officer-
assignment-plan.
695
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for management decision-making. For example, in FY 2022, OCFO recognized additional
opportunities for engagement with the OIG by providing an Audit Preparedness Guide. The Audit
Preparedness Guide is intended as a tool to encourage a proactive approach to addressing common
OIG and Government Accountability Office findings before audits are initiated. Additionally,
OCFO is utilizing data analytics in validating and documenting measures to ensure that the process
is standardized across the Agency while providing more customer-level support.
With increased focus on internal controls, audit management, and enterprise risk assessment, in
FY 2024, the Agency requests resources to oversee an integrated solution. The new Integrity Tool
would allow the Agency to easily crosswalk the anticipated increase in the number of audits related
to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) activities for
program integrity to the 600+ risks and internal controls. The Integrity Tool will help the Agency
to better monitor the effectiveness and impact of the internal controls set in place.
EPA has made significant strides in recent years to strengthen programs considered susceptible to
improper payment. However, the Agency continues to be vigilant in reducing fraud, waste, and
abuse, and strengthening internal controls over improper payments. In addition, as required by the
Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA) (P.L. 116-117),35 and OMB Memorandum M-
21-19 Appendix C,36 EPA conducts risk assessments of all its payment streams. Other
improvements include the recent implementation of upgraded systems used for payments and
invoice processing through which the Agency anticipates even fewer payment errors moving
forward. To strengthen our processes, EPA is developing risk assessment plans for significant
increases or new funding the Agency receives. These risk assessments outline potential areas that
will need additional guidance as well as tracking and reporting, performance measures, and
internal controls that will be established to prevent and detect possible improper payment
activities.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Central Planning, Budgeting, and
Finance Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,481.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE from annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agency wide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$91.0 / +0.5 FTE) This program change invests in a management integrity tool to turn
manual data collection and analysis activities into a streamlined, customer-focused and
agencywide tool that meets the analytical needs for IIJA and IRA activities and agencywide
35 For more information, please see: https://www.congress.Koy/116/plaws/publ 117/PLAW-116publ 117.pdf.
36 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/M-21-19.pdf.
696
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needs of enterprise risk, internal control, and audit environments. The FTE will support
system configuration, training, on-going administrative functions and expanded agency
analysis and compilation activities. This investment includes $91.0 thousand for payroll.
(-$1,203.0) This disinvestment reflects the cost savings from the decommissioning of the
SCORPIOS cost recovery system in FY 2023 and the development costs of the replacement
system, e-recovery, which will fully transition to operations and maintenance status in FY
2024. The program change also includes efficiencies gained in adopting G-Invoicing for
IAs.
(-$1,500.0) This disinvestment reflects a one-time cost to complete enhancements for the
agency infrastructure investment for devolution and Continuity of Operations projects and
other workforce support needs.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified as Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
697
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Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$291,501
$283,330
$305,753
$22,423
Science & Technology
$68,347
$67,500
$72,043
$4,543
Building and Facilities
$24,681
$42,076
$105,009
$62,933
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$922
$754
$727
-$27
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$854
$682
$641
-$41
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$462,412
$459,976
$555,713
$95,737
Total Workyears
310.6
321.8
330.4
8.6
Total work years in FY 2024 include 5.4 FTE to support Facilities Infrastructure and Operations working capital fund (WCF)
services.
Program Project Description:
Superfund resources in the Facilities Infrastructure and Operations Program fund the Agency's
rent, utilities, and security. The Program also supports centralized administrative activities and
support services, including health and safety, environmental compliance and management,
facilities maintenance and operations, space planning, sustainable facilities and energy
conservation planning and support, property management, mail, and transportation services.
Funding for such services is allocated among the major appropriations for the Agency.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency the Agency proposes an investment of $5.9 million and 0.5 FTE for the
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations Program. These additional resources will support
agencywide climate sustainability and resiliency, EPA facilities projects, and EPA's Climate
Adaptation Plan. The Agency will continue to pursue agencywide climate sustainability and
resiliency initiatives and EPA facilities projects. Investing in the reconfiguration of EPA's
workspaces enables the Agency to release office space and avoid long-term rent costs, consistent
with HR 4465, the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 37 EPA is implementing a long-
term space consolidation plan that aims to reduce the number of occupied facilities, consolidate
and optimize space within remaining facilities, and reduce square footage wherever practical. The
Agency's space consolidation efforts are expected to result in cost avoidances due to projected
37 F or additional information, please refer to: https://www.congress.eov/bill/]. 14th-oongress/house-bill/4465. Federal Assets Sale
and Transfer Act of 2016.
698
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rent increases over ten years. EPA also will continue working to enhance its federal infrastructure
and operations in a manner that increases efficiency. These enhancements also support the Future
of Work as the Agency continues to implement hybrid, remote, and physical workspaces,
consistent with Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-21-25.38 For FY 2024, the
Agency is requesting $41.41 million for rent, $2.46 million for utilities, and $9.27 million for
security in the Superfund appropriation. EPA uses a standard methodology to ensure that rent
charging appropriately reflects planned and enacted resources at the appropriation level.
EPA also will work to secure physical and operational resiliency for agency facilities. As part of
this work, EPA will continue conducting climate resiliency assessments at all EPA-owned
facilities to identify critical upgrades that are necessary to improve facility resiliency against the
impacts of climate change, such as roofing stability or seawall construction projects. In FY 2024,
EPA will conduct climate assessments at the following facilities: Office of Air and Radiation
Laboratory - Montgomery; Edison Environmental Center; Region 4 Field Annex - Athens; Athens
Environmental Center; Corvallis Environmental Laboratory; and Newport Environmental
Laboratory. EPA will initiate all high-priority projects within 24 months of the completion of a
climate assessment.
Further, EPA will continue reconfiguring EPA's workplaces with the goal of reducing long-term
rent costs while increasing EPA facility sustainability to combat the effects of climate change and
ensuring a space footprint that accommodates a growing workforce.39 Space reconfiguration
enables EPA to reduce its footprint to create a more efficient, collaborative, and technologically
sophisticated workplace. However, even if modifications are kept to a minimum, each move
requires initial funding to achieve long-term cost avoidance and sustainability goals. These
investments support sustainable federal infrastructure, a clean energy future, and goals to achieve
net-zero emissions by 2050.
In FY 2024, EPA will pursue aggressive energy, water, and building infrastructure requirements
with emphasis on environmental programs (e.g., Environmental Management Systems,
Environmental Compliance Programs, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Certification, alternative fuel use, fleet reductions, telematics, sustainability assessments). This
investment in infrastructure (e.g., architectural and design) and mechanical systems (e.g.,
Optimized Building Managements Systems for heating and cooling with load demand driven
controls) is necessary to meet the Administration's climate sustainability goals. Additionally, in
2024, EPA will continue to transition to electric vehicles through direct purchase (mobile lab
vehicles) or lease through the General Services Administration (GSA) for all future fleet
procurements where economically feasible. EPA also will identify opportunities to build out
necessary charging infrastructure at EPA facility locations. In line with federal sustainability goals,
EPA will work to utilize 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity on a net annual basis by
2030.
38 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-conteiit/uploads/2021/06/M-21-25.pdf.
39 Work in this program takes direction for climate change and sustainability related initiatives from the following:
EO 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/()l/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate~crisis-at-home~and-abroad/).
EO 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefmg-
rooni/presidential-actions/2021/12/08/executive-order-on-catalvzing-clean-energv-industries-and-iobs-through-federal-
sustainability/).
699
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EPA also will meet regulatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
obligations and provide health and safety training to field staff (e.g., inspections, monitoring, on-
scene coordinators), and track capital equipment of $25 thousand or more. The Agency will
continue its partnership with GSA to utilize shared services solutions, USAccess and Enterprise
Physical Access Control System (ePACS) programs. USAccess provides standardized HSPD-12
approved Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card enrollment and issuance and ePACS provides
centralized access control of EPA space, including restricted and secure areas.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM CAA) Number of EPA-owned facility climate adaptation assessments completed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
2
5
6
Assessments
Actual
1
(PM CRP) Percentage of priority climate resiliency projects for EPA-owned facilities initiated within 24
months of a completed facility climate assessment and project prioritization.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
100
100
Percent
Actual
Numerator
Projects
Denominator
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,379.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. This change includes
adjustments to rent, utilities, security, and transit subsidy needs.
(+$4,527.0 / +0.5 FTE) This program change supports implementation of EO 14057:
Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability requirements
that will require EPA to increase facility resiliency against the impact of climate change
and to advance sustainability of EPA operations. EPA will invest in facility climate
assessments and Optimized Building Managements Systems; EPA facilities projects to
optimize space, avoid costs, and increase efficiency; and EPA's Climate Adaptation Plan.
This investment includes $92.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Property and Administration Services Act; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat.
2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute),
at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
700
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Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$29,070
S30.188
$34,350
$4,162
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Total Budget Authority
$33,258
$34,190
$38,951
$4,761
Total Workyears
141.1
156.8
184.5
27.7
Program Project Description:
Superfund resources in the Financial Assistance Grants and Interagency Agreement (IA)
Management Program support the management of grants and IAs as well as suspension and
debarment activities for assistance and procurement programs. Grants and IAs historically
comprise approximately 60 percent of EPA's annual appropriations. Resources in this program
ensure that EPA manages grants and IAs to meet the highest fiduciary standards and achieve
measurable results for environmental programs and agency priorities, and that the government's
financial resources and business interests are protected from fraud and mismanagement. These
objectives are critically important for the Superfund Program, as a substantial portion of the
Program is implemented through IAs with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast
Guard.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
EPA will continue to provide technical assistance and outreach to first time recipients of federal
funding; improve capacity for oversight and tracking of new and increased grant investments; and
process financial assistance agreements in a timely manner. EPA will continue to implement grants
management activities to achieve efficiency, enhance quality, and ensure fiscal accountability. In
addition, EPA will conduct a robust training program for EPA staff and grant applicants and
recipients. In FY 2024, the training program will focus on helping applicants find and apply for
competitive and non-competitive grant opportunities, compliance-assistance under the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA); and
understanding the federal requirements that are passed down to subrecipients, and the oversight
that pass-through entities are responsible for on EPA's behalf. EPA also will explore methods to
use or update the grant competition and grant-making processes to promote equity and support for
underserved communities. For example, EPA will provide technical assistance to potential
grantees from underserved communities on sound financial management practices to reduce
barriers to competition for EPA grant resources. EPA also will track grant place of performance
701
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to help determine whether underserved and environmental justice (EJ) communities are realizing
the benefits of EPA grant programs.
EPA will continue investments in modernizing grant and IA information technology/information
management (IT/IM) systems, support the improved capacity for oversight and tracking of new
and increased grant investments, and ensure the timely processing of financial assistance
agreements. EPA will manage its Next Generation Grants System (NGGS) to ensure it aligns with
the requirements of the Grant Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency (GREAT) Act,
applicable OMB Quality Service Management Offices (QSMO) standards, and the Federal
Integrated Business Framework for grants {i.e., required standard data elements for grants
reporting). In FY 2024, EPA will operate and maintain an electronic grants record management
system that integrates with EPA's enterprise records management system and aligns with
applicable QSMO standards. The Agency also will utilize the government-wide Unique Entity
Identifier system for grant awards to meet OMB requirements.
Further, EPA will continue to focus on reducing the administrative burden on EPA and grant
applicants and recipients, and on improving grants management procedures. The Agency will
continue implementing the FY 2021-2025 Grants Management Plan, focusing on the award and
effective management of assistance agreements, enhancing partnerships within the grants
management community, promoting EJ, and ensuring effective grant oversight and accountability.
EPA will complete all activities to align its IA business processes to ensure compatibility with the
government-wide mandate to adopt G-Invoicing, the federal shared service for intragovernmental
transactions. EPA met the October 1, 2022, deadline for new IAs, and will complete the transition
for existing IAs by Treasury's October 1, 2023, deadline. EPA provides quarterly progress updates
to Treasury that highlight activities under the Agency's approved G-Invoicing Implementation
Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to make use of discretionary debarments and suspensions
as well as statutory disqualifications under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act to protect the
integrity of federal assistance and procurement programs. Congress and federal courts have long
recognized federal agencies' inherent authority and obligation to exclude non-responsible parties
from eligibility to receive government contracts and federal assistance awards {e.g., grants,
cooperative agreements, loans, and loan guarantees).
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$220.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
702
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(+$872.0 / +4.7 FTE) This program change will support technical assistance and outreach
to first time recipients of federal funding; improve capacity for oversight and tracking of
new and increased grant investments; and the timely processing of financial assistance
agreements. This investment includes $872.0 thousand for payroll.
(-$53.0) This program change is attributed to completing development on an interagency
agreement pre-work processing system.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, A pp.) (EPA's organic statute); Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act;
Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act § 2455.
703
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Human Resources Management
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$56,709
$51,261
$71,093
$19,832
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Total Budget Authority
$63,963
$58,680
$79,844
$21,164
Total Workyears
221.8
254.4
327.4
73.0
Total work years in FY2024 include 0.2 FTE to support Human Resources Management working capital fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
Superfund resources for the Human Resources (HR) Management Program support human capital
management (HCM) activities throughout EPA. To help achieve its mission and maximize
employee productivity and job satisfaction, EPA continually works to improve business processes
for critical HCM functions including recruitment, hiring, employee development, performance
management, leadership development, workforce planning, and labor union engagement. This
includes personnel and payroll processing through the Human Resources Line of Business. These
resources also support overall federal advisory committee management and Chief Human Capital
Officer Council activities under applicable statutes and guidance, including the Agency's Human
Capital Operating Plan.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency's HR Management Program will continue to implement EPA's Diversity,
Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan, establishment of a centralized EPA
intern program, evidence-gathering under EPA's Learning Agenda, and strengthening agencywide
capacity to hire and onboard staff in a timely and equitable manner. The activities supported by
EPA's HR Management Program contribute to effective workforce management and are critical
for strengthening the workforce, retaining expertise, and capturing institutional knowledge. EPA
continues developing mechanisms to ensure that employees have the right skills to successfully
achieve the Agency's core mission today and in the future.
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EPA is committed to advancing equity, in line with President Biden's Executive Orders (EOs)
13985,40 13988,41 14020,42 14035,43 and 14075 44 In FY 2024, in line with EO 14035, EPA will
implement the actions identified in the DEIA Strategic Plan to assess whether agency recruitment,
hiring, promotion, retention, professional development, performance evaluations, pay and
compensation policies, reasonable accommodations access, and training policies and practices are
equitable. EPA will undertake an evidence-based and data-driven approach to determine whether,
and to what extent, agency practices result in inequitable employment outcomes, and whether
agency actions may help to overcome systemic societal and organizational barriers. Further, the
Agency will assess the status and effects of existing DEIA initiatives or programs and review the
institutional resources available to support human resources activities. For areas where evidence
is lacking, the Agency will propose opportunities to advance DEIA. EPA will continue to involve
employees at all levels of the organization in the assessment of DEIA initiatives and programs.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue its Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program
launched in FY 2023. The Program will focus on incorporating DEIA strategies so that future
executives reflect the diversity of the American population and possess the skills necessary to lead
a diverse and talented workforce operating in a hybrid work environment. The Agency will
implement a centralized paid internship program, which expands on existing internship
opportunities across the Agency to strengthen talent and workforce acquisition. This paid
internship program focuses on expanding federal work experience opportunities for
underrepresented and underserved populations, which may experience barriers to applying or fully
participating in existing opportunities. EPA's program will provide a total of approximately 180
four-month internship opportunities across EPA Programs and Regional Offices. Additionally,
EPA will implement a plan to convert eligible interns to permanent federal service based on
performance and completing program requirements.
EPA has increased efforts to improve DEIA with virtual outreach events, targeting diverse
networks such as veterans, persons with disabilities, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and
Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions. To recruit
EPA's next generation of employees, EPA will continue outreach to new potential sources for
future employees and use all available hiring authorities, including Schedule A and recruitment
incentives. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics-focused institutions and organizations such as the Society of Hispanic Professional
Engineers and National Society of Black Engineers. EPA also will participate in the President's
Management Council Interagency Rotational Program to create leadership development
assignments for GS 13-15 level employees. EPA will continue to review applicant flow diversity
data every quarter to assess progress and identify areas for improvement.
40 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.eoY/docunieiits/2021/01/25/2021-01753/adYancing-
racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government.
41 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.eoY/docunients/2021/01/25/2021-01761/preYeiitiiig-
and-combating-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation.
42 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.eoY/docunients/2021/03/]. 1/2021-05183/establishment-
of-the-white-house-gender-policy-council.
43 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.goY/docunients/2021/06/30/2021-14127/diYersitv-
equitv-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce.
44 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.goY/docunients/2022/06/21/2022-13391/adYaiiciiig-
equalitv-for-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer-and-intersex-individuals.
705
-------
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement flexible work policies in line with OMB Memoranda
M-21-25 - Integrating Planning for A Safe Increased Return of Federal Employees and
Contractors to Physical Workplaces with Post-Reentry Personnel Policies and Work
Environment,45 including designation of remote work status to certain positions, providing work
schedule flexibilities, and increasing the use of telework. EPA strives to be a model federal
employer and these efforts will strengthen the Agency's ability to attract, recruit, retain and
empower top talent while advancing DEIA.
EPA also will continue to support front-line supervisor training for managing individuals and
teams working in hybrid environments, with a focus on employee communication, mentorship,
and equity. EPA will identify the most critical need for climate literacy training for its workforce.
These efforts will focus on integrating climate adaptation, risk disclosure, and other education
activities into the management of EPA's procurement, real property, public lands, and waters as
well as financial programs.
The Agency will continue to build Talent Teams to effectively expand recruitment and hiring to
meet critical agency skill needs, as well as continue to leverage childcare subsidies to support
retention. EPA also will continue to support evidence-building activities to carry out a workforce
strategy guided by data-driven decisions as part of its implementation of the Evidence Act through
the Workforce Planning learning priority area in EPA's Learning Agenda. This work includes
determining Mission Critical Competencies, enhancement of EPA's competency assessment tool,
skills gap analysis across the Agency, and knowledge transfer strategies to support Succession
Management.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to operate and maintain the Talent Enterprise Diagnostic (TED)
tool to allow EPA to make data-driven, strategic workforce decisions. TED data will serve a crucial
role in EPA's Workforce Planning and Succession Management activities by identifying potential
competency gaps across the Agency and by increasing management's understanding of where
needed skill sets should reside within EPA. Additionally, EPA will continue to maintain and
operate dashboards related to Mission Critical Occupations, Workforce Demographics, and
Diversity. These dashboards provide data visualizations and easy-to-understand information about
the current workforce, assisting EPA with succession planning by identifying workforce gaps due
to anticipated retirements and attrition trends. This is critical considering approximately 23 percent
of EPA's workforce is retirement eligible and another 15 percent of the current workforce will
become retirement eligible over the next five years.
The Agency will continue to implement Executive Order 14003, Protecting the Federal
Workforce,46 issued on January 22, 2021. EPA reviewed its Unions' agreements to identify and
eliminate provisions influenced by four revoked executive orders and will increase the focus on
pre-decisional involvement and interest-based bargaining. In FY 2024, EPA will continue working
to reset and repair relationships and involve unions in a collaborative way, promoting the Agency's
and the unions' shared goal of the positive and equitable treatment of newly empowered
employees.
45 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/M-21 -25 .pdf.
46 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefmp-rooni/presidential-actioiis/2021/01/22/executive-
order-protecting-the-federal-workforce/.
706
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Finally, EPA's advisory committees have proven effective in building consensus among the
Agency's diverse external partners and stakeholders. In line with President Biden's Memorandum
on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based
Policymaking,47 EPA remains committed to ensuring that highly qualified external experts serve
on agency committees and that those members and future nominees of EPA advisory committees
reflect the diversity of America in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, geography, and other
characteristics.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Human Resources Management
Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,685.0 / +10.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to develop and implement a
new paid internship program to strengthen talent and workforce acquisition and focus on
expanding Federal work experience opportunities for underrepresented and underserved
populations. This investment includes $1,130.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$200.0 / +0.6 FTE) This program change is an increase in support of the Foundations for
Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018. Resources will be used for Learning Agenda's
evidence-gathering activities. This investment includes $68.0 thousand for payroll.
(-$913.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$360.0) This program change is an increase to support the continuation of the Senior
Executive Service Candidate Development Program with a goal that EPA senior leaders
reflect the diversity of the American people and will include a special focus on developing
diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity competencies.
Statutory Authority:
Title 5 of the U.S.C.; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L.
98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
47 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/01/27/ineinoranduni-on-restorina-trust-in-eovemnient-through-scientific-intearitv-and-evidence-based-
policymaking/.
707
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Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability
708
-------
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
Program Area: Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Science & Technology
S3 8.740
S3 9.91 8
S44.942
S5.024
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Total Budget Authority
$48,145
$44,819
$49,947
$5,128
Total Workyears
159.5
155.9
177.9
22.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Health and Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) Research Program is focused on the
science and practice of assessments that inform decisions made by EPA and others, including states
and tribes. These assessments provide the scientific basis for decisions under an array of
environmental laws including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA). With funding from Superfund, the HERA program supports the risk
assessment needs of the Agency's Superfund Program and regional risk assessors by providing
Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTVs) and other fit-for-purpose human health
assessments. The HERA Research Program also provides technical support on the application of
human health and ecological risk assessment practices at hazardous waste sites for Superfund.
These assessment tools and activities support risk-based management decisions at contaminated
Superfund and hazardous waste sites.
The HERA Research Program supports the Agency's mission to protect human health and the
environment by identifying and characterizing the health hazards of chemicals of concern to the
Superfund Program and responding to technical requests on topics relevant to human health or
ecological risk assessment at hazardous waste sites. EPA scientists in the HERA Research Program
synthesize available scientific information on the potential health and environmental impacts of
exposures to individual chemicals and chemical mixtures in the environment, such as per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PPRTVs and other assessments under the HERA program are
an important source of toxicity information and toxicity values to ensure improvements in human
health and the environment in communities near Superfund sites.
Priorities for PPRTV development are based on the needs of the Agency's Office of Land and
Emergency Management (OLEM), with input from agency regional offices, and are re-evaluated
annually. Research areas under the HERA program include applying new data streams; read-across
approaches and computational tools; enhancement of supporting data/knowledge bases; and
efficiency of derivation for PPRTV values.
709
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There are over 1,300 Superfund sites on the National Priorities List.48 Communities near
Superfund sites or in emergency situations are faced with an urgent need for coordinated assistance
to assess and address issues of environmental contamination. The HERA Research Program
anticipates environmental contamination issues and develops new assessment approaches to
enhance rapid response and screening capabilities and to augment toxicity value derivation
procedures for health assessments.
Recent Accomplishments of the HERA Research Program include:
The HERA Research Program has been developing assessment products to inform science-based
decision-making, enhance timely responses, improve screening capabilities, and augment toxicity
value derivations for use in risk assessments.
Portfolio of Chemical Assessments: In FY 2022, EPA finalized seven PPRTV assessments
under the HERA program, including updating PPRTVs for Complex Mixtures of Total
Petroleum Hydrocarbons 49 In FY 2023, EPA anticipates delivering four to nine additional
high-priority PPRTV assessments50 based on the needs and priorities of EPA's Superfund
Program. The HERA Research Program also continues to support the needs of EPA's Office
of Land and Emergency Management through the development of other assessment products
of priority chemicals, such as PFAS, polychlorinated biphenyls, methylmercury, hexavalent
chromium, and inorganic arsenic.51
• Advancements in Lead Modeling: In FY 2021, EPA released updates to the Integrated
Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) model to support lead biokinetic modeling in children.
The agency anticipates finalizing updates to the All-Ages Lead Model (AALM) in FY 2023
which will include improved lead biokinetic modeling in adults and children.
Technical Support: The HERA Research Program responds to ongoing requests for scientific
support on human and ecological assessment via the Superfund Health Risk Technical Support
Center52 and Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center.53 Recent efforts have included
providing risk assessment support at Saint-Gobain McCaffrey Street (New York), Plattsburg
Air Force Base (Vermont), Velsicol Chemical Corp (Michigan), Tittabawassee River
(Michigan), LA. Clarke & Son (Virginia), and ASARCO Superfund Site (Nebraska). Ongoing
requests include assistance with employing new approach methods, review of probabilistic risk
assessment models, and continued stakeholder engagement on complex science to address
needs of Superfund sites across the United States. Additionally, issue papers on nominated
topics of interest also have been developed to support risk assessment activities including,
"Allometric Scaling of Terrestrial Wildlife Oral Toxicity Measurements and Comparison of
Ecological to Human Health Assessment Contexts1,54 and "Summary Report, Separating
48 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-national-priorities-list-npl.
49 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/pprtv/recordisplay.cfm?deid=355902.
50 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/pprtv.
51 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eoY/iris/iris-recent-additions.
52 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/laiid-research/superfimd-health-risk-techmcal-support-center-stsc.
53 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/land-research/epas-technical-support-centers.
54 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/erasc/recordisplay.cfm?deid=353936.
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Anthropogenic Metals Contamination from Background: A Critical Review of Geochemical
Evaluations and Proposal of Alternative Methodology. "55
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the HERA Research Program's work will focus explicitly on efforts integral to
achieving the Agency's priorities and informing EPA's implementation of key environmental
regulations. Examples of this work include:
• PFAS Research: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals of
concern in the environment. Decision-making on PFAS chemicals is hindered by a limited
number of standard toxicity values. There are still large numbers of PFAS, of high interest to
partners, that currently have no federal published, peer-reviewed toxicity values. As described
in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap,56 within the HERA Research Program, EPA is prioritizing
additional PFAS for development of peer-reviewed toxicity values. This will result in an
expanded set of high-quality peer-reviewed toxicity values for use by federal, state, and tribal
decision makers in making risk assessment and management decisions.
• PPRTV Assessments: In FY 2024, the HERA Research Program anticipates delivering four
to nine additional high-priority PPRTV assessments as prioritized by EPA's Office of Land
and Emergency Management.
• Portfolio of Assessment Products: In FY 2024, EPA will complement the PPRTVs by
providing additional human health assessment products for priority chemicals. Having
modernized its assessment infrastructure, the Agency will use evidence mapping to provide a
better understanding of the extent and nature of evidence available to address program needs
(i.e., 'fit for purpose').
• Linking Databases and Management Tools: In FY 2024, the HERA Program will continue
to collaborate with the Chemical Safety for Sustainability (CSS) Research Program to link the
architecture of assessment databases and literature management tools, including Health and
Environmental Research Online57 and the Health Assessment and Workplace Collaborative58
with the CompTox Chemicals Dashboard59
• Rapid Technical Support: In FY 2024, the HERA Program will continue essential technical
assistance across EPA to provide rapid technical support to programs and regions. These
activities will provide expedited technical support for evaluating chemical-specific exposures
55 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/erasc/recordisplay.cfm?deid=347774.
56 For more information, please see EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap at: https://www.epa.gov/svstem/riles/dociiments/2021~
10/pfas-roadmap final-508.pdf.
57 For more information, please see: https://hero.epa.gov/hero/.
58 For more information, please see: https://hawcprd.epa.gov/.
59 For more information, please see: https://con1ptox.epa.goy/dashtx3ard.
711
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at Superfund and contaminated sites, as well as incorporating case-specific information related
to urgent situations.
• Lead: Childhood lead exposure continues to be one of the highest priorities for EPA. To
advance the application of lead exposure and biokinetic models in EPA regulatory decisions
and site assessments, the HERA Research Program will enhance, evaluate, and apply lead
biokinetic models for estimating potential blood lead levels for regulatory determinations.60
Additionally, the Exposure Factors Handbook61 will be continually updated to provide up-to-
date data on various human factors, including soil and dust ingestion rates, used by risk
assessors.
Please note that certain activities within this program could have implications associated with the
Administration's Cancer Moonshot Initiative.
Research Planning:
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research
needs of Agency program and regional offices, states, and tribes, and is planned with their active
involvement. Each research program has developed and published the fourth generation of the
StRAPs,62 which will continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at
solving the problems encountered by the Agency and its stakeholders.
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with various groups, including
communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its research through a variety of mechanisms
that include:
• EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement63 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs, and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
Tribal Partnerships
o Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and agency representatives.
These interactions identify research of mutual benefit and lead to collaborations on
important tribal environmental science issues.
60 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/superfimd/lead-superfimd-sites-software-aiid-users-niaiiuals.
61 For more information, please see: https://ofpub.epa.gov/noea/risk/reoordisplay.ofm?deid=236252.
62 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.eoY/research/strateaic-research-actioii-plans-fiscal-vears-2023-
2026.
63 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eoY/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
712
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Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability Program under the S&T appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$47.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$151.0) This program change reflects an increase for the Health and Environmental Risk
Assessment program. This increase will assist in advancing science assessments, such as
PPRTV's, as well as analytical approaches for the application of risk assessments.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
713
-------
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainabilitv
Program Area: Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$178
$0
$0
$0
Science & Technology
$92,353
$92,550
$103,878
$11.328
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$95,110
$100,610
$111,938
$11,328
Total Workyears
275.2
276.7
307.4
30.7
Program Project Description:
EPA's Chemical Safety for Sustainability (CSS) Research Program provides scientific and
technical approaches, information, tools, and methods to support the Agency and others to make
better-informed and more timely decisions about chemicals and their potential risks to human
health and the environment.64 CSS products strengthen the Agency's ability to use the best
available science to evaluate and predict human health and ecological impacts from the use, reuse,
recycling, and disposal of manufactured and naturally occurring chemicals and their by-products.
The CSS Research Program informs Agency decisions about chemicals, accelerates the pace of
chemical assessment and decision-making, and helps to replace, reduce, and refine the use of
mammals used to evaluate chemical risk to ecological and human health. CSS products under the
Superfund appropriation conduct mitigation activities at Superfund sites under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Research activities under
CSS are coordinated with the activities of other national research programs to inform high priority
research topics, such as research focused on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Coordination with the Health and Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) Program ensures that
the approaches, tools, and information produced under the CSS Research Program can be used to
improve chemical risk assessments, reduce uncertainties associated with those assessments, and
increase the speed of delivering chemical information to the Agency.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the CSS Research Program will continue to provide information needed to inform
Agency decisions about PFAS. PFAS are a large class of fluorinated substances of concern. EPA
is committed to supporting tribes, states, and local communities to understand and manage risks
64 For the CSS StRAP, please see: Strategic Research Action Plans Fiscal Years 2023-2026 (Drafts) I US EPA.
714
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associated with these chemicals.65 EPA research on PFAS represents a major integrative effort that
will provide systematic information on a broad range of topics. EPA scientists will continue to
identify, curate, evaluate, and extract available physicochemical, structural, exposure, and
toxicological data from the published and gray literature to inform study design, categorization
approaches, and interpretation of emerging studies.
PFAS chemicals will be acquired to expand and maintain the existing PFAS physical library of
compounds to include those PFAS of interest to agency and external partners. Relevant PFAS data
were included in the most recent CompTox Chemicals Dashboard66 release and will continue to
be added in future releases. PFAS fate, transport, occurrence, and persistence in the environment
and in consumer products will be evaluated to help understand exposure scenarios. In addition, a
tiered toxicity testing strategy will be executed which utilizes new approach methods (NAMs) to
evaluate single PFAS chemicals and mixtures in a high throughput manner, followed by targeted
in vivo testing for chemicals identified as priorities. This testing approach will include several
systems-specific toxicity tests, including developmental neurotoxicity, thyroid toxicity,
immunotoxicity, and developmental and reproductive toxicity. Various types of modeling will be
used to translate in vitro results into in vivo outcomes and will include the use of adverse outcome
pathway (AOP) models that link in vitro results to outcomes relevant to regulatory objectives and
in silico predictive toxicity models. NAMS can be used to group and prioritize chemicals, e.g., as
illustrated in the recent PFAS categorization paper.67 In the ecological domain, EPA is developing
multispecies approaches to evaluate species sensitivity differences across taxa to inform aquatic
risk benchmarks. Furthermore, work continues to determine the bioaccumulation of PFAS in
aquatic species, because fish consumption is relevant to human health and exposure. Resources
requested in FY 2024 will build upon the research foundation formed from completed work
outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap 68
Research Planning:
EPA's research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action
Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research needs of agency program and regional offices, states, and
tribes, and is implemented with their active collaboration and involvement. Each research program
has developed and published the fourth generation of the StRAPs,69 which will continue the
practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at solving the problems encountered
by the Agency and its stakeholders.
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with various groups, including
communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its research through a variety of mechanisms
that include:
65 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-coniniuiiitY-eiipagenieiit.
66 For more information, please see: httpsi//comptox.epa.gov/dashboard.
67 For more information, please see fattps " \ \ \ • -t •«» * ¦ ;ence/article/pii/S246811132200038X
68 For more information, please see: lift' I > : i i > i i . trategio-roadmap-epas-commitment9-action-2021 -2024.
69 The StRAPs are available and located heie " • _ j v ' ''?seareh/strategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-vears-2023-
2026
715
-------
• EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement70 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs, and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
Tribal Partnerships
o Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and Agency representatives of
mutual benefit and responsibility to work collaboratively on environmental science
issues.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability Program under the S&T appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act §§ 103, 104; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act (CERCLA); Children's Health Act; 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development
Act; Clean Water Act; Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA); Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Pollution Prevention Act (PPA); Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA); Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA); Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA).
70 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
716
-------
Research: Sustainable Communities
717
-------
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Program Area: Research: Sustainable Communities
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Science & Technology
$133,808
$137,857
$146,642
$8,785
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$312
$341
$351
$10
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$782
$675
$681
$6
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Total Budget Authority
$151,463
$155,810
$165,038
$9,228
Total Workyears
422.1
421.8
444.3
22.5
Program Project Description:
This area of EPA's Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) Research Program responds
directly to the Superfund law requirements for a comprehensive and coordinated federal "program
of research, evaluation, testing, development, and demonstration of alternative or innovative
treatment technologies...which may be utilized in response actions to achieve more permanent
protection of human health and welfare and the environment."71
SHC has made a commitment to foster environmental, public health, and economic benefits for
overburdened communities. Superfund remedial technologies will directly support communities
with environmental justice concerns and accelerate solutions to ameliorate the negative impacts
Superfund sites pose for underserved communities. The research will emphasize remediation
technologies that improve long-term site resilience including to the current and potential future
impacts of climate change (e.g., flooding, fire, sea level rise). SHC will apply an integrated systems
approach to incorporate diverse data streams to increase understanding of linkages between the
total environment (built, natural, and social) and public health to support communities and will
highlight climate change and environmental justice related research throughout the program.
SHC's research under the Superfund appropriation provides federal, regional, and community
decision-makers with 1) engineering tools, methods, and information to assess current conditions
at Superfund sites; 2) decision support tools to evaluate the implications of alternative remediation
approaches and technologies, and reuse of sites; 3) the latest science to support policy development
and implementation; and 4) rapid access to technical support through EPA's Superfund Technical
Support Centers.
71 42 U.S.C. § 9660(b).
718
-------
Recent Accomplishments of the SHC Research Program include:
• PFAS Human Exposure Modeling Methodology (published January 2022 - January
2023):72 This research provided a protocol to investigate household exposure to Per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) via non-drinking water pathways. While exposure to PFAS
in impacted communities is generally through contaminated drinking water, the presence of
PFAS chemicals in 98% of NHANES samples implies that other sources, such as household
dust, and/or pathways may be important exposure routes. The PFAS human exposure modeling
methodology was published as a series of journal articles and databases that provide scientific
evidence of important exposure sources and pathways and their contributions to PFAS body
burdens. Collectively, this body of work provides concordant exposure data on PFAS data in
indoor media and serum; identifies important exposure pathways for 20 PFAS chemicals;
provides detailed information on PFAS occurrence in household and environmental media;
and outlines the development of a human cohort study. The results of these studies provide
important information required to characterize the contribution of these exposure sources to
body burden PFAS in highly exposed communities.
Soil Amendment Technologies to Stabilize Mercury: Sediment, Soil, Mine Tailing and
MIW Remediation (published February 2022 and January 2023):73 Hundreds of thousands
of mercury (Hg) contaminated sites within the U.S. have contributed to elevated fish
methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in downstream waterbodies. These sites include
abandoned mines and former industrial/manufacturing facilities, only a small fraction of which
are currently being remediated. This work, a state of science review, addresses critical issues
related to the processes controlling mercury mobilization and methylation at a range of
Superfund sites. The state of the science review is intended for use by Superfund regional
project managers, state environmental departments, academics, and others working in the field
of mercury contamination. The review provides a detailed listing of the tools currently
available for site assessment for a wide variety of landscapes, the specific techniques that are
required for analysis, and the most up to date verified remediation techniques. This research is
being used by regional project managers and on-scene site coordinators to better understand
the fate of mercury present and the types of issues that will need to be addressed or monitored
during remedy selection and implementation.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, SHC will conduct research, and provide technical assistance and support, to inform
analyses and decisions by the Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), regional
offices, tribes, and states regarding characterization, remediation, and management of
contaminated soil, sediment, and groundwater—issues which are especially concerning to
vulnerable, overburdened communities. The tools developed under the SHC Research Program
72 For more information, please see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34373583/. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35240384/.
and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8118191/.
73 For more information, please see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36279994/ and
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7903515/.
719
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will help the Agency address complex contamination problems, which may be made more complex
by the impacts of climate change at Superfund, Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA),
and Brownfields sites in the United States. EPA research personnel and associated support staff
also will identify, monitor, and develop options to control vapor intrusion to reduce exposures,
reduce contaminant sources, and define sampling strategies that address when, where, and how to
sample. SHC researchers will evaluate source control technologies at mine waste sites and
investigate remediation and recovery for reuse of critical minerals from contaminated sites.
Scientific journal articles, datasets, models, and tools will be published and used to support
communities.
PFAS will continue to be a priority research topic for SHC. SHC will develop methods to evaluate
PFAS presence and characteristics in wastes, soils, and sediments, and investigate PFAS fate and
transport in the environment to support the need of EPA partners, states, tribes, and local
communities to identify and characterize PFAS concentrations and distributions at contaminated
sites and solid waste sites. Additionally, SHC will identify locations and source contributors to
high potential human exposure for children and other populations by evaluating multimedia PFAS
sources and pathways. SHC also will investigate approaches, methodologies, and technologies to
treat, remove, destroy, and dispose of PFAS in environmental matrices.
Research Planning:
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research
needs of Agency program and regional offices, states, and tribes, and is planned with their active
involvement. Each research program has developed and published their fourth generation of the
StRAPs,74 which will continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at
solving the problems encountered by the Agency and its stakeholders.
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with various groups, including
communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its research through a variety of mechanisms
that include:
• EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement75 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs, and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
74 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.gov/research/stratepic-research-actioii-plans-fiscal-vears-2023-
2026
75 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
720
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Tribal Partnerships
o Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and Agency representatives.
These interactions identify research of mutual benefit and lead to collaborations on
important tribal environmental science issues.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Research: Sustainable and Healthy
Communities Program under the S&T appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$206.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$15.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
laboratory fixed costs.
(+$618.0) This program change reflects an increase that will build capacity to help respond
directly to the Superfund law research requirements.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified as Title 5 App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
721
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Superfund Cleanup
722
-------
Superfund: Emergency Response and Removal
Program Area: Superfund Cleanup
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$239,807
$195,000
$0
-$195,000
Total Workyears
261.7
247.7
250.7
3.0
In FY 2024, the Budget proposes to transition the Superfund Removal FTE from the annual Superfund appropriation to the
Superfund tax receipts as reimbursable FTE. These FTE are built into the Agency's FTE ceiling.
Program Project Description:
The Emergency Response and Removal Program (Superfund Removal) is the cornerstone and
principal institution of federal emergency response to releases of hazardous substances, pollutants,
or contaminants and is paramount to managing corresponding threats and dangers that occur.
During a national emergency, EPA takes action to prevent, limit, mitigate, or contain chemical,
oil, radiological, biological, or hazardous materials releases. Circumstances requiring emergency
response and removal actions vary considerably in size, nature, and location, and includes
chemical releases, fires or explosions, natural disasters, and other threats to people from exposure
to hazardous substances. EPA's 24-hour-a-day response capability is a critical component of the
National Contingency Plan.76 Further, this program is responsible for the Agency's only Primary
Mission Essential Function. Superfund Removal cleanups vary in complexity and contain a wide
variety of contaminants including lead, mercury, and asbestos.77
Since 2013, EPA has completed or managed more than 2,420 Superfund removal actions across
the country. Responses are a multilayered activity that can fluctuate due to requirements for
supplies and customized instruments, specialized training and instruction, and the intricate
measures taken to ensure ongoing assessments and responses are appropriate to meet the demands
of site conditions. Superfund Removal sites are found in remote rural areas as well as large urban
settings. Nearly 41 million people, or about 13 percent of the population, live within 3 miles of a
Superfund Removal site where EPA addressed a removal action between FY 2016 and FY 2020.78
In addition, over 41 percent of removal completions in FY 2019 and FY 2020, and 36 percent in
FY 2021 were in communities with populations surpassing the 80th percentile for being people of
color, low income, or having less than a high school education.79
76 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.goY/eniergencY-respoiise/iiatioiial-oil-and-hazardous-substances-
pollution-contingency-plan-ncp-overview.
77 Data from US EPA Superfund Enterprise Management System.
78 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2021. Data collected includes: (1) Superfund removal site information
from SEMS from FY2016-FY2020; and (2) population data from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey.
79 Data from US EPA Superfund Enterprise Management System and US EPA EJ Screen.
723
-------
The Superfund Removal Program provides technical assistance and outreach to industry, states,
tribes, and local communities as part of the Agency's effort to ensure national safety and security
for chemical and oil responses. EPA trains, equips, and deploys resources to manage, contain, and
remove contaminants. Until contained or removed, these substances have the potential to
significantly damage property, endanger public health, and have critical environmental impact on
communities.
EPA Federal On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) make up the core of the Superfund Removal
Program. These trained and equipped EPA personnel respond to, assess, mitigate, and clean up
environmental releases regardless of the cause. States, local, and tribal communities rely upon the
OSC's experience and assistance to address environmental emergencies that are beyond their
capabilities and resources.
Climate change, emerging contaminants, and new scientific developments are adding to the
demands of the Superfund Removal Program. The greater frequency of intense weather events that
lead to releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants increases the workload on the
Program. In addition, emerging contaminants such as PFAS are expected to significantly expand
the Program as the understanding of the toxicity levels of these compounds continue to drive down
cleanup levels.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the President's Budget proposes to transition the Superfund Removal Program from
the annual Superfund appropriation to the Superfund tax receipts.80 The Program will continue to:
• Respond to and provide technical assistance for emergency responses and removal assessments
and time critical response actions (non-emergency responses). The removal program conducts
its work with an emphasis on advancing environmental justice and equitable outcomes by
working through possible candidate time critical actions that exist in the regions.
• In addition to other work addressing abandoned uranium mines (AUM) in other EPA program
projects, this program addresses AUM impacts on the Navajo Nation (NN). EPA is working
to establish a Region 9 based NN field office allowing for 3 FTE to focus on work specific to
this area needed to advance cleanup through removal actions at NN AUM sites. This additional
capacity will assist EPA and NN in accelerating actions articulated in the 2020 Ten Year Plan:
Federal Actions to Address Impacts of Uranium Contamination on the Navajo Nation.81
Support the EPA Special Teams (e.g., Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear
Consequence Management Advisory Team, Environmental Response Team (ERT),
80 The U.S Treasury forecasts collecting a total of $2.54 billion in Superfund tax receipts in FY 2023 which will be available for
use in FY 2024 across EPA Superfund programs.
81 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.eov/sites/default/files/2021-02/docunieiits/miauni-teii-vear-plaii-2021-
Ol.pdf.
724
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Radiological Emergency Response Team, or the National Criminal Enforcement Response
Team), which provide nationwide assistance and consultation for emergency response and
removal actions, including unusual or complex incidents. In such cases, the Special Teams
provide the OSC, or lead responder, with direct support from an operational asset, special
equipment, and/or technical or logistical assistance.
Conduct and participate in selected multi-media training and exercises for emergency
responders. These events ensure readiness by focusing on necessary coordination and
consistency across the Agency, enhance specialized technical skills and expertise, and
strengthen partnerships with state, local, tribal, and other federal responders.
Support the ERT, which provides nationwide assistance and consultation for emergency
response actions, including unusual or complex incidents. In such cases, the ERT supplies the
OSC, or lead responder, with special equipment and technical or logistical assistance.
Continue to train and deploy the National Incident Management Assistance Team and regional
Incident Management Teams to set up organizational systems that help with the long-term
strategic planning and response efforts.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM 137) Number of Superfund removals completed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
275
175
175
141
141
183
183
183
Removals
Actual
255
242
233
197
150
195
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
• (-$195,000.0 / -247.7 FTE) In FY 2024, the Superfund Emergency Response and Removal
Program is proposed to be transitioned from the annual Superfund appropriated resources
to the Superfund tax receipts. In FY 2023, the U.S. Treasury forecasts collecting a total of
$2.54 billion in Superfund taxes which will be available for use in FY 2024 across EPA
Superfund programs. As a result, the pace of work is not expected to be negatively
impacted.
(+250.7 FTE) In FY 2024, the Agency proposes to transition 250.7 Superfund Removal
FTE from the annual Superfund appropriation to the Superfund tax receipts as reimbursable
FTE.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) §§ 104,
105, 106; Clean Water Act (CWA); and Oil Pollution Act (OPA).
725
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Superfund: EPA Emergency Preparedness
Program Area: Superfund Cleanup
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$9,071
$8,056
$8,445
$389
Total Workyears
33.9
37.4
37.4
0.0
Program Project Description:
The Superfund Emergency Preparedness Program provides for EPA's engagement on the National
Response Team (NRT), Regional Response Teams (RRT), and Inland Area Committees where it
ensures federal, state, and tribal agencies are prepared to respond to national incidents, threats, and
major environmental emergencies. EPA implements the Emergency Preparedness Program in
coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to deliver
federal hazard assistance to state, local, and tribal governments.
The Agency carries out its responsibility under multiple statutory authorities as well as the
National Response Framework (NRF), which provides the comprehensive federal structure for
managing national emergencies. EPA is the designated lead for the NRF's Oil and Hazardous
Materials Response Annex - Emergency Support Function #10, which covers responsibilities for
responding to releases of hazardous materials, oil, and other contaminants that are a threat to
human health and the environment. As such, the Agency participates and leads applicable
interagency committees and workgroups to develop national planning and implementation policies
at the operational level.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue working to improve its oversight of emergency response assets to
more appropriately manage large, unprecedented incidents which increase cost effectiveness and
avoid costly cleanup actions. The Superfund Emergency Preparedness Program participates in
national and local exercises and drills, coordinates with stakeholders to develop Area and Regional
Contingency Plans, and provides technical assistance to industry, states, tribes, and local
communities. Specific activities include:
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• Chair the NRT82 and co-chair the 13 RRTs. The NRT and RRTs are the only active
environmentally focused interagency executive committees addressing oil and hazardous
substance emergencies. They serve as multi-agency coordination groups supporting
emergency responders when convened as incident specific teams.
• Lead Inland Area Committees to ensure policies, procedures and tools are in place to assist
federal, state, tribal, local, and industry responders effectively address spills.
• Participate in the development of limited, scenario-specific exercises and regional drills
designed to assess national emergency response management capabilities. These activities
will involve the RRTs, NRT, and/or principal level participants.
Continue to implement the National Incident Management System83, which provides the
approach to manage incidents and closely works with the NRF.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM ER01) Number of emergency response and removal exercises that EPA conducts or participates in.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
120
120
120
Exercises
Actual
120
164
(PM ER02) Percentage of emergency response and removal exercises that EPA conducts or participates in
that incorporate environmental justice.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
14
30
40
Percent
Actual
49
Numerator
80
Exercises
Denominator
164
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$286.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$103.0) This program change increases essential support for Superfund Emergency
Preparedness Program core activities, such as national and local exercises and drills.
82 For more information, please refer to: https://www.nrt.org/.
83 For more information, please refer to: http://www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-svstem
727
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Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), §§ 104,
105, 106; Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
728
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Superfund: Remedial
Program Area: Superfund Cleanup
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
IIa:.unions Substance Siiiwrjimil
s.xi-VAS'y
SfilS. '-ID
SO
-Sf,liH. '-Ill
Total Budget Authority
$552,089
$618,740
$0
-$618,740
Total Workyears
910.0
890.8
874.8
-16.0
In FY 2024, the Budget proposes to transition the Superfund Remedial FTE from the annual Superfund appropriated resources to
the Superfund tax receipts as reimbursable FTE. These FTE are built into the Agency's FTE ceiling.
Program Project Description:
The Superfund Remedial Program addresses many of the worst contaminated areas in the United
States by investigating contamination and implementing long-term cleanup remedies at sites on
the National Priorities List (NPL). The Program also oversees response work conducted by
potentially responsible parties (PRPs) at NPL and Superfund Alternative Approach (SAA) sites.
By cleaning up and returning land to productive use, the Superfund Remedial Program improves
the health and livelihood of all Americans and supports the Administration's goal to reduce
exposure to Superfund site contamination, especially in disadvantaged communities.
Approximately 22 percent of the U.S. population lives within three miles of a Superfund site, and
this population is predominantly minority, low income, linguistically isolated, and less likely to
have a high school education than the U.S. population as a whole.84
In FY 2022, more than 75 percent of Superfund Remedial appropriated and Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) site-specific funds were obligated to Superfund NPL sites where
there is potential for addressing environmental justice concerns. In the same period, more than 90
percent of the Superfund sites that achieved Human Exposure Under Control and more than 40
percent of sites that achieved Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Reuse had potential for
environmental justice concern.85
While conducting cleanup at NPL and SAA sites, remedial construction projects can enhance our
national infrastructure while addressing harmful exposures. For example, recent research indicates
that Superfund cleanup actions lowered the risk of elevated blood lead levels by roughly 13 to 26
percent for children living within two kilometers of a Superfund NPL site where lead is a
contaminant of concern.86 For Superfund sites contaminated with lead, 18 percent of the
84 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2021. Data collected includes: (1) Superfund site information from
SEMS as of the end of FY2020 and site boundary data from FY 2014 FOIA Request; and (2) population data from the 2015-2019
American Community Survey.
85 Data from EPA's Superfund Enterprise Management System and EPA's EJSCREEN Version 2.1.
86 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.eov/eiwiromiieiital-ecoiioniics/research-eiwiromiieiital-ecoiioniics-
ncee-working-paper-series.
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surrounding population is below poverty level, 15 percent is without a high school diploma, and
51 percent of the population is minority.
By addressing the human health and environmental risks posed by releases at NPL and SAA sites,
the Superfund Remedial Program strengthens the economy and spurs economic growth for all
Americans by returning Superfund sites to productive use. Reuse and restoration of Superfund
NPL sites directly support the Administration's Justice40 initiative87, as articulated in President
Biden's Executive Order (EO) 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (January
27, 2021)88, as this EO acknowledges the urgent need to restore lands and natural assets.89 The
Superfund Remedial Program is one of EPA's Justice40 pilot programs. The Superfund Remedial
Program considers environmental burdens and other socio-economic challenges when developing
community involvement and cleanup plans. Assessing environmental justice concerns in the
communities we serve provides important information which influences how EPA communicates,
makes cleanup decisions, and plans for future reuse of Superfund sites. The Program also works
to maximize cleanup benefits as well as state and tribal benefits, enforcement opportunities,
enhancements to community involvement, and the Superfund Redevelopment Program.
In FY 2022, while 16 Superfund sites achieved the status of Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use,
EPA rescinded this status for 64 sites that had previously achieved it. The retractions in FY 2022
were the result of a review which identified sites which no longer met protectiveness requirements
due to detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants,
aging remedies, and new exposure pathways requiring new institutional controls. As of FY 2022,
EPA data show that approximately 1,000 Superfund sites are in reuse - more than half the total
number of sites placed on the NPL over the Program's existence. EPA has data on more than
10,253 businesses at 671 of these sites. These businesses' ongoing operations generate annual sales
of $74.1 billion. These businesses provided more than 236,000 jobs who earned a combined
income of $18.6 billion. Over the last twelve years, these businesses generated at least $590 billion
in sales.
Additionally, cleanup work under the Superfund Remedial Program improves property values. A
study conducted by researchers at Duke University and the University of Pittsburgh found that
residential property values within 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) of Superfund sites increased between
18.7 and 24.4 percent when sites were cleaned up and deleted from the NPL.90
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
87 For more information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.eoY/eiwiromiieiitaliustice/iustice40/
88 For more information, please refer to: https://www.federalrepister.goY/docunients/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tacldinp-the-
cliniate-crisis-at-honie-and-abroad
89 For more information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefmp-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-
order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/.
90 Shanti Gamper-Rabindran and Christopher Timmons. 2013. "Does cleanup of hazardous waste sites raise housing values?
Evidence of spatially localized benefits," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 65(3): 345-360,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/i.jeem.2012.12.001.
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Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the President's Budget proposes to transition the Superfund Remedial Program,
including associated FTE costs, from the annual Superfund appropriated resources to the
Superfund tax receipts91. EPA will continue to execute its non-delegable, federal responsibility to
remediate sites and protect human health, welfare, and the environment. EPA endeavors to
maximize the use of special account resources collected from PRPs for site-specific response
actions as stipulated in settlement agreements so that available Superfund resources are prioritized
for sites without other sources of funding. More than half of non-federal sites on the final NPL do
not have an associated open special account and available Superfund resources are critical to the
Superfund Remedial Program to clean up sites.
The IIJA invested $3.5 billion in environmental remediation at Superfund NPL sites and reinstated
the Superfund chemical taxes, and the Inflation Reduction Act reinstated the Superfund petroleum
taxes.92 These laws provide one of the largest investments in American history to address the
legacy pollution that harms public health in communities and neighborhoods, creating good-
paying jobs, and advancing economic and environmental justice in the process.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to initiate new work on remedial construction, as well as continue
ongoing cleanups at NPL sites across the country. As IIJA funds available for site work are
anticipated to be fully obligated by no later than FY 2025 based on current site information, the
FY 2024 Budget proposes Superfund tax receipts to continue funding construction work at an
optimal pace and avoid a backlog of new construction projects.
The Superfund Remedial Program will continue to start and complete critical pre-construction
projects such as site characterization and construction design, which will complement construction
projects that utilize IIJA funding. The Program also will continue to support the Superfund's
community involvement and outreach activities at sites. These activities play a pivotal role in
ensuring communities have the resources they need to meaningfully participate in the decision-
making process, including an increased involvement of communities to develop their visions for
revitalization by identifying economic drivers and connecting community needs to federal
investments. The Program will continue to support capacity building technical assistance, and the
Superfund Job Training Initiative.
In FY 2024, EPA will reduce exposure to lead and associated health impacts including the risk of
elevated blood lead levels for children by completing 45 Superfund lead cleanup projects. EPA
91 The U.S Treasury forecasts collecting a total of $2.54 billion in Superfund tax receipts in FY 2023 which will be available for
use in FY 2024 across EPA Superfund programs.
92 On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act [(IIJA), P.L. 117-58] reinstated and modified the excise
taxes on certain listed chemicals and imported substances that are used as materials in their manufacture or production one or
more of those listed chemicals ("Superfund chemical taxes"). The Superfund chemical taxes went into effect beginning July 1,
2022, and expire on December 31, 2031. On August 16,2022, the Inflation Reduction Act [(IRA), P.L. 117-169] reinstated and
modified the taxes on oil and petroleum products ("Superfund petroleum taxes"). The Superfund petroleum taxes went into effect
on January 1,2023, and do not have an expiration date. On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 (P.L.
117-328) allowed all tax receipts collected in the Superfund Trust Fund from the prior fiscal year to be available to carry out the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, without further
appropriation by Congress and designated as emergency funding.
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also will continue to support the cleanup of PFAS and will collaborate on cross-cutting strategies;
advance new science; develop coordinated policies, regulations, and communications; assess the
nature and extent of PFAS contamination and other contaminants of concern at sites; and engage
with affected states, tribes, communities, and stakeholders. Additionally, completing these cleanup
projects, which include legacy sites that expose Americans to contaminants shown to pose
increased cancer risks, advances work in cancer prevention as part of President Biden's Cancer
Moonshot Initiative.
EPA's regional labs provide cutting-edge science to inform immediate and near-term, multi-media
decisions on environmental conditions, emergency response, and enforcement. Regional
laboratory science also helps inform communities about the risks the site may pose in terms of
chemical exposures and cumulative environmental impacts. This work will support the ambitious
environmental and clean up goals of President Biden's agenda.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM 151) Number of Superfund sites with human exposures brought under control.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
9
8
12
10
10
12
12
12
Sites
Actual
24
32
17
20
13
-14
(PM 155) Number of Superfund cleanup projects completed that address lead as a contaminant.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
45
45
45
Projects
Actual
56
45
(PM 170) Number of remedial action projects completed at Superfund sites.93
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
105
95
95
80
80
80
75
75
Projects
Actual
97
87
89
91
75
74
(PM S10) Number of Superfund sites made ready for anticipated use site-wide.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
45
51
51
51
51
25
15
10
Sites
Actual
43
51
48
34
26
-48
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$618,740.0 / -890.8 FTE) In FY 2024, the Superfund Remedial Program is proposed to
be transitioned from the annual Superfund appropriated resources to the Superfund taxes.
In FY 2023, the U.S. Treasury forecasts collecting a total of $2.54 billion in Superfund
taxes which will be available for use in FY 2024 across EPA Superfund programs. As a
result, the pace of work is not expected to be negatively impacted.
(+874.8 FTE) In FY 2024, the Agency proposes to transition 874.8 Superfund Remedial
FTE from the annual Superfund appropriated resources to the Superfund tax receipts as
reimbursable FTE.
93 Indicates that this measure also is used to track progress in implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
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Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
733
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Superfund: Federal Facilities
Program Area: Superfund Cleanup
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
IIa:.unions Substance Siiiwrjimil
S 2J.VII
S_Y,. 1S
-------
productive use. Over 68 percent of Federal Facility NPL sites are in communities
disproportionately affected by environmental burdens. Cleaning up contaminated sites at federal
facilities also can serve as a catalyst for economic growth and community revitalization.
The Superfund Federal Facilities Program has successfully worked with EPA's partners to
facilitate the redevelopment of Federal Facility NPL sites across the country. Since Federal
Facility NPL sites often encompass thousands of acres with buildings, roads, and other
infrastructure, their effective and efficient cleanup and reuse can play a pivotal role in a
community's economic growth and environmental vitality. Reuse and restoration of Federal
Facility NPL sites directly support President Biden's EO 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at
Home and Abroad95 Redevelopment projects have included ecological preserves, recreational
areas, cultural/historical resources, public transit infrastructure, and alternative energy sources. A
2022 economic analysis of 70 Federal Facility Superfund Sites identified over 2,400 businesses
that generated $28 billion in annual sales, provided over 450,000 jobs, and $44 billion in estimated
annual employment income.96 The Superfund Federal Facility Program provided content for the
FY 2022 - 2023 Office of Land and Emergency Management Climate Change Adaptation Plan.97
Future climate actions by the Program include developing a training to address ways to consider
climate change impacts in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA) process, and continuing collaboration with OF As to include climate
impact considerations in remedial actions.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Superfund Federal Facilities Program, as part of its statutorily mandated oversight
responsibilities, will support EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap by overseeing the growing number
of PFAS cleanups at Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and OF A
sites. The Program will benefit from a significant investment to keep pace with the surge of PFAS
cleanups under CERCLA and adjust core program capacity. Currently, the Program provides
oversight at the 110 Federal Facility NPL sites with PFAS detections. Additionally, DoD is
expected to initiate approximately 50 additional PFAS investigations in FY 2024.
In FY 2024, EPA proposes an investment of $11.2 million in the Superfund Federal Facilities
Program. This investment will allow EPA to minimize disruptions and delays to its oversight
responsibilities, enable DoD to meet their Congressional cleanup obligations for PFAS under the
2022 National Defense Authorization Act and subsequent CERCLA response actions, and adjust
EPA core capacity in its cleanup oversight for legacy contamination such as radioactive waste and
unexploded ordnance. EPA plans to utilize the additional resources to leverage knowledge and
best practices developed from Federal Facilities PFAS investigations to aid PFAS cleanups across
the country.
95 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalrepister.goY/docunieiits/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackliiip-the-
climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad.
96 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/fedfac/redevelopnietit-ecotioniics-federal-facilities.
97 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/svstem/files/dociiments/2022-10/bh5Q8-
QLEM%20CAIP August%202022 POST OGCreview 9.12.2022.pdf
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In addition to the growing workload related to PFAS, the Program will prioritize and continue to
partner with OF As; state, local, and tribal governments; and communities to limit human exposure
to potentially harmful levels of lead in the environment. EPA will continue to oversee complex
cleanups at Federal Facility NPL sites, such as contamination in groundwater, munitions and
explosives of concern, contaminants of emerging concern, and contamination from legacy nuclear
weapons development and energy research. For example, while the DOE has completed cleanup
work at many of its sites, DOE estimates that the remaining legacy Cold War sites will take decades
to complete due to groundwater, soil, and waste processing. Similarly, the DoD inventory includes
sites that contain chemical and explosive compounds which require special handling, storage, and
disposal practices, as well as cleanup. EPA will continue to provide oversight and technical
assistance at DoD's military munitions response sites and support DoD's development of new
technologies to streamline cleanups.
To ensure the long-term protectiveness of the remedies, the Agency will continue monitoring,
overseeing progress, and improving the quality and consistency of Five-Year Reviews conducted
at federal sites where waste has been left in place and land use is restricted. Five-Year Reviews
are required under Section 121(c) of CERCLA and EPA's role is to concur or make its own
independent protectiveness determination. EPA has been working collaboratively with DoD,
DOE, and Department of the Interior (DOI) to improve the technical quality, timeliness, and cost
of the five-year review reports and to ensure engagement with pollution-burdened and underserved
communities. In FY 2024, the Superfund Federal Facilities Program will review approximately 35
five-year review reports to fulfill statutory requirements and to inform the public about the
protectiveness of remedies.
In FY 2024, the Superfund Federal Facilities Program will target the highest risk sites and focus
on activities that bring human exposure and groundwater migration under control. In addition,
EPA manages the Docket which contains information reported by federal facilities that manage
hazardous waste or from which hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants have been or
may be released. The Docket: 1) identifies all federal facilities that must be evaluated through the
site assessment process; 2) determines whether they pose a risk to human health and the
environment sufficient to warrant inclusion on the NPL; and 3) provides a mechanism to make the
information available to the public. The Docket is updated semi-annually and has approximately
2,400 facilities listed. EPA anticipates additional engagement on non-NPL federal facilities on the
Docket to address new information on and ensure appropriate assessment and referral of these sites
to appropriate cleanup programs.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Superfund Remedial Program under
the Superfund appropriation.
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$865.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base payroll costs for existing FTE, adjustments to provide essential workforce support,
and changes to benefits costs.
(+$10,351.0 / -0.5 FTE) This net program change will help address critical gaps in EPA's
ability to oversee DoD PFAS cleanup under CERCLA and to adjust core program capacity,
including keeping pace with the Agency's oversight role at Federal Facilities NPL sites.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) § 120.
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SUPERFUND SPECIAL ACCOUNTS
Background
EPA has the authority to collect funds from parties to support Superfund investigations and
cleanups. Section 122(b)(3) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA) authorizes EPA to retain and use funds received pursuant to a settlement
agreement with a party to carry out the purpose of that agreement. Funds are deposited in
Superfund special accounts for cleanup at the sites designated in individually negotiated settlement
agreements. Through use of special accounts, EPA ensures responsible parties pay for cleanup so
that annually appropriated resources from the Superfund Trust Fund, resources made available
through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and available Superfund tax receipts
are generally conserved for sites where no viable or liable potentially responsible parties (PRPs)
can be identified. Each account is set up separately and distinctly and may only be used for the
sites and uses outlined in the settlements) with the party or parties.
Special accounts are sub-accounts in the Superfund Trust Fund. Pursuant to the specific
agreements, which typically take the form of an Administrative Order on Consent or a Consent
Decree, EPA uses special account funds to finance site-specific CERCLA response actions at the
site for which the account was established. Of the current 1,334 Superfund sites listed as final on
the National Priorities List, more than half do not have special account funds available for use. As
special account funds may only be used for sites and uses specified in the settlement agreement,
special account resources, Superfund tax receipts, and annually appropriated resources are critical
to the Superfund Program to clean up Superfund sites.
Special account funds are used to conduct many different site-specific CERCLA response actions,
including, but not limited to, investigations to determine the nature and extent of contamination
and the appropriate remedy, design, construction and implementation of the remedy, enforcement
activities, and post-construction activities. EPA also may provide special account funds as an
incentive to another PRP(s) who agrees to perform additional work beyond the PRP's allocated
share at the site, which EPA might otherwise have to conduct. Because response actions may take
many years, the full use of special account funds also may take many years. Once all site-specific
response work pursuant to the settlement agreement is complete and site risks are addressed,
special account funds may be used to reimburse EPA for site-specific costs incurred using
appropriated resources {i.e., reclassification), allowing the latter resources to be allocated to other
sites. Any remaining special account funds are transferred to the Superfund Trust Fund, where
they are available for future appropriation by Congress to further support response work.
FY 2022 Special Account Activity
Since the inception of special accounts through the end of FY 2022, EPA has collected
approximately $8.1 billion from parties and earned approximately $797.6 million in interest.
Approximately 59 percent of the funds have been disbursed or obligated for response actions at
sites and plans have been developed to guide the future use of the remaining 41 percent of available
special account funds. In addition, at sites with no additional work planned or costs to be incurred
by EPA, EPA has transferred approximately $59.0 million to the Superfund Trust Fund. As of the
738
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end of FY 2022, over $4.8 billion has been disbursed for site response actions and approximately
$416.5 million has been obligated but not yet disbursed.
The Agency continues to receive site-specific settlement funds that are placed in special accounts
each year, so progress on actual obligation and disbursement of funds may not be apparent upon
review solely of the cumulative available balance. In FY 2022, EPA deposited approximately
$282.9 million into special accounts and disbursed over $172.3 million from special accounts
(including reclassifications). At the end of FY 2022, the cumulative amount available in special
accounts was over $3.6 billion.
Special accounts vary in size. A limited set of accounts represent the majority of the funds
available. At the end of FY 2022, 5 percent of open accounts had greater than $10 million available
and held approximately 71 percent of all available funds in open accounts. There are many
accounts with lower available balances. 72 percent of all open accounts with up to $1 million
available represent approximately 5 percent of available funds in all open accounts.
The balance of over $3.6 billion is not equivalent to an annual appropriation. The funds collected
under settlements are intended to finance future response work at particular sites for the length of
the project(s). EPA is carefully managing those funds that remain available for site response work
and develops plans to utilize the available balance. EPA will continue to plan the use of funds
received to conduct site-specific response activities or reclassify and/or transfer excess funds to
the Superfund Trust Fund to make annually appropriated funds available for use at other Superfund
sites.
For some Superfund sites, although funds are readily available in a special account, remedial action
may take time to initiate and complete. The timeframe required to implement a given remedial
action is driven largely by site-specific conditions, such as the specific requirements for special
account use set forth in the settlement agreement, the stage of site cleanup, the viability of other
responsible parties to conduct site cleanup, and the nature of the site contamination. EPA has plans
to spend approximately $1.4 billion of currently available special account funds over the next five
years, but funds also are planned much further into the future to continue activities, such as
conducting five-year reviews or remedy optimization, at sites where waste has been left in place.
Over the past five fiscal years, the EPA has obligated or disbursed more than $1.1 billion from
special accounts (excluding reclassifications), resulting in the Superfund Program performing a
significant amount of work in addition to work the Agency performed using annually appropriated
funds. In FY 2022, EPA disbursed and obligated approximately $237.7 million from special
accounts (excluding reclassifications) for response work at more than 695 Superfund sites. Site-
specific examples of this work include $25.1 million to support work at the Welsbach & General
Gas Mantle site in New Jersey; $10.1 million for the Tronox Navajo Area Uranium Mines on the
Navajo Nation; and approximately $7.0 million for the Bunker Hill Mining & Metallurgical
Complex site in Idaho. In the absence of special account funds, annually appropriated funds would
have been necessary for these response actions to be funded. In other words, EPA was able to fund
approximately $237.7 million in response work at sites in addition to the work funded through
appropriated and IIJA funds obligated or disbursed in FY 2022.
739
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The summary charts below provide additional information on the status of special accounts.
Exhibit 1 illustrates the cumulative status of open and closed accounts, FY 2022 program activity,
and planned multi-year uses of the available balance. Exhibit 2 provides the prior year (FY 2022),
current year (FY 2023), and estimated future budget year (FY 2024) activity for special accounts.
Exhibit 3 provides prior year data (FY 2022) by EPA regional offices to exhibit the geographic
use of the funds.
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Exhibit 1: Summary of FY 2022 Special Account Transactions
and Cumulative Multi-Year Plans for Using Available Special Account Funds
Account Status1
Number of
Accounts
Cumulative Open
1,142
Cumulative Closed
460
FY 2022 Special Account Activity
$ in Thousands
Beginning Available Balance
$3,506,736.7
FY 2022 Activities
+ Receipts
$282,861.1
- Transfers to Superfund Trust Fund (Receipt Adjustment)
($3,829.0)
+ Net Interest Earned
$63,252.1
- Net Change in Unliquidated Obligations
($76,216.3)
- Disbursements - For EPA Incurred Costs
($156,745.4)
- Disbursements - For Work Party Reimbursements under Final Settlements
($4,755.5)
- Reclassifications
($10.799 6)
End of Fiscal Year (EOFY) Available Balance2
$3,600,504.2
Multi-Year Plans for EOFY 2022 Available Balance3
$ in Thousands
2022 EOFY Available Balance
$3,600,504.2
- Estimates for Future EPA Site Activities based on Current Site Plans4
$3,466,727.9
- Estimates for Potential Disbursement to Work Parties Identified in Final Settlements5
$83,399.6
- Estimates for Reclassifications for FYs 2023-20256
$40,021.4
- Estimates for Transfers to Trust Fund for FYs 2023-20256
$10,355.2
- Available Balance to be Planned for Site-Specific Response7
$0.0
1 FY 2022 data is as of 10/02/2022. The Beginning Available Balance is as of 10/01/2021.
2Numbers may not add due to rounding.
3Planning data were recorded in the Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMS) as of 10/31/2022 in
reference to special account available balances as of 10/01/2022.
4 "Estimates for EPA Future Site Activities" includes all response actions that EPA may conduct or oversee in
the future, such as removal, remedial, enforcement, post-construction activities as well as allocation of funds to
facilitate a settlement to encourage PRPs to perform the cleanup. Planning data are multi-year and cannot be
used for annual comparisons.
5 "Estimates for Potential Disbursements to Work Parties Identified in Finalized Settlements" includes those
funds that have already been designated in a settlement document, such as a Consent Decree or Administrative
Order on Consent, to be available to a PRP for reimbursements but that have not yet been obligated.
6 "Reclassifications" and "Transfers to the Trust Fund" are estimated for three FYs only. These amounts are
only estimates and may change as the EPA determines what funds are needed to complete site-specific
response activities.
7 These include resources received by the EPA at the end of the fiscal year and will be assigned for site-specific
response activities.
741
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Exhibit 2: Actual and Estimated Special Account Transactions FY 2022 - FY 20241
FY 2022
FY 2023
estimate
FY 2024
estimate
$ in Thousands
Beginning Available Balance
$3,506,736.7
$3,600,504.2
$3,780,838.3
Receipts1
$282,861.1
$350,000.0
$350,000.0
Transfers to Trust Fund (Receipt Adjustment)2
($3,829.0)
($7,693.4)
($7,693.4)
Net Interest Earned3
$63,252.1
$86,000.0
$100,000.0
Net Obligations2,4
($237,717.2)
($230,433.8)
($230,433.8)
Reclassifications2
($10,799 6)
($17.538 7)
($17.538 7)
End of Year Available Balance5
$3,600,504.2
$3,780,838.3
$3,975,172.4
1 The estimates for Receipts are in line with more typical years.
2 The estimates for Transfers to Trust Fund, Net Obligations, and Reclassifications are based on a three year historical
average.
3 Net interest earned in FY 2023 and FY 2024 are estimated utilizing economic assumptions for the FY 2024
President's Budget.
4 Net Obligations reflect special account funds no longer available for obligation, excluding reclassifications and
receipts transferred to the Trust Fund.
5 Numbers may not add due to rounding.
Exhibit 3: FY 2022 Special Account Transactions by EPA Regional Offices
$ in Thousands
Beginning
Available
Balance
Receipts
Transfers to
Trust Fund
(Receipt
Adjustment)
Net Interest
Earned
Net
Obligations
Reclassifications
End of Year
Available
Balance2
Region 1
$167,779.2
$10,556.7
($2,478.8)
$2,829.3
($9,375.8)
($2,601.8)
$166,708.8
Region 2
$563,816.6
$43,068.1
$0.0
$10,947.2
($98,713.9)
$0.0
$519,118.1
Region 3
$167,182.8
$4,405.6
($7.2)
$3,066.0
($18,459.2)
($334.4)
$155,853.5
Region 4
$64,546.9
$6,137.1
($1,192.1)
$565.2
($4,395.5)
($5,453.4)
$60,208.1
Region 5
$467,624.9
$32,573.2
$0.0
$8,791.0
($11,115.7)
($986.6)
$496,886.9
Region 63
$99,568.9
$317,430.1
$0.0
$4,640.3
($3,511.5)
($318.6)
$417,809.1
Region 7
$138,927.3
$3,117.7
$0.0
$2,637.1
($13,132.3)
($808.3)
$130,741.5
Region 8
$280,452.2
$91,984.1
($17.7)
$3,909.1
($24,184.0)
($61.2)
$352,082.6
Region 93
$1,391,408.0
($249,896.2)
($133.2)
$22,266.0
($29,277.0)
($100.5)
$1,134,267.1
Region 10
$165,429.9
$23,484.7
$0.0
$3,600.9
($25,552.2)
($134.9)
$166,828.4
Total
$3,506,736.7
$282,861.1
($3,829.0)
$63,252.1
($237,717.2)
($10,799.6)
$3,600,504.1
1 FY 2022 data is as of 10/02/2022. The Beginning Available Balance is as of 10/01/2021.
2 Numbers may not add due to rounding.
3 The notable decreases in Region 9 and increase in Region 6 are due mostly to funds transferred between Region 9 and Region 6 for
Tronox Navajo Abandoned Uranium Mines special accounts in accordance with the Tronox NAUM Resource Allocation Strategy.
742
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SUPERFUND TAX RECEIPTS
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
FY 2023
Collections
Available
FY 2024
Estimates of
Collections to Be
Available98
Superfund Chemical Taxes
$0
$413,002
$1,686,000
Superfund Taxes on Oil and Petroleum Products
$0
$0
$858,000
Hazardous Substance Superfund Tax Total Receipts
$0
$413,002
$2,544,000
Background
On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act [(IIJA), P.L. 117-58] reinstated
and modified the excise taxes on certain listed chemicals and imported substances that use as
materials in their manufacture or production one or more of those listed chemicals ("Superfund
chemical taxes").99 The Superfund chemical taxes went into effect beginning July 1, 2022 and
expire on December 31, 2031. On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act [(IRA), (P.L. 117-
169)] reinstated and modified the taxes on oil and petroleum products. The oil and petroleum taxes
went into effect on January 1, 2023. On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2023 (P.L. 117-328) included legislative language that allows all tax receipts collected in the
Superfund Trust Fund from the prior fiscal year to be available to implement the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) without further
congressional appropriation and designated as emergency funding. As of September 30, 2022,
there was $413 million of tax receipts in the Superfund Trust Fund which are available to utilize
in FY 2023.100
FY 2023 and FY 2024 Superfund Tax Receipt Activity
EPA is in the process of developing its budget priorities for the Superfund tax receipts available
in FY 2023. EPA will utilize the Superfund tax receipts to implement CERCLA and continue to
plan for the use of available tax receipts in FY 2024.
In FY 2023, the U.S Treasury forecasts collecting a total of $2.54 billion in Superfund taxes which
will be available for use in FY 2024. The FY 2024 President's Budget proposes to transition the
Superfund Remedial, Superfund Emergency Response and Removal, and the Superfund
Enforcement programs, and EPA anticipates these programs will be sufficiently funded from the
tax receipts to support mission critical functions. EPA will then evaluate available budgets and
resources across the Agency's Superfund programs to determine the most appropriate use of the
tax receipts. EPA will prioritize the Superfund tax receipts to leverage all funding available to
continue to clean up NPL sites at their optimal pace. The Agency will continue its "enforcement
first" policy to pursue and compel responsible parties to conduct response work or finance
98 Estimates are developed by the U.S. Treasury and based on their economic assumptions.
99 The original Superfund taxes expired on December 31, 1995, and applied to crude oil and imported petroleum products,
chemicals used in the production of hazardous substances listed in Title 26 section 4661 and imported substances that use
hazardous chemicals as a feedstock, and corporate modified alternative minimum taxable income more than $2 million a year.
100 Please see: https://treasurvdirect.eov/flp/dfi/tfnib/dfihs0922.pdf.
743
-------
cleanups. By doing so, annually appropriated and Superfund tax receipt resources will be
conserved for cleanups at sites and activities where potentially responsible party (PRP) resources
are not available. This will allow the Agency to maximize progress in returning sites to community
use. EPA also will continue to start new construction projects to avoid the creation of another
backlog; more efficiently fund ongoing construction projects; promptly address emergency and
short-term CERCLA response actions; and implement Administration and Agency priorities (e.g.,
environmental justice, per- and polyfluorinated substances, lead, etc.).
744
-------
745
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
Resource Summary Table 748
Program Projects in LUST 748
Enforcement 749
Civil Enforcement 750
Operations and Administration 752
Acquisition Management 753
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance 755
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations 757
Research: Sustainable Communities 759
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities 760
Underground Storage Tanks (LUST/UST) 763
LUST / UST 764
LUST Prevention 767
LUST Cooperative Agreements 770
746
-------
747
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
Resource Summary Table
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2023
President's Budget
FY 2022
Enacted
FY 2024
v.
Final
Operating
President's
FY 2023 Enacted
Actuals
Plan
Budget
Operating Plan
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
Budget Authority
$84,427
$93,205
$108,739
$15,534
Total Workyears
42.3
49.4
54.6
5.2
Bill Language: Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
For necessary expenses to carry out leaking underground storage tank cleanup activities
authorized by subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, $108,739,000, to remain available until
expended, of which $82,070,000 shall be for carrying out leaking underground storage tank
cleanup activities authorized by section 9003(h) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; $26,669,000
shall be for carrying out the other provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act specified in section
9508(c) of the Internal Revenue Code: Provided, That the Administrator is authorized to use
appropriations made available under this heading to implement section 9013 of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act to provide financial assistance to federally recognized Indian tribes for the
development and implementation of programs to manage underground storage tanks.
Program Projects in LUST
(Dollars in Thousanc
Is)
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Enforcement
Civil Enforcement
$631
$661
$682
$21
Operations and Administration
Central Planning, Budgeting, and
Finance
$360
$457
$469
$12
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$922
$754
$727
-$27
Acquisition Management
$158
$181
$136
-$45
Subtotal, Operations and Administration
$1,440
$1,392
$1,332
-$60
Underground Storage Tanks (LUST/UST)
LUST/UST
$9,707
$9,991
$14,665
$4,674
LUST Cooperative Agreements
$50,294
$55,040
$65,040
$10,000
LUST Prevention
$22,045
$25,780
$26,669
$889
Subtotal, Underground Storage Tanks
(LUST/UST)
$82,045
$90,811
$106,374
$15,563
Research: Sustainable Communities
Research: Sustainable and Healthy
Communities
$312
$341
$351
$10
TOTAL LUST
$84,427
$93,205
$108,739
$15,534
748
-------
Enforcement
749
-------
Civil Enforcement
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
FY 2024 President's
Enacted
FY 2024
Budget v.
FY 2022
Operating
President's
FY 2023 Enacted
Final Actuals
Plan
Budget
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
SI 79.062
$205,942
$242,585
$36,643
l.t'iihinx 1 nilcrxroHiidStorage Tanks
Sf>Jl
Sfifil
Sf„S2
S 21
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$2,660
$2,565
$2,665
$100
Total Budget Authority
$182,354
$209,168
$245,932
$36,764
Total Workyears
883.8
998.1
1,041.7
43.6
Program Project Description:
The Civil Enforcement Program's goal is to ensure compliance with the Nation's environmental
laws to protect human health and the environment. The Program collaborates with the Department
of Justice, and state, local, and tribal governments to ensure consistent and fair enforcement of
environmental laws and regulations. The Civil Enforcement Program develops, litigates, and
settles administrative and civil judicial cases against violators of environmental laws.
To protect the Nation's groundwater and drinking water from petroleum and hazardous substance
releases from Underground Storage Tanks (UST), the Civil Enforcement Program provides
guidance, technical assistance, and training to promote and enforce cleanups at sites with UST
systems.1 The Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program uses its Leaking Underground
Storage Tanks (LUST) resources to oversee cleanups by responsible parties.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will work with states and tribes on a case-by-case basis to prioritize LUST
enforcement goals for cleanup. The Program will continue to provide guidance, technical
assistance, oversight, and training to enforce cleanups at LUST sites by responsible parties.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Civil Enforcement Program under
the EPM appropriation.
1 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.eov/ust
750
-------
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$3.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. The reduction is offset
by an increase in includes critical agencywide infrastructure support for Executive Order
14028 cybersecurity requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support,
and implementation of Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$24.0) This program investment supports enforcement under the Leaking Underground
Storage Tanks Program by prioritizing LUST cleanup sites by responsible parties.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic authority); Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act.
751
-------
Operations and Administration
752
-------
Acquisition Management
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$36,051
$37.251
$41,609
$4,358
Leaking 1 nilcrgrounil Storage Tanks
S/.iiS'
S/.S7
SIM,
-S75
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$23,550
$27,247
$33,758
$6,511
Total Budget Authority
$59,759
$64,679
$75,503
$10,824
Total Workyears
281.7
307.7
355.7
48.0
Program Project Description:
Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) resources in the Acquisition Management Program
support the Agency's contract activities.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to strengthen EPA's capacity to process new, increased, and
existing award contract actions in a timely manner; advance EPA utilization of small and
disadvantaged businesses; support "Made in America" initiatives; and support supply chain risk
management activities for information and communication technology. Efforts to process and
award contract actions in a timely manner will be in accordance with Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR) and guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of
Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP).
EPA must scale up its federal grants and contractor workforce to support underserved
communities, ensure the future is "Made in America," and manage global supply chains. This
investment will enable national programs to target their critical resources on environmental and
programmatic priorities in partnership with the states, tribes, and local governments. The Agency
will work with agency partners and stakeholders to include environmental justice considerations
into grants policies and requirements and provide underserved communities better awareness and
access to the Agency's financial assistance opportunities.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
753
-------
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$45.0) This program change reallocates system operations and development resources to
Environmental Program Management and Superfund to better align funding needs.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act.
754
-------
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
S82.781
$87,099
$99,812
$12,713
Leaking 1 nilcrgrounil Storage Tanks
SM>0
SV"
S-IM
SI2
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund
$149
$0
$0
$0
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$29,102
$31,338
$30,207
-$1,131
Total Budget Authority
$112,392
$118,894
$130,488
$11,594
Total Workyears
435.5
469.0
480.0
11.0
Total workyears in FY2024 include 2.0 FTE funded by TSCA fees.
Total workyears in FY 2024 include 39.0 FTE to support Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance working capital fund (WCF)
services.
Program Project Description:
EPA's financial management community maintains a strong partnership with the Leaking
Underground Storage Tanks (LUST) Program. Activities under the Central Planning, Budgeting,
and Finance Program support the management of integrated planning, budgeting, financial
management, performance and accountability processes, and systems to ensure effective
stewardship of LUST resources. This includes providing financial payment and support services
for specialized fiscal and accounting services for the LUST Programs.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will ensure secure, efficient, and sound financial and budgetary management of
the LUST Program using routine and ad hoc analysis, statistical sampling, and other evidence-
based decision-making tools. Building on the work begun in previous years, EPA will continue to
monitor and strengthen internal controls with a focus on sensitive payments and property. In
addition, the Agency is reviewing its financial systems for efficiencies and effectiveness,
identifying gaps, and targeting legacy systems for replacement.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Central Planning, Budgeting, and
Finance Program under the EPM appropriation.
755
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$12.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified as Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act.
756
-------
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$291,501
$283,330
$305,753
$22,423
Science & Technology
$68,347
$67,500
$72,043
$4,543
Building and Facilities
$24,681
$42,076
$105.009
$62,933
l.t'iihinx 1 nilcrxroHiidStorage Tanks
S V22
S "-I
S~2~
-S2~
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$854
$682
$641
-$41
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$76,108
$65,634
$71,540
$5,906
Total Budget Authority
$462,412
$459,976
$555,713
$95,737
Total Workyears
310.6
321.8
330.4
8.6
Total work years in FY 2024 include 5.4 FTE to support Facilities Infrastructure and Operations working capital fund (WCF)
services.
Program Project Description:
Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) resources in the Facilities Infrastructure and
Operations Program fund the Agency's rent, utilities, and security. The Program also supports
centralized administrative activities and support services, including health and safety,
environmental compliance and management, facilities maintenance and operations, space
planning, sustainable facilities and energy conservation planning and support, property
management, mail, and transportation services. Funding for such services is allocated among the
major appropriations for the Agency.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue reconfiguring EPA's workplaces with the goal of reducing long-
term rent costs while increasing EPA facility resiliency and sustainability to combat the effects of
climate change and ensure a space footprint that accommodates a growing workforce. Space
reconfiguration enables EPA to reduce its footprint to create a more efficient, collaborative, and
technologically sophisticated workplace. However, even if modifications are kept to a minimum,
each move requires initial funding to achieve long-term cost avoidance and sustainability goals.
These investments support sustainable federal infrastructure, a clean energy future, and goals to
achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. For FY 2024, EPA is requesting $509 thousand for rent in the
LUST appropriation. EPA uses a standard methodology to ensure that rent charging appropriately
reflects planned and enacted resources at the appropriation level. EPA also will continue working
to increase sustainability and reduce carbon emissions through cost-effective solutions.
757
-------
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$27.0) This net program change reduces support for Agency facilities management and
operations support. The reduction is offset by increases in rent and transit subsidy costs.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Property and Administration Services Act; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat.
2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
758
-------
Research: Sustainable Communities
759
-------
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Program Area: Research: Sustainable Communities
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Science & Technology
SI 33.808
SI 37.857
SI 46.642
S8.785
Leaking 1 nilcrgrounil Storage Tanks
S312
V ?-//
Y*5/
S10
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$782
$675
$681
$6
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$16,562
$16,937
$17,364
$427
Total Budget Authority
$151,463
$155,810
$165,038
$9,228
Total Workyears
422.1
421.8
444.3
22.5
Program Project Description:
EPA's Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) Research Program under the Leaking
Underground Storage Tanks (LUST) appropriation assists EPA's Office of Underground Storage
Tanks, regions, tribes, and states to assess the degradation of Underground Storage Tanks
(USTs). This assessment identifies vulnerable tanks before leaks occur and helps develop the
tools to track and monitor the status of existing and abandoned USTs and their impact on the
community in a changing climate. Specifically, this research provides information and tools
designed to enable decision-makers to protect America's land, groundwater resources, and
drinking water supplies that could be impacted by the Nation's more than 550 thousand
underground fuel storage tanks.2
SHC will assess the impacts of climate change on USTs and understand the impacts on
communities, including disadvantaged populations and those most vulnerable (e.g., tribes). SHC
will develop tools and data to address issues related to USTs to protect public health and the
environment based on the best available science.
Recent Accomplishments of the SHC Research Program include:
National Database on Underground Storage Tank Infrastructure (April 2022 and January
2023):3 In FY 2022, EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) continued a training
program started in FY 2021 for the National Database on Underground Storage Tank
Infrastructure (UST Finder) to describe the capabilities and functions of the model to our federal
and state partners and their identified communities. In FY 2022 this training was extended to
tribes to provide geospatial data on facilities and tanks in association with drinking water sources,
critical data on the aging infrastructure, and facilities that may be impacted by flooding and
2 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/ust.
3 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eoY/eniereeiicv-respoiise-research/uiidererouiid-storaee-taiiks-preparing-
and-responding-extrenie-events. https://niediaspace.nau.edU/niedia/t/l qxizcTw. https://www.epa.eov/ust/ust-fmder, and
https://epa.niaps.arceis.coni/apps/webappYiewer/index.htnil?id:::::c220c67462el4763a8e()c4df:75550278.
760
-------
wildfires. The training helps our partners assess facility risk and triage sites for cleanup and
protection of drinking water sources. ORD continues to develop approaches to protect vulnerable
populations from UST releases after extreme weather events. A public website is available and
being updated to meet additional partner needs with version 2.0 planned by the end of FY 2023.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
Work in this Program will aim to characterize sites and contaminants released from LUSTs
identified under the LUST Trust Fund with an emphasis on assisting the Agency, tribes, and states
address the backlog of sites for remediation. SHC research will help communities remediate
contaminated sites at an accelerated pace and lower costs, while reducing human health and
ecological impacts. Resulting methodologies and tools will help localities, tribes, and states return
properties to productive use, supporting the Agency's work to safeguard and revitalize
communities.
In FY 2024, EPA research will continue to develop models, metrics, and spatial tools for EPA
regions, tribes, and states to evaluate the vulnerability of groundwater to LUSTs, the impacts of
climate change, and the subsequent human health risks that follow contamination, while
considering environmental justice concerns. SHC will continue to focus on developing national
datasets to better understand the potential vulnerabilities to LUSTs, such as flooding and drought,
and vulnerabilities from LUSTs (e.g., on ground water) to inform decisions to manage tanks. SHC
will assist EPA's Underground Storage Tanks Program, tribes, and states by updating technical
guidance manuals and evaluations of risk to underground storage tank systems.
Research Planning:
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research
needs of Agency program and regional offices, states, and tribes, and is planned with their active
involvement. Each research program has developed and published their fourth generation of the
StRAPs,4 which will continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at
solving the problems encountered by the Agency and its stakeholders.
ORD works with various groups, including communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its
research through a variety of mechanisms that include:
• EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
4 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.eov/research/strategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-vears-2023-
2026.
761
-------
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement5 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs, and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
Partnerships
Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and Agency representatives.
These interactions identify research of mutual benefit and lead to collaborations on
important tribal environmental science issues.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Research: Sustainable and Healthy
Communities Program under the S&T appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$41.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(-$31.0) This program change reflects a decrease to the Sustainable and Healthy
Communities LUST research program in their ability to help assess the degradation of
underground storage tanks.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified as Title 5 App.) (EPA's organic statute); Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act.
• Tribal
o
5 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/research/epa-research-solutions-states
762
-------
Underground Storage Tanks (LUST/UST)
763
-------
LUST / UST
Program Area: Underground Storage Tanks (LUST / UST)
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy
Communities, Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$11,807
$12,021
$14,451
$2,430
Leaking 1 nilcrgrounil Storage Tanks
s>i ~tr
W.99I
S
S-I.f, ~4
Total Budget Authority
$21,512
$22,012
$29,116
$7,104
Total Workyears
87.8
97.9
108.6
10.7
Program Project Description:
The Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) resources in the LUST/Underground Storage
Tank (UST) Program ensure that petroleum contamination is properly assessed and cleaned up.
Potential adverse effects from chemicals such as benzene, methyl tertiary-butyl ether, alcohols, or
lead scavengers in gasoline and the cost to clean up these contaminants underscore the importance
of preventing UST releases and complying with UST requirements. Even a small amount of
petroleum released from an UST can contaminate groundwater, the drinking water source for many
Americans.
This program supports the Administration's priority of mitigating the negative environmental
impacts to communities that are historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by
persistent poverty and inequality, as articulated in Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial
Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. This
program also supports the Administration's Justice 40 initiative, which seeks to ensure that 40
percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flows to communities that are
marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.6 As of July 2021, there were
approximately 53 million people living within a quarter mile of an active UST facility, representing
16 percent of the total U.S. population. These communities tend to be more minority and lower
income than the U.S. population as a whole.7
Under this program, EPA supports the oversight and implementation of LUST cleanup programs
in the states,8 and directly implements assessments and cleanups of petroleum contamination from
6 For more information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefmp-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-
order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/.
7 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2021. Data collected includes: 1) UST information as of late-2018 to
mid-2019 depending on the state from ORD & OUST, UST Map,
https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html7idH303763d3f2754461adf86fl21345d7bc; and 2) population data
from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey.
8 States as referenced here also include the District of Columbia and five territories as described in the definition of state in the
Solid Waste Disposal Act.
764
-------
USTs in Indian Country. EPA also provides technical assistance and training to states and tribes
on how to conduct cleanups and improve the efficiency of state programs. As of September 2022,
59,890 LUST sites had not achieved cleanup completion.9 In FY 2022, 6,536 LUST cleanups were
completed nationally, including 13 in Indian Country. EPA will continue to collect and analyze
information about the initiation and cleanup of UST releases.
As the direct implementer of the Program in Indian Country, EPA oversees cleanups by
responsible parties, conducts site assessments, remediates contaminated water and soil, and
provides alternative sources of drinking water when needed. EPA's funding for Indian Country is
the primary source of money for these activities. With few exceptions, tribes do not have
independent program resources to pay for assessing and cleaning up UST releases, and in many
cases there are no responsible parties available to pay for the cleanups at sites in Indian Country.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
EPA requests an additional $4.5 million and 5.2 FTE to increase the protection of fenceline
communities. Requested resources will be used to complete an estimated 11 Trust Fund-led
cleanups and five potentially responsible party (PRP)-led cleanups in Indian Country.
Additionally, in FY 2024, EPA will continue to engage in the following activities:
• Work with states and tribes to implement strategies to reduce the number of sites that have
not reached cleanup completion and to address new releases as they continue to be
confirmed.
• Provide targeted training to states and tribes, such as remediation process optimization and
rapid site assessment techniques.
Continue developmental updates to the Tribal Underground Storage Tank Database
(TrUSTD), which was launched in FY 2021. This database provides a central repository
for Tribal UST/LUST data that will both improve data analysis on the tribal UST/LUST
universe, as well as create a platform that will make it easier for EPA to obtain and share
tribal UST/LUST data with the public.
• Monitor the soundness of financial mechanisms, particularly insurance and state cleanup
funds that serve as financial assurance for LUST releases and ensure that money is
available to pay for cleanups. In addition, EPA will continue to provide analysis and
technical assistance to states to help them improve the environmental and financial
performance of their cleanup funds.
• Provide support in Indian Country for site assessments, investigations, and remediation of
9 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.eov/svsteni/files/docunients/2021-l l/ca-2l-34.pdf.
765
-------
high priority sites; enforcement against responsible parties; cleanup of soil and
groundwater; alternate water supplies; cost recovery against UST owners and operators;
oversight of responsible party lead cleanups; and technical expertise and assistance to tribal
governments.
• Provide resources and support to states and tribes to quickly address emergency responses
from releases to the environment. Releases from USTs can result in imminent threats to
public safety when petroleum or petroleum vapors reach explosive levels in sewers, utility
corridors, underground parking structures, and basements near a LUST site. Emergency
response incidents across the country show that reporting, initial abatement measures, and
free product removal activities may need to be implemented immediately upon discovery
of a release to protect human health and the environment.10
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the LUST Cooperative Agreements
Program under the LUST appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$131.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base payroll costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$4,543.0 / +5.2 FTE) This program change is requested to support an additional 11 Trust
Fund-led cleanups and five PRP-led cleanups in Indian Country. This investment includes
$904.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act §§ 8001, 9001-9014.
10 For more information, please refer to: http://astswnio.ore/conipeiidiuni-of-eniereencv-respoiise-actioiis-at-undereround-
storage-tank-sites-version-2/.
766
-------
LUST Prevention
Program Area: Underground Storage Tanks (LUST / UST)
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l.t'iihiiix 1 iith'r^romitl St tirade Tanks
S 22.IH5
S 2.\ 'SO
S2(>.(>M
Sfl.SU
Total Budget Authority
$22,045
$25,780
$26,669
$889
Program Project Description:
The goal of the Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Prevention Program is to ensure that
groundwater sources are protected from petroleum and associated chemicals leaking from
underground storage tanks (USTs). This work supports the Administration's priority of mitigating
the negative environmental impacts to communities that are historically underserved,
marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality, as articulated in
Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities
Through the Federal Government,u As of July 2021, approximately 53 million people lived within
a quarter mile of an active UST facility, representing 16 percent of the total U.S. population. These
communities tend to be more minority and lower income than the U.S. population as a whole.12
The LUST Prevention Program provides funding to states13 and tribes to prevent releases from the
537,706 active USTs by ensuring compliance with federal and state laws through inspections and
other activities.14 Preventing UST releases is more efficient and less costly than cleaning up
releases after they occur. The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of2005 requires EPA or states to conduct
inspections at each regulated UST once every three years. Funding for LUST Prevention grants is
subject to an annual, formula-based allocation process.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.2, Reduce Waste and Prevent
Environmental Contamination in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
11 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-
government/.
12 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2021. Data collected includes: 1) UST information as of late 2018 to
mid-2019 depending on the state from ORD & OUST, UST Map,
https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html7idHj03763d3f2754461adf86fl21345d7bc; and 2) population data
from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey.
13 States as referenced here also include the District of Columbia and five territories as described in the definition of state in the
Solid Waste Disposal Act.
14 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/svstetn/files/documents/2021-l lZca-21-34.pdf.
767
-------
Due to the increased emphasis on inspections and release prevention requirements, the number of
annual confirmed releases has decreased by 38 percent from FY 2008 to FY 20221 (from 7,364 to
4,568).15
EPA estimates that only two percent of the Nation's 125,000 retail fuel locations have the
appropriate equipment to store higher blends of ethanol, which means that the remaining UST
systems will need some level of upgrade before they can safely and legally store El 5. This poses
a greater risk of having an accidental oil release in nearby communities. EPA plans to continue the
national program launched in FY 2023 to improve the compatibility of UST systems with El 5 in
fenceline communities. EPA will continue to support inspections to help ensure UST systems are
compatible with El 5 storage requirements and to triage sites that need more attention.
As of FY 2022, 51 states and territories have reported compliance with the UST Technical
Compliance Rate (TCR) measure, which came about after the UST rule was revised in 2015.16 The
TCR includes new compliance measures for spill prevention and overfill requirements as well as
additional leak detection requirements. The states that reported TCR in FY 2022 produced a TCR
rate of 57 percent, which is consistent with the 58 percent rate from FY 2021 but incorporates
several states reporting for the first time.
Major FY 2024 activities include core program priorities, such as inspecting UST facilities to meet
the three-year inspection requirement and assisting states in adopting prevention measures (for
example: delivery prohibition, secondary containment, and operator training). These activities
emphasize bringing UST systems into compliance with release detection and release prevention
requirements and minimizing future releases.
A lack of proper operation and maintenance for UST systems is one of the main causes of
petroleum releases and was the main impetus for EPA to propose changes to the federal UST rule
that was finalized in October 2015. By the end of FY 2024, EPA anticipates that all states that
originally had state program approval (SPA) based on the 1998 UST regulation will be granted
SPA renewal based on the 2015 UST regulation. In FY 2024, EPA will continue working with a
small number of remaining states to reapply for SPA. In addition, in FY 2022, one state was
approved for SPA for the first time, and EPA anticipates two more new states will apply and be
approved for SPA for the first time by the end of FY 2024.
EPA is responsible for implementing the UST regulations in Indian Country, in partnership with
the tribes. Resources will be used to provide support with all aspects of the tribal prevention
programs, including the development of inspection capacity. This includes providing money to
support training for tribal staff and educating owners and operators in Indian Country about UST
compliance requirements and, in some cases, assisting tribal staff to receive federal inspector
credentials to perform inspections on behalf of EPA.
15 For more information, please refer to https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-1 l/ca-2l-34.pdf.
16 Beginning in FY 2023, TCR will be the measure reported from the remainder of the states.
768
-------
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM UST01) Number of confirmed releases at UST facilities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No Target
Established
5,150
5,075
5,000
Releases
Actual
5.678
5.654
5.375
4.944
4,991
4,568
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$889.0) This program change requests grant funding to support fenceline communities
by increasing state inspections that will focus on ensuring UST systems are compatible
with E15.
Statutory Authority:
Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1976, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986, § 2007(f); Energy Policy Act, § 9011.
769
-------
LUST Cooperative Agreements
Program Area: Underground Storage Tanks (LUST / UST)
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
l.t'iihiiix 1 nilcrxroHiidStorage Tanks
S50.2V-/
S .\\0-l0
Vo.«-/«
SI 0.000
Total Budget Authority
$50,294
$55,040
$65,040
$10,000
Program Project Description:
This funding is used to award cooperative agreements to states17 to implement the Leaking
Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Program. The LUST Program ensures that petroleum
contamination is properly assessed and cleaned up by providing states with funding to address
releases, including in groundwater, the primary drinking water source for many Americans.18
This program supports the Administration's priority of mitigating the negative environmental
impacts to communities that are historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by
persistent poverty and inequality as articulated in Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial
Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,19 This
program also supports the Administration's Justice 40 initiative, which seeks to ensure that 40
percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flows to communities that are
marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. As of July 2021, there were
approximately 53 million people living within a quarter mile of an active UST facility, representing
16 percent of the total U.S. population. These communities tend to be more minority and lower
income than the U.S. population as a whole.20
LUST funding supports states in managing, overseeing, and enforcing cleanups at LUST sites. At
the end of FY 2022 there were 59,890 LUST sites nationally that had not reached cleanup
completion. States are focusing on increasing the efficiency of LUST cleanups, leveraging private
and state resources, and enabling community redevelopment. Cleaning up LUST sites protects
people from exposure to contaminants and makes land available for reuse.
17 States as referenced here also include the District of Columbia and five territories as described in the definition of state in the
Solid Waste Disposal Act.
18 Almost half of the Nation's overall population and 99 percent of the population in rural areas rely on groundwater for drinking
water. (See EPA 2000 Water Quality Inventory Report, https://archive.epa.gov/water/archive/web/html/20Q0report index.html-).
19 For more information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefmp-rooni/presidential-actioiis/2021/01/20/executive-
order-advancine-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/.
20 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2021. Data collected includes: (1) UST information as of late-2018 to
mid-2019 depending on the state from ORD & OUST, UST Map,
https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.Iitml?id=b03763d3f2754461adf%6fl21345d7bc: and (2) population data
from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey.
770
-------
EPA's backlog study characterized the national inventory of sites that have not reached cleanup
completion. The study found that almost half of the releases were 15 years old or older, and that
groundwater was contaminated at 78 percent of these sites. Remediating groundwater
contamination is often more technically complex, takes longer, and is more expensive than
remediating soil contamination.21 Potential adverse health effects from chemicals in gasoline such
as benzene, methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), alcohols, or lead scavengers contribute to the
importance of cleaning up these contaminants and increase the cost of cleaning up these sites.22
An EPA study published in 2018 determined the impact of high-profile UST releases on housing
prices. The study found that high profile UST releases decrease nearby property values by two to
six percent. Once a cleanup is completed, nearby property values rebound by a similar margin.23
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
EPA requests an additional $10 million in extramural funding to reduce the size of the national
backlog. Additional resources will be used to cleanup an additional 570 sites this year in
communities across the country.
The table below shows the progress made on the UST national backlog. EPA will continue to
collect and analyze information about the initiation and cleanup of UST releases.24
21 Please refer to The National LUST Cleanup Backlog: A Study Of Opportunities, September 2011,
http://www.epa.gov/ust/national-lust-cleanup-backlog-studv-opportunities.
22 Please see Technologies for Treating MTBE and Other Fuel Oxygenates, May 2004, pages 2-6 and 2-7,
https://nepis.epa. gov/Exe/ZvPDF.cgi/10004E5P.PDF?Dockev=l 0004E5P.PDF
23 Guignet, D., Jenkins, R., Ranson, M., & Walsh, P. J. (2018). Contamination and incomplete information: Bounding implicit
prices using high-profile leaks. Journal of environmental economics and management, 88, 259-282.
https://doi.Org/10.1016/i.ieem.2017.12.003.
24 Data from Annual Report of UST Measures End of Fiscal Year 2022, https://www.epa.gov/svstem/files/documents/2022-
1 lZca-22-34.pdf.
771
-------
UST National Backlog:
FY 1989 Through End-of-Year FY 2022
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to engage in the following activities with base resources:
Collaborate with states to develop and implement flexible, state-driven strategies to reduce
the number of remaining LUST sites that have not reached cleanup completion and address
new releases that are confirmed each year. Through the cooperative efforts between EPA
and states, the backlog was reduced by approximately 42 percent between the end of 2008
and the end of 2022 (from 102,798 to 59,890).25 This also includes providing resources to
states to perform core cleanup work.
20,000
0
1989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Years
200,000
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
• Leverage funding by developing best practices and supporting management, guidance, and
enforcement activities through LUST Cleanup Cooperative Agreements. LUST Cleanup
Cooperative Agreements help achieve approximately 7,000 cleanups annually, whereas, if
EPA were to apply the funding directly, only about 366 cleanups would occur annually
(assuming an average cleanup cost of $150 thousand per site).26
• Provide resources and support to states to quickly address emergency responses from
releases to the environment. Emergency response incidents across the country show that
reporting, initial abatement measures, and free product removal activities need to be
2- For more information, please refer to: htto^/www.epa.gov/ust/ust-performance-measures.
2fi Average cleanup cost per site based on ASTSWMO's 2019 Annual State Eund Survey Results at: http://astswmo. org/2019-
annual-state-fund-surveyfc
772
-------
implemented immediately upon discovery of a release to protect human health and the
environment.27
The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005 requires that states receiving LUST Cooperative
Agreements funding meet certain release prevention requirements, such as inspecting every
facility at least once every three years. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to factor state compliance
with EPAct requirements into LUST Cleanup Cooperative Agreement decisions.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM 112) Number of LUST cleanups completed that meet risk-based standards for human exposure and
groundwater migration.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
8,600
11,200
11,200
11,200
11,200
7,439
7,125
6,970
Cleanups
Actual
8,775
8,128
8,358
7,211
7,271
6,536
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$10,000.0) This program change is requested to increase EPA's progress in addressing
the national backlog. Additional extramural resources are estimated to result in cleanups at
an additional 570 sites across the country.
Statutory Authority:
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act § 9003(h)(7).
27 For more information, please refer to: http://astswmo.org/compendium-of-emergencv-response-actions-at-underground-
storage-tank-sites-version-2/.
773
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Inland Oil Spill Programs
Program Projects in Inland Oil Spill Programs 776
Compliance 777
Compliance Monitoring 778
Enforcement 780
Civil Enforcement 781
Oil 783
Oil Spill: Prevention, Preparedness and Response 784
Operations and Administration 787
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations 788
Research: Sustainable Communities 790
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities 791
774
-------
775
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: Inland Oil Spill Programs
Resource Summary Table
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2023
President's Budget
FY 2022
Enacted
FY 2024
v.
Final
Operating
President's
FY 2023 Enacted
Actuals
Plan
Budget
Operating Plan
Inland Oil Spill Programs
Budget Authority
$21,709
$22,072
$27,551
$5,479
Total Workyears
76.9
85.8
99.8
14.0
Bill Language: Inland Oil Spill Programs
For expenses necessary to carry out the Environmental Protection Agency's responsibilities under
the Oil Pollution Act of1990, including hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft, $27,551,000,
to be derivedfrom the Oil Spill Liability trust fund, to remain available until expended.
Program Projects in Inland Oil Spill Programs
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Compliance
Compliance Monitoring
$278
$649
$2,152
$1,503
Underground Storage Tanks (LUST/UST)
LUST/UST
-$1
$0
$0
$0
Enforcement
Civil Enforcement
$2,660
$2,565
$2,665
$100
Oil
Oil Spill: Prevention, Preparedness and Response
$17,136
$17,501
$21,412
$3,911
Operations and Administration
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$854
$682
$641
-$41
Research: Sustainable Communities
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
$782
$675
$681
$6
TOTAL Inland Oil Spill Programs
$21,709
$22,072
$27,551
$5,479
776
-------
Compliance
777
-------
Compliance Monitoring
Program Area: Compliance
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
SI 08.996
$112.730
$162,105
$49,375
Inland OH Spill Pro'^rums
S2 "V
Sfi-IV
S 2.152
SIJOJ
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$1,278
$1,017
$1,032
$15
Total Budget Authority
$110,552
$114,396
$165,289
$50,893
Total Workyears
438.5
478.9
520.4
41.5
Program Project Description:
The Compliance Monitoring Program is a component of EPA's Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance Program (OECA) that allows the Agency to detect noncompliance and
promotes compliance with the Nation's environmental laws. Under this program, EPA integrates
the data from the Facility Response Plans (FRP) and Spill Prevention, Control, and
Countermeasure (SPCC) systems into EPA's Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS).
Data related to compliance with FRP and SPCC requirements are made available to the public
through EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) website.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.2, Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue accelerating efforts to modernize ICIS and support better
integration with ECHO. EPA will continue to implement its comprehensive action plan for
integrating Environmental Justice (EJ) and climate change considerations throughout all aspects
of the Program, including a performance measure tracking the percentage of inspections affecting
communities with potential EJ concerns. This effort answers the President's call to "strengthen
enforcement of environmental violations with disproportionate impact on overburdened or
underserved communities through the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance" [EO
14008, sec. 222(b)(i)], and to "combat the climate crisis with bold, progressive action" (EO 14008,
sec. 201). It also will improve the availability of FRP and SPCC compliance data to EPA, states,
and the public.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
778
-------
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$25.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$1,528.0) This program change increase will allow EPA to accelerate its efforts to
modernize the Integrated Compliance Information System, support better integration with
the Enforcement and Compliance History Online website, and enhance efforts to address
compliance concerns in disadvantaged and other environmental justice communities.
Statutory Authority:
Oil Pollution Act; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-
80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
779
-------
Enforcement
780
-------
Civil Enforcement
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$179,062
$205,942
$242,585
$36,643
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$631
$661
$682
$21
Inland OH Spill Pro'^rums
S 2.MM
S2.5U5
S2.M>5
sum
Total Budget Authority
$182,354
$209,168
$245,932
$36,764
Total Workyears
883.8
998.1
1,041.7
43.6
Program Project Description:
The Civil Enforcement Program's goal is to protect human health and the environment by ensuring
compliance with the Nation's environmental laws. The Civil Enforcement Program collaborates
with the Department of Justice (DOJ), state, local, and tribal governments to ensure consistent and
fair enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. The Civil Enforcement Program develops,
litigates, and settles administrative and civil judicial cases against violators of environmental laws.
The Civil Enforcement Program's enforcement of Section 311 of the Clean Water Act, as amended
by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, is designed to ensure compliance with the prohibition against oil
and hazardous substance spills that violate the statute, as well as the oil spill prevention, response
planning, and other regulatory requirements. The Civil Enforcement Program develops policies,
issues administrative compliance and penalty orders, and refers civil judicial actions to the DOJ to
address spills, violations of spill prevention regulations, response planning regulations and other
violations (e.g., improper dispersant use or noncompliance with orders). The Program also assists
in the recovery of cleanup costs expended by the government and provides support for field
investigations of spills; Facility Response Plans; Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures;
and other requirements.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to streamline the Civil Enforcement Program, prioritize resources
to achieve regulatory compliance, and address oil or hazardous substance spills and deter future
spills. The Program will focus on facilities where enforcement will promote deterrence, tackle the
climate crisis, integrate environmental justice considerations in EPA's work to protect
overburdened and underserved communities that have borne a disproportionate burden of
pollution, and to ensure that spills are prevented, cleaned up, and, where appropriate, mitigated.
781
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The Civil Enforcement Program continues to coordinate with the Criminal Enforcement Program,
as appropriate.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Civil Enforcement Program under
the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$222.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes critical
agency wide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity requirements,
electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of Trusted
Vetting 2.0.
(-$122.0) This program change is a slight reduction to enforcement efforts under the Oil
Pollution Act.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Clean Water Act; Oil Pollution Act.
782
-------
Oil
783
-------
Oil Spill: Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Program Area: Oil
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Inland (HI Spill Programs
sr. uo
SI ~.5!H
S 21.-II2
SJ.'JII
Total Budget Authority
$17,136
$17,501
$21,412
$3,911
Total Workyears
63.7
71.6
85.6
14.0
Program Project Description:
The Oil Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program protects the American people by
preventing, preparing for, responding to, and monitoring inland oil spills. EPA is the driving force
and primary federal responder for inland oil spills, which include but are not limited to
transportation-related spills from pipelines, trucks, railcars, and other transportation systems. In
addition, the Program may provide technical assistance, assets, and outreach to industry, states,
and local communities as part of the Agency's effort to prevent, prepare for, and respond to oil
incidents.1
There are approximately 550,400 Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC)
facilities, including a subset of 3,821 Facility Response Plan (FRP) facilities identified as high risk
due to their size and location. The Oil Pollution Act requires certain facilities that store and use oil
to develop response plans that are reviewed by EPA, ensuring access and availability of response
resources in the event a discharge to navigable waters or adjoining shorelines occurs.
To minimize the potential impact to human health and the environment, the Agency targets
inspections at facilities that pose the highest risk. Inspections are essential to ensuring that facility
staff are knowledgeable on prevention and response plans and can quickly put these plans into
action. The Agency currently inspects approximately 0.07 percent of SPCC facilities per year. In
FY 2022, EPA found 92.8 percent of SPCC facilities inspected to be out of compliance at the time
of inspection.2 The Agency currently inspects approximately 11.7 percent of FRP facilities per
year. In FY 2022, EPA continued off-site compliance monitoring activities for 23 SPCC and 225
FRP facilities to further expand compliance evaluation tools available to inspectors during the
COVID-19 pandemic.3 EPA plans to continue to use off-site compliance monitoring to
complement on-site inspections.4
1 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.KOv/oil-spills-prevention-and-preparedness-regulations.
2 Information from the EPA Oil database.
3 In FY 2021, the Agency conducted 348 offsite compliance monitoring activities for SPCC and FRP.
4 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/202Q-
07/documents/inspectioncommittments O.pdf.
784
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EPA receives spill notifications through the National Response Center. The Agency is responsible
for ensuring all inland oil spills are promptly responded to by working closely with state, tribal,
and local first responders on smaller spills and leading the response on larger spills. EPA accesses
the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, to obtain reimbursement
funds for site-specific oil spill response activities.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.3, Prepare for and Respond to
Environmental Emergencies in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Oil Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program will:
• Inspect oil facilities to ensure compliance with prevention and preparedness requirements.
Inspections involve examining and evaluating the facility's prevention, preparedness, and
response plans and discussing critical components of them with facility staff. EPA also will
conduct unannounced exercises at FRP facilities to test the facility owner/operator's ability
to execute preparedness and response plans. Finally, EPA will conduct off-site compliance
monitoring activities for oil facilities to allow inspectors to determine compliance from
remote locations as another tool to promote regulatory compliance.
• Focus inspections at high-risk facilities. High-risk facilities are identified using a number
of factors including oil spill history; proximity to environmentally sensitive receptors or
drinking water intakes; citizen complaints or federal, state, tribal or local agency referrals
based on significant non-compliance; or the potential to cause substantial harm to the
environment by discharging oil to navigable waters. The Program will increase inspections
and compliance assistance at SPCC and FRP-regulated facilities, focusing on high-risk
facilities located in communities with environmental justice concerns and communities
with increased climate-related risks (e.g., extreme weather, flooding, wildfires, etc.). These
inspection activities are critical to ensuring regulatory compliance at facilities with aging
oil storage infrastructure that could pose a higher risk of an oil spill, thereby substantially
impacting downstream disadvantaged communities. The program expects to conduct an
additional 150 inspections, compared to FY 2022, at SPCC and FRP-regulated facilities.
The Program will develop additional compliance assistance materials, such as factsheets
and facility guidance, reflecting the potential impacts of climate change and environmental
justice.
• Maintain the National Contingency Plan's Subpart J product schedule, which highlights a
list of products that may be used to mitigate oil spills.
Target exercises to improve preparedness for communities with environmental justice
concerns and increase incorporation of environmental justice into preparedness activities
overall.
• Maintain the National Oil Database, which compiles data for the Program. The database
assists in managing SPCC and FRP information obtained during inspections, as well as,
785
-------
serving as a historical repository. The Oil Database provides more efficient access to
regulated facility information, streamlining inspection activities and identifying regulatory
applicability. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to upgrade the National Oil Database to allow
easier data entry, retrieval, and analysis to improve program implementation.
• Deliver required annual oil spill inspector training to federal inspectors and oil spill
response training to On-Scene Coordinators and provide outreach to federal/state partners
and industry stakeholders to improve compliance with regulatory requirements. EPA will
continue developing inspector training materials and methods for inspectors to best assess
SPCC and FRP facilities' incorporation of risks from natural hazards and climate change
into their oil spill prevention and response plans.
• Under the Clean Water Act (CWA) authority, Subpart J of the National Contingency Plan
(NCP) sets forth regulatory requirements for the use of chemical agents as an oil spill
mitigation technology. In FY 2023, the Agency expects to finalize amendments to Subpart
J of the NCP that include revisions to the existing product listing, testing protocols, and
authorization of use procedures to complement the new provisions for dispersant
monitoring that were finalized in 2021. In FY 2024, the Agency will develop guidance for
implementation of the new regulatory provisions.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program directly supports performance results in the Superfund: EPA Emergency
Preparedness Program under the Superfund appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$333.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$3,578.0 / +14.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support Oil Spill
Prevention, Preparedness, and Response activities in fenceline communities at risk from
nearby oil facilities, including providing increased outreach/compliance assistance,
improved inspector training, Oil Database improvements, regulatory updates, and
inspections at regulated facilities to ensure facilities have measures in place to prevent oil
accidents. In addition, resources will be used to develop inspector training materials and
methods. This investment includes $2.5 million for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
The Clean Water Act Section 311 as amended by the Oil Pollution Act.
786
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Operations and Administration
787
-------
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$291,501
$283,330
$305,753
$22,423
Science & Technology
$68,347
$67,500
$72,043
$4,543
Building and Facilities
$24,681
$42,076
$105,009
$62,933
T.caking Underground Storage Tanks
$922
$754
$727
-$27
Inland Oil Spill Program*
SiS'.i-/
SM2
Sf,-ll
-w/
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$76,108
$65,634
$71,540
$5,906
Total Budget Authority
$462,412
$459,976
$555,713
$95,737
Total Workyears
310.6
321.8
330.4
8.6
Total work years in FY 2024 include 5.4 FTE to support Facilities Infrastructure and Operations working capital fund (WCF)
services.
Program Project Description:
EPA's Facilities Infrastructure and Operations Program in the Inland Oil Spill Programs
appropriation supports the Agency's rent, transit subsidy, and facility operations. Funding is
allocated for such services among the major appropriations for the Agency.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue reconfiguring EPA's workplaces with the goal of reducing long-
term rent costs while increasing EPA facility sustainability to combat the effects of climate change
and ensuring a space footprint that accommodates a growing workforce. Space reconfiguration
enables EPA to reduce its footprint to create a more efficient, collaborative, and technologically
sophisticated workplace. However, even if modifications are kept to a minimum, each move
requires initial funding to achieve long-term cost avoidance and sustainability goals. These
investments support sustainable federal infrastructure, a clean energy future, and goals to achieve
net-zero emissions by 2050. For FY 2024, EPA is requesting $483 thousand for rent in the Inland
Oil Spill Programs appropriation. EPA uses a standard methodology to ensure that rent charging
appropriately reflects planned and enacted resources at the appropriation level. EPA also will
continue working to increase sustainability and reduce carbon emissions through cost-effective
solutions.
788
-------
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$41.0) This net program change reduces Agency facilities management and operations
support. The reduction is offset by an increase in transit subsidy costs.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Property and Administration Services Act; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat.
2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
789
-------
Research: Sustainable Communities
790
-------
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Program Area: Research: Sustainable Communities
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Science & Technology
$133,808
$137,857
$146,642
$8,785
T.caking Underground Storage Tanks
S312
$341
$351
$10
Inland Oil Spill Program*
SS2
V<"
SfiKJ
SO
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$16,562
$16,937
$17,364
$427
Total Budget Authority
$151,463
$155,810
$165,038
$9,228
Total Workyears
422.1
421.8
444.3
22.5
Program Project Description:
EPA is the lead federal on-scene coordinator for inland oil spills and provides technical assistance,
when needed, for coastal spills.4 EPA is responsible for oil spill preparedness, response, and
associated research; as well as having the lead role to develop protocols for testing spill
response products and agents, which is planned with the assistance of partner agencies including
the United States Coast Guard, United States Department of the Interior, United States Department
of Transportation, and United States Department of Commerce.
EPA's Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) Research Program for inland oil spills,
funded through the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund,5 provides federal, tribal, state, and community
decision-makers with analysis and tools to protect human and ecosystem health from the negative
impacts of oil spills. EPA assists communities, including economically, socially, and
environmentally disadvantaged or impacted communities, by supporting local officials in their
response to a spill. As a result of EPA's research, responders can make more informed
decisions on approaches and methods to reduce the spread and impact of coastal and inland oil
spills, including pipeline and railway spills. Additionally, EPA provides essential remediation
expertise that assists communities in addressing potential impacts on their environmental
resources associated with pipeline and railway oil spills.
The research performed also supports the Agency's National Contingency Plan (NCP) Product
Schedule.6 The NCP is used nationwide by emergency responders and federal agencies when
responding to oil spills. EPA's role is to develop and evaluate response approaches that involve
the use of bioremediation, dispersants, and other additives. EPA also assesses impacts to surface
water and groundwater, especially if they affect drinking water supplies. The Agency relies on
this research to provide testing procedures that inform cleanup decisions during an emergency
spill response.
4 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/eniergeiiCY-respoiise/epas-sceiie-coordiiiators-oscs.
5 For more information, please see: https://www.uscg.mil/Mariners/National-Pollution-Funds-Center/About NPFC/OSLTF/.
6 For more information, please see: http://www.epa.goY/eniergencY-respoiise/iiatioiial-contiiigencY-plan-subpai1-i.
791
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Recent Accomplishments of the SHC Research Program include:7
Improving efficiency of at-sea, in situ oil spill burns:8 Researchers advanced EPA's and the
nation's capabilities to respond to oil spills by providing insight into operational strategies that
can be applied during at-sea oil spill response. The presence of waves at sea increases the
challenge for in situ oil burns due to heat loss to the underlying water and encouraging flame
extinction. EPA conducted research to enhance combustion by shortening the oil plume core
thickness to allow greater air penetration and radiant heat feedback to the burning oil. Oil
consumption, combustion efficiency, residue characterization, and emissions were studied to
optimize performance of technologies to remediate potential future at-sea spills.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the oil spill program will conduct research to support regulatory activities and protocol
development for EPA's programs and to support state-delegated programs. This Program will
provide on-demand technical support at federal, tribal, or state-managed cleanup sites, as well as
assistance during emergencies. The Program will continue to conduct health, environmental
engineering, and ecological research, and prepare planning and analysis tools for localities
nationwide that will facilitate regulatory compliance and improve environmental and health
outcomes.
Specific activities in FY 2024 include:
• Developing a reference guide for the Subpart J decision rule, a surface washing agent
effectiveness protocol in fresh and salt water, and screening for new National Contingency
Plan (NCP) reference oils.
• Understanding the toxicity of oil-agent mixtures and potential exposure to marine biota, and
the long-term fate of these materials in the environment including 1) determining the
sensitivity of cold-water species to oils treated with Alternative Response Measures (both
chemical agents and in situ burns); 2) assessing the ecological relevance of laboratory toxicity
tests; 3) characterizing biodegradation of oil exposed to treating agents by high-latitude
microbial cultures; and 4) evaluating Low Sulfur Fuel Oils.
Research Planning:
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research
needs of Agency program and regional offices, states, and tribes, and is planned with their active
involvement. Each research program has developed and published their fourth generation of the
7 For a more complete view of accomplishments, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/natioiial-research-progranis.
8 For more information, please see: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X210105QX.
792
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StRAPs9 which continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at solving
the problems encountered by the Agency and its stakeholders.
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with various groups, including
communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its research through a variety of mechanisms
that include:
• EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement10 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs, and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
Partnerships
Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and Agency representatives.
These interactions identify research of mutual benefit and lead to collaborations on
important tribal environmental science issues.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Research: Sustainable and Healthy
Communities Program under the S&T appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$5.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$11.0) This program change reflects an increase to the Sustainable and Healthy
Communities Oil Spills research program.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified as Title 5 App.) (EPA's organic statute); Oil Pollution Act.
9 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.eov/research/strategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-vears-2023-
2026.
10 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eoY/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
793
• Tribal
o
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - State and Tribal Assistance Grants
Program Projects in STAG 801
Categorical Grants 804
Categorical Grant: Beaches Protection 805
Categorical Grant: Brownfields 807
Categorical Grant: Environmental Information 810
Resource Recovery and Hazardous Waste Grants 814
Categorical Grant: Lead 817
Categorical Grant: Multipurpose Grants 820
Categorical Grant: Nonpoint Source (Sec. 319) 822
Categorical Grant: Pesticides Enforcement 826
Categorical Grant: Pesticides Program Implementation 828
Categorical Grant: Pollution Control (Sec. 106) 832
Categorical Grant: Pollution Prevention 837
Categorical Grant: Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) 840
Categorical Grant: Radon 843
Categorical Grant: State and Local Air Quality Management 845
Categorical Grant: Toxics Substances Compliance 849
Categorical Grant: Tribal Air Quality Management 851
Categorical Grant: Tribal General Assistance Program 854
Categorical Grant: Underground Injection Control (UIC) 857
Categorical Grant: Underground Storage Tanks 859
Categorical Grant: Wetlands Program Development 861
State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) 863
Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant Program 864
Brownfields Projects 867
Infrastructure Assistance: Alaska Native Villages 871
Infrastructure Assistance: Clean Water SRF 873
Infrastructure Assistance: Drinking Water SRF 878
San Juan Watershed Monitoring 884
Infrastructure Assistance: Mexico Border 885
Targeted Airshed Grants 888
794
-------
Safe Water for Small & Disadvantaged Communities 890
Reducing Lead in Drinking Water 892
Lead Testing in Schools 894
Drinking Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability 896
Technical Assistance for Wastewater Treatment Works 898
Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Grants 900
Water Infrastructure Workforce Investment 902
Technical Assistance and Grants for Emergencies (SDWA) 904
Technical Assistance and Grants for Emergencies, Small Systems 906
Source Water Petition Program 908
Voluntary Connections to Public Water Systems 910
Underserved Communities Grant to Meet SDWA Requirements 912
Small System Water Loss Identification and Prevention 914
Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability
916
Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program 918
Advanced Drinking Water Technologies 920
Clean Water Act Research, Investigations, Training, and Information 922
Wastewater Efficiency Grant Pilot Program 924
Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program 926
Small and Medium Publicly Owned Treatment Works Circuit Rider Program 928
Grants for Low and Moderate income Household Decentralized Wastewater Systems 930
Connection to Publicly Owned Treatment Works 932
Water Data Sharing Pilot Program 934
Stormwater Infrastructure Technology 936
Stormwater Control Infrastructure Project Grants 938
Alternative Water Sources Grants Pilot Program 940
Enhanced Aquifer Use and Recharge 942
Water Sector Cybersecurity 944
Recycling Infrastructure 946
Wildfire Smoke Preparedness 949
795
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: State and Tribal Assistance Grants
Resource Summary Table
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2023
President's Budget
FY 2022
Enacted
FY 2024
v.
Final
Operating
President's
FY 2023 Enacted
Actuals
Plan
Budget
Operating Plan
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
Budget Authority
$3,088,886
$4,493,728
$5,855,624
$1,361,896
Total Workyears
8.2
7.5
128.6
121.1
Bill Language: State and Tribal Assistance Grants
For environmental programs and infrastructure assistance, including capitalization grants for State
revolving funds and performance partnership grants, $5,855,624,000, to remain available until
expended, of which—
(1) $1,638,874,000 shall be for making capitalization grants for the Clean Water State
Revolving Funds under title VI of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and of which
$1,126,105,000 shall be for making capitalization grants for the Drinking Water State Revolving
Funds under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act: Provided, That for fiscal year 2024, to
the extent there are sufficient eligible project applications and projects are consistent with State
Intended Use Plans, not less than 15 percent of the funds made available under this title to each
State for Clean Water State Revolving Fund capitalization grants shall be used by the State for
projects to address green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency improvements, or other
environmentally innovative activities: Provided further, That for fiscal year 2024, funds made
available under this title to each State for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund capitalization grants
may, at the discretion of each State, be usedfor projects to address green infrastructure, water or
energy efficiency improvements, or other environmentally innovative activities: Providedfurther,
That the Administrator is authorized to use up to $1,500,000 offunds made available for the Clean
Water State Revolving Funds under this heading under title VI of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1381) to conduct the Clean Watersheds Needs Survey: Providedfurther, That
notwithstanding section 603(d)(7) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the limitation on the
amounts in a State water pollution control revolving fund that may be used by a State to administer
the fund shall not apply to amounts included as principal in loans made by such fund in fiscal year
2024 andprior years where such amounts represent costs of administering the fund to the extent that
such amounts are or were deemed reasonable by the Administrator, accountedfor separately from
other assets in the fund, and used for eligible purposes of the fund, including administration:
Providedfurther, Thatfor fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (g)(l), (h),
and (I) of section 201 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, grants made under title II of such
Act for American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the United States
Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia may also be made for the purpose of providing
assistance: (1) solely for facility plans, design activities, or plans, specifications, and estimates for
any proposedproject for the construction of treatment works; and (2) for the construction, repair,
796
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or replacement of privately owned treatment works serving one or more principal residences or
small commercial establishments: Providedfurther, Thatfor fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding the
provisions of such subsections (g)(1), (h), and (I) of section 201 and section 518(c) of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, funds reserved by the Administrator for grants under section 518(c) of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act may also be used to provide assistance: (1) solely for
facility plans, design activities, or plans, specifications, and estimates for any proposed project for
the construction of treatment works; and (2) for the construction, repair, or replacement of privately
owned treatment works serving one or more principal residences or small commercial
establishments: Provided further, That for fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding any provision of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act and regulations issued pursuant thereof, up to a total of
$2,000,000 of the funds reserved by the Administrator for grants under section 518(c) of such Act
may also be usedfor grants for training, technical assistance, and educational programs relating to
the operation and management of the treatment works specified in section 518(c) of such Act:
Providedfurther, That for fiscal year 2024, funds reserved under section 518(c) of such Act shall
be available for grants only to Indian tribes, as defined in section 518(h) of such Act and former
Indian reservations in Oklahoma (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior) and Native Villages
as defined in Public Law 92-203: Providedfurther, That for fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding the
limitation on amounts in section 518(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, up to a total of
2 percent of the funds appropriated, or $30,000,000, whichever is greater, and notwithstanding the
limitation on amounts in section 1452(i) of the Safe Drinking Water Act, up to a total of 2 percent of
the funds appropriated, or $20,000,000, whichever is greater, for State Revolving Funds under such
Acts may be reserved by the Administrator for grants under section 518(c) and section 1452(i) of
such Acts: Provided further, That for fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding the amounts specified in
section 205(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, up to 1.5 percent of the aggregate funds
appropriated for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program under the Act less any sums
reserved under section 518(c) of the Act, may be reserved by the Administrator for grants made
under title II of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act for American Samoa, Guam, the Common-
wealth of the Northern Marianas, and United States Virgin Islands: Providedfurther, That for fiscal
year 2024, notwithstanding the limitations on amounts specified in section 1452(j) of the Safe
Drinking Water Act, up to 1.5 percent of the funds appropriated for the Drinking Water State
Revolving Fund programs under the Safe Drinking Water Act may be reserved by the Administrator
for grants made under section 1452(j) of the Safe Drinking Water Act: Provided further, That 10
percent of the funds made available under this title to each State for Clean Water State Revolving
Fund capitalization grants and 14 percent of the funds made available under this title to each State
for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund capitalization grants shall be used by the State to provide
additional subsidy to eligible recipients in the form of forgiveness of principal, negative interest
loans, or grants (or any combination of these), and shall be so used by the State only where such
funds are provided as initialfinancing for an eligible recipient or to buy, refinance, or restructure
the debt obligations of eligible recipients only where such debt was incurred on or after the date of
enactment of this Act, or where such debt was incurred prior to the date of enactment of this Act if
the State, with concurrence from the Administrator, determines that such funds could be used to help
address a threat to public health from heightened exposure to lead in drinking water or if a Federal
or State emergency declaration has been issued due to a threat to public health from heightened
exposure to lead in a municipal drinking water supply before the date of enactment of this Act:
Providedfurther, That in a State in which such an emergency declaration has been issued, the State
may use more than 14 percent of the funds made available under this title to the State for Drinking
797
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Water State Revolving Fund capitalization grants to provide additional subsidy to eligible
recipients: Providedfurther, That notwithstanding section 1452(o) of the Safe Drinking Water Act
(42 U.S. C. 300j-12(o)), the Administrator shall reserve $12,000,000 of the amounts made available
for fiscal year 2024for making capitalization grants for the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
to pay the costs of monitoring for unregulated contaminants under section 1445(a)(2)(C) of such
Act: Provided further, That no amounts may be rescinded from amounts that were designated by the
Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to a Concurrent Resolution on the Budget or the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985;
(2) $36,386,000 shall be for architectural, engineering, planning, design, construction and
related activities in connection with the construction of high priority water and wastewater facilities
in the area of the United States- Mexico Border, after consultation with the appropriate border
commission: Provided, That no funds provided by this appropriations Act to address the water,
wastewater and other critical infrastructure needs of the colonias in the United States along the
United States-Mexico border shall be made available to a county or municipal government unless
that government has established an enforceable local ordinance, or other zoning rule, which
prevents in that jurisdiction the development or construction of any additional colonia areas, or the
development within an existing colonia the construction of any new home, business, or other
structure which lacks water, wastewater, or other necessary infrastructure;
(3) $40,000,000 shall be for grants to the State of Alaska to address drinking water and
wastewater infrastructure needs of rural and Alaska Native Villages: Provided, That of these funds:
(A) the State of Alaska shall provide a match of 25 percent; (B) no more than 5 percent of the funds
may be used for administrative and overhead expenses; and (C) the State of Alaska shall make
awards consistent with the Statewide priority list established in conjunction with the Agency and the
U.S. Department of Agriculture for all water, sewer, waste disposal, and similar projects carried out
by the State of Alaska that are funded under section 221 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1301) or the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.)
which shall allocate not less than 25 percent of the funds provided for projects in regional hub
communities;
(4) $130,982,000 shall be to carry out section 104(k) of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), including grants, interagency
agreements, and associated program support costs: Provided, That at least 10 percent shall be
allocatedfor assistance in persistent poverty counties;
(5) $150,000,000 shall be for grants under title VII, subtitle G of the Energy Policy Act of2005;
(6) $69,927,000 shall be for targeted airshed grants in accordance with the terms and conditions
in the explanatory statement described in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of this
consolidated Act);
(7) $80,005,000 shall be for grants under subsections (a) through (j) of section 1459A of the
Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-19a);
798
-------
(8) $36,500,000 shall be for grants under section 1464(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300j-24(d));
(9) $182,004,000 shall be for grants under section 1459B of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300j-19b);
(10) $25,000,000 shall be for grants under section 1459A(l) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300j-19a(l));
(11) $18,000,000 shall be for grants under section 104(b)(8) of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1254(b)(8));
(12) $280, Oil, 000 shall be for grants under section 221 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1301);
(13) $17,711,000 shall be for grants under section 4304(b) of the America's Water Infrastructure
Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-270);
(14) $10,000,000 shall be for carrying out section 302(a) of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (33 U.S.C.
4283(a)), of which not more than 5 percent shall be for administrative costs to carry out such section:
Provided, That not-withstanding section 302(a) of such Act, the Administrator may also provide
grants pursuant to such authority to intertribal consortia consistentwith the requirements in 40 CFR
35.504(a), to former Indian reservations in Oklahoma (as determined by the Secretary of the
Interior), and Alaska Native Villages as defined in Public Law 92-203;
(15) $1,416,906,000 shall be for grants, including associated program support costs, to States,
federally recognized tribes, interstate agencies, tribal consortia, and air pollution control agencies
for multi-media or single media pollution prevention, control and abatement, and related activities,
including activities pursuant to the provisions set forth under this heading in Public Law 104 134,
and for making grants under section 103 of the Clean Air Act for particulate matter monitoring and
data collection activities subject to terms and conditions specified by the Administrator, and under
section 2301 of the Water and Waste Act of 2016 to assist States in developing and implementing
programs for control of coal combustion residuals, of which: $46,954,000 shall be for carrying out
section 128 of CERCLA; $15,000,000 shall be for Environmental Information Exchange Net- work
grants, including associatedprogram support costs; $1,505,000 shall be for grants to States under
section 2007(f)(2) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, which shall be in addition to funds appropriated
under the heading "Leaking Under- ground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program " to carry out the
provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act specified in section 9508(c) of the Internal Revenue Code
other than section 9003(h) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; $26,515,000 of the funds available for
grants under section 106 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act shall be for State participation
in national- and State-level statistical surveys of water resources and enhancements to State
monitoring programs; and $10,200,000 shall be for multipurpose grants, including interagency
agreements, in accordance with the terms and conditions described in the explanatory statement
described in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of this consolidated Act);
799
-------
(16) $50,022,000 shall be for grants under section 1442(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300j-l(b)), of which $15,000,000 shall be for emergency situations affecting small public
water systems;
(17) $5,000,000 shall be for grants under section 1454(c) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300j-14(c));
(18) $20,004,000 shall be for grants under section 1459A(m) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300j-19a(m));
(19) $50,030,000 shall be for grants under section 1459A(n) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300j-19a(n));
(20) $50,019,000 shall be for grants under section 1459E of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300j-19f);
(21) $50,022,000 shall be for grants under section 1459F of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300j-19g);
(22) $50,017,000 shall be for carrying out section 2001 of the America's Water Infrastructure Act
of 2018 (PublicLaw 115-270, 42 U.S.C. 300j-3c note): Provided, that the Administrator may award
grants and enter into contracts with tribes, intertribal consortia, public or private agencies,
institutions, organizations, and individuals, without regard to section 3324(a) and (b) of title 31 and
section 6101 of title 41, United States Code, and enter into interagency agreements as appropriate;
(23) $10,000,000 shall be for grants under section 1459G(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300j-19h(b));
(24) $ 75,033,000, in addition to amounts otherwise available, shall be for grants under sections
104(b)(3), 104(b)(8), and 104(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1254(b)(3),
1254(b)(8), and 1254(g));
(25) $20,004,000 shall be for grants under section 222 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1302);
(26) $25, Oil, 000 shall be for grants under section 223 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1302a);
(27) $10,000,000 shall be for grants under section 224 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1302b);
(28) $50,022,000 shall be for grants under section 226 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1302d);
(29) $40,020,000 shall be for grants under section 227 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1302e);
800
-------
(30) $15,000,000 shall be for grants under section 50213 of the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act (42 U.S.C. 10361 note; Public Law 117—58);
(31) $5,000,000 shall be for grants under section 50217(b) of the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act (33 U.S.C. 1302f(b); Public Law 117-58);
(32) $10,000,000 shall be for grants under section 50217(c) of the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act (33 U.S.C. 1302f(c); Public Law 117-58);
(33) $25,009,000 shall be for grants under section 220 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1300);
(34) $5,000,000 shall be for grants under section 124 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1276); and
(35) $25,000,000, in addition to amounts otherwise available, shall be for competitive grants to
meet cybersecurity infrastructure needs within the water sector.
(36) $7,000,000 shall be for grants under section 103(b)(3) of the Clean Air Actfor wildfire smoke
preparedness grants in accordance with the terms and conditions in the explanatory statement
described in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of this consolidated Act): Provided, That
not more than 3 percent shall be for administrative costs to carry out such section.
Provided, That up to 5 percent of the funds appropriated under this heading in each ofparagraphs
(16) through (34) may be reserved for salaries, expenses, and administration, and may be
transferred to the "Environmental Programs and Management" account or the "Science and
Technology" account as needed.
Program Projects in STAG
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
State mid Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Infrastructure Assistance: Alaska Native
Villages
$39,605
$39,686
$40,000
$314
Brownfields Projects
$83,758
$100,000
$130,982
$30,982
Infrastructure Assistance: Clean Water SRF
$1,018,013
$1,638,861
$1,638,874
$13
Infrastructure Assistance: Drinking Water SRF
$638,343
$1,126,101
$1,126,105
$4
Infrastructure Assistance: Mexico Border
$28,711
$36,386
$36,386
$0
Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant Program
$48,628
$100,000
$150,000
$50,000
Targeted Airshed Grants
$59,000
$69,927
$69,927
$0
San Juan Watershed Monitoring
$1,578
$0
$0
$0
801
-------
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Safe Water for Small & Disadvantaged
Communities
$23,173
$30,158
$80,005
$49,847
Reducing Lead in Drinking Water
$387
$25,011
$182,004
$156,993
Lead Testing in Schools
$14,431
$30,500
$36,500
$6,000
Drinking Water Infrastructure Resilience and
Sustainability
$0
$7,000
$25,000
$18,000
Technical Assistance for Wastewater Treatment
Works
$12,000
$27,000
$18,000
-$9,000
Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Grants
$44,935
$50,000
$280,011
$230,011
Water Infrastructure Workforce Investment
$3,322
$6,000
$17,711
$11,711
Technical Assistance and Grants for Emergencies
(SDWA)
$0
$0
$35,022
$35,022
Technical Assistance and Grants for
Emergencies, Small Systems
$0
$0
$15,000
$15,000
Source Water Petition Program
$0
$0
$5,000
$5,000
Voluntary Connections to Public Water Systems
$0
$0
$20,004
$20,004
Underserved Communities Grant to Meet SDWA
Requirements
$0
$0
$50,030
$50,030
Small System Water Loss Identification and
Prevention
$0
$0
$50,019
$50,019
Midsize and Large Drinking Water System
Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability
$0
$5,000
$50,022
$45,022
Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program
$0
$4,000
$50,017
$46,017
Advanced Drinking Water Technologies
$0
$0
$10,000
$10,000
Clean Water Act Research, Investigations,
Training, and Information
$0
$0
$75,033
$75,033
Wastewater Efficiency Grant Pilot Program
$0
$0
$20,004
$20,004
Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and
Sustainability Program
$0
$0
$25,011
$25,011
Small and Medium Publicly Owned Treatment
Works Circuit Rider Program
$0
$0
$10,000
$10,000
Grants for Low and Moderate income Household
Decentralized Wastewater Systems
$0
$0
$50,022
$50,022
Connection to Publicly Owned Treatment Works
$0
$0
$40,020
$40,020
Water Data Sharing Pilot Program
$0
$0
$15,000
$15,000
Stormwater Infrastructure Technology
$0
$3,000
$5,000
$2,000
Stormwater Control Infrastructure Project Grants
$0
$0
$10,000
$10,000
Alternative Water Sources Grants Pilot Program
$0
$0
$25,009
$25,009
Enhanced Aquifer Use and Recharge
$0
$4,000
$5,000
$1,000
Water Sector Cybersecurity
$0
$0
$25,000
$25,000
Subtotal, State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
$2,015,882
$3,302,630
$4,421,718
$1,119,088
Categorical Grants
802
-------
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Categorical Grant: Nonpoint Source (Sec. 319)
$169,189
$182,000
$188,999
$6,999
Categorical Grant: Public Water System
Supervision (PWSS)
$110,742
$121,500
$132,566
$11,066
Categorical Grant: State and Local Air Quality
Management
$226,481
$249,038
$400,198
$151,160
Categorical Grant: Radon
$8,007
$10,995
$12,487
$1,492
Categorical Grant: Pollution Control (Sec. 106)
Monitoring Grants
$18,585
$18,512
$26,515
$8,003
Categorical Grant: Pollution Control
(Sec. 106) (other activities)
$206,719
$218,488
$252,925
$34,437
Subtotal, Categorical Grant: Pollution Control
(Sec. 106)
$225,304
$237,000
$279,440
$42,440
Categorical Grant: Wetlands Program
Development
$17,353
$14,692
$15,079
$387
Categorical Grant: Underground Injection
Control (UIC)
$11,825
$13,164
$11,387
-$1,777
Categorical Grant: Pesticides Program
Implementation
$14,102
$14,027
$14,027
$0
Categorical Grant: Lead
$14,813
$16,326
$24,639
$8,313
Resource Recovery and Hazardous Waste Grants
$98,146
$105,000
$108,247
$3,247
Categorical Grant: Pesticides Enforcement
$23,091
$25,580
$25,580
$0
Categorical Grant: Pollution Prevention
$2,757
$4,973
$5,775
$802
Categorical Grant: Toxics Substances
Compliance
$4,768
$5,010
$6,877
$1,867
Categorical Grant: Tribal General Assistance
Program
$67,520
$74,750
$85,009
$10,259
Categorical Grant: Underground Storage Tanks
$1,475
$1,505
$1,505
$0
Categorical Grant: Tribal Air Quality
Management
$14,543
$16,415
$23,126
$6,711
Categorical Grant: Environmental Information
$3,586
$10,836
$15,000
$4,164
Categorical Grant: Beaches Protection
$9,368
$10,619
$9,811
-$808
Categorical Grant: Brownfields
$47,278
$47,195
$46,954
-$241
Categorical Grant: Multipurpose Grants
$2,509
$0
$10,200
$10,200
Subtotal, Categorical Grants
$1,072,856
$1,160,625
$1,416,906
$256,281
Clean and Safe Water Technical Assistance Grants
Congressionally Mandated Projects
$148
$16,973
$0
-$16,973
TOTAL STAG
$3,088,886
$4,480,228
$5,838,624
$1,358,396
803
-------
Categorical Grants
804
-------
Categorical Grant: Beaches Protection
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale am! TribnlAssislancc (iianls
S 9.J6S
S HI./, IV
S'A.S'//
-SMS'
Total Budget Authority
$9,368
$10,619
$9,811
-$808
Program Project Description:
EPA's Beaches Protection Grant Program awards grants to eligible coastal and Great Lakes states,
territories, and tribes to improve water quality monitoring at beaches and to notify the public of
beach advisories and closings. The Beaches Grant Program is a collaborative effort between EPA,
states, territories, local governments, and tribes to help ensure that coastal and Great Lakes
recreational waters are safe for swimming. Congress created the program with the passage of the
Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act (BEACH Act) with the goal of
reducing risk to the public of waterborne disease related to the use of recreational water.
EPA awards grants to eligible states, territories, and tribes using an allocation formula developed
in consultation with states and other organizations. The allocation takes into consideration beach
season length, beach miles, and beach use.1
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Eligible states, territories, tribes, and localities will receive grant funding to continue to:
• Administer the grant program;
• Implement monitoring and notification programs consistent with EPA guidance; and
Submit monitoring and advisory data to EPA for production of an annual report in a timely
manner.2
1 For more information, please see: www.epa.gov/beach-tech/beach-grants. See EPA's Beach Advisory and Closing On-line
Notification (BEACON) system (https://watersgeo.epa.goY/beacon2/Beacon.htnil') for water quality and notification data that
grant recipients provide to EPA.
2 For more information, please see: https://wwiv.epa.goY/beach-tech/aimual-beach-swininiiiig-seasoii-repoi1s.
805
-------
Performance Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$808.0) This program change redirects funding to other administration priorities.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act, BEACH Act of 2000.
806
-------
Categorical Grant: Brownfields
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale am! TribnlAssislancc (iianls
S-/-.2S
.s-r./w
S46.V54
-S 2-11
Total Budget Authority
$47,278
$47,195
$46,954
-$241
Program Project Description:
EPA's Brownfields Program is a successful model of the Agency working cooperatively with
states, tribes, local governments, and other agencies to help communities oversee, plan, assess, and
cleanup brownfields properties. State and Tribal Response Programs address contaminated sites
that do not require federal action but need assessment and/or cleanup before they can be considered
ready for reuse. The Program allocates funding to states and tribes to establish core capabilities,
enhance their response programs, and conduct site assessments and cleanups.
Approximately 143 million people (roughly 44 percent of the U.S. population) live within three
miles of a brownfields site that received EPA funding/ Since its inception, the Brownfields
Program has fostered a community-driven approach to the reuse of contaminated sites. As of
March 2022, the State and Tribal Response Programs have leveraged more than 15,474 jobs and
$2.7 billion in other funding. State and Tribal funding spent on site-specific brownfields work has
contributed to 3,868 sites assessed, 518 sites cleaned up, and 1,667 sites made ready for anticipated
reuse (RAU). Sites receiving these funds are 1.5 times more likely to become RAU than sites
receiving brownfields competitive grant funding alone. In 2022, EPA provided funding to 165
states, tribes, territories, and the District of Columbia.4
This funding is a critical source for state and tribal partners to establish and grow their brownfields
programs. Over 100 tribes have received brownfields funding to build their programs, and
cumulatively these programs have cleaned up over 3,600 properties and made over 110,000 acres
ready for reuse. Addressing brownfields on tribal lands also has leveraged over 1,020 jobs and
$150 million.5
In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) invests $300 million to support State
and Tribal Response programs from FY 2022 through FY 2026. IIJA can provide necessary funds
to states and territories and over 100 tribes to grow their brownfields programs.
3 U.S. EPA, Office ofLand and Emergency Management 2020. Data collected includes: 1) Superfund, Brownfield, and RCRA CA
site information as of the end of FY 2019; 2) UST/LUST information as of late2018 to mid-2019 depending on the state; and 3)
2015-2018 American Community Survey (ACS) Census data.
4 Data from U.S. EPA Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES).
5 Data from U.S. EPA ACRES.
807
-------
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
States and tribes may use categorical grant funding provided under this program in the following
ways:
Conducting site-specific activities, such as assessments and cleanups at brownfields sites;6
• Developing mechanisms and resources to provide meaningful opportunities for public
participation;
• Developing mechanisms for approval of cleanup plans and verification and certification
that cleanup efforts are complete;
Creating an inventory of brownfields sites;
Capitalizing a Revolving Loan Fund for brownfields-related work;
• Developing a public record;
• Developing oversight and enforcement authorities, or other mechanisms and resources;
• Purchasing environmental insurance;
• Developing state and tribal tracking and management systems for land use and institutional
and engineering controls; and
Conducting public education and outreach efforts to ensure that tribal communities are
informed and able to participate in environmental decision-making.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Brownfields Proj ects Program under
the STAG appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$241.0) This program change reduces financial and technical assistance resources to state
and tribal response programs.
6 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/state-and-tribal-response-program-grants.
808
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Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) § 128(a).
809
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Categorical Grant: Environmental Information
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ate ami 'I'ribal Assistance (irants
S
s i.i.tm
W .10-1
Total Budget Authority
$3,586
$10,836
$15,000
$4,164
Program Project Description:
The funds provided under this categorical grant support the Environmental Information Exchange
Network (EN), which is a critical component of the Agency's Data Strategy and supports Executive
Order (EO) 13985: Advancing Racial Equality and Supportfor Under served Communities through
the Federal Government. The EN is a standards-based, secure approach for EPA and its tribal,
state, and territorial partners to exchange and share environmental data over the internet. The EN
offers its partners tremendous potential for managing, accessing, and analyzing environmental data
more effectively and efficiently.
The Exchange Network Grant Program provides funding to federally recognized tribes and tribal
consortia, states, and territories. These assistance agreements support participation in the EN
through integration and development of tools leveraging EN technology, data standards, open-
source software, shared services, and reusable components. EN partners acquire and develop the
hardware, software, and data infrastructure needed to collect, report, and access environmental
data with greater efficiency and integrate information across programs. The EN is the standard
approach to share data across tribes, states, territories, and EPA. The EN Grant Program also plays
a critical role in evolving the EN technology to support the vision of the Digital Strategy.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Environmental Information Programs and activities will continue to focus on
environmental justice (EJ) for tribal, state, and territorial partnerships in support of EO 13985:
Advancing Racial Equality and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal
Government.1 The EN Program plays a critical role in supporting the Administration's
comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who
have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and
inequality. Tribes are often understaffed and under resourced and lack the capacity to take on the
development of data and Information Technology (IT) management related environmental media.
7 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.eoY/briefmg-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-
order-advancine-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/.
810
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Outreach, training, and targeted data and IT capacity building funding opportunities within the EN
Grant Program Solicitation Notice have resulted in tribes receiving 24 percent of grant resources
awarded in FY 2022.
In FY 2024, the EN Grant Program will prioritize increasing the Data and IT management capacity
of the tribal and territorial partners to increase their participation in the EN. A key funding area
within the FY 2024 EN Grant Solicitation Notice will continue to be capacity building for tribes
and territories with the inclusion of mentoring resources for first time tribal and territorial
applicants. EPA annually awards over $2.5 million of overall grant program resources to tribal
recipients. To increase the support for tribal and territorial partners, EPA's request includes an
additional $4.1 million in FY 2024 to establish a minimum funding level within the overall EN
Grant program funding exclusively dedicated to tribal and territorial grantees to build capacity
with funding assistance and mentoring. EPA will improve the use of grant resources that sustain
tribal Data and IT management activities.
Through its Tribal Cooperative Agreement, the EN Grant Program will support multiple Data
Academy sessions which emphasize basic data management skills critical for effective
environmental program management. The annual Tribal EN Conference, held by the Agency's
cooperative agreement partner, will continue to focus on Data and IT management training and
include information transfer sessions based on topics identified by over 130 tribes. Topics were
identified in a baseline assessment conducted by a Tribal EN Group supported by the cooperative
agreement partner as well as input from tribes to the Office of Mission Support - Environmental
Information (OMS-EI) Tribal Five-Year Strategic Plan, which was completed in FY 2022.
Outreach activities such as webinars and story maps outlining tribal EN Grant Program awards
success stories also will continue to be prioritized to expand tribal knowledge about the benefits
of applying for EN grants.
Tribal engagement and participation in EN efforts has significantly increased over the past few
years. As a result, tribes have requested greater EN program administration support, comparable
to what states receive. Given the continuing growth in tribal participation in the EN and the
expansion of rural broadband through the American Broadband Initiative,8 EPA anticipates many
more tribes will engage in data management and electronic reporting and, consequently, there will
be expanded interest in tribal participation in the EN. In response to this need, EPA will dedicate
resources for program administration support to increase tribal engagement in the EN. These
resources will support strategic planning and implementation approaches for tribes to participate
in the EN, build data management and technical capacity, and enable the EN Grant Program to
measure the effectiveness of these approaches to meet this goal. This will support EO 13985 and
strengthen EJ to revitalize underserved communities.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support the EN through a cooperative agreement with an
organization that represents the interests of state environmental programs under the associated
program support cost authority (Public Law 113-76).9 This includes support to governance, which
represents a cross-section of EPA, state, and tribal organizations.
8 For additional information, please see: https://www.iitia.doc.goY/blog/2019/anierican-broadbaiid-imtiative-expand-comiectivitY-
all-americans.
9 For additional information, please see: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-113publ76/pdf/PLAW-113publ76.pdf.
811
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Under this strategy of state, local, and tribal partnerships, the Agency will continue to advance its
business processes, data management, and systems to reduce reporting burden on states and
regulated facilities, as well as improve the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental protection
programs for all partners. Currently, 50 state, 274 tribal, and six territorial partners qualify for EN
grants projects. In FY 2024, at the requested resource level, EPA anticipates awarding between 35
and 45 grants with 15 to 20 of these grants being awarded to tribes. The grant awards will assist
states, tribes, and territories in implementing activities that align with the three areas outlined in
the EN Solicitation Notice. These are:
• Increased Data Access and Innovative Business Processes: These activities support the
partners' ability to share cross-state, cross-tribal or state-tribal data. The emphasis is on
activities which create services and tools that make data available and sharable on-demand
through portals, web services, and application programming interfaces. EN partners are
encouraged to implement innovative approaches to collecting, publishing, and sharing data
that reduce costs associated with capturing data in the field while making it more accessible
to stakeholders.
• Eliminate paper submittals and expand e-reporting: Grant projects will support developing
and implementing EN air, water, and land data flows that enable automated reporting to
EPA systems.
• Augment the Information Management Capacity of EN Partners: Some existing and
potential tribal and territorial EN partners have limited experience with electronic data
collection and management. Tribal and territorial governments can use grants to conduct
coordinated efforts and leverage the EN services given their unique regulatory
responsibilities and data needs.
The "National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program Solicitation Notice"
sets forth the process for awarding grant funding to states, tribes, and territories.10 It is an annual
guidance document that describes eligibility requirements, the process for application preparation
and submission, evaluation criteria, award administration information, and post-award monitoring
procedures.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$4,164.0) This program change proposes to increase the funding available for tribal &
territorial grant applicants to build capacity with funding assistance and mentoring. This
investment also supports Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equality and Support
for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government.
10 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/exohangenetwork/exohange-network-grant-program.
812
-------
Statutory Authority:
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328).
813
-------
Resource Recovery and Hazardous Waste Grants
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
s io.\mu
SI OS.2-/'
Total Budget Authority
$98,146
$105,000
$108,247
$3,247
Program Project Description:
The Resource Recovery and Hazardous Waste Grants Program helps states implement the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Through RCRA, EPA and states protect
human health and the environment by minimizing waste generation, preventing the release of
millions of tons of hazardous wastes, and cleaning up land and water. Authorized states conduct
the direct implementation of permitting, corrective action, and enforcement components of the
RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Program.
This grant funding supports all 50 states and six territories. Currently, 48 states and two territories
are authorized to implement the RCRA Program. EPA directly implements the RCRA Program in
the states of Iowa and Alaska and in Indian Country. EPA also provides project-specific small
grants to tribes selected through a competitive process. To ensure statutory requirements are
successful, EPA partners with state and local governments, as well as American businesses and
non-governmental organizations, to significantly improve waste and material management
practices. In FY 2024, EPA will continue a multi-year transition to an updated allocation formula
to distribute Hazardous Waste Financial Assistance Grants to the states and start work on updating
the data used within the formula. The Agency believes that using the most recent data will better
align cooperative agreement funding to states' needs and maximize the environmental benefits and
program performance of this funding. EPA worked in close consultation with the states during the
development of the updated allocation formula and began implementation in FY 2021.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.2, Reduce Waste and Prevent
Environmental Contamination in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA grant programs will continue to maintain state and territorial hazardous waste
permitting programs and provide support to our state and territorial partners in their efforts to
minimize waste generation and prevent its release into communities. In FY 2024, the Agency (and
authorized states) will continue to:
814
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• Issue and renew permits to a portion of the 1,300 permitted hazardous waste treatment,
storage, and disposal facilities. This includes working with industry, the public, and states
to address issues related to management of hazardous waste through development and
application of standards, permits, guidance, and training. In FY 2022, EPA and its state
partners achieved 107 permit renewals issued at hazardous waste facilities and expect to
meet the target of 113 permit renewals in FY 2023.
• Process permit modifications to keep pace with evolving business practices, technology,
market conditions, and cleanup decisions.
• Update controls to encourage facilities to modernize technological systems, expand waste
management capability, improve hazardous waste management practices, and make timely
cleanup decisions.
• Inspect facilities to ensure compliance and safety.
Oversee cleanups at hazardous waste management facilities and focus on completing
cleanup of the 3,983 priority contaminated facilities (the Corrective Action Progress
Track), which include highly contaminated and technically challenging sites.
Oversee cleanups at high priority contaminated hazardous waste management facilities and
return cleaned up property to productive use. This includes working with state partners to
ensure that responsible parties conduct effective and efficient cleanups that are protective
of human health and the environment and reduce the burden on taxpayers.
• Draft implementation documents such as permits and orders, review site assessment plans
and results, review remedy selection documents, oversee remedy implementation, oversee
public participation, and track progress of cleanups.
• Work with tribes to develop tribal hazardous waste management plans; implement
hazardous and universal waste tribal programs; and develop and implement program
enforcement policies and procedures for tribes through the Tribal Hazardous Waste Grant
Program.
Continue to improve cleanup approaches, share best practices and cleanup innovations,11
and address issues of emerging science.
• Distribute grant funds to assist states in adopting new permit programs for the management
of coal combustion residuals.
• Make progress in updating permits to reflect current standards, technologies, and practices.
This includes progress towards meeting the Agency's goal of increasing the percentage of
permits that are kept up to date. EPA continues to assess and respond to permitting program
needs, which states and regions can adopt for greater permitting program efficiency.
11 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/hw/toolbox-corrective-action-resource-conservation-and-recoverv-
act-facilities-investigation-remedv.
815
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Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the RCRA Corrective Action Program
under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$3,247.0) This program increase provides support for implementation of state and
territorial programs with an investment to further assist EPA's partners in achieving
progress on the ground.
Statutory Authority:
Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act § 3011;
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Pub. L. 115-141.
816
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Categorical Grant: Lead
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale am! TribnlAssislancc (iraiits
S/-/..S7.*
S2-/.6JV
SSJIJ
Total Budget Authority
$14,813
$16,326
$24,639
$8,313
Program Project Description:
Lead is highly toxic, especially to young children. Exposure to lead is associated with decreased
intelligence, impaired neurobehavioral development, decreased stature and growth, and impaired
hearing acuity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no safe blood lead
level in children has been identified, and effects of lead exposure cannot be corrected.12'13 Reducing
exposure to lead-based paint (LBP) in old housing continues to offer the potential to significantly
decrease blood lead levels in the largest number of children. Housing units constructed before
1950 are most likely to contain LBP. The most recent national survey estimated that 34.6 million
homes in the U.S. have LBP, and 29 million homes have significant LBP hazards.14 Children living
at or below the poverty line who live in older housing are at greatest risk. Additionally, children
of some racial and ethnic groups and those living in older housing are disproportionately affected.15
Accordingly, the Lead Categorical Grants Program and related Lead Risk Reduction Program
represent strategic opportunities to advance EPA's environmental justice (EJ) goals.
Because of these historic and persistent disproportional vulnerabilities of certain racial, ethnic, and
low-income communities to LBP, this program has the potential to create significant EJ gains.
EPA's Lead Program contributes to the goal of reducing lead exposure and works toward
addressing historic and persistent disproportional vulnerabilities of certain racial, ethnic and low-
income communities.16 This program will play an important role in achieving the Administration's
goals to enhance EJ and equity, by:
12 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Blood Lead Levels in Children, found at:
http://www.cdc.eov/iiceh/lead/preveiitioii/blood-lead-levels.htni.
13 Among children ages 1 to 5 years in families with incomes below poverty level, the 95th percentile blood lead was 3.0 (ig/dL,
and among those in families at or above the poverty level, it was 2.1 (ig/dL, a difference that was statistically significant. The
95th percentile blood lead level among all children ages 1 to 5 years was 2.5 (ig/dL. The 95th percentile blood lead level in Black
non-Hispanic children ages 1 to 5 years was 3.0 (ig/dL, compared with 2.4 (ig/dL for White non-Hispanic children, 1.8 (ig/dL for
Mexican-American children, and 2.7 (ig/dL for children of "All Other Races/Ethnicities."13 The differences in 95th percentile
blood lead levels between race/ethnicity groups were all statistically significant, after accounting for differences by age, sex, and
income. See .America's Children and the Environment (EPA, 2019), found at:
https://www.epa.gov/aniericaschildreiieiiviromiieiit.
14 HUD. (2011).American Healthy Homes Survey II Lead Findings, .
https://www.hud.gOv/sites/dfiles/HH/docunieiits/AHH.S II Lead Findings Report Final 29oct21.pdf.
15 See. America's Children and the Environment (EPA, 2019), found at: https://www.epa.gov/americaschildrenenvironment.
16 Childhood blood lead levels (BLL) have declined substantially since the 1970s, due largely to the phasing out of lead in
gasoline and to the reduction in the number of homes with lead-based paint hazards. The median concentration of lead in the
817
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• Implementing standards governing lead hazard identification and abatement practices;
Identifying and providing access to a national pool of certified firms and individuals trained to
carry out lead hazard identification and abatement practices and/or renovation, repair, and
painting projects while adhering to the lead-safe work practice standards and minimizing lead
dust hazards created in such projects; and
Providing information and outreach to housing occupants and the public so they can make
informed decisions and take actions about lead hazards in their homes.
The Lead Categorical Grant Program contributes to the Lead Risk Reduction Program's goals by
providing support to authorized state and tribal programs that administer training and certification
programs for lead professionals and renovation contractors.17 Ensuring that those who undertake
LBP activities are properly trained and certified is a critical aspect of federal efforts to reduce lead
exposure and work towards addressing the historic and persistent disproportional vulnerabilities
of certain racial groups and low-income communities. Low-income, minority children are
disproportionally vulnerable to lead exposure and therefore this program, as well as others that
focus on reducing environmental lead levels, have the potential to create significant EJ gains.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Lead Categorical Grants Program will continue to provide assistance to states,
territories, the District of Columbia, and tribes to develop and to implement authorized lead-based
paint abatement programs and authorized Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) programs. EPA
directly implements these programs in all areas of the country that are not authorized to do so and
will continue to operate the Federal Lead-based Paint Program Database (FLPP) of trained and
certified lead-based paint professionals.18 Activities conducted as part of this Program include
accrediting training programs, certifying individuals and firms, and providing education and
compliance assistance to those subject to the abatement and RRP regulations and the Public in
support of the Administration's goals to enhance EJ and advance racial equity.
As of January 2023, 39 states and territories, four tribes, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico
have been authorized to run the LBP abatement program. In addition, 15 states and one tribe are
authorized to administer the RRP program. As of October 2023, there were 299 accredited RRP
providers and almost 56,000 certified renovation firms. In FY 2024, EPA will continue providing
assistance to existing authorized state and tribal lead programs.
In FY 2024, EPA will complete its work to modernize the FLPP database. The current iteration of
the FLPP database was developed nearly 15 years ago and is need of an update. Taking the age of
blood of children aged 1 to 5 years dropped from 15 micrograms per deciliter in 1976-1980 to 0.7 micrograms per deciliter in
2013-2014, a decrease of 95%. See, America's Children and the Environment (EPA, 2019), found at:
https://www.epa.gov/americaschildrenenvironment.
17 Please visit http://www.epa.gov/lead for additional information.
18 Please visit https://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/pub/index.cfm?do=main.firmSearch for additional information.
818
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the FLPP database into consideration, EPA will both modernize and update the database by taking
advantage of up-to-date programming and design tools. Some elements of the current system rely
on programming tools that are out of date and require expertise from system programmers that are
no longer commonly available. In the past, these updates have been done on a piecemeal basis.
The comprehensive system wide FLPP database update will result in: decreased cost of system
maintenance, increased system reliability, and an improved user experience.
As part of its implementation activities, EPA conducts outreach to the regulated community and
the public to increase demand for RRP-certified firms and individuals as well as their actual
number. EPA will continue to expand its outreach efforts with the goal of increasing the number
of renovations being performed by trained and certified individuals and firms following lead-safe
work practices, reducing exposure to lead. EPA will produce outreach materials and will conducts
training in English and Spanish aimed at reaching contractors and the public, emphasizing the
critical role contractors play in preventing lead exposure during RRP activities and the importance
of using certified contractors for renovations. EPA also will expand its outreach to include older
homeowners, a fast-growing number of whom are renovating their homes for the purposes of aging
in place. This messaging will focus on the importance of hiring certified contractors when
renovating pre-1978 homes, for the safety of residents and of those who visit their homes,
including children.
The Agency will further its work in reaching contractors and the public in underserved
communities through the "Enhancing Lead-Safe Work Practices through Education and Outreach"
(ELSWPEO) initiative. To communicate more effectively in these communities, EPA will work
directly with local environmental justice and public health organizations that are well-positioned
to amplify and expand its reach in the identified communities.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Toxic Substances: Lead Risk
Reduction Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$8,313.0) This program change supports additional assistance to states, territories, the
District of Columbia, and tribes to develop and implement authorized lead-based paint
abatement programs and authorized Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) programs.
Statutory Authority:
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), §§ 401-412.
819
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Categorical Grant: Multipurpose Grants
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ate ami I'ribal Assistance (irants
S 2.50V
S 0
SI 0.200
SI 0,200
Total Budget Authority
$2,509
$0
$10,200
$10,200
Program Project Description:
EPA and its partners have made enormous progress in protecting air, water, and land resources.
The Multipurpose Grants Program supports states, tribes, and territories in the implementation of
environmental programs, which are mandatory statutory duties delegated by EPA under pertinent
environmental laws. Recognizing that environmental challenges differ across tribes, states, and
territories, including climate change factors and environmental justice considerations, the Program
provides EPA's partners with flexibility to target funds to their highest priority efforts to protect
human health and the environment.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program provides Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support and is allocated across
strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, these funds will support the President's and Administrator's priorities as well as
implementation of environmental programs delegated by EPA under pertinent environmental laws.
Tribes, states, and territories have the flexibility to apply the funds toward activities required in a
broad array of environmental statutes, depending on local needs and priorities. Results are tracked
as required by the Environmental Results Order and support critical work across multiple
environmental programs.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$10,200.0) This program increase provides EPA's states, tribes, and territories with
additional resources to target funds to their highest priorities and to address key
environmental challenges in their communities.
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Statutory Authority:
Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act (GAP); Pollution Prevention Act (PPA);
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Clean Air Act (CAA); Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA); National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Clean Water Act
(CWA); Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA);
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); Marine
Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA); and Indoor Radon Abatement Act.
821
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Categorical Grant: Nonpoint Source (Sec. 319)
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale am! TribnlAssislancc (iianls
sim.ihv
SIS2.000
sixti.wv
Sfi.'J'J'J
Total Budget Authority
$169,189
$182,000
$188,999
$6,999
Program Project Description:
The Nonpoint Source Section 319 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) broadly authorizes states,
territories, and tribes to use a range of tools to implement their Nonpoint Source Programs,
including: regulatory and non-regulatory programs, technical assistance, financial assistance,
education, training, technology transfers, and demonstration projects.19 Nonpoint Source Pollution
(NPS), caused by runoff that carries excess nutrients, toxics, and other contaminants to
waterbodies, is the greatest remaining threat to surface and groundwater quality impairments in
the United States. Climate change is increasing this form of pollution by causing more frequent
and intense rain and storm events. As of FY 2023, the current number of impaired waters is
143,778. Nonpoint source pollution is the primary cause of water quality problems in the Nation.20
Grants under Section 319 are provided to states, territories, and tribes to help them implement their
EPA-approved NPS Management Programs by remediating past nonpoint source pollution and
preventing or minimizing new nonpoint source pollution. Implementation of watershed-based
plans helps states achieve load reductions contained in Total Maximum Daily Loads to achieve
water quality standards.
Since 2006, Section 319 implementation projects have allowed states to remediate over one
thousand nonpoint source water quality impairments so that waterbodies now meet water quality
standards or have documented progress towards standards. EPA oversees implementation of these
program enhancements and provides technical assistance to support state and tribal nonpoint
source programs. To further accelerate the reduction of nonpoint source pollution, EPA and the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USD A) continue to coordinate to achieve improvements in water
quality via the National Water Quality Initiative. The Initiative targets resources and helps
landowners implement practices to control nutrient, pathogen, and sediment pollution in more than
300 small watersheds nationwide.
19 For more information, please visit: https://sam.gov/fal/7798fcedl5el4aa6bf9f67d6dl0b95e0/view.
20 "Of all the waterbodies across the Nation that have been assessed and a possible source of impairment identified, 85 percent of
rivers and streams and 80 percent of lakes and reservoirs are polluted by nonpoint sources." (USEPA, 2016)
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2Q16-10/documents/nps program hiehliehts report-508.pdf.
822
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The pervasiveness and widely distributed nature of nonpoint source pollution requires cooperation
and involvement from a wide range of stakeholders to address it, including EPA, other federal
agencies, states, tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, conservation districts, and
private landowners. EPA works closely with and supports the many efforts of states, interstate
agencies, tribes, local governments and communities, watershed groups, USD A, the Department
of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other federal
agencies to develop and implement programs and local watershed projects to restore surface water
and groundwater nationwide. EPA provides grant funds to states and more than two hundred tribes
under Section 319 to implement programs to control nonpoint pollution, including reduction of
nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loadings. In 2021, Section 319 grants eliminated 9.05 million
pounds of nitrogen, 2.0 million pounds of phosphorus, and 1.05 million tons of sediment from
waters.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, the Program will continue to work with states and tribes to strengthen and enhance
their nonpoint source programs. The Section 319 grants will continue to focus on implementing
watershed projects and maintaining current Nonpoint Source Management Programs to restore
impaired waterbodies to meet water quality standards and protect unimpaired waters. In FY 2022,
over 12 thousand square miles of watersheds that were previously impaired due to nutrients now
meet standards. Achieving water quality results requires targeting the primary sources of nonpoint
source pollution in a watershed in the right places with the right practices. Watershed-based plans
enable this targeting by:
• providing an analysis of sources and relative significance of pollutants of concern;
• identifying cost-effective techniques to address those sources;
assessing the availability of needed resources, authorities, and community involvement to
affect change; and
enabling monitoring to evaluate nonpoint sources and flows.
Taken together, this information enables states, tribes, and local communities to track progress and
make changes over time to meet their water quality goals.
EPA will continue to forge and strengthen strategic partnerships with other federal agency
programs. The Agency will focus on its partnership with the USD A Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), which implements Farm Bill conservation programs that can help
control nonpoint source pollution. Agricultural sources of pollution in the form of animal waste,
fertilizer, and sediments have a particularly profound effect on water quality. In FY 2024, EPA will
continue the National Water Quality Initiative partnership with USDA to focus federal resources on
agricultural sources of pollution in select watersheds in every state. EPA will encourage states to
823
-------
increase their use of Clean Water Act State Revolving Loan Funds to support projects that reduce
nonpoint source pollution.
To address urban and suburban sources of nonpoint source pollution, EPA will continue to work
closely with a broad set of partners to promote the implementation of low-impact development
practices (also called green infrastructure). Low-impact development practices, such as rain
gardens and permeable pavement, improve climate resiliency and reduce harm to water quality by
reducing peak flows during storms, filtering pollutants, and recharging groundwater. Low-impact
development practices also may produce co-benefits by mitigating the impacts of natural hazards,
including flood and drought. EPA will continue to promote low-impact development practices by
working with states, cities, developers, watershed associations, and FEMA. From FY 2017-2019,
EPA funded a series of pilot projects across nine EPA regions that explored how water quality
programs may collaborate with FEMA partners to integrate low-impact development in state and
local FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plans. EPA also has developed a set of training materials that
provide technical, programmatic, and funding guidance for water quality programs interested in
engaging in the Hazard Mitigation planning process. In FY 2024, EPA intends to synthesize
lessons learned from the pilot projects to include in a training curriculum that can be shared
broadly.
In FY 2024, the Section 319 Program will build on efforts to ensure that the benefits of cleaner
water provided by the Program reach disadvantaged communities. In FY 2022, EPA led a robust
engagement effort with state, territory, and tribal Section 319 grantees and local communities and
organizations working to address nonpoint source challenges and to identify and discuss
opportunities to advance equity and environmental justice (EJ) in the Section 319 Program. Based
on input received during this engagement, in FY 2023 EPA released a memo that sets new
expectations for state actions to integrate equity within their NPS programs and implements
programmatic changes to better support tribal NPS programs. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to
refine program actions to support EJ, including issuing updated Section 319 grant guidelines that
reflect national priorities to integrate EJ and climate change in program efforts.
Under a One Water/One Community approach, EPA will coordinate CWA and Safe Drinking
Water Act resources toward historically underserved and overburdened communities that are
facing greater climate and water equity challenges to achieve greater resilience, access to clean
and safe water, and an improved quality of life. This program will provide holistic support to
communities as they respond to the climate crisis by increasing funding for planning and
implementation actions across the country. Additionally, EPA will work with tribes to meet the
unique needs of their communities.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM SWP-01) Annual increase in square miles of watersheds with surface water meeting standards that
previously did not meet standards.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
20IX
201<)
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
8,000
8,000
17,100
Square
Actual
20,511
Miles
824
-------
(PM SWP-02) Annual increase in square miles of watersheds with previously impaired surface waters due to
nutrients that now meet standards for nutrients.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2017
20IX
201<)
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Target
2,100
1,400
1,400
Square
Actual
12,833
Miles
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$6,999.0) This increase of resources is for state nonpoint source programs, including
implementation of nonpoint source projects and statewide nonpoint source protection
activities.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act, § 319.
825
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Categorical Grant: Pesticides Enforcement
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale am! TribnlAssislancc (iraiits
S23.0VI
SO
Total Budget Authority
$23,091
$25,580
$25,580
$0
Program Project Description:
The Pesticides Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Cooperative Agreement Program
supports pesticide product and user compliance with provisions of the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) through cooperative agreements with states and tribes.21
The cooperative agreements: support state and tribal compliance and enforcement activities under
FIFRA; provide resources to rebuild programmatic capabilities between EPA and partner agencies;
provide vital training programs to EPA, state, territory, and tribal partners; and help address
environmental justice concerns in overburdened and vulnerable communities. Enforcement and
pesticides program cooperative agreement guidance is issued to focus regional, state, and tribal
efforts on the highest priorities. EPA's support to state and tribal pesticide programs emphasizes
reducing chemical risks by ensuring compliance with worker protection standards, pesticide
applicator certification and training requirements, pesticide use requirements designed to protect
water quality, pesticide product integrity, and border compliance. 22
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.2, Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to support state and tribal partners through the Pesticides
Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Cooperative Agreement Grants Program. In addition to
maintaining a basic level of pesticide program implementation, compliance assistance, and
enforcement to ensure a viable pesticide regulatory and enforcement Program, there are five
compliance and enforcement focus areas in the FY 2022 - 2025 co-regulator cooperative
agreement guidance including: (1) improving protections for agriculture workers through the
Worker Protection Standard; (2) pesticide applicator certifications; (3) reducing pesticides in
water; (4) product integrity; and (5) ensuring pesticides meet US requirements. In FY 2024, EPA
21 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/conipliaiice/federal-iiisecticide-fimpicide-aiid-rodeiiticide-act-
state-and-tribal-assistance-grant.
22 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.goY/pesticide-adYisoiT-coniniittees-aiid-repulatoiT-partners/tribal-
pesticide-programs.
826
-------
will prioritize and award state and tribal pesticides cooperative agreements for implementing the
compliance monitoring and enforcement provisions of FIFRA.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) §23(a)(l); Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023, Pub. L. 117-328.
827
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Categorical Grant: Pesticides Program Implementation
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
$14,102
$14,027
$14,027
$ 0
Total Budget Authority
$14,102
$14,027
$14,027
$0
Program Project Description:
The purpose of EPA's Pesticide Program Implementation Grants Program is to translate pesticide
regulatory decisions made at the national level into results at the local level. Under the pesticide
statutes, responsibility for ensuring proper pesticide use is in large part delegated to states,
territories, and tribes. Grant resources allow EPA's co-regulators to be more effective regulatory
partners, serving all populations and enabling EPA's partners to prioritize incorporating
environmental justice into their pesticide programs.
EPA's mission, as related to pesticides, is to protect human health and the environment from
pesticide risk and to realize the value of pesticide availability by considering the economic, social,
and environmental costs and benefits of pesticide use.23 The Agency provides grants to states,
tribes, and other partners, including universities, non-profit organizations, other federal agencies,
pesticide users, and environmental groups, to assist in strengthening and implementing EPA
pesticide programs. This grant program also focuses on environmental justice (EJ) issues such as:
worker safety activities, including protection of farmworkers;24 outreach and education in tribal
communities about pesticide risks; pesticide safety education in vulnerable communities with
limited English language proficiency; and certification and training of pesticide applicators.25 The
Program also focuses on protecting endangered species,26 protecting water resources from
pesticides, protecting pollinators, and promoting environmental stewardship and Integrated Pest
Management (IPM)-related activities in community settings, such as preschools in vulnerable
communities and tribal schools, which are traditionally underserved and typically have EJ
concerns.
EPA supports implementation of tribal pesticide programs through cooperative agreements that
help tribes protect human health by reducing pesticidal risks in tribal communities. Many tribal
communities are small and located in remote areas with few resources to address EJ issues. The
23 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, as amended. Section 3(a), Requirement of Registration (7 U.S.C. 136a).
Available online at: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summarv-federal-insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act.
24 A large portion of these stakeholders also may be members of communities with EJ concerns.
25 A large portion of these stakeholders also may be members of communities with EJ concerns.
20 The Endangered Species Act of 1973 sections 7(a)l and 7(a)2; Federal Agency Actions and Consultations, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1536(a)). Available at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) internet site:
https://www.fws.gov/service/section-7-consultations.
828
-------
Program is implemented in a manner that recognizes that tribes have unique needs as an
underserved population, and that certain aspects of Native American lifestyles, such as subsistence
fishing or consumption of plants that were not grown as food and possibly exposed to pesticides,
may increase exposure to some chemicals or create unique chemical exposure scenarios.27 These
cooperative agreements with EPA's co-regulators also can provide pesticide safety education to
migrant farmworkers and their families and communities.
To further these efforts, EPA funds a multi-year cooperative agreement with Colorado State
University called the Pesticide Regulatory Education Program (PREP), which provides targeted
training to states, tribes, and territories. This program is specifically requested by EPA's pesticide
co-regulators and governed by a PREP Steering Committee, which includes the Association of
American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO) Board of Directors and EPA. The PREP Steering
Committee metin October 2022 to identify ways to be more inclusive of vulnerable communities
and address more EJ issues in 2023.
The Agency also funds a multiyear grant in support of the State Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG). The grant ensures
the close coordination of states and EPA on pesticide issues.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.1, Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will work with states, tribes and territories to incorporate EJ principles into their
programs as much as possible. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to implement the following
programs:
Agricultural Worker Protection Standard and Certification and Training Program
Through the Certification and Training Program and the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard,
EPA protects workers, pesticide applicators and handlers, employers, and the public from the
potential risks of pesticides at their work. This effort protects farmworkers, their families, and their
communities, all of which are often located in areas with many EJ concerns. EPA will continue to
provide assistance and grants to implement these programs, and to address their respective federal
regulatory changes. In FY 2020, states, territories, and tribes (certifying authorities) submitted
their revised certification plans to EPA for review to address the 2017 revisions to the Certification
of Pesticide Applicators rule. Since then, EPA has reviewed the proposed changes to the
certification plans, working with these certifying authorities to refine and modify their proposed
plans as needed. Plan approvals began in FY 2022 with most of the 68 certification plans to be
approved in FY 2023. By FY 2024, EPA anticipates all plans to be finalized and will focus on
supporting the implementation of the approved plans. Certifying authorities will be implementing
approved plans according to the timelines outlined in the plans. Some certifying authorities began
regulatory and program changes in FY 2021 and FY 2022 to start implementing their revised plans
27 For additional information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/pesticide-advisorv-committees-and-regulatorv-partners/tribal-
pesticide-programs.
829
-------
in advance of final approval. In FY 2024, states, territories, and tribes will continue to train their
program and inspection staff on the 2015 final revisions to the Agricultural Worker Protection
Standard, conduct outreach and compliance assistance for communities with environmental justice
concerns, and enforce the rule.28
Endangered Species Protection Program
The Endangered Species Protection Program protects federally threatened and endangered animals
and plants impacted by pesticide use.29 The Endangered Species Act (ESA) mandates that federal
actions will not jeopardize the continued existence of ESA-listed species or destroy or adversely
modify their designated critical habitat. EPA also will provide grants to states and tribes, as
described above, for projects supporting endangered species protection. Program implementation
includes outreach, communication, education related to pesticide use limitations, review and
distribution of endangered species protection bulletins, evaluating potential risks to ESA-listed
species from pesticides, and initiating ESA consultation with the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (aka "The Services") when
appropriate. In FY 2024, these activities will continue to support the Agency's mission to protect
the environment from pesticide risk and comply with the ESA for FIFRA actions.
Protection of Water Sources from Pesticide Exposure
Protecting the Nation's water sources from possible pesticide contamination is an important
component of EPA's environmental protection efforts. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to provide
funding, through cooperative agreements, to states, tribes, and other partners to investigate and
respond as needed to address pesticide contamination of water resources, particularly in vulnerable
communities with EJ concerns. Stakeholders and partners, including states and tribes, are expected
to evaluate local pesticide uses that could contaminate water resources and take steps to prevent
or reduce contamination where pesticide concentrations approach or exceed levels of concern. In
FY 2024, EPA will work with co-regulators to determine the best methods for identifying and
addressing possible pesticide contamination in vulnerable and underserved communities.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
EPA will continue to support risk reduction by promoting the use of safer alternatives to traditional
chemical pesticides, including through IPM techniques.30 EPA supports the development and
evaluation of new pest management technologies that contribute to reducing both human health
and environmental risks from pesticide use. For FY 2024, the Program's National Program
Guidance will continue to require all regions to implement at least one IPM project with an EJ
focus.31 In addition, the Program will be reviewing the FIFRA Cooperative Agreement Guidance
to identify program areas that can be expanded to include more EJ work. Examples of this include
pollinator habitat protection on tribal lands and overburdened and underserved communities, and
bed bug education in underserved populations and communities with EJ concerns.
28 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa. gov/pesticide-worker-safetv/how-epa-protects-workers-pesticide-risk.
29 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eov/endaiigered-species/about-eiidangered-species-protectioii-
program.
30 For additional information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/pesp/.
31 Most regional programs are already implementing their own EJ efforts, which incorporate pesticide safety.
830
-------
The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) is an EPA partnership program that
works with the Nation's pesticide-user community to promote IPM practices. PESP is guided by
the principle that partnership programs complement the standards and decisions established by
regulatory and registration actions. In FY 2024, resources will be focused on funding projects
across the country that promote IPM and reduce the impacts of pesticide use in agricultural
settings. Selected projects could address pesticide use in rural areas or on tribal lands, promoting
IPM practices that reduce risk and that benefit these and other overburdened and disadvantaged
communities.
Pollinator Health
EPA will continue to work with state and tribal agencies to develop and implement local plans to
help improve pollinator health. State pollinator protection plans in several states have been an
effective communication and collaboration mechanism between stakeholders at the local level that
can lead to reduced pesticide exposure and protection of honeybees, while maintaining the
flexibility needed by growers to use pesticides. EPA believes that these plans, developed through
a robust stakeholder engagement process at the local level, serve as good models for enhanced
local communication and can help accomplish the Agency's goal of mitigating exposure of bees
to acutely toxic pesticides. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to engage with the Tribal Pesticide
Program Council (TPPC) Pollinator Protection Workgroup to better understand specific pollinator
protection challenges for tribes, a traditionally underserved population with many EJ concerns.32
In addition, EPA regions will assist their states, tribes, and territories with their pollinator
protection plans and efforts as needed.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) § 23(a)(1); Federal Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA); Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996; Endangered Species Act
(ESA).
32 Tribal concerns include, but are not limited to, potential impacts to pollinator habitat from climate change.
831
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Categorical Grant: Pollution Control (Sec. 106)
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale am! TribnlAssislancc (iraiits
S225J0-I
N_V? 'Jtltlt
S2 -It)
S 4 2.-1-II)
Total Budget Authority
$225,304
$237,000
$279,440
$42,440
Program Project Description:
Section 106 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) authorizes EPA to provide federal assistance to states,
territories, the District of Columbia, tribes, and interstate agencies to establish and maintain
adequate programs for the prevention and control of surface and groundwater pollution from point
and nonpoint sources.33 Activities supported through these grants include: conducting ambient
water quality monitoring; assessing and listing impaired waters; developing water quality
standards and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs); and issuing and enforcing National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA's Section 106 Program funds will continue to support the base state, interstate,
and tribal water pollution control and is a critical funding source to establish, expand, and
implement water quality programs to protect and restore water resources, including rivers, streams,
lakes, wetlands, and groundwater. In FY 2024, EPA requests an increase of $42.4 million to
support states and interstates and tribes to advance environmental justice and community work
through identifying and taking actions to assess and mitigate PFAS in the environment. States,
interstates, and tribes will use the CWA Section 106 funding to conduct monitoring and assessment of
PFAS in surface water, develop fish advisories, and revise state and tribal water quality standards to
include criteria for PFAS. The increase in funds also will support permitting authorities that provide
compliance assistance to Publicly Owned Treatment Works where PFAS are expected or suspected
to be present in wastewater and stormwater discharges.
Out of the $42.0 million increase for this grant, $8.0 million is focused on increasing funding for the
Monitoring Initiative which will provide resources needed to continue and enhance state and tribal
participation in the National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS), support expanded, long-term PFAS
monitoring in fish tissue across the country, and support enhancements to state and tribal monitoring
and assessment programs, including investigating cost-effective monitoring protocols for PFAS and
33 The District of Columbia is eligible for 106 funds. A tribe must be eligible under Section 518(e) in the CWA.
832
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other emerging contaminants in fish tissue and other media. Funding also will support state and tribal
efforts to understand and mitigate climate change and environmental justice. States, interstate
programs, and tribes will continue to restore lost capacity through hiring and training of water
quality staff, expanding program activities such as ambient water quality monitoring and
assessment, water quality standards (WQS) and TMDL implementation, permitting and
enforcement, and protecting water resources.
Monitoring and Assessment
EPA is working with states and tribes to provide monitoring and assessment information to support
multiple CWA programs in a cost-efficient and effective manner. The result will be scientifically
defensible monitoring data that are needed to address priority problems at state, tribal, national,
and local levels.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue working with states and tribes to support base monitoring activities
and enhance their water quality monitoring programs. Monitoring Initiative funds for states
(including the District of Columbia and trust territories), eligible interstates, and eligible tribes will
support enhancement of monitoring programs and participation in the National Aquatic Resource
Surveys (NARS).34 NARS are statistical surveys that assess the quality of the Nation's waters.
Using sampling sites selected at random and standardized field and lab methods, NARS can
compare results from different parts of the country and between years.35 The Monitoring Initiative
will support enhancements in NARS and in monitoring programs consistent with priorities in
monitoring strategies, which include expanding monitoring of PFAS in surface waters and fish
tissue to support actions to assess and mitigate PFAS in the environment. In FY 2024, the
Monitoring Initiative will be funded at approximately $26.5 million.
Through the Monitoring and Assessment Partnership, EPA will continue working with states and
tribes to develop and apply monitoring tools and techniques to provide high-quality data to support
priority CWA program needs. EPA will continue working with states and tribes to support their
water quality assessment programs, including helping to assure timely and well-supported
submission of tribal assessment reports, state Integrated Reports, and 303(d) lists. These lists help
inform progress on restoring water quality. EPA will continue to work with states and tribes to
support electronic reporting, including annual reporting of water quality data through the Water
Quality Exchange and submission of Integrated Reports through the ATTAINS.
Reviewing and Updating Water Quality Standards
EPA will work with states and authorized tribes as they review and update their water quality
standards periodically as required by CWA and EPA regulations in 40 CFR Part 131. EPA will
work with tribes that want to establish water quality standards. EPA will review and work to
formally act upon all state and tribal submissions of new and revised water quality standards in
accordance with the Agency's statutory obligations and timeline. The Agency also will continue
34 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/water-pollutioii-coiitrol-section-106-grants/niomtoriiip-imtiative-
grants-under-section-106-clean.
35 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/national-aquatic-resource-surYevs.
833
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to track progress by states and authorized tribes as they complete triennial reviews of applicable
standards on time as required by CWA.
Developing TMDLs
EPA will work with states, territories, and authorized tribes to develop and implement Total
Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs for CWA Section 303(d) listed impaired waterbodies. TMDLs
identify the sources of water pollution. EPA and states then use permit requirements, watershed
plans, and nonpoint source funds to improve impaired waters. EPA will continue to work with
states to facilitate accurate, comprehensive, and geo-referenced water quality assessment decisions
made available to the public via ATTAINS. EPA, through a new "bridge metric," continues to
track state progress in completing TMDLs, other restoration approaches, or protection approaches
with the goal of approximately 19 thousand square miles of addressed bridge metric waters by the
end of FY 2024. As of December 2022, over four thousand square miles of state bridge metric
waters were addressed by a TMDL, other restoration approach, or protection approach. Following
the conclusion of this bridge metric, EPA's plan is that states will continue to set priorities every
two years under a long-term Vision metric.
Issuing Permits
The NPDES program is managed by EPA and the states. On average, the program issues over 10
thousand permits a year to address discharges from among the approximately 15 thousand
wastewater treatment facilities, more than 60 categories of industries, and almost 300 thousand
stormwater facilities. The NPDES program requires point source dischargers of pollutants to
waters of the United States to be permitted and pretreatment programs be put in place to control
discharges from industrial and other facilities to the Nation's wastewater treatment plants. EPA is
working with the states to identify opportunities to enhance the integrity and timely issuance of
NPDES permits, 36 while addressing contaminants of emerging concern such as PFAS. In
December 2022, EPA published a memorandum titled Addressing PFAS Discharges in NPDES
Permits and Through the Pretreatment Program and Monitoring Programs,37 which includes
detailed instructions regarding how permitting authorities would address PFAS discharges in
NPDES permits. EPA encourages permitting authorities to propose monitoring requirements at
facilities where PFAS are expected or suspected to be present in wastewater and stormwater
discharges, utilizing EPA's recently published analytical method 1633, which addresses 40 unique
PFAS.
EPA also provides training and technical assistance to permit writers, promotes innovative green
infrastructure, and suggests integrated planning approaches to affordably address wet weather
challenges. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to collaborate with permit writers where appropriate
and identify environmental justice and climate change factors that could inform the development
of effective approaches within the authority of the NPDES program. After program improvements,
between March 2018 and the end of September 2022, the backlog of EPA-issued new and existing
NPDES permits decreased from 106 to 20 and 547 to 229, respectively. States are expected to
36 Currently no tribes have authority to implement the NPDES program.
37 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sYsteni/files/docunients/2022-
12/NPDES PFAS State%20Memo December 2022.pdf
834
-------
ensure that NPDES permits are reissued on a timely basis and include clear and enforceable
requirements to ensure permit quality. Permitting authorities should continue to implement
significant actions identified during regional reviews and Permit Quality Reviews to assure
effective management of the permit program and to adopt efficiencies to improve environmental
results.
Conducting Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement
EPA will work with NPDES-authorized states to implement the 2014 CWA NPDES Compliance
Monitoring Strategy (CMS).38 The NPDES CMS establishes national standards for allocation of
inspection resources across all NPDES regulated entities to best protect water quality.
EPA works with states on advanced technologies, such as remote water monitoring sensors, to
collect discharge data and identify problem areas more efficiently. The Smart Mobile Tools for
Field Inspectors software suite provides a digital platform to support inspectors and managers
through the entire inspection process - from scheduling an inspection to generating a draft
inspection report for management review. The Agency expects that these technologies will
improve the analytical capabilities of both EPA and the states and enhance the public's knowledge
about the quality of their environment.
Currently, EPA and states are implementing the NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule (eRule). States
have the option to build their own electronic reporting tools and data systems, or they can elect to
utilize EPA's tools and systems. EPA and states implemented Phase 1 of the NPDES eRule in for
the following two reports: 1) Discharge Monitoring Reports and 2) Federal Biosolids Annual
Report, where EPA is the regulatory authority. Over 35,000 NPDES permittees in 24 states use
EPA's electronic reporting tool, NetDMR, to submit their Discharge Monitoring Reports. EPA
and states are implementing Phase 2 of the NPDES eRule for general permit reports and all
remaining program reports. EPA will continue to work collaboratively with states in FY 2024 to
ensure a smooth transition to electronic reporting for the NPDES program. Implementing the
NPDES eRule will help improve transparency and ensure permittees submit more accurate, timely,
complete, and consistent information.
Working with Tribal Water Pollution Control Programs
In FY 2024, EPA will work with tribal programs to implement the revised CWA Section 106
Tribal Guidance. Tribes will continue to implement and expand their water pollution control
programs by conducting activities that address water quality and pollution problems on tribal lands
pursuant to CWA Section 518(e). In addition, the FY 2024 increase in tribal funds will support
expanding tribal programs capacity to monitor surface waters and fish tissue, assess and develop
criteria for PFAS, and will support capacity to provide PFAS data and assessment decisions to
Water Quality Exchange and ATTAINS.
38 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.eov/conipliaiice/cleaii-water-act-iiatioiial-pollutaiit-discharee-eliniiiiatioii-
system-compliance-monitoring.
835
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM SWP-01) Annual increase in square miles of watersheds with surface water meeting standards that
previously did not meet standards. i
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
8,000
8,000
17,100
Square
Miles
Actual
20,511
(PM SWP-02) Annual increase in square miles of watersheds with previously impaired surface waters due to
nutrients that now meet standards for nutrients.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
2,100
1,400
1,400
Square
Miles
Actual
12,833
(PM TMDL-03) Square miles of priority areas covered by TMDLs, other restoration plans, or protection
approaches.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
7,940
19,280
Square
miles
Actual
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$42,440.0) This program change is an increase to provide additional grant funding to states
and tribes to support actions to identify, assess, and mitigate PFAS in the environment.
This funding also supports the establishment and maintenance of programs for the
prevention and control of surface and groundwater pollution from point and nonpoint
sources.
Statutory Authority:
CWA § 106.
836
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Categorical Grant: Pollution Prevention
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective(s): Promote Pollution Prevention
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$2,757
$4,973
$5,775
$802
Program Project Description:
The Pollution Prevention (P2) Categorical Grants Program provides financial support to states,
state entities {i.e., colleges and universities), federally recognized tribes and inter-tribal consortia
in implementing the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) of 1990.
The P2 Program is one of EPA's tools for advancing environmental stewardship and sustainability
for federal, state, tribal governments, businesses, communities, and individuals. The P2
Categorical Grants Program seeks to alleviate environmental problems by helping businesses with
the development and implementation of source reduction practices before pollution is created. As
a result of these preventive approaches, the P2 Program protects the environment by conserving
and protecting natural resources while strengthening economic growth through cost reductions and
increased market opportunities. P2 approaches include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
reducing hazardous releases to air, water, and land; the use of hazardous materials; the generation
of greenhouse gases; and the use of water. The P2 Program's efforts advance the Agency's
priorities to pursue sustainability; to act on climate change; to make a visible difference in
communities, including advancing environmental justice (EJ) in vulnerable communities; and to
ensure chemical safety.39
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 7/Objective 7.2, Promote Pollution Prevention in the
FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. In FY 2024, the P2 Categorical Grants40 Program will
continue supporting states, state entities, federally recognized tribes and inter-tribal consortia to
provide technical assistance to businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized firms, to help
them identify, develop, and implement cost-effective approaches for reducing or eliminating
pollution at the source. Because it is often cheaper to prevent pollution from being created at the
source rather than cleaning it up afterwards or to pay for control, treatment, and disposal of waste
products, P2 approaches often result in significant long-term savings for businesses. Documenting
39 For additional information about EPA's P2 program, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/p2/Error! Main Document Only..
40 For additional information about the grants themselves, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/p2/grant-programs-poHution-
prevention. Categorical Grants fund core P2 technical assistance and are complementary to the P2 Source Reduction Assistance
Grants. In FY 2021 there are 42 active P2 Categorical Grants and 11 active P2 Source Reduction Assistance Grants, for a total of
53 grants.
837
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best practices and developing case studies and training materials are foundational assets for
amplifying and replicating environmental stewardship, P2, and sustainability successes resulting
from the grant programs. These approaches also may help stakeholders prepare for limitations in
the use of TSCA High Priority Substances subject to risk management efforts by EPA. In addition
to regular appropriations, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes
$20 million for this program in FY 2024.
Through competitive grants to states and tribes, U.S. businesses can access a range of P2-enabling
tools, information, and support programs. In FY 2022, EPA awarded 32 grants funded through the
regular P2 STAG appropriation and an additional 39 P2 grants funded through the IIJA. Of the P2
grants awarded in FY2022, six were awarded to federally recognized tribes.
With respect to the funding provided through regular ongoing and IDA appropriations, the P2
Grant Program emphasizes the importance of grantees documenting, reporting, and sharing
information on P2 best practices. This allows other businesses to replicate the P2 approaches
implemented through the grants. Furthermore, the expansion of the P2 grant program provided by
IDA provides an opportunity to significantly increase the results described above and increase the
generation of information on P2 approaches that businesses can replicate.
In FY 2023, EPA will issue two new P2 Grant opportunities that will initiate grantee work in FY
2024 and will focus more intensively on advancing EJ priorities and addressing climate impacts
by:
• Focusing P2 technical assistance to businesses to improve human health and the
environment in vulnerable communities.
• Providing P2 technical assistance to businesses to improve human health and the
environment in vulnerable communities by increasing the supply, demand and/or use of
safer and more sustainable products, such as those that are certified by EPA's Safer Choice
label or those that conform to EPA's Recommendations for Specifications, Standards and
Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing (EPA Recommendations).
The grant opportunities will result in increased capacity to provide P2 technical assistance to
businesses, particularly in vulnerable communities, and increased assistance to help businesses
develop and adopt source reduction practices in their operations, including conformance with and
access to EPA Recommended Standards and Ecolabels and the EPA Safer Choice Standard.
Between 2011 and 2021, EPA's P2 Program issued 504 assistance grants for $54.1 million, which
helped American businesses identify, develop, and adopt approaches resulting in the following
benefits: 917 million pounds of hazardous materials reduced, 49 billion gallons of water saved,
19.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases reduced, and $2.2 billion dollars in savings for
business.41
One approach EPA takes to pursue program efficiencies and economies of scale is to use sector
focused P2 National Emphasis Areas (NEAs). For P2 grants awarded in FY 2022 and commenced
in FY 2023, grant applicants will continue to be required to focus on one or more National
41 Calculated over a 4-year rolling period to account for the reoccurring benefits the P2 actions provide.
838
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Emphasis Areas,42 which were selected based on an analysis of data to identify industry sectors
that had high environmental impact, high economic importance, and high P2 opportunity; pursued
opportunities to promote environmental justice; addressed climate change; and were of local
concern to potential grantees. This approach will be continued in the award of FY 2024 funds. The
FY 2023 grants described earlier will not use sector focused NEAs in order to allow greater
flexibility in addressing environmental justice.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Pollution Prevention Program under
the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$802.0) This program change supports technical assistance to businesses to improve
human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities by increasing the supply,
demand, and/or use of safer and more sustainable products.
Statutory Authority:
Pollution Prevention Act of 1990; Toxic Substances Control Act.
42 The P2 National Emphasis Areas include automobile manufacturing and maintenance, aerospace manufacturing and
maintenance, chemical manufacturing and processing, metal manufacturing and fabrication, food and beverage manufacturing or
processing, and/or supporting pollution prevention in Indian Country and for Alaska Native Villages.
839
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Categorical Grant: Public Water System Supervision (PWSS)
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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• Respond to violations and issue enforcement actions.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.1, Ensure Safe Drinking Water and
Reliable Water Infrastructure in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. The Program also will
support the Agency's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act implementation priorities.
In FY 2024, EPA will provide funds to support state efforts to assist the most vulnerable water
systems in:
• Meeting drinking water regulations;
• Implementing the new Revised Lead and Copper Rule;
• Developing lead service line inventories that will support lead service line replacement
(LSLR) priorities;
• Building the financial and managerial capacity needed to achieve and maintain long-term
sustainability and compliance with national safe drinking water regulations;
• Assisting public water systems with addressing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
and other contaminants of emerging concern as they carry out their PWS S programs; and
• Benefitting from federal investments that address aging or inadequate infrastructure (e.g., pipe
replacement to prevent failures in distribution systems, installation of treatment to remove
drinking water contaminants).
EPA's efforts under this program will help deliver clean drinking water, improve public health,
and support environmental justice for overburdened and underserved communities, including rural
and tribal communities.
In FY 2024, funding will help states and tribes with primary enforcement authority implement and
enforce NPDWRs under the SDWA. Funds allocated to states and tribes without primacy are used
to support direct implementation activities by EPA. These funds will assist all communities across
the country in the provision of safe drinking water.
EPA's PWSS Program is working with states to reduce the number of systems that have health-
based non-compliance events, with a goal of decreasing the number of community water systems
out of compliance with health-based standards. As of January 2023, 2,988 of the 3,508 systems
with health-based violations on September 30, 2017, have been returned to compliance (i.e., 520
systems are still in violation). The PWSS Program helps to facilitate this effort by supporting state
drinking water programs and technical assistance providers in achieving and maintaining
compliance at drinking water systems, amplifying best practices, strengthening state capacity, and
certifying drinking water operators.
841
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EPA also is strengthening its oversight of the state drinking water programs by improving the
scope and consistency of the annual PWSS Program review for each primacy agency that is
required by SDWA. Information from these reviews helps ensure that federal drinking water
regulations are implemented consistently across the country and reinforces Agency evidence-
building activities. The review includes an analysis of the completion of sanitary surveys by the
primacy agency, an evaluation of whether the primacy agency is implementing the state program
in accordance with SDWA, a review of state use of the funds and associated impacts, and
alignment of the program with national enforcement and compliance priorities. The annual
program review directly supports the work of the states and EPA to reduce the number of
community water systems out of compliance with health-based standards. In addition, EPA
conducts periodic file reviews of state programs. These file reviews help EPA ensure states are
accurately reporting compliance information to the Agency so issues can be identified and
addressed.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM DW-02) Number of community water systems still in noncompliance with health-based standards since
March 31, 2021.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
875
640
450
400
CWSs
Actual
3,508
1,718
1,128
1,048
654
537
(PM DW-07) Number of drinking water and wastewater systems, state and tribal officials, and water sector
partners provided with security, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience training and technical
assistance.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
2,000
3,500
3,500
Systems
and
Partners
Actual
3,939
(PM DWT-02) Number of community water systems in Indian Country still in noncompliance with health-
based standards since March 31, 2021.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
100
55
35
CWSs
Actual
74
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$11,066.0) This increase of resources supports grant funding to help states and tribes
with primary enforcement authority to implement and enforce NPDWRs under the SDWA.
In addition, this increase supports states, territories, and tribes in complying with drinking
water regulations, conducting sanitary surveys of public water systems, and providing
technical assistance to managers and operators of public water systems.
Statutory Authority:
SDWA § 1443.
842
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Categorical Grant: Radon
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$8,007
$10,995
$12,487
$1,492
Program Project Description:
Title III of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) authorizes EPA to take a variety of actions
to address the public health risks posed by exposures to indoor radon. Under the statute, EPA
assists states and tribes through the State Indoor Radon Grants (SIRG) program, which provides
categorical grants to develop, implement, and enhance programs that assess and mitigate radon
risk. EPA provides guidance to states and tribes to promote and spread effective strategies for
reducing indoor radon public health risks. EPA also works with states and tribes to support
targeting SIRG funding to reduce risks for low-income populations that lack resources to mitigate
radon risk on their own.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States - and the leading cause of
lung cancer mortality among non-smokers - accounting for about 21,000 deaths per year.43 EPA's
non-regulatory Indoor Air - Radon Program, which includes the SIRG grants program, promotes
actions to reduce the public's health risk from indoor radon. EPA and the Surgeon General
recommend that all homes be tested for radon and if radon levels above EPA's guidelines are
confirmed, elevated levels should be reduced by home mitigation using proven, straightforward
techniques. EPA also recommends that new homes be built using radon-resistant features in areas
where there is elevated radon. Nationally, risks from radon have been reduced in millions of
homes, but millions of homes are still in need of mitigation. This voluntary program promotes
partnerships between national organizations, the private sector, and more than 50 state, local, tribal
and territory governmental programs to reduce radon risk.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.2, Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
EPA will administer the SIRG Program, in collaboration with state and tribal partners. Work in
this program directly supports the President's priority of advancing environmental justice. In
implementing the SIRG program in FY 2024, EPA will work with states and tribes to build
capacity and address environmental justice concerns by assisting grant recipients to address radon
43 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/radon.
843
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risk reduction in underserved, low-income communities, for example through building code
adoption. These interventions serve to institutionalize and embed risk reduction into standard
building practices and thus provide equity for underserved communities.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,492.0) This program change is an increase to support state and tribal partners through
the radon grants program.
Statutory Authority:
Title III of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
844
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Categorical Grant: State and Local Air Quality Management
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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S151.100
Total Budget Authority
$226,481
$249,038
$400,198
$151,160
Program Project Description:
This Program provides funding for state air programs, as implemented by state, multi-state, and
local air agencies. Section 103 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) provides EPA with the authority to
award grants to air pollution control agencies, other public or nonprofit private agencies,
institutions, and organizations, to conduct and promote certain types of research, investigations,
experiments, demonstrations, surveys, studies, and training related to air pollution. Section 105 of
the CAA provides EPA with the authority to award grants to state and local air pollution control
agencies to develop and implement continuing environmental and public health programs for the
prevention and control of air pollution, implementation of National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) and improvement of visibility in our national parks and wilderness areas (Class I areas).
The continuing activities funded under Section 105 include: analysis and planning for attainment
and maintenance of NAAQS; emission reduction measures; development and operation of air
quality monitoring networks, and other air program activities. Section 106 of the CAA provides
EPA with the authority to fund interstate air pollution transport commissions to develop or carry
out plans for designated air quality control regions.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.1, Improve Air Quality and Reduce
Localized Pollution and Health Impacts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Funding requested for FY 2024 includes an additional $151 million that will help expand the
efforts of air pollution control agencies to implement their programs and help accelerate immediate
on-the-ground efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, such as expanding deployment of renewable
energy sources and energy efficiency programs; ensuring safe and effective oil and gas well
pollution management and prevention; developing policies and programs to facilitate build-out of
electric vehicle (EV) charging station infrastructure; increasing air quality monitoring in
communities with environmental justice concerns; and supporting programs to improve
transportation options and reduce disproportionate exposure to traffic emissions in disadvantaged
communities. The increase also will enhance the resiliency, capacity, and capability of air
monitoring systems for NAAQS and local-scale monitoring.
845
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States are responsible for State Implementation Plans (SIPs), which provide a blueprint for the
programs and activities that states carry out to attain and maintain the NAAQS and comply with
visibility improvement obligations. In FY 2024, SIP activity will be ongoing regarding attainment
SIPs for areas reclassified to "Moderate" for the 2015 ozone NAAQS and those reclassified to
"Severe" for the 2008 ozone NAAQS in FY 2023, and for areas designated nonattainment effective
April 30, 2021, for the 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) NAAQS. States also will continue implementing
the 2008 and 2015 8-hour ozone NAAQS, the 2008 lead NAAQS, the 2010 1-hour nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) NAAQS, and the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. As applicable, states also will continue
implementing the previous PM2.5 and ozone NAAQS, including the 1997 annual and 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS, the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS, the revoked
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS and the revoked 1-hour ozone NAAQS.
States and EPA also may have ongoing SIP obligations and/or Federal Implementation Plan (FIP)
obligations associated with visibility improvement requirements, among other requirements
identified in the CAA. In FY 2024, EPA will work with states to prioritize activities needed to
meet obligations for SIP development and plan implementation for attaining and maintaining the
NAAQS, achieving regional haze goals and identifying streamlining options. EPA will maximize
use of its web-based State Planning Electronic Collaboration System (SPeCS) to review draft SIPs
from state air agencies, and to track and process state submittals.
To the extent that any ongoing NAAQS reviews result in a change to the standards, activities
related to air quality designations for the changed standard(s) would be required, as well as any
additional implementation related activities. The timing of such activities would depend on when
the final NAAQS are promulgated. Additionally, EPA may be engaged in redesignation actions -
making determinations that nonattainment areas may now be redesignated to attainment, or that
currently designated attainment areas are no longer meeting the NAAQS and taking action to
redesignate, as appropriate.
Air Monitoring Networks
The Nation's ambient air quality monitoring network, an essential element of the Agency's
environmental infrastructure, serves as the foundation for the air quality management and control
programs. States will continue to operate and maintain their ambient air monitoring networks with
technical assistance and program support from EPA. A significant and essential part of a state's
overall air program includes the collection, analysis, quality assurance, and submittal of ambient
air quality data.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to lead and is requesting additional funding for a nationwide effort
to ensure and enhance the resiliency, capacity, and capability of air monitoring systems for
NAAQS and local-scale monitoring implemented by state, local, and tribal organizations through:
system modernization (e.g., infrastructure improvements and, enhanced network automation);
expanded functionality (e.g., increased use of continuous monitoring equipment); and local-scale
monitoring to characterize air toxics and better address air quality burdens in communities with
environmental justice concerns.
846
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Key to the success of these efforts will be close, meaningful collaboration with our state, local and
tribal air partners, as well as disadvantaged and overburdened communities. The COVID-19
pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of our aging monitoring infrastructure and the need for
modernization in the Nation's ambient air monitoring network. In addition, the Government
Accountability Office identified in a 2020 report the need for EPA to develop an air quality
monitoring modernization plan to better meet the additional information needs of air quality
managers, researchers, and the public. EPA will continue to work closely with our partners to
address the GAO recommendations.
Air Permitting Programs
In FY 2024, states with approved or delegated air permitting programs will implement these
programs and EPA will provide technical assistance, as needed.
Emissions Inventories
The development of a complete quality assured emission inventory is an important step in an air
quality management process. These inventories are used to help determine significant sources of
air pollutants and establish emission trends over time, target regulatory actions, and estimate air
quality through dispersion and photochemical modeling. An emission inventory includes estimates
of the emissions from various pollution sources in a specific geographical area. In FY 2024, EPA
will complete and release the 2021 emissions data for modeling and prepare the 2022 emissions
data for modeling. In FY 2024, states will collect and prepare 2023 emissions data in anticipation
of submitting it to EPA for the next release of the National Emissions Inventory (NEI). EPA plans
to release the 2023 NEI early in calendar year 2026.
Air Quality Forecasts
The Program supports state and local air agency capabilities to forecast air quality for ozone and
PM2.5 to provide the public with information they can use to make daily lifestyle decisions to
protect their health. This information allows people to take precautionary measures to avoid or
limit their exposure to unhealthy levels of air quality, including during extreme events like
wildfires. EPA will work with state, tribal, and local air quality agencies to continue improving
the fire and smoke map at www.airnow.gov that provides important air quality information during
wildfire season.
State and Local Air Toxics Efforts
The program also supports state and local efforts to characterize air toxics problems and take
measures to reduce health risks from air toxics. This funding also supports characterization work
that includes collection and analysis of emissions data and monitoring of ambient air toxics. In FY
2024, funds will support the National Air Toxics Trends Stations (NATTS), consisting of 26 air
toxics monitoring sites, including the associated quality assurance, data analysis, and methods
support.
847
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Visibility Improvement
In FY 2024, EPA will be engaged in reviewing draft and final state plans intended to meet the
requirements of the regional haze program for the second planning period, as well as developing
FIPs, if needed and as appropriate. EPA also may be continuing to finalize remaining first planning
period obligations. EPA will review regional haze SIPs for the second planning period to ensure
that states are making reasonable progress towards their visibility improvement goals, consistent
with statutory and regulatory obligations. The first state plans for improving visibility in our
national parks and wilderness areas were due in December 2007. Under the Regional Haze Rule,
states were required to submit plans for the second planning period on July 31, 2021, to
demonstrate how they have and will continue to make progress towards achieving their visibility
improvement goals. EPA also may be engaged in regulatory updates to the Regional Haze Rule to
identify obligations for future planning periods.
Air Quality Training
To fulfill statutory obligations under section 103 of the Clean Air Act in FY 2024, states and multi-
jurisdictional organizations will advance and maintain training priorities for air quality-related
subjects; develop new and update existing air quality-related training materials; and provide
classroom and other types of training for air quality professionals. These training programs are
essential for building and maintaining expertise and administrative capacity among our co-
regulator agencies, enabling them to continue playing a vibrant role in administering CAA
protections and programs. In FY 2022, in-person delivery of training restarted and the delivery of
50 virtual instructor-led trainings was supported, resulting in 1323 student completions. In
addition, through the newly rebranded AirKnowledge and modernized Learning Management
System, there were 10,308 self-instructional completed trainings.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Federal Support for Air Quality
Management under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$151,160.0) This program change is an increase in grant resources that will help expand
the efforts of air pollution control agencies to implement their programs and accelerate
immediate on-the-ground efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. The increase also will
enhance the resiliency, capacity, and capability of air monitoring systems forNAAQS and
local-scale monitoring and will support additional air quality monitoring in disadvantaged
communities suffering from disproportionate exposure to traffic emissions.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act §§ 103, 105, 106.
848
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Categorical Grant: Toxics Substances Compliance
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Total Budget Authority
$4,768
$5,010
$6,877
$1,867
Program Project Description:
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Compliance Monitoring Program builds partnerships
with states, tribes, and territories to strengthen their ability to address environmental and public
health threats from toxic substances. 44 This assistance is used to prevent or eliminate unreasonable
risks to human health or the environment and to ensure compliance with toxic substance
regulations. The grants support inspection programs associated with lead-based paint (§402(a),
§406(b), and the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (402c)), the Asbestos Hazard Emergency
Response Act (AHERA), and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.2, Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to focus on compliance monitoring programs to prevent or
eliminate unreasonable risks to health or the environment associated with chemical substances
such as asbestos, lead-based paint, and PCBs, and to encourage states to establish their own
compliance and enforcement programs for lead-based paint and asbestos. EPA may provide
funding for compliance monitoring grants to states and tribes under TSCA to conduct inspections
to ensure compliance with the Asbestos-in-Schools requirements, the Model Accreditation Plan
(MAP), Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule, the TSCA Asbestos Worker Protection Rule, lead-
based paint regulations, and PCB regulations.
For states with an asbestos waiver or lead-based paint programs, these grants also fund
enforcement activities. In FY 2024, the Program will continue to award state and tribal assistance
grants to aid in the implementation of compliance and enforcement provisions of TSCA. The
weighted formula aligns the distribution of funding with the national program priorities including
reducing risks from: (1) lead poisoning or elevated blood-lead levels; (2) exposure to asbestos; and
(3) exposure to PCBs. The assistance grants will help rebuild programmatic capabilities between
44 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.goY/conipliance/toxic-substaiices-conipliance-niomtoriiip-grant-
guidance-fiscal-year-2022.
849
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EPA and partner agencies and help address environmental justice concerns in overburdened or
vulnerable communities.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,867.0) The change in program funding will support national priorities by reducing
risks from lead poisoning or elevated blood-lead levels, exposure to asbestos, and exposure
to PCBs.
Statutory Authority:
Toxic Substances Control Act.
850
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Categorical Grant: Tribal Air Quality Management
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale am! TribnlAssislancc (iraiits
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Tribes will assess environmental and public health conditions in Indian Country by developing
emission inventories and, where appropriate, siting and operating air quality monitors. Tribes will
continue to develop and implement air pollution control programs for Indian Country to prevent
and address air quality concerns, including combating the effects of climate change. EPA will
continue to fund organizations for the purpose of providing technical support, tools, and training
for tribes to build capacity to develop and implement programs.
Currently, there are 574 federally recognized tribes.45 Of those, 71 tribes have treatment similar to
that of a state or treatment as a state regarding implementing functions pertaining to the
management and protection of air resources within reservation boundaries or other areas under the
tribe's jurisdiction. In addition, EPA awards financial support under the CAA to help build tribal
knowledge and increase tribes' capacity to manage air quality issues and encourages tribes to
partner with EPA to carry out CAA protections within tribal lands and tribal communities,
including those that have environmental justice concerns.
In FY 2024, a key activity is to work to reduce the number of days in violation of the NAAQS.
This program supports the Agency's priority of building stronger partnerships with individual
tribes and with the National Tribal Air Association, whose priorities include tribes' participation
in the Agency's policy and rule development and the Tribal Air Monitoring Support (TAMS)
Center. The TAMS Center provides professional assistance to support the tribes' ability to collect
and provide monitoring data to protect the health of their tribal members and conducts training for
tribal environmental professionals to implement their broader air quality program. EPA will
continue working with tribes on tribal involvement in air quality issues such as: increasing the
number of tribes with an up-to-date emissions inventory, increasing the number of tribes
implementing voluntary programs, and increasing the number of tribes moving from project grants
to program implementation grants. This will increase tribes' knowledge and ability to best protect
their citizens. Tribes also will focus on implementation of nonregulatory and voluntary programs,
as well as education and outreach programs. These will assist with pollution reduction while
creating a more informed citizenry.
The Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) has enhanced tribal monitoring capacity
by supporting seven sites on tribal lands and training site operators. In FY 2024, the Agency will
continue progress toward increasing monitoring capacity by working to identify new tribal partners
that would benefit from joining a national air monitoring program. CASTNET monitors provide
near real-time air quality data and the ability to assess ecological impacts from atmospheric
deposition of air pollutants.
The funding for FY 2024 will support these important programs that tribes are focused on for the
health of their people. Tribal air quality programs are an important part of the Nation's overall air
quality efforts and help to accelerate immediate on-the-ground efforts to reduce greenhouse gases,
such as: expanding deployment of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency programs into
Indian Country; ensuring safe and effective oil and gas well pollution management and prevention;
developing policies and programs to facilitate build-out of electric vehicle (EV) charging station
infrastructure; increasing air quality monitoring in areas with environmental justice concerns; and
45 Source: Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs (www.bia.gov').
852
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supporting programs to improve transportation options and reduce disproportionate exposure to
traffic emissions in disadvantaged communities.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Federal Support for Air Quality
Management Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$6,711.0) This program change is an increase to help expand the efforts of tribes and
tribal air quality control agencies to implement their programs and to accelerate immediate
on-the-ground efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. The increase also will support additional
air quality monitoring.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act §§ 103, 105.
853
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Categorical Grant: Tribal General Assistance Program
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Objective(s): Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State and
Local Levels
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
-------
GAP supports tribal capacity development through financial assistance to approximately 525 tribal
governments and intertribal consortia. To date, GAP has helped tribes receive 103 program
delegations to administer a variety of programs across relevant EPA statutes, including the Clean
Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Clean Air Act. Tribes also have developed
capacity to assist EPA in implementing federal environmental programs in the absence of an EPA-
approved tribal program through Direct Implementation Tribal Cooperative Agreements
(DITCAs). As of FY 2023, there are over 20 active DITCAs supporting EPA's direct
implementation activities. Furthermore, GAP funds have helped to train tribal government
inspectors who are able to conduct compliance monitoring activities under tribal laws and may
have EPA federal inspector credentials. In addition, GAP also supports tribes with the development
of their waste management programs, with nearly 300 tribes having Integrated Waste Management
Plans, and nine tribes have developed codes and ordinances since FY 2018 with GAP-funded
training.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 2/Objective 2.1 Promote Environmental Justice and
Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Levels in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic
Plan.
GAP grants are fundamental to the development and growth of tribal environmental programs.
GAP promotes tribal self-governance in a number of ways, including supporting tribal
governments to assess local environmental conditions, develop long-range strategic plans to
address their environmental challenges, and establish environmental programs tailored to their
needs and aligned with their strategic planning goals. The overlap between tribal environmental
capacity building goals and EPA program priorities, including the mutual responsibilities to
achieve them, are captured in EPA / Tribal Environmental Plans, or ETEPs.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to implement GAP under a national framework set forth in
program guidance and maintain an emphasis on training (internal and external) to support
nationally consistent GAP guidance interpretation and implementation. In supporting a strong
GAP management framework (as referenced under Tribal Capacity Program), EPA will continue
to establish and refine tools to track the progress tribes achieve toward developing and
implementing environmental protection programs in Indian Country. This work will occur under
a new GAP national framework as defined in the new guidance made effective in FY 2023.
Additionally, EPA will interpret implementation activities under the solid and hazardous waste
implementation authority provided to EPA in the GAP program to ensure the broadest application
and flexibility for this authority.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
855
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$10,259.0) This program increase provides support to federally recognized tribes and
tribal consortia for planning, developing, and establishing environmental protection
programs, and for developing and implementing solid and hazardous waste programs on
tribal lands. The program will focus on advancing environmental justice, building tribal
climate adaptive capacity, including climate resiliency in infrastructure decision-making,
and addressing the priorities of federally recognized tribes for environmental capacity
building.
Statutory Authority:
Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act.
856
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Categorical Grant: Underground Injection Control (UIC)
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
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UIC programs for all other tribes and for Class VI wells in all states but North Dakota and
Wyoming.47
The UIC Program is improving efficiency and reducing the UIC permit application processing
time and will continue implementing the recently developed UIC well permit review process. This
effort includes applying identified permit review and processing efficiencies to all well classes,
and modifying common definitions, as appropriate, to provide greater clarity for all well classes.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Drinking Water Programs under the
EPM appropriation and mitigation of climate change to support safe drinking water for the Nation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$1,777.0) This decrease of resources reduces the resources available for EPA's State and
Tribal partners through the Underground Injection Control grants program.
Statutory Authority:
Safe Drinking Water Act § 1443.
47 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/uic/priniarY-eiiforcenieiit-authoritY-undergrouiid-iiiiection-control-
program-0.
858
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Categorical Grant: Underground Storage Tanks
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
-------
By the end of FY 2024, EPA anticipates that all states that originally had state program approval
(SPA) based on the 1988 UST regulation will be granted SPA renewal based on the 2015 UST
regulation. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to work with a small number of remaining states to
reapply for SPA. In addition, in FY 2022, one state was approved for SPA for the first time, and
EPA anticipates two more new states will apply and be approved for SPA for the first time by the
end of FY 2024.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the LUST Prevention Program under the
LUST appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Solid Waste Disposal Act § 2007(f); Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Pub. L. 117-328.
860
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Categorical Grant: Wetlands Program Development
Program Area: Categorical Grants
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
$17,353
$14,692
$15,079
$387
Total Budget Authority
$17,353
$14,692
$15,079
$387
Program Project Description:
The Wetland Program Development grants assist states, tribes, and local governments with
building or enhancing their wetland protection and restoration programs. Wetlands play a critical
role absorbing and filtering pollutants from water. Accordingly, protecting and restoring the
Nation's wetlands is key to climate resiliency because wetlands reduce flood risk, help manage
runoff pollution, and serve as carbon sinks. Program grants are used to develop new or refine
existing state and tribal wetland programs in one or more of the following areas: 1) monitoring
and assessment; 2) voluntary restoration and protection; 3) regulatory programs, including Clean
Water Act (CWA) Section 401 certification and Section 404 assumption;51 and 4) wetland water
quality standards.
States and tribes develop wetland programs based on their goals and resources. The Program
provides grants to support the development of state and tribal wetland programs that further the
goals of the CWA, improve water quality in watersheds throughout the country, address climate
change and resilience, and provide benefits to disadvantaged communities. The grants are awarded
on a competitive basis under the authority of Section 104(b)(3) of the CWA and the Program is a
Justice40 covered program. The grant funding is split among EPA's 10 regional offices according
to the number of states and territories per region. Each region is required, by regulation, to compete
the award of these funds to states, tribes, local governments, interstate agencies, and inter-tribal
consortia.52 In addition, EPA sets aside 10 percent of the appropriation for a grant competition
specifically for tribes and inter-tribal consortia. Finally, EPA sets aside approximately five percent
of the appropriation for a grant competition specifically for nonprofits and interstate and inter-
tribal consortia. This grant competition supports state and tribal wetland programs with projects
that are nationwide in scope or affect two or more EPA regions. In addition, one of the eligible
uses of the grant is training for local communities on restoration practices.
51 State and tribal assumption of CWA Section 404 is an approach that can be useful in streamlining 404 permitting in coordination
with other environmental regulations. When states or tribes assume administration of the federal regulatory program. Section 404
permit applicants seek permits from the state or tribe rather than the federal government. States and tribes are in many cases located
closer to the proposed activities and are often more familiar with local resources, issues, and needs. Even when a state assumes
permitting under Section 404, the United States Army Corps of Engineers retains jurisdiction for a certain portion of waters under
the CWA as well as those waters subject to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act for permits.
52 For more information, please see: http://water.epa.gov/grants funding/wetlands/estp.cfm.
861
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds in the FY2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to assist states and tribes in their efforts to protect and manage
wetlands through documenting stresses or improvements to wetland condition, developing tools
for wetland restoration and the use of natural infrastructure to mitigate flooding and storm surge
hazards, investigating and advancing opportunities to factor in climate change and environmental
justice in decision-making, and implementing regulatory controls to avoid, minimize, and
compensate for wetland impacts. The Agency also will review these activities to identify ways to
increase benefits to disadvantaged communities and evaluate methods for sharing best practices.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$387.0) This increase of resources supports EPA's state and tribal partners through the
Wetlands Program Development grants program.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Water Act § 104(b)(3).
862
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State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
863
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Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant Program
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective(s): Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
$ 48,628
$100,000
$150,000
$50,000
Total Budget Authority
$48,628
$100,000
$150,000
$50,000
Program Project Description:
The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Grant Program provides support for emission
reductions from existing diesel engines through engine replacements, including zero emission
replacements, retrofits, and rebuilds; switching to cleaner fuels; idling reduction; and other
emission reduction strategies. The DERA Program was initially authorized in Sections 791-797 of
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and reauthorized by the Diesel Emission Reduction Act of 2010
and in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
Diesel engines are the modern-day workhorse of the American economy (e.g., goods movement,
construction, public transportation). Diesel engines are extremely efficient and power nearly every
major piece of equipment on farms, construction sites, in ports, and on highways. As the Agency's
heavy-duty highway and nonroad diesel engines emissions standards came into effect, new cleaner
diesel engines started to enter the Nation's fleet. However, there are millions of older engines in
use that will continue to emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, including
black carbon.53 DERA funding accelerates the pace at which dirty engines are retired or retrofitted.
EPA's DERA Program promotes strategies to reduce these emissions and protect public health by
working with air quality professionals, environmental and community organizations,
manufacturers, fleet operators, tribes, and state and local officials. DERA funding provides both a
public health and climate benefit and can be directed to areas with the greatest need. DERA
funding is targeted to areas with air quality challenges and grants funding is prioritized for projects
that benefit vulnerable communities.
Ports are places where large concentrations of diesel equipment often converge - including ships,
trucks, rail, and nonroad machinery. The near-port communities that bear the brunt of air pollution
from these diesel engines are often comprised of low-income populations and people of color.
These residents can be exposed to air pollution associated with emissions from diesel engines at
ports including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, ozone, and air toxics. These pollutants can
contribute to significant health problems, including premature mortality, increased hospital
admissions for heart and lung disease, increased cancer risk, and increased respiratory symptoms,
especially for children, the elderly, outdoor workers, and other sensitive populations. DERA
prioritizes grant funding to ports and goods movement projects to benefit nearby communities.
53 DERA Fifth Report to Congress, https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=P1015S8Q.pdf
864
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this Program directly supports Goal 1/Objective 1.1, Reduce Emissions that Cause
Climate Change in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
Since its inception, the DERA program has provided funding support for cutting-edge clean
technologies that reduce emissions from diesel-powered mobile sources. The continuing
innovation shown in this sector is now creating new opportunities to look to more zero emission
options in source categories ranging from highway trucks to port cargo handling equipment. EPA
is committed to look for ways to help expedite this transition as part of its DERA implementation
effort. Taking into account the DERA Program's continuing role in advancing environmental
justice and tackling the climate crisis, EPA will evaluate the DERA Program to identify the
appropriate actions the Agency can take to support this policy objective in FY 2024, as outlined in
Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
Work in this Program directly supports EO 14008 and its Justice 40 Initiative to target 40 percent
of the benefits of climate investments to disadvantaged communities. The DERA Program is part
of the Justice 40 pilot.
The DERA Grant Program will prioritize projects that provide health benefits to residents of
communities near centers of goods movement like ports that receive a disproportionate quantity
of air pollution from diesel fleets. Further priority is given to projects whose leaders engage and
partner with affected communities with environmental justice concerns.
Using the formula outlined in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, eligible states and territories are
offered 3 0 percent of the annual DERA appropriation to implement proj ects under the DERA State
Grants Program. The remaining DERA funding is awarded as rebates and competitive grants.
Through the DERA National Grants and the DERA Tribal and Insular Area Grants, the Agency
will competitively award grants focusing on areas with poor air quality, especially those impacted
most severely by emissions from ports and goods movement. Priority for funding also is given to
projects benefitting vulnerable communities and projects which engage communities in the design
and performance of the project. EPA will continue to track, assess, and report the results of DERA
grants, such as numbers of engines, emissions benefits, and cost-benefit information.54 Further,
EPA will continue to provide diesel emission reduction technology verification and evaluation and
provide that information to the public.55
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
54 List of all grant awards under DERA can be found at https://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-national-grants.
55 For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel.
865
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$50,000.0) This program change is an increase in the overall amount of DERA grant
funding available for grants and rebates to reduce harmful diesel emissions and tackle the
climate change crisis, with a focus on priority areas including school buses, ports, and
vulnerable communities.
Statutory Authority:
The Diesel Emissions Reduction Program is authorized by Title VII, Subtitle G of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005, 42 USC 16131, etseq., as amended.
866
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Brownfields Projects
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
$83,758
$100,000
$130,982
$30,982
Total Budget Authority
$83,758
$100,000
$130,982
$30,982
Program Project Description:
The Brownfields Program awards grants and provides technical assistance to help states, tribes,
local communities, and other stakeholders involved in environmental revitalization and economic
redevelopment to work together to plan, inventory, assess, safely cleanup, and reuse brownfields,
particularly in disadvantaged communities. Approximately 143 million people (roughly 44 percent
of the U.S. population) live within three miles of a brownfields site that received EPA funding.56
Similarly, within a half mile of a brownfields site receiving EPA funding, 21 percent of people
live below the national poverty level, 17 percent have less than a high school education, 56 percent
are people of color, and seven percent are linguistically isolated. This idle land drags down
property values and can slow a local economy.
Brownfields redevelopment is a key to revitalizing main streets, neighborhoods, and rural
communities; increasing property values and creating jobs, especially for those communities with
persistent poverty and environmental justice (EJ) concerns that are often left out of economic and
environmental revitalization. Important environmental impacts of brownfields cleanup and
redevelopment include improved water quality associated with reduced runoff from stormwater
and nonpoint pollutant sources, and improved air quality associated with reduced greenhouse gas
emissions from vehicle travel.57 The Brownfields Program leverages federal, state, and local
resources to strengthen partnerships across all levels of government and with the private sector,
allowing these partners to build on each other's successes.
Since its inception, the Brownfields Program has fostered a community-driven approach to the
reuse of contaminated sites. As of February 2023, grants awarded by the Program have led to over
10,000 properties made ready for productive use and over 197,000 jobs and over $37.2 billion
leveraged.58 By awarding brownfields grants, EPA makes investments in communities so that they
50 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2020. Data collected includes: 1) Superfund, Brownfield, and RCRA
Corrective Action site information as of the end of FY 2019; 2) UST/LUST information as of late 2018 to mid-2019 depending
on the state; and (3) 2015-2018 American Community Survey (ACS) Census data.
57 For more information on Brownfields Program Environmental & Economic Benefits please refer to:
https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-program-environmental-and-economic-benefits.
58 From EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-program-accomplishments-and-
beiiefits#:~:text=Eiirolled0o20over0o20340o2C1910o20properties0o20annuallv.30o2C4780o2C0000o20acres0o20readv0o20for0o20
reuse.
867
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can realize their own visions for land reuse, infrastructure development, economic growth, and job
creation.
Under this program, EPA will focus on core activities, providing funding for: 1) assessment
cooperative agreements and Targeted Brownfields Assessments (TBAs); 2) cleanup and
multipurpose cooperative agreements; and 3) research, training, and technical assistance to
communities for brownfields-related activities, including land revitalization assistance,
environmental workforce development, and job training cooperative agreements.
A 2017 study found that housing property values increased five to 15.2 percent near brownfields
sites when cleanup was completed.59 Analysis of the data near 48 brownfields sites shows that an
estimated $29 to $97 million in additional tax revenue was generated for local governments in a
single year after cleanup. This is two to seven times more than the $12.4 million EPA contributed
to the cleanup of those brownfields.60 In addition, based on historical data provided by the
Assessment Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES) database, $1 of EPA's
Brownfields funding leverages $20.43 in other public and private funding.61
In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) invests $1.2 billion to scale up
community-led brownfields revitalization from FY 2022 through FY 2026. This work includes
direct grants and technical assistance to assess and clean up brownfields sites, train and place
people in environmental jobs, and assist hundreds of communities in identifying equitable reuse
options to cultivate healthy, resilient, livable neighborhoods.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA requests an investment of $30 million to advance EJ in tandem with climate
work. This investment will align with the Administration's Justice40 initiative by stimulating
economic opportunity and environmental revitalization in more than 400 historically overburdened
communities. These resources will build on current work to revitalize communities across the
country by providing financial and technical assistance to assess, conduct cleanup, and plan reuse
at brownfields sites. The Brownfields Program will continue to foster federal, state, tribal, local,
and public-private partnerships to return properties to productive economic use, including in
historically disadvantaged communities and communities with EJ concerns. The activities
described below will leverage approximately 13,400 jobs and $2.6 billion in other funding
sources.62
59 Haninger, K., L. Ma, and C. Timmins. 2017. The Value of Brownfield Remediation. Journal of the Association of Environmental
and Resource Economists, 4(1): 197-241, https://www.ioumals.uchicaeo.edu/doi/pdfplus/10.1086/689743.
60 Sullivan, K. 2017. Brownfields Remediation: Impact on Local Residential Property Tax Revenue. Journal of Environmental
Assessment Policy and Management, 19(3), http://dx.doi.ore/10.1142/S1464333217500132.
61 For more information, please visit www.epa.eoY/brownfields.
62 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management Estimate. All estimates of outputs and outcomes are supported by the
data that is entered by cooperative agreement recipients via EPA's ACRES database.
868
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• Funding will support at least 190 assessment cooperative agreements that recipients may
use to inventory, assess, and conduct cleanup and reuse planning at brownfields sites.
Approximately 1,700 site assessments will be completed under these agreements, including
in communities affected by the retirement of coal-fired power plants.
• Funding will support at least 20 multipurpose cooperative agreements that recipients may
use to assess, conduct cleanup, and conduct reuse planning at one or more brownfields
sites. At least 20 reuse plans, 20 site assessments, and 20 site cleanups will be completed
under these agreements.
• EPA will provide funding for TBAs in up to 200 communities without access to other
assessment resources or those that lack the capacity to manage a brownfields assessment
grant. There is special emphasis for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities to submit
requests for this funding to ensure equal access to brownfields assessment resources. These
assessments will be performed through contracts and interagency agreements.
• Funding will support 20 Environmental Workforce Development & Job Training
cooperative agreements. This funding will provide environmental job training for citizens
to take advantage of new jobs created as a result of brownfields assessment, cleanup, and
revitalization in their communities. These awards will lead to approximately 980 people
trained and 680 placed in jobs.
• Funding also will support training, research, technical assistance cooperative agreements,
interagency agreements, and contracts to support states, tribes, and communities for both
the Brownfields and Land Revitalization Programs and other assistance mechanisms, as
authorized under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act 104(k)(7).
• Funding will be provided for technical assistance to an estimated 150 small and
disadvantaged communities.
• Funding for Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and Cleanup cooperative agreements will be
provided with IIJA funds and are not requested as part of the Agency's FY 2024 request.
IIJA waived the statutory cost share for RLF and cleanup cooperative agreements.
All estimates of outputs and outcomes are supported by the data that is entered by cooperative
agreement recipients via the ACRES database and analyzed by EPA. Maintenance of ACRES
focuses on the input of high-quality data, and robust analysis regarding program outcomes and
performance will continue to be priorities during FY 2024.
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM B29) Number of brownfields properties assessed.*
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
1,400
1,300
1,400
1,650
1,650
Properties
Actual
1,419
1,919
1,693
1,772
1,682
1,637
(PM B30) Number of brownfields sites made Ready for Anticipated Use.*
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
600
684
684
684
684
600
600
600
Sites
Actual
531
861
910
809
616
662
(PM B32) Number of brownfields properties cleaned up.*
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
130
130
130
160
160
Properties
Actual
137
143
190
183
168
173
* = Indicates that this measure also is used to track progress in implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$30,982.0) This program increase will build on current work to revitalize communities
across the country by providing financial and technical assistance to assess, conduct
cleanup, and plan reuse at brownfields sites. $15 million is designated for quality
cooperative agreements targeted at communities affected by the retirement of coal-fired
power plants.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) §§
101(39) and 104(k).
870
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Infrastructure Assistance: Alaska Native Villages
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale and TribtilAssislancc < iitinls
V IV.Mtf
S-10,000
SSI-/
Total Budget Authority
$39,605
$39,686
$40,000
$314
Program Project Description:
The Alaska Rural and Native Village (ANV) Program provides critical basic drinking water and
sanitation infrastructure (e.g., flushing toilets and running water) in vulnerable rural and Native
Alaskan communities that lack such services. Alaskan rural and native water and sewer systems
face not only the typical challenges associated with small system size, but also challenging climate
and geographic conditions, such as permafrost, shortened construction seasons, and extremely
remote locations.
ANV communities look to EPA as a critical funding source of when they or the State of Alaska
are not able to fully finance the needed water infrastructure improvements. The Program serves
communities that often lack the debt capacity to apply for other funding sources, including EPA
State Revolving Loan Funds. The Indian Health Service's (IHS) December 2022 analysis
identified $200 million of need for water and wastewater infrastructure in Alaska in FY 2022.63
Many communities on the prioritized list have not been able to advance their projects due to lack
of funding.
Investments in wastewater and drinking water infrastructure in rural Alaskan communities
contributed to an increase of access to water and sewer service from 69 percent in the late 1990s
to 97 percent in 2022.64 While the gains in the Program have been significant, ANV communities
continue to trail behind the non-tribal/non-native population in the United States in access to water
and sanitation. In Alaska, a significantly higher percentage of native and rural serviceable
households live without complete indoor plumbing.
The ANV program also supports training, technical assistance, and educational programs to
improve the financial management, operation, and maintenance of sanitation systems. The training
also results in a trained workforce with transferable job skills. This is done through leveraging
prioritization and implementation expertise from the State of Alaska with ANV program funds.65
63 Feasible need as defined by the IHS.
64 For more information please see: State of Alaska OMB Key Performance Indicators Department of Environmental
Conservation https://onib.alaska.eov/htnil/perfoniiance/ABS/index kpm.html
65 The State of Alaska uses a risk-based prioritization process to fund projects that will have the greatest public health and
environmental benefit. Further, the State delivers these services to ANV communities by coordinating across federal agencies and
Programs.
871
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.1, Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable
Water Infrastructure in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. The Program also will support the
Agency's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) implementation priorities.
The FY 2024 request of $40.0 million will fund water infrastructure in rural Alaskan homes and
maintain the existing level of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure that meets public health
standards, given increased regulatory requirements on drinking water systems and the rate of
construction of new homes in rural Alaska. The funding will be used to leverage funds provided
to the IHS by Congress and particularly by the IIJA for the portion of the projects that are deemed
'ineligible' by IHS for IHS IIJA funding. Across all funding sources, the goal is to provide service
to most of the remaining unserved homes over the course of the five years of the IIJA. Additionally,
the request will continue to support training, technical assistance, and educational programs that
protect existing federal investments in infrastructure by improving operation and maintenance of
the systems. Improved operation and maintenance will improve system performance and extend
the life of the asset.
In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to work with the State of Alaska to address sanitation
conditions and maximize the value of the federal investment in rural Alaska. EPA will continue to
implement the Alaska Rural and Native Village "Management Controls Policy," adopted in June
2007, to ensure efficient use of funds by allocating them to projects that are ready to proceed or
progressing satisfactorily. The Agency has made great strides in implementing more focused and
intensive oversight of the ANV grant program through cost analyses, post-award monitoring, and
timely closeout of projects. These activities will help meet targets as part of the Justice40 pilot
program.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
• (+$314.0) This program change is an increase to support water infrastructure in rural Alaskan
homes and maintain the existing level of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure that
meets public health standards, given increased regulatory requirements on drinking water
systems and the rate of construction of new homes in rural Alaska. The change would fully
fund the authorized level for the program in the Drinking Water and Wastewater
Infrastructure Act (DWWIA).
Statutory Authority:
Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 § 303; Clean Water Act § 1263a.
872
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Infrastructure Assistance: Clean Water SRF
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
-------
financing for a wide variety of wastewater infrastructure and other water quality projects.69 In
2022, over 1,600 assistance agreements were made with communities of all sizes, funding $9.6
billion in projects aimed at treating wastewater, addressing stormwater runoff, tackling non-point
source pollution, and addressing a myriad of other environmental issues.70
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.1, Ensure Safe Drinking Water and
Reliable Water Infrastructure in the FY2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan. By September 30, 2023,
and in support of this goal and objective, EPA will provide technical assistance to at least 10
communities to help achieve clean and safe water and reduced exposures to hazardous substances,
which is an Agency Priority Goal for FY 2022 - 2023 to clean up contaminated sites and invest in
water infrastructure to enhance the livability and economic vitality of overburdened and
underserved communities.71
The federal investment in the CWSRF in FY 2024 will continue to support progress toward
meeting the Nation's clean water needs and infrastructure priorities while creating good paying
jobs. The infrastructure and other water management projects receiving low interest loans and
additional subsidization from the CWSRF protect public health, strengthen the economy and local
neighborhoods, and contribute to healthy ecosystems. Underserved communities can benefit from
the program because its low-cost financing and additional subsidization make these needed
investments more affordable.
EPA continues to work with states to meet several key objectives, such as:
• Linking proj ects to environmental results;
Targeting funding and technical assistance to rural, small, and disadvantaged communities
with limited ability to repay loans; and
• Ensuring the CWSRFs remain reliable sources of affordable funding.
In FY 2024, EPA is requesting $1.64 billion to provide funding for critical wastewater
infrastructure through the CWSRF Program and nearly $2.8 billion for the Clean Water and
Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) combined. Funding requested in FY 2024 would
complement the robust investments provided for the SRFs in the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act. The requested level supports several priority areas including improving resilience to
natural hazards such as climate change; addressing environmental justice concerns by providing
resources to remedy disproportionate levels of pollution in vulnerable communities; and creating
good paying jobs. The program will encourage states to prioritize funding for projects focused on
climate change resiliency. These funding levels advance infrastructure repair and replacement and
would allow states, municipalities, and other eligible borrowers to continue to finance high-priority
investments that improve water quality and protect human health. EPA will complete annual
69 Clean Water State Revolving Fund National Information Management System. U.S. EPA, Office of Water, National Information
Management System Reports: Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). Washington, DC (As of June 30, 2022).
70 Clean Water State Revolving Fund National Information Management System. U.S. EPA, Office of Water, National Information
Management System Reports: Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). Washington, DC (As of June 30, 2022).
71 This Agency Priority Goal is implemented jointly with Goal 6.
874
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reviews of each State CWSRF Program to help evaluate if states are effectively implementing the
CWSRF program.
Elsewhere, EPA requests $80.4 million for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act
(WIFIA) Program. Through the WIFIA Program, EPA will make direct loans to regionally or
nationally significant water infrastructure projects. The combined investments of the SRFs and
WIFIA Program advance the Agency's ongoing commitment to infrastructure repair and
replacement. These funds represent a major investment in water infrastructure and will create
thousands of good paying jobs across the country.
To help drive progress, EPA has established a target to increase the cumulative amount of non-
federal dollars leveraged by water infrastructure programs (CWSRF, DWSRF, and WIFIA), with
a goal of $9.5 billion in FY 2024. In FY 2022, over $14.6 billion has been leveraged by these
programs, increasing the funds available to improve, repair, and modernize the Nation's water
infrastructure.
The FY 2024 capitalization of the CWSRF would supplement the more than $163 billion in total
assistance provided over the life of the program. The assistance provided in 2022 from federal
capitalization, state contributions, and repayments was $9.6 billion.
In addition to capitalizing the CWSRF Program, a portion of the appropriation also will provide
grants to tribes, District of Columbia and four territories. Many of these communities are in need
of assistance because they have lacked the resources to upgrade wastewater infrastructure, causing
significant public health and environmental concerns. To ensure sufficient resources are directed
toward these communities, EPA continues to request a tribal set-aside of two percent, or $30
million, whichever is greater, of the funds appropriated in FY 2024. EPA also continues to request
a set-aside of 1.5 percent of the funds appropriated for the territories of American Samoa, Guam,
the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas, and the United States Virgin Islands. These activities
will help work toward meeting targets as part of the Justice40 pilot program.
EPA requests that up to $2 million of the tribal set-aside be used for training and technical
assistance related to the operation and management of tribal wastewater treatment works. EPA
also requests the ability to use the tribal and territorial set-asides to support:
• planning and design of treatment works; and
• the construction, repair, or replacement of privately-owned decentralized wastewater
treatment systems serving one or more principal residences or small commercial
establishments (e.g., septic systems).
This authority is similar to those already available to states. Giving EPA the authority to provide
expanded support for planning and design will protect the federal investment in wastewater
infrastructure and ensure access to safe wastewater treatment for tribes and territories that face
significant challenges with sanitation infrastructure. The ability for both the tribes and territories
to construct, repair, or replace decentralized wastewater treatment systems will allow the flexibility
875
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that these communities require to provide wastewater infrastructure that is appropriate for the
unique circumstances of each community.
Funding future Clean Watershed Needs Surveys (CWNS) remains a priority.72 The CWNS is a
comprehensive assessment of the capital needed to meet the water quality goals of Sections 205(a)
and 516 of the Clean Water Act. This assessment and documentation of future needs is critical in
the effort to manage and fund our nation's wastewater infrastructure. A comprehensive CWNS is
an important tool for identifying critical water quality needs in communities across the Nation,
including rural, small, and disadvantaged communities. It also helps assess the scope of
investments needed to reduce the vulnerability of water infrastructure to natural hazards, including
climate change. The FY 2023 appropriation provided a $1.5 million set-aside from the CWSRF
allowing EPA to continue to conduct the CWNS. The appropriation language needs to continue in
FY 2024 and beyond in order to ensure sufficient resources for the next and future CWNS.
EPA will partner with states to ensure that the CWSRF Program continues to play an important
role in promoting efficient system-wide planning; improvements in technical, financial, and
managerial capacity; and the design, construction, and ongoing management of sustainable water
infrastructure. To streamline data collection and reduce reporting burden, EPA in FY 2022
redesigned the databases used to collect performance information about the CWSRF and DWSRF
Programs. The goal of this effort is to reduce reporting burden by eliminating redundancy and
providing a more user-friendly interface for states to submit data. EPA completes annual reviews
of each CWSRF to help assess effective implementation of the Clean Water Revolving Fund
program.
Additionally, The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes $2,628
billion for this program in FY 2024.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PMINFRA-01) Billions of non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA's water infrastructure finance programs
(CWSRF, DWSRF and WII I A).
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
9.5
9.5
Billions of
Dollars
Actual
8.6
9.7
10.3
10.2
12.1
14.6
(PM WWT-02) Number o
coordination with other a
f American Indian and Alaska Native homes provided access to basic sanitation, in
gencies.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
6,098
6,098
6,098
Homes
Actual
5,318
6,398
3,561
9,114
4,007
Data Avail
3/2023
72 For additional information, please see: fattps://www.epa.gov/cwns
876
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$13.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
Statutory Authority:
Title VI of the Clean Water Act.
877
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Infrastructure Assistance: Drinking Water SRF
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
$638,343
$1,126,101
$1,126,105
$4
Total Budget Authority
$638,343
$1,126,101
$1,126,105
$4
Total Workyears
1.1
1.4
1.4
0.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) is designed to assist public water systems
in financing the costs of drinking water infrastructure improvements needed to achieve or maintain
compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements, protect public health, and
support state and local efforts to protect and provide drinking water. These funds finance critical
infrastructure necessary to ensure safe drinking water for all Americans while creating good paying
jobs and upgrading and modernizing America's drinking water systems. The 2015 Drinking Water
Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (D WINS A) indicated a 20-year capital investment
need of $472.6 billion for public water systems eligible to receive funding from state DWSRF
Programs. The capital investment need covered 49,250 community water systems (CWS), 21,400
not-for-profit non-community water systems (NPNCWS), American Indian water systems, and
Alaska Native Village (ANV) water systems. The 2015 DWINSA need reflected costs for repairs
and replacement of leaking transmission pipes and deteriorated storage and treatment equipment,
as well as new infrastructure and other projects, e.g., replacing lead service lines, required to
protect public health and ensure compliance with the SDWA.
To reduce public health risks and help ensure safe and reliable delivery of drinking water
nationwide, EPA makes capitalization grants to states to provide low-cost loans and other
assistance to eligible public water systems and maintain robust drinking water protection
programs. In addition to maintaining the statutory focus on addressing the greatest public health
risks first, states can help those most in need on a per household basis according to state
affordability criteria and can utilize set-asides to assist small systems. To maintain a focus on
communities most in need, states are required to provide a portion of their capitalization grant as
additional subsidization to disadvantaged communities.
The DWSRF Program provides communities access to critical low-cost financing and offers a
subsidy to help utilities address long-term needs associated with water infrastructure. Most
DWSRF assistance is offered as loans which water utilities repay from the revenues they generate
from the rates they charge their customers for service. Water utilities in many communities may
need to evaluate the rate at which they invest in drinking water infrastructure repair and
878
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replacement to keep pace with their aging infrastructure, many of which may be approaching the
end of their lives.
EPA works with states to ensure that DWSRF infrastructure and technical assistance funds are
available to water systems in disadvantaged communities that have the most significant drinking
water challenges. EPA emphasizes assistance to projects which reduce lead, address emerging
contaminants, and help water systems achieve resiliency to natural and manmade hazards,
including climate change and cybersecurity.
This request complements the historic amount of funding provided in the Infrastructure and
Investment Jobs Act (IIJA), (Public Law 117-58) which includes $6,203 billion for this program
in FY 2024.
State Set-Asides
States have considerable flexibility to tailor their DWSRF program to their unique circumstances.
This flexibility ensures that each state can carefully and strategically consider how best to achieve
the maximum public health protection. To achieve this, states may set aside and award funds for
targeted activities that can help them implement and expand their drinking water programs. The
four DWSRF state set-asides are:73
Small System Technical Assistance (up to two percent);
• Administrative and Technical Assistance (up to four percent, $400 thousand or one-fifth
percent of the current valuation of the fund, whichever is greater);
State Program Management (up to ten percent); and
• Local Assistance and Other State Programs (up to fifteen percent).
Taken together, approximately 31 percent of a state's DWSRF capitalization grant may be set aside
for activities other than infrastructure construction. These set-asides enable states to improve water
system operation and management, emphasizing institutional capacity as a means of achieving
sustainable water system operations. Most recently, states have taken on average 22 percent of the
available 31 percent for set-aside activities. States can utilize these set-aside funds to help drinking
water systems, especially those in small and disadvantaged communities, increase their technical,
managerial, and financial capacity and receive the planning and capacity building assistance they
need to effectively manage the systems and plan for the future.
Non-Federal Funding Leveraging
The federal SRF investment is designed to be used with other sources of funds to address drinking
water infrastructure needs. States are required to provide a 20 percent match for their capitalization
grant from annual appropriations. Some states elect to leverage their capitalization grants through
73 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf/how-drinking-water-state-revolving-fund-works#tab-
5.
879
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the public debt markets to enable the state to provide more assistance. These features, including
state match leveraging and the revolving fund design of the Program, have enabled the states to
provide assistance exceeding 218 percent of the federal capitalization since the Program's
inception in 1997. For every dollar the federal government invests in this Program, the states, in
total, have delivered over two dollars in assistance to water systems. In addition, the DWSRF's
rate of funds utilized was 98 percent in 2022,74 exceeding the funds utilization target of 96 percent.
The FY 2024 capitalization of the DWSRF would supplement more than $48.5 billion in total
assistance provided over the life of the Program, from all funding sources. The assistance provided
in FY 2022 from federal capitalization, state contributions, and repayments was $4.4 billion, a
significant increase from previous years.
National Set-Asides
Prior to allotting funds to the states, EPA reserves certain national level set-asides.75 The statute
requires that $2 million be allocated to small systems to monitor for unregulated contaminants to
facilitate their compliance with the monitoring and reporting requirements of the Unregulated
Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR). In FY 2022, EPA requested and received authority
to set aside $12 million to provide small systems with the resources needed to implement the new
statutorily mandated expansion of the UCMR program. Section 2021 of the America's Water
Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 requires, subject to availability of appropriations and adequate
laboratory capacity, all Public Water Systems (PWSs) serving 3,300 to 10,000 persons to monitor
under future UCMR cycles. It also requires EPA to ensure that a nationally representative sample
of PWSs serving fewer than 3,300 persons monitor under future UCMR cycles. In FY 2024, EPA
proposes to again set-aside $12 million for this new statutory mandate.
The 1996 SDWA established the current UCMR program. It includes statutory provisions that
require EPA to coordinate and pay the monitoring costs for a representative selection of small
water systems that serve fewer than 10,000 individuals. Historically under this emerging
contaminant monitoring program, EPA would require sampling at 800 small water systems that
would be selected to represent the over 60,000 small water systems throughout the United States.
AWIA included statutory revisions amending SDWA and mandating (subject to the availability of
appropriations) that EPA significantly expand the small water system monitoring program.
Starting with UCMR 5 (FY 2022-2026), the total number of small systems monitored will increase
by 7.5 times, from 800 to 6,000. This expansion will include all 5,200 public water systems that
serve between 3,300 and 10,000 individuals and a representative selection of 800 systems serving
fewer than 3,300 individuals.
EPA will direct up to two percent or $20 million, whichever is greater, of annually appropriated
funds to tribes and ANVs. These funds are awarded either directly to tribes or, on behalf of tribes,
to the Indian Health Service through interagency agreements. Additionally, EPA will continue to
set aside up to 1.5 percent for territories.
74 The cumulative dollar amount of loan agreements divided by cumulative funds available for projects.
75 Safe Drinking Water Act Sections 1452(i)(l), 1452(i)(2), 1452Q, and 1452(o), as amended.
880
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In addition, SDWA requires that no funds made available by a state DWSRF as authorized by
SDWA Section 1452 (42 U.S.C. 3OOj-12) shall be used for a project for the construction, alteration,
maintenance, or repair of a public water system unless all of the iron and steel products used in the
project are produced in the United States. The Administrator may retain up to 0.25 percent of the
funds appropriated in this Act for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the
DWSRF for carrying out the provisions for management and oversight of the requirements of this
section. Also, the Build America, Buy America Act, which was signed into law in 2021 under IIJA
(Section 70911-17), requires that none of the funds made available for a Federal financial
assistance program for infrastructure may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel,
manufactured products, and construction materials are produced in the United States.
Additionally, EPA is requesting authority in the DWSRF to fund the Drinking Water Infrastructure
Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA). Every four years, EPA works with states and
community water systems to estimate the DWSRF eligible needs of system by state over the next
20 years. EPA uses this information as part of the formula for state allocations of the DWSRF.
The 2021 DWINSA effort is currently moving to completion with final reviews of submissions
from nearly 4,000 public water systems to soon be followed by extensive statistical
analysis. Findings will not only include infrastructure needs but also information on lead service
line replacement costs and current concerns for a sustainable certified operator workforce. The
2021 DWINSA's Report to Congress is due in FY 2023. The FY 2024 request includes up to $1.5
million set-aside from the DWSRF to ensure there are consistent and reliable resources to fund
this important work in the future.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.1, Ensure Safe Drinking Water and
Reliable Water Infrastructure in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. By September 30, 2023,
and in support of this goal and objective, EPA will provide technical assistance to at least 10
communities to help achieve clean and safe water and reduced exposures to hazardous substances,
which is an Agency Priority Goal for FY 2022 - 2023 to Clean up contaminated sites and invest
in water infrastructure to enhance the livability and economic vitality of overburdened and
underserved communities.76
In FY 2024, EPA will work to increase by $9.5 billion the cumulative amount of non-federal
dollars leveraged by water infrastructure finance programs (CWSRF, DWSRF and Water
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA)). For FY 2024, EPA requests $1.13 billion for
the DWSRF to help finance critical infrastructure improvement projects to public drinking water
systems. The funding will accelerate infrastructure replacements and investments. The investments
support several priority areas including improving the resilience of water systems to natural
hazards, including climate change, ensuring that every community in the Nation has access to
clean, safe water, and creating good paying jobs. EPA will continue to provide practical tools,
training, and technical assistance to increase resilience to extreme weather events (e.g., drought,
flooding, wildfires, hurricanes), malevolent acts (e.g., cyberattacks), and climate change. In FY
2022, almost 4,000 drinking water and wastewater systems and water sector partners received
training and technical assistance. In FY 2024, EPA requests nearly $2.8 billion for the Drinking
76 This Agency Priority Goal is implemented jointly with Goal 6.
881
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Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs). The SRF infrastructure budget, combined
with the funding from the WIFIA Program, and EPA Community Grants, provides robust funding
for critical drinking and wastewater infrastructure.
The requested funding level reflects documented needs for drinking water infrastructure and
improvements to infrastructure in small and disadvantaged communities. EPA will continue to
foster its strong partnership with the states to provide small system technical assistance with a
focus on compliance with rules, operational efficiencies, and system sustainability and resiliency
to ensure public health protection. In FY 2024, EPA also will continue to amplify information on
available funding options for local utilities and state programs to meet critical infrastructure needs.
Furthermore, as a pilot program under Justice40, the Agency will leverage all available authorities,
tools, and resources to meet key administration priorities in investments in overburdened and
underserved communities. EPA will continue to work to target a significant portion of assistance
from SRFs to small and overburdened and underserved communities with limited ability to repay
loans. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting that 14 percent of the funds provided to the states be available
for additional subsidy and allow states to go above that percentage if there is an emergency
declared for lead.
In FY 2024, the DWSRF Program will continue to implement the Clean Water and Drinking Water
Infrastructure Sustainability Policy. This policy focuses on promoting system-wide planning that
helps water systems:
• Align water infrastructure system goals.
• Analyze infrastructure alternatives, including energy efficient alternatives; and
• Ensure they have the financial capacity and rate structures to construct, operate, maintain,
and replace infrastructure over time.
In FY 2024, EPA is continuing to emphasize strengthening small system technical, managerial,
and financial capability through the Capacity Development Program, the Operator Certification
Program, the Public Water System Supervision State Grant Program, and the DWSRF. The
Capacity Development Program establishes a framework for states and water systems to work
together to help small systems achieve the SDWA's public health protection objectives. The state
Capacity Development Programs are supported federally by the Public Water System Supervision
state grant funds and the set-asides established in the DWSRF. In FY 2024, EPA will continue to
work with states to review and update their capacity development strategies to include asset
management as required by AWIA.
In addition, EPA will complete annual reviews of each State DWSRF Program to help evaluate if
states are effectively implementing the DWSRF program effectively and implementing the
Drinking Water Revolving Fund program to facilitate community water system compliance with
the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
882
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM DW-02) Number of community water systems still in noncompliance with health-based standards since
March 31, 2021.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
875
640
450
400
CWSs
Actual
3,508
1,718
1,128
1,048
654
537
(PM DWT-02) Number of community water systems in Indian Country still in noncompliance with health-
based standards since March 31, 2021.
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
100
55
35
CWSs
Actual
74
(PM INFRA-01) Billions of non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA's water infrastructure finance programs
(CWSRF, DWSRF and WIFIA).
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
9.5
9.5
Billions
of
Dollars
Actual
8.6
9.7
10.3
10.2
12.1
14.6
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$4.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
Statutory Authority:
Safe Drinking Water Act § 1452.
883
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San Juan Watershed Monitoring
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale am! TribnlAssislancc (iianls
S /.".V
SO
SO
SO
Total Budget Authority
$1,578
$0
$0
$0
Total Workyears
0.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
Project Description:
This program was established under Section 5004(d) of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for
the Nation Act of 2016 (WIIN). EPA and the states and tribes in the San Juan watershed—Arizona,
Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Southern Ute Indian
Tribe—work together to monitor water quality and use the best available data and science to
identify and implement pollution prevention and restoration projects to improve water quality.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Resources are proposed for elimination for this program in FY 2024.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, Title IV, § 5004(d); Clean Water Act §
106.
884
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Infrastructure Assistance: Mexico Border
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
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benefit to the U.S., whether the project is located in the U.S. or Mexico. For example, a wastewater
project in Mexico can only be funded if that sewage would otherwise contaminate a U.S.
waterbody. Treating these waters after they have been contaminated and have crossed the border
into the U.S. is neither technically feasible nor financially viable.
U. S.-Mexico Border communities are looking to EPA as a last-resort funding source when utilities,
cities, or states are not able to fully finance needed infrastructure improvements. The program
serves communities that often lack the debt capacity to apply for other funding sources, including
EPA's State Revolving Funds. To improve opportunities for communities to request funding
support for these critical investment needs, in FY 2017, EPA, in coordination with the North
American Development Bank, modified the process to allow for applications to be submitted on a
continuous basis through an on-line format available 24 hours a day/seven days per week. Since
2017, a total of 43 applications have been selected and are currently in development or
construction. Those applications represent an estimated construction investment need of over $436
million. The program continues to receive new applications and evaluates these on, at least, a
quarterly basis.
The Agency's investments in the Mexican side projects have represented only a third of the total
project construction costs, while leveraging two thirds of the remaining total costs from the
Mexican government and other funding sources. EPA's investment leverages Mexican funds that
simultaneously benefit the U.S. and Mexico. If not for the Agency's investment, Mexican funds
would likely be invested in other parts of Mexico that do not directly benefit the United States.
Preventing raw sewage discharges to shared water resources is especially critical in a region that
is already facing water scarcity challenges.
The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is one of the few federal programs that assists communities in
the planning and design of water and sanitation infrastructure projects. Planning and design are
essential to advance projects to a construction ready stage, create sustainable communities and
access public and private funding. Twenty-three projects with construction costs estimated at over
$257 million are currently in planning and design. More than 2.8 million border residents will
benefit once all these projects are complete.
The close bi-national cooperation in this program has improved public health and water quality.
Improving access to clean and safe water is a key focus of the Border 2025 Plan,77 the bi-national
agreement that guides efforts to improve environmental conditions in the U.S.-Mexico Border
region. EPA investments in these wastewater projects are protecting public health from waterborne
diseases and have been a key factor in significant water quality improvements in U. S. waterbodies,
such as the Rio Grande (Texas and New Mexico), Santa Cruz River (Arizona), New River
(California), and Tijuana River and Pacific Ocean (California). In both the New River and the
middle Rio Grande, for example, fecal coliform levels have dropped by over 80 percent because
of jointly funded wastewater treatment plants built in Mexicali and Ojinaga, Mexico, respectively.
The Santa Cruz River now supports a healthy fish population where a few years ago only
bloodworms thrived.
77 For more information please visit: https://www.epa.eov/usniexicoborder/border-2025-franiework.
886
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.1, Ensure Safe Drinking Water and
Reliable Water Infrastructure in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
With the requested $36.4 million for FY 2024, the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure
Program will continue to fund high-priority water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Projects
that receive funding have been evaluated and ranked using a risk-based prioritization system,
which enables the program to direct grant funding to projects that demonstrate human health
benefits, cost-effectiveness, institutional capacity, and sustainability. EPA coordinates at local,
national, and bi-national levels to assess the environmental needs and make prioritized funding
decisions. All program funding will be invested in projects that, whether located in the U.S. or
Mexico, provide a positive public health and/or environmental benefit to the U. S. The U. S. benefits
include improved quality of U.S. water bodies and shared waters and reduced health risk to the
U.S. population. The demonstration of a U.S. benefit is one of the fundamental eligibility criteria
for projects seeking program assistance.
The U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program works with the ten border states (four U.S.
and six Mexican) and local communities to improve the region's water quality and public health.
The U.S. and Mexican governments will collaborate on water infrastructure projects to reduce
health risks to residents, including vulnerable populations of children and the elderly, many of
whom currently lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Additionally, by providing
homes with access to basic sanitation, EPA and its partners will reduce the discharge of untreated
wastewater into surface water and groundwater. These activities will help meet targets as part of
the Justice40 pilot program.
FY 2024 funding will be allocated to a portion of the construction of projects that have completed
planning and design and are ready to move to construction. Final decisions on the use of FY 2023
funding will be based on balancing the construction needs of fully designed projects with the
planning and design needs of prioritized projects.
Performance Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Treaty entitled "Agreement between the United States of America and the United Mexican States
on Cooperation for the Protection and Improvement of the Environment in the Border Area,
August 14, 1983."
887
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Targeted Airshed Grants
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective(s): Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
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Program Project Description:
The Targeted Airshed Grants Program awards competitive grant funding to reduce air pollution in
nonattainment areas that were ranked as the top five most polluted areas relative to ozone, annual
average fine particulate matter (PM2.5), or 24-hour PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS). In FY 2022, approximately $61.9 million in competitive grant funds were allocated for
this program. This program assists air pollution control agencies in conducting emission reduction
activities in these nonattainment areas. The overall goal of the Targeted Airshed Grant Program is
to reduce air pollution in the Nation's areas with the highest levels of ozone and PM2.5 ambient air
concentrations.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.1, Improve Air Quality and Reduce
Localized Pollution and Health Impacts in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Work in this program directly supports the President's priorities to tackle the climate crisis and
advance environmental justice. The targeted airshed grant program provides funding to air
pollution control agencies with responsibilities for the State Implementation Plan (SIP) or Tribal
Implementation Plan (TIP) for the eligible nonattainment areas. This program can fund any
activities that achieve documentable emission reductions to assist eligible nonattainment areas to
meet the NAAQS.
Air pollution control agencies that have responsibilities for these areas will continue to implement
projects that improve the air quality in the listed nonattainment areas. Expected projects include,
but are not limited to:
• Replacing vehicles, engines, or equipment with cleaner alternatives;
• Replacing or retrofitting heat devices (e.g., wood burning stoves, fireplaces); and
888
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Other projects that achieve quantifiable emission reductions for the applicable pollutant(s),
such as road paving or residential wood smoke reduction activities like providing dry
seasoned wood.
Anticipated projects will achieve demonstrable reductions in air pollutants that contribute to the
nonattainment status of the eligible areas, including reductions in direct PM2.5, NOx, volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), SO2, and/or ammonia. They will provide direct health and
environmental benefits to communities. Priority funding for these grants goes to emission
reduction projects that promote environmental justice in eligible nonattainment areas based on
how well the projects will effectively address the disproportionate and adverse cumulative impacts
(human health, environmental, climate-related and others) that have affected and/or currently
affect people/communities of color, low income, tribal, and indigenous populations.
Over their lifetime, the twelve projects funded by the FY 2021 Targeted Airshed Grants are
estimated to reduce total emissions of particulate matter by approximately 3,100 tons and ozone
precursors by approximately 2,000 tons.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public law 1 17-328).
889
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Safe Water for Small & Disadvantaged Communities
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
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• Provide household water quality testing, including testing for unregulated contaminants;
• Fund activities necessary and appropriate for a state to respond to a contaminant;
• Purchase point-of-entry or point-of-use filters and filtration systems that are certified by a
third-party using science-based test methods for the removal of contaminants of concern;
and,
• Provide accurate and current information on the need for filtration and filter safety,
including proper use and maintenance practices, and the options for replacing lead service
lines (as defined in Safe Drinking Water Act section 1459B(a)) and removing other sources
of lead in water.
With $80 million in grant funding, the program is estimating that over 100 projects would receive
funding. With a federal cost share of 10 percent, EPA estimates these projects would total $110
million in project investment in small, disadvantaged, and underserved communities. The
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) includes $1 billion for this program
in FY 2024. The program will support the Agency's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of
2021 (IIJA) implementation priorities.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports Safe Drinking Water Act implementation and compliance
performance results in the Drinking Water Programs under the EPM appropriation to support safe
drinking water for the Nation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$12.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$49,835.0) This program change is an increase to support the President's priority on
addressing lead and other contaminants in drinking water, especially in small and
disadvantaged communities.
Statutory Authority:
Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, Title IV, Section 2104; Further
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Pub. L. 1 17-328.
891
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Reducing Lead in Drinking Water
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
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replacement activities with a focus on underserved and overburdened communities. Such funds
are intended to complement the IIJA funding provided for LSL replacements through the Drinking
Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). Funding will be used to provide grants to eligible entities
to fund LSL replacement and/or remediation projects that meaningfully reduce the concentration
of lead in drinking water with a priority for disadvantaged communities. The prioritization will be
based on the disadvantaged community criteria established by the applicable state. This funding
will allow EPA to fund approximately 25 to 50 additional projects across the country in FY 2024.
These activities will help work toward meeting targets as part of the Justice40 pilot program.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports the Safe Drinking Water Act implementation and compliance
performance results in the Drinking Water Programs under the EPM appropriation to support safe
drinking water for the Nation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$10.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$156,983.0) This program change is an increase to address lead in drinking water,
especially in small and disadvantaged communities. Priority will be given to assisting
underserved and overburdened communities, low-income homeowners, and landlords
providing housing to low-income renters.
Statutory Authority:
Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, Title IV, Section 2105; Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023, Pub. L. 1 17-328.
893
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Lead Testing in Schools
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
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FY 2024
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facilities. In FY 2024, EPA is requesting $36.5 million to provide grants to support voluntary
testing for lead contamination in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities and for
remediation of sources of lead in the drinking water in those facilities. The FY 2024 funding will
improve drinking water quality for vulnerable populations and help schools and childcare facilities
better protect children in overburdened and underserved communities.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports Safe Drinking Water Act implementation and compliance
performance results in the Drinking Water Programs under the EPM appropriation to support safe
drinking water for the Nation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$6,000.0) This program change is an increase to further address lead in drinking water,
especially in small and disadvantaged communities.
Statutory Authority:
SDWA § 1464(d), as amended by the America's Water Infrastructure Act, Pub. L. 115-270 § 2006.
895
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Drinking Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainabilitv
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
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• Modification or relocation of existing drinking water system infrastructure that is at risk of
significant impairment by natural hazards, including risks to drinking water from climate
change and flooding;
• Design or construction of desalination facilities to serve existing communities;
• Enhancement of water supply through watershed management and source water protection;
• Enhancement of energy efficiency or the use and generation of renewable energy in the
conveyance or treatment of drinking water; or
• Development and implementation of activities to increase the resilience of the eligible
entity to natural hazards.
These grants help ensure that water systems across the country, especially those serving
disadvantaged, rural, and small communities, have the resources needed to reduce the vulnerability
of their water infrastructure to natural hazards.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund and Categorical Grant: Public Water System Supervision Programs under the STAG
appropriation and the Drinking Water Programs under the EPM appropriation to support safe
drinking water for the Nation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$18,000.0) This change is an increase that will fully fund the program under DWWIA at
the authorized level. This increase of resources supports water infrastructure in
communities, ensuring access to safe drinking water, and supports the President's priority
of assisting eligible entities in the planning, design, construction, implementation,
operation, or maintenance of a program or project that increases resilience to natural
hazards.
Statutory Authority:
America's Water Infrastructure Act, P.L. 115-270, Section 2005.
897
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Technical Assistance for Wastewater Treatment Works
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
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Operating Plan
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$9,000.0) This program change redirects funding to other administration priorities.
Statutory Authority:
America's Water Infrastructure Act, P.L. 115-270, Section 4103 and Clean Water Action Section
104(b)(8).
899
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Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Grants
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
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FY 2024 President's
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weather events. In the 2012 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey, states reported a forward-looking
20-year infrastructure need for combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, and
stormwater management in the amount of $99.8 billion. To date, the program has issued over $50
million in grants to 36 different state entities.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund and Clean Water State Revolving Fund Programs under the STAG appropriation and the
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program under the WIFIA
appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$45.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide essential workforce
support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$229,966.0 / +5.0 FTE) This program change is an increase of resources and FTE to
support the ever-growing need in America to improve the infrastructure and management
of combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, and stormwater issues and their
effects on public health and the environment and matches the DWWIA authorized level.
Statutory Authority:
America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, P.L. 115-270, Section 4106, Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, P.L. 117-58, Section 50204, Sec 221 Clean Water Act (33 USC
1301).
901
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Water Infrastructure Workforce Investment
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
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FY 2024 President's
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regional industry and workforce collaboratives; secondary integrated learning laboratories; and
leadership development.
FY 2024 resources also will support nonprofit organizations and public works departments or
agencies to align water and wastewater utility workforce recruitment efforts, training programs,
retention efforts, and community resources with water and wastewater utilities.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund and Clean Water State Revolving Fund Programs under the STAG appropriation and the
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program (WIFIA) under the WIFIA appropriation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$11,711.0) This program change is an increase of resources to support nonprofit
organizations and public works departments or agencies to align water and wastewater
utility workforce recruitment efforts, training programs, retention efforts, and community
resources with water and wastewater utilities. The program will expand the availability of
workforce development programs and training opportunities to provide good jobs and
ensure public health protections are maintained with a skilled workforce.
Statutory Authority:
42 U.S.C. 300j-19e, AWIA, P.L. 115-270, Section 4304.
903
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Technical Assistance and Grants for Emergencies (SDWA)
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
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Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50101.
905
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Technical Assistance and Grants for Emergencies, Small Systems
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
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Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50101.
907
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Source Water Petition Program
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
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public water system operators and community members have formed a voluntary
partnership to prevent source water degradation.
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50103.
909
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Voluntary Connections to Public Water Systems
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
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public water systems (or nonprofit entities on behalf of public water systems) to voluntarily
connect individual households to public water systems.
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50104(b).
911
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Underserved Communities Grant to Meet SDWA Requirements
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
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Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50104(c).
913
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Small System Water Loss Identification and Prevention
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$50,019.0 / +9.0 FTE) This program change will fully fund the creation of the new grant
program, authorized under DWWIA, to assist public water systems that serve fewer than
10,000 people in order to promote operation sustainability.
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50106.
915
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Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainabilitv
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$75.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
• (+$44,947.0 / +10.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to support efforts to fully fund
the creation of this grant program, authorized under DWWIA, to fund the resilience and
sustainability of public water systems serving more than 10,000 people.
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50107.
917
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Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$64.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$45,953.0 / +8.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to fully fund this grant program,
authorized under DWWIA, to fund projects on Indian reservations that connect, expand,
or repair existing public water systems.
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50111.
919
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Advanced Drinking Water Technologies
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
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Operating
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FY 2024
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
• (+$10,000.0 / +2.9 FTE) This program change is an increase that will fully fund the
creation of the new grant program, authorized under DWWIA, to assist eligible water
systems identify and deploy new or emerging technologies (including cybersecurity).
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50112.
921
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Clean Water Act Research, Investigations, Training, and Information
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale inn! TribnlAssislancc (iraiits
SO
SO
S ~.\0Ł1
S
Total Budget Authority
$0
$0
$75,033
$75,033
Total Workyears
0.0
0.0
15.0
15.0
Program Project Description:
The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA) was enacted to help
address numerous drinking water and wastewater issues across the country. Implementation of the
Act will strengthen the federal government's ability to invest in water infrastructure in
communities in every state, so that all Americans can continue to have access to safe drinking
water and our Nation's waterways can remain clean and free from pollution. DWWIA strengthens
many existing programs within EPA while creating new programs to upgrade aging infrastructure,
address the threat of climate change, invest in new technologies, and provide assistance to
underserved communities.
Section 50201 of DWWIA amends the CWA grant program regarding Research, Investigations,
Training, and Information. This program authorizes grants to state water pollution control
agencies, interstate agencies, other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, organizations,
and individuals to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research,
investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes,
effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. It also allows for grants to
nonprofit organizations to provide technical and financial assistance to rural, small, and tribal
communities for project planning; assist treatment systems to protect water quality; and provide
information to these organizations regarding planning, design, construction, and operation of
publicly owned treatment works and decentralized wastewater treatment systems.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Funds are requested in FY 2024 to create this new grant program at EPA. Work in this program
directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds in the FY
2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Surface Water Protection Program
under the EPM appropriation.
922
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FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$75,033.0 / +15.0 FTE) This program change will fully fund the creation of the new
grant program, at the authorized level in DWWIA, to provide technical assistance and
information to rural, small, and tribal communities.
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50201.
923
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Wastewater Efficiency Grant Pilot Program
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
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Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50202.
925
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Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
-------
designing, or constructing projects that increase the resilience of POTWs to natural hazards
or cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50205.
927
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Small and Medium Publicly Owned Treatment Works Circuit Rider Program
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
-------
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50206.
929
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Grants for Low and Moderate income Household Decentralized Wastewater Systems
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
-------
treatment system; or the installation of a larger decentralized wastewater system designed
to provide treatment for two or more households.
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50208.
931
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Connection to Publicly Owned Treatment Works
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
-------
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50209.
933
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Water Data Sharing Pilot Program
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale inn! TribnlAssislancc (iraiits
SO
SO
SI 5.000
SI 5.000
Total Budget Authority
$0
$0
$15,000
$15,000
Total Workyears
0.0
0.0
2.0
2.0
Program Project Description:
The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA) was enacted to help
address numerous drinking water and wastewater issues across the country. Implementation of the
Act will strengthen the federal government's ability to invest in water infrastructure in
communities in every state, so that all Americans can continue to have access to safe drinking
water and our Nation's waterways can remain clean and free from pollution. DWWIA strengthens
many existing programs within EPA while creating new programs to upgrade aging infrastructure,
address the threat of climate change, invest in new technologies, and provide assistance to
underserved communities.
Section 50213 of DWWIA authorizes EPA to establish a competitive grant pilot program to build
systems that improve the sharing of information concerning water quality, water infrastructure
needs, and water technology (including cybersecurity) between states or among units of local
government.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Funds are requested in FY 2024 to create this new grant program at EPA. Work in this program
directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds in the FY
2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
• (+$15,000.0 / +2.0 FTE) This program change will fully fund the creation of the new grant
program, at the authorized level in DWWIA, to establish a competitive grant pilot program to
934
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build systems that improve the sharing of information between states or units of local
government.
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50213.
935
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Stormwater Infrastructure Technology
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
-------
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50217(b).
937
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Stormwater Control Infrastructure Project Grants
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
-------
Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50217(c).
939
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Alternative Water Sources Grants Pilot Program
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
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Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50203.
941
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Enhanced Aquifer Use and Recharge
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
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Statutory Authority:
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, P.L. 117-58, Section 50222.
943
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Water Sector Cvbersecuritv
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stall' tint! TribtilAssislancc
-------
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports Safe Drinking Water Act implementation and compliance
performance results in the Drinking Water Programs under the EPM appropriation to support safe
drinking water for the Nation.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$25,000.0) This program change will support a new competitive grant program to
advance cybersecurity infrastructure capacity and protections within the water sector.
Statutory Authority:
SDWA.
945
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Recycling Infrastructure
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
St ale am! TribnlAssislancc (iraiits
SO
SO.tOO
SID.000
S3.500
Total Budget Authority
$0
$6,500
$10,000
$3,500
Total Workyears
0.0
0.5
2.0
1.5
Program Project Description:
EPA's Recycling Infrastructure program provides a critical opportunity to fund a range of high-
impact projects to increase recycling, reduce contamination, and promote a circular economy for
sustainable materials management by making much-needed investments in solid waste
management infrastructure while delivering overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable
and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments to disadvantaged communities.
The U.S. recycling industry provides approximately 680,000 jobs and $5.5 billion annually in
tax revenues and there is opportunity for greater contribution to the economy and environmental
protection, as recent data indicate materials worth as much as $9 billion are thrown away each
year.83 Recycling is an important part of a circular economy, which refers to a system of activities
that is restorative to the environment, enables resources to maintain their highest values, and
designs out waste. A circular economy approach provides direct, measurable reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions, as natural resource extraction and processing make up approximately
50 percent of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.84
Federal investment continues to be needed in the U.S. recycling system. The U.S. solid waste
management infrastructure is struggling to maintain pace with rapidly evolving waste streams,
leading to inefficient use of domestic resources.
Working to build a circular economy supports President Biden's Executive Order 14008: Tackling
the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Improving and enhancing recycling infrastructure will
reduce climate impacts from materials extraction and production, address disproportionate impacts
of mismanagement of wastes on overburdened communities, create jobs, and provide feedstock
for the manufacturing sector to produce essential products.
83 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.eov/snini/recvcliiig-ecoiioniic-iiifoniiatioii-rei-repoi1
84 U.N. Environment International Resource Panel, Global Resources Outlook, 2019, p. 8.
https://www.resourcepaiiel.org/reports/global-resources-outlook.
946
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The 10-year vision for the circular economy program is to build and transform solid waste
infrastructure in the United States to equitably reduce waste and manage materials to achieve a
circular economy, reduce GHG emissions, and create cleaner, healthier, and more resilient
. . o«
communities.
In order to maintain pace with evolving waste streams and help build a circular economy, EPA
utilized funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to design and
launch the Solid Waste for Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program. EPA issued three
types of funding opportunities within the SWIFR grant program, which are designed to fund a
range of projects that will enable EPA to help states, territories, tribes, local governments, and
communities improve their recycling and materials management infrastructure:
SWIFR Grants for States and Territories provides states and territories with grants to
support their long-term planning and data collection needs to demonstrate progress toward
the National Recycling Goal of increasing the recycling rate from 32 percent to 50 percent
by 2030, and the Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal to reduce food loss and waste by
50 percent by 2030, while also advancing a circular economy for recycled materials.
Territories will be able to utilize funds for equipment and construction related costs as part
of their implementation of plans.
SWIFR Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia provides funds for tribes and
intertribal consortia to develop or update plans focused on encouraging environmentally
sound post-consumer materials management; establish, increase, or expand materials
management infrastructure: and identify, establish, or improve end-markets for the use of
recycled materials.
SWIFR Grants for Political Subdivisions provides funds to establish, increase, expand,
or optimize collection and improve materials management infrastructure; reduce
contamination in the recycled materials stream; and identify, establish, or improve end-
markets for the use of recycled materials.
Continuing to support the SWIFR grant program through annual appropriations is critical to
ensuring ongoing support for solid waste management improvements into the future.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.2, Reduce Waste and Prevent
Environmental Contamination in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, funding will further assist EPA's partners to achieve progress on the ground with
investments in solid waste management infrastructure and post-consumer materials management.
The SWIFR Program will further help reduce waste, reduce greenhouse emissions, increase
disadvantaged communities' access to recycling programs and services, and create jobs. In FY
2024, the Agency will:
85 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-
09/EPA Circular Economy Progress Report Sept 2022.pdf.
947
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Continue to distribute funds to states and territories made available in IIJA and work with
recipients to implement their approved workplans focusing on planning, data collection,
and implementation of materials management plans. All 56 eligible states and territories,
as well as the District of Columbia, are participating in this funding opportunity.
Continue to distribute funds made available in IIJA to tribes and intertribal consortia and
begin to work with them on implementation of grants.
Continue to distribute funds made available in IIJA to political subdivisions of states and
tribes and begin to work with them on implementation of their grants.
Continue working with other EPA program offices to scope, develop, and offer technical
assistance through grants funded through the annual appropriation.
• Provide oversight and monitoring to ensure grant funds are spent appropriately.
• Announce availability of additional grant funds for eligible entities.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$3,500.0 / +1.5 FTE) This program change increases support for states, territories, tribes,
intertribal consortia, and political subdivisions of states for technical assistance in
managing SWIFR grants and to make additional grant funds available to eligible entities.
This investment includes the addition of 1.5 FTE to the 0.5 FTE funded through the
administrative set-aside in the FY 2023 Enacted Budget. The FTE will assist in the
management of the technical assistance grant programs and oversight of SWIFR grants.
EPA is including appropriations language to reflect the increase needed to the
administrative set-aside. This investment includes $270.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act § 3011;
Save our Seas 2.0, 2020, Pub. L. 116-224; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-
58.
948
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Wildfire Smoke Preparedness
Program Area: State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Stale and Tribal Assistance (iranls
SO
S ',111)11
S',000
SO
Total Budget Authority
$0
$7,000
$7,000
$0
Program Project Description:
The Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Program, which was funded for the first time in the FY 2022
appropriations, awards competitive grant funding to better prepare community buildings for
wildfire smoke. These grants are intended to be distributed on a competitive basis to States, Tribes,
public pre-schools, local educational agencies, and non-profit organizations. No more than 25%
of the available funding may go to recipients in any one State. There is a 10% cost-share
requirement, which may be waived for projects involving facilities located in economically
distressed communities. Eligible activities may include research, investigations, experiments,
demonstrations, surveys, and studies intended for the assessment, prevention, control, or
abatement of wildfire smoke hazards in community buildings (including schools) and related
activities.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.2, Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Wildfire smoke is a significant public health problem, especially in the West and as climate change
accelerates and intensifies fires. Over the past 20 years, the number of acres burned annually due
to wildfires in the U.S. has doubled; in 2021, nearly 60,000 fires burned over 7 million acres.
Smoke plumes can have impacts over a large portion of our population, and the health impacts of
wildfire smoke are significant, ranging from eye and throat irritation to asthma attacks,
cardiovascular events, and even premature death. Many communities in the U.S. experience smoke
from wildfires for days, weeks, or even months in a given year and over multiple fire seasons.
Wildfire smoke can make the outdoor air unhealthy to breathe. Local officials often advise people
to stay indoors during a smoke event. However, some of the smoke from outdoors can enter homes
and buildings and make it unhealthy to breathe indoor air, too. Buildings are varied and do not all
provide the same level of protection against smoke. Factors such as the type of heating, ventilation,
and air conditioning (HVAC) system, HVAC filter ratings and fit, and building tightness and
maintenance can all impact how much wildfire smoke enters a building.
949
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Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328).
950
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951
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Fund
Program Projects in WIFIA 955
Water Quality Protection 956
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation 957
952
-------
953
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Fund
Resource Summary Table
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2023
President's Budget
FY 2022
Enacted
FY 2024
v.
Final
Operating
President's
FY 2023 Enacted
Actuals
Plan
Budget
Operating Plan
Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Fund
Budget Authority
$154,098
$75,640
$80,443
$4,803
Total Work years
30.8
38.4
40.0
1.6
Bill Language: Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program Account
For the cost of direct loans and for the cost of guaranteed loans, as authorized by the Water
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, $71,899,000, to remain available until
expended: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as
defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of1974: Providedfurther, That these funds
are available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans, including
capitalized interest, and total loan principal, including capitalized interest, any part of which is to
be guaranteed, not to exceed $12,500,000,000: Providedfurther, That of the funds made available
under this heading, up to $5,000,000 may be used for the cost of direct loans and for the cost of
guaranteed loans for projects described in section 5026(9) of the Water Infrastructure Finance
and Innovation Act of 2014 to State infrastructure financing authorities, as authorized by section
5033(e) of such Act: Provided further, That the use of direct loans or loan guarantee authority
under this heading for direct loans or commitments to guarantee loans for any project shall be in
accordance with the criteria published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2020 (85 FR 39189)
pursuant to the fourth proviso under the heading "Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation
Program Account" in division D of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public
Law 116-94): Provided further, That none of the direct loans or loan guarantee authority made
available under this heading shall be available for any project unless the Administrator and the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget have certified in advance in writing that the
direct loan or loan guarantee, as applicable, and the project comply with the criteria referenced
in the previous proviso: Providedfurther, That, for the purposes of carrying out the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office may request, and the
Administrator shall promptly provide, documentation and information relating to a project
identified in a Letter of Interest submitted to the Administrator pursuant to a Notice of Funding
Availability for applications for credit assistance under the Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Act Program, including with respect to a project that was initiated or completed before
the date of enactment of this Act.
In addition, fees authorized to be collected pursuant to sections 5029 and 5030 of the Water
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 shall be deposited in this account, to remain
available until expended.
954
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In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs,
notwithstanding section 5033 of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014,
$8,544,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025.
Program Projects in WIFIA
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Ensure Clean Water
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation
$31,620
$75,640
$80,443
$4,803
TOTAL WIFIA
$31,620
$75,640
$80,443
$4,803
955
-------
Water Quality Protection
956
-------
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation
Program Area: Ensure Clean Water
Goal: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective(s): Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
II uh'r Injrtislrnclurc I'inancc and
Innovation liind
S31.620
S.SVU-IJ
W..SW
Total Budget Authority
$31,620
$75,640
$80,443
$4,803
Total Work years
31.2
38.4
40.0
1.6
Program Project Description:
Communities across the country find it difficult to obtain affordable financing to update aging
water infrastructure. Critical water infrastructure is vulnerable to flooding and other climate
change-related weather events. Additionally, people of color, indigenous groups, and low-income
communities often suffer disproportionately from lack of modern water infrastructure. Our
nation's health and wellbeing are dependent on equitable access to drinking water, wastewater,
and stormwater systems; however, thousands of communities nationwide are burdened by aging
and inadequate systems that threaten public health and stifle economic growth. To help address
these challenges, Congress enacted the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014
(WIFIA).
Communities use WIFIA Program funds to leverage local dollars to maximize the impact of water
infrastructure projects that protect public health and deliver environmental benefits while
supporting local economies and creating jobs. As of February 2023, the Program has issued 100
loans to communities across the country totaling $17 billion in credit assistance to help finance
more than $36 billion for water infrastructure projects. WIFIA loans for these projects have saved
communities over $5 billion, which they can use to accelerate additional infrastructure investment
and keep rates affordable for water system users. These WIFIA-financed projects are creating
120,000 jobs and improved water infrastructure to benefit over 50 million people. Additional
projects in the WIFIA pipeline have been invited to apply for over $12 billion in WIFIA assistance,
which will stimulate nearly $27 billion in additional infrastructure investments once fully
committed through loan agreements. These outcomes demonstrate that WIFIA credit assistance is
an effective tool to help communities nationwide address water infrastructure needs.
The WIFIA Program provides and services direct loans to cover up to 49 percent of eligible costs
for water infrastructure proj ects of regional or national significance and up to 80 percent of eligible
costs for small community borrowers. WIFIA provides financing for the rehabilitation and
construction of water, wastewater, and stormwaters systems to address aging infrastructure, meet
regulatory requirements, and help improve long-term strategic, financial, and climate resiliency
957
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planning. The Program supports a broad borrower base, including underserved communities,
private companies, and small towns.
Communities often use WIFIA Program funds to supplement State Revolving Fund financing,
providing an additional source of low-cost capital to help meet the growing water infrastructure
needs of the United States while minimizing the financial costs to residents.
To date, WIFIA borrowers have received interest rates as low as 0.83 percent, with an average
interest rate of 2.09 percent. Terms include the option to bundle multiple projects under one loan
and master credit agreements, capitalize interest, backload repayment, and methods that preserve
senior debt capacity.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.1, Ensure Safe Drinking Water and
Reliable Water Infrastructure in the FY 2022 - 2026EPA Strategic Plan.
The FY 2024 request builds on the Program's success accelerating water infrastructure investment
and enables the Program to continue to offer support for small, overburdened, and underserved
communities. The requested $80.4 million, —including $71.9 million in credit subsidy, will enable
EPA to provide up to $8 billion in direct credit assistance, which when combined with other
funding sources could help sustain over $16 billion in total infrastructure investment.
Of the total $80.4 million request to implement the program, $8.5 million is for the WIFIA
Program's administrative expenses, including staff salaries and contract support. For the past four
fiscal years, the number of projects selected to receive a WIFIA loan has been at least triple the
number selected in the Program's first year in FY 2017, and since the Program's first loan closing
in 2018, the number of closed loans to monitor has already increased to nearly 100. The WIFIA
Program's administrative expenses enable high quality underwriting and technical reviews that are
required to allow the WIFIA Program to properly mitigate risk, and high-quality portfolio
monitoring and management that is critical to oversee the Program's burgeoning $30 billion
portfolio of projects and ensure the Program's long-term solvency. The Agency's request for a
sufficient administrative appropriation ensures the WIFIA Program's ability to monitor its rapidly
growing portfolio and make new loans lowering the risk to the government.
The FY 2024 budget request also includes authority to use fee revenue as outlined in the Water
Resources Reform and Development Act, Sections 5029(a), 5030 (b), and 5030(c). Fee revenue is
for the cost of contracting with expert services such as financial advisory, legal advisory, and
engineering firms. The fee expenditure authority for the Program is in addition to the $8.5 million
requests for management and operations administrative expenses.
958
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PMINFRA-01) Billions of non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA's water infrastructure finance programs
(CWSRF, DWSRF and WIFIA).
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
Units
Target
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
9.5
9.5
Billions of
Dollars
Actual
8.6
9.7
10.3
10.2
12.1
14.6
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$318.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
• (+$4,485.0 / +1.6 FTE) This program change is an increase to support the growing demand
for WIFIA loans for communities. This investment includes $305.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014.
959
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Environmental Protection Agency
2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund
Program Projects in e-Manifest 962
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 963
RCRA: Waste Management 964
960
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961
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund
Resource Summary Table
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2023
President's Budget
FY 2022
Enacted
FY 2024
v.
Final
Operating
President's
FY 2023 Enacted
Actuals
Plan
Budget
Operating Plan
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest
System Fund
Budget Authority
$12,631
$0
$0
$0
Total Workyears
12.1
11.0
11.0
0.0
Bill Language: E-Manifest
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to collect and obligate
fees in accordance with section 3024 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6939g) for fiscal
year 2024, to remain available until expended.
Note. — This language is proposed under the FY 2024 Administrative Provisions.
Program Projects in e-Manifest
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program Project
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
RCRA: Waste Management
$12,482
$0
$0
$0
Operations and Administration
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
$149
$0
$0
$0
TOTAL e-Manifest
$12,631
$0
$0
$0
962
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Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
963
-------
RCRA: Waste Management
Program Area: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2022
Final Actuals
FY 2023
Enacted
Operating
Plan
FY 2024
President's
Budget
FY 2024 President's
Budget v.
FY 2023 Enacted
Operating Plan
Environmental Programs & Management
$77,838
$75,958
$90,634
$14,676
Ha:.unions II tislc Electronic Mtini/i'sl
System I 'nntl
SI2.-/.S2
SO
SO
SO
Total Budget Authority
$90,320
$75,958
$90,634
$14,676
Total Workyears
299.1
303.8
349.3
45.5
Total workyears in FY 2024 include 11.0 FTE funded by e-Manifest fees.
All actuals from the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund are funded by user fees.
Program Project Description:
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires companies that ship hazardous
waste to track and report the estimated two million shipments each year. On June 30, 2018, EPA
launched a national system for tracking hazardous waste shipments electronically. The system,
known as "e-Manifest," was developed per the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest
Establishment Act (e-Manifest Act, Public Law 112-195), enacted on October 5, 2012. e-Manifest
modernizes the Nation's cradle-to-grave hazardous waste tracking process while saving valuable
time, resources, and dollars for industry and states. Since system launch through February 2023,
EPA has received approximately 8.3 million manifests and collected over $100 million in user
fees.
EPA estimates the e-Manifest system will reduce the burden associated with paper manifests by
between 175,000 and 425,000 hours, saving state and industry users more than $50 million
annually, once electronic manifests are widely adopted.1 Since the 2018 launch, e-Manifest has
saved state programs $65 million dollars in processing, data entry, and storage costs. The e-
Manifest system will provide better knowledge of waste generation and final disposition; enhanced
access to manifest information; and greater transparency for the public about hazardous waste
shipments.
In FY 2014, Congress established the "Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund" to
implement the e-Manifest Program, including system development, fee collection authority,
rulemaking, and advisory committee establishment. In FY 2024, e-Manifest continues to be fully
supported by user fees, which includes support for continuing the development and operation of
the system and agency personnel that support its use and further its implementation.
1 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.eov/e-niamfest/leam-about-hazardous-waste-electromc-niamfest-svsteni-
e-manifest.
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FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.2, Reduce Waste and Prevent
Environmental Contamination in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2024, EPA will operate the e-Manifest system and will collect and deposit user fees into the
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund (approximately $27.0 million is anticipated).
The authority to collect and spend fees requires authorization from Congress in annual
appropriations bills.
In FY 2024, EPA plans to perform the following key activities:
Continue to implement and enhance electronic signature methods that will ease the
logistical burdens of adopting greater use of the electronic and image plus data submission
methods.
• Work with individual generators and generator-associated groups to increase their
registration and use of the e-Manifest system, which will allow for greater fully electronic
adoption.
Continue to work on rulemaking to address hazardous waste export manifests and how to
integrate e-Manifest into other hazardous waste manifest-related reporting requirements
under the RCRA regulations.
Continue regular outreach with users and stakeholders to identify new ways to improve the
e-Manifest system. This includes regular webinars and targeted demonstrations on how to
use the e-Manifest system.
Operate appropriate accounting and financial reporting interfaces needed to collect and
manage user fees, adjust fees as appropriate, and comply with the auditing requirements of
the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act.
• Hold periodic meetings of the e-Manifest Advisory Board, consisting of state and industry
stakeholders and Information Technology experts, to provide input on system operation
and implementation of the user fee regulation.
• Develop and enhance the e-Manifest system software to expand developmental
capabilities, increase ease of use, and improve program efficiencies.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2024 Change from FY 2023 Enacted Budget (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
and the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act.
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Environmental Protection Agency
2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - FY 2024 Annual Evaluation and Other Evidence-Building Activities
FY 2024 Annual Evaluation Plan 968
FY 2024 Evidence-Building Activities 975
Evidence-Building Activities Supporting EPA's Learning Agenda 975
Other EPA Evidence-Building Activities 982
966
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967
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EPA Evaluation and Evidence-Building for FY 2024
The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act) provides a framework to
promote a culture of evaluation and continuous learning to ensure Agency decisions are made
using the best available evidence. EPA's FY 2024 Annual Evaluation Plan (AEP) describes
significant program evaluations and other evidence-building activities the Agency plans to
undertake in FY 2024. The Agency's FY 2024 AEP includes program evaluations that assess
program outcomes, support program improvement, and aid decision making. Final program
evaluation reports will be available at EPA's website: https://www.epa.gov/evaluate unless
otherwise indicated.
FY 2024 Annual Evaluation Plan
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP)
Title
EPA-Supported WPS Training of Farmworkers
Lead National Program
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
Planned start date
October 2023
Planned completion date
September 2024
Purpose and brief Description: This study uses pre- and post-training assessments to gauge the
effectiveness of this recurring training. EPA provides funding through a 5-year cooperative grant
to train farmworkers in accordance with the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) rule.
WPS pesticide safety training is an annual requirement. This evaluation will track the number of
individuals trained and the effectiveness of the training by assessing participant knowledge and
understanding before and after the training.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Effectiveness and scope of the
EPA-supported WPS training.
Question(s) this activity will address:
• How many farmworkers are receiving EPA-supported annual training required under the
WPS rule, and what is their knowledge of the material at completion of the course?
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Critical data sets include information provided by the
grantee on number of individuals trained. The evaluation will include pre- and post-training,
assessments of those trained. EPA can follow up with the grantee for assessment of factors leading
to performance results against quarterly and annual targets.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: The COVID-19 public health emergency may
continue to influence the grantee's training reach. Social distancing and other in-person protection
strategies means smaller training groups and fewer individuals trained. Remote training can
present technical challenges for some workers. Additional COVID-related impacts experienced in
FY 2022 include farmers and growers' refusal to let trainers onto farms to conduct training for fear
of exposing workers to COVID, and decreased capacity within the grantee's national network of
training organizations (hiring and retention challenges, loss of established relationships with the
agricultural community). In-person training is a preferred method to engage with trainees; the
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grantee and agricultural establishments will continue to implement strategies to address the
pandemic-related obstacles while meeting the training needs. The grantee is currently
aligning/redirecting resources to institutions with training capacity and will continue reaching out
to their network and partnering organizations, including local agencies, nonprofit organizations,
community leaders and agricultural employers, to better understand their capacity and increase
efforts to return to in-person training.
Dissemination of findings: Evaluation results will be made publicly available in the Annual
Reports on PRIA Implementation (https://www.epa.gov/pria-fees/annual-reports-pria-
i inclement at ion).
Title
Effectiveness of OCSPP Pollution Prevention Activities
Lead National Program
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective 7.2: Promote Pollution Prevention
Planned start date
Continuing from
FY 2022
Planned completion date
September 2024
Purpose and brief Description: The Pollution Prevention (P2) Program seeks to alleviate
environmental problems by leveraging business-relevant approaches to achieve significant
reductions in the generation of hazardous releases to air, water, and land; reductions in the use of
hazardous materials, which also advances EPA's chemical risk reduction and management goals
under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); reductions in the generation of greenhouse gases;
and reductions in the use of water. As a result of these preventative approaches, the P2 Program
helps businesses and others reduce costs and access market opportunities.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Review will assess the degree of
progress and outcomes of the P2 programs, as well as the utility of performance measures for the
program.
Question(s) this activity will address: The overarching evaluation question the program intends
to address is "What are the outcomes of EPA's P2 programs?" More specific questions will be
aligned to individual programs and initiatives, such as the environmental justice aspects of
implementation of the BIL and the climate aspects of implementation of the Inflation Reduction
Act (IRA). Additionally, EPA intends to address questions about outcomes of the Safer Choice
Program considering increased leadership interest and support for the program.
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: EPA will review a range of data assets to determine
how the information and data collected as part of the P2 grant programs, the existing list of Safer
Choice products, and other performance metric targets can be used for FY 2024 conduct of
evaluation of effectiveness and outcomes, as well as for continuous improvements of day-to-day
operations.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: At this time, EPA does not anticipate any major
challenges in gathering relevant data. This assessment may change pending the review of data
assets and evaluation plans developed in FY 2023.
969
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Dissemination of findings: EPA anticipates making evaluation findings public through EPA's
website www.epa.gov/evaluate, as well as other program venues as appropriate.
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA)
Title
Assessing the effectiveness of offsite compliance monitoring
l.c:ul \;ition:il Program
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Si miotic C io
-------
the short-term study. An algorithm may be used to establish links between OfCM inspection
activities and enforcement actions. The Agency also plans to partner with academics to develop
methodology for longer term evaluations.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: There are potential significant data limitations
associated with this activity. For example, because of the broad categories in ICIS, the definition
of the OfCM activity performed in ICIS may not be indicative of the actual activity performed. To
address this, EPA will use an array of different data sources to obtain as much specific, credible
information as possible to minimize data irregularities. The Agency will develop and use
algorithms to establish direct links and/or correlations between OfCM activities and enforcement
actions. Longer term evaluations will require participation by our state and tribal partners to be
successful. EPA has partnered with the E-Enterprise Leadership Council (EELC) and have invited
the Environmental Council of States (ECOS), states, and tribes to participate in the workgroup to
complete learning agenda projects.
Dissemination of findings: EPA anticipates making project findings public through EPA's
website, www.epa.gov/evaluate. as well as other public venues as appropriate.
References and Relevant Sources
OECA Compliance Learning Agenda
EPA Offsite Compliance Monitoring Project
EPA OfCM Project Partnership Portal
Title
Identifying interventions that are effective at overcoming the impediments
to municipal compliance
Lead National Program
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective 3.2: Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
Planned start date
October 2023
Planned completion date
Through FY 2024
Purpose and brief Description: This project is a part of OECA's Compliance Learning Agenda
(CLA) which collaborates with state, tribal, and territorial government environmental
professionals, and academics, to identify the most pressing programmatic questions, and create a
venue for EPA, states, tribes, and territories to collaborate in the development of evidence-based
enforcement tools and techniques that will ensure the biggest impact on environmental
compliance. EPA has heard about causes of noncompliance for small municipal water systems
from many sources over some time. The Agency's goal is to identify the root causes that lead to
noncompliance and that also render agency interventions (e.g., enforcement, technical assistance,
etc.) unsuccessful at returning systems to compliance. EPA anticipates this project to involve
multiple evaluation and research projects under both the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) programs.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Project results will be used to
improve Agency efforts and interventions to ensure that they are effective at returning systems to
compliance.
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Question(s) this activity will address:
• What are the root causes of municipal (wastewater treatment plants and drinking water
systems) noncompliance that can render EPA and state enforcement and technical/financial
assistance efforts unsuccessful?
Considering the root causes of municipal noncompliance, what are the impediments to
compliance that prevent technical assistance/financial assistance/enforcement tools from
being effective in producing compliance?
• What alternate or supportive interventions are effective in producing compliance?
• What is the effectiveness of the application of various compliance tools to municipal
noncompliance, e.g., enforcement actions, technical assistance, etc. in producing
compliance - or improved compliance?
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: EPA expects to use a wide range of evaluation tools
and methods to address priority questions., For example, EPA plans use data collected by state
associations' surveys, as well as engaging with evaluation and other academic experts to learn
about evaluation and research into the causes of municipal noncompliance. Data mining and
analysis will use both NPDES data from the ICIS-NPDES data system (and possibly state-specific
NPDES data systems) and drinking water data from SDWIS-Fed.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions:
• Effectiveness of enforcement (and other compliance tools) in producing compliance may
vary state to state for various reasons. EPA will account for this variance in the study.
There are multiple likely drivers of noncompliance and variations of the drivers of
noncompliance between states. The Agency will likely need a large study dataset to analyze
the associations between these drivers of noncompliance and the effectiveness of
enforcement actions to become evident.
There is uncertainty about ease of obtaining reliable information about the drivers of
noncompliance for individual enforcement action. To help overcome this challenge, we
have partnered with the EELC and have invited ECOS, states, and tribes to participate in
the workgroup to complete learning agenda projects.
Dissemination of findings: EPA anticipates making project findings public through EPA's
website, www.epa.gov/evaluate. as well as other public venues as appropriate.
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Office of Water (OW
Title
Progress Evaluation of the National Estuary Program
Lead National
Program
Office of Water/Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds.
Planned start date
October 2023
Planned completion date
September 2024
Purpose and brief Description: This program evaluation activity is focused on the National
Estuary Program as described in Section 320 of the Clean Water Act. The primary purpose of the
Progress Evaluation of the National Estuary Programs (NEPs) is to help EPA assess progress in
achieving programmatic and environmental results through implementation of Comprehensive
Conservation and Management Plans (CCMPs). The program evaluation process has proven to be
an effective, interactive management process that ensures national program accountability and
transparency, while incorporating local priorities and demonstrating the value of federal
investment in estuarine and coastal watershed restoration and protection at the local and regional
levels. The program evaluation process was revised and published in the 2021 NEP Program
Evaluation Guidance This new guidance was distributed to the 28 NEP locations at the end of FY
2021.
The NEP program evaluation process also: transfers lessons learned among NEPs, EPA, and
stakeholders through the sharing of case studies and transferable examples; documents the value
added to environmental management by the national program and individual NEPs, including their
role in convening stakeholders and interpreting science for management; demonstrates continued
stakeholder commitment; and highlights achievements and successes of each NEP, as well as
suggestions for continued program improvements.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Seven Program Evaluations will be
conducted in FY 2024. The regular evaluation process for NEP locations informs the
administration of the NEP program. It ensures the locations are delivering environmental results
and are well-managed programs so that they can continue to receive annual grants from EPA which
are matched 1:1 with non-federal dollars.
Question(s) this activity will address:
Can NEP locations determine progress in achieving programmatic and environmental
results?
Can NEP locations document contributions to improving or reducing pressures on their
coastal watersheds and enable NEPs to successfully serve as local implementation partners
for EPA programs?
Can NEP locations identify areas of improvement to assist NEPs in becoming stronger
programs and achieving environmental results?
Progress, results, and interim findings (if applicable): The NEP program evaluation process
runs on an annual cycle such that each location within the NEP is evaluated every five years. The
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program evaluation process uses a two-category determination of Proficient and Progressing, as
defined in the guidance. Proficient means an NEP is adequately meeting programmatic and
environmental results. Progressing means there are missing criteria that need to be addressed
before the next cycle and will catalyze a timeline to address those missing elements or
opportunities for improvement before the next cycle. This determination is informed by the entire
Program Evaluation (PE) package (narrative submission, NEPORT (NEP Online Reporting Tool)
data, annual work plans, and EPA required annual end of year reports), on-site visit, and through
discussions with the NEP under review.
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Information for the evaluation process includes annual
reports and work plans, data submitted to NEPORT, existing CCMPs, and other documentation of
key decisions., In addition, any supplementary documents the NEP locations may have developed
including communications plans, financial plans, monitoring plans, etc. are also reviewed. The
NEP locations assemble these materials and make them available to the program evaluation team
which include EPA staff from headquarters and applicable region along with a director from a
different NEP.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: The regular program evaluation process
examines each NEP location on a variety of topics listed below. Each presents a potential challenge
and can be addressed through the discussions between the program evaluation team and NEP
locations. The results include recommendations for improvement based upon the following
categories and are submitted to each program as a final program evaluation, letter:
• NEP Administration and Governance Structure
Grant Obligations and Finance including budget summary
• Healthy Ecosystems (e.g., fish, shellfish, plant, eelgrass, and wildlife populations; habitat
protection/restoration, natural resources, land use, hydrological and ecological restoration,
invasive species)
Community and Stakeholders Engagement
• Education and Outreach
• Monitoring and Assessment
Clean Water Act Programs Relationship
• EPA Priorities (Nutrient pollution, water reuse and conservation, marine litter reduction,
green infrastructure, environmental justice, climate change)
Dissemination of findings: Information about the Progress Evaluation of the National Estuary
Program is posted on EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/nep/progress-evaluation-national-
estuarv-proeram.
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FY 2024 Evaluation and Evidence-Building Activities in Support of the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act
In FY 2022 the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) expanded EPA's historic role as a regulatory
and scientific agency to be a large-scale funder of critical infrastructure and the Inflation Reduction
Act (IRA) enables EPA to take aggressive action in tackling the climate crisis. In FY 2022 and FY
2023, in support of the new and expanded programs supported by BIL and IRA, EPA is identifying
and implementing appropriate evaluation and evidence-building activities to assess results and
support program implementation. In FY 2024, EPA will continue its efforts to use evaluation and
evidence-building for BIL and IRA programs with the following goals in mind: executing programs
efficiently and effectively; promoting transparency and building trust; maintaining accountability to
taxpayers; and advancing equity priorities. EPA will share results and information in subsequent
Annual Performance Reports found on www, epa. gov/pl anandbudget in addition to posting related
evaluation reports at www.epa. gov/evaluate
FY 2024 Evidence-Building Activities
The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act) provides a framework to
promote a culture of evaluation and continuous learning to ensure Agency decisions are made
using the best available evidence. EPA's FY 2024 Annual Plan for Evidence-Building Activities
describes Agency plans for significant evidence-building across a range of program areas. In this
section EPA describes evidence-building activities other than program evaluations, such as data
analysis, foundational fact finding, research, statistical analysis, continuous process improvement,
and performance measurement. This document shares examples of evidence-building that supports
EPA's decision-making in response to Administration priorities, Congressional mandates, and
management priorities.
The first part of this document gives an overview of EPA's evidence-building activities in support
of the Agency's Learning Agenda, which is part of the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. This
part is organized by Learning Priority Area. The second part of this document, the Other Evidence-
Building Activities, is organized by national program.
Evidence-Building Activities Supporting EPA's Learning Agenda
Expanding EPA's Toolkit of Air Benefits Assessment Methodologies and Practices
Title
Expanding EPA's Toolkit of Air Benefits Assessment Methodologies and
Practices
Lead National Program
Office of Air and Radiation
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and
Health Impacts
Planned start date
Subjectto Planned completion date Subject to Funding
Funding
Purpose and brief Description: EPA uses well-established methods for estimating the health
benefits associated with reductions in some pollutants. However, as noted by scientific bodies
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including the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and Science Advisory Board (SAB)1, there
are areas where the science of air pollution effects continues to advance and there are benefits that
EPA does not currently quantify and monetize.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: This activity will improve EPA's
ability to: (1) characterize the health benefits of improved air quality within Environmental Justice
communities; (2) account for the role of air pollution in promoting the progression of chronic
disease and subsequent death; (3) quantify the health benefits of reducing toxic air pollutants.
Question(s) this activity will address:
• What are the health benefits of reducing human exposures to air pollutants not currently
quantified, particularly those related to hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)?
• What are the health benefits of reducing the risk of air pollution-related effects that are
challenging to quantify but nonetheless important to the exposed populations?
• What are the benefits of health outcomes that cannot yet be valued using Willingness-to-
Pay or other measures of economic value?
• How can EPA account for sequelae and the progression of disease when quantifying
benefits?
Progress, results, and interim findings: In FY 2023 EPA anticipates hiring dedicated staff and
initiating work on reports detailing methodological improvements and case studies applying those
improvements. In addition, EPA plans to convene an NAS panel to advise the Agency and review
the output of key reports/case studies.
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Addressing the above questions will require access to
economic and health datasets providing information on health effect incidence, health outcomes,
and health care expenditures. EPA would apply these newly developed techniques using existing
Agency tools, including the newly revised cloud-based version of the environmental Benefits
Mapping and Analysis Program (BenMAP).
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: Addressing questions of the scope and
complexity of those above will require significant contract resources and additional FTE (in
particular, economists, biostatisticians, and air pollution epidemiologists).
Partnerships supporting this evidence-building effort: EPA anticipates working collaboratively
with NAS in developing this project. EPA also anticipates consulting with industry, academia,
1 National Research Council. 2002. Estimating the Public Health Benefits of Proposed Air Pollution Regulations. Washington,
DC: The National Academies Press, https://doi.ore/10.17226/10511. National Research Council. 2008. Estimating Mortality Risk
Reduction and Economic Benefits from Controlling Ozone Air Pollution. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
https://doi.oi-e/10.17226/12198.
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environmental organizations. The Agency will seek input and review of these parties in case
studies and methodological proposals.
Dissemination of findings: Any NAS reports will be disseminated by the NAS, although EPA
will provide links to those reports through EPA's website, www.epa.gov/evaluate, as appropriate.
Information and any findings also will be shared with EPA staff and management through other
venues (e.g., meetings, presentations, etc.).
Drinking Water Systems Out of Compliance
Title
Drinking Water Systems out of Compliance
Lead National Program
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance Objective 3.2:
Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
Planned start date
Continuing from
FY 2022
Planned completion date
Through 2026
Purpose and brief Description: Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA),
Office of Water (OW), and the Drinking Water Systems Out of Compliance learning priority
workgroup are assessing drinking water data reported to EPA to determine whether it accurately
measures national compliance and substantiates EPA policy decisions; considering noncompliance
root causes and corresponding technical/managerial/financial (TMF) factors; and testing efficacy
of technical assistance, enforcement, and state oversight. The assessments, once complete, will
identify key water system characteristics for which EPA and states should focus its policies and
the most effective way to apply compliance assurance tools for increasing compliance in the
drinking water program.
OECA anticipates FY 2024 funds will support continuation of evaluations and other empirical
analyses for Question 3 (in the Agency Learning Agenda Learning Priority Area: Drinking Water
Systems Out of Compliance) - efficacy of enforcement on compliance, and for Question 4 -
identifying metrics for TMF, and initiation of work on question 5 - EPA oversight best practices.
EPA plans to begin work on Question 4 in FY2023, using results from Question 2 - root cause of
noncompliance, and EPA anticipates that work will continue into FY 2024.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Applying compliance assurance
tools to effectively increase drinking water compliance rates.
Question(s) this activity will address:
• Does increased use of compliance assurance tools (inspections and enforcement) improve
system compliance, and if so under what circumstances?
• How can EPA determine if a system has the TMF capacity to provide safe water on a
continuous basis to its customers?
• What EPA oversight activities are effective at assessing and improving state programs'
ability to drive compliance?
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Progress, results, and interim findings: In FY2022, EPA made significant progress on Questions
2 due to existing work from which the Agency was able to learn water system characteristics most
correlative to noncompliance. Specifically, predictive tools developed and tested in the State of
California and EPA Regions 3 and 7 resulted in statistical data indicating that important system
characteristics of a water system that relate to system success are: number of sources of water,
financial factors, system size, history of violations, operator training level, complexity of treatment
required, and management factors. The results align with professional observation of
characteristics associated with noncompliance. The next phase will involve examining the
potential for additional, original analysis to gain further insights into root causes of noncompliance
and conducting such work. In FY2022, for Question 3, EPA worked with the General Services
Administration's Office of Evaluation Sciences (PES) academic partners from Georgetown
University to explore possible study designs for evaluating the effect of EPA inspections in the
drinking water program (as compared to the current approach of only having state sanitary surveys
of systems). Additionally, EPA has entered into an agreement with the University of Kansas to
study if and under what conditions enforcement in the drinking water program improves
compliance. EPA anticipate study work on Question 3 will begin in FY2023 and will continue in
FY2024.
Data, tools, method/analytical approach:
Question 2 Root Cause Analysis: Going forward, the analysis will review findings to date
and determine if additional data sets can be accessed or created to do deeper analysis on
certain characteristics (e.g., find specific aspects of management structure that correlate
with ongoing compliance). If so, advanced statistical analytical methods may be applied to
better understand underlying causes versus correlations to noncompliance. For Question 3
on Enforcement and Inspection Efficacy, the Agency hopes to empirically test the impact
of increased use of compliance monitoring inspections and conduct surveys of public water
system operators to evaluate effects of enforcement actions as compared to the status quo
practice of heavily relying on other types of assistance. This priority question complements
the Drinking Water National Compliance Initiative (NCI). Increased use of inspections
could be planned such that those activities form the basis of a prospective study to inform
the overall evaluation process. The results of the study could inform future compliance
assurance strategies either as part of or beyond the NCI. Additionally, the use of OECA's
Enforcement and Compliance History Online database will be used to do a retrospective
analysis of enforcement activity.
• EPA will search for available data sets that provide technical, managerial, and financial
information to base the Question 4 (TMF metrics) evaluation. The Agency anticipates
needing to pull from various places such as federal databases at EPA (SDWIS), Department
of Commerce Census Bureau, and USD A Rural Utilities Service (RUS) loan program data
and information gleaned from the State Revolving Fund work, state Capacity Development
annual reports, and sanitary survey checklists.
• EPA anticipates using several different tools for the evaluation of Questions 3 (efficacy of
enforcement), 4 (TMF metrics), and 5 (EPA oversight) including statistical software,
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survey instruments, literature reviews, data mining, and advanced statistical analysis such
as machine learning and other regression approaches.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: Data availability may slow-down and/or limit
progress on the root-cause analysis, as well as other analytical activities that need to be carried out
to conduct planned evaluations and other empirical studies. For example, the volume of
compliance assurance work may be too low to support methodologies that use a randomization
approach to Question 3 (efficacy of enforcement). States and water systems may not agree to
participate in a survey study to identify attitudes on enforcement actions. Insufficient TMF data
could limit our ability to identify effective metrics for TMF capacity.
Dissemination of findings: Final evaluation reports and other empirical analyses for this learning
priority area will be made available through EPA's website www.epa.gov/evaluate.
Workforce
Title
Workforce
l.esul Niitioiiiil
Proyr.im
Office of Mission Support
St miotic (ioitl iiiul
Objectne supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Workforce Equity
Phi 11 nod sliirl chile
Continuing from FY I'hinncd completion September 2024
2023 diile
Purpose and brief description: EPA identified Human Capital Management as an Enterprise
Risk due to the high number of staff eligible for retirement and EPA's aging workforce, and the
related concern of replacing departing employees' institutional knowledge and skills. The
Workforce learning priority area in EPA's Learning Agenda will develop an evidence-based
roadmap for how EPA can ensure it has employees with the competencies needed to achieve its
mission now and in the future. It also will help determine the overall processes required to cultivate
and manage the workforce, while anticipating internal and external changes, and continuously
maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Agency's Human Resources services.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Near- and long-term strategies to
attract, recruit, train, and retain a diverse and effective workforce.
Question(s) this activity will address:
• Does EPA have access to the tools and strategies needed to analyze and understand the
Agency's near- and long-term workforce and succession needs?
• What are the critical skills needed to support the Agency's mission, now and in the future?
• What are the best strategies to attract, recruit, train, and retain a diverse workforce? What
makes people stay in the Agency long-term?
• What is the best way to ensure knowledge is transferred from outgoing to current and incoming
staff to support succession planning?
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Data, tools, method/analytical approach: EPA has various data sets and tools to capture
employee demographic, hiring, and attrition data, but no current Agencywide data sets exist on
current and future employee skills and competencies for leadership and other critical positions. To
develop such data sets, EPA will compile information gathered from various internal and external
stakeholders during its workforce planning and succession management activities. Stakeholders
include but are not limited to: EPA employees and supervisors, the Human Resource
Officer/Program Management Officer (HRO/PMO) community, First Line Supervisor Advisory
Group (FLAG), senior leaders, and members of the external human resources academic and
practitioner community. Surveys, literature reviews, focus groups, interviews, and other
quantitative and qualitative methods will be used to obtain needed information. Cost-benefit
analysis, benchmarking, and appropriate quantitative and qualitative analyses will be used along
with other analytical approaches. Data will be managed consistent with security and privacy
requirements.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: Due to a general sense of "survey fatigue"
within EPA, there is a risk of low participation among key internal stakeholders in the assessment
and analysis of the four workforce priority questions. This possible challenge will be mitigated by
enlisting the buy-in and support of senior leaders, the Human Resources Council, and other key
stakeholders to help promote the process prior to its start and keeping in constant contact with
those stakeholders during the evaluation and analysis process. Additionally, analytical approaches
may be constrained by limitations due data security and privacy requirements; EPA will work
carefully to identify appropriate alternatives.
Dissemination of findings: The identified workforce activities are considered key components of
management's strategic decision-making process; findings will be shared consistent with
requirements related to information that may be privileged or prohibited from disclosure. The
Agency anticipates that relevant results will be shared with internal stakeholders, including senior
leaders and EPA's Human Resource Officer/Program Management Officer community. Aggregate
information on findings might be shared with other federal agencies and/or publicly.
Grant Commitments Met
Lead National Program
Office of the Administrator/Office of Congressional and
Intergovernmental Relations
Cross-Agency Strategy
supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 4: Strengthen Tribal, State, and Local Partnerships
and Enhance Engagement
Planned start date
Continuing from
FY 2021
Planned completion date
Through 2024
Purpose and brief Description: Historically, EPA has annually awarded over $4 billion in grants
and other assistance agreements. With these grants, EPA helps to protect human health and the
environment through the work of its grantees. The management and tracking of the individual
awards are dispersed amongst thousands of staff throughout EPA's headquarters and ten regional
offices, which makes tracking results at the national level challenging. This Learning Agenda
priority area focuses on how to better understand how the EPA's grant programs track, report, and
analyze its outputs and outcomes achieved to assess and communicate the environmental and
health results accomplished.
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The importance and visibility of this effort has increased with the additional funding provided by
American Rescue Plan (ARP), IIJA, and, most recently, the IRA. The potential funding level for
EPA's programs could reach over $100 billion, making it critical to have mechanisms in place to
track, report and assess the Agency's progress in protecting human health and the environment
through its grant programs.
This learning priority area outlines work to establish the baseline, assess the current state, and
define the future state of grant result reporting. The effort spans multiple fiscal years, beginning in
FY 2021. In FY 2021, the Grant Commitments Met Workgroup used a survey instrument to
establish a baseline knowledge of grant results reporting practices at EPA. FY 2022 was focused
on interviewing regional and headquarters National Program Manager (NPM) contacts to collect
best practices. Efforts in FY 2023 and 2024 are focused on using the gathered data to implement
grant program reviews and inform grant result tracking systems to better communicate and assess
the environmental and health results achieved through EPA's grant programs.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Practices and tools to effectively
track whether grantees are fulfilling their workplan grant commitments, including outputs and
environmental outcomes.
Question(s) this activity will address:
• What data and information exists to provide a baseline assessment of the Agency's grant
and tracking systems?
• Which criteria are used to assess the ability of programs to successfully monitor grantee
performance?
• How are the Agency's grant programs meeting their intended purpose?
Progress, results, and interim findings: In Year 1, EPA surveyed all active EPA grant programs
to determine the universe of existing grant reporting and tracking systems. The surveys provided
the data and information needed to understand existing Agency approaches and processes for
collecting, monitoring, reporting, and evaluating grant commitments. EPA learned that 99% of
programs collect output data, but only 31% collect long-term outcomes. Word documents are the
most common method of collecting grantee data. Common challenges to grantee data collection
include labor intensity (i.e., the time and knowledge required for EPA staff and grantee staff to
conduct data collection activities), poor communication with grantees, and capacity issues internal
to grantees.
In Year 2, EPA used the Year 1 survey responses as a launching point to establish criteria for
conducting the next set of interviews within EPA. Interview criteria included prioritizing programs
receiving additional BIL or ARP funding, programs that reported best practices, and programs that
addressed administration priorities. EPA has identified 31 Regional and NPM interviewees and
has completed most of the interviews.
EPA is comparing the current state of grants management to an ideal future state, considering the
programmatic and statutory requirements unique to each grant program, and available tools for
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programmatic monitoring. A workgroup will develop criteria to assess the ability of programs to
successfully monitor grantee performance, with a specific focus on tracking environmental outputs
and outcomes. This activity will inform the next of phase (Learning Agenda Question 3), which
will analyze the Agency's ability to review progress made in protecting human health and the
environment through its grant programs and demonstrate how EPA's grants programs are
achieving the intended environmental results.
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: The third phase of this project will address the
question: Are the commitments established in grant agreements achieving the intended results?
Using Year 1 Survey results and Year 2 interview responses, EPA will design an appropriate
empirical study to answer this key question.
The effort will culminate in overall findings report including several recommendations with the
goal of reaching actionable results that aid in the implementation of a new Agency-wide approach
to collect and communicate environmental results.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: Success depends on high stakeholder
engagement and participation, including that of regional and NPM staff and management. EPA
will address these challenges by relying on a group of regional and NPM points of contact and
leveraging access to senior leadership calls. It will be challenging to keep up with the rapidly
changing landscape regarding grant funding at EPA. Grant programs at EPA continue to expand
in size and number. The high visibility of this additional funding further highlights the importance
of accountability in grant reporting.
Partnerships supporting this evidence-building effort: EPA will continue to engage with and
inform states and tribes of EPA efforts through ECOS, the e-Enterprise Leadership Council
(EELC), and other appropriate fora.
Dissemination of findings: Final reports will be posted publicly on EPA's website
www, epa. gov/evaluate; the Year 1 report has been posted at
https://www.epa.gov/svstem/files/documeiits/2022-09/leamiiie-aeenda-graiits-commitmeiits-
met.pdf.
Other EPA Evidence-Building Activities
Office of Air and Radiation (OAR)
Title
Title V Permitting Program Reviews
Lead National Program
Office of Air and Radiation
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution
and Health Impacts
Planned start date
October 2023
Planned completion date
September 2024
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Purpose and description: EPA periodically assesses state and local permitting programs,
including the sufficiency of fees collected, under Title V of the Clean Air Act as part of its
responsibility to oversee delegated and approved air permitting programs.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: In general, these analyses document
areas needing improvement and inform how EPA can help the permitting agencies improve their
performance.
Question(s) this activity will address:
• What are some good practices and areas of improvement in state and local permitting
programs under Title V of the Clean Air Act?
• How can EPA help the permitting agencies improve their performance?
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: In general, EPA uses a questionnaire to gather
preliminary information, reviews files maintained on permits, conducts site visits, and follows up
with the permitting program to clarify information in conducting a Title V program assessment.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: The Agency conducts these analyses annually
and does not anticipate challenges.
Dissemination of findings: The Title V Permit analyses are posted on EPA's website. Information
and any findings will also be shared with appropriate EPA staff and management.
Title
Our Nation's Air: Status and Trends Through 2023
Lead National Program
Office of Air and Radiation
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution
and Health Impacts
Planned start date
October 2023
Planned completion date
September 2024
Purpose and description: EPA is committed to protecting public health and the environment by
improving air quality and reducing air pollution. This annual report presents the trends in the
nation's air quality and summarizes the detailed information found at EPA's Air Trends website
and other air quality and emissions data.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: This activity provides an annual
assessment of air quality in an accessible format, allowing EPA, states, and other stakeholders to
understand how air quality is changing both in their local area and across the nation. Stakeholders
can use this information to help inform their decisions in their air quality programs.
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Question(s) this activity will address:
• Where are areas experiencing air quality above the national ambient air quality standards?
• Are these areas trending toward improving air quality?
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Existing data is pulled from several sources to generate
the report such as the National Emission Inventory (NEI) and Air Quality System (AQS).
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: The Agency produces this report annually and
does not anticipate challenges. This activity is contingent upon air quality data availability from
state, local, and tribal air pollution control agencies.
Dissemination of findings: This report is annually included on EPA's Air Trends website.
Information and any findings will also be shared with appropriate EPA staff and management.
Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO)
Title
Growing Capacity for Evidence Building
Lead National
Program
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Cross-Agency Strategy
Supported
Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and Workforce Equity
Planned start date
Continuing from FY
2023
Planned Completion
Date
Throughout 2024
Purpose and brief Description: EPA will engage in a variety of Evidence Act-related activities
in FY 2024 that will support policy development and decision making. These activities reflect
EPA's commitment to implement a framework that promotes a culture of evaluation and
continuous learning and ensures Agency decisions are made using the best available evidence. For
example, in FY 2023 EPA is engaging an Agency-wide effort to integrate evidence-building in the
implementation of BIL and IRA by identifying evidence-building priorities for BIL and IRA-
funded programs. In FY 2024, EPA will carry out plans across the board for evaluation and other
empirical analyses.
EPA will lead a coordinated cross-agency process to support the design and execution of
evaluations of BIL investments. EPA began this coordinated effort in FY 2023 and will continue
to lead this effort in FY 2024.This effort will also include developing capacity for equity in
evaluation by advancing approaches to conducting evaluations more equitably and be culturally
responsive and/or develop new approaches reflecting EPA's unique understanding and role in
advancing environmental justice.
Dissemination of findings: EPA will share the results of these efforts on EPA's website,
www, ep a. gov/ evaluate.
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Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP)
Title
Assessing IT modernization of EPA pesticide tracking systems
Lead National Program
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
Sirsito*»ic (loiil mill
Objectne supported
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
Phin ned stiirt chile
April 2019
Planned completion date
September 2024
Purpose and brief Description: In April 2019, EPA kicked off Phase 1 of a multi-year digital
transformation to create a fully electronic workflow for EPA registration and reevaluation
activities. In early 2020, in advance of the launch of the new system, EPA developed performance
metrics and established baselines of performance using the current Agency systems for review of
applications. These metrics will allow EPA to measure the effects of the digital transformation on
meeting the targets and objectives described in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. In FY
2020, a pilot of the new system went live and continues to be implemented in phases.
EPA has designed an ongoing assessment of the pilot focused on how the system meets
performance metrics. Also, the pilot is designed to assess how effectively the use of predictive
algorithms will help in determining skills gaps and hiring needs. The pilot is also designed to assess
time savings and effects related to work-life balance. For example, OPP is tracking targeted
Employee Viewpoint Survey (EVS) questions to track workload satisfaction. We believe digital
transformation success will impact the results in a positive direction.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Results of this assessment will
inform additional IT system development and facilitate enterprise resilience through strategic
planning, proactive risk management, effective organizational change management and capacity
planning, as well as emergent technologies.
Question(s) this activity will address:
• Does this pilot approach show the expected potential for mission transformation through
digitalization?
• What is the effectiveness of predictive algorithms used in this pilot in determining where
skills gaps lie, and how does this help with resources decisions intended to remove
bottlenecks?
• Does this pilot show how EPA can assess time savings and as well as outcomes related to
work-life balance?
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Information from EPA's PRISM and OPPIN systems
will allow EPA to establish baselines for how much time is spent at each stage of risk assessment
and assess improvement in the overall review processes for registration and registration review
cases. The Employee Engagement metric will be tracked by evaluating results to specific questions
and focus areas on the EPA Employee Viewpoint Survey and comparing responses from OPP staff
before and after implementation of the IT-modernization effort.
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Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: EPA is currently waiting for the award of the
Mission Support IT Contract to continue work on the Digital Transformation. Current contracts
supporting development and operations & maintenance of systems expire in November thereby
making the award of the new contract urgent. Office of Acquisition Services (OAS) is currently
projecting an award date of September 15, 2022.
Dissemination of findings: Process improvements relating to pesticide registration and
registration review activities, as well as information technology improvements, are described
annually in the PRIA annual report (https://www.epa.gov/pria-fees/annual-reports-pria-
implementation).
Title
TSCA Risk Evaluation Review and Assessments
Lead National Program
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
Planned start date
October 2023
Planned completion date
September 2024
Purpose and brief Description: These recurring reviews assess the degree of progress, timely
completion of risk evaluations mandated under TSCA, and the utility and quality of program
performance measures.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: EPA will use information from
these reviews to make decisions on whether any changes are needed to performance measures.
Information also will be used to determine needed changes in the process for completion of
chemical risk evaluations within TSCA statutory time frames or other time frames designated by
the Agency.
Question(s) this activity will address:
• Do EPA's suite of performance measures and processes for developing TSCA risk
evaluation warrant further revision?
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Critical data sets include performance metric targets
and results and any other data sets that could point to a need for operational improvements.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: At this time, EPA does not anticipate any major
challenges in gathering performance data; however, challenges in chemical risk evaluation data
gathering can exist. Expert input will be brought to bear on any challenges and possibility that
solutions will be needed.
Dissemination of findings: EPA intends to make performance results publicly available, through
a variety of venues, including but not limited to, Agency performance reporting at
https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget and other targeted stakeholder outreach and communications
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Title
TSCA Risk Management Activities
Lead National Program
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
St miotic (i()
-------
Purpose and brief Description: Under TSCA section 5, EPA may impose certain actions by
issuing an order and/or significant new use rule (SNUR) that may contain risk mitigation
requirements put in place to protect human health and the environment. EPA's Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) will develop a process to review compliance with the requirements
of past Orders and SNURs issued under TSCA section 5, looking back from October 2021. EPA
will review compliance with restrictions in TSCA section 5 orders or SNURs by cross-walking
action requirements with information reported to the 2020 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) rule.
This process would include any chemical with a TSCA section 5 order and/or SNUR that was also
reported to CDR.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: OPPT will use the information
reported to CDR to check adherence with the terms of past TSCA section 5 orders or SNURs.
Instances of potential non-compliance will be referred to EPA's Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance (OECA). This could trigger OECA follow-up actions, including an
information request for records, subpoena for specific documents and answers to questions, virtual
records auditing, on-site audits, issuance of compliance advisories or guidance, and
modifications/updates to TSCA section 5 Consent Order, SNURs, or other applicable regulations,
as appropriate.
Question(s) this activity will address: This activity will be the first time the New Chemicals
Program has conducted a systematic review of information reported to EPA. Questions include
• Does the information reported to help ensure chemical manufactures and importers
comply with regulations designed to protect workers, consumers, communities, and the
environment?
• Does the process to review compliance with these TSCA requirements meet the needs of
the Agency in identifying non-compliance?
Progress, results, and interim findings: The new chemicals program has started creating the
datasets required to crosscheck new chemicals data with CDR data. Additionally, the program has
developed methods to crosscheck new chemical actions with data reported to CDR.
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Critical data sets include the 2020 dataset from
Chemical Data Reporting rule and a dataset of the regulatory terms of all TSCA section 5 consent
orders and SNURs.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: At this time, EPA does not anticipate any major
challenges in gathering relevant performance data; however, there can be challenges in cross-
walking historic chemical data and information to more recent economic and enforcement
information (e.g., current company status, ownership changes, location changes, etc.) Further,
limitations in chemical data and information exist. Expert input will be brought to bear on any
challenges and will address any possibility that solutions will be needed.
Dissemination of findings: EPA intends to make performance results publicly available through
a variety of venues, including but not limited to, Agency performance reporting at
https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget and other targeted stakeholder outreach and communications.
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Title
Pesticide Registration Review
Lead National Program
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
Planned start date
October 2023
Planned completion date
September 2024
Purpose and brief Description: These recurring reviews assess the degree of progress and
timely completion of docket openings, draft risk assessments, and case completions for the second
cycle of pesticide registration review.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Decisions on whether any changes
are needed to pesticide registration review performance measures or the process for completion of
pesticide registration review activities.
Question(s) this activity will address:
• Does OCSPP's suite of pesticide registration review performance measures and processes
for meeting pesticide registration review statutory timeframes warrant further revision?
• Does the suite of pesticide registration review performance measures affect the quality of
the draft risk assessments and risk management decisions?
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Critical data sets include performance metric targets
and results and any other data sets that could point to a need for operational improvements.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: At this time, OCSPP does not anticipate any
major challenges in gathering performance data. Expert input will be brought to bear on any
challenges and possibility that solutions will be needed.
Dissemination of findings: EPA intends to make performance results publicly available, through
a variety of venues, including but not limited to, Agency performance reporting at
https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget and quarterly updates to the pesticide registration review
schedule (https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-reevaluatioii/upcomine-registratioii-review-actioiis).
Title
ESA Effects Determinations for Listed Species
Lead National Program
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
Planned start date
October 2023
Planned completion date
September 2024
Purpose and brief description: The Endangered Species Act (ESA) require that the actions of
federal agencies do not jeopardize the continued existence of federally threatened or endangered
species or destroy or adversely modify their critical habitat. EPA is developing a process to
incorporate ESA determinations into its new active ingredient registration process and to work
towards more routine considerations of ESA determinations for registration review decisions. EPA
anticipates increasing ESA considerations into its registration and registration review decisions at
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an increasing frequency over the next 5 years. In FY 2022, EPA posted the ESA workplan2 to
provide to the public the framework for ESA implementation into pesticide regulatory activities.
Data collection for this activity occurs annually.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Decisions on whether any changes
are needed to performance measures or the process for incorporating ESA effects determinations
into OSCPP's risk assessments supporting registration and registration review activities. EPA is
evaluating whether targets established at the time of the FY2022-2026 SP development are in
alignment with the implementation schedule communicated in the EPA ESA workplan posted to
the EPA webpage and has proposed adjusting annual targets appropriately. Stages of
implementation are dependent on additional resources.
Question(s) this activity will address:
• Do processes for developing ESA effects determinations warrant further revision?
Should EPA develop a new suite of performance measures to measure current or new
processes, and if so, what are the options?
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Critical data sets include EPA workflow tracking
systems and stand-alone reports on ESA-related risk assessment activity and label mitigation.
Tools and analytical methods listed above would not be needed for this exercise.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: At this time, EPA does not anticipate any major
challenges in gathering performance data. Expert input will be brought to bear on any challenges
and possibility that solutions will be needed.
Dissemination of findings: EPA intends to make performance results publicly available through
a variety of venues, including but not limited to, Agency performance reporting at
https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget and other targeted stakeholder outreach and communications.
Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM)
Title
OLEM Population Analysis
Lead National Program
Office of Land and Emergency Management
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.1: Cleanup Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and
Healthy Communities
Planned start date
March 2024
Planned completion date
July 2024
Purpose and brief Description: This is a bi-annual descriptive study. The purpose is to conduct
a bi-annual analysis to support evidence-based descriptions of who benefits from EPA's cleanup
and prevention work, by collecting data on the population living within three and one mile(s) of a
Superfund site, Brownfields site, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective
Action (CA) site, Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) site, and Underground Storage
2 The ESA Workplan may be accessed at: https://www.epa.goY/sYsteni/files/docunients/2022-04/balanciiip-wildlife-protection-
and-responsible-pesticide-use final .pdf.
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Tank (UST) facility that exist in thousands of communities across the United States ranging from
remote to large urban settings.
This analysis also supports EPA's America '$ Children and the Environment Report? by estimating
the number of children and their socioeconomic/demographic characteristics who live within one
mile of a RCRA CA or Superfund site that may not have had all human health protective measures
in place at the time of the analysis.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Aspects of these results are included
in EPA's annual budget reviews and are included in the annual President's Budget submitted to
Congress. Results also are used in general communications with press, other government agencies,
and the public.
Question(s) this activity will address: This analysis estimates the population living within three
and one mile(s) of a Superfund site, Brownfield site, RCRA CA site, removal site, LUST site and
UST facility by:
• Race: people who self-identify as white, black, Asian, Native American, Hawaiian/pacific
islander, or other.
• Ethnicity, people of all races who self-identify as Hispanic or non-Hispanic.
• Minority: all race and ethnicity combinations except "non-Hispanic whites."
• Income: below poverty level, and incomes twice or more above poverty level.
• Education: less than high school education.
• Age: Under 5, Under 18, over 64.
• Linguistically isolated: households where all members do not speak English as a first
language or "very well."
Populations that are more minority, low income, linguistically isolated, or less likely to have a
high school education than the U.S. population as a whole, may have fewer resources with which
to address concerns about their health and environment. EPA includes these factors in population
analyses to understand the potential for these vulnerabilities in relation to cleanup sites at the
national level.
Data, tools, method/analytical approach:
• Data
o Site location and status data from the Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment
Exchange System (ACRES), Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMS) and
RCRA Info for Brownfields, Superfund and RCRA CA, respectively,
o Site location and status data for LUST sites and UST facilities from ORD's state
LUST/UST database
o Population data from the most recent American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• Methods/Analytical approach:
3 The Report may be accessed here: www.epa.eov/aniericaschildreiieiiviromiieiit.www.epa.gov/americaschildrenenvironment.
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o Latitude and longitude coordinates are used to map site locations. Then 1- and 3- mile
buffers are drawn from the site location. Depending on data availability, the site
location is either a point, a modeled circular site boundary based on site acreage around
a point or the actual site boundaries,
o Using census block group centroids and the 1- and 3- mile buffers, the population and
characteristics are estimated. If the census block centroid falls within the buffer, then
the population of that census block is included in the estimation of the near site
population.
o EPA compares the near site populations to the overall U.S. population to identify
differences in the characteristics listed above,
o EPA follows the methods used in the America's Children and the Environment Report
Indicators El0 and Ell.4
Tools
o This spatial analysis is done using ArcGIS and R software suites
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: Geospatial data available to map site boundaries
is limited. EPA continues to work to improve geospatial data on Superfund and RCRA Corrective
Action site boundaries. The LUST/UST data used was obtained from the USTFinder. The
USTFinder is a new web map application containing a comprehensive, state-sourced national map
of underground storage tank (UST) and leaking UST (LUST) data. USTFinder was made possible
by a large ORD data collection effort. Ability to update estimates for LUST/UST in the future
depends on whether ORD updates data in the USTFinder.
Dissemination of findings: EPA will share the results of these analyses on EPA's OLEM program
benefits web site at https://www.epa. gov/about epa/office-1 and-and-emergencv-management-olem-
program-benefits and include the information in Agency documents that are available to the public.
Title
Redevelopment Economics at Remedial Sites (non-federal facility)
Lead National Program
Office of Land and Emergency Management
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Strategic Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.1: Cleanup Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and
Healthy Communities
Planned start date
October 2023
Planned completion date
January 2024
Purpose and brief Description: Cleaning up contaminated sites can serve as a catalyst for
economic growth and community revitalization. The Superfund Remedial Program facilitates the
redevelopment of sites across the country while protecting human health and the environment.
Collaborative efforts among state, local, and tribal partners, redevelopers, and other federal agency
programs encourage restoration of sites. Since Superfund sites often encompass buildings, roads,
and other infrastructure, their effective and efficient cleanup and reuse can play a pivotal role in a
community's economic growth. EPA has initiated efforts to collect economic data at a subset of
Superfund sites. Each year, the data collected is made available on EPA's webpages as part of the
Redevelopment Economics at Superfund Sites page and corresponding pages, as well as the
4 For more details on the methods, see https://www.epa.gov/americaschildrenenviroiiment/ace-environments-and-contaminants-
contami nated-1 and s#Method s.
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Putting Sites to Work - How Suyerfund Redevelopment is Makin Terence in Communities
Across the United States: Compendium c J/'.V • v onomic Data. In addition, Region I v > oiiomic
Profiles summarize economic data collected for Superfund sites within an EPA region. They also
highlight successes and put them in the context of aggregated data within the state and EPA region.
Economic data are updated annually; regions receive a full regional economic profile or a data
supplement to update the prior year's full regional economic profile on alternate years.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Economic data are included in
budget justifications to Congress and are used in general communication with key stakeholders
and the public.
Question(s) this activity will address: The analysis will provide current, reliable business-related
information for a subset of Superfund sites in reuse and continued use:
• What information can EPA provide about Superfund sites in reuse and continued use,
including the variety of purposes that some innovative business owners and organizations
reuse Superfund sites9
To what extent and how do these uses help economically revitalize communities near
Superfund sites9
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: The study estimates economic activity at Superfund
sites in reuse from reputable sources based on methodology developed by EPA's Superfund
Redevelopment Initiative and outlined on the public webpage: Redevelopment Economics at
Superfund Sites. Information on the number of employees and sales volume for on-site businesses
typically comes from Hoovers/Dun & Bradstreet, the Reference USA. and Manta databases.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: Given that most sites with known economic
activities have been included in the report in prior years and that relatively few Superfund sites are
added to the NPL or become newly economically productive each year, the analysis does not
typically reveal large changes year-to-year. In order to focus resources on the most salient analyses,
the program alternates the development of Regional economic profiles every two years and may
consider a similar effort with a national profile if needed in the future. In the meantime, the
program has also increased a focus on Beneficial Economic Effect Case Studies which offer
expanded insights into the economic data and highlight replicable strategies for productive reuse
and redevelopment.
Dissemination of findings: The summary of the results will be shared on EPA's Superfund
Redevelopment website.5
Title
Redevelopment Economics at Federal Facilities
Lead National Program
Office of Land and Emergency Management
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Strategic Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.1: Cleanup Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and
Healthy Communities
Program Project Title/
Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office
5 Found at: https://www.epa.eov/superflmd-redevelopnieiit/redevelopnieiit-ecoiioniics-superfimd-sites.
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Appropriations
Planned start date
October 2023
Planned completion date
January 2024
Purpose and brief Description: Cleaning up contaminated sites at federal facilities can serve as
a catalyst for economic growth and community revitalization. The Superfund Federal Facilities
Program facilitates the redevelopment of federal facility sites across the country by assisting other
federal agencies (OFAs) expedite activities related to CERCLA response actions, while protecting
human health and the environment. Collaborative efforts among OF As; developers; and state,
local, and tribal partners encourage restoration of sites. Since federal facility Superfund sites often
encompass thousands of acres with buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, their effective and
efficient cleanup and reuse can play a pivotal role in a community's economic growth. EPA has
initiated efforts to collect economic data at a subset of federal facility Superfund sites which is
outlined on the public webpage Redevelopment Economics at Federal Facilities.6 This economic
analysis is updated and expanded annually.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: Economic data are included in
budget justifications to Congress and are used in general communication with other Federal
agencies and the public.
Question(s) this activity will address: The analysis will provide current, reliable business-related
information for a subset of federal facility Superfund sites in reuse and continued use.
• What information can EPA provide about federal facility Superfund sites in reuse and
continued use, including the variety of purposes that some innovative business owners and
organizations reuse Superfund sites.
To what extent and how do these uses help economically revitalize communities near
Superfund sites9
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: The study estimates economic activity at federal
facilities Superfund sites in reuse from reputable sources based on methodology developed by
EPA's Superfund Redevelopment Initiative, which is outlined in more detail at Redevelopment
Economics ; ral Facilities7. Information on the number of employees and sales volume for
on-site businesses typically comes from Hoovers/Dun & Bradstreet, the Reference! LSA and
Mania databases.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: The Economic Analysis commenced in 2016
and is updated/expanded annually. The Economic Analysis is an established activity that provides
valuable metrics for the program and is expected to continue without challenges.
Dissemination of findings: The summary of the results will be shared on EPA's Fedci J I >cilities
website.8
6 Found at: https://www.epa.eov/fedfac/redevelopnient-federal-facilities.
7 Found at: https://www.epa.gov/fedfac/redevelopment-federal-facilities
8 See https://www.epa.aov/fedfac/redevelopment-federal-facilities.
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Office of Research and Development (ORD)
Title
Climate Change Research
l.esul Niitioiiiil I'rogi'iim
Office of Research and Development
C 'ross-A»enc\ Strsile«»v
supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 1: Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based
Decision Making
Sli ;tlc»ic Coiil iinil
Objectne supported
Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective 1.2: Accelerate Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change
Impacts
Phi 11 ned stiirt diite
October 2023 Phinned completion November 2026
diite
Purpose and brief description: Climate change is impacting public health, air, and water quality
today and will exacerbate environmental challenges in the future. Potential impacts from climate
change include increases in scale and frequency of hurricanes, wildland fires, flooding and
drought, and changes in transportation and energy usage. These changes impact air and water
quality as well as the health of both humans and ecosystems. Coordinating research across the six
National Research Programs (NRP), this research will improve understanding of these climate-
driven changes, developing knowledge to support science-based decision making, and supporting
climate induced disaster preparation, response and recovery, resiliency of ecosystems services,
community resilience and sustainability, and management of human health and the environment.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: ORD research efforts will be
designed to strengthen the scientific foundation for actions at the Agency, state, tribal, local,
territory, and community levels to address environmental and health inequalities in vulnerable
populations, lifestages, and communities with environmental justice and equity concerns.
Question(s) this activity will address: This research area will assist EPA in addressing scientific
questions related to environmental and health inequalities and is supported by multiple national
research programs. EPA, state, tribal, local government, and communities need tools and data to
predict how air quality, water quality, ecosystems, and human health will change because of the
changing climate and the potential mitigation strategies that are adopted. ORD research will inform
decisions, sustainable transitions, and efforts to decrease disproportionate impacts of climate
change. The climate induced disasters need EPA response activities including public drinking
water supply, drinking and wastewater infrastructure recovery, debris management, and
environmental contamination cleanup (oil spill, pesticide, hazardous waste, mold, etc.). Many of
these response activities benefit from capabilities developed from research supporting chemical,
biological, and radiological incident response.
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: This research area will produce data, methods, and
tools to advance the understanding of adverse health impacts among people, changes to air quality,
changes to water quality and quantity, changes to contaminant loading in sediments and soils, and
changes to ecosystem functions and services that are associated with changing climate. This
research area will also produce methods and tools to improve community preparation for, response
to, and recovery from climate induced disasters, as well as to improve the long-term resilience of
communities to climatic change with respect to human health and welfare.
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Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: This research area will produce scientific
deliverables which will require complex research planning, facilitation, review coordination, task
prioritization, and regular interactions with the program partners (e.g., AO, OAR, OW, OLEM,
Regional Offices) to ensure deliverables/products address partner's needs. In FY 2024, ORD will
continue to develop more efficient methods of project implementation and tracking.
Dissemination of findings: Research area findings will take a variety of publicly available forms
such as technical reports, journal publications, open-access web-based tools and models, data sets,
webinars, and technical fact sheets aimed at promoting translation of results to inform solutions.
Title
Environmental Justice, Cumulative Impacts, and Vulnerable Populations
Lead National Program
Office of Research and Development
C "ross-Agency Strategy
supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 1: Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based
Decision Making
Sir;ilo*»ic (Joal and
Objectne supported
Goal 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil
Rights
Objective 2.1: Promote Environmental Justice Efforts at the Federal, Tribal,
State, and Local Levels
1'hi 11 ned si nil diite
October 2023 Planned completion November 2026
date
Purpose and brief description: Environmental justice (EJ) is an integral part of EPA's mission
to protect human health and the environment. EJ is achieved when all people are fully protected
from environmental and health hazards and have equitable access to decision-making processes to
maintain a healthy environment in which to live, learn, play, and work. Low-income,
disadvantaged communities and indigenous peoples are often disproportionately vulnerable to
environmental health challenges because they are faced with greater exposure to many sources of
pollutants or contaminants (chemical stressors), disadvantaged due to long term environmental
policies resulting in wealth and health inequities or disparities, and underserved in adaptive
capacity to respond to and cope with emerging environmental stressors including those caused by
climate change and catastrophic incidents. Similarly, cumulative health impacts from these
chemical and nonchemical stressors vary with lifestages, as well as inherent sensitivities. Children,
older persons, and people with disabilities or pre-existing health conditions may be most
susceptible and vulnerable to climate changes and associated environmental stressors.
Coordinating research across the six National Research Programs (NRP) will lead to a better
understanding of how health disparities can arise from unequal environmental conditions,
including impacts from climate change and exposures to pollution, and inequitable social and
economic conditions.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: ORD research efforts will be
designed to strengthen the scientific foundation for actions at the Agency, state, tribal, local,
territory, and community levels to address cumulative impacts and environmental and health
inequalities in vulnerable populations, lifestages, and communities with environmental justice and
equity concerns.
Question(s) this activity will address: ORD's research will address multiple questions such as:
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• How can EPA address the challenge of expanding the state of scientific understanding for
addressing environmental health disparities and shortening of lifespan related to exposure
to chemical and nonchemical stressors in vulnerable populations and life stages?
• How can EPA address the challenge of investigating the intertwined social and
environmental variables that affect community resilience and vulnerability to
environmental contamination incidents including natural disasters?
• How can EPA address the challenge of characterizing and assessing disproportionate
exposures, risks, and impacts, such as through cumulative impact assessment, while
identifying, comparing, and evaluating evidence-based solutions to reduce these impacts
in, and improve the health and wellbeing of, communities with EJ and equity concerns?
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: In this research area a large amount of data, as well as
methods, and tools, will be developed that help support decision-making and empower EPA, states,
tribes, local governments, and overburdened and disadvantaged communities to take action for
revitalization, resilience, and sustainability. This research will enhance human health by
supporting the development of new technologies, data, models, and tools as well as resources and
trainings for risk communication and risk management, outreach, and community engagement. In
January 2022, ORD published the external review draft white paper, Cumulative Impacts:
Recommendations \ 'esearch to guide development of ORD's FY 2023-2026 research
portfolio and address critical science gaps.9 ORD has developed scores of research products to
address cumulative impacts. Over time, ORD will be able to assess progress towards addressing
the research recommendations contained in the white paper.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: This research area will produce scientific
deliverables which will require complex research planning, facilitation, review coordination, task
prioritization, and regular interactions with the program partners (e.g., OLEM, OEJ, OCHP,
Regional Offices) to ensure deliverables/products address the partner needs. In FY 2024, ORD
will continue to develop more efficient methods of project implementation and tracking.
Dissemination of findings: Research area findings will take a variety of publicly available forms
including journal publications, open-access web-based tools and models, data sets, webinars, and
technical fact sheets.
Office of Water (OW)
Title
Clean Water Infrastructure Revolving Fund State Reviews
Lead National Program
Office of Water
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities.
Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water
Infrastructure.
Planned start date
October FY 2023 Planned completion date Throughout FY 2024
9 Additional information may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/healthresearch/cuniulative-inipacts-research.
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Purpose and brief Description: EPA completes annual reviews of each state's Clean Water State
Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: These reviews will help assess if
states are effectively implementing the CWSRF program by increasing the amount of non-federal
dollars leveraged. The reviews will also be used to encourage states to direct funding to projects
that address climate resiliency and equity.
Question(s) this activity will address:
Are states effectively implementing the CWSRF program by leveraging non-federal funds?
• Are the states complying with EPA's State and Tribal Assistance Grant program
requirements?
• What steps are the states taking to promote climate resiliency and equity through CWSRF
funding?
Progress, results, and interim findings (if applicable): Results from the annual reviews are
documented on EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund Report website
rhttps://www.epa.gov/cwsrf/clean-water-state-revolving-fund-cwsrf-reportsl
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Data are provided from each state CWSRF program
review that is conducted by EPA Headquarters and the Regions.
Dissemination of findings: The findings from the annual state reviews are documented in
Program Evaluation Reports, which are provided to EPA Headquarters by the Regional Offices.
EPA Headquarters periodically updates the guidance based on these findings. Revised guidance is
made available to states and stakeholders through EPA's CWSRF website.10
Title
Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program Reviews &
Drinking Water Infrastructure Revolving Fund State Reviews
Lead National Program
Office of Water
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities.
Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water
Infrastructure.
Planned start date
October FY Planned completion date Throughout FY 2024
2023
Purpose and brief Description: EPA annually conducts reviews of agencies with Public Water
System Supervision (PWSS) primacy (55 reviews) and reviews of each state's Drinking Water
State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: These reviews assess if primacy
entities are effectively implementing the PWSS program to oversee community water system
10 Additional information may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf.
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compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and assess if states are effectively
implementing the DWSRF program to facilitate community water system compliance with the
SDWA.
Question(s) this activity will address:
• Are primacy entities effectively implementing the range of activities in the PWSS program
to oversee community water system compliance with the SDWA?
• Are states effectively implementing the DWSRF program to facilitate community water
system compliance with the SDWA and complying with EPA's State and Tribal Assistance
Grant program requirements?
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Data is provided via program review reports by
agencies with primacy for the PWSS program. The reports are reviewed by EPA, and include
elements such as state use of the funds and the associated outcomes, compliance, and
implementation of SDWA regulations, alignment of the program with national enforcement and
compliance priorities, and public communication efforts.
DWSRF data is provided from each state DWSRF program review conducted by EPA
Headquarters and the Regions.
Dissemination of findings: EPA's regional offices engage and share results with primacy agencies
under their purview. EPA shares PWSS information on water system compliance rates across and
within states. EPA makes publicly available an annual report on the status of the national DWSRF
program. EPA also shares project and financial data at the national and state level. The most recent
annual report, 2019 DWSRF annual report, is available here:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-
10/documents/2019 annual report final 508compliant.pdf.
Title
Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) National
Community Water System Non-Compliance Review
Lead National Program
Office of Water
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities.
Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water
Infrastructure.
Planned start date
October FY 2023 Planned completion date Throughout 2024
Purpose and brief Description: EPA conducts a review quarterly of the Safe Drinking Water
Information System (SDWIS) National Community Water System (CWS) health-based non-
compliance data.
Programmatic or policy decisions this activity will inform: This review assesses the trends and
causes of non-compliance to inform technical, managerial, and financial state and public water
system capacity building training or future drinking water regulation needs, in support of
regulatory drinking water compliance.
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Question(s) this activity will address:
• What are the barriers and challenges of CWS systems maintaining compliance with health-
based drinking water standards?
Data, tools, method/analytical approach: Data are provided from EPA's SDWIS database.
There is a non-compliance review of CWS systems with health-based violations by regulation
type, geographical distribution, and system source type.
Anticipated challenges and proposed solutions: There are no anticipated challenges.
Dissemination of findings: The findings from the program reviews will be publicly shared.
Quarterly data reports are shared publicly via the SDWIS FED Data Warehouse11.
11 For additional information, please visit: https://ofnipub.epa.gov/apex/sfdw/f?p=108%3A200%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A.
1000
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1001
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Environmental Protection Agency
2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Program Performance and Assessment
Introduction 1004
Goal 1 1012
Goal 2 1026
Goal 3 1043
Goal 4 1050
Goal 5 1059
Goal 6 1069
Goal 7 1082
Cross-Agency Strategies 1094
FY 2022 EPA Program Evaluations 1112
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) 1112
Office of Water (OW) 1116
Additional FY 2022 Contributions to EPA's Portfolio of Evidence 1119
Office of the Administrator (OA) 1119
Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) 1120
Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) 1136
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) 1145
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) 1152
Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) 1159
Office of Mission Support (OMS) 1175
Office of Research and Development (ORD) 1189
1002
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1003
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FY 2022 Annual Performance Report
Introduction
EPA's FY 2022 Annual Performance Report (APR) describes the first year of progress toward the
strategic goals and objectives and cross-agency strategies in the FY2022-2026EPA Strategic Plan,
available at https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan. This APR presents results—the
reliability and completeness of which are attested to by the EPA Administrator—against the annual
performance goals and targets in the Agency's FY 2022 Annual Performance Plan (APP) and
Congressional Justification (CJ) as updated in the FY 2023 APP and CJ. Please also refer to EPA's
FY 2022 Agency Financial Report (AFR), available at
https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/results. for information on financial performance results.
Organization of the FY 2022 APR
EPA's FY 2022 performance results and trend data are integrated throughout the FY 2024 APP
and the CJ in the Budget Introduction, Cross-Agency Strategy and Goal Overviews, and Program
Project Fact Sheets. The Program Performance and Assessment section (Tab 15) is the primary
component of EPA's FY 2022 APR. This section also includes EPA's FY 2024 annual
performance goal targets and any revisions to FY 2023 targets. EPA's FY 2022 performance
results and trend data are organized by strategic goal and objective and cross-agency strategy.
Results are presented in detailed multiyear tables with targets, actuals, graphs, and key takeaways
for the Agency's 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.
FY 2022 Highlights
EPA took several steps in FY 2022 to enhance protection of human health and the environment.
EPA launched a national program office dedicated to environmental justice and external
civil rights. This new office elevates these critical issues to the highest levels of the Agency
and solidifies the Agency's commitment to delivering justice and equity for all.
EPA has taken unprecedented steps to partner with the Department of Justice to develop a
comprehensive enforcement strategy that will leverage all available legal tools to secure
protections for communities that have been overburdened by pollution and environmental
injustices.
EPA has taken key steps to tackle the climate crisis, such as issuing the most
protective national greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger cars and light
trucks ever and a rule to phase down U.S. production and consumption of the highly potent
climate chemicals known as hydrofluorocarbons.
All EPA program offices and regions have developed climate adaptation plans, which
include actions to assist communities to become more resilient as they face the impacts of
climate change.
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EPA is building equity, climate mitigation and resilience into its implementation of the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides historic opportunities to strengthen the
nation's drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater systems and scale up community-led
brownfields revitalization.
All EPA program offices and the regions have put in place targeted plans to implement
EPA's scientific integrity policy, ensuring that every decision the Agency makes is based
on a strong scientific foundation.
FY2022 Annual Performance Goal Results
For FY 2022, EPA focused on a set of 88 annual performance goals, including annualized long-
term performance goals to achieve ambitious targets set in the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan
and measures representing key work areas that support those long-term performance goals. EPA
met or exceeded 70% of the targets in their entirety for annual performance goals with FY 2022
targets and data available (49 of 70). For nine of its annual performance goals with FY 2022 targets
and data available (13%), the Agency achieved between 75-99% of the target (including five where
the Agency achieved between 90-99% of the target). For 12 of its annual performance goals with
FY 2022 targets and data available (17%), EPA achieved less than 75% of the target.
FY 2022 Performance toward target by goal and strategy
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
Goal 1:
Climate
Goal 2: El
5(G)
Goal 3:
Enforce
ment/Com
pliance
Goal 4: Air
1 (Y)
3 (ND)
1 (Y)
7(G)
4(G)
Goal 5:
Water
Goal 6: Land
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
~ No data (ND)
~ No target (NT)
1 (ND)
1 (ND)
1(G)
1(G)
JJYI.
2(G)
JJYL
1(G)
Goal 7:
Chemicals
Strategy 1: Strategy 2: Strategy 3: Strategy 4:
Science Children's Workforce Partnerships
Health
While EPA is making significant progress toward a broad range of outcomes, the Agency missed
targets for 21 (of 70) annual performance goals that had FY 2022 targets and data available.
Reasons for missed targets include the complexity of the environmental challenge, workload
issues, resource/staffing challenges, and delays in program implementation. 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.
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No FY 2022 results are available for 151 of the Agency's annual performance goals as of February
2023. Reasons for missing data include reporting lags due to grant reporting cycles, additional
time needed to collect and provide quality assurance of data from external sources, no actions to
track in FY 2022, and measurement methods under development. As additional results data are
received for FY 2022 annual performance goals, the Agency will include the results in future
APRs. Finally, FY 2022 results are reported for three of the Agency's annual performance goals
for which no targets were established.2
Fiscal Year 2021 Data Now Available
EPA received final results for one of the two annual performance goals with no results to report at
the end of FY 2021. EPA neither met nor missed the target as it was a measure for which no target
had been established for FY 2022.3 The Agency has no data for the other annual performance goal
because it had no data to track in FY 2021 and the measure was discontinued.4
1 (PM HFC) Remaining U.S. consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), (PM CPP) Million metric tons of carbon
dioxide equivalent reduced annually by EPA's climate partnership programs, (PM AD09) Cumulative number of
federally recognized tribes assisted by EPA to take action to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from the
impacts of climate change, (PM AD 10) Cumulative number of states, territories, local governments, and
communities (i.e., EPA partners) assisted by EPA to take action to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from
the impacts of climate change, (RD2) Number of ORD activities related to environmental justice that involve or are
designed to be applicable to tribes, states, territories, local governments, and communities, (PM NAAQS)
Percentage of air quality improvement in counties not meeting current NAAQS, (PM NAAQS2) Percentage of
people with low SES living in areas where the air quality meets the PM2.5 NAAQS, (PM HCFC) Remaining U.S.
consumption of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chemicals that deplete the Earth's protective ozone layer, in
ozone depletion potential (ODP)-weighted metric tons, (PM WWT-02) Number of American Indian and Alaskan
Native homes provided access to basic sanitation, in coordination with other agencies, (PM TSCA5) Percentage of
existing chemical TSCA risk management actions initiated within 45 days of the completion of a final existing
chemical risk evaluation, (PM TSCA6a) Percentage of past TSCA new chemical substances decisions with risk
management actions reviewed, (PM TSCA6b) Percentage of TSCA new chemical substances with risk management
actions reported to the 2020 CDR reviewed for adherence/non-adherence with TSCA Section 5 risk management
actions that are determined to adhere to those requirements, (PM P2mtc) Reduction in million metric tons of carbon
dioxide equivalent (MMTCChe) released per year attributed to EPA pollution prevention grants, (PM RD5) Number
of actions implemented for EPA scientific integrity objectives, and (PM CHOI) Number of EPA actions that concern
human health that include assessment and consideration of environmental health information and data for children at
all life stages to the extent relevant data are available.
2 (PM RUL) Number of final rules issued that will reduce GHG emissions from light duty, medium-duty, and heavy-
duty vehicles; electric utility generating units; and the oil and gas industry, (PM AD 12) Hours of appropriate subject
matter expert time provided by EPA to help communities adapt to climate impacts, build long-term resilience, and
support the most underserved and vulnerable communities after federally declared disasters, and (PM E21) Number
of significant actions taken by EPA programs with direct implementation authority that will result in measurable
improvements in Indian country.
3 (PM P2mtc) Reductions in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02e) released per year
attributed to EPA pollution prevention grants.
4 (PM TSCA1) Number of final EPA-initiated TSCA risk evaluations completed within statutory timelines.
1006
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Verification/Validation of Performance Data
The Agency developed Data Quality Records (DQRs) for the long-term performance goals in the
FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan. FY 2022 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 for annual performance goals that support
the long-term 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 2022-2023 Agency Priority Goals
EPA met targets for one of the three FY 2022-2023 Agency Priority Goals (APGs) (Communities
Technical Assistance) and missed targets for one of the three APGs (Environmental Justice/Civil
Rights). FY 2022 data are not yet available for one of the three APGs (Reducing
Hy drofluorocarbons).
• Phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). By
September 30, 2023, annual U.S. consumption of HFCs will be 10% below the baseline of
303.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2e) consistent with the
HFC phasedown schedule in the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act and
codified in the implementing regulations. A 10% reduction would decrease the U.S.
consumption limit to less than 273.5MMTCO2e in 2023.
No Data. While FY 2022 data are not yet available, EPA met its milestones for FY 2022
and is on track to meet the FY 2023 target. For example, EPA issued a final rule by the
statutory 270-day deadline establishing the allowance allocation and trading program. The
HFC Allocation Framework rule set production and consumption baseline levels from
which reductions will be made, established an initial methodology for allocating and
trading HFC allowances for 2022 and 2023, and created a robust, agile, and innovative
compliance and enforcement system. EPA also held the inaugural meeting of the
Interagency Task Force on Illegal Trade, which prevented illegal shipments equivalent to
approximately 530,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions, the same amount as the emissions
from nearly 100,000 homes' electricity use in one year.
• Deliver tools and metrics for EPA and its Tribal, state, local, and community partners
to advance environmental justice and external civil rights compliance. By September
30, 2023, EPA will develop and implement a cumulative impacts framework, issue
guidance on external civil rights compliance, establish at least 10 indicators to assess
EPA's performance in eliminating disparities in environmental and public health
conditions, and train staff and partners on how to use these resources.
Missed FY 2022 target. Met 6 of 10 targeted milestones. For strategy 1, develop and
implement a cumulative impacts framework, met 2 of 2 milestones. EPA has completed an
iterative draft cumulative impacts framework and is implementing a learning agenda,
developing standard operating procedures, conducting workshops with a variety of
1007
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regulatory partners and stakeholders, actively working on demonstration initiatives, and
incorporating cumulative impacts in implementation planning as part of Goal 2 of the FY
2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
For strategy 2, issue guidance on external civil rights compliance, met 1 of 2 milestones.
Laid groundwork for completion of the draft guidance in FY 2023: 1) released Interim EPA
Environmental Justice and Civil Rights in Permitting Frequently Asked Questions, which
provides information to Agency, federal, tribal, state, and local environmental permitting
programs on integrating environmental justice in permitting processes and provides
information on the obligation of recipients of EPA financial assistance to comply with
federal civil rights statutes, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, in their
permitting processes; 2) made progress on two guidance documents, including a guidance
on procedural safeguards and another on legal standards, including for "disparate impact"
claims; and 3) completed the outline of the draft guidance on the legal standards. In FY
2023, EPA will hire additional staff to assist with this and other priorities.
For strategy 3, establish at least 10 indicators to assess EPA 's performance in eliminating
disparities in environmental and public health condition, met 3 of 6 planned milestones.
Highlights of the work completed include establishing criteria to guide the identification
of indicators, compiling an initial list of 30+ indicator ideas, developing a process to
evaluate the indicator ideas, and creating a workplan for engagement. Several engagement
sessions have been scheduled for early FY 2023, which will allow EPA to catch up on
delayed milestones.
Clean up contaminated sites and invest in water infrastructure to enhance the
livability and economic vitality of overburdened and underserved communities. By
September 30, 2023, EPA will provide technical assistance to at least 10 communities to
help achieve clean and safe water and reduced exposures to hazardous substances.
Met 2022 target. EPA's Office of Water (OW) and Office of Land and Emergency
Management (OLEM) collaborated to take a "One EPA" approach to addressing water and
waste challenges in pilot communities. EPA will provide technical assistance to these
communities so they better understand opportunities available for funding, technical
assistance, and other forms of community support that may be available to assist them in
their environmental challenges. To help select the pilot communities, OW and OLEM staff
developed a mapping tool that utilizes EPA's GeoPlatform to pull over 40 OW and OLEM
datasets together in a discoverable and accessible way. EPA set minimum criteria for
identifying communities. They must have both hazardous waste and water challenges and
must meet or exceed the 80th percentile of the following demographic indices: low income;
linguistically isolated; and less than high school education. Ten pilot communities have
been selected, one in each EPA region. There were challenges using the mapping tool and
requests for training on and clarification regarding how to use the tool. The Agency held
informational meetings and training on the mapping tool with its regional offices to
overcome these challenges.
1008
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Evidence and Evaluation
Summaries of FY 2022 program evaluations and 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. As one example, the Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) initiated an assessment of offsite compliance
monitoring to gather evidence on its effectiveness compared with onsite inspection, and the best
ways to use it. The results of this assessment will be used to inform and shape enforcement and
compliance strategies. Another example is the program evaluation process for the National Estuary
Program (NEP). Every five years, each location within the NEP is evaluated for progress in
achieving programmatic and environmental results, producing recommendations for improvement
on areas including administration and governance, healthy ecosystems, and communication and
stakeholder engagement.
American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law collectively provide EPA
with more than $60 billion in supplemental funding for a wide range of programs. EPA is
supporting the Administration's Justice40 initiative by prioritizing benefits to underserved
communities in developing requests for grant applications and in making grant award decisions,
to the extent permitted by law.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents the largest appropriation EPA has ever received. This
law more than doubles the Agency's annual budget each year over the next five years to fund water
infrastructure, environmental cleanups, and electric school buses. It also provides funding to
improve recycling programs and prevent pollution. Most of the funding in this law is being
implemented through existing programs such as the State Revolving Funds in the Office of Water
and the Superfund Program in the Office of Land and Emergency Management.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provided EPA with $100 million dollars to address health
outcome disparities from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic, with which EPA is funding
environmental justice initiatives and enhanced air quality monitoring.
Additional information including performance results to date is available at:
American Rescue Plan: https://www.epa.gov/arp
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure
1009
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MJ
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
%PRO^V
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 2022 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 we can measure.
Additionally, we cannot provide results data for 15 (out of 88) of our performance measures for
this reporting year. Reasons for missing data include reporting lags due to grant reporting
sources, no actions to track in FY 2022 and measurement methods were under development.
When possible, however, we have portrayed trend data to illustrate progress over time. We also
report FY 2021 Final performance results for one measure that became available in FY 2022.
Date
1010
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Key to Multiyear Table Annual Performance Goal Data Presentation
(PM #) Annual performance goal language here.*
Targets by Fiscal
Year (lane)
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
No Target
Established
13
13
12
11
9
Sites
Increase
Actual
12
11
13
10
9
Gray = No Annual
Performance Goal;
No Data
/
Purple
Data and
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)
White (current or
future year) = No Data
* This character indicates a measure also used to track progress in implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
1011
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GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Goal 1 at a Glance
Tackle the Climate Crisis: Cut pollution that causes climate change and increase the adaptive capacity of Tribes, states, territories, and
communities.
FY 2022 Enacted Budget (in thousands) by goal and objective
Goal 1 Tackle the Climate Crisis
Obj 1.1 Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change
Obj 1.2 Accelerate Resilience and Adaptation to
Climate Change Impacts
Obj 1.3 Advance International and Subnational
Climate Efforts
$10,5.
| $14,
$334,642
(of $9,559,485
EPA total)
$309,218
FY 2022 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)
1 (NT)
1 (MT)
~ No data (ND)
~ No target (NT)
2 (ND)
2 (ND)
1 (Y)
1 (R)
2(G)
2(G)
2(G)
Obj 1.1
1012
Obj 1.2
Obj 1.3
-------
GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective 1.1 - Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change—Aggressively reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from all sectors while
increasing energy and resource efficiency and the use of renewable energy.
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target ( NT)
1(G)
1 (Y)
1(G)
1 (Y)
1 (Y)
1(G)
1 (NT)
2 (ND)
1 (Y)
2(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Began implementing final rule under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM)
Act to phase down U.S. production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) 85% by
2036 which is estimated to cumulatively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 4,600
million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCChe) between 2022 and 2050.
• Helped save more than 520B kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity and avoid $42B in energy
costs through ENERGY STAR, resulting in emission reductions of -400M metric tons of
GHGs (~5 % of U.S. total GHG emissions) and -440K tons of criteria air pollutants.
• The Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Partnership achieved approximately -2.76
MMTC02e of methane reductions in 2020 and an overall reduction of 10 MMTC02e since
its inception in 2016. Building on these U.S. successes, EPA also supported the launch of the
Global Methane Pledge to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020
levels by 2030.
• Continued work with the Green Power Partnership, which includes 700 EPA Green Power
Partners who collectively use 70B kWh of green power annually and represent nearly 43%
of the U.S. voluntary green power market.
• Published the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990 - 2020:
showing GHG emissions in 2020 (after accounting for sequestration from the land sector)
were 21% below 2005 levels (see: https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventorv -us-
greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks-1990-2020).
• Issued the 2021 Automotive Trends Report, finding that for model year 2020, the average
estimated real-world carbon dioxide (CO2) emission rate for all new light-duty vehicles fell
by 7 g/mi to 349 g/mi (lowest ever measured), and all 14 large light-duty vehicle
manufacturers achieved compliance with GHG standards (see:
https://www.epa.gov/automotive-trends).
• Met partner needs for 100% of climate-related research products.
Challenges:
• The AIM Act and the Executive Order on Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars
and Trucks have rigorous schedules for actions to be taken to reduce emissions across
sectors, including requiring multiple rules to be developed at the same time.
• Illegal HFC imports will undermine the enviromnental benefits and integrity of the HFC
phasedown, and disadvantage companies complying with the requirements. It is important
that EPA continues to support the HFC taskforce with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
• Limited resources for federal and state activities to support GHG emission reductions and
other climate goals continue to pose program delivery challenges, but new opportunities
may exist under the Inflation Reduction Act.
1013
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GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Annual performance goal:
(PM HFC) Remaining U.S. consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
273.5
273.5
182.3
MMTCOie
Below
Target
Actual
Data Avail
11/2023
Key Takeaways:
• FY 2020 results (most recent estimate) show the remaining U.S consumption of HFCs was 309 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCChe).
• By September 30, 2023, annual U.S. consumption of HFCs will be 10% below the baseline of 303.9 MMTCChe consistent with the HFC phasedown schedule in the AIM Act
and codified in the implementing regulations.
Metric Details: This measure tracks U.S. consumption of HFCs inMMTCChe. HFCs are potent greenhouse gases, many of which have global warming potentials hundreds to
thousands of times that of carbon dioxide. The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 provides EPA the domestic authority to phase down production and
consumption of HFCs. HFCs are commonly used in many sectors of the economy, including in refrigeration and air conditioning, aerosols, solvents, fire suppression, and as foam
blowing agents. The AIM Act provides the legal framework to phase down HFC production and consumption consistent with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer that was ratified on September 21, 2022. Phasing down HFCs globally is expected to avoid up to 0.5° Celsius of global wanning by 2100.
The baseline is 303.9 tons of MMTCOie. Estimates for years prior to the effective date of the regulations (i.e., data for years prior to FY 2022) are derived from a number of
sources: EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (40 CFR Part 98); import records provided to Customs and Border Protection through their Automated Commercial
Environment database; responses from producers and importers to direct outreach from EPA; the proposed rule ("Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Establishing the Allowance
Allocation and Trading Program Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act" (86 FR 27150; May 19, 2021)); and the Notice of Data Availability ("Notice of Data
Availability Relevant To Petition Submissions Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020" (86 FR 28099; February 11, 2021)). Historic estimates for
previous HFC consumption for FY 2017-2020 are "net supply," which means the quantities of bulk HFC produced + imported - exported - transformed - destroyed. "Net supply"
is equivalent to the term "consumption," and historic estimates are as follows: FY 2017: 290; FY 2018: 306; FY 2019: 314; and FY 2020: 309. For more information, see:
https://www.epa.gov/climate-lifcs-reduction. This measure tracks progress toward a FY 2022-2023 Agency Priority Goal (APG).
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2026, promulgate final rules to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from light duty,
medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles; electric utility generating units; and the oil and gas industry.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM RUL) Number of final rules issued that will reduce GHG emissions from light duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles; electric utility generating units; and the
oil and gas industry.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
No Target
Established
No Target
Established
No Target
Established
Rules
Above
Target
Actual
1
1014
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GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Key Takeaways:
• In FY 2022, EPA finalized revised national GHG standards for passenger car and light trucks for model years 2023 -2026.
• The final rule will result in approximately 3.1 billion tons of GHG emissions avoided through 2050, which is equivalent to more than half of the net total U.S. CO: emissions
in 2019.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of final rules that will reduce GHG emissions published in the Federal Register. EPA will reduce emissions that cause climate
change through regulations on GHG emissions including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane from light duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles; electric utility generating
units; and the oil and gas industry.
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2026, EPA's climate partnership programs will reduce expected annual greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions by 545 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCChe). EPA's climate partnership programs reduced 518.6
MMTCChe of annual GHG emissions in 2019.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM CPP) Million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced annually by EPA's climate partnership programs.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
¦III
Target
486.9
500.7
513.9
MMTCOie
Above
Target
Actual
442.2
505.6
518.4
529.6
Data Avail
11/2023
Data Avail
11/2024
Key Takeaways:
• In FY 2020 (latest available data), EPA's climate partnership programs reduced 529.6 MMTCO;C.
• EPA celebrated the 30th anniversary of its climate partnership programs, and the programs continued to deliver significant CO2 and non-CO; emission reductions from diverse
sectors including the commercial, residential, manufacturing, transportation, and power sectors.
• Over 30 years, EPA's climate partnership programs have helped Americans save more than $500 billion and achieve more than 6 billion metric tons of GHG emission
reductions.
Metric Details: This measure tracks GHG reductions from EPA's climate partnership programs. The programs included are: ENERGY STAR Products, Residential, Commercial
Buildings, and Industrial programs; Green Power Partnership; AgSTAR Program; Coalbed Methane Outreach Program; Landfill Methane Outreach Program; Natural Gas STAR /
Methane Challenge Programs; SF6 Emission Reduction Partnerships for Electric Power Systems; Responsible Appliance Disposal; GreenChill; and SmartWay. These programs
work hand-in-hand with the private sector and others to achieve more GHG reductions than would be possible through federal regulations alone. These programs seek out and
overcome market barriers, drive policy at the state and local level, and capture and channel marketplace ingenuity towards climate action. For more information see:
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventorv-us-greenliouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks.
1015
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GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Other Core Work
Annual performance goals:
(PM CRT) Number of certificates of conformity issued that demonstrate that the respective engine, vehicle, equipment, component, or system conforms to all applicable
emission requirements and may be entered into commerce.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
iSJu
Target
5,200
5,000
5,000
4,700
4,700
4,900
4,900
Certificates
Above
IlITi
Actual
5,109
4,869
4,711
4,843
5,351
5,196
Target
Key Takeaways:
• The total number of certificates issued by EPA in FY 2022 was almost 500 more than the target.
• EPA continues to issue vehicle and engine certificates of conformity in a timely manner and on pace with the numbers of requests received.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of certificates of conformity issued in a given year. The Clean Air Act requires that engines, vehicles, equipment, components, or
systems receive a certificate of conformity which demonstrates compliance with the applicable requirements prior to introduction into 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 manufacturers' product planning and will fluctuate from year to year. EPA strives to issue vehicle and engine
certificates of conformity in a timely manner and on pace with the numbers of requests received.
(PM REP) Percentage of Annual Greenhouse Gas Emission Reports verified by EPA before publication.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
mill
Target
95
65
98
98
98
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
96
97
96
95
99
97
Numerator
7,828
7,821
7,867
7,722
7,935
7,877
Reports
Denominator
8,127
8,061
8,165
8,126
8,029
8,141
Key Takeaways:
• EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) has consistently maintained a high percentage of verified reports prior to annual publication. While EPA did not meet
the ambitious target in FY 2022, the result is in line with program expectations and will help advance the Agency's understanding of GHG emissions.
• The quality of GHGRP data at time of submittal continues to improve due to GHGRP data system and verification process changes that have increased real-time data quality
feedback to industry reporters over time.
Metric Details: The GHGRP, established in 2009, covers 41 sectors that account for more than 8,100 reports summarizing annual GHG emissions and supply. Both facilities and
suppliers are required to report their data annually by March 31st. After submission of the data, EPA conducts a verification review that lasts approximately 150 days and includes a
combination of electronic checks, staff review, and follow-up with facilities to identify potential reporting errors that are corrected before publication. The 150-day period includes
60 days for EPA to review reports and identify potential data quality issues, 75 days for reporters to resolve these issues, and 15 days for EPA to review responses or resubmitted
reports. EPA typically publishes the data by early October each year. These data support federal and state-level policy development and allow EPA to share GHG emissions and
supply data with industry stakeholders, state and local governments, academia, the research community, and the public in general. There are no targets in FYs 2019-2021 because
this measure was not included in these Annual Performance Plans. For more information, see: www.epa.gov/ghgreporting.
1016
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GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
(PM RD3) Percentage of ORD climate-related research products meeting partner needs.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
ir
Target
93
94
94
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
100
100
Numerator
5
7
Products
Denominator
5
7
Key Takeaways:
• All seven climate products assessed met customer needs. Five of these addressed a single research area: approaches for characterizing source emissions, air quality, exposure,
and mitigation strategies. These products provide critical information to help inform programs that empower citizens and local governments to seek reductions in air pollution
emissions and reduce exposures and health impacts.
• The number of climate products being assessed has increased from the previous fiscal year and will continue to do so as EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD)
implements the FY 2023-2026 Strategic Research Action Plan (see: https://www.epa.gov/researcli/strategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-Years-2023-2026).
Metric Details: Partner satisfaction is assessed through a robust survey process. The annual survey engages key users of ORD products. Survey respondents assess the scientific
rigor of research products (quality), product relevance (usability), and timeliness of product delivery. This measure assesses a subset of ORD's research products specifically
related to climate.
1017
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GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective 1.2: Accelerate Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts-
Tribes, states, territories, and communities to the impacts of climate change.
-Deliver targeted assistance to increase the resilience of
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target (NT)
1 (NT)
2 (ND)
2(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Priority Actions Completed by EPA Climate
Adaptation Plan Priority
77
Total: 155
46
17
r
i
Priority 1: Priority 2: Priority 3: Priority 4: Priority 5: Priority Not
Integrate Consultand Workforce, Measure and Science Identied
Climate Partner Facilities, Evaluate Needs
Adaptation Etc.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Released 20 Climate Adaptation Implementation Plans, developed by EPA national
program offices and all 10 regional offices. Received input from tribes through a
formal consultation and from state and local government officials through several
engagement sessions. The Plans provide detailed information about the actions each
program and regional office will take to address the five agencywide priority actions
contained in EPA's 2021 Climate Adaptation Action Plan (CAP) (see:
https://www.epa.gov/climate-adaptation/climate-adaptation-plan). They include over
500 commitments EPA will take over the next five years, with other federal agencies
and partners, to protect health and the enviromnent under future climate conditions.
• Completed over 150 of the commitments made to ensure EPA's programs are
resilient even as the climate changes.
• Provided technical and financial assistance to increase the adaptive capacity and
resilience of EPA's tribal, state, city, local government, and community partners
(e.g., through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). Preliminary data indicates that EPA
partners (41 tribal and 131 state, territorial, local government, and community
partners) took over 150 actions to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, and recover from
the impacts of climate change after receiving EPA assistance.
• Modernized EPA's financial programs by integrating climate adaptation criteria into
grants, cooperative agreements, loans, and contracts.
• Provided climate adaptation training, resources and guidance for staff and external
partners to help integrate climate adaptation into business operations, investments,
and decision-making. For example, EPA is developing new training on integrating
climate adaptation into rulemaking processes.
• After federally declared disasters, EPA assists with the immediate response and
long-term recovery. EPA regional offices provided approximately 10,000 hours of
assistance to help communities recover and rebuild after a climate-related disaster.
Challenges:
• This is the first year of these performance measures for EPA. There lias been
significant work to develop systems for both doing the work and tracking progress.
The Agency is learning and adjusting the new processes to better support outcomes.
• As a result of Congress's enacted FY 2022 budget, EPA received fewer than the
requested resources to coordinate and manage cross-agency implementation of this
objective. Although EPA's FY 2022 target was 100 priority actions, EPA programs
identified over 250 actions important to climate adaptation and resiliency. In the end,
EPA achieved 155 of them.
1018
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GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, implement all priority actions in EPA's Climate Adaptation Action Plan and the 20
National Program and Regional Climate Adaptation Implementation Plans to account for the impacts of the changing climate on human
health and the environment.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM AD07) Number of priority actions completed in EPA's Climate Adaptation Action Plan and Program and Regional Implementation Plans.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
100
100
100
Priority
Actions
Above
Target
Actual
155
Key Takeaways:
• EPA programs and regional offices are taking multiple actions to increase the adaptive capacity of the nation. For example, the Office of Water has committed to incorporate
climate change considerations into infrastructure grant and loan guidance and programs; the Office of Land and Emergency Management is providing climate vulnerability
assessments at Superfund sites; and the Office of Air and Radiation is working within EPA and with external stakeholders to review and revise information for citizens-
especially at-risk populations- on the impact of climate change on ambient and indoor air quality.
• Limited resources hinders EPA's ability to implement all the actions necessary as the Agency works to meet its mission, even as the climate changes.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of priority actions implemented in support of EPA's October 2021 Climate Adaptation Action Plan through the 20 Program and
Regional Implementation Plans. The Action Plan commits EPA to five Priority Actions per year by each of EPA's 10 national program offices and 10 regional offices. EPA will
publish a report annually to share completed actions, accomplishments, and challenges. EPA expects 100 actions per year for a total of 500 actions by FY 2026. The
Implementation Plans identify EPA's specific Priority Actions to: 1) integrate climate adaptation planning into EPA programs, policies and rulemaking processes; 2) consult and
partner with tribes, states, territories, local governments, enviromnental justice organizations, community groups, businesses and other federal agencies to strengthen adaptive
capacity and increase the resilience of the nation, with a particular focus on advancing enviromnental justice; 3) implement measures to protect the Agency's workforce, facilities,
critical infrastructure, supply chains and procurement processes from the risks posed by climate change; and 4) modernize EPA financial assistance programs to encourage
climate-resilient investments across the nation.
(PM AD08) Number of EPA national program offices that have developed adaptation training for programs and staff.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
4
10
12
Program
Offices
Above
Target
Actual
4
Key Takeaways:
• Program-specific training, tailored to specific job duties, is critical for EPA staff to engage in climate resiliency. Updated training developed in FY 2022 includes training for
rule writers, a climate adaptation 101 course to ensure all staff have basic climate adaptation knowledge, and a climate adaptation and mitigation training tailored to EPA's
land and emergency management staff, which more than 600 people attended.
• Future training will include each EPA program office and will focus on integrating climate adaptation considerations into grants, loans, technical assistance, and other program
activities.
1019
-------
GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Metric Details: This measure tracks the development of training by EPA's national program offices on how current and future climate impacts should be considered in specific
program activities, such as direct program implementation, regulation development, permitting, inspections, enforcement, partnerships, research, grants, loans, and technical
assistance. EPA currently has a training developed for new employees. Offices with existing training will update their materials in 2022 and offices without existing training will
create them for FY 2023 and FY 2024. Twelve total trainings reflect nine national program office trainings plus one general climate adaptation training offered by Office of Policy,
one training for rule writers, and one training focused on children's health.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, assist at least 400 federally recognized Tribes to take action to anticipate, prepare
for, adapt to, or recover from the impacts of climate change.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM AD09) Cumulative number of federally recognized tribes assisted by EPA to take action to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from the impacts of climate
change.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
100
150
200
Tribes
Above
Target
Actual
Data Avail
3/2023
Key Takeaways:
• Preliminary data as of October 2022 show 41 tribal partners have taken action to increase their adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change after EPA assistance. Final
data will be available in March 2023 when grants reports are received from partners. Examples of tribal partner actions include: 1) the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe in
Washington State used assistance from EPA's Puget Sound Program to build climate resilience by enhancing floodplain infrastructure which reduces impacts on water
temperature, water quality, and water chemistry; and 2) The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe in New York State has implemented a wide breadth of climate adaptation activities as
part of their Performance Partnership Grant with EPA.
• Tribal partners are being severely impacted by climate change and need financial and technical resources to be able to effectively adapt.
• EPA continues to face challenges to implement this goal due to limited capacity among tribes and within the Agency itself.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the cumulative number of federally recognized tribes EPA provides with financial assistance, technical assistance, or training that then take
action, starting in FY 2022, to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from the impacts of climate change. Actions may include but are not limited to: developing a climate
adaptation plan; identifying potential impacts; assessing vulnerability; planning; applying for additional funding; adoption of adaptation measures such as green infrastructure;
improved coordination with other key organizations (e.g., a state or federal partner); estimation of financial impacts; or more effective remedy selection in a hazardous waste
cleanup program.
1020
-------
GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, assist at least 450 states, territories, local governments, and communities, especially
communities that are underserved and disproportionately at risk from climate change, to take action to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or
recover from the impacts of climate change.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM AD10) Cumulative number of states, territories, local governments, and communities (i.e., EPA partners) assisted by EPA to take action to anticipate, prepare for,
adapt to, or recover from the impacts of climate change.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
250
300
350
Partners
Above
Target
Actual
Data Avail
3/2023
Key Takeaways:
• Preliminary data show 131 state, territorial, local government, and community partners have taken action to increase their adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change
after EPA assistance. Final data will be available in March 2023 when grantees' progress reports are received from partners. Examples of partner actions include: 1) The
Lower Boise Watershed Council in Idaho received funding from EPA's Clean Water Act nonpoint source program to enhance water quality and create co-benefits for climate
resilience; and 2) South Carolina received disaster relief funding through the Enviromnental Justice program to prepare for future climate impacts and conducted their first
planning workshop in FY 2022.
• EPA has multiple programs, across various statutes, to support communities' increased adaptive capacity. Partner actions resulting from EPA grants and loans are easier to
track than those achieved through technical assistance and training because grantees are required to submit regular progress reports.
• Some communities with enviromnental or climate justice concerns have been unable to engage with EPA due to limited capacity to effectively apply for and manage climate
adaptation assistance.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the cumulative number of states, territories, local governments, and communities EPA provides with financial assistance, technical assistance,
or training that then take action, starting in FY 2022, to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from the impacts of climate change. Actions may include but are not limited to:
developing a climate adaptation plan; identifying potential impacts; assessing vulnerability; planning; applying for additional funding; adoption of adaptation measures such as
green infrastructure; improved coordination with other key organizations (e.g., a state or federal partner); estimation of financial impacts; or more effective remedy selection in a
hazardous waste cleanup program.
(PM AD11) Number of tribal, state, regional, and/or territorial versions of the Climate Change Adaptation Resource Center (ARC-X) or similar systems developed by
universities with EPA support.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
3
6
6
Versions
Above
Target
Actual
1
Key Takeaways:
• There is strong national and international interest in the ARC-X tool based on the number of visitors to the web tool.
1021
-------
GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
• As a result of Congress's enacted FY 2022 budget, EPA received fewer than the requested resources to implement this objective. Competing demands on staff time and
financial resources limited EPA's ability to meet this goal.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the development of ARC-X or similar systems developed by universities to support tribal, state, regional, and/or territorial partners. ARC-X is
an interactive EPA online resource designed to help local government officials in communities across the United States anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, and recover from the
impacts of climate change. It also is a portal to all EPA tools and resources on climate adaptation. ARC-X provides users with an integrated package of information tailored
specifically to their needs, based on where they live and the issues of concern to them. The system is available at: https://www.epa.gov/arc-x. A system has been developed when it
is published by the university. These systems provide locally specific climate adaptation information and include local examples and case studies. The information provided in
these resource centers will help communities understand and prepare for the impacts of climate change. In addition, regional or local systems may expand resources to encompass
the full breadth of climate adaptation issues, even those beyond EPA's mission. These systems will eventually create a learning network of information that is accessible to
communities of a variety of sizes and capabilities across the country, especially those with enviromnental justice concerns.
(PM AD12) Hours of appropriate subject matter expert time provided by EPA to help communities adapt to climate impacts, build long-term resilience, and support the
most underserved and vulnerable communities after federally declared disasters.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
No Target
Established
No Target
Established
No Target
Established
Hours
N/A
Actual
9,763
Key Takeaways:
• These results may understate hours provided due to the difficulty in tracking the work of multiple EPA offices engaged in disaster recovery.
• EPA's assistance for recovery and long-term resilience extends many years past the actual disaster event and is a significant investment on behalf of EPA.
• EPA lias an important role in supporting the recovery and long-term resilience of communities post-disaster across all program areas.
• Most of the hours of assistance provided are concentrated in a few regional offices where they are supporting recovery from major disaster events.
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA contributions to supporting local communities' efforts to rebuild in a manner that increases community resiliency and adaptive capacity
as they recover from federally declared disasters. This does not include clean-up or immediate response activities, but rather supports communities to build back in ways that help
anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to climate change. There are no targets for this measure as the number of federal declared disasters where EPA assistance is requested varies by
year.
1022
-------
GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective 1.3: Advance International and Subnational Climate Efforts—Collaborate with Tribal, state, local, and international partners and
provide leadership on the global stage to address climate change.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• In March 2022, EPA Administrator Michael Regan led the U.S. Delegation to a meeting
of enviromnent ministers of the member countries of the Organization of Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, France, and chaired the climate plenary
session on "Moving to Net Zero" (see: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/administrator-
regan-leads-oecd-meeting-climate-environmental-iustice-plastics).
• EPA led the Commission for Enviromnental Cooperation's (CEC) efforts to award
funding to 15 EJ4Climate grants (five per North America country) to undertake work with
underserved and vulnerable communities, and indigenous communities to prepare them
for climate-related impacts (see: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/commission-
environmental-cooperation-launches-second-round-2-million-environmental).
• In November 2021, EPA led efforts resulting in the U.S. and China issuing a joint
declaration to boost cooperation on climate action, committing both sides to work together
and with other parties to strengthen implementation of the Paris Agreement. The U.S. and
China agreed to establish frameworks and Terms of References to address the climate
crisis and advance the multilateral process on priorities, such as methane emission
reductions, greenhouse gas emissions frameworks and enviromnental standards, and
policies that encourage decarbonization and electrification of end-use sectors (see:
https://www.state.gov/u-s-cliina-ioint-glasgow-declaration-on-enliancing-climate-action-
in-the-2020sA.
• At the November 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), EPA Administrator
Michael Regan engaged with 12 countries, the European Union and the State of California
resulting in an agreement on an action plan for 2022 to coordinate and accelerate the
global transition to zero emission vehicles and ensure a sustainable supply chain for
vehicle batteries, (see: https://unfccc.int/news/zero-emission-veliicle-pledges-made-at-
cop26)
Challenges:
• EPA cannot control how countries use the assistance it provides. EPA targets engagement
and technical assistance toward countries where the Agency expects to have the greatest
potential impact.
1023
Performance toward target overtime
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~
-------
GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Long-Term Performance Goal - By September 30, 2026, implement at least 40 international climate engagements that result in an individual
partner commitment or action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adapt to climate change, or improve resilience in a manner that
promotes equity.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM E13a) Number of climate engagements that result in an individual partner commitment or action to reduce GHG emissions, adapt to climate change, or improve
resilience in a manner that promotes equity.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
8
10
10
Engage-
ments
Above
Target
Actual
8
Key Takeaways:
• Many countries and organizations have reached out to EPA to partner on climate activities, showing the strong interest internationally to work with the Biden Administration.
• EPA will continue to review the commitments made by partners with limited capacity to implement and monitor themselves, in particular those commitments made outside of
a funded initiative.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of senior level EPA international actions implemented annually that result in the provision of tools that when utilized by partners
can result in equitable GHG emissions reductions, adaptation to climate change, or improvements in resilience. Climate change is a global issue that has far-reaching human health,
social, economic, and biodiversity impacts on our planet, with direct adverse effects in the United States. EPA represents the U.S. Government in climate-related multilateral
meetings and treaty negotiations, such as Montreal Protocol, UNFCCC, G7 and G20 Enviromnent Ministers meetings. EPA also works directly with other countries and
stakeholders through bilateral agreements and work plans to share technical expertise, implement capacity building, and help countries address their climate gaps.
Other Core Work
Annual performance goal:
(PM E13b) Number of Border 2025 actions implemented in the U.S.-Mexico Border area to improve water quality, solid waste management and air quality including
those that address climate change, and advance emergency response efforts.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
3
10
10
Actions
Above
Target
Actual
6
Key Takeaways:
• The U.S.-Mexico border region residents/communities have benefited and will continue to benefit from capacity-building efforts that improve air and water quality, solid
waste management, and emergency response by going beyond the expected target this year and increasing the targeted number of actions for the upcoming fiscal years. In
2022 two examples of the capacity building efforts are: 1) EPA's Border Office Staff discussed and advised on specifics of the Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua Emergency
Preparedness Drill Exercise/training at a Juarez Maquiladora Electrolux; and 2) EPA and the binational Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) discussed with community-based
1024
-------
GOAL 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
organizations "How to achieve cleaner air for the El Paso, TX - Dona Ana County, NM, and the Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua air basin under the framework of the 1983 La Paz
Agreement."
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA actions to provide tools and capacity building activities that when utilized by partners can result in improved water quality, solid waste
management and air quality. These include actions to address climate change and advance emergency response efforts along the two thousand mile border between the United
States and Mexico.
1025
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Goal 2 at a Glance
Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights: Achieve tangible progress for historically overburdened and
underserved communities and ensure the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income in
developing and implementing environmental laws, regulations and policies.
FY 2022 Enacted Budget (in thousands) by goal and objective
Goal 2 Take Decisive Action to Advance
Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Obj 2.1 Promote Environmental Justice
and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal,
State and Local Levels
Obj 2.2 Embed Environmental
Justice and Civil Rights into EPA's
Programs, Policies, and Activities
Obj 2.3 Strengthen Civil Rights
Enforcementin Communities with
Environmental Justice Concerns
$206,941
(of $9,559,485
EPA total)
$89,242
$115,354
$2,345
FY 2022 Performance toward target by objective
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
Obj 2.1
1(G)
Obj 2.2
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
~ No data (ND)
~ No target (NT)
1(G)
Obj 2.3
JLUZO
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Objective 2.1: Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State and Local Levels—Empower and buihl capacity
of underserved and overburdened communities to protect human health and the environment.
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)
~ No target (NT)
1 (NT)
1 (ND)
2(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• EPA is in the final stages of development of new technical assistance and grant programs
that will provide broad support for communities to easily access support.
• One of these new grant programs will provide a cross-agency ability for EPA programs
and regional offices to more directly and easily compensate community-based
organizations and leaders involved in EPA activities.
• Developed direct implementation training and hosted sessions for approximately 700 EPA
senior leaders, management, and staff. The training focused on EPA's direct
implementation responsibilities for equitable implementation of federal enviromnental
programs within Indian country.
• Advanced tribal climate change adaptation, including compiling an inventory of all federal
agency tribal climate adaptation plan entries and organizing an EPA National Tribal
Operations Committee meeting focused on highlighting tribal concerns and inputs on
climate adaptation.
• Finalized new 2022 Indian General Assistance Program (GAP) guidance after several
years of consultation and engagement with tribes and within the Agency.
• Determined the baseline of Office of Research and Development (ORD) activities related
to environmental justice.
Challenges:
• Competing demands among multiple environmental justice initiatives, as well as
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) commitments.
• EPA needs to develop new tools to support process execution stakeholder engagement,
and coordination across EPA programs and regional offices.
• EPA's current GAP grant allocation process, developed three decades ago, is no longer
meeting the needs of tribes and intertribal consortia. EPA is conducting outreach with
regions and tribes to analyze input for a future decision.
• The Agency continues to explore the most efficient manner in which to make EPA direct
implementation in Indian country regulatory data and information available to tribes and
the public.
1027
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, all EPA programs that seek feedback and comment from the public will provide
capacity-building resources to communities with environmental justice concerns to support their ability to meaningfully engage and provide
useful feedback to those programs.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM EJCR01) Percentage of EPA programs that seek feedback and comment from the public that provide capacity-building resources to communities with
environmental justice concerns to support their ability to meaningfully engage and provide useful feedback to those programs.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
25
50
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Programs
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of EPA programs and regional offices providing capacity building resources (e.g., fact sheets, trainings, webinars, dedicated
technical assistance, grants) to members of communities to support their ability to provide meaningful feedback to the program during engagement. Each program will determine
how to provide this support. In FY 2023, resources will be provided to EPA programs that connect the principles of meaningful community engagement to the implementation of
providing effective capacity building resources to communities. Tracking will consist of ensuring that each program provides effective support to communities.
(PM EJCR02) Percentage of EPA programs utilizing extramural vehicles to fund organizations and individuals providing environmental justice expertise and support to
advance EPA priorities and activities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
50
75
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Programs
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of EPA programs that provide financial resources to community-based non-profit organizations, other organizations, and
individuals that provide environmental justice expertise in support of EPA's priorities and activities. As part of EPA's decision-making processes or other Agency work streams,
EPA programs regularly rely upon the time, efforts, and expertise of community members, leaders, and organizations for a variety of activities/inputs. Examples of EPA activities
that organizations or individuals could provide support for include organizing, educating, and engaging communities on enviromnental justice, climate justice, and other EPA
priorities. EPA programs that rely on such community support will provide funding, as appropriate, to those community members/organizations for their time, efforts, and
expertise just as they would if they needed the time, support, and expertise of a scientist or engineer. Providing funding can be achieved through use of financial assistance
instruments such as grants and cooperative agreements, procurement vehicles, or interagency agreements, depending upon the principal purpose of the financial transaction. In FY
2023, resources will be available to EPA programs that regularly rely on the input and time of community leaders and organizations to facilitate their fair compensation.
1028
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
(PM EJCR03) Percentage of environmental justice grantees whose funded projects result in a governmental response.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
No Target
Established
No Target
Established
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Grantees
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of enviromnental justice grantees whose EPA-funded projects result in a governmental response (planned and/or actualized).
The governmental response can range from on-the-ground response/activity to a policy change, and it may be at the local, state, tribal, or federal level. Tracking this measure will
require incorporation of expectations for reporting into grant solicitations and agreements, and sufficient time post-award for results to materialize. EPA will establish reporting
mechanisms for this measure in FY 2023. Grants awarded in FY 2023 will not be ready for reporting until sufficient time has passed, most likely in FY 2025.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, include commitments to address disproportionate impacts in all written agreements
between EPA and Tribes and states (e.g., grant work plans) implementing delegated authorities.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM EJCR04) Percentage of written agreements between EPA and tribes or states implementing delegated authorities that include commitments to address
disproportionate impacts.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
5
25
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Agreements
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of formal agreements between EPA and institutions that are authorized or hold delegated authorities that incorporate explicit
terms and/or conditions for recipients to be accountable for addressing disproportionate impacts. In FY 2023, the scope of this measure will focus on grant work plans that are
submitted by states and tribes to EPA programs and regional offices for the regular process of negotiating commitments. EPA will partner with stakeholders to determine what
qualifies as a commitment to address disproportionate impacts.
1029
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
(PM EJCR05) Percentage of state-issued permits reviewed by EPA that include terms and conditions that are responsive to environmental justice concerns and comply
with civil rights obligations.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
10
25
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Permits
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of state-issued permits reviewed by EPA that are explicitly responsive to environmental justice concerns and comply with civil
rights obligations. Achievement of this measure will be pursued through the provision of clear guidance, training, and support by EPA programs to states and other partners. In FY
2023, EPA will develop the method and tracking mechanism necessary to track environmental justice and civil rights responsiveness in state-issued permits and what does or does
not qualify for inclusion.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, EPA programs with direct implementation authority will take at least 100
significant actions that will result in measurable improvements in Indian country.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM E21) Number of significant actions taken by EPA programs with direct implementation authority that will result in measurable improvements in Indian country.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
No Target
Established
25
20
Significant
Actions
Above
Target
Actual
25
Key Takeaways:
• Trained all EPA offices with direct implementation in Indian Country regulatory responsibilities.
• Initiated mapping of EPA direct implementation regulatory data and information pathways from EPA data systems into EJScreen.
Metric Details: This measure tracks number of significant actions by EPA direct implementation programs that will assist EPA in meeting federal trust responsibilities and provide
for equitable program implementation in Indian country. Significant actions are those actions taken on an annualized basis by an EPA program to achieve four significant direct
implementation program priorities: training on direct implementation for EPA staff; contributing to an Agency direct implementation report identifying barriers and making
recommendations; making EPA direct implementation federal facility and entity data available on EPA's enviromnental justice mapping and screening tool EJScreen; and
identifying actions taken to improve EPA direct implementation and progress made to remove direct implementation barriers.
1030
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, all state recipients of EPA financial assistance will have foundational civil rights
programs in place.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM EJCR06) Percentage of required civil rights procedural safeguard elements implemented by state permitting agencies that are recipients of EPA financial
assistance.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
20
40
45
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
33
Numerator
138
Elements
Denominator
408
Key Takeaways:
• The percentage of civil rights procedural safeguards elements came in above target for FY 2022 and thus the baseline coming into FY 2023 is higher as well, with data review
indicating that several state agencv recipients implemented procedural safeguards elements during the course of FY 2022. Accordingly, EPA has adjusted the targets for FY
2023 and 2024.
• Three state agency recipients showed implementation of all the procedural safeguards elements reviewed, with another five state agency recipients needing to implement only
one more procedural safeguard element to have full implementation.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of civil rights procedural safeguards elements implemented by state recipients of EPA financial assistance, calculated in FY
2022 and 2023 as the percentage of required civil rights procedural safeguards elements (8) implemented by state permitting agencies that are recipients of EPA financial
assistance (51) by using a denominator in FY 2022 and 2023 of 408 (51 x8). The numerator is the total number of civil rights procedural safeguards elements implemented in
aggregate by the state environmental permitting agencies. Beginning with FY 2024, EPA will introduce additional annual performance goals to assess other state agency recipients
beyond the permitting agencies for their implementation of the elements; and in addition, EPA will assess other civil rights procedural safeguards elements, including the data
collection requirement, which is a subject of upcoming EPA guidance for recipients.
(PM EJCR07) Percentage of EPA national program and regional offices that extend paid internships, fellowships, or clerkships to college students from diverse
backgrounds.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
50
75
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Programs and
Regions
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of EPA national programs and regional offices that have dedicated funding to bring college students from diverse backgrounds
into the Agency on paid internships, fellowships, or clerkships.
1031
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, increase by 40% the number of Office of Research and Development (ORD)
activities related to environmental justice that involve or are applicable to Tribes, states, territories, local governments, and communities.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM RD2) Number of ORD activities related to environmental justice that involve or are designed to be applicable to tribes, states, territories, local governments, and
communities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
No Target
Established
113
113
Activities
Above
Target
Actual
N/A
Key Takeaways:
• Established FY 2019-2022 baseline and FY 2023-2026 targets.
• Published Cumulative Impacts Research: Recommendations for EPA 's Office ofResearch and Developmentto show various research areas that can use this evolving concept.
This research is essential to solving longstanding environmental health problems, including health disparities exacerbated by racial and social injustices (see:
https://www.epa.gov/svstem/files/documents/2022-09/Cumulative%20Impacts%20Research%20Final%20Report FINAL-EPA%20600-R-22-014a.pdf).
• Integrated enviromnental justice into EPA's FY 2023-2026 Strategic Research Action Plans, as one of six cross-cutting priorities during the research planning cycle.
• Completed Phase 1 of the EJ Video Challenge for Students with the goal of enhancing communities' capacity to address environmental and public health inequities using data
and publicly available tools. Distributed a prize package of $45,000 to the Phase 1 winning teams.
• Sponsored seven webinars for Agency staff to advance equity and justice in EPA research and identify high priority enviromnental justice science needs through agency wide
dialogue, and provide opportunities to build collaborations.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of environmental justice-related ORD activities that involved communities or are designed to be applicable to tribes, states,
territories, local governments, and communities with environmental justice concerns. ORD activities are funded or conducted by ORD. An activity is considered to involve a tribe,
state, territory, local government, or community if ORD engages with or consults the affected entity (or entities) on the specific activity. An activity is considered to be applicable
to a tribe, state, territory, local government, or community if the activity may be used by the entity (or entities) for the benefit of a community (or communities) with enviromnental
justice concerns. The FY 2019-2022 baseline is 324 EJ-focused ORD activities. The goal is a 40% increase, or 454 EJ-focused ORD activities over FY 2023-2026.
(PM RD4) Percentage of ORD environmental justice-related research products meeting partner needs.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
93
94
94
Percent
No Trend
Actual
100
Above
Data
Numerator
1
Products
Target
Denominator
1
Key Takeaways:
• The usability of the enviromnental justice product scored significantly higher when compared to other ORD products that were assessed, likely due in part to the high degree
of involvement the partner had during its development as stated by respondents in the survey.
1032
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
• The environmental justice product was titled "develop methods and tools to assess and manage inorganic soil contamination and quantify and understand contaminant
bioavailabilityIt provides the bio-accessibility data requested by EPA regional offices for arsenic and lead contaminated material near residential areas. This allows EPA to
develop soil bioavailability methods, quantify inorganic soil contamination and bioavailability, and provide data for use in assessing and handling contaminated sites (research
available at: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.iafc.9b06537 | https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.est.0cQ6908 |
https://www.sciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/S0883292720302493?ref=pdf download&fr=RR-2&rr=76a9ce58ee6b6fb5).
• ORD will complete, and assess, higher numbers of environmental justice-related research products in future years.
Metric Details: Partner satisfaction is assessed through a robust survey process. The annual survey engages key users of ORD products. Survey respondents assess the scientific
rigor of research products (quality), product relevance (usability), and timeliness of product delivery. This measure will assess a subset of ORD's research products specifically
related to environmental justice
1033
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Objective 2.2: Embed Environmental Justice and Civil Rights into EPA's Programs, Policies, and Activities—Integrate environmental justice
and civil rights in all the Agency's work to maximize benefits and minimize impacts to underserved and overburdened communities.
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target (NT)
1(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Launched a national program office and for the first time issued a national program
guidance dedicated to environmental justice and external civil rights.
• Identified a large pool of potential indicators for the at least ten indicators of disparity
elimination. A workgroup is currently refining and focusing those ideas and is in position
to begin stakeholder engagement.
• Initiated working groups related to rulemakings as the initial phase of ensuring
enviromnental justice integration and civil rights compliance in significant EPA actions.
Two tools (emerging best practices and an inventory of key characteristics of
enviromnental justice analyses) have been internally released within EPA to support more
consistent consideration of environmental justice and civil rights by rulemaking working
groups.
• Established a holistic grant and technical assistance program to support community-based
organizations, which will allow EPA to better align investments and efforts to better meet
the needs of communities.
• For the first time, each EPA national program and regional office has developed an
implementation plan to integrate enviromnental justice and civil rights requirements into
its work. These plans cover a broad spectrum of policies and program implementation
activities.
Challenges:
• EPA needs to develop new tools to support enviromnental justice process execution,
stakeholder engagement, and coordination across EPA programs and regional offices.
• Managing enviromnental justice commitments across EPA programs and regional offices
is complex, as is scoping the associated measures appropriately.
1034
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, reduce disparities in environmental and public health conditions represented by the
indicators identified through the FY 2022-2023 Agency Priority Goal.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
For FY 2022 and FY 2023, progress on this Long-Term Performance Goal will be tracked under the Agency Priority Goal "Deliver tools and metrics for EPA and its Tribal, state,
local, and community partners to advance enviromnental justice and external civil rights compliance." FY 2024 measures and targets will be published in the FY 2025 Budget.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, 80% of significant EPA actions with environmental justice implications will clearly
demonstrate how the action is responsive to environmental justice concerns and reduces or otherwise addresses disproportionate impacts.
Annual performance goals that support this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM EJCR08) Percentage of significant EPA actions with environmental justice implications that respond to environmental justice concerns and reduce or address
disproportionate impacts.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
40
80
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Actions
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of significant EPA actions with enviromnental justice implications that respond to enviromnental justice concerns and reduce or
address disproportionate impacts. EPA will initially focus on significant rulemakings for this measure. In early FY 2023, EPA will establish what qualifies as "responsiveness to
enviromnental justice" within the significant rulemaking and will develop a mechanism for tracking this measure within the EPA Action Management System (EAMS) database.
(PM EJCR09) Percentage of programs that have developed clear guidance on the use of justice and equity screening tools.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
50
75
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Programs
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of EPA programs that have developed written guidance on how their programs use enviromnental justice screening tools.
Guidance will be explicitly for use by staff of that program in headquarters offices and related regional divisions.
1035
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, all EPA programs that work in and with communities will do so in ways that are
community-driven, coordinated and collaborative, support equitable and resilient community development, and provide for meaningful
involvement and fair treatment of communities with environmental justice concerns.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM EJCR10) Percentage of EPA programs and regions that work in and with communities that do so in ways that are community-driven, coordinated and
collaborative, support equitable and resilient community development, and provide for meaningful involvement and fair treatment of communities with environmental
justice concerns.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
25
50
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Programs
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of EPA programs and regional offices that integrate key principles for community work (e.g., community-driven coordinated,
and collaborative) into core functions (e.g., regulatory development, permitting, enforcement). This approach will allow EPA to operate across programs to support projects based
on community need rather than operating exclusively in programmatic silos. In early FY 2023, EPA will define what qualifies as working in aligmnent with this method.
(PM EJCR11) Number of established EJ collaborative partnerships utilizing key principles for community work (e.g., community-driven, coordinated, and
collaborative).
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
30
60
Partnerships
Above
Target
Actual
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of collaborative partnerships in communities supported and participated in by EPA, utilizing key principles for community work
(e.g., community-driven, coordinated and collaborative). In early FY 2023, EPA's Office of Community Revitalization and Office of Enviromnental Justice and External Civil
Rights will develop reporting criteria for the Agency on this measure.
1036
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, all EPA programs and regions will identify and implement areas and opportunities
to integrate environmental justice considerations and achieve civil rights compliance in their planning, guidance, policy directives,
monitoring, and review activities.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM EJCR12) Percentage of EPA programs and regions that have identified and implemented opportunities to integrate environmental justice considerations and
strengthen civil rights compliance in their planning, guidance, policy directives, monitoring, and review activities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
15
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
100
Numerator
18
Programs and
Regions
Denominator
18
Key Takeaways:
• Eight out of eight FY 2023 - FY 2024 National Program Guidance documents (see: https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/national-program-guidances-npgs) have multiple
commitments to integrate enviromnental justice considerations into their work. Seven of eight also included commitments to strengthen external civil rights compliance.
• Each of the 10 EPA regional offices and 7 program offices (Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assistance, Office of International and Tribal Affairs, Office of Land and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, and Office of Water)
identified opportunities to integrate enviromnental justice considerations and strengthen civil rights compliance when developing FY 2023 Enviromnental Justice and Civil
Rights Implementation Plans.
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA's efforts to ensure that its national programs and regional offices are identifying opportunities to integrate enviromnental justice
considerations and strengthen external civil rights compliance by recipients of EPA financial assistance, and then incorporating those opportunities and areas into strategic
planning, guidance, policy directives, monitoring, and review activities. These opportunities might include regional office review of and recoimnendations on state permitting
actions. This measure is retired after FY 2022, as each national program and regional office completed the task of identifying areas and opportunities for enviromnental justice
considerations and civil rights compliance in their planning and policy directives.
(PM EJCR13) Percentage of EPA regions and national programs that have established clear implementation plans for Goal 2 commitments relative to their policies,
programs, and activities and made such available to external partners.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
100
100
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Regions and
Programs
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of EPA national program and regional offices that publish clear written implementation plans or guidance on the concrete steps
necessary to fully implement FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan Goal 2 commitments to integrate enviromnental justice and comply with civil rights throughout the
implementation of their policies, programs, and activities. EPA program and regional offices will work from the Enviromnental Justice and External Civil Rights National Program
1037
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Guidance. In FY 2023, EPA programs and regional offices will begin implementing commitments from Goal 2 implementation plans that were drafted by the end of FY 2022.
Each year, EPA national programs and regional offices will create updated implementation plans for Goal 2 commitments.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, all EPA programs and regions will implement program and region-specific language
assistance plans.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM EJCR14) Percentage of EPA programs and regions that have implemented program and region-specific language assistance plans.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
30
35
60
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
0
Numerator
0
Programs and
Regions
Denominator
23
Key Takeaways:
• Drafted an initial guidance document for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan development to be issued to EPA programs and regional offices when finalized.
• EPA is currently developing two model LEP plans, one for programs and one for regional offices, each of which can be used as an example when crafting their LEP plans.
• Added funding to the contract for programs and regional offices to use when providing language assistance services in planned activities.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of EPA national program and regional offices that develop and implement plans and procedures, consistent with EPA Order
1000.32, "Compliance with Executive Order 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency." The Order outlines necessary steps the Agency
will take to provide meaningful language access to persons with limited English proficiency. Program and regional office plans and procedures will ensure that every EPA
community outreach and engagement activity considers the needs of community members with limited English proficiency and that EPA secures the language services necessary
to provide "meaningful access" to EPA programs and activities for individuals with limited English proficiency. EPA Order 1000.32 is available at:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/epa order 1000.32 compliance with executive order 13166 02.10.2017.pdf.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, all EPA programs and regions will implement program and region-specific
disability access plans.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM EJCR15) Percentage of EPA programs and regions that have implemented program and region-specific disability access plans.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
No Target
Established
25
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Programs and
Regions
Denominator
1038
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of EPA national program and regional offices that develop and implement plans and procedures, consistent with guidance and
an EPA Order to be issued in FY 2023 to ensure meaningful access to EPA programs and activities for persons with disabilities. Program and regional office plans and procedures
will ensure every EPA community outreach and engagement activity considers the needs of persons with disabilities and that EPA provides persons with disabilities reasonable
accommodations and appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary so they may effectively participate in EPA program and activities.
1039
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Objective 2.3: Strengthen Civil Rights Enforcement in Communities with Environmental Justice Concerns—Strengthen enforcement of and
compliance with civil rights laws to address the legacy of pollution in overburdened communities.
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target (NT)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Exceeded targets for information sharing sessions and outreach and technical assistance
events held with overburdened and underserved communities and environmental justice
advocacy groups on civil rights and environmental justice issues.
• Developed a Process for Prioritizing and Selecting Affirmative Compliance Reviews. EPA
initiated one compliance review in FY 2022.
Challenges:
• Increased workload from the number of external civil rights complaints filed has delayed
the initiation of additional compliance reviews.
• Due to sequencing challenges and workload issues EPA was delayed in initiating the
revised Form 4700-4 review process, upon which the post-award audits of the Form
submissions are contingent. As a result, audits are delayed until at least 2nd quarter FY
2023.
1040
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, initiate 45 proactive post-award civil rights compliance reviews to address
discrimination issues in environmentally overburdened and underserved communities.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM EJCR16) Number of proactive post-award civil rights compliance reviews initiated to address discrimination issues in environmentally overburdened and
underserved communities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
/
Target
3
6
12
Compliance
Above
/
Actual
1
1
0
1
Reviews
Target
¦ ¦ ¦
Key Takeaways:
• Published the Process and Criteria for Prioritizing and Selecting Affirmative Compliance Reviews on January 6, 2022 (see:
https://www.epa.gov/svstem/files/documents/2022-01/01-06-20-ecrco-process-for-prioritizing-and-selecting-affirmative-compliance-reviews.pdf).
• Initiated a compliance review pursuant to this process on March 18, 2022. EPA was unable to initiate additional audits in FY 2022 due to resource and workload challenges.
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA's civil rights enforcement efforts through annual affirmative civil rights compliance reviews of EPA funding recipients targeting critical
enviromnental health and quality of life impacts in overburdened communities.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, complete 305 audits to ensure EPA financial assistance recipients are complying
with nondiscrimination program procedural requirements.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM EJCR17) Number of audits completed to ensure EPA financial assistance recipients are complying with federal civil rights laws.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
J
Target
25
30
50
Audits
Above
Target
Actual
0
0
Key Takeaways:
• Sent notice to recipients of EPA financial assistance of EPA's revised Form 4700-4 pre-award compliance review process on July 1. 2022. The revised form is effective
January 1, 2023.
Due to sequencing challenges and workload issues, EPA was delayed in initiating the revised Form 4700-4 review process, upon which the post award audits of the Form
submissions are contingent. As a result, audits are delayed until at least 2nd quarter FY 2023.
Metric Details: This measure tracks post-award audits of Form 4700-4 forms to ensure EPA financial assistance recipients have in place foundational nondiscrimination program
requirements as required by federal law and EPA's nondiscrimination regulation.
1041
-------
GOAL 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, complete 84 information sharing sessions and outreach and technical assistance
events with overburdened and underserved communities and environmental justice advocacy groups on civil rights and environmental
justice issues.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM EJCR18) Number of information sharing sessions and outreach and technical assistance events held with overburdened and underserved communities and
environmental justice advocacy groups on civil rights and environmental justice issues.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
,/
Target
8
90
100
Sessions and
Events
Above
Target
Actual
40
30
Key Takeaways:
• Facilitated engagements with stakeholders and advocacy groups on strengthening external civil rights and carrying out EPA's commitments to implement enviromnental
justice and civil rights under Goal 2 of the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
• Facilitated nine community engagement calls to share information on a variety of Agency and federal initiatives that could be of benefit for communities with enviromnental
justice concerns, and in many cases, to gather feedback and answer questions about these initiatives.
• Facilitated 16 educational sessions with communities and advocacy groups on topics such as enviromnental justice grants management, using EJScreen, EJ 101, EJ Academy
modules, and enviromnental and public health topics such as air quality/air monitoring, clean drinking water, and using safe and effective cleaning products for COVID-19.
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA's Office of Enviromnental Justice and External Civil Rights engagements with overburdened and underserved communities and
enviromnental justice advocacy groups on civil rights and/or enviromnental justice issues with impacts on communities with enviromnental justice concerns. This outreach will
help the Agency to better identify concerns and priorities for EPA's civil rights and enviromnental justice work. This also allows for increased capacity-building and meaningful
involvement opportunities for communities with enviromnental justice concerns.
1042
-------
GOAL 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Goal 3 at a Glance
Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance: Improve compliance with the nation's environmental laws and hold violators accountable.
FY 2022 Enacted Budget (in thousands) by goal and objective
Goal 3 Enforce Environmental Laws and
Ensure Compliance
$569,467
(of $9,559,485 EPA
total)
Obj 3.1 Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable
$403,922
Obj 3.2 Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance
$165,545
FY 2022 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 data (ND)
~ No target (NT)
Obj 3.1
Obj 3.2
1043
-------
GOAL 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective 3.1: Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable—Use vigorous and targeted civil and criminal enforcement
to ensure accountability for violations and to clean up contamination.
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target (NT)
1 (Y)
1 (R)
3(G)
2(G)
3(G)
2(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Percentage of NPDES Permittees in Significant
Noncompliance with their Permit Limits,
FY 2018 - FY 2024
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024
Actual Target
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
Strengthened Enforcement to Advance Environmental Justice
• 86 drinking water orders to public water systems (15 were emergency orders).
• Informed >17M people across 10 communities about how to report violations and
provided crime victim support on the "Nextdoor" social media platform, leading to a 51%
increase in criminal leads from the same period in FY 2021.
Combatting Climate Change and integrating climate consideration in policies
• Formed hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) task force with Customs and Border Protection to
interdict HFC imports, and issued 14 Notices of Violation to HFC importers that failed to
comply with GHG Reporting Program obligations.
• Incorporated in settlement talks the impact of climate change on compliance. E.g., an
evaluation showing increased frequency and magnitude of Combined Sewer Overflows,
from increased rainfall and flooding, supported injunctive relief (IR) requirements during
enforcement case negotiations.
Strong Enforcement Results
• Civil actions: $4.3B in IR, $154M in penalties, 195M lbs. of pollution reduced.
• Restored the ability to include Supplemental Environmental Projects in settlement
agreements, in appropriate circumstances.
• Monitored open consent decrees of >$78B of enviromnental control obligations.
• Reduced Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permittees in significant noncompliance to 9.0%, surpassing target of 10.1%.
• Criminal cases: secured $ 149M in fines and restitution, ~$8M in court-ordered
enviromnental projects and forfeited proceeds of $214M (including $203M against Fiat
Chrysler for conspiracy to cheat emissions tests). Obtained 21 year of incarceration.
• Superfund response/cost recovery commitments of ~$575M (including $35M from
redevelopers); oversaw 174 federal facility National Priorities List sites.
Challenges:
• Delays in promotions and new hire processing leave vacancies for long periods, reducing
inspectors in the field and hindering knowledge transfer before departures.
• EPA cannot take enforcement action against facilities unless they are violating a law or
present an imminent and substantial endangerment.
• No authority to address the cumulative impacts of facilities permitted and re-permitted in
communities with environmental justice concerns.
• Complex cases (e.g. involving national companies or extremely complex facilities) often
take longer to resolve.
1044
-------
GOAL 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, reduce to not more than 93 the number of open civil judicial cases more than 2.5
years old without a complaint filed.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM 436) Number of open civil judicial cases more than 2.5 years old without a complaint filed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
129
120
99
99
96
95
Cases
Below
II
Actual
94
74
66
65
Target
Key Takeaways:
• Ongoing, close cooperation among EPA headquarters, regional offices, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to move the most challenging judicial cases toward
resolution in a more timely manner, thereby returning violators to compliance more quickly 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 tracks the number of all open civil judicial cases that are more than 2.5 years old without a complaint filed, excluding Superfund, bankruptcy,
collection action, and access order cases. By measuring and highlighting the amount of time from referral of an enforcement case to DOJ to its conclusion, the Agency hopes to
reduce the time by which violation(s) alleged in the case are corrected. Data are tracked in the Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS). 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.
(PM 446) Quarterly percentage of Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permittees in significant noncompliance with their
permit limits.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
lltlT
Target
17.8
15.2
12.7
10.1
10.1
10.1
Percent
Below
Target
Actual
20.3
17.1
16.4
12.6
9.0
Numerator
8,310
7,015
6,941
5,330
3,942
Permittees
Denominator
40,944
41,085
42,334
42,429
44,015
Key Takeaways:
• Reduced the NPDES significant noncompliance (SNC) rate to 9% from the FY 2018 baseline of 20.3%, surpassing the target of 10.1% set under the FY 2018-2022 EPA
Strategic Plan.
• Through the SNC National Compliance Initiative, EPA fully utilized its compliance toolbox. This included developing a new mechanism for prioritizing NPDES
noncompliance to help EPA and states focus attention on the worst violators, and conducting quarterly meetings with all 47 NPDES authorized states focused on data sharing
and ways to reduce SNC challenges.
• These results would not have been possible without the effective EPA-state partnership, and the commitment that states made to the SNC National Compliance Initiative.
Furthermore, a close working partnership with the Association of Clean Water Administrators played a key role in obtaining input from the states to help plot a successful and
collaborative path for the initiative.
1045
-------
GOAL 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Metric Details: This measure tracks the NPDES SNC/Category 1 noncompliance rate among individually permitted major and non-major (minor) NPDES permittees in the last
quarter of the 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 in the last quarter of the fiscal year. The denominator includes all active individually-
permitted 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.
(PM 434) Millions of pounds of pollutants and waste reduced, treated, or eliminated through concluded enforcement actions.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
¦ ii
Target
325
325
325
325
325
325
325
Millions of
Above
.1
Actual
461
810
347
2,058
7,864
195
Pounds
Target
Key Takeaways:
• 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 (e.g., the
US Magnesium case in FY 2021 accounted for 90% of the total pounds of pollutants reduced, treated, or eliminated that year). The FY 2022 results are lower than the target
because there were few large pollution reduction cases settled this year.
• Targets for this measure are estimates based on cases in development and past results.
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.
1046
-------
GOAL 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective 3.2: Detect Violations and Promote Compliance—Ensure high levels of compliance with federal environmental laws and regulations
through effective compliance tools — including inspections, other monitoring activities, and technical assistance supported by evidence and
advanced technologies.
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target (NT)
1 (Y)
1(G)
1(G)
1 (Y)
2(G)
3(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
Inspections
• Increased the number of inspections to -5,900, an 84% increase over FY 2021.
• Conducted -57% of inspections in communities with environmental justice concerns, up
from 29% in FY 2021.
• Bolstered EPA's inspector cadre, focused on 12 priority areas including increased on-the-
job training, employee recognition, equipment investment, and new promotion potential.
Community Engagement
• Released ECHO Notify, providing local communities with email alerts when a local
facility has a violation or enforcement action. 1,700 subscribers received >132,000 alerts.
• Completed the Refinery Benzene Fenceline Dashboard allowing public users to identify
high benzene readings in fenceline communities.
Compliance Assistance
• Compliance Advisors assisted and trained -209 small Public Water Systems and 64
wastewater treatment facilities in areas with environmental justice concerns.
• Expedited return to compliance via Audit Policies; received 597 self-disclosures or new
owner audit agreements covering 918 facilities.
• Issued five Compliance Advisories/Enforcement Alerts to assist with compliance,
including potential noncompliance associated with source water changes at public water
systems, often affecting overburdened communities (e.g., Flint, MI and Jackson, MS).
Evidence-Based Enforcement
• Developed Compliance Learning Agenda to identify evidence-based enforcement tools
having the biggest impact through research partnership projects.
• Advanced EPA Learning Agenda priority area for reducing drinking water noncompliance
by synthesizing existing tools that identify systems of concern and confirming key
characteristics important to maintaining or improving compliance.
Challenges:
• Even with increased hiring, it takes time to train and bring new inspectors up to speed.
• Despite efforts, thousands of community water systems violate health-based standards
each year, exposing millions to potential health risks. The extent of noncompliance is
probably greater than reported. Many states and tribes lack capacity to address violations.
• EPA, tribes, states, and territories often face challenges in keeping up with emerging
technologies. Advances in monitoring and information technology offer great
opportunities for improving the ability to ensure compliance.
1047
-------
GOAL 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, send 75% of EPA inspection reports to facilities within 70 days of inspection.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM 444) Percentage of EPA inspection reports sent to the facility within 70 days of inspection.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
¦
Target
75
75
75
75
Percent
Above
Target
II
r
Actual
83
85
83
Numerator
4,177
1,940
4,362
Reports
Denominator
5,037
2,287
5,237
Key Takeaways:
• Ongoing cooperation between EPA headquarters and regional offices continues to ensure that the majority of inspection reports completed by EPA are sent to facilities within
70 calendar days of an inspection.
• As EPA inspectors have resumed a more active field presence post-pandemic and have conducted more on-site inspections, there was an expected decrease in the completion
of inspection reports within the timeframe as compared with FY 2021 results; however, the results are still well above the target.
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 EPA inspection reports allows facilities 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.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, conduct 55% of annual EPA inspections at facilities that affect communities with
potential environmental justice concerns.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM 450) Percentage of EPA inspections at facilities affecting communities with potential environmental justice concerns.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
45
50
50
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
57
Numerator
3,333
Inspections
Denominator
5,861
Key Takeaways:
• EPA conducted 57% of all inspections at facilities affecting communities with potential enviromnental justice concerns, surpassing the target of 45%. For the first time, using
the recently enhanced ICIS, EPA is able to track inspections in communities designated as having environmental justice concerns. ICIS and internal tools have been enhanced
to make this inspection data easily accessible to all Agency staff and management, ensuring that communities most in need of enviromnental protection are receiving
appropriate attention and review.
1048
-------
GOAL 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of EPA on-site inspections conducted by credentialed EPA inspectors at facilities affecting communities with potential
enviromnental justice concerns. The total includes facilities with one enviromnental indicator triggered at the 80th percentile at the national level (80th percentile/one index trigger)
on EPA's enviromnental justice mapping and screening tool EJScreen, and other areas flagged through an enhanced review. The baseline for this measure is 27% based on an
average of FY 2017- FY 2019 results (pre-COVID levels).
Other Core Work
Annual performance goal:
(PM 409) Number of federal on-site compliance monitoring inspections and evaluations and off-site compliance monitoring activities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
Hi
ill"
Target
14,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
Inspections &
Evaluations
Above
Target
Actual
11,800
10,600
10,300
8,500
10,800
13,900
Key Takeaways:
• EPA conducted approximately 5,900 on-site inspections (2,700 more than in FY 2021) and 8,000 off-site compliance monitoring activities.
• With the COVID-19 pandemic slowing, EPA was able to conduct more on-site inspections, while still utilizing off-site compliance monitoring activities where appropriate
(for example: review of responses to information requests to assess compliance; review of facility monitoring reports and/or sampling data). The return to in-person visits on-
site allowed the Agency to exceed the annual target and increase total compliance monitoring activities by more than 3,000 over the FY 2021 total.
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.
1049
-------
GOAL 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Goal 4 at a Glance
Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities: Protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of air pollution.
FY 2022 Enacted Budget (in thousands) by goal and objective
Goal 4 Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All
Communities
Obj 4.1 Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized
Pollution and Health Impacts
$555,945
(of $9,559,485
EPA total)
$514,157
Obj 4.2 Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve
Indoor Air
$41,788
FY 2022 Performanee toward target by objective ~ ySfofSrgeTmetm
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ <75% of targetmet (R)
~ No data (ND)
~ No target (NT)
Obj 4.2
-------
GOAL 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts-
national scales to achieve healthy air quality for people and the environment.
-Reduce air pollution on local, regional, and
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target (NT)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Comparison of Growth Areas and Declining Emissions
1970-2021
Gross Domestic Product
Vehicles Miles Traveled
Population
Energy Consumption
-v.
0*
Jl w
Aggregate Emissions
(Si* Common Pollutants)
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Issued amiual Air Trends Report showing combined emissions of six key pollutants
dropped by 78%, while the U.S. economy nearly tripled between 1970-2021. The
percentage of air quality improvement in counties not meeting current National Ambient
Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) is 10%, from a 2016 baseline (based on 2021 data). The
percentage of people with low socioeconomic status (SES) living in areas where the air
quality meets the fine particulate matter (PM •,-) NAAQS has improved from 43% (2006-
2008 data) to 85% (2019-2021 data) (see: https ://gispub.epa.gov/air/
t rc nds re do rt/2022/# home).
• Released AirToxScreen (with 2017 and 2018 emissions data) - the Agency's new and
improved air toxics risk screening tool, which is part of EPA's updated approach that
provides updated data and risk analyses on an annual basis to allow communities to more
readily identify existing and emerging air toxics issues (see: https://www.epa. gov/
AirToxScreen).
• Made significant progress in reducing emissions from power plants through the Acid Rain
Program (ARP) and Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). As of 2021, the programs
have delivered a 94% reduction of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and an 85% reduction in nitrogen
oxide (NOx) emissions from 1990 levels. For FY 2021, power plants achieved 100%
compliance in the ARP and CSAPR allowance trading programs.
• Released new total nitrogen deposition maps showing significant reductions in oxidized
nitrogen deposition, consistent with NOx emissions reductions, showing a -40% increase
in reduced forms of nitrogen from 2000-2020 (see: https://www.epa.gov/report-
environment/ interactive-maps).
• Continued to make progress toward U.S. commitments as a Party to the Montreal
Protocol, whereby the U.S. must incrementally decrease hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFC) consumption and production, culminating in a complete HCFC phaseout in 2030.
• Established the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law (BIL) Clean School Bus programs as Justice40 covered programs, engaging with
Agency efforts to develop guidance, best practices, and report on benefits going to
disadvantaged communities.
Challenges:
• Insufficient resources for federal implementation of the NAAQS and other Clean Air Act
(CAA) requirements at the headquarters and regional level continues to pose program
delivery challenges such as timely processing of State Implementation Plans (SIPs).
• Retirements and normal attrition of experienced staff, many with specialized technical
expertise, along with insufficient contract dollars pose ongoing challenges.
1051
-------
GOAL 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, reduce ozone season emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from electric power
generation sources by 21% from the 2019 baseline of 390,354 tons.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM NOX) Tons of ozone season NOx emissions from electric power generation sources.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
III
iir
Target
355,000
344,000
332,000
Tons
Below
Target
Actual
464,999
443,764
389,170
341,082
359,124
326,722
Key Takeaways:
• Over the last two decades, ozone season NOx emissions have declined dramatically under the Acid Rain Program (ARP), NOx Budget Trading Program (NBP), Clean Air
Interstate Rule (CAIR), and Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) programs.
• Between the 2021 and 2022 ozone seasons, national ozone season NOx emissions decreased by 9% from 359 to 327 thousand tons, even with a small rebound (1%) in overall
generation. Within the 12 state Revised CSAPR Update (RCU) region, in which the rule required additional emissions reductions of NOx from power plants. ozone season
NOx emissions decreased by 21% from 114 to 90 thousand tons.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the ozone season NOx emissions from sources in four of EPA's nationwide and multi-state air pollution control programs: an annual NOx
trading program and two ozone season NOx trading programs operated by EPA on behalf of 27 states in the eastern U.S. under Title I of the CAA, as well as a national NOx
emissions reduction program for the power sector operated by EPA under Title IV of the CAA, the Acid Rain Program. NOx are precursors for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and
ground-level ozone (O3). Researchers have associated PM2.5 and O3 exposure with adverse health effects in toxicological, clinical, and epidemiological studies. Lowering exposure
to PM2.5 and O3 contributes to significant human health benefits. The ozone season corresponds to the warm summer months when ozone formation is highest (May 1 - September
30). Reductions in NOx emissions during the ozone season help areas attain ambient ozone standards. For more information, see:
https://www3.epa.gov/ainnarkets/progress/reports/index.html. _
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, improve measured air quality in counties not meeting the current National Ambient
Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) from the 2016 baseline by 10%.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM NAAQS) Percentage of air quality improvement in counties not meeting current NAAQS.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
..III'
Target
7
8
9
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
3
3
7
8
10
Data Avail
11/2023
Key Takeaways:
• Measured air quality for criteria pollutants continues to show steady improvement. In FY 2021 (latest available data), the decline in measured aggregate air pollution levels
was in large part due to the implementation of state control plans and federal measures. The biggest reductions between 2020 and 2021 were in levels of particulate matter
(PM) and SO2. As a result of improved air quality, 12 areas were redesignated from nonattainment to attaimnent in FY 2022.
1052
-------
GOAL 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
• The number of days reaching Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or above for the Air Quality Index (based on ozone and PM data for 35 U.S. cities) for the past two years has
held steady at about half of what it was 10 years ago and about a quarter of what it was 20 years ago.
• The effects of wildfires are a significant challenge for meeting these targets. Smoke from wildfires contains harmful air pollutants and can have a notable impact on air quality
trends. For example, 2020 was a large wildfire year in parts of the U.S. (e.g., the largest year in California history), and 2020 PM2.5 and PM10 levels were noticeably higher
compared to 2019 levels. On the other hand, in 2021, more than 2 million fewer acres were burned compared to 2020, and 2021 PM levels were noticeably lower compared to
2020 levels.
Metric Details: This measure shows progress in reducing pollutant concentrations in counties not meeting one or more current NAAQS relative to the 2016 calculated baseline.
The CAA requires EPA to set the NAAQS for six "criteria" pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. These national standards form the foundation for
air quality management. The measure is presented as the aggregate percentage change in design value concentrations - a statistic that describes the air quality status of a given
location relative to the NAAQS - since the baseline year. The aggregate percentage change is weighted by the number of counties violating for each pollutant in the baseline year
so more weight is given to pollutants with more violating counties. Four criteria pollutants (ozone, PM2 5, PM10. SO2, and lead) are part of this measure. All counties met the
NAAQS for carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide in 2016, so those two criteria pollutants are not considered in this measure.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, strive to ensure all people with low socio-economic status (SES) live in areas where
the air quality meets the current fine particle pollution (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM NAAQS2) Percentage of people with low SES living in areas where the air quality meets the PM2.5 NAAQS.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
linl
Target
90
93
97
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
86
82
82
81
85
Data Avail
11/2023
Numerator
54,121,495
52,044,172
51,560,102
48,678,558
50,304,779
People
Denominator
62,631,596
63,150,683
62,687,368
60,053,454
59,241,268
Key Takeaways:
• Measured air quality for PM2.5 continues to show steady improvement. In FY 2021, the number of people with low SES living in areas with air quality that met the PM2 5
NAAQS increased by almost 2 million, and the percentage of such people in these areas was 85%. This air quality improvement can be attributed to implementation of state
control plans and federal measures.
• The effects of wildfires are a significant challenge for meeting these targets. Smoke from wildfires contains harmful air pollutants and can have a notable impact on air quality
trends.
• Another challenge with trying to reach 100% is that certain PM2 5 nonattaimnent areas have long-standing, very difficult air quality problems, such as Fairbanks, AK and the
San Joaquin Valley in California. Bringing those areas into attaimnent will require additional, more aggressive control measures.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of people with low SES, defined as two times the poverty level, living in counties with monitors measuring concentrations of
PM2.5 that meet the 2012 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2 5 NAAQS. Long- and short-term exposures to fine particles can harm people's health, leading to heart attacks, asthma
attacks, and premature death. In the baseline period of 2006-2008, 43% of the low SES population lived in counties that met both PM2 5 NAAQS. Changes since that time reflect
the effectiveness of strategies designed to reduce fine particle pollution.
1053
-------
GOAL 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, ensure U.S. consumption of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) is less than 76.2
tons per year of ozone depletion potential.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM HCFC) Remaining U.S. consumption of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chemicals that deplete the Earth's protective ozone layer, in ozone depletion potential
(ODP)-weighted metric tons.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
||
Target
76.2
76.2
76.2
Below
Target
1 —
Actual
374.6
434.1
224.2
-110.8
20.8
Data Avail
11/2023
Metric Tons
III..—
Key Takeaways:
• The FY 2020 result is negative because exports and destruction together significantly exceeded production and imports in calendar year 2020.
• The measure demonstrates how the U.S. continues to meet its obligations as a Party to the Montreal Protocol.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the United States' annual consumption of HCFCs in ODP-weighted tons. Consumption means the amount of HCFC produced, plus imports,
minus exports, minus destruction, and minus amounts produced or imported for transformation. As a Party to the Montreal Protocol, the U.S. must incrementally decrease HCFC
consumption and production culminating in a complete HCFC phaseout in 2030. The current annual consumption cap of the U.S. for all HCFCs is 76.2 ODP-weighted metric
tons, down from the 2015-2019 target of 1,520 ODP-weighted metric tons peryear. For more information, see: https://www.epa. gov/ods-phaseout/phaseout-class-ii-ozone-
depleting-substances.
1054
-------
GOAL 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.2: Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air-
air quality, especially for vulnerable populations.
-Limit unnecessary radiation exposure and achieve healthier indoor
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target (NT)
1 (ND)
1 (Y)
2(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Number of Lung Cancer Deaths Prevented
through Lower Radon Exposure, FY 2017 - FY 2024
2,100
1,800
1,500
1,200
900
600
300
0
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024
Actual Target
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Released, with the American Lung Association the National Radon Action Plan 2021-
2025: Eliminating Preventable Lung Cancer from Radon in the United States by
Expanding Protections for All Communities and Buildings (see:
http://radonleaders.org/resources/nationalradonactionplan). This is the third installment of
a strategy to increase action on radon and sets a goal for the U.S. to find, fix and prevent
high indoor radon levels in 8M buildings by 2025 and prevent at least 3,500 lung cancer
deaths per year. EPA exceeded this year's target by preventing 1,894 lung cancer deaths.
• Provided knowledge sharing and capacity building through technical assistance, resources,
and events to support a network of more than 1,100 asthma programs.
• Continued to work toward improving adoption of cleaner cookstoves and heating
technologies around the world through international and domestic partnerships and active
technical assistance. As of FY 2022, 67 countries have included clean cooking goals in
their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to the Paris Agreement.
• Continued to demonstrate radiological emergency response readiness and delivered
exposure rate measurement capability to 90 fixed RadNet monitors.
• Initiated contingency planning (for example, developing public communications materials
for use by the U.S. government related to radiation contamination and public health and
safety for U.S. citizens), coordinating closely with federal partners in light of the war in
Ukraine and its potential for impacts on nuclear facilities.
• Participated in planning and execution of the 2022 Cobalt Magnet full-scale radiological
emergency response exercise in Austin, TX. Exercised capabilities and plans by
integrating with other federal departments and State of Texas agencies into a single
incident response organization and executing their capabilities consistent with the federal
government's National Response Preparedness Goal: Protection, Mitigation, Response,
and Recovery.
Challenges:
• With the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in indoor air quality (IAQ) interest
and action by the public, congressional, administration and other stakeholders, and EPA
needed to provide further IAQ support which has strained available resources.
• Limited resources to address radiation monitoring (RadNet) information technology and
radiochemistry lab modernization efforts and actions to improve security posture pursuant
to Agency requirements as identified by past audits and inspections.
• EPA's critical suite of field radiological equipment and instrumentation needs
updating/replacement in order to ensure the highest level of radiological emergency
preparedness (2008 was last modernization effort).
1055
-------
GOAL 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, prevent 2,250 lung cancer deaths annually through lower radon exposure as
compared to the FY 2020 baseline of 1,684 prevented lung cancer deaths.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM LCD) Number of lung cancer deaths prevented through lower radon exposure.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
1,881
1,981
2,083
Deaths
Above
Actual
1,383
1,482
1,578
1,684
1,795
1,894
Prevented
Target
Key Takeaways:
• EPA exceeded its FY 2022 target and is making progress toward preventing 2,250 lung cancer deaths by 2026. This progress is the result of nationwide efforts to mitigate
homes with elevated levels of radon and to build radon-resistant features into the construction of new homes.
• The 2021-2025 National Radon Action Plan (http://radonleaders.org/resources/nationalradonactionplan) will further support increased efforts to find, fix and prevent high
indoor radon levels in homes and buildings and prevent annual lung cancer deaths.
Metric Details: This measure tracks lung cancer deaths prevented annually by reducing radon exposure, calculated using estimates of the number of homes in the U.S. with radon
levels above the EPA action level of 4pCi/L (picocuries per liter) that have been mitigated and the number of new homes that have been built with radon resistant features. Lung
cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the United States. Exposure to radon indoors is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United
States. EPA estimates there are 12,000 avoidable lung cancer deaths annually attributable to indoor radon exposure and more than seven million homes in the U.S. are at or above
the EPA radon action level. For more information, see https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/5499/liealth-effects-of-exposure-to-radon-beir-vi: and https://www.epa.gov/sites/
default/files/2015-05/documents/402-r-03-003.pdf.
Other Core Work
Annual performance goals:
(PM RAD2) Percentage of radiation emergency response program personnel and assets that meet functional readiness requirements necessary to support federal
radiological emergency response and recovery operation.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
If
Target
90
92
92
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
92
88
Numerator
128.24
122.78
Personnel
and Assets
Denominator
140
140
Key Takeaways:
• EPA missed the FY 2022 target of 90%, scoring 87.7%. This is due to the loss of Public Information Officer and scientific personnel, and the Mobile Enviromnental Radiation
Laboratory being out of commission due to loss of personnel and limited ability to fund modernization efforts. To address this shortfall, EPA is actively hiring to replace key
personnel.
1056
-------
GOAL 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
• EPA participated in key government exercises in FY 2022 and is actively engaged in contingency planning for supporting responses to any foreign radiological incidents
stemming from active warfare in Ukraine.
Metric Details: This measure tracks percent readiness of EPA headquarters, laboratory and field support elements including assets and equipment, procedures and programs,
licenses and accreditations, personnel, qualifications, exercise participation, and training. Percent readiness is calculated by the total score earned during an annual assessment of
elements divided by the total points assigned to those elements.
(PMIA) Number of programs, annually, equipped to support the infrastructure, delivery and sustainability of comprehensive asthma care.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
600
1,800
2,855
3,005
Programs
Above
llllll
Actual
884
1,232
1,645
2,132
2,446
2,705
Target
Key Takeaways:
• EPA is working to ensure that all people with asthma have access to programs that deliver comprehensive asthma care and improve indoor air quality.
• EPA is providing technical assistance to equip all astluna stakeholders (e.g., individuals, state and community-based healthcare, housing and school systems) to carry out the
straightforward and proven solutions that create healthier indoor environments.
• EPA's astluna community network has nearly 5,000 members supporting more than 1,100 astluna programs across the country.
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA delivery of technical assistance, tools, and grant support to equip community-based programs and the organizations that support them to
deliver evidence-based, comprehensive astluna care. Twenty-four million Americans, including 4.2 million children, have asthma. Low income and minority children suffer
disproportionately. In-home enviromnental interventions reduce health care utilization and improve quality of life for people with astluna. No targets were established in FYs
2018-2021 because this measure was not included in EPA's Annual Performance Plan. For more information, see: cdc.gov/astluna.
(PM CS) Millions of demonstrably improved (field or lab tested) cookstoves sold.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
50
60
60
Millions of
Cookstoves
Above
Target
Actual
50
Key Takeaways:
• EPA, in collaboration with the Clean Cooking Alliance, is working to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
• EPA provides ongoing training and engagement of Regional Stove Testing and Knowledge Centers and leads the development of standards for institutional stoves.
• Following the 2021 Leaders Summit on Climate, EPA co-hosted four Cleaning Cooking Consultations with the top three target countries (Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda) on
household energy targets in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to achieve Paris Agreement goals, continuing to work toward improving adoption of cleaner
cookstoves and heating technologies around the world through international and domestic partnerships and active technical assistance.
Metric Details: This measure tracks millions of demonstrably improved cookstoves sold worldwide. More than three billion low-income people around the world, including
600,000 low-income Americans, cook their food and/or heat their homes with open fires or rudimentary stoves. The resulting exposure to extraordinarily high levels of indoor air
pollution causes 3.2 million premature deaths worldwide, primarily among women and girls. Emissions from household energy /cookstoves are the largest controllable source of
the short-lived climate pollutant black carbon (>50%) and cookstove emissions also include methane and carbon dioxide (CO2). EPA leads the development of cookstove standards
1057
-------
GOAL 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and works with partners to rapidly increase the sustained use of demonstrably clean and efficient cookstoves and
fuels, with approximately 48 million improved stoves sold in 2019. For more information, see: https://www.who.iiit/iiews-room/fact-sheets/debiil/Iioiisehold-alr-poHiitioii-aiid-
tiealth.
1058
-------
GOAL 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Goal 5 at a Glance
Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities: Provide clean and safe water for all communities and protect our nation's waterbodies from
degradation.
FY 2022 Enacted Budget (in thousands) by goal and objective
Goal 5 Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All
Communities
$4,637,400
(of $9,559,485
EPA total)
Obj 5.1 Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable
Water Infrastructure
$3,343,981
Obj 5.2 Protect and Restore Waterbodies and
Watersheds
$1,293,419
FY 2022 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 targetmet (R)
~ No data (ND)
~ No target (NT)
Obj 5.1
Obj 5.2
1059
-------
GOAL 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure—Protect public health from the risk of exposure to regulated
and emerging contaminants in drinking and source waters by improving the reliability, accessibility, and resilience of the nation's water
infrastructure to reduce the impacts of climate change, structural deterioration, and cyber threats.
Performance toward target over time
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
CI<75% of target met (R)
~ No data (ND)
~ No target (NT)
1(G)
1(G)
1(G)
2(G)
1 (ND)
5(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Number of Community Water Systems Still in
Noncompliance with Health-based Standards
since March 31, 2021
3,600
3,000
2,400
1,800
1,200
600
0
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Announced $50 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding for drinking water
and wastewater, including substantial investment in disadvantaged communities in
aligmnent with Justice40. This funding will also help make rapid progress on lead service
line replacement, and address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and emerging
contaminants.
• Announced development of Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) Improvements regulation and
published LCR Inventory Guidance to support water systems to develop inventories of
service line materials and provide states with needed information for oversight and
reporting to EPA (see; https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule).
• Published fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule which will require certain
public water systems (PWSs) to collect national occurrence data for 29 PFAS and lithium
(see: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-12-27/pdf/2021-27858.pdf).
• Ninety-tliree percent of the population served by community water systems (CWSs)
received drinking water that meets all applicable health-based drinking water standards
2,971 (85%) of the original 3,508 CWSs with a compliance violation since 2017 have
returned to compliance.
• The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program closed 30
transactions totaling more than $3.8 billion in loans to help finance over $8 billion for
water infrastructure projects and create over 30,000 jobs.
Challenges:
• Advances in research, sensing, and measurements for PFAS and other emerging
contaminants create new challenges for developing toxicity data and risk assessments.
• Over 80% of CWSs serve fewer than 3,300 persons. These systems are often challenged to
maintain the technical, managerial, and financial capacity needed to operate a water
system and address increasing cybersecurity issues.
• EPA estimates 6-10 million households are connected to a water system through a lead
pipe/service line.
• Evolving intelligence indicates the Russian Government is exploring options for potential
cyberattacks to critical U.S. infrastructure including drinking water and wastewater
treatment systems.
~ Actual
¦ Target
1060
-------
GOAL 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, reduce the number of community water systems still in noncompliance with health-
based standards since March 31, 2021, from 752 to 500.
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 March 31,2021.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
1
III ^
Target
875
640
450
400
CWSs
Below
Target
Actual
3,508
1,718
1,128
1,048
654
537
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded the target by reducing to 537 the CWSs that remained in non-compliance with health-based standards from the original 3,508. To help address violations, EPA sends
quarterly updates on CWSs with violations to EPA Regional drinking water programs and enforcement programs so that they can work with state programs on actions to bring
those systems back into compliance. EPA also sends quarterly reports on CWSs with violations to United States Department of Agriculture for their awareness of systems in
their purview.
• Ninety-tliree percent of the population served by CWSs received drinking water that meets all applicable health-based drinking water standards.
• Drinking water systems, especially small systems, often have limited technical expertise to address operational and increasing cybersecurity issues.
• A lack of technical, managerial, and financial capacity can lead to unaddressed deficiencies in the water system. This is the second largest cause of community water systems
in violation.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of CWSs still in noncompliance with the health-based National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (maximum contaminant level
or treatment technique) during any part of the year, relative to the group in noncompliance as of September 30, 2017. A CWS is a public water system that supplies water to the
same population year-round. There are approximately 50,000 CWSs in the U.S. The total includes CWSs in Indian country. As of September 30, 2021, 654 of the original 3,508
systems were still in non-compliance with health-based standards. 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 (tribes and states with EPA-delegated enforcement
responsibility). Technical assistance provided focuses on non-compliant water systems in underserved communities. EPA expects progress on this measure to decelerate because
many of the remaining systems have complex compliance issues or may require capital infrastructure improvements to help address non-compliance.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, reduce the number of community water systems in Indian country still in
noncompliance with health-based standards since March 31, 2021, from 110 to 70.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM DWT-02) Number of community water systems in Indian Country still in noncompliance with health-based standards since March 31,2021.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
100
55
35
CWSs
Below
Target
Actual
74
1061
-------
GOAL 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Key Takeaways:
• 74 CWSs remained in non-compliance with health-based standards in Indian Country. EPA regularly monitors CWSs with violations and works with partners on actions to
bring those systems back into compliance. EPA works closely with Indian Health Service to target funding to tribal water systems with infrastructure needs to improve water
quality and delivery.
• Eighty-five percent of the population in Indian Country served by CWSs received drinking water that meets all applicable health-based drinking water standards.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of tribal CWSs still in noncompliance with the health-based National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (Maximum
Contaminant Level or treatment technique) during any part of the year, relative to the group in non-compliance on March 31, 2021. There are approximately 730 tribal CWSs. Data
are derived from SDWIS-FED, which contains information about violations by public water systems as reported to EPA by the primacy agencies (EPA regional offices and tribes
with EPA-delegated enforcement responsibility).
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, leverage an additional $45 billion in non-federal dollars through EPA's water
infrastructure finance programs (CWSRF, DWSRF and WIFIA).
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PMINFRA-01) Billions of non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA's water infrastructure finance programs (CWSRF, DWSRF and WIFIA).
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
it*
J-
Target
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
9.5
9.5
Billions of
Dollars
Above
Target
lit
itr
Actual
8.6
9.7
10.3
10.2
12.1
14.6
Key Takeaways:
• In FY 2022, EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), and WIFIA programs exceeded the annual target by
leveraging $14.6 billion in non-federal dollars for water infrastructure projects. This success was in part due to the ongoing effective state management and EPA oversight of
the SRFs.
Metric Details: This measure tracks funds leveraged by the three primary water infrastructure programs. 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. The Agency will ensure a focus on climate resiliency and equity by revising loan
guidelines, program guidance and providing technical assistance. SRF data are tracked in the SRF Data System.
1062
-------
GOAL 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, in coordination with other federal agencies, provide access to basic sanitation for an
additional 36,500 American Indian and Alaska Native homes.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM WWT-02) Number of American Indian and Alaska Native homes provided access to basic sanitation, in coordination with other agencies.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
.
Target
6,098
6,098
6,098
Above
Target
ll 1
Actual
5,318
6,398
3,561
9,114
4,007
Data Avail
3/2023
Homes
Mill
Key Takeaways:
• The cumulative number of American Indian and Alaska Native homes that are provided access to basic sanitation in coordination with other federal agencies continues to
grow over time.
• Working with the Indian Health Service, EPA helps provide or restore access to wastewater infrastructure for tribal communities. The data source for this measure is the once
annual data-freeze snapshots from the Project Data System in the Indian Health Service, Division of Sanitation Facility Construction Sanitation Tracking and Reporting
System. As of February 16, 2023, the data for FY 2022 are not available.
Metric Details: This measure tracks American Indian and Alaska Native homes provided with wastewater treatment infrastructure through Congressionally appropriated funds, in
coordination with other agencies. To show progress towards this measure, EPA will use the number of homes that received improved wastewater sanitation services as reported
through the Indian Health Service (IHS) Sanitation Tracking and Reporting System (STARS). IHS housing information is collected once annually (typically in November) to
capture the progress of the previous construction season. There were 378,211 American Indian and Alaska Native homes in the IHS database as of FY 2022 (most currently
available data). For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/small-and-rural-wastewater-svstems/clean-water-indian-set-aside-program.) Targets are based on past years'
performance, assumption of relatively constant future funding levels, and continued coordination with other federal agencies.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, provide 2,203 Tribal, small, rural, or underserved communities with technical,
managerial, or financial assistance to improve operations of their drinking water or wastewater systems.
Annual performance goals that support this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM INFRA-06) Number of tribal, small, rural, or underserved communities provided with technical, managerial, or financial assistance to improve system operations.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
J
Target
339
542
542
Communities
Above
Target
Actual
187
1,668
Key Takeaways:
• Funded one-to-one technical assistance to rural, small. Tribal, and underserved communities with technical, managerial, or financial assistance issues living in communities of
less than 10,000 people: the Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water Grant
1063
-------
GOAL 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Program and the Training and Technical Assistance for Rural, Small, and Tribal Municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Systems for Clean Water Act Prevention,
Reduction, and Elimination of Pollution Grant Program.
• Examples of assistance provided include: conducting well assessments; helping systems develop and implement asset management programs, adopt, and implement Risk and
Resiliency Assessments (RRA), Vulnerability Assessments (VA), and/or Emergency Response Plans (ERP), and complete energy audits and rate analyses; helping systems
address non-compliance issues; and conducting homeowner visits to collect private samples to test well water for harmful E. coli bacteria.
• One grantee was able to serve 14,363 people, of which an estimated 29% of the total were members of communities of color, and six percent were tribal members, Alaska
Natives or Native Hawaiians.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of tribal, small, or rural communities, or communities with enviromnental justice concerns, provided with EPA technical,
managerial, or financial assistance through on-site visits or training to effectively operate drinking water systems or wastewater treatment systems. Data are collected through
grantee reports.
(PM DW-07) Number of drinking water and wastewater systems, tribal and state officials, and water sector partners provided with security, emergency preparedness,
and climate resilience training and technical assistance.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
2,000
3,500
3,500
Systems and
Partners
Above
Target
Actual
3,939
Key Takeaways:
• Drinking water system operations are challenged due to degradation of sources of drinking water; pressures from extreme weather events, and accidental and intentional
incidents.
• EPA has been conducting significant outreach and training for community water systems on compliance with America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) Section 2013
requirements, a need critical to addressing these challenges. AWIA Section 2013 requires CWSs serving more than 3,300 people to develop or update RRAs and ERPs.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of drinking water, wastewater, and stonnwater (water sector) utilities, tribal and state officials, and water sector partners provided
by EPA with practical tools, training, and technical assistance needed to increase resilience to extreme weather events (e.g., drought, flooding, wildfires, hurricanes), malevolent
acts (e.g., cyberattacks), and climate change. EPA assistance promotes a clear understanding of climate change and potential long-term adaptation options for decision-making
related to water utility infrastructure operations and financing. Training and technical assistance will target participation of underserved communities.
1064
-------
GOAL 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
protective of the health and needs of all people and ecosystems.
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target (NT)
1 (Y)
2 (Y)
2 (Y)
1(G)
1 (Y)
3(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Number of Existing EPA-issued NPDES Individual
Permits in Backlog, FY 2018 - FY 2024
500
400
300
200
100
0
FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024
Actual Target
Address sources of water pollution and ensure water quality standards are
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Submitted the Revised Definition of "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) final rule to
the Office of Management and Budget for Interagency review. Also proposed rulemakings
on Human Health Water Quality Criteria in Washington State and Clean Water Act
(CWA) Section 401 certification to revise and replace the Agency's 2020 regulatory
requirements for water quality certification. Published a CWA Section 404(c) Proposed
Determination to prohibit and restrict the use of certain waters in the Bristol Bay, AK
watershed as disposal sites for the discharge of dredged or fill material associated with
mining the Pebble deposit.
• Announced $ 132 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding and guidance for
the National Estuary Program. Also established a new $60 million grant program under
BIL for implementing the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan and made over $194 million in BIL
funding available for Geographic Programs.
• Took action on 35 of 37 section 303(d) impaired waters lists that were submitted to EPA
for the 2022 cycle (compared to 14 this time last cycle).
• Restored or improved 110 waters that were previously impaired due to nonpoint sources.
• States and territories have made over 78% progress towards submitting their long-term
priority Total Maximum Daily Loadings (TMDLs), other restoration plans, and protection
plans under the CWA Section 303(d) Program Vision. States and territories have made
continuous progress throughout the entirety of this metric and came within 25% of the
final target.
• Reduced the backlog of EPA's new National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit applications by 79%, and the backlog of existing NPDES permits by
58% compared with the June 2018 baseline.
Challenges:
• A changing climate is affecting how water systems respond to pollution due to changes in
temperature, flow, and sediment.
• Extreme natural events such as hurricanes and wildfires may increase nonpoint source
pollution loading.
• Nutrient pollution affects upwards of 50% of lakes and streams. Total phosphorus levels
are increasing in rivers, streams and lakes across the country. Excess nutrients contribute
to harmful algal blooms (HABs), low oxygen "dead zones," and high levels of nitrates that
contaminate waters while also damaging the economy. Impervious surfaces can generate
increased flows of stormwater pollutants, degrading water quality and threatening public
health. More information available at: https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution.
1065
-------
GOAL 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, increase by 41,000 square miles the area of watersheds with surface water meeting
standards that previously did not meet standards.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM SWP-01) Annual increase in square miles of watersheds with surface water meeting standards that previously did not meet standards.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
8,000
8,000
17,100
Square Miles
Above
Target
Actual
20,511
Key Takeaways:
• Significantly exceeded the target due to increased number of CWA Section 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Reports (IRs) submitted. IRs are due on April 1 of even numbered years,
but they usually come in slowly throughout the two-year period. However, due to a years-long push by EPA to get states to submit their IRs on time, many states submitted
their 2022 IRs by April 1 or shortly thereafter.
Metric Details: This measure tracks improvements in impaired waters as reported on state CWA Section 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Reports. States report on their water quality
assessments every two years. 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. EPA will ensure watersheds will continue to meet the standards by
assessing for equity and climate impacts. Data are tracked in EPA's Assessment, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Tracking and Implementation System (ATTAINS). As
states continue to perform assessments, they continue to identify additional impaired waters. As of July 28, 2022, the baseline was 504,605 square miles of watersheds with surface
water not meeting standards. This is an update to the draft baseline of 425,198 square miles that was included in the FY 2023 budget. This measure lias transitioned from using the
old National Hydrology Dataset Plus (NHDPlus) V2 catchments to the new a NHDPlus HR-VF-Gen catchment layer. Targets are based on receipt of IRs due to EPA every even
year, with some reporting delayed to other years. Prior to this report, this measure tracked total square miles of watersheds meeting standards in waters previously identified as
impaired.
(PM SWP-02) Annual increase in square miles of watersheds with previously impaired surface waters due to nutrients that now meet standards for nutrients.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
2,100
1,400
1,400
Square Miles
Above
Target
Actual
12,833
Key Takeaways:
• Significantly exceeded the target due to increased number of CWA Section 303(d)/305(b) IRs submitted.
Metric Details: This measure tracks improvements in impaired waters due to nutrients as reported on state CWA Section 303(d)/305(b) IRs. As of July 28, 2022, the universe is
157,485 square miles of watershed area with surface water that are not meeting standards due to nutrients. This is an update to the draft universe of 157,485 square miles that was
included in the FY 2023 budget. Prior to this report, this measure tracked total square miles of watersheds meeting standards due to nutrients in waters previously identified as
impaired.
1066
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GOAL 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Other Core Work
Annual performance goals:
(PM NPDES-03) Number of existing EPA-issued NPDES individual permits in backlog.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
II
ttr
Target
360
280
230
250
210
195
Permits
Below
Target
Actual
456
373
333
284
229
Key Takeaways:
• Issued or terminated a total of 125 existing permits, which reduced the backlog of existing EPA-issued NPDES permits by 19% in FY 2022, and by 58% since March 2018.
• EPA headquarters and regions worked closely to identify challenges and develop solutions to complex permitting issues, such as those related to CWA Section 401 water
quality certifications, WOTUS, CWA Section 316(b) cooling water intake mitigation, state legal authority, water quality-based effluent limitations for selenium, nutrients and
other parameters, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS, to aid in the issuance of high-quality permits. These efforts will also help prevent future permits from becoming
backlogged.
Metric Details: This measure tracks existing EPA-issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) individual permits that are administratively continued for 180
days or more. EPA modified the title of this measure to specify that only individual permits are being tracked and reported, which lias been the case since the measure began in FY
2018. Between FY 2018 and FY 2021, EPA considered permits to be backlogged as soon as they passed their expiration date and were administratively continued. Beginning in
FY 2022, the backlog is defined as permits that are administratively continued for 180 days or more. The change allows for prioritization of complex permits and resource
efficiency. Permits are removed from the backlog as soon as the Agency issues, denies, or terminates a permit. The baseline for this measure is 547 as of March 2018. For FY 2023
and FY 2024, EPA expects the backlog to continue to decrease. Factors that could potentially impact permit backlog reduction in the next two years are a significantly larger
number of permits set to expire during this time period, inability to promptly backfill permit writers and other critical staff due to competing priorities, technical and complex
permit issues, and the addition of new Agency priorities such as implementation of BIL and IRA. EPA will continue to monitor progress on reducing the backlog and will reassess
targets, as needed. Data are tracked in EPA's Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS)-NPDES Database.
(PM TMDL-02) Percentage of priority TMDLs, alternative restoration plans, and protection approaches in place.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
..fill
Target
50
67
84
100
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
14
33.3
51.2
63.5
74.1
78
Numerator
14,045
33,194
48,544
59,470
61,718
65,137
Square Miles
Denominator
99,424
99,415
94,806
93,653
83,308
83,999
Key Takeaways:
• Due to shifting program priorities, staff turnover, or limited capacity many states are not able to complete all plans originally committed to several years ago. Due to the long-
term nature of this work, states were unable to fully predict which plans would be completed and which waterbodies would be delisted over the 6-year-period. Therefore,
achievement of 100 percent of plans in place was difficult. Despite this, states continued to increase the number of plans in place leading to a continuous improvement in the
results throughout the year. For example, EPA approved more than 2,200 TMDLs submitted under CWA Section 303(d).
1067
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GOAL 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Metric Details: This measure tracks state priority waters with a TMDL, alternative restoration, or protection plan in place. EPA, tribes, and states cooperatively developed a Long-
Term Vision for Assessment, Restoration and Protection under the CWA Section 303(d) Program(https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-
07/documeiits/visioii 303d program dec 2013.pdf). 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 was to have 100 percent of priority waters with plans approved or accepted by FY 2022. The following measure (PM TMDL-
03) will replace this one beginning in FY 2023.
(PM TMDL-03) Square miles of priority areas covered by TMDLs, other restoration plans, or protection approaches.
I V 20 r
I V 20IX
I V 2oiy
I V 2020
I V 2021
I V 2022
I V 2023
I V 2024
l nils
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Tariicl
".'Ho
Square Miles
\hn\ e
Target
Aclual
Metric Details: This measure tracks square miles of priority areas covered by TMDLs, other restoration plans, or protection approaches included in state commitments submitted
to EPA by September 30, 2022. The universe is 22,685 square miles. This measure does not require a final plan to be in place to count toward the result; states can choose whether
each plan will be in place or in development at the end of the 2-year period. States will be able to meet targets with a mix of plans in development and plans in place depending on
their initial commitments. EPA will continue to use a weighting factor of 0.5 for plans in development. Data are tracked in ATTAINS. This is a two-year bridge measure developed
by EPA in collaboration with the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA), to begin after completion of the current Section 303(d) Vision 1.0 measure (PM TMDL-
02). After completion of this two-year measure, EPA will transition into a Vision 2.0 measure beginning in FY 2025. The bridge measure is a leading candidate for the Vision 2.0
measure. The Vision 2.0 measure will also include a longer-term planning component to align with the timeline of the Vision.
1068
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Goal 6 at a Glance
Safeguard and Revitalize Communities: Restore land to safe and productive uses to improve communities and protect public health.
FY 2022 Enacted Budget (in thousands) by goal and objective
Goal 6 Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Obj 6.1 Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive
Uses and Healthy Communities
Obj 6.2 Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental
Contamination
Obj 6.3 Prepare for and Respond to Environmental
Emergencies
$1,074,586
$221,779
$124,787
$1,421,152
(of $9,559,485
EPA total)
FY 2022 Performance toward target by objective
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
Obj 6.1
2(G)
Obj 6.2
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
~ No data (ND)
~ No target (NT)
2(G)
Obj 6.3
1069
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities—Clean up and restore contaminated sites to protect
human health and the environment and build vibrant communities, especially in underserved and overburdened areas.
Performance toward target overtime
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
¦ <75% of target met (R)
4 (Y)
4(G)
7(G)
3(Y)
4(G)
5(G)
3(Y)
3(G)
3 (Y)
6(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Brownfields Accomplishments, FY 2017 - FY 2022
2,400
2,000
1,600
1,200
800
400
0
~
FY 2017
~
FY 2018
—M—
: v 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
Brownfields Sites RAU
Brownfields Properties Assessed
Brownfields Properties Cleaned Up
EPA, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget, has determined that
performance toward this objective is making noteworthy progress due to significant numbers
of brownfield site assessments and cleanups.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Deployed more than $ 1 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for cleanup
activities at more than 100 Superfund sites and awarded $190 million for brownfields that
are projected to result in over 880 site assessments, 78 sites cleaned-up, and 20,000 jobs
leveraged in cleanup, construction, and redevelopment. This funding includes substantial
investment in disadvantaged communities in aligmnent with Justice40.
• Added 12 Superfund sites with human exposures under control but retracted 26 sites (-14
net); made 16 additional sites ready for anticipated use, but similarly retracted 64 sites due
to additional investigations; and completed 74 remedial actional projects.
• Cleaned up 173 brownfields, completed 1,637 site assessments, and made 662 sites ready
for anticipated use, leveraging 14,170 jobs and $1.78B and revitalizing communities.
• Made 124 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action sites ready
for anticipated use. The program has also completed construction on 55 final remedies at
corrective action facilities and achieved designated performance standards at 66 facilities.
• Completed 6,536 Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) cleanups that meet risk-
based standards.
• Completed 45 Superfund cleanup projects that address lead as a contaminant.
• Issued 42 Superfund federal facility decision documents; completed 26 remedial actions.
Challenges:
• 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 continues to hamper site access and state staff availability to oversee cleanups.
Owners and operators are hesitant to expend resources to move cleanups forward and, in
some cases, are impeded by the availability of cleanup contractors and equipment.
• The remaining sites across all programs are increasingly complicated, requiring more
personnel, funds, and expertise to complete cleanup actions.
• EPA will award approximately $300 million in additional BIL funding for brownfields,
creating increased oversight and reporting responsibilities.
• There is the potential for higher cost Superfund actions due to increased costs for lead (Pb)
and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removals.
1070
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, bring human exposures under control at additional 60 Superfund sites.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM151) Number of Superfund sites with human exposures brought under control.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
¦ 1,1
Target
9
8
12
10
10
12
12
12
Sites
Above
STi n
1
Actual
24
32
17
20
13
-14
Target
Key Takeaways:
• Brought human exposures under control at an additional 12 Superfund sites, but these accomplishments were offset by a significant number of retractions.
• Of the 26 total retractions in FY 2022, 22 were changed due to insufficient data status. Only four went to not under control status. Retractions were primarily due to additional
sampling for PFAS concentrations in drinking water and new vapor intrusion pathway investigations.
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 the Superfund Enterprise Management System (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., vapor intrusion) or contaminant is discovered, and a reasonable expectation exists that people could be exposed or that there is insufficient data to make
such a determination until further investigation takes place. As of FY October 2022, there were 1,535 Superfund sites with human exposures under control out of a total of 1,842
sites where human exposure is tracked.
(PM S10) Number of Superfund sites made ready for anticipated use site-wide.
Preferred
Direction
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
45
51
51
51
51
25
15
10
Sites
Above
Actual
43
51
48
34
26
-48
Target
1
Key Takeaways:
• An additional 16 sites were made ready for anticipated use, but these accomplishments were offset by a significant number of retractions (64).
• The retractions resulted from a rigorous review which identified sites which no longer met protectiveness requirements due to detection of PFAS and other emerging
contaminants, aging remedies, and new exposure pathways requiring new institutional controls.
• As most eligible sites have already achieved sitewide ready for anticipated use (SWRAU) status, the remaining sites might require more resources and potentially face more
significant obstacles to SWRAU achievement. Several sites retracted from SWRAU in FY 2022 have re-entered the potential universe of SWRAU sites and are likely to
regain status in coming years.
• EPA plans to undertake several continuous improvement actions to eliminate process pain points and support achieving and maintaining SWRAU.
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA's progress in cleaning up and preparing Superfund sites (both private and federal facility) for reuse site-wide, while ensuring human
health and enviromnental protection. To be considered 'eligible' for SWRAU achievement, a site must be construction complete final and deleted from the Superfund National
Priorities List (NPL) or a non-NPL Superfund Alternative Approach (SAA). The SWRAU target measures the number of construction complete final and deleted Superfund
1071
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
National Priorities List (NPL) or non-NPL Superfund Alternative Approach (SAA) sites for which all: 1) remedy decision document (e.g., record of decision (ROD)) 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 SEMS once a site meets all required criteria and
the appropriate EPA regional personnel have approved the determination. Since 2018, SWRAU accomplishments and the inventory of eligible sites have decreased. The number of
SWRAU eligible sites is currently estimated at 236 sites following a 2022 SWRAU information collection effort in coordination with EPA regional offices. Of the 81 sites eligible
in 2022, 16 achieved SWRAU in 2022, though a significant number of retractions (64) increased the eligible universe for FY 2023, as these sites pursue regained SWRAU status.
Many of the remaining eligible sites face increasingly difficult challenges to achieve SWRAU, primarily related to institutional controls implementation and emerging
contaminants. Cleaning up contaminated land reduces the enviromnental and health effects of exposure to contamination in communities, especially overburdened communities,
and contributes toward the Administration's Justice40 goal.
(PM170) Number of remedial action projects completed at Superfund sites.*
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
in
r
Target
105
95
95
80
80
80
75
75
Projects
Above
Target
Actual
97
87
89
91
75
74
Key Takeaways:
• Completed 74 remedial action projects. Issues that contributed to missing the target include changed scope of work, addressing PFAS contamination, potentially responsible
party (PRP) processing delays, remedy redesign, supply chain issues, and larger reports require increased review time. These issues and others routinely arise and will likely
continue to be an impediment in reaching targets in FY 2023 and future years.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of remedial action projects completed at Superfund sites. Cleaning up contaminated land reduces the environmental and health
effects of exposure to contamination in communities, especially overburdened communities, and contributes toward the Administration's Justice40 goal. 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 this data in SEMS.
* This measure is also used to track progress in implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
(PM 137) Number of Superfund removals completed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
III
tr
Target
275
175
175
141
141
183
183
183
Removals
Above
Target
Actual
255
242
233
197
150
195
Key Takeaways:
• Completed 195 removal completions, exceeding the target despite ongoing challenges from COVID-19.
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.
1072
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, complete 225 Superfund cleanup projects that address lead as a contaminant.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM155) Number of Superfund cleanup projects completed that address lead as a contaminant.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
1
r
Target
45
45
45
Projects
Above
Target
Actual
56
45
Key Takeaways:
• Met target by completing 45 response action projects, consisting of 16 Removal and 29 Remedial projects.
• EPA headquarters and regional offices have increased coordination but the frequency of lead removal cleanups is unpredictable. In contrast to the time-critical and emergency
nature of removals, remedial cleanups take multiple years to complete.
Metric Details: This measure documents progress to reduce exposure to lead and associated health impacts by reporting the completion of cleanup actions that include lead as a
contaminant. Response action projects include removal and remedial actions that address lead as a contaminant. The universe of applicable remedial actions consists of those at all
final and deleted NPL sites and sites with SAA agreements. There is no pre-established universe of removal sites, as removal actions take place after a release has occurred. Much
of the data for this performance measure comes from PRPs and Federal Facilities and the government's program offices cannot control when it is submitted.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, clean up an additional 650 brownfields properties.
Annual performance goals that support this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM B32) Number of brownfields properties cleaned up.*
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
1
r
Target
130
130
130
160
160
Properties
Above
Target
Actual
137
143
190
183
168
173
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded the target, achieving 173 cleanups complete. EPA completed a significant data backlog clean-up effort, which resulted in significantly higher accomplishments from
initial projections.
• Reusing brownfields enables communities to pursue economic growth without expanding their enviromnental footprint. Accommodating community growth on a revitalized
brownfield site means existing infrastructure is reused, which reduces the need to expand impervious surfaces and vehicle miles traveled associated with new development.
These reductions produce important enviromnental benefits, including improved water quality associated with reduced runoff from stonnwater and nonpoint pollutant sources,
and improved air quality associated with reduced greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle travel. This is an important approach for mitigating climate change.
• Updated the annual target setting process using a new, data-based accomplishment prediction model.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of properties that have been cleaned up to a regulatory risk-based standard using EPA brownfields funding, as reported by
cooperative agreement recipients into the Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES) database. Cleaning up contaminated land reduces the
enviromnental and health effects of exposure to contamination in communities, especially overburdened communities, and contributes toward the Administration's Justice40 goal.
1073
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
The FY 2023 target is increased to align with increased reporting trends. There are no targets in FYs 2019-2021 because this measure was not included in those Annual
Performance Plans.
* This measure is also used to track progress in implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
(PM B30) Number of brownfields sites made ready for anticipated use.*
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
Iff
Target
600
684
684
684
684
600
600
600
Sites
Above
Actual
531
861
910
809
616
662
Target
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded the target, achieving 662 properties made ready for anticipated use (RAU). EPA completed a significant data backlog clean-up effort, which resulted in significantly
higher accomplishments from initial projections. EPA regional offices worked closely with grantees on data entry in ACRES to ensure timely RAU reporting.
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. This activity results in additional sites
available for productive reuse. Prior year targets and results reflect a data cleanup project to collect data on projects completed in previous years that had not been reported
previously. This project is now complete.
* This measure is also used to track progress in implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
(PM B29) Number of brownfields properties assessed.*
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
*
iii r
Target
1,400
1,300
1,400
1,650
1,650
Properties
Above
Actual
1,419
1,919
1,693
1,772
1,682
1,637
Target
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded the target, achieving 1,637 properties assessed. EPA completed a significant data backlog clean-up effort, which resulted in significantly higher accomplishments
from initial projections.
• Updated the annual target setting process using a new, data-based accomplishment prediction model.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of properties that have been environmentally assessed for the first-time using EPA brownfields funding, as reported by cooperative
agreement recipients. The FY 2023 target is increased to align with increased reporting trends. There are no targets in FYs 2019-2021 because this measure was not included in
those Annual Performance Plans.
* This measure is also used to track progress in implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
1074
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, make an additional 425 RCRA corrective action cleanups Ready for Anticipated
Use.
Annual performance goals that support this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM RSRAU) Number of RCRA corrective action facilities made ready for anticipated use.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
75
91
117
133
114
100
85
Facilities
Above
inl P
Actual
72
117
127
169
146
124
Target
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded the target, making 124 RCRA corrective action facilities RAU.
• There is a decreasing universe of sites, and many of the remaining sites are complex and require significant resource contributions.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of RCRA corrective action facilities made ready for anticipated use (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. Information is entered into the RCRAInfo database by authorized states and/or EPA regional offices overseeing cleanups. There were 3,983 facilities subject to
RCRA corrective action at the end of FY 2022, of which 2,061 had not yet been determined RAU.
(PM CA5RC) Number of RCRA corrective action facilities with final remedies constructed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
¦ |
Target
98
98
73
55
55
52
Facilities
Above
u
Actual
67
70
80
64
57
55
Target
Key Takeaways:
• Met the target, constructing final remedies at 55 RCRA corrective action facilities.
• Several facilities experienced delays completing final remedies by the end of FY 2022. Many of these will be completed in FY 2023. In addition the pipeline of available
facilities is narrowing and the facilities remaining have complex issues such as groundwater or financial concerns.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of RCRA corrective action facilities that have final remedies constructed such as a groundwater treatment system, designed to
achieve long-tenn protection of human health and the enviromnent. This measure tracks a mid-term step in the progression toward completing facility cleanup. Targets are selected
based on the number of sites in the pipeline with construction planned or underway.
1075
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, conduct an additional 35,000 cleanups at Leaking Underground Storage Tank
facilities.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM112) Number of LUST cleanups completed that meet risk-based standards for human exposure and groundwater migration.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
f| 11
Target
8,600
11,200
11,200
11,200
11,200
7,439
7,125
6,970
Cleanups
Above
Actual
8,775
8,128
8,358
7,211
7,271
6,536
Target
Key Takeaways:
• Missed the target, completing 6,536 LUST cleanups that meet risk-based standards for human exposure and groundwater migration.
• As the backlog of remaining cleanups declines, confirmed releases also decline and state resources continue to be constrained, making cleanup completions increasingly
challenging.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of completed cleanups of petroleum-contaminated confirmed releases, also known as LUST cleanups. The totals include cleanups
reported by states as well as EPA cleanups in Indian country. Cleanups in Indian country represent approximately 0.2% of total cleanups completed. Data are tracked in the LUST4
database. Targets are ambitiously based on 12% of the prior year's estimated backlog of remaining cleanups. The backlog will continue to reduce over time so the targets will
correspondingly reduce. Forecasted backlog reduction is based on five years of data trends through FY 2020. As of FY 2022, there were 568,981 cumulative confirmed releases,
out of which there were 509,091 LUST cleanups completed.
Other Core Work
Annual performance goal:
(PM COl) Percentage of technical assistance projects in support of environmentally sustainable and community-driven revitalization that support or expand upon
previous or ongoing federal investments.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
No Target
Established
TBD
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Projects
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of community revitalization technical assistance engagements with communities that have had programmatic or financial
investments from federal programs within the past five years. These investments include those of EPA or other federal agencies. This subsequent technical assistance can help
maximize the previous investment by supporting its implementation or expanding upon it by helping the community make related improvements. These efforts can help coordinate
and align federal engagements and create connections that will spur ongoing utilization of smart growth tools and best practices toward environmental protection and economic
development. A baseline will be established in FY 2023
1076
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.2: Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination—Prevent environmental pollution by preventing releases, reducing
waste, increasing materials recovery and recycling, and ensuring sustainable materials management practices.
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target (NT)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Number of Updated Permits Issued at Hazardous
Waste Facilities, FY 2017 - FY 2024
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Increased the percentage of updated permits at RCRA facilities to 73.9% from a starting
point of 71.0%. 107 additional permits were renewed in FY 2022.
• Recorded the lowest number of confirmed releases at underground storage tank (UST)
facilities (4,568) since the program began, indicating success of release prevention
program.
• In November 2021, EPA released the National Recycling Strategy, which is the first in a
series to dedicated to building a circular economy. The National Recycling Strategy
outlines the actions needed to create a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective domestic
recycling system. Future circular economy strategies will focus on plastics, organics,
electronics, the built environment, and textiles. In November 2022, the program
announced new recycling grant funding opportunities, which were funded by the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). These recycling grants will help communities in
implementing the actions in the National Recycling Strategy.
Challenges:
• Risks of reduced resource capacity due to staff turnover and shifting prioritizations for
federal, state, tribal and local enviromnental land and emergency management
programs. These impacts potentially decrease EPA's ability meet projected targets due to
training and recruitment time lags, as well as the potential loss of expert technical
knowledge.
• Low/Reduced availability of private sector services and parts due to continued supply
chain issues has significantly impeded compliance with UST regulations.
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024
Actual
¦ Target
1077
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, increase the percentage of updated permits at RCRA facilities to 80% from the FY
2021 baseline of 72.7%.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM HW5) Number of updated permits issued at hazardous waste facilities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
liMr
Target
64
64
105
100
90
100
110
Permits
Above
Ml
Actual
125
109
124
104
130
107
Target
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded the target, updating 107 permits.
• Raised the percentage of updated permits from 71% to 74%, putting the Agency on a path to achieve the 80% goal at the end of FY 2026. However, because there are many
permits expiring before the end of FY 2026, EPA remains focused on attaining this challenging goal.
• These results are challenging to forecast since there are several factors that can be difficult to project, including permits renewed and permits expiring each year. The renewals
increase the percentage if they are more than the new expirations. These factors do not affect the number of permitted facilities. However, newly proposed facilities with an
initial permit issued that are added to the permitted list and facilities that are removed from the permitted list are factors making it harder to forecast.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of RCRA hazardous waste permit updates or clean-closures in the universe of permitted facilities using EPA's RCRAInfo system.
This does not include all permit maintenance since permit modifications cannot be projected and are not included. The related Long-Term Performance Goal refers to the overall
percentage of RCRA facilities with permits that are not past expiration and have been updated though a permit renewal (or are not past the permit term/expiration). Maintaining up-
to-date permits ensures that permitted facilities have consistent and protective standards to prevent release. This will ensure permits reflect updated standards, remain protective
under changing conditions due to climate change, and provide meaningful community involvement in the permitting process over time. 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. There are about
1,300 permitted hazardous waste facilities in the workload as of October 2022.
(PM UST01) Number of confirmed releases at UST facilities.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
linn
Target
No Target
Established
5,150
5,075
5,000
Releases
Below
Target
Actual
5,678
5,654
5,375
4,944
4,991
4,568
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded target for number of confirmed releases at UST facilities by confirming 4,568 with a target of no more than 5,150.
• Fewest number of annual confirmed releases in the history of the program. Continued implementation of the 2015 regulation changes and maintenance of three-year inspection
cycle are leading factors in this reduction.
1078
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of confirmed releases discovered at UST facilities during the year. The number of confirmed releases is targeted to decline by 75
each year. The LUST Prevention Program provides funding to tribes and states to prevent releases from the 537,706 federally regulated USTs by ensuring compliance with federal
and state laws through inspections and other activities (data as of FY 2022). Preventing UST releases is more efficient and less costly than cleaning up releases after they occur.
The three-year inspection cycle is a requirement from the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The 2015 revisions strengthen the 1988 federal UST regulations by increasing emphasis on
properly operating and maintaining UST equipment. This includes such items as sump and spill bucket testing, walkthrough inspections, and leak detection functionality testing.
The revisions help prevent and detect UST releases, which are a leading source of groundwater contamination. The two facets of the program (every facility inspected every three
years and new requirements) work in tandem to ensure that the number of confirmed releases continues to decline.
1079
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.3: Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies—Prevent, prepare, and respond to environmental emergencies and
support other agencies on nationally significant incidents, working with tribes, states, and local planning and response organizations.
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target (NT)
2(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Increased the average percentage of emergency response and removal exercises
incorporating Enviromnental Justice to 49% from an estimate baseline of 12.5% based on
FY 2021 data. In FY 2022, 80 such exercises have been conducted and EPA has
participated in 84 additional trainings.
• Performance exceeded expectations to the point where EPA increased the FY 2023 target
from 21% to 30%.
Challenges:
• Residual disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic limit some programs' ability to
conduct live training sessions. A significant proportion of the required training sessions
must be held in person for successful completion.
1080
-------
GOAL 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, ensure that 40% of annual emergency response and removal exercises that EPA
conducts or participates in incorporate environmental justice.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM ER02) Percentage of emergency response and removal exercises that EPA conducts or participates in that incorporate environmental justice.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
14
30
40
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
49
Numerator
80
Exercises
Denominator
164
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded the target, achieving 49% of emergency response and removal exercises incorporating enviromnental justice.
• This accomplishment is largely due to EPA adapting work plans to this new Administration priority.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of emergency response and removal exercises that EPA conducts or participates in that incorporate solutions to or address
enviromnental justice challenges. The following mechanisms will be used to incorporate solutions to or address enviromnental justice challenges in exercises: involving facilities
in locations that impact communities with enviromnental justice concerns; including an entity with enviromnental justice concerns as a participating organization; including
enviromnental justice concerns or communities in the exercise scenario; or including scenario injects that incorporate enviromnental justice concerns or entities. Incorporating
solutions to or addressing enviromnental justice challenges includes addressing language, mobility, or financial barriers or engaging community-based leadership. The estimated
baseline for this measure is 12.5%, based on FY 2021 data. The FY 2023 target is increased based on performance results in the initial year of this measure.
(PM ER01) Number of emergency response and removal exercises that EPA conducts or participates in.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
1
I"
Target
120
120
120
Exercises
Above
Target
Actual
120
164
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded the target by conducting or participating in 164 emergency response and removal exercises.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of emergency response and removal exercises that EPA conducts or participates in, including: (1) CERCLA exercises which are
exercises specific to CERCLA requirements or contaminants. These can include participation in exercises with Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) or Risk
Management Plan (RMP) facilities with emphasis on CERCLA hazardous substance releases. (2) Oil spill preparedness exercises including tabletop, functional and full scale, and
Government-Initiated Unannounced Exercises (GIUEs). These include internal exercises to ensure readiness and external training and readiness exercises. (3) Homeland Security
exercises at which EPA staff participated. And (4) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exercises in which EPA staff participated. The baseline is 120 exercises in
FY 2021. Annual targets for this measure maintain this level of effort.
1081
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GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Goal 7 at a Glance
Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment: Increase the safety of chemicals and pesticides and prevent pollution at the source.
FY 2022 Enacted Budget (in thousands) by goal and objective
Goal 7 Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the
Environment
Obj 7.1 Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
$260,008
(of $9,559,485
EPA total)
$229,616
Obj 7.2 Promote Pollution Prevention
$30,392
FY 2022 Performance toward target by objective
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
3 (ND)
TjYL
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~ <75% of target met (R)
~ No data (ND)
~ No target (NT)
7(G)
Obj 7.1
1 (ND)
1 (Y)
Obj 7.2
1082
-------
GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety—Protect the health offamilies, communities, and ecosystems from the risks posed by
chemicals and pesticides.
Performance toward target overtime
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)
~ No target (NT)
3 (ND)
XHE
7(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
• Issued six draft and two final revised unreasonable risk determinations addressing worker
risks and issued final risk evaluation scoping documents for two chemicals.
• Developed four risk management rules addressing health risks for Office of Management
and Budget review; conducted option selection meetings on an additional five chemicals
in preparation for rulemaking; held 25 trainings on lead-safe work practices; completed
121 Premanufacture Notices (PMNs); proposed, modified, or finalized 288 significant
new use rules (SNURs); launched an initiative to reduce rework of new chemicals risk
assessments to ensure more timely completion of PMNs; and launched a major initiative
to update risk assessment methods and improve the science underpinning PMN reviews.
Pesticides
• Considered effects determinations or protections for federally listed or threatened species
in 100% of its risk assessments supporting new active ingredients and 79% of those
supporting registration review decisions, significantly exceeding targets.
• Completed 35 docket openings, 25 draft risk assessments, and 16 registration review cases
with statutory due dates that fall after October 1, 2022.
• Farmworkers' level of knowledge after participating in pesticide safety training was
96.3% and exceeded the target of 95%.
Challenges:
• Funding has remained largely unchanged from levels prior to the TSCA amendments in
2016, while new work was added by the law. The 2018 TSCA fees rule resulted in
collection of 13% of the artificially low baseline cost estimate for the program and the first
10 risk evaluations were exempted from the fees. The January 2021 proposal excluded the
costs of risk management for the first 10 chemicals and 20 high-priority substances. To
correct this, EPA developed a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the
estimate of implementation cost.
• There is an increasing backlog of Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) and
non-PRIA actions and rising renegotiation rates for PRIA actions. To address this, EPA
committed to fully complying with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) before registering
any new conventional active ingredients and released a workplan to address this challenge,
including by incorporating protections for ESA listed species earlier in the process.
• EPA supported pesticide safety training of 12,716 farmworkers, which was below the
target of 20,000 due to pandemic-related impacts on the national network of trainer
organizations.
1083
-------
GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, complete at least eight High Priority Substance (HPS) TSCA risk evaluations
annually within statutory timelines compared to the FY 2020 baseline of one.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM TSCA4) Number of HPS TSCA risk evaluations completed within statutory timelines.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
r
Target
0
0
7
Evaluations
Above
/
Actual
1
0
0
Target
¦ #
Key Takemvays
• No risk evaluations were expected in FY 2022 (target zero). Due to reconsideration of earlier risk evaluations, EPA does not plan to complete any risk evaluations in FY 2023.
EPA plans to complete seven risk evaluations in early FY 2024. For more information, see: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-path-forward-tsca-chemical-
risk-evaluations.
Metric Details: This measure tracks HPS chemical risk evaluations completed annually for existing chemicals within the statutory deadline. Risk evaluations are needed to protect
human health and the environment from unnecessary risks. TSCA requires risk evaluations for HPS to be completed within 3.5 years of the date the chemical is prioritized. TSCA
requires that upon completion of a HPS risk evaluation, EPA must designate at least one additional HPS to take its place, thus ensuring that at least 20 EPA-initiated HPS risk
evaluations are underway at all times. A baseline of one HPS risk evaluation was completed within statutory timelines to protect human health and the enviromnent from
unnecessary risk in FY 2020. For more information, see: https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-evaluations-existing-chemicals-under-tsca.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, initiate all TSCA risk management actions within 45 days of the completion of a
final existing chemical risk evaluation.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM TSCA5) Percentage of existing chemical TSCA risk management actions initiated within 45 days of the completion of a final existing chemical risk evaluation.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
100
100
100
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
N/A
Numerator
Actions
Denominator
Key Takemvays:
• No risk management actions were initiated in FY 2022, as no final existing chemical risk evaluations were completed. Revision of risk determinations for eight of the first 10
EPA-initiated risk evaluations commenced in 2016 will result in risk management actions for those chemicals in FY 2024 and FY 2025.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of existing chemical risk management rulemakings initiations, defined as the point at which EPA convenes the Agency
workgroup following the tiering process for the rulemaking, within 45 days of publishing the final risk evaluation. TSCA Section 6(a) requires EPA to issue a proposed risk
management rule for a chemical substance no later than one year after the date on which the final risk evaluation is published, and to publish a final rule no later than two years
1084
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GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
after the publication date of the final risk evaluation. While EPA's Action Development Process includes timelines that do not conform to TSCA's rulemaking expectations,
prompt initiation of risk management actions after the completion of risk evaluations is necessary for protecting human health and the enviromnent from chemical risks. A baseline
of 100% of existing chemical TSCA risk management actions were initiated within 45 days of the completion of a final existing chemical risk evaluation in FY 2020. For more
information, see: https://www.epa.gOv/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-existing-chemicals-under-tsca#process.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, review 90% of risk management actions for past TSCA new chemical substances
reported to the 2020 Chemical Data Reporting Rule (CDR) compared to the FY 2021 baseline of none.5
Annual performance goals that support this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM TSCA6a) Percentage of past TSCA new chemical substances decisions with risk management actions reviewed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
5
25
30
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
N/A
Numerator
Decisions
Denominator
Key Takeaways:
• The database by which this measure will be tracked and calculated is under development. EPA will be able to report fortius measure in FY 2023.
• EPA has reviewed risk management actions for over 200 chemical substances included in a SNUR that were reported under the Chemical Data Reporting rule. This universe
does not yet include Consent Orders.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of past risk management decisions for TSCA new chemical substances that were reported under the Chemical Data Reporting
Rule (CDR), that EPA reviews for adherence/non-adherence with these requirements. EPA will use the 2020 CDR report which covers calendar years 2016 to 2019. Initial upfront
work is required to prepare three data sources for comparison, which may take up to one year to complete (by December 2022). EPA puts measures in place to protect human
health and the enviromnent by identifying conditions to be placed on the use of a new chemical before it is entered into commerce. EPA will review compliance with established
restrictions in TSCA Section 5 Consent Orders or SNURs by cross-walking action requirements with information reported under the CDR rule. Instances of non-compliance will
be relayed to EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance for additional actions. This could include additional virtual records auditing, on-site audits, issuance of
compliance advisories or guidances, requests for information/subpoenas, and modifications/updates to TSCA Section 5 Consent Orders, SNURs, or other requirements, as
appropriate. For more information see: https://www.epa.gov/reviewing-new-chemicals-under-toxic-substances-control-act-tsca/basic-infonnation-review-new.
5 Changed from "By September 30, 2026, review 90% of risk mitigation requirements for past TSCA new chemical substances reported to the 2020 Chemical Data Reporting Rule (CDR) compared to
the FY 2021 baseline of none."
1085
-------
GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
(PM TSCA6b) Percentage of TSCA new chemical substances with risk management actions reported to the 2020 CDR reviewed for adherence/non-adherence with
TSCA Section 5 risk management actions that are determined to adhere to those requirements.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
N/A
25
30
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
N/A
Numerator
Substances
Denominator
Key Takeaways:
• The database by which this measure will be tracked and calculated is under development. EPA will be able to report fortius measure in FY 2023.
• EPA has reviewed risk management actions for over 200 chemical substances included in a SNUR that were reported under the Chemical Data Reporting rule. This universe
does not yet include Consent Orders.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of new chemicals substances reported under the 2020 CDR reviewed for adherence/non-adherence with TSCA Section 5 risk
management actions that are determined to be in adherence with reported risk mitigation requirements of the actions. For more information, see: https://www.epa.gov/reviewing-
new-chemicals-under-toxic-substances-control-act-tsca/basic-information-review-new.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, recertify before the expiration date 36% of lead-based paint Renovation, Repair,
and Painting (RRP) firms whose certifications are scheduled to expire compared to the FY 2021 baseline of 32%.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM RRP30) Percentage of lead-based paint RRP firms whose certifications are scheduled to expire that are recertified before the expiration date.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
32
33
34
Percent
Mr
Actual
18
17
19
40
36
31
Above
nil
Numerator
1,793
1,134
1,185
9,006
6,524
2,874
RRP Finns
Target
hum
Denominator
9,851
6,855
6,091
22,384
18,158
9,423
Key Takeaways:
• To ensure the highest recertification rates, which are indicative of industry interest in providing these critical services, EPA will continue outreach and compliance assistance
activities designed to encourage program participation. These activities include communication with participating firms and, to the extent possible with existing resources,
outreach designed to encourage consumers to seek certified firms with the thought that increased demand for lead-safe services will lead to greater participation.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of expiring lead-based paint firm certifications renewed before the expiration date. Number of recertifications can vary widely
from year to year due to external variabilities. This industry has a high level of turnover (companies closing and opening). Higher numbers for this measure reflect interest in the
industry for continuing to provide these critical services. Federal law requires all RRP firms working in housing, or facilities where children are routinely present, built before
1978, to be certified. Finns must apply to EPA for certification to perform renovations or dust sampling. To apply, a firm must submit a completed application and fee to EPA
online. EPA RRP firm certifications are good for five years. Finns must apply for recertification at least 90 days before the finn's cunent certification expires. Data are tracked in
1086
-------
GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
the Federal Lead-based Paint Program database. Data include recertifications from jurisdictions where EPA administers the RRP Program. These data do not include
recertifications from tribes or states with delegated programs. The baseline of 32% is based on the average recertification rate during the final six months of FY 2021 due to
unusual circumstances in the first half of the fiscal year.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, complete 78 pesticide registration review cases with statutory due dates that fall
after October 1, 2022.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM FIFRA3a) Number of pesticide registration review cases completed with statutory due dates that fall after October 1,2022.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
15
8
14
Cases
Above
Target
Actual
16
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded target due to 11 completed biopesticide active ingredient cases with ESA "no effects" determinations.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the annual number of pesticide registration review case completions with statutory due dates that fall after October 1, 2022. EPA is reviewing
each registered pesticide every 15 years to determine whether it still meets the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) standard for registration and to ensure
that pesticides already in the marketplace do not pose unreasonable adverse effects on people or the enviromnent based on current science standards. A total of 78 registered
pesticides has a 15-year cycle due dates that fall after October 1, 2022. The baseline is one pesticide registration review case completed in FY 2020 with a statutory due date that
falls after October i, 2022.
(PM FIFRA3b) Number of pesticide registration review dockets opened for registration review cases with statutory completion dates that fall after October 1,2022.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
25
20
28
Dockets
Above
Target
Actual
35
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded target due to completion of 10 workplans for biopesticide active ingredients that identified minimal risks.
• These additional completions could reduce completions in future years.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the annual number of docket openings for pesticide registration review with statutory due dates that fall after October 1, 2022. Docket
openings are the first stage of the registration review process and offer the first opportunity for the public to provide comment. The baseline is 11 docket openings in FY 2020.
(PM FIFRA3c) Number of draft risk assessments completed for pesticide registration review cases with statutory completion dates that fall after October 1,2022.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
9
16
19
Draft As-
sessments
Above
Target
Actual
25
1087
-------
GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded target due to completion of 19 combined workplan/proposed interim decision documents for biopesticide active ingredients that identified minimal risks, allowing
EPA to skip the risk assessment phase of registration review.
• These early completions could reduce completions in future years.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the annual number of draft risk assessments completed for pesticide registration review cases with statutory due dates that fall after October 1,
2022. The draft risk assessment presents EPA's preliminary risk findings to the public and provides opportunity for public comment. Maintaining targets for this measure helps
ensure that registration review case completion targets are achieved. The baseline is five draft risk assessments completed in FY 2020.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, consider the effects determinations or protections of federally threatened and
endangered species for new active ingredients in 90% of the risk assessments supporting pesticide registration decisions compared to the FY
2020 baseline of 50%.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM ESA1) Percentage of risk assessments supporting pesticide registration decisions for new active ingredients that consider the effects determinations or protections
for federally threatened and endangered species.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
nr
Target
40
80
90
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
50
62
100
Numerator
8
8
14
Risk As-
sessments
Denominator
16
13
14
Key Takeaways:
• After releasing the ESA workplan in January 2022, EPA began considering ESA effects determinations in new active ingredient regulatory decisions on a more aggressive
schedule than was projected when the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan measures were being developed. Outyear targets were adjusted accordingly.
• EPA has committed to including ESA for conventional new active ingredient registrations only, but there will likely be registrations that won't have ESA evaluations and are
not expected to routinely hit 90-100% annually.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of risk assessments for pesticide registration decisions for new active ingredients that incorporate ESA requirements to ensure
federal actions do not jeopardize the continued existence of federally threatened or endangered species or damage their critical habitat. Historically, EPA has not incorporated ESA
determinations into its regulatory decisions other than determinations of "no effects" (mostly for biopesticides), due to the lengthy process of ESA consultation with the Services
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service). EPA will more routinely incorporate ESA effects determinations into its regulatory decisions and ensure
protection for listed species earlier in the consultation process through label mitigation. The FY 2020 baseline year included a relatively higher percentage of determinations of "no
effects" for biopesticide new active ingredient registration decisions in relation to overall new active ingredient registration decisions. Biopesticide determinations of "no effects"
1088
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GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
are estimated to apply to 70-80% of new active ingredient registration decisions in any given fiscal year; the remainder includes conventional pesticides, antimicrobial pesticides,
and biopesticides for which determinations of "no effects" cannot be made.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, consider the effects determinations or protections of federally threatened and
endangered species in 50% of the risk assessments supporting pesticide registration review decisions compared to the FY 2020 baseline of
27%.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM ESA2) Percentage of risk assessments supporting pesticide registration review decisions that include effects determinations or protections of federally threatened
and endangered species.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
,1-
Target
20
30
30
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
27
79
Numerator
29
27
Risk As-
sessments
Denominator
107
34
Key Takeaways:
• The FY 2022 result is driven by ESA "no effects" determinations for biopesticides that exceeded levels considered in setting the target. The targets are largely based on
litigation-driven ESA assessment for conventional pesticides.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of risk assessments for pesticide registration review decisions that incorporate ESA requirements, including decisions subject
either to the statutory deadline of October 2022 for the first cycle of registration review or to a 15-year schedule of review under the second cycle. Implementation of this process
for pesticide registration review decisions will follow implementation for new active ingredient pesticide registration decisions. Some cases in the first cycle of registration review
are currently involved in litigation due to EPA's failure to incorporate ESA considerations. EPA calculated the FY 2020 baseline of 27% based on the portion of all actions in
registration review during FY 2020 for conventional pesticides, biopesticides, and antimicrobial pesticides that included either a determination of "no effects" or measures that are
intended to reduce exposure to listed species. The risk assessments that considered endangered species in FY 2020 were cases where EPA made a determination of "no effects" on
listed species based either on a lack of potential exposure or a lack of toxicological harm. EPA calculated the FY 2020 baseline assuming 107 completed risk assessments of which
29 included determinations of "no effects" on listed species.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, support Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) pesticide safety training
for 20,000 farmworkers annually compared to the FY 2018-2020 annual average baseline of 11,000.
Annual performance goals that support this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM WPSla) Number of farmworkers receiving EPA-supported WPS pesticide safety training.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
20,000
12,000
12,000
Farm-
workers
Above
Target
Actual
12,716
1089
-------
GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Key Takeaways:
• Results fell short of target due to pandemic-related impacts on the national network of trainer organizations, including hiring/retention of trainers, training organizations being
defunct, and access to farms/farmworkers denied.
• The grantee is currently aligning/redirecting resources to institutions with training capacity and will continue reaching out to their network and partnering organizations,
including local agencies, nonprofit organizations, community leaders and agricultural employers, to better understand their capacity and increase efforts to return to in-person
training.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of farmworkers trained under EPA cooperative agreements in accordance with the Agricultural WPS rule. The purpose of the WPS
is to reduce pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The WPS offers occupational protections to over 2 million agricultural workers
and pesticide handlers who work at over 600,000 agricultural establishments. WPS pesticide safety training is an annual requirement. An average of 11,000 individuals had the
EPA-supported WPS training from FY 2018-2020, which reflects a sharp drop-off in training in FY 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(PM WPSlb) Percentage of content knowledge demonstrated by farmworker/trainees of pesticide safety upon completion of EPA-supported WPS pesticide training.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
95
95
95
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
96
Key Takeaways:
• Those that received training demonstrated desired knowledge gains from the training; the average percentage of knowledge demonstrated based on post-training assessment is
96.3% for FY 2022.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the average level of knowledge of the pesticide safety content demonstrated by farmworkers/trainees at the conclusion of EPA-supported WPS
pesticide training, based on pre- and post-survey questions administered to trainees. The baseline of 95% is based on post-training assessments conducted annually from FY 2018-
2020.
1090
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GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective 7.2: Promote Pollution Prevention—Encourage the adoption of pollution prevention and other stewardship practices that conserve
natural resources, mitigate climate change, and promote environmental sustainability.
Performance toward target overtime
Number of measures by percent of target achieved
~ 100% of target met (G)
~ 75-99% of target met (Y)
~
-------
GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, reduce a total of 6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCChe)
released attributed to EPA pollution prevention grants.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM P2mtc) Reduction in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCChe) released per year attributed to EPA pollution prevention grants.*
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
Mr
Target
No Target
Established
1.2
1.2
1.2
MMTCChe
Above
Target
Actual
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.1
Data Avail
10/2023
Key Takeaways:
• The FY 2021 decrease from past years may be due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdowns and economic impacts on facilities implementing pollution
prevention practices. EPA lias asked grantees to shift some of their resources from direct technical assistance (which produces direct results such as CO2 reductions) to
documenting and widely sharing pollution prevention approaches so those actions and results can be replicated.
Metric Details: This measure tracks MMTCO;C reductions from all Pollution Prevention Grant Program activities. MMTCChe 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 MMTCChe (https://www.epa.gov/p2/pollution-
prevention-tools-and-calculators). Annual results are the total reported by grantees in a single year plus the contributions from the previous three years. This method accounts for
recurring benefits of a pollution prevention action, not just in the year it was implemented, but also in future years. 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.
* This measure is also used to track progress in implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, EPA's Safer Choice program will certify a total of 2,300 products compared to the
FY 2021 baseline of 1,892 total certified products.6
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM P2sc) Number of products certified by EPA's Safer Choice program.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
Target
1,950
2,000
2,100
Products
Above
Actual
1.948
1,958
1,989
1,929
1,892
1,835
Target
Key Takeaways:
• Disinvestment from the program in prior years caused a drop in the number of certified products. At FY 2022 resource levels, EPA is prioritizing maintenance of existing
partnerships and is not able to invest in broadening the number of certified products and new product sectors.
6 Changed from "By September 30, 2026, EPA's Safer Choice program will certify a total of 2,300 products compared to the FY 2021 baseline of 1,950 total certified products."
1092
-------
GOAL 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
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 perform and contain ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment. 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 and total number of products certified. Data are tracked in EPA's Safer Choice database. For additional information, see: https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice.
1093
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CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Cross-Agency Strategies at a Glance
EPA's FY 2022 enacted budget, in thousands, included $1,573,930 of $9,559,485 total for cross-agency mission and science support. This funding
was allocated across strategic goals and objectives in the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
FY 2022 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 data (ND)
~ No target (NT)
3(R)
1 (Y)
1 (ND)
1 (ND)
2(G)
1 (Y)
1(G)
1(G)
1(G)
Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 Strategy 4
1094
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CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Strategy 1: Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based Decision Making—Deliver rigorous scientific research and analyses to inform
evidence-based decision-making.
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)
~ No target (NT)
1 (NT)
1(G)
1(G)
1(G)
1 (ND)
1(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Percentage of ORD Research Products Meeting
Partner Needs, FY 2018 - FY 2024
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024
^^¦1 Actual Target
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Strengthening scientific integrity (SI) by providing trainings, conducting outreach events,
implementing senior leader performance standards, and developing policies, procedures
and approaches to address outcomes resulting from audits Federal Managers' Financial
Integrity Act (FMFIA) analyses, the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, and the
biennial SI survey.
• All Deputy Scientific Integrity Officials (DSIOs) developed implementation plans
outlining actions they will take to strengthen SI at EPA. The Agency is on track to
complete 21 actions by the end of FY 2023.
• Developed an SI training to implement in FY 2023.
• Developed an evaluation and assessment plan to monitor SI Program success and effective
SI Policy Implementation.
• Met partner needs for 94% of research products included in the annual customer
satisfaction assessment.
• Expanded the Lab Information Management System to include 225 different analyses and
125 preparation methods, with 21,048 samples processed. The percentage of EPA regional
labs delivering at least 80% of sample analysis work orders on time improved from an
annual average of 50% in FY 2018 to 88% in FY 2022.
• Released the Vision and Principles for Participatory Science (available at:
https://www.epa.gov/participatorv-science/epa-vision-participatorv-science). This
document will guide EPA's use of participatory and community science in its programs to
increase public engagement and take actions to investigate and mitigate enviromnental
problems.
Challenges:
• The COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in EPA's research as most of the workforce in
FYs 2021 and 2022 were forced into full-time telework. EPA staff published fewer journal
articles in FY 2022 than in previous years and experienced delays in producing research
products.
• As of October 2022, 27% of EPA's research and development career staff are retirement
eligible. If unable to sustain a suitably trained and skilled workforce, EPA will be delayed
in meeting research project goals. To address this, ORD is improving its hiring
efficiencies and enhancing its succession management practices.
1095
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CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, increase the annual percentage of Office of Research and Development (ORD)
research products meeting partner needs to 95% from a baseline of 93% in FY 2021.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM RD1) Percentage of ORD research products meeting partner needs.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
in
Target
No Target
Established
77
80
81
93
94
94
Percent
Above
Target
r
Actual
77
79
80
94
94
Numerator
171
154
120
60
77
Products
Denominator
222
196
150
64
82
Key Takeaways:
• Met partner needs for 94% of research products included in the annual customer satisfaction assessment, based on an annual customer survey of 50 randomly selected ORD
research products. The FY 2022 survey was provided to 210 federal and 63 non-federal respondents and had a 61.9% response rate.
• Nine of the products that were assessed were related to updated Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Value (PPRTV) assessments that provide an important source of toxicity
information and toxicity values for chemicals of concern to the Superfund Program.
• The number of products being assessed has increased from the previous fiscal year for the first time after having trended downward for four consecutive years. This trend is
likely to continue through FY 2023 as the number of products being delivered to ORD partners increases in response to the conclusion of the FY 2019-2022 Strategic
Research Action Plan cycle.
Metric Details: Partner satisfaction is assessed through a robust survey process. The annual survey engages key users of ORD products. Survey respondents assessed the scientific
rigor of research products (quality), product relevance (usability), and timeliness of product delivery. 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). Per information collection request stipulations, each year ORD
surveys 50 randomly selected products of the universe of products that were delivered. The numerator is a statistical inference from the survey results calculated via a stratified
sample design to account for the proportion of products delivered by ORD and then applied to the entire universe of products. The denominator is the total universe of products.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, implement 126 actions for scientific integrity objectives that are certified by Deputy
Scientific Integrity Officials in each EPA program and region.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM RD5) Number of actions implemented for EPA scientific integrity objectives.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
No Target
Established
21
21
Actions
Above
Target
Actual
N/A
1096
-------
CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Key Takeaways:
• All DSIOs have completed development of their implementation plans, which outline actions they will complete to support the long-term performance goal. The Agency is on
track to complete 21 actions by the end of FY 2023.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of actions completed by EPA DSIOs to implement the scientific integrity objectives that implement the EPA Scientific Integrity
Policy (https://www.epa.gOv/sites/de:faiiH/files/2014-02/dociimeiits/scieiitific integrity policy 20.t2.pctf). Each DSIO will certify completion of two actions for each of the three
scientific integrity objectives: scientific integrity is highly visible at EPA (Objective 1); all of EPA embraces and models scientific integrity (Objective 2); and robust mechanisms
protect and maintain EPA's culture of scientific integrity (Objective 3). DSIOs are members of the Scientific Integrity Committee representing each EPA program office and
region.
1097
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CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Strategy 2: Consider the Health of Children at All Life Stages and Other Vulnerable Populations—Focus on protecting and improving the
health of children at all life stages and other vulnerable populations in implementing our programs.
EPA, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget, has highlighted this cross-
agency strategy as a focus area for improvement due to delays in finalizing EPA's
methodology for tracking progress toward the long-term performance goal. EPA finalized the
methodology and will begin reporting results in FY 2023.
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Updated EPA's Policy on Children's Health to improve EPA's approach to protect
children by consistently and explicitly considering early life exposures and lifelong health
(see: https://www.epa.gov/svstem/files/documents/2021-10/2021-policv-on-childrens-
healthpdf).
• Worked with federal partners through the President's Task Force on Enviromnental Health
Risks and Safety Risks to Childrento launch a new interagency subcommittee on
children's health in the context of climate, emergencies and disasters (see:
https://ptfcehs.nielis.nih.gov/features/featured-activitv/page930423.htm).
• Established Children's Health Program Champions in each EPA national program to
identify opportunities to enhance investments in protection of children's enviromnental
health.
• Sponsored a National Academies of Science workshop on the future of children's
enviromnental health, drawing almost 1,500 attendees.
• Developed an annual performance goal for stakeholder engagement to promote
consideration of children's health at all life stages, with an emphasis on projects in
underserved communities. With regional input, developed guidance outlining and defining
the criteria of projects that are durable, replicable, and widespread.
• Established an annual performance goal to increase number of EPA actions that include
evaluation and consideration of enviromnental health information and data for children at
all life stages to the extent relevant data are available. With leadership input, simplified
approach to focus on the most important actions and motivate adoption.
Challenges:
• Environmental and public health statutes differ in the extent to which they require
protection of children and sensitive populations, presenting challenges in aligning
approaches across program offices.
• Some EPA regional offices may need time to adapt and strategically choose children's
health projects that are durable, replicable, and widespread. Most regions have projects
that are replicable and widespread but lack durability (projects or results that last more
than one year) due to changing priorities or lack of resources.
Performance toward target overtime
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 (ND)
~ No target (NT)
1(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
1098
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CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, assess and consider environmental health information and data for children at all
life stages for EPA actions that concern human health.7
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM CHOI) Number of EPA actions that concern human health that include assessment and consideration of environmental health information and data for children at
all life stages to the extent relevant data are available.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
50%
163
TBD
Actions
Above
Target
Actual
N/A
Key Takeaways:
• Established the approach and began implementation of the long-term performance goal for Cross-Agency Strategy 2. Set aggressive target and will begin reporting data in FY
2023.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of EPA actions (e.g., rules, risk assessments, exposure assessments, economic and benefits analyses, research and other products,
program implementation guidances, enforcement and compliance efforts and activities, grants, training, partnerships, fact sheets, internal capacity building work other
communication materials) that have a human health impact and for which children's enviromnental health information and data was considered and assessed, to the extent relevant
data are available. The intent of this measure is to demonstrate improvements in complying with EPA's 2021 Policy on Children's Health (https://www.epa.gov/cliildren/epas-
policv-childrens-health). which calls for EPA to protect children from enviromnental exposures by "consistently and explicitly considering early life exposures and lifelong health
in all human health decisions." In FY 2022, the measure was a percentage. EPA will set the FY 2024 target based on experience in FY 2023 and will report this target in the FY
2025 Budget.
(PM CH02) Number of EPA regional offices with stakeholder engagement on children's environmental health designed to provide durable, replicable, and widespread
results.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
3
6
7
Regional
Offices
Above
Target
Actual
6
Key Takeaways:
• Six regional offices met the criteria, exceeding the target. For example, EPA Region 6 began implementing a project to provide education on pesticide use and its potential
health impacts to migrant farmworkers and their families along the U.S.-Mexico border, as part of a multi-year five-state effort to train health care providers, school nurses,
respiratory therapists, community health workers, and others in children's environmental health issues.
• In addition, EPA Region 9 supported the Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (WSPEHSU) in culturally and linguistically adapting resources from
their Green Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Toolkit for Early Care and Education for use in the Pacific Islands. The WSPEHSU worked with local community groups in
7 Changed from "By September 30, 2026, assess and consider environmental health information and data for children at all life stages for all completed EPA actions that concern
human health."
1099
-------
CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to identify priority resources and three key languages for translation - Tagalog, Samoan, and
Chamorro - and disseminate the information throughout the Pacific Islands to help communities protect children.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of EPA regional offices that have developed and are implementing stakeholder engagement activities on children's environmental
health that support joint planning, collaboration, or action; identify and address community-scale issues; build federal/state/local "whole-of-government" partnerships; and/or
address health disparities. EPA aims to increase outcome-driven stakeholder participation and program visibility. The activities under this measure must be underway in
disadvantaged communities for more than one year (durable), include outreach or training materials that could be adapted by other regions or communities (replicable), and involve
more than one EPA region or program office and/or community (widespread).
1100
-------
CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and Workforce Equity—Foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce within an
effective and mission-driven workplace.
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)
~ No target (NT)
| 1 (ND) | 1 (Y)
1 (Y)
DEIW 1
-------
CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, EPA will be in full compliance with the five high-priority directives in Executive
Order 14028 - Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM MFA) Percentage of EPA applications in compliance with multifactor authentication requirements.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
75
85
90
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
48
Numerator
223
Applications
Denominator
463
Key Takeaways:
• Missed ambitious target but continuing to make significant progress towards achieving multifactor authentication compliance for EPA applications in FY 2023.
• Implemented login.gov for multifactor authentication for external facing Web Access Management (WAM)-protected applications.
• Performed an audit of system compliance, strengthening the Agency' s understanding for application noncompliance.
• Currently undergoing a gap analysis which will provide input to the implementation schedule to fully comply with multifactor authentication requirements.
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA implementation of one of the five priority requirements of Executive Order 14028-Improving the Nation's Cvbersecuritv
(https://www.wliitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/05/12/executive-order-on-improving-the-nations-cybersecurity/). Multifactor authentication confirms user
identify and ensures only authorized users have access to Agency systems and information.
(PM DAR) Percentage of EPA data at rest in compliance with encryption requirements.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
90
95
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Systems
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA implementation of one of the five priority requirements of Executive Order 14028 - Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity. Encrypting
data at rest ensures any unauthorized individual who has gained access to EPA's network or any of its information systems will still be unable to read the data in any meaningful
and potentially destructive or malicious way. The August 2022 baseline for this measure is 83%.
1102
-------
CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
(PM DIT) Percentage of EPA data in transit in compliance with encryption requirements.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
90
95
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Systems
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA implementation of one of the five priority requirements of Executive Order 14028 - Improving the Nation's Cvbersecuritv. Encrypting
data in transit ensures any unauthorized individual who has gained the ability to monitor network traffic will be unable to read and interpret data in a meaningful and potentially
destructive or malicious way. The August 2022 baseline for this measure is 82%.
(PM ZTA) Percentage of "Zero Trust Architecture" projects completed on time.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
100
100
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
TBD
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA implementation of one of the five priority requirements of Executive Order 14028 - Improving the Nation's Cvbersecuritv. The "Zero
Trust Architecture" security model eliminates implicit trust in any one element, node, or service and instead requires continuous verification of the operational picture via real-time
information from multiple sources to determine access and other system responses. Once implemented, the various components of Agency network infrastructure will be more
resistant to unauthorized access. As of August 2022, EPA is determining the final portfolio of ZTA implementation projects that will be completed under this annual performance
goal and the associated deadlines. EPA will work to achieve the deadlines 100% of the time.
(PM ALR) Implementation of advanced event logging requirements (EL3) across EPA networks.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
ELI
EL3
EL3
Tier
Above
Target
Actual
ELO
Key Takeaways:
• Faced challenges in this area due to continued non-enterprise hosting and decentralized management of local equipment. EPA is making significant progress to move from
ELO - "Not Effective" toward achieving the highest event logging tier and has made a significant investment in modernizing EPA's enterprise log management capability.
1103
-------
CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA implementation of one of the five priority requirements of Executive Order 14028 - Improving the Nation's Cvbersecuritv. EPA will
implement the highest event logging tier of "Advanced" (EL3) across EPA networks and infrastructure as established by Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-21-31
- Improving the Federal Government's Investigative and Remediation Capabilities Related to Cvbersecuritv Incidents.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, award 4% of EPA contract spending to small businesses located in Historically
Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones) compared to the FY 2018-2020 average annual baseline of 2.2%.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM SB1) Percentage of EPA contract spending awarded to HUBZone businesses.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
.mlr
Target
3.0
3.2
3.4
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
1.6
2.4
2.2
2.0
4.9
3.1
Numerator
25.2
37.5
35.0
30.3
75.6
59.6
Millions of
Dollars
Denominator
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,900
Key Takeaways:
EPA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) led several Agency initiatives to expand the utilization of small businesses located in HUBZones,
and those owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, in EPA acquisitions. These initiatives included hosting an informational forum soon
after the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to help equip HUBZone and other small businesses to successfully compete for upcoming awards under
EPA's unprecedented investments in enviromnental infrastructure.
Developed a focused acquisition strategy and electronic toolkit of resources and best practices to guide and empower the Agency's acquisition workforce to enhance
contracting opportunities for small businesses located in HUBZones, and those owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, in accordance
with governing law and federal contracting priorities.
Engaged in vendor outreach to identify qualified and capable small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in EPA's top
spend categories, by conducting industry listening sessions; coordinating targeted vendor matchmaking with Agency officials; leveraging third-party small business
conferences to expand access to EPA contacting information; and creating a new Vendor Engagement Calendar (see: https://vpmdsweb.epa.gov/Event/list) to provide a
comprehensive list of EPA small business outreach activities.
Launched a Small Business Vendor Database (see: https://vpmdsweb.epa.gov/Vendors/create) to simplify identification of capable small businesses interested in doing
business with EPA, and deployed a new fully automated internal Small Business Contracting Dashboard providing comprehensive contracting data and robust functionality for
effective EPA data-driven acquisition planning and tracking.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the percentage of total EPA prime contracting dollars awarded to firms designated as a certified HUBZone small business awardees in the
Federal Procurement Data System. To qualify for certification as a HUBZone firm, the small business must: 1) be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, a
Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe; 2) maintain its principal office within a HUBZone; and 3) hire at least 35% of its workforce
from a HUBZone area. HUBZones are generally defined to include urban and rural communities with low income, high poverty, or high unemployment.
1104
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CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, initiate all priority climate resiliency projects for EPA-owned facilities within 24
months of a completed facility climate assessment and project prioritization.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM CRP) Percentage of priority climate resiliency projects for EPA-owned facilities initiated within 24 months of a completed facility climate assessment and project
prioritization.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
100
100
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Projects
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks initiation of climate adaptation projects at EPA-owned facilities following a climate assessment. EPA will prioritize identified projects based
on multiple factors - ability to execute, impact on facility resiliency, cost, etc. - and initiate projects within 24 months of identification as a priority.
(PM CAA) Number of EPA-owned facility climate adaptation assessments completed.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Target
2
5
6
Assessments
Above
Data
Actual
1
Target
Key Takeaways:
Completed one climate resiliency assessment at EPA's laboratory in Gulf Breeze, FL and partially completed a climate resiliency assessment at EPA's laboratory in
Narragansett, RI.
Faced challenges in this area as a result of time needed to develop and enhance materials and processes for resiliency assessments. The Agency succeeded in establishing
a consistent and updated process for performing climate resiliency assessments at EPA facilities and finalizing a prioritization strategy for high priority resiliency goals.
Metric Details: This measure tracks completion of climate adaptation assessments at EPA-owned facilities with planned long-term occupancy that will determine which facilities
require investments to protect against climate change. Climate resiliency assessments enable EPA to identify facility-specific vulnerabilities and proactively identify projects that
will increase resiliency and fortify facilities against climate-related events.
1105
-------
CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, EPA will achieve the highest Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA)
Maturity Level of "Leading and Sustaining" as defined by the November 2021 Government-wide Strategic Plan to Advance DEIA in the
Federal Workforce and achieve all EPA goals identified in the Agency's Gender Equity and Equality Action Plan.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM DEIA) Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility (DEIA) actions completed toward Maturity Level "Leading and Sustaining" achieved.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
2
4
Actions
Above
Target
Actual
Metric Details: This measure tracks completion of the eight Strategic Actions in the EPA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan. Each completed
action signifies progress toward achieving the highest DEIA Maturity Level of "Leading and Sustaining."
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, automate all priority internal administrative processes.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM GOP A) Percentage of priority internal administrative processes automated.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
10
10
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Internal
Processes
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks completion of transitioning priority administrative forms and/or processes to full automation for improved internal data collection and
utilization. Previous examples of administrative process automation include: transitioning OGE-450 Financial Disclosure Forms from electronic documents to a centralized
reporting database; paper-based performance reviews to USA Performance; and transitioning Headquarters Transit Subsidy requests from a paper form to a digital approval
workflow.
1106
-------
CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, automate the major EPA permitting programs.
Annual performance goals that support this long-term performance goal:
(PM PAT) Percentage of EPA permitting processes automated.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
10
30
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
Numerator
Permitting
Processes
Denominator
Metric Details: This measure tracks the Agency's progress toward bringing EPA into the 21st century by transitioning EPA's major permitting programs from paper to electronic
processes. EPA will advance the paperless transformation through automation of permit application, review, and issuance processes for EPA's permitting programs. This will
reduce processing time on issuing permits, decrease the time between receiving monitoring data and engaging in enforcement actions, and foster transparency by allowing
communities to search, track, and access permitting actions easily. Further, permit automation will enable the integration of climate change and environmental justice
considerations into permit processes and ensure that they are addressed within the terms and conditions of the permit. For the regulated community, permit automation will allow
for a simplified, streamlined, and transparent permitting process which will result in time and costs savings. EPA identified a universe of 13 eligible processes. The baseline for
this measure is zero as of FY 2021.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, improve 1,000 operational processes.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM OP1) Number of operational processes improved.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
1A
Target
25
50
72
500
200
200
200
Operational
Above
JP—
Actual
N/A
66
502
507
208
Processes
Target
Key Takeaways:
• Exceeded the target with 208 processes improved, with contributions from all 10 of EPA's regional offices and 10 of EPA's program offices. The Office of Air and Radiation
(OAR) achieved 34 improvements—the most of any program office. Region 6 was the highest regional contributor, achieving 19 improvements.
• In Region 6, an executive-sponsored project improved drinking water compliance in New Mexico by working with the State to reduce ground water rule violations by 33%,
including a reduction of 27% in small and rural community water systems.
• In OAR, an executive-sponsored project helped the Office of Transportation and Air Quality create an online funds application that made the Clean School Bus Rebate
Program process smoother for applicants and EPA staff, and reduced the number of mistakes, irregularities, and rework.
• EPA launched a new Process Improvement Awards Program, with monetary incentives, in June 2022. This program aims to recognize the outstanding work performed by
EPA teams who are improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Agency's operations.
• Each EPA regional and program office completed executive sponsored improvement projects resulting in 100 projects across the Agency which fed into the total number of
operational processes improved.
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CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of EPA operational processes improved through the application of Lean principles improving the efficiency and cost effectiveness
of the Agency's operations. An operational process is a sequence of activities that results in the delivery of a service. Process improvements efforts are intended to empower
frontline staff, engage leadership, drive innovation, improve operations, and create a better customer experience. A process improvement is counted when a baseline measure is
exceeded by a reasonable amount, as determined by EPA program or regional office leadership. While a standard percentage improvement is not required, teams are encouraged to
have stretch goals to promote breakthroughs. Process improvements result from a variety of tools (e.g., kaizen events, special senior leadership projects, other problem-solving
activities) and often include standard work (e.g., standard operating procedures) and visual management (visible placement of information and indicators that quickly convey the
status of the process) to help ensure the improvement is sustained and can be shared to promote benchmarking when appropriate.
Other Core Work
Annual performance goal:
(PM CF2) Number of Agency administrative systems and system interfaces.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
IHi>
Target
24
22
22
19
17
17
Systems and
Below
Actual
30
30
30
24
21
20
Interfaces
Target
Key Takeaways:
• Retired one administrative system in FY 2022: Legacy PeoplePlus for tracking employee time worked. Legacy payroll data are now accessible through a reporting tool that
allows for data access and corrections without the need to maintain a separate system.
• Missed the target due to delays in the full implementation of the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). Once IPP implementation is complete in the second quarter of FY 2023,
EPA will retire the three remaining administrative systems originally planned for FY 2022: EASYLITE invoice payment system. Contract Payment System (CPS), and Small
Purchase Information Tracking System (SPITS).
Metric Details: This measure tracks the number of administrative systems or system interfaces EPA actively operates. Administrative systems support 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 and system interfaces has a positive impact on streamlining operational processes and drives the integration of financial
transactions across multiple administrative systems, reducing manual entry, improving data quality, and allowing EPA to input and access data more easily and standardize
reporting as payment processing is moved to a federal shared service provider.
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CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Strategy 4: Strengthen Tribal, State, and Local Partnerships and Enhance Engagement—Collaborate and engage effectively with Tribal
nations in keeping with the Federal Government's trust responsibilities, state and local governments, regulated entities, and the public to protect
human health and the environment.
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)
~ No target (NT)
1 (Y)
1(G)
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Counts are of measures that exist in FY 2022. Chart does not include
measures that previously existed but were eliminated prior to FY 2022.
Number of FOIA Responses in Backlog,
FY 2018 - FY 2024
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
n—-
FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024
Actual Target
Summary of progress toward strategic objective:
• Led the White House Council on Native American Affairs effort to secure 17 federal
agencies' signatures, including EPA's, to the Tribal Treaty Rights Memorandum of
Understanding as announced at the White House Tribal Nations Summit.
• Reduced by 10% EPA's backlog of overdue Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests,
down to 950 from 1,056 at the beginning of the fiscal year.
• Conducted more than 145 separate tribal consultations on EPA actions or decisions that
may affect tribes, including 19 consultations that considered tribal treaty rights.
• Developing revisions to the 2011 EPA Tribal Consultation Policy to boost effectiveness,
clarify the goals of consultations, and to include tribal treaty rights consultations more
broadly under the Policy.
• In partnership with tribes, filled all 10 tribal representative E-Enterprise Leadership
Council positions, a first since the program was initiated in 2016. E-Enterprise promotes
collaborative and transformative environmental protection among EPA, states, and tribes.
• Engaged with states and tribes to update the National Program Guidance emphasizing how
Performance Partnership Grants support stronger partnerships by providing flexibility to
states and tribes.
• Oversaw three public meetings of the Local Government Advisory Committee and Small
Community Advisory Subcommittee and the development of 65 recommendations for
EPA leadership to improve how the Agency works with local governments.
• Held federalism consultations on several major Agency actions, including the National
Primary Drinking Water Regulation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
• Interviewed EPA staff to collect best practices in grant results reporting practices for the
EPA Learning Agenda priority area on grants commitments met.
Challenges:
• Additional tools and training will be needed for EPA staff to implement the EPA Tribal
Consultation Policy revisions under development and expand tribal treaty rights
consultations to national level consultations.
• FOIA backlog reduction is challenged by a historically large backlog of overdue requests
and complex new requests requiring time and significant resources to reduce.
• In FY 2023 through 2024, EPA must procure, configure, deploy, and train EPA staff and
the public to use a new FOIA case management and recordkeeping software solution to
replace FOIAonline, which will be terminated in FY 2023.
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CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, consider Tribal treaty rights as part of all EPA Tribal consultations that may affect
Tribal treaty rights.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-term performance goal:
(PM EC41) Percentage of EPA Tribal consultations that may affect Tribal treaty rights that consider those rights as part of the consultation.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
No Trend
Data
Target
20
25
50
Percent
Above
Target
Actual
100
Numerator
19
Tribal
Consultations
Denominator
19
Key Takeaways:
• Developing revisions to the 2011 EPA Tribal Consultation Policy in consideration of tribal input received during a March 2021 consultation period and President Biden's
Memorandum on Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation.
Metric Details: This measure tracks the annual percentage of EPA Tribal consultations that may affect tribal treaty rights that consider those rights as part of the consultation,
consistent with the EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes: Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights (https://www.epa.gov/tribal/epa-policy-
consultation-and-coordination-indian-tribes-guidance-discussing-tribal-treaty) which establishes clear Agency standards for consultations when an EPA action or decision may
affect tribal treaty rights. Data are collected in EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System, a publicly accessible database used to communicate upcoming and
current EPA consultation opportunities to tribal governments that documents EPA consultations using the tribal treaty rights guidance. The system provides a management,
oversight, and reporting structure that helps ensure accountability and transparency.
Long-Term Performance Goal: By September 30, 2026, eliminate the backlog of overdue Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) responses,
compared to the FY 2021 baseline of 1,056.
Annual performance goal that supports this long-tenn performance goal:
(PM F02) Number of FOIA responses in backlog.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Preferred
Direction
1
llir*
Target
845
712
474
Responses
Below
Target
Actual
2,761
2,128
1,395
1,056
950
Key Takeaways:
• Missed the FY 2022 target but nevertheless reduced by 10% the backlog of overdue FOIA requests.
• Reviewed and assigned for processing 6,595 FOIA requests, processed 234 expedited FOIA processing requests, and processed 799 applications for fee waiver.
• 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 scientific integrity; PFAS; EPA's proposed determination to prohibit and restrict the
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CROSS-AGENCY STRATEGIES
use of certain waters in the Bristol Bay, AK watershed as disposal sites for the discharge of dredged or fill material associated with mining the Pebble deposit; and EPA's
COVID-19 response closeout
• Provided training, coaching, and guidance to help EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention reform its FOIA response process.
• The pace of EPA's FOIA backlog reduction is challenged by historically large backlog of overdue FOIA requests in two offices that will likely require both time and
significant resources to reduce, as well as complex multi-part and voluminous electronic records requests.
Metric Details: This measure tracks EPA's responsiveness to the public by measuring progress toward reducing EPA's backlog of responses to FOIA requests. Overdue responses
are indicated in FOIAonline.gov as pending beyond the statutory deadline of 20 working days for simple requests, 30 days or longer for unusual circumstances (e.g., complex
requests), or another timeframe to which the requestor has agreed. EPA receives approximately 7,000 FOIA requests annually.
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FY 2022 EPA Program Evaluations
n 1 hi ice of Enforcement aifd < mpliance Assurance (OECA)
Activity 1:
Title
EPA Learning Agenda: Drinking Water Systems Out of Compliance
Lead National
Program
OECA
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Obj ective 3.1: Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties
Accountable
Estimated
Completion date
2026
Purpose and brief description: The Agency Learning Agenda includes Drinking Water Systems
out of Compliance as a learning priority area. EPA has been working to reduce noncompliance
through guidance, grants, technical assistance, enforcement, and oversight. Building and using
evidence under the Evidence Act to evaluate the effectiveness of these tools and identify ways to
make them more effective will help EPA and the states better understand the factors and program
elements that improve compliance with drinking water regulations.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
o. Does EPA have ready access to data to reliably and accurately measure drinking
water compliance?
b. What factors determine system noncompliance and continuous compliance?
c. Does increased use of compliance assurance tools (inspections and enforcement)
improve system compliance, and if so under what circumstances?
d. How can we determine if a system has the technical, managerial, andfinancial capacity
to provide safe water on a continuous basis to its customers?
e. What EPA oversight activities are effective at assessing and improving state programs'
ability to drive compliance?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings:
The interim findings from each Drinking Water Learning Agenda priority question are detailed
below:
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1. Does EPA have ready access to data to reliably and accurately measure drinking
water compliance?
a. Identified documentation of quality control checks built into SDWIS-Fed that
ensures incoming state data conforms. Completed comparison of 2 state
databases to SDWIS-Fed to assess data transfer errors. Found very high
agreement.
b. Reviewed available state file review reports to identify compliance
determination errors. Not able to quantify or draw conclusions about frequency
of compliance determination errors nationally.
c. Conducted an analysis of monitoring and reporting violations in SDWIS-Fed,
taken at face value, to determine percent of M&R violations that are more or less
likely to be indicative of serious noncompliance. Adds a level of precision to our
understanding of what is not known due to failure to monitor and/or report.
d. Work on Question 1 is ongoing and final results/conclusions/findings are not
available to use for decision-making and planning purposes.
2. What factors determine system noncompliance and continuous compliance?
a. Identified and synthesized three existing predictive tools that have been tested
and proven successful at identifying systems of concern (each organization
defined different endpoints). Evaluation of those tools confirmed key public
water system characteristics that are important to focus on for maintaining or
improving compliance: source water quality; sound financial management;
operator and technical capacity; management plans in place.
b. The Question 2 evaluation is ongoing and final results/conclusions/findings are
not available to use for decision-making and planning purposes.
3. Does increased use of compliance assurance tools (inspections and enforcement)
improve system compliance, and if so under what circumstances?
a. EPA started evaluating Question 3 in the third quarter of FY 2022. The Agency
consulted with GSA about conducting a prospective study on the impact of EPA
inspections at public water systems and designed a generic study method to
recruit participants, but have not yet determined if the inspection work will be
ripe for study.
b. For the enforcement part of the question, EPA established an agreement with an
academic institution to help evaluate existing enforcement data and potentially
conduct a prospective study to determine how and when enforcement improves
compliance.
c. Work on Question 3 is ongoing and final results/conclusions/findings are not
available to use for decision-making and planning purposes.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings:
Work on Questions 1, 2, and 3 is ongoing and final results/conclusions/findings are not yet
available to use for decision-making and planning purposes. When all priority questions are
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answered, EPA will use findings to evaluate the efficacy of components of EPA's drinking water
program (and may, by extension, also be applicable to policies or practices used in state and tribal
programs).
Link for findings: Results are not yet published.
Activity 2:
Title
Assessing the effectiveness of offsite compliance monitoring (OfCM)
Lead National
OECA
Program
FY 2022-2026
Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Strategic Goal and
Objective
Objective 3.2: Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
Estimated
2023
completion date
Purpose and brief description:
The COVID-19 pandemic restricted OECA's ability to carry out onsite inspections, which helped
OECA recognize that a broader portfolio of Offsite Compliance Monitoring (OfCM) activities
may provide EPA with additional tools for enforcement and compliance programs. These tools
might include Desk Audits, Clean Air Act (CAA) Stack Test Reviews, Information Request
Response Reviews, among others. To assess what the office learned from the extended use of
OfCM over the past two years and gain insight into the efficacy of OfCM tools in finding and
deterring noncompliance (in comparison to onsite inspections), EPA conducted a preliminary,
short-term assessment of EPA's use of OfCM using readily available data and information to
inform interim guidance and best practices. The Agency now seeks to use those results to guide a
longer-term assessment and research into OfCM and the best uses of these tools moving forward.
OECA anticipates that the answers to these questions will involve multiple research efforts given
the range of programs and OfCM tools that will need to be assessed.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
Research questions:
1. How does the effectiveness of Offsite Compliance Monitoring (OfCM) activities compare
to onsite inspections?
Can OfCM identify the same violations, provide the same specific and general
deterrence, and promote and maintain compliance in the same way as onsite
inspections?
• What are the attributes of OfCM activities and onsite inspections required to
assess their effectiveness?
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2. What outcomes does OfCM provide?
• Does compliance depend on which monitoring tool is used or on whether there
is OfCM activity that includes subsequent enforcement action?
3. Do OfCM tool s support enforcem ent activities?
Can evidence collected using only OfCM tools support an impactful enforcement
action?
• What are the key attributes of an effective OfCM tool?
4. What is the best use for OfCM?
• Does it depend on the tool, the program, and/or on the compliance history of
the facility?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings:
The Agency conducted a short-term study that included a regional questionnaire and preliminary
analysis with collected answers and other available data to begin to answer: 1. Do OfCM activities
lead to enforcement. 2. Are OfCM activities effective? 3. Can OfCM replace onsite inspections?
These short-term findings include:
OfCM activities do not supplant the need for onsite inspections.
o In many cases the OfCM activity is performed in addition to, or identifies the
need for, onsite inspections.
Formal enforcement rates from OfCM activities estimated between 0% to 43%,
depending on the program.
The assessment identified trends for when OfCM activities were most useful/effective
and when were not:
When is OfCM most useful/effective?
When is OfCM not as useful/effective?
With large, target-rich universe of regulated entities
(e.g., TSCA LBP)
To identify deficiencies that rely upon visual observations
and/or contemporaneous conversation
To narrow the scope of the investigation for onsite
inspections
To identify activities with a temporal component (time-
sensitive activities) (e.g., SW BMPs)
For efficient use of limited resources
To identify facilities which have failed to apply for permit
coverage (non-filers)
To screen and target facilities in remote locations
To identify facilities which have never met reporting
requirements and exist under the radar
To review multiple facilities with a common
operator/owner
To confirm implementation of plans
To review settlements or correct previously identified
violations
When facility personnel are less sophisticated and not
technology savvy
To perform audits, document-heavy compliance reviews
When facility/regulated entity has history of
noncompliance or inspector questions the facility's
statements
To assess reporting requirements and planning
documents
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How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings:
These preliminary findings, when supplemented by longer-term studies, will help inform and
shape enforcement and compliance strategies.
Link for findings: Results are not yet published.
Office of Water (OW)
Activity /:
Title
National Estuary Program
Lead National
Program
OW
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
Completion date
September 2022
Purpose and brief description: The primary purpose of the Program Evaluation (PE) process is
to help EPA assess how the National Estuary Programs (NEPs) are making progress in achieving
programmatic and environmental results through implementation of their Comprehensive
Conservation and Management Plans (CCMPs). The PE process has proven to be an effective,
interactive management process that ensures national program accountability and transparency,
while incorporating local priority considerations. It also demonstrates the value of federal
investment in estuarine and coastal watershed restoration and protection at the local and regional
levels. The PE process was revised, and new guidance distributed to the 28 NEP locations at the
end of 2021.
The PE process is also useful for:
Transferring lessons learned among NEPs, EPA, and stakeholders through the sharing of
case studies and transferable examples;
documenting the value added to environmental management of estuarine systems using
the partnership model of the national program and its individual NEPs, including their
role in convening stakeholders for decision-making and interpreting science for
management actions;
demonstrating continued stakeholder commitment; and
highlighting achievements and successes of each NEP, as well as suggestions for
continued program improvements.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: Five
PEs were conducted in FY 2022. The evaluation process for NEP locations informs the Agency
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on the progress of the NEP program. It also ensures the locations are delivering environmental
results and are well-managed programs so that they can continue to receive annual grants from
EPA which are matched 1:1 with non-federal dollars.
The program evaluation is focused on the National Estuary Program as described in Section 320
of the Clean Water Act. The PE goals are to:
ensure submissions enable obj ective and consistent evaluations among the different
NEPs;
ensure a consistent and transparent process to determine NEP CCMP implementation
progress;
further align the PEs with individual NEP CCMP priorities and related NEP annual
work plan goals and accomplishments;
determine progress in achieving programmatic and environmental results by
documenting NEP contributions to improving or reducing pressures on their coastal
watersheds and enabling all NEPs to successfully serve as local implementation partners
for EPA programs; and
identify areas of improvement to assist NEPs in becoming stronger programs and
achieving environmental results.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The NEP Program
Evaluation is an ongoing process that occurs each year. Each location within the NEP is
evaluated every five years. The PE process uses a two-category determination of Proficient and
Progressing, as defined in the 2021 NEP Program Evaluation Guidance. Proficient means a NEP
is adequately meeting programmatic and environmental results. A Progressing determination
means there are missing criteria that need to be addressed before the next PE cycle. A Progressing
determination will catalyze a timeline to address those missing elements or opportunities for
improvement before the next PE cycle. This determination is informed by the entire PE package
(narrative submission, National Estuary Program Online Reporting Tool (NEPORT) data, annual
work plans, and EPA required annual end of year reports), on-site visit, and through discussions
with the NEP under review.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The regular PE process
examines each NEP location on a variety of topics as listed below. Each presents a potential
challenge and can be addressed through the discussions between the PE team and NEP location.
The results include recommendations for improvement based upon the following categories
below and are submitted to each program as a final PE letter.
NEP Administration and Governance Structure
• Grant Obligations and Finance including budget summary
• Healthy Ecosystems (e.g., fish, shellfish, plant, eelgrass, and wildlife populations; habitat
protection/restoration, natural resources, land use, hydrological and ecological
1117
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restoration, invasive species)
Community and Stakeholder Engagement
Education and Outreach
Monitoring and Assessment
Clean Water Act Programs Relationship
• EPA Priorities (nutrient pollution, water reuse and conservation, marine litter reduction,
green infrastructure, environmental justice, climate change)
Summary information on the NEP is available on the EPA's NEP website. We acknowledge the
importance of NEP partnerships and proactive actions of most NEP location activities which are
mostly non-regulatory and highly leveraged offering EPA an average value of $22 for every $1
of EPA investment. Individual PE results are typically not made available to the public.
Activity 2:
Title
Report to the Principals' Staff Committee on the status and
vulnerabilities of existing and future Chesapeake Bay monitoring networks
Lead National
Program
OW
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
Estimated
completion date
October 2022
Purpose and brief description: In March 2021, the Principals' Staff Committee (PSC) requested
a study and recommendations on how to improve Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) monitoring
networks. The monitoring networks include (1) CBP core networks supported primarily by EPA
Chesapeake Bay Program funding, and (2) partnership networks supported by multiple federal
and state agencies. The monitoring review was guided by leadership from the CBP Scientific,
Technical Assessment and Reporting (STAR) team, the Chesapeake Bay Program Office
Monitoring Team, with input from the CBP Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee
(STAC) leadership.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
report addressed shortcomings or needed resources to fill existing gaps and to provide
recommendations on monitoring enhancement to support the Chesapeake Bay Program.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The estimate to enhance
the CBP core networks is $5.4 million in the first year ($1.8 million in capital costs and $3.6
million for operation and maintenance). It is an estimate that could rise subject to operational and
inflationary pressures.
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How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: With the additional funding
that came to CBPO through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds, EPA was able to
partially fund the monitoring needs identified in this report.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-
04/enclosureI epa evaluation of pennsvlvanias amended phase iii wip final O.pdf
Additional FY 2022 Contributions to EPA's Portfolio of Evidence
n 1 !• 11 ce of tie Administ i «f > i
-------
will focus on using the gathered data to implement grant program reviews and inform grant result
tracking systems to better communicate and assess the environmental results achieved through
EPA's grant programs.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
What data and information exists to provide a baseline assessment of the agency' s grant
and tracking systems?
Which criteria are used to assess the ability of programs to successfully monitor grantee
performance?
How are the agency' s grant programs meeting their intended purpose?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings:
EPA surveyed all active EPA grant programs to determine the universe of existing grant
reporting and tracking systems. The surveys provided the data and information needed
to understand existing Agency approaches and processes for collecting, monitoring,
reporting, and evaluating grant commitments.
EPA learned that 99 percent of programs collect output data, but only 31 percent collect
long-term outcomes.
Word documents are the most common method of collecting grantee data.
Common challenges to grantee data collection include labor intensity, poor
communication with grantees, and capacity issues internal to grantees.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: EPA used the findings to
determine a research strategy for FY 2022. Using the FY 2021 results as a launching point, EPA
identified and interviewed 31 regional and NPM staff. Interview criteria included prioritizing
programs receiving additional BIL or ARP funding, programs that reported best practices, and
programs that addressed administrative priorities. In FY 2023, EPA will analyze the Agency's
ability to review progress made in protecting human health and the environment through its grant
programs and demonstrate how EPA's grants programs are achieving the intended environmental
results. A report outlining the findings from the interviews will be published in FY 2023.
Link for findings: Findings from FY 2021 were published on the Agency's Evidence Act site,
linked below. Findings from FY 2022 will be published in FY 2023.
https://www.epa.gov/svstem/files/documents/2022-09/learning-agenda-grants-commitments-
met.pdf
n 1 !• 11 ce of Air and Radiati mi i»> 4 IP t
Activity /:
Title
Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2020
Lead National
Program
OAR
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I'Y 2022-2026
Strategic Coal and
Objective
supported
Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective 1.1: Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change
Completion dale
April 2022
Purpose and brief description: EPA has prepared the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas
Emissions and Sinks since the early 1990s, which is submitted to the United Nations in
accordance with the Framework Convention on Climate Change. This annual activity provides a
comprehensive accounting of total greenhouse gas emissions from all man-made sources in the
United States. New in 2022, EPA has also released the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas
Emissions and Sinks by State, which provides state-by-state data consistent with the national
greenhouse gas inventory and with international standards. As with the national inventory, the
state-level greenhouse gas inventory provides annual data and will be updated each year. This
effort helps inform a variety of questions related to EPA policy, regulations, and program design
as it relates to GHG emissions.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
Specific questions of interest include:
What are the annual trends in US greenhouse gas emissions and sinks?
How do emissions for 2020 compare to previous years and the long-term trend? What
are the drivers behind any changes in trends?
What is the relative contribution of different emission sources and greenhouse gases to
climate change?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: In 2020, total gross U.S.
greenhouse gas emissions were 5,981 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMT
CO2 Eq.). Net emissions (including sinks) were 5,222 MMT CO2 Eq. From 2005 to 2020, net
emissions declined 21.4 percent, reflecting the combined impacts of long-term trends in many
factors including population, economic growth, energy markets, technological changes including
energy efficiency, and energy fuel choices. The decline in recent years is due to an increasing
shift to use of less C02-intensive natural gas for generating electricity and a rapid increase in the
use of renewable energy in the electric power sector. Between 2019 and 2020, greenhouse gas
emissions decreased by 10.6 percent due to multiple factors. The primary driver for the decrease
was due to an 11 percent decrease in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion which was due
to a 13 percent decrease in transportation emissions driven by decreased demand due to the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Electric power sector emissions also decreased 10 percent,
reflecting both a slight decrease in demand from the COVID-19 pandemic and a continued shift
from coal to less carbon intensive natural gas and renewables. Total U.S. emissions in 2020 were
7.3 percent lower than in 1990, down from a high of 15.7 percent above 1990 levels in 2007.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: An emissions inventory that
identifies and quantifies a country's anthropogenic sources and sinks of greenhouse gases is
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essential for addressing climate change. This inventory adheres to both (1) a comprehensive and
detailed set of methodologies for estimating sources and sinks of anthropogenic greenhouse
gases, and (2) a common and consistent format that enables Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to compare the relative contribution of
different emission sources and greenhouse gases to climate change. EPA prepares the official
U.S. Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks to fulfill annual existing commitments
under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-
and-sinks-1990-2020
Activity 2:
Title
2021 Power Sector Programs - Progress Report
Lead National
Program
OAR
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and
Health Impacts
Completion date
July 2022
Purpose and brief description: Under the Clean Air Act, EPA implements regulations to reduce
emissions from power plants, including the Acid Rain Program (ARP), the Cross-State Air
Pollution Rule (CSAPR), the CSAPR Update, the Revised CSAPR Update, and the Mercury and
Air Toxics Standards (MATS). These programs require fossil fuel-fired electric generating units
to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hazardous air pollutants
including mercury (Hg) to protect human health and the environment. This reporting year marks
the seventh year of CSAPR implementation, the fifth year of the CSAPR Update implementation,
the first year of Revised CSPAR Update Implementation, the twenty-seventh year of the ARP,
and the fifth year of MATS implementation. This report summarizes annual progress through
2021, highlighting data that EPA systematically collects on emissions for all five programs and
on compliance for the ARP and CSAPR. Commitment to transparency and data availability is a
hallmark of these programs, and a cornerstone of their success.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: This
annual activity assesses implementation of multiple regulations to reduce air pollution from
power plants. Specific questions of interest include:
Have the regulations met their emission reduction goals?
What is the compliance record of air pollution sources controlled under these
regulations?
What is the air quality and environmental response of implementing these regulations?
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Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The ARP, CSAPR,
CSAPR Update, Revised CSPAR Update, and MATS have delivered substantial reductions in
power sector emissions of SO2, NOx, and hazardous air pollutants, along with significant
improvements in air quality and the environment. Program highlights include, but are not limited
to:
Annual SO2 emissions:
o CSAPR - 592,000 tons (93 percent below 2005)
o ARP - 936,000 tons (94 percent below 1990)
• Annual NOx emissions:
o CSAPR - 440,000 tons (80 percent below 2005)
o ARP - 763,000 tons (85 percent below 2000)
• C S APR ozone season NOx emi ssions:
o 242,000 tons (46 percentbelow2015)
• Compliance:
o 100 percent compliance for power plants in the market-based ARP and CSAPR
allowance trading programs
• Emissions reported under MATS: Mercury -3.0 tons (90 percent below 2010)
In addition to the demonstrated reductions achieved by the power sector emission control
programs described in this report, SO2, NOx, and hazardous air pollutant emissions have declined
steadily in recent years due to a variety of power industry trends that are expected to continue.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The ARP, CSAPR and the
CSAPR Update are implemented through trading programs1 designed to reduce emissions of SO2
and NOx from power plants. Established under Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments,
the ARP was a landmark nationwide cap and trade program, with a goal of reducing the emissions
that cause acid rain. The success of the program in achieving significant emission reductions in a
cost-effective manner, as demonstrated through past progress reports, led to the application of the
market-based emissions trading tool for other regional environmental problems, namely interstate
air pollution transport, or pollution from upwind emission sources that impacts air quality in
downwind areas. MATS set limits on emissions of hazardous air pollutants from power plants.
EPA published the final standards in February 2012, and the compliance requirements generally
went into effect in April 2015, with extensions for some plants until April 2016 and a small
number until April 2017. As such, 2021 is the fifth full year for which most sources covered by
MATS have reported emissions data to EPA.
Exposure to mercury and other hazardous air pollutants at certain concentrations and durations can
increase chances of neurological and developmental effects, cancer, and reproductive, respiratory,
and other health problems. NOX emissions contribute to the formation of ground- level ozone and
fine particle pollution, which cause a variety of adverse human health effects, while SO2
emissions are linked with a number of adverse effects to human health and ecosystems. These
adverse effects underline the continued need for pollution reduction under the ARP, CSAPR,
CSAPR Update, the Revised CSAPR Update and MATS. These reports are critical
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for monitoring these programs to ensure they are continuing to deliver substantial environmental
and human health benefits.
Link for findings: https://www3.epa.gov/airmarkets/progress/reports/
Activity 3:
Title
U.S. State-level Non-CCh Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Potential: 2025-
2050
Lead National
Program
OAR
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective 1.1: Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change
Completion date
March 2022
Purpose and brief description: This report is a follow-on to the 2019 EPA technical report,
Global N011-CO2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Projections & Mitigation Potential: 2015-
2050. The U.S. State-levelNon-CO2 Mitigation Potential provides states with improved data to
better understand the costs and opportunities for reducing emissions of potent greenhouse gases,
including methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases from anthropogenic sources at the state
level. This report looks at projected emissions of these gases through 2050 and provides
comprehensive technical and economic data on the opportunities and costs for reducing non- CO2
greenhouse emissions.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: This
report and its web-based summary are intended to provide analysis of the abatement potential and
costs of implementing specific abatement technologies for reducing non-CCh greenhouse
emissions. The analysis and accompanying dataset provide information that can be used by state
and local policymakers to understand mitigation opportunities in areas that may not have received
the same attention as electricity generation and transportation.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings:
• U. S. energy-sector non-CCh GHG emissions are projected to be 285 MtCChe in 2030
• Industrial process emissions are projected to reach 307 MtCChe in 2030
• National agriculture-sector emissions are projected to reach 625 MtCCke in 2030
Through 2030 emissions from landfills and wastewater are projected to grow at similar
rates, reaching 174 MtCChe in 2030
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The analysis and
accompanying dataset are intended for use by state and local policymakers to understand
mitigation opportunities in areas that may not have received the same attention as electricity
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generation and transportation including sub-national contributions to GHG emissions, as well as
the costs and opportunities for various mitigation measures. The report presents technical
information that can be useful in economic modeling and climate mitigation analysis. The
accompanying data set is an input into the Non-CCh Greenhouse Gas Data Tool, a data exploration
tool for viewing non-CCh GHG projections and mitigation assessments.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/global-mitigation-non-co2-greenhouse-gases/us-state-
level-non-co2-ghg-mitigation-report
Activity 4;
Title
Seasonality and Climate Change: A Review of Observed Evidence in the
United States
Lead National
Program
OAR
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective 1.1: Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change
Completion date
December 2021
Purpose and brief description: This technical report summarizes observed changes related to
seasonality in the United States, discusses how climate change affects the timing and nature of
seasonal events, and describes some of the related implications of those changes. To accomplish
this, EPA analyzed a subset of indicators based on long-term observations to explore the
interconnectedness of seasonal changes, including the cascading effect of physical climatic
changes and downstream biological, ecological, and social responses.
The report aims to summarize the current state of the science related to historical changes in
seasonality and provide tangible examples of the ways in which climate change is altering the
nature of seasonal events—and how these changes affect ecological and societal systems.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
Specific questions of interest for the activity include:
• What are the seasonal impacts of climate change?
• What seasonality changes have been observed in the United States?
• What are the downstream effects of these seasonal changes?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Indicators reveal that
warming temperatures have shortened frost seasons, led snowmelt to occur earlier in the year, and
contributed to a decline in snowpack. Similarly, wildfire and heat wave seasons have increased in
duration and severity, impacting ecosystems, human health, and economies. Leaf and bloom
dates are occurring earlier than before, and the growing season has extended to cover a greater
portion of the year. Subsequent sections of this report explore how changes in
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one season cascade across and impact events in other seasons (e.g., winter conditions affect
harvests in the following fall).
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: Examining indicators of
seasonal processes and systems sensitive to seasonality provides a framework for better
understanding the implications of a changing climate through time. EPA intends for this report to
be used as a tool for the public, scientists, analysts, decision-makers, educators, and others to
communicate the seasonal impacts of climate change and their downstream effects.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/seasonalitv-and-climate-change
Activity 5;
Title
Climate Change Indicators in the United States
Lead National
Program
OAR
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective 1.1: Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change
Completion date
The Climate Change Indicators Page is Regularly Updated
Purpose and brief description: EPA's Climate Change Indicators in the United States were
created with the primary goal of informing readers' understanding of climate change, specifically
the public, scientists, analysts, decision-makers, and educators. The climate change indicators can
also be used as a tool for communicating climate change science. EPA partners with more than 50
data contributors from various government agencies, academic institutions, and other
organizations to compile a key set of indicators related to the causes and effects of climate
change. These indicators also provide important input to the National Climate Assessment and
other efforts to understand and track the science and impacts of climate change.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
Climate Change Indicators serve to increase understanding of the impacts of climate change and
track trends. They also provide a tool to improve communication on climate change science. By
increasing understanding and improving communication the Climate Change Indicators help
inform science-based decision making.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: These indicators
characterize observed changes from long-term records related to the causes and effects of climate
change; the significance of these changes; and their possible consequences for people, the
environment, and society. Examples of indicators include:
• Heat waves: trends in the number of heat waves per year (frequency); the average
length of heat waves in days (duration); the number of days between the first and last
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heat wave of the year (season length); and how hot the heat waves were, compared with the local
temperature threshold for defining a heat wave (intensity).
Coastal flooding: tracks periodic inundation based on measurements from tide gauges
at locations along U.S. coasts.
Glaciers: examines the balance between snow accumulation and melting in glaciers and
describes how glaciers in the United States and around the world have changed over
time.
Growing season: looks at the impact of temperature on the length of the growing
season in the contiguous 48 states, as well as trends in the timing of spring and fall
frosts.
• Wildfire: tracks four aspects of wildfires over time: the total number of fires (frequency),
the total land area burned (extent), the degree of damage that fires cause to the landscape
(severity), and the acreage burned by fires starting in each month of the year (seasonal
patterns).
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: EPA uses the findings of the
Climate Change Indicators in the United States to:
• Effectively communicate relevant climate science information in a sound, transparent,
and easy-to-understand way.
• Assess trends in environmental quality, factors that influence the environment, and
effects on ecosystems and society.
• Inform science-based decision-making.
EPA also uses the data gathered through this activity to produce technical reports including the
above report: Seasonality and Climate Change: A Review of Observed Evidence in the United
States.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators
Activity 6:
Title
Our Nation's Air: Status and Trends Through 2021
Lead National
Program
OAR
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and
Health Impacts
Completion date
June 2022
Purpose and brief description: EPA is committed to protecting public health and the
environment by improving air quality and reducing air pollution. In this review and annual
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report, EPA presents the trends in the nation's air quality and summarizes the detailed information
found at EPA's Air Trends website.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
Specific questions of interest include:
• What are the national trends in air quality, including unhealthy air days and air pollutant
emissions?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Nationally, concentrations
of the criteria air pollutants dropped significantly since 1970. Between 1970 and 2021, the
combined emissions of the six common pollutants (particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulfur
dioxide (S02), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide
(CO) and lead (Pb)) dropped by 78%. This progress occurred while the U.S. economy continued
to grow, Americans drove more miles, and population and energy use increased.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: Annual emissions estimates
are used as one indicator of the effectiveness of the Air Program. EPA and states track direct
emissions of air pollutants and emissions that contribute to the formation of key pollutants, also
known as precursor emissions. Emissions data are compiled from many different organizations,
including industry and state, tribal, and local agencies. Understanding emission sources helps
EPA and states control air pollution.
Link for findings: https://gispub.epa.gOv/air/trendsreport/2022/#home
Activity 7:
Title
Title V Permitting Program Reviews
Lead National
Program
OAR
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and
Health Impacts
Completion date
September 2022
Purpose and brief description: EPA periodically reviews state and local permitting programs,
including fees, under Title V of the Clean Air Act as part of its responsibility to oversee delegated
and approved air permitting programs. In general, the purpose of these program reviews is to
identify good practices, document areas needing improvement, and learn how EPA can help the
permitting agencies improve their performance.
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Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: N/A
(same as above).
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Results varied and were
specific to the program being reviewed.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The reviews assess the
overall effectiveness of the planning, permitting, monitoring and compliance, and enforcement
programs to identify good practices implemented by the state/tribal agency, areas needing
improvement within the state/tribal program, and ways in which EPA can improve oversight.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/title-v-operating-perrnits/epa-oversight-operating-
permits-program
Activity 8;
Title
2021 EPA Automotive Trends Report
Lead National
Program
OAR
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective 1.1: Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change
Completion date
November 2021
Purpose and brief description: This annual report is part of EPA's commitment to provide the
public with information about new light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, fuel
economy, technology data, and auto manufacturers' performance in meeting the Agency's GHG
emissions standards. The data that EPA gets from our compliance and testing programs are
important to the transportation and research communities for setting the baseline to inform policy
and regulatory discussions.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
Specific questions include:
• What are the new light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, fuel economy,
and technology data?
• What is the auto manufacturers' performance in meeting the agency's GHG emissions
standards?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The report found that since
2004, C02 emissions have decreased 24%, or 112 g/mi, and fuel economy has increased 32%, or
6.1 mpg. The EPA Automotive Trends Report found that all large car manufacturers have
achieved compliance with the Model Year (MY) 2020 light-duty GHG standards.
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How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The data collected as part of
this report support several important national programs, including EPA criteria pollutant and
GHG standards, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, and vehicle Fuel
Economy and Environment labels. The analysis is a snapshot of the data collected by EPA in
support of several important regulatory programs and is presented with the intent of providing as
much transparency to the public as possible. The data show the change and innovation in the
industry since model year 1975, and the manufacturers' performance under EPA's GHG
standards.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/automotive-trends/download-automotive-trends-
report#Full%20Report
Activity 9:
Title
Office of Inspector General (OIG) Report: EPA Needs to Develop a
Strategy to Complete Overdue Residual Risk and Technology Reviews
and to Meet the Statutory Deadlines for Upcoming Reviews
Lead National
Program
OAR
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and
Health Impacts
Completion date
March 2022
Purpose and brief description: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector
General initiated this evaluation to determine whether EPA has conducted residual risk and
technology reviews, or RTRs, in a timely manner, as required for EPA to revise standards, as
needed, to protect the public from air toxics emitted by stationary sources. Through these
reviews, EPA determines whether more health-protective standards are necessary. If the reviews
are delayed or not performed, public health may be impacted.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
report addressed the following question:
• Has EPA conducted residual risk and technology reviews in a timely manner, as required
for EPA to revise standards, as needed, to protect the public from air toxics emitted by
stationary sources?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: EPA needs to complete
overdue RTRs or TRs to ensure that National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAPs) are updated to protect the public from air toxics emissions, including minority and
low-income communities that are disproportionately impacted by industrial facilities and other
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pollution sources cited in their communities. EPA needs to determine the workforce needed to
meet its statutory mandate. In addition, rather than being driven by court orders and consent
decrees, as well as by administration priorities that may detract from the Agency's ability to meet
statutory deadlines, EPA should develop a strategy incorporating the results of its workforce
analysis to ensure that overdue reviews are completed in as timely a manner as practicable and
that future reviews are conducted in accordance with statutory deadlines.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG has 2
recommendations for OAR: Recommendations 1 and 2 are both resolved. The OIG's
recommendations are as follows:
• Perform a workforce analysis to determine the staff and resources needed to meet the
statutory deadlines for residual risk and technology reviews, initial technology reviews,
and recurring eight-year technology reviews, as well as to complete any such reviews
that are overdue.
• Develop and implement a strategy to conduct (a) residual risk and technology reviews
and recurring technology reviews by the applicable statutory deadlines and (b) any
overdue residual risk and technology reviews and recurring technology reviews in as
timely a manner as practicable. The strategy should take into account the Agency's
environmental justice responsibilities under Executive Order 12898 and other applicable
EPA and executive branch policies, procedures, and directives.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/office-inspector-general/report-epa-needs-develop-
strategy-complete-overdue-residual -ri sk-and-0
Activity 10:
Title
OIG Report: EPA's Title V Program Needs to Address Ongoing Fee
Issues and Improve Oversight
Lead National
Program
OAR
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and
Health Impacts
Completion date
January 2022
Purpose and brief description: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of
Inspector General initiated this evaluation to determine the extent to which EPA has conducted
evaluations of state and local Title V programs and identified insufficient collection or misuse of
fees in accordance with two guidance documents published in 2018: Updated Guidance on EPA
Review of Fee Schedules for Operating Permit Programs Under Title V, and the Program and Fee
Evaluation Strategy and Guidance for 40 CFR Part 70.
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Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
report addressed the following question:
To what extent has EPA conducted evaluations of state and local Title V programs and
identified insufficient collection or misuse of fees in accordance with relevant guidance?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The nation's Title V
permitting authorities continue to face many Title V fee challenges, and EPA regional oversight
has varied significantly because of a lack of criteria for when to conduct Title V fee evaluations,
as well as a lack of a standard minimum level of review. Further, many regions struggle with a
lack of resources and financial expertise. Without adequate fee evaluations, regions may not
identify and resolve Title V fee issues, resulting in Title V programs that are not self-sufficient
and unable to conduct Title V activities, including permit renewals, compliance monitoring, and
enforcement. As Title V activities diminish, there is an increased risk of noncompliance with the
requirements of the Clean Air Act, which could result in increased pollution and other impacts to
human health and the environment.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG has 6
recommendations for OAR: All 6 recommendations are resolved. The OIG's recommendations
are as follows:
Coordinate with EPA regions to provide recurring training on Clean Air Act Title V
fee laws and regulations to permitting agencies.
• In collaboration with EPA regions, develop and implement a plan to address declining
Clean Air Act Title V revenues.
• Update EPA's guidance documents to require regions to establish time frames for
permitting authorities to complete corrective actions in program and fee evaluation
reports and clear, escalating consequences if timely corrective actions are not
completed.
• Update the Clean Air Act Title V guidance documents to establish criteria for when
regions must conduct Title V fee evaluations and require a minimum standard of review
for fee evaluations.
• Provide training to EPA regional staff on the updated Clean Air Act Title V fee
guidance and how to conduct fee evaluations.
Collaborate with regional staff to identify and make available the regional resources and
expertise necessary to conduct fee evaluations.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/office-inspector-general/report-epas-title-v-prograrn-
needs-address-ongoing-fee-issues-and-improve
Activity 11:
Title
OIG Report: EPA Is Taking Steps to Update Its Federal Radiation
Guidance
Lead National
Program
OAR
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FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.2: Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air
Completion date
January 2022
Purpose and brief description: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector
General initiated this evaluation to address an OIG Hotline complaint that alleged EPA is not
following the best-available science regarding low-dose radiation because it continues to use the
linear no-threshold (LNT) model to inform its radiation guidance. The objective was to determine
the extent to which EPA has effectively implemented a process for reviewing and updating its
federal radiation policies and guidance, specifically those that rely on the LNT model.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
report addressed the following question:
To what extent has EPA effectively implemented a process for reviewing and updating
its federal radiation policies and guidance, specifically those that rely on the LNT model?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The report found that EPA
does not have a formal process for updating its federal radiation guidance, some of which relies on
the LNT model, but instead updates the guidance pursuant to its strategic plan and annual priority
goals. EPA relies on the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air's strategic plan, as well as on new
models, peer-reviewed information, and updated data identified by the Center for Radiation
Protection Knowledge, to keep its radiation guidance current. By issuing FGR 15, developing
FGR 16, and requesting that the Scientific Advisory Board review the draft FGR 16, EPA has
taken steps to ensure that its radiation guidance, including that regarding low-dose radiation
exposure, is updated and informed by the best-available and peer-reviewed science.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG had no
recommendations for OAR.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/office-inspector-general/report-hotline-epa-taking-
steps-update-its-federal-radiation-guidance
Activity 12:
Title
U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report: Oil and Gas:
Federal Actions Needed to Address Methane Emissions from Oil and
Gas Development
Lead National
Program
OAR
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I'Y 2022-2026
Strategic Coal and
Objective
supported
Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
Objective 1.1: Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change
Completion dale
April 2022
Purpose and brief description: GAO reviewed methane emissions from oil and gas
development on federal lands. This report (1) describes the steps federal agencies have taken to
reduce methane emissions from oil and gas, and implementation challenges; (2) examines actions
selected industry entities are taking to reduce methane emissions; and (3) examines how selected
states regulate methane emissions and to what extent those efforts could inform federal actions.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
evaluation addressed the following questions:
• What steps have federal agencies taken to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas?
o What have been the implementation challenges for federal agencies in taking
these steps?
• What actions are industry entities taking to reduce methane emissions?
• How do selected states regulate methane emissions?
o To what extent can those efforts inform federal actions?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Methane is a substantial
contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, results in air pollution, and constitutes a lost
source of revenue for the federal government when emitted from sources on federal lands. While
EPA and BLM have taken steps in an array of rules to reduce methane emissions, administrative
and legal challenges have hindered their implementation. In the midst of federal uncertainty, the
oil and gas industry is voluntarily taking actions to reduce methane emissions, but federal
regulations can impede adoption of alternative technologies for detecting methane emissions.
Without greater flexibility in its process for approving alternative technologies, EPA may hinder
the adoption of innovative approaches by operators for detecting and reducing methane
emissions. Large oil- and gas-producing states are taking steps to regulate methane that go
beyond what BLM demands, such as requiring operators to submit gas capture plans prior to
drilling and to establish and meet goals for gas capture. Without BLM taking steps to institute
similar requirements for operators on federal lands, operators will continue to vent or flare
methane that contributes to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and the federal government
will continue to lose revenues from the production of oil and gas.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The report included one
recommendation for EPA:
• EPA Administrator should provide greater flexibility to operators for using alternative
technologies to detect methane emissions.
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Link for findings: https://www.eao. gov/products/gao-22-104759
Activity 13:
Title
GAO Report: Refined Coal Production Tax Credit: Coordinated Agency
Review Could Help Ensure the Credit Achieves Its Intended Purpose
Lead National
Program
OAR
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and
Health Impacts
Completion date
December 2021
Purpose and brief description: GAO examined (1) the extent to which producers have claimed
the refined coal production tax credit since tax year 2010; (2) what the federal government knows
about the extent to which producers have demonstrated the emissions reductions required to claim
the credit; and (3) the extent to which the federal government's implementation of the credit
aligned with selected criteria for assessing tax expenditure performance.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: GAO's
assessment addressed the following question:
To what extent have producers claimed the refined coal production tax credit since tax
year 2010?
• What does the federal government know about the extent to which producers have
demonstrated the emissions reductions required to claim the credit?
To what extent has the federal government's implementation of the credit aligned with
selected criteria for assessing tax expenditure performance?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Congress considered
whether to extend the tax credit period, which expired on December 31, 2021, for refined coal
production facilities. However, federal agencies do not have a good understanding of the credit's
effectiveness in reducing emissions of certain harmful pollutants. This limited understanding
stems in part from producers' use of pilot-scale testing—one of the three methods allowed by IRS
guidance—to demonstrate emissions reductions. GAO recommended that if Congress extended
the credit period, a coordinated review by Treasury, IRS, EPA, and DOE could help determine
whether changes are warranted to improve the credit's performance.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The assessment included one
recommendation for EPA:
The GAO recommended that if Congress would have extended the refined coal
production tax credit, the Administrator of EPA should coordinate with Treasury, IRS,
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and DOE to review the performance of the credit in achieving its intended purpose and identify
and implement, as appropriate, any improvements towards achieving that intended purpose, such
as adjustments to allowable emissions testing methods.
Link for findings: https://www.eao. eov/products/gao-22-104637
n 11ii , 11 fl(¦ • ¦ I(ief FinanciaI
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1. Review the OIG-identified questioned costs for the grants payment stream, determine
the payment allowability, recover costs as appropriate, and recalculate the error rate.
2. Conduct an off-cycle risk assessment, applying the Standard Operating Procedure Grants
Improper Payment Review, dated September 2021, and include the risk assessments in the
Agency's Fiscal Year 2023 Agency Financial Report, ensuring that the risk assessments
contain:
a. An assessment of all programs and activities with outlays greater than $ 10 million.
b. An identification of which programs and activities with annual outlays exceeding the
statutory threshold are included in each risk assessment.
c. A mechanism for identifying, accounting for, estimating, and reporting improper and
unknown payments and for detailing efforts taken to prevent and reduce such payments.
2. For payment streams other than the grants payment stream, update the standard operating
procedures so that they establish a sufficient methodology for programs and activities with outlays
of more than $10 million to adequately conclude whether they are susceptible to significant
improper payments. The standard operating procedures should identify which programs or
activities are included.
4. Periodically train Agency personnel on and provide completed course training certificates
for:
a. The Standard Operating Procedure Grants Improper Payment Review, dated
September 2021, which includes the Payment Integrity Information Act Review
Checklist. Such training should include any updates to these documents and emphasize
the application of the cost-allowance principles and adherence to the terms and
conditions of federal awards.
b. All standard operating procedures, as well as any updates to them, implemented for
other payment streams.
Link for findings: htips://www.epa2ov/system/fUes/dbctfments/2022-06/ epaois 20220627-
22-P-0050.pdf
Activity 2:
Title
OIGReport: The EPA's Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020 (Restated)
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund Financial
Statements - P0062
Lead National
Program
OCFO
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency
Strategy supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Workforce Equity
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Completion date September 2022
Purpose and brief description: The OIG performed this audit pursuant to the Hazardous Waste
Electronic Manifest Establishment Act. The Act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency to prepare and the Office of Inspector General to audit the accompanying financial
statements of the EPA's Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
objectives were to determine whether:
• The fund's financial statements were fairly stated in all material respects.
• The EPA's internal controls over financial reporting were in place.
• EPA management complied with applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant
agreements.
The Act also requires the OIG to analyze the fees collected and disbursed, fee structure, level of
use of the system, and success of the system in operating on a self-sustaining basis.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG rendered a
qualified opinion on the EPA's fiscal years 2021 and 2020 (restated) Hazardous Waste Electronic
Manifest System Fund, known as the e-Manifest Fund, financial statements, meaning that, except
for material errors in accounts receivable and earned revenue, the fiscal year 2021 financial
statements were fairly presented. The OIG made two recommendations:
1. Correct the accounts receivable and earned revenue balances.
2. Assess EPA's procedures for recording eManifest delinquent amounts and implement
controls to prevent accounts receivable and earned revenue duplication.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: EPA concurred with both
recommendations: The balances have been corrected and controls in the new e-Manifest system
have been designed to prevent these types of issues in the future. In addition, an interface between
the e-Manifest system and Compass was implemented in April 2022 which properly records the
accounts receivable and earned revenue in the accounting month in which they are earned.
Controls were implemented in the new system to properly record delinquent amounts and prevent
duplicate reporting
Link for findings: https:/A\rww.eya.sov/office-inspector-semral/revort-evas-fiscal-vears-2021-
and-2020-restated-hazardous-waste-electronic
Activity 3;
Title
OIG Report: EPA's Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019 Hazardous Waste
Electronic Manifest System Fund Financial Statements - F00015
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Lead National
Program
OCFO
IV 2022-2026
Cross-Agency
Strategy supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Workforce Equity
Completion dale
December 2021
Purpose and brief description: The OIG performed this audit pursuant to the Hazardous Waste
Electronic Manifest Establishment Act. The Act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency to prepare and the Office of Inspector General to audit the accompanying financial
statements of the EPA's Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
primary objectives were to determine whether:
• The financial statements were fairly stated in all material respects.
• The EPA's internal controls over financial reporting were in place.
• EPA management complied with applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant
agreements.
The Act also requires the OIG to analyze the fees collected and disbursed, fee structure, level of
use of the system, and success of the system in operating on a self-sustaining basis.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG rendered a
qualified opinion on the EPA's fiscal years 2020 and 2019 Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest
System Fund, known as the e-Manifest Fund, financial statements, meaning that, except for
material differences in accounts receivable and earned revenue, the fiscal year 2020 financial
statements were fairly presented. The OIG noted the following material weaknesses:
• The EPA continued to make errors in its financial statement preparation process.
• The EPA did not have adequate internal control over accounts receivable and earned
revenue. We noted the following significant deficiency: the EPA misstated its appropriated
balances.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The report contains two
recommendations for the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The OCFO does not agree with
the categorization of the issue presented by the Office of Inspector General as a significant
deficiency but concurs with the recommendations and has provided corrective actions.
1. In coordination with the assistant administrator for Land and Emergency Management,
enhance internal controls over accounting for expenses recorded under fund codes so
that appropriation balances are accurate. Specifically, EPA needs to implement
preventative controls, so fund expenses are properly coded when processed, and
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implement detective controls at the fund level to ensure fee-based expenses and appropriations-
based expenses are properly segregated, reconciled, and recorded in the general ledger.
2. Correct the expenses recorded in excess of appropriated balances.
Link for findings: https:/A\rww.eva.2ov/system/files/documents/2022-
08/ emit , _ -29-22-F-0015.pdf
Activity 4;
Title
OIG Report: EPA'sFiscal Years 2020 and 2019 Financial Statements for
the Pesticide Registration Fund 22-F-0014
Lead National
OCFO
Program
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Cross-Agency
Workforce Equity
Strategy supported
Completion date
December 2021
Purpose and brief description: The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act requires that the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General perform an annual audit of
the financial statements for the Pesticide Registration Fund.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: To
expedite the registration of certain pesticides, the Pesticide Improvement Act requires the EPA to
assess and collect pesticide registration fees. The fees collected are deposited into the Pesticide
Registration Fund. The Agency is required to prepare financial statements that present financial
information about the fund. The Pesticide Registration Fund also requires that decision-time
review periods be established for pesticide registration actions and that the OIG perform an
analysis of the Agency's compliance with those review periods.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG did not
identify any instances of noncompliance that would result in a material misstatement to the
audited financial statements. In addition, the Agency was in substantial compliance with the
statutory decision-time review periods
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG made three
recommendations which were both accepted and implemented by the Agency.
1. Correct the calculation in its Pesticide Registration Improvement Act 20-04 on-top
adjustment to accurately capture the amounts for footnote 10, "Income and Expenses
from Other Appropriations."
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2. Document the control activities and procedures for calculating the income and expense
amounts for footnote 10, "Income and Expenses from Other Appropriations."
3. Develop a plan to strengthen and improve the preparation and management review of the
Pesticide Registration Improvement Act Fund financial statements and adjustments
entered into the accounting system so that errors and misstatements are detected and
corrected in a timely manner.
Link for findings: lillps: uw w.epa.xov system files documents 2021-12 eyaoig 20211221-
22-f-001-f.vdf
Activity 5:
Title
OIG Report: EPA's Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019 (Restated) Financial
Statements for the Pesticides Reregi strati on and Expedited Processing
Fund - 22-F00012
Lead National
OCFO
Program
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Cross-Agency
Workforce Equity
Strategy supported
Completion date
December 2021
Purpose and brief description: The Food Quality Protection Act requires that the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General perform an annual audit of the
financial statements for the Pesticides Reregi strati on and Expedited Processing Fund, also known
as the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Fund. The EPA is responsible for
reassessing the safety of older pesticide registrations against modern health and environmental
testing standards.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: To
expedite the reregi strati on process, Congress authorized the EPA to collect fees from pesticide
manufacturers. These fees are deposited into the fund. Each year, the Agency prepares financial
statements that present information about the fund, along with information about the EPA's
progress in reregistering pesticides.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG noted one
material weakness: the EPA materially misstated the FIFRA income and expenses from other
appropriations and one significant deficiency: the EPA needs to improve its financial statement
preparation process. The significant deficiency was initially reported in OIG Report No. 21-F-
0014, EPA's Fiscal Year's 2020 and 2019 (Restated) Consolidated Financial Statements, issued
November 16, 2020. The OIG is reporting this significant deficiency for the FIFRA Fund
financial statements.
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How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG made three
recommendations which were accepted by the Agency and corrective actions have been
completed.
1. Correct the calculation in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 20-03
on-top adjustment to accurately capture the amounts for footnote 10, "Income and
Expenses from Other Appropriations."
2. Document the control activities and procedures for calculating the income and expense
amounts for footnote 10, "Income and Expenses from Other Appropriations."
3. Develop a plan to strengthen and improve the preparation and management review of
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Fund financial statements and
adjustments entered the accounting system so that errors and misstatements are
detected and corrected in a timely manner.
Link for findings: https:/A\rww.eya.sov/office-inspector-semral/revort-evas-fiscal-vears-2020-
gi stated-financial-statements
Activity 6:
Title
OIG Report: EPA's Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020 (Restated) Consolidated
Financial Statements 22-F-0007
Lead National
OCFO
Program
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Cross-Agency
Workforce Equity
Strategy supported
Completion date
November 2021
Purpose and brief description: The OIG performed this audit in accordance with the
Government Management Reform Act of 1994, which requires the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General to audit the financial statements prepared by the
Agency each year.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
primary objectives were to determine whether:
• The EPA's consolidated financial statements were fairly stated in all material respects.
• The EPA's internal controls over financial reporting were in place.
• EPA management complied with applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant
agreements.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG noted the
following significant deficiencies:
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• The EPA did not reconcile cash differences with the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
• The EPA did not recognize revenue for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of
2014 fee fund expenses.
• Accounts receivable source documentation was not provided in a timely manner by EPA
regions.
• The Office of the Chief Financial Officer needs to conduct periodic reviews of user s'
accounts within the EPA's Contract Payment System.
The OIG also noted the following instance of noncompliance with laws and regulations: the EPA
did not comply with Office of Management and Budget Circular A-136 form and content
requirements for the balance sheet.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG made four
recommendations to OCFO:
1. Timely reconcile EPA cash differences with the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
2. Update the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act accounting model to
properly recognize earned revenue and unearned revenue as fee fund expenses are
incurred. OCFO/ OC Concur.
3. Reclassify unearned revenue to earned revenue for Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Act fee fund expenses incurred during fiscal years 2021 and 2020.
4. Record the three receivables totaling approximately $8.1 million in the fiscal year 2021
financial statements.
OCFO concurred with the recommendations and has completed the corrective actions.
Link for findings: https:/A\rww.eva.2Qv/svstem/files/documents, 202 /-// epm.0. // //>
22-f-0007.pdf
Activity 7:
Title
OIG Report: EPA Has Not Performed Agencywide Risk Assessments,
Increasing the Risk of Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Mismanagement - 22-
E-0011
Lead National
OCFO
Program
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Cross-Agency
Workforce Equity
Strategy supported
Completion date
December 2021
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Purpose and brief description: The OIG conducted this evaluation to determine whether the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of the Chief Financial Officer is conducting
agencywide entity-level risk assessments and implementing internal controls for annual and
supplemental appropriations that comply with federal and Agency requirements.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
Office of Management and Budget Circular A-123, Management's Responsibility for Enterprise
Risk Management and Internal Control, dated July 2016, requires federal agencies to integrate
internal control activities under the umbrella of an enterprise risk-management program through a
risk-assessment process. The U.S. Government Accountability Office's GAO-14-704G,
Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government, dated September 2014, provides the
overall framework for establishing and maintaining an effective internal control system. The OIG
assessed evidence to determine whether the Agency's actions were consistent with:
• FMFIA requirement to establish an internal control system that provides reasonable
assurance of achieving internal control objectives.
• OMB Circular A-123 requirement to integrate and coordinate risk management with other
internal control-related activities.
• Green Book framework to establish and maintain an effective internal control system.
• Resource Management Directives System Policy Manual 2520 requirement to manage funds
effectively and efficiently while following applicable rules, statutes, and regulations.
• 44 U.S.C. chapter 31, "Records Management by Federal Agencies," requirement to make and
maintain accurate and proper documentation of activities, decisions, policies, and procedures.
• EPA Records Schedule 1006, Administrative Management, requirement to retain
administrative management records for six years.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG determined that
the OCFO has not performed agencywide entity-level risk assessments over the EPA's annual
and supplemental appropriations. Specifically, the OCFO has not developed or implemented an
agencywide entity-level risk-assessment process—in which executive officials are fully engaged
in entity-level risk activities—to identify high-priority risks that cut across individual Agency
programs. In addition, the OCFO has not performed agencywide entity-level risk assessments
over the EPA's annual and supplemental appropriations.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG made two
recommendations which the Agency accepted. Corrective actions have been completed.
1. Develop and communicate a strategy to implement, direct, and oversee agencywide
enterprise risk management, as required by the 2016 revision of Office of Management
and Budget Circular A-123.
2. After developing the strategy from Recommendation 1, establish agency policies and
procedures, including updates to Resource Management Directives System 2520,
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Administrative Control of Appropriated and Other Funds, EPA Order 1000.24, and EPA
Delegation 1-16, to comply with Office of Management and Budget Circular A-123 requirements.
Link for findings: https:/A\rww.eva.2ov/system/files/documents/2021-12/ eyaois 201
22-e- df.
n 1 i"11¦ • -ii ¦ Ihieimik fll > tfety and If Hut ion Prevention in 1 MHP)
Activity 1;
Title
OIG Report: EPA's Safer Choice Program Would Benefit from Formal
Goals and Additional Oversight
Lead National
OCSPP
Program
FY 2022-2026
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Strategic Goal
and Objective
Objective 7.2: Promote Pollution Prevention
supported
Completion date
June 2022
Purpose and brief description: EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this audit to
determine whether the Safer Choice program effectively meets its goals and whether the program
achieves quality standards through its product qualification, renewal, and required audit
processes.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
Does the Safer Choice program effectively meet its goals?
Does the Safer Choice program achieve quality standards through its product qualification,
renewal, and required audit processes?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: OIG recommended that
the assistant administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention:
• Develop goals and performance measures that capture the impacts of the Safer Choice
program.
• Publish or otherwise notify Congress and the public of the goals and performance
measures for the EPA Safer Choice program, as well as the annual results of the
program.
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• Establish and implement procedures to conduct periodic oversight reviews of audits
conducted by the third-party profilers (TPP) to include physical oversight of the third-
party profilers' on-site audits.
• Amend memorandums of understanding with the third-party profilers, requiring that
EPA conduct performance reviews of third-party profilers. Recommendation 4 is
resolved with no corrective actions pending.
Collect and document all information that third-party profilers review in their audits in
the Safer Choice Community database.
EPA agreed with each of these recommendations and has implemented all promised corrective
actions as described below.
1. Develop goals and performance measures that capture the impacts of the Safer Choice
program. For Recommendation 1, EPA did not commit to state any goals for the
program. The performance measures currently tracked for the Safer Choice program -
including the number of products certified and the number of chemicals added to the
Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL) - are good measures of the impact of the Safer
Choice program in voluntarily helping the marketplace adopt safer chemicals in cleaning
product formulations. To fulfill Recommendation la, on October 1, 2020, the Agency
implemented the following performance measures:
• Number of Products Certified by the Safer Choice Program
• Number of chemicals added to SCIL
Timeliness of EPA reviews of Safer Choice products
To fulfill Recommendation lb, on October 1, 2020, EPA began collecting the following data
from Safer Choice partner companies, and implemented the following performance measures on
October 1, 2021:
Total volume of Safer Choice-marketed products
Total volume of Safer Choice-marketed products, by category
• Reformulations Ultimately Qualifying for the Safer Choice Label
2. Publish or otherwise notify Congress and the public of the goals and performance
measures for the EPA Safer Choice program, as well as the annual results of the
program. To fulfill Recommendation 2, on January 21, 2021, the Agency published the
first set of performance measures from Corrective Action la on a new Safer Choice
webpage (https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer-choice-performance-measuresy The
second set of performance measures from Corrective Action lb were incorporated into
this webpage on January 3, 2022.
3. Establish and implement procedures to conduct periodic oversight reviews of audits
conducted by the third-party profilers (TPP) to include physical oversight of the third-
party profilers' on-site audits. EPA agreed to conduct yearly oversight reviews of TPP
desk and on-site audits. To fulfill Recommendation 3, on November 10, 2020, the
Agency developed a standard operating procedure (SOP) to annually conduct oversight
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reviews of audits conducted by TPPs, including physical oversight of those audits. For 2021-
2022, on-site-product-manufacturer audits were conducted remotely because of the ongoing
Covid-19 pandemic. By December 2, 2021, Safer Choice conducted two desk audits per TPP
(NSF International and ToxServices LLC; note that new TPP Gradient does not yet have clients
at the audit stage).
4. Amend memorandums of understanding with the third-party profilers, requiring that
EPA conduct performance reviews of third-party profilers. To fulfill Recommendation 4,
on September 9, 2020, the Agency finalized amendments to the TPP Memorandums of
Understanding to indicate that EPA will conduct performance reviews for each of the
three TPPs: NSF International; ToxServices LLC; and Gradient.
5. Collect and document all information that third-party profilers review in their audits in
the Safer Choice Community database. EPA proposed to incorporate a checklist in the
data system that will confirm that TPPs collected and reviewed all audit documentation.
Documentation will then be available for EPA to conduct yearly oversight reviews of
TPP desk and on-site audits. To fulfill Recommendation 5, on December 2, 2020, the
Agency incorporated a checklist in the Safer Choice Community that TPPs will include
with each audit summary, confirming that the TPP has collected and reviewed all the
audit documentation required by the Safer Choice Standard. On June 13, 2021, the
Agency confirmed that the TPPs have incorporated the checklist into their submitted
audit summaries.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: EPA used the findings of the
report to strengthen its oversight of TPPs and to re-establish a more transparent measures-
tracking system.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/office-inspector-general/report-epas-safer-choice-
program-would-benefit-formal-goals-and-additional
Activity 2:
Title
GAO Report: Persistent Chemicals
Lead National
Program
OCSPP
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide
Safety
Completion date
July 2022
Purpose and brief description: In Persistent Chemicals: Technologies for PFAS Assessment,
Detection, and Treatment (GAO-22-105088), GAO reported on technologies to detect and treat
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination and assess its health effects. GAO
also offered policymakers additional actions to consider.
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PFAS are a large group of heat and stain resistant chemicals, first developed in the 1940s. PFAS
are used in a wide range of products, including carpet, nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing,
and firefighting foam used at airports and military bases. PFAS can persist in the environment,
including in water, soil, and air, for decades or longer. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention has found that most people in the U.S. have been exposed to two of the most widely
studied PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Both have
been linked to human health problems.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
GAO was asked to conduct a technology assessment on PFAS assessment, detection, and
treatment. This report examines (1) technologies for more efficient assessments of the adverse
health effects of PFAS and alternative substances; (2) the benefits and challenges of current and
emerging technologies for PFAS detection and treatment; and (3) policy options that could help
enhance benefits and mitigate challenges associated with these technologies.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: GAO identified three
challenges associated with PFAS assessment, detection, and treatment technologies:
• PFAS chemical structures are diverse and difficult to analyze for health risks, and
machine learning requires extensive training data that may not be available.
• Researchers lack analytical standards for many PFAS, limiting the development of
effective detection methods.
The effectiveness and availability of disposal and destruction options for PFAS are
uncertain because of a lack of data, monitoring, and guidance.
GAO developed the following three policy options that could help mitigate these challenges.
• Policymakers could support development of technologies and methods to more
efficiently research PFAS health risks.
• Policymakers could collaborate to improve access to standard reference samples of
PFAS, known as analytical standards and increase the pace of method and reference
sample development for PFAS detection.
• Policymakers could encourage the development and evaluation of full-scale
technologies and methods to dispose of or destroy PFAS.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The three policy options
provided in the report are not pertinent to OCSPP's work.
Link for findings: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-105088
Activity .?:
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Title
OIG Report: EPA Needs to Improve the Transparency of Its Cancer-
Assessment Process for Pesticides
l.ead National
Program
OCSPP
IV 2022-2026
Strategic (>oal and
Objective supported
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
Completion dale
September 2022
Purpose and brief description: The OIG performed this evaluation to examine the extent to
which the EPA followed policies and procedures in developing the cancer assessment for the
1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) pesticide registration-review decision to prevent unreasonable
adverse effects on human health. EPA initiated this evaluation based on multiple complaints
submitted to the Office of Inspector General Hotline.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act requires EPA to review every pesticide
registration no later than 15 years after the active ingredient's initial registration to determine
whether the pesticide continues to meet the statutory standard—that is, whether the pesticide
performs its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human health and the
environment.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG found that EPA
did not adhere to all standard operating procedures and requirements for the 1,3-D pesticide
cancer-assessment process. OIG recommended that the Assistant Administrator for Chemical
Safety and Pollution Prevention:
• Issue guidances on when and how to conduct kinetically derived maximum (KMD)
approach and weight of evidence approach in cancer risk assessments for pesticides.
• Update the docket for 1,3-D to include all required materials, including meeting minutes
and list of participants for meetings between the EPA and the registrant related to the
1,3-Dichloropropene pesticide registration review and cancer assessment.
• Develop guidance to clarify when to docket meetings related to a registration review for
other related activities that occur concurrent to the pesticide registration review process.
Conduct an additional literature search that identifies all published scientific studies
concerning the potential carcinogenicity of 1,3-Dichloropropene, including a
methodology to reconcile inconsistencies in the scientific data, and publish the results of
the literature search and reconciliations.
• Develop procedures to ensure independence of Cancer Assessment Review Committee
(CARC) members from the work products they review, ensure appropriate expertise is
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represented on CARC and when to include ad hoc scientists, and regularly assess CARC to
ensure internal peer review standards are met.
Conduct an external peer review of the 1,3-D cancer risk assessment.
• Develop and implement specific criteria requiring external peer review of Office of
Pesticide Programs risk assessments that use scientifically or technically novel
approaches, or are likely to have precedent-setting influence, on future risk
assessments, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's 2005 Final
Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG made nine
recommendations to improve the transparency of the 1,3-D cancer-assessment process and restore
the scientific credibility of the Agency's 1,3-D cancer classification. These recommendations
address the lack of guidance for EPA's use of the kinetically derived maximum dose and weight-
of-evidence approaches, an incomplete public docket, an incomplete literature search,
noncompliance with internal peer review standards, and the need for an external peer review.
EPA has agreed to implement corrective actions for 8 of the 9 recommendations, and the OIG has
accepted Agency corrective actions. OIG and the Agency remain in discussions about
Recommendation 8 (peer review). To fulfill the OIG recommendations for the 8 agreed upon
corrective actions:
• EPA is currently working in conjunction with other international regulatory authorities
to develop guidance on the integration of kinetic information (i.e., KMD) in the Joint
FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) pesticide risk assessments.
• EPA has agreed to develop guidance on the use of weight of evidence approach in
cancer assessments for pesticides. Once developed, EPA will post a link to the guidance
on an EPA's pesticide website.
• EPA will complete its search of any available existing meeting materials and/or meeting
notes on the 1,3-D cancer assessment and add any additional materials found to thel,3- D
registration review docket.
EPA will develop and implement internal guidance to clarify when to docket meetings
related to pesticide registration review for the specific related activity of a cancer
assessment that occurs concurrent to the registration review process.
• EPA conducted an updated comprehensive literature search to inform the carcinogenic
potential of 1,3-D. The results of the search will be posted to the registration review
docket for 1,3-D.
The SOP for CARC will be updated to reflect the OIG recommendations specifically
addressing the independence of CARC members from the work products they review,
ensuring there is the appropriate expertise on the CARC for each meeting, including ad
hoc voting scientists when needed. EPA will continue to regularly assess CARC
processes and procedures and update the SOP as needed.
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OCSPP will develop a Standard Operating Procedure to determine when an external
peer review is required for assessments using scientifically or technically novel
approaches or likely to have precedent-setting influence. This guidance will be used to
ensure consistency in the external peer review process across OSCPP.
The implementation of the 8 OIG recommendations will help to improve transparency and
consistency in the review process to conduct cancer assessments for pesticides.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.sov/office-inspector-semral/revort-epa-needs-improve-
transyarencv-its-cancer-assessment-vrocess
Activity 4;
Title
OIG Report: Long-Chain PFAS Rule
Lead National
Program
OCSPP
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective supported
Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety
Completion date
July 2022
Purpose and brief description: EPA's Office of Inspector General conducted this assessment to
determine the extent to which EPA followed applicable policies, procedures, and guidance for
changes made to the Long-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylate and Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonate
Chemical Substances Significant New Use Rule (LCPFAC SNUR) after signature by the EPA
Administrator.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: Did
EPA follow all applicable policies, procedures, and guidance when making changes to the
LCPFAC SNUR between the EPA Administrator's signing of the final rule on June 22, 2020, and
publication of the final rule in the Federal Register on July 27, 2020?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: EPA did not follow all
applicable policies, procedures, and guidance when making changes to the LCPFAC SNUR after
signature by the EPA Administrator and before publication in the Federal Register. In accordance
with the procedure outlined in the "Changes to Rule Documents Prepared for the Administrator's
Signature" memorandum, the Agency developed a post-signature change memorandum
identifying the changes, but EPA did not docket that memorandum as stipulated by the Docketing
FAQs. OIG could not determine whether EPA complied with the transparency provisions of E.O.
12866. EPA followed the Office of the Federal Register's Document Drafting Handbook
guidance for requesting changes to the final rule.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: OIG made three
recommendations in its audit, which EPA has agreed with and have completed out as described
below:
1151
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1. The Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention should update
the docket for the Long-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylate and Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonate
Chemical Substances Significant New Use Rule by posting the decision memorandum,
Corrections to the Final Rule for Long-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylate and
Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonate Chemical Substances; Significant New Use Rule (Tier 3; SAN
5684; RIN 2070-AJ99; FRL- 10010-44; EPA-HQ-OPPT-20 13-0225) - DECISION
MEMORANDUM, which outlines the changes 8 22-E-0052 made to the final rule after the EPA
administrator signed it but before it was published in the Federal Register. EPA agreed with and
completed this recommendation. EPA added to the final rule docket a copy of the EPA
Administrator memorandum signed on July 13, 2020, with accompanying attachments.
2. The Associate Administrator for Policy should update Creating and Managing Dockets:
Frequently Asked Questions for EPA Action Developers (Docketing FAQs), dated
October 2011, and other applicable policies, procedures, and guidance as needed to
require the docketing of any decision memorandum that outlines substantive changes
made to a final rule after the EPA Administrator signs it, but before it is published in the
Federal Register. EPA agreed to revise the 2011 Docketing FAQs, the 2006 EPA
memorandum Changes to Rule Documents Prepared for the Administrator's Signature,
and the ADP Guidance to clarify expectations regarding the docketing of final post
signature change memos that have been signed by the Administrator.
3. The Associate Administrator for Policy should update applicable policies, procedures,
and guidance as needed to require that—when EPA makes changes to a regulatory action
as a result of a suggestion or recommendation received from the Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs between the time the action is submitted to the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs for review and the time the action is published in the
Federal Register— EPA identify those changes for the public, consistent with Executive
Order 12866 section 6(a)(3)(E)(iii). EPA agreed to address this recommendation by
March 21, 2023, by updating the introductory Action Development Process training for
EPA senior leadership to explicitly address post-signature changes to regulatory
documents, the importance of documenting any verbal decisions and instructions that
occur post-signature, and the need for adequate documentation and records management
consistent with Executive Order 12866.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/office-inspector-general/report-epa-was-not-
transparent-about-changes-made-long-chain-pfas-rule
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA)
Activity 1:
Title
Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Integrity Screening Project
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Lead National
Program
OECA
IV 2022-2026
Strategic Coal and
Objective
supported
Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective 3.1: Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties
Accountable
Completion dale
Preliminary Results: March 2022.
Purpose and brief description:
Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Integrity Screening is an Enforcement and Compliance
History Online (ECHO) search tool that uses statistical filters to look for signs of possible
misreporting in NPDES DMRs. Facilities with high scores may be candidates for further review
and possible on-site investigation, compliance assistance, or civil or criminal enforcement.
OECA piloted the application with eight states that agreed to test the tool and report back on their
use and findings.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
The results from the pilot will help to improve the tool and gather information about what
methods are effective at finding misreporting. This effort will support the goal of reducing
significant non-compliance (SNC) in the NPDES program.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings:
The pilot concluded in 2021. Initial results from two states (AR, MD) indicated that they used the
tool to help target inspections or inform inspections that were already planned. One finding at a
specific facility seemed likely to result in civil or criminal enforcement for intentional
misreporting.
As of March 2022, the analysis concluded that notifications increased the timeliness of
submission but did not make a notable impact on moving submissions from the category of late to
on time. Permittees who had a record of submitting on time began submitting earlier, but
permittees with a record of submitting late continued to do so. EPA's analysis showed a larger
effect from notifications including information about potential penalties for non-submission.
Researchers plan to assess additional factors like municipal budget data or depopulation that may
show correlation to chronic non-submission. A formal conclusions paper is underway, and an
expected completion date is November 2022.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings:
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EPA plans to use the results of this pilot to make improvements to the tool. The tool itself will
help EPA identify misreporting in NPDES DMRs and investigate the cause of misreporting as
needed.
Link for findings:
Information on the pilot and tool can be found on the ECHO website (DMR Integrity Screening J
ECHO 1 US EPA), with restricted access sign on needed.
Activity 2:
Title
OIG Report: "Total National Reported Clean Air Act Compliance-
Monitoring Activities Decreased Slightly During Coronavirus Pandemic,
but State Activities Varied Widely"
Lead National
Program
OECA
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective 3.2: Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
Completion date
November 2021
Purpose and brief description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated this
assessment to assess how the coronavirus pandemic—that is, the SARS-CoV-2 virus and
resultant COVID-19 disease— has impacted air compliance-monitoring activities undertaken by
EPA-delegated state and local agencies to confirm that facilities that emit air pollution are
complying with the Clean Air Act, or CAA, and federal air regulations.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
The EPA OIG conducted this assessment to:
• Assess the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the number and type of compliance-
monitoring activities taken by state and local agencies at facilities that emit air pollution.
• Determine what guidance the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provided to state and
local agencies to target or prioritize compliance-monitoring activities at facilities and how
agencies conducted those tasks during the pandemic. EPA's Clean Air Act Stationary Source
Compliance Monitoring Strategy recommends the frequency and type of activities to be
conducted by delegated state and local agencies, which then report those activities to EPA; OIG
relied on those reported activities for its findings and recommendations.
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Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings:
The OIG report stated the following:
The coronavirus pandemic marginally impacted the total number of nationwide
compliance monitoring activities at facilities that emit air pollution. However, activities
varied widely among states and territories, with reported changes in activities at high-
emitting sources in fiscal year 2020 ranging from an 88-percent decline to a 234-percent
increase. Substantially lower levels of compliance monitoring limit the deterrent effect
that consistent monitoring can have on facilities' noncompliance and increase the risk
that noncompliance could go undetected at facilities.
State and local agencies shifted some types of compliance-monitoring activities from
on-site to off-site. This shift is in accordance with guidance EPA issued in July 2020,
which provided some flexibility to state and local agencies to count off-site compliance-
monitoring activities toward the Clean Air Act Stationary Source Compliance Monitoring
Strategy (CAA CMS) commitments for full compliance evaluations. EPA, however, has not yet
assessed the impact of this flexibility on the use of off-site full-compliance evaluations to ensure
that evaluations are consistent with the CAA CMS. In addition, while EPA convened a workgroup
to explore using remote video to conduct off-site partial-compliance evaluations, the Agency has
not yet determined the conditions under which remote video is technically, legally, and
programmatically feasible and has not finalized its draft standard operating procedures.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings:
The EPA OIG recommended that EPA address the needs of agencies that had significant declines
in compliance-monitoring activities. They also recommended internal controls to strengthen
EPA's oversight of off-site compliance-monitoring activities. EPA provided corrective actions
and planned completion dates for the six recommendations, which were agreed to by the OIG. All
recommendations have planned completion dates of 12/30/22, with the exception of one which
has a planned completion date of 9/30/23 (see table, below).
Rec No.
Page No.
Subject
Action Official
Planned
Completion
Date
1
18
In coordination with the EPA
regional offices, evaluate the
needs of the state and local
agencies in states and
territories that had significant
Assistant
Administrator
for
Enforcement
and
9/30/23
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declines, as determined by the
EPA, in their total compliance-
monitoring activities for fiscal
year 2020 to determine whether
technical assistance is needed
and provide it as appropriate.
Compliance
Assurance
2
18
Assess a portion of off-site full-
compliance evaluations reported
by state and local agencies
during the coronavirus pandemic
to determine whether they meet
the requirements of a full
compliance evaluation
Assistant
Administrator
for Enforcement
and Compliance
Assurance
12/30/22
3
18
After assessing a portion of the
off-site full-compliance
evaluations reported by state
and local agencies during the
coronavirus pandemic,
determine whether additional
guidance on what constitutes
an off-site full-compliance
evaluation, the types of
facilities where an off-site full-
compliance evaluation is
appropriate, and when a
remote visual component is
necessary. If such a
determination is made, issue
updated guidance on off-site
full-compliance evaluations.
Assistant
Administrator
for
Enforcement
and
Compliance
Assurance
12/30/22
4
18
Determine and document the
conditions or parameters under
which the use of remote video
to conduct off-site partial
compliance evaluations is
feasible from a legal, technical,
and programmatic perspective.
Assistant
Administrator
for
Enforcement
and
Compliance
Assurance
12/30/22
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5
18
Finalize the Remote Video
Partial Compliance Evaluation
workgroup's standard operating
procedures.
Assistant
Administrator
for Enforcement
and Compliance
Assurance
12/30/22
6
18
Determine whether and how
remote video can be used in
conjunction with a document
review to qualify as a full
compliance evaluation for
purposes of the Clean Air Act
Stationary Source Compliance
Monitoring Strategy and
provide instruction to state and
local agencies.
Assistant
Administrator
for
Enforcement
and
Compliance
Assurance
12/30/22
Link for findings: Link
Activity 3:
Title
OIG Report: "Additional Internal Controls Would Improve EPA's System
for Electronic Disclosure of Environmental Violations"
Lead National
Program
OECA
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal
and Objective
supported
Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective 3.1: Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties
Accountable
Completion date
June 2022
Purpose and brief description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated this
assessment to determine whether EPA's process for screening regulated entities' self-disclosed
environmental violations reported through the eDisclosure system is effective and ensures that
significant concerns, such as criminal conduct and potential imminent hazards, are addressed by
the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, or OECA.
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Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
The goal of the eDisclosure system is to provide an efficient mechanism for regulated entities to
self-disclose—that is, voluntarily discover, report, and correct—violations of federal
environmental laws and regulations. Self-disclosed violations are automatically processed under
EPA's audit policies. EPA subsequently screens certain eDisclosure submissions to ensure that
significant concerns, such as criminal conduct and potential imminent hazards, are properly
addressed.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings:
The OIG report stated the following:
• EPA's Audit Policy Program does not have adequate internal controls to ensure that the
screening process for eDisclosure submissions is effective and that significant concerns
are identified and addressed by the regions and OECA. While EPA has committed to
screening submissions, there is no formal, written national guidance or training on how
staff should conduct this screening. As a result, some regional staff are not screening
eDisclosure submissions or are screening them inconsistently. Additionally, EPA has not
conducted any monitoring or established any performance measures to determine
whether the eDisclosure system and screening procedures are being consistently and
effectively implemented. The eDisclosure system could also be improved to offer real-
time notifications of new eDisclosure data and robust data analyses. By implementing
these internal controls, EPA can reduce the risk that significant concerns are not being
addressed while also enhancing the impacts of the eDisclosure system.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings:
EPA OIG recommend that the assistant administrator for Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance develop national guidance that includes a process for screening eDisclosure
submissions for significant concerns; provide eDisclosure-specific training to EPA headquarters
and regions to clarify expectations, establish staff responsibilities, and communicate best
practices; develop performance measures for the eDisclosure system, as well as a monitoring plan
to track its effectiveness; and assess eDisclosure system functionality to identify and implement
improvements.
Rec No.
Page No.
Subject
Action Official
Planned
Completion
Date
1
10
Develop national guidance that
includes a process for screening
eDisclosure submissions for
significant concerns, such as
Assistant
Administrator
for Enforcement
9/30/23
1158
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criminal conduct and potential
imminent hazards.
and Compliance
Assurance
2
10
Provide eDisclosure-specific
training to EPA Headquarters
and regions to clarify
expectations, establish staff
responsibilities, and
communicate best practices.
Assistant
Administrator
for Enforcement
and Compliance
Assurance
9/30/23
3
10
Develop performance measures
for the eDisclosure system and
a monitoring plan to track its
effectiveness.
Assistant
Administrator
for Enforcement
and Compliance
Assurance
9/30/23
4
10
In coordination with EPA
regions, assess eDisclosure
system functionality to identify
and implement improvements.
Assistant
Administrator
for Enforcement
and Compliance
Assurance
9/30/23
OECA agreed with all four recommendations and corrective actions and estimated completion
dates agreed to by the OIG. All recommendations have planned completion dates of 9/30/23
(see table, below). EPA OIG revised the report based on technical comments provided by OECA.
Link for findings; https://www.epa.Qov/system/files/documents/2022-06/ eoaoia 20220630-
22-E-0051.pdf
n "mi, ii Land an J f mergency Managemen f <" "I f VI)
Activity 1:
Title
OLEM Population Analysis
Lead National
Program
OLEM
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I'Y 2022-2026
Strategic (>oal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and
Healthy Communities
Completion date
July 2022
Purpose and brief description: This is a descriptive study. The purpose is to conduct an annual
analysis to support evidence-based descriptions of who benefits from EPA's cleanup and
prevention work, by collecting data on the population living within three and one mile(s) of a
Superfund site, Brownfields site, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective
Action (CA) facility, Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) site, and Underground Storage
Tank (UST) facility that exist in thousands of communities across the United States ranging from
remote to large urban settings. Many of them are located in economically distressed communities.
This analysis also supports EPA's America's Children and the Environment Report, by estimating
the number of children and their socioeconomic/demographic characteristics who live within one
mile of a RCRA CA or Superfund site that may not have had all human health protective
measures in place at the time of the analysis.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: Who
benefits from EPA's cleanup and prevention work related to Superfund sites, Brownfields sites,
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action (CA) facility, Leaking
Underground Storage Tank (LUST) sites, and Underground Storage Tank (UST) facilities?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: To help describe who
benefits from our cleanup work, EPA collected data on the population living within three and
one mile(s) of these sites. Using census data, EPA found that approximately 207 million people
live within three miles of a Superfund remedial site, RCRA Corrective Action facility, or
Brownfields site, roughly 63 percent of the U.S. population, including 64 percent of all children
in the U.S. under the age of five. While there is no single way to characterize communities
located near our sites and facilities, this population is more minority, low income, linguistically
isolated, and less likely to have a high school education than the U.S. population as a whole. As a
result, these communities may have fewer resources with which to address concerns about their
health and environment. OLEM also works with states, territories, tribes and industry to protect
the environment and human health from potential releases at Underground Storage Tank (UST)
facilities. The greatest potential threat from a leaking UST is contamination of groundwater, the
source of drinking water for nearly half of all Americans. Approximately 94 percent of the US
population lives within 3 miles of an active UST facility, and 75 percent of the US population
lives within 3 miles of an open LUST release.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: Results are included in
EPA's annual budget reviews with OMB, and in budget justifications for Congress. Results also
are used in general communications with press, other government agencies, and the public. Results
are also compared with previous years to identify whether there are any emerging or changes
1160
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in trends from year-to-year. Results also indicate populations sub-groups that are
disproportionately located near to our sites, which may indicate a need for intervention.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/office-land-and-emergencv-management-
olem -program -benefits#Program s
Activity 2:
Title
Redevelopment Economics at Remedial Sites (non-federal facility)
Lead National
Program
OLEM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Obj ective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and
Healthy Communities
Completion date
February 2022
Pnrpose and brief description: Cleaning up contaminated sites can serve as a catalyst for
economic growth and community revitalization. The Superfund Remedial Program facilitates the
redevelopment of sites across the country while protecting human health and the environment.
Collaborative efforts among state, local, and tribal partners, redevelopers and other federal
agency programs encourage restoration of sites. Since Superfund sites often encompass
buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, their effective and efficient cleanup and reuse can play
a pivotal role in a community's economic growth. EPA has initiated efforts to collect economic
data at a subset of Superfund sites. The analysis will provide current, reliable business-related
information for a subset of Superfund sites in reuse and continued use. These uses can help
economically revitalize communities near Superfund sites.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: What
are the economic outcomes of reuse of non-federal Superfund remedial sites?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Over the last 11 years
(2011-2021) for Superfund sites in reuse where EPA has economic data, businesses have
generated at least $478 billion in sales, which is 27 times the $17.3 billion EPA has spent
cumulatively to clean up those sites. In 2022, data EPA collected at 650 sites in reuse indicate
these sites supported approximately 10,230 businesses. These businesses' ongoing operations
generate annual sales of $65.8 billion. They also employ more than 246,000 people who earned a
combined income of $18.6 billion.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: Economic data are included
in budget justifications to Congress and are used in general communication, including the annual
Superfund Accomplishment Reports, with key stakeholders, state and local government, external
partners, and the public. Community development organizations, local government, developers
etc. can use this data to illustrate potential returns from Superfund site
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reuse. Internally, EPA considers these findings to be a key data point and results are also
compared with previous years to identify whether there are any emerging or changes in trends
from year-to-year.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/superfund-redevelopment/redevelopment-economics-
superfund-sites
Activity 3:
Title
Redevelopment Economics at Federal Facilities
Lead National
Program
OLEM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Obj ective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and
Healthy Communities
Completion date
January 2022
Pnrpose and brief description: Cleaning up contaminated sites at federal facilities can serve as a
catalyst for economic growth and community revitalization. The Superfund Federal Facilities
Program facilitates the redevelopment of federal facility sites across the country by assisting other
federal agencies (OFAs) to expedite activities related to CERCLA response actions, while
protecting human health and the environment. Collaborative efforts among OF As; developers; and
state, local, and tribal partners encourage restoration of sites. Since federal facility Superfund sites
often encompass thousands of acres with buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, their effective
and efficient cleanup and reuse can play a pivotal role in a community's economic growth. EPA
has initiated efforts to collect economic data at a subset of federal facility Superfund sites which is
outlined on the public webpage Redevelopment Economics era! Facilities. The analysis will
provide current, reliable business-related information for a subset of federal facility Superfund
sites in reuse and continued use. Some innovative business owners and organizations reuse
Superfund sites for a variety of purposes. These uses can help economically revitalize
communities near Superfund sites. EPA has initiated efforts to collect economic data at a subset of
federal facility Superfund sites.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: What
are the economic outcomes of reuse of federal facility Superfund sites?
Brief list of results/coiiclusions/findings including interim findings: An economic analysis of
50 Federal Facility Superfund Sites identified over 2,000 businesses that generated $17 billion in
annual sales, provided over 220,000 jobs and $19 billion in estimated annual employment
income. Readily available internet and database sources are utilized to create estimates of
national totals related to the beneficial effects of Superfund sites in reuse. Without more
1162
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extensive research it is not always possible to identify all business names and addresses on site.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: Economic data are included
in budget justifications to Congress and are used in general communication with other Federal
agencies and the public. Economic Data results are also be used to highlight projects that
demonstrate that the restoration of Superfund sites protects public health and serves as a catalyst
for community revitalization and economic growth. The highlighted projects can serve as models
for future redevelopment projects.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.gov/fedfac/redevelopment-federal-facilities
Activity 4;
Title
Analyses of Economic Benefits at RCRA Corrective Action Facilities,
After
Cleanup
Lead National
Program
OLEM
FY 2018-2022
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Obj ective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and
Healthy Communities
Completion date
June 2022
Purpose and brief description: Cleaning up contaminated sites serves as a catalyst for economic
growth and community revitalization and can help to preserve existing business operations. The
RCRA economic benefits study provides information on currently active businesses now
operating at former RCRA Corrective Action (CA) facilities that are now in reuse or continued
use after cleanup and remediation. Economic impacts associated with facilities in reuse highlight
how cleanup performed under RCRA CA can set the stage for a wide range of new development.
These developments can often attract new businesses and bolster local economies. In some cases,
reuse priorities are incorporated into the remedial design process, resulting in cleanups that
directly facilitate future reuse. Such facilities can serve as models of what is possible when EPA
and RCRA-authorized states, other state and local entities, and facility stakeholders work together
to address cleanup and consider reuse priorities early in the cleanup process. Additionally, this
study reveals how cleanup performed under RCRA CA can also facilitate safe, continued
operations of long-time facility businesses, while also protecting human health and the
environment through remediation.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
ongoing analysis of economic benefits provides current, reliable business-related information for
a subset of RCRA Corrective Action Facilities now in reuse or continued use after they have been
cleaned up. The study helps to highlight the significant economic benefits that can occur when
such facilities are remediated. The analyses furthermore help the RCRA cleanup program
characterize the many types of redevelopments that can occur at RCRA Corrective Action
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facilities. To leverage these economic findings, the program is also producing facility case studies
that showcase the cleanup and current uses so that they may be used as examples of what may be
replicable at other RCRA cleanups.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings: EPA's analyses of 79 RCRA cleanups revealed that
these cleaned up facilities support 1,028 on-site businesses, which provide economic benefits
including: $39 billion in annual sales revenue; over 82,000 jobs; and $7.9 billion in estimated
annual employment income. Additionally, the RCRA program also sought to further assess
potential environmental justice disparities as part of this study. These analyses revealed that
approximately 25% of the 79 study facilities are located within communities with potential
environmental justice concerns. With these facilities now having been cleaned up, more than 170
businesses are operating at these same locations, helping to generate 7,900 jobs and more than
$522 million in annual income for these communities.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings: Economic data are included in budget
justifications to Congress and are used in general communication with key stakeholders and the
public. The most recent results were released in an EPA Press Release, and a new webpage was
launched to make these findings and associated facility case studies broadly available to the
public (See link below). Going forward, these analyses are being expanded for additional
purposes. For example, the results are being used to assess environmental justice concerns and to
identify the economic impacts from cleanups located in disadvantaged communities. Further
utilization of the results will involve the assessment of Energy Production, GHG Mitigation, and
Climate Change Impacts at these facilities.
Links for findings: https://www.epa.sov/hw/rede.velopment-economics-rcra-corrective-
action-facilities#method
Activity 5:
Title
Superfund Remedial Socioeconomic Business Utilization Improvement
Workgroup
Lead National
Program
OLEM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil
Rights
Objective 2.1: Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the
Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Levels
Objective 2.2: Embed Environmental Justice and Civil Rights into EPA's
Programs, Policies, and Activities
Completion date
September 2022
Purpose and brief description:
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The Remedial Acquisition Framework (RAF) has been successful with small businesses, but
limited in the number of procurements awarded to socioeconomic businesses, such as small-
disadvantaged businesses (SDBs), women-owned small businesses (WOSBs), small businesses
located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones), and service-disabled veteran
owned small businesses (SDVOSBs
With the influx of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and an increase in large construction
projects, the percentage of work going to socioeconomic businesses which equated to 6% in
FY21 may continue to decrease in future years. Without a strategic focus on increasing
opportunities to socioeconomic firms it is unlikely that the Superfund Remedial Program will
meet EPA's socioeconomic utilization targets.
This project involved developing a toolkit for the utilization under the Superfund RAF and the
best approaches to procuring remedial activities for socioeconomic businesses (i.e. using targeted
standalone contracts). To further support these efforts training materials were developed that will
familiarize the Regions with the use of the toolkit's resources. Additionally, the Superfund
Remedial program is tracking procurements to assess the changes in the use of socioeconomic
businesses.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
1. Is socioeconomic business utilization in the remedial program projected to
increase or decrease in the coming fiscal years?
2. What are the root causes of any potential decrease in utilization?
3. What can be done to increase socioeconomic business utilization in the remedial
program?
4. How can OSRTI leverage its partnerships (both internal to EPA and external
to other federal agencies) to increase socioeconomic business utilization?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings:
1. Socioeconomic business utilization in the remedial program is projected to
decrease without intervention due to the increased funding on preplaced contracts
that do not include socioeconomic businesses.
2. To increase socioeconomic business participation, the Superfund Remedial
program must focus on options within the RAF which includes standalone (site-
specific) contracts to socioeconomic businesses.
3. Socioeconomic business utilization can be promoted by providing training and
support to EPA regions.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings:
Based on our findings, we developed a toolkit to provide EPA regions with resources and best
practices that will enhance their ability to utilize socioeconomic businesses. We also developed
plans to implement recurring trainings/refreshers to ensure that both new and experienced regional
staff will have frequent chances to familiarize themselves with developments regarding
socioeconomic business utilization. We further developed our internal and external partnerships
with relevant groups (EPA-OSDBU and USACE), which allows all three groups to better assist
each other in our ongoing socioeconomic business utilization efforts.
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Link for findings:
https://work.epa.eov/small-busiiiess/toolkit-socioecoiiomic-busiiiess-utilizatioii-imder-
superfund-remedial-acquisitions
Activity 6:
Title
Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map
Lead
National
Program
OLEM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.2: Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
Completion date
September 2022
Purpose and brief description: The national recycling sector lacks an accessible, comprehensive
resource for understanding opportunities related to material recovery. In response to this, and in
support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and EPA's National Recycling Goal of
increasing the U.S. recycling rate from the current 32% to 50% by 2030, EPA has developed the
Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map. This interactive map identifies and
displays information on estimated generation, recycling and recycling potential by zip code and
material; locations of recycling infrastructure; potential primary and secondary end markets for
recycled materials; market factors such as landfill tipping fees and bottle bill deposit prices; and
MSW infrastructure such as landfills and transfer stations. Users can leverage this tool to better
understand the intersection of recycling and solid waste management, end market opportunities,
and environmental justice.
While several data visualization tools exist within the recycling industry, they are primarily
tailored to discrete regions or product sectors and provide limited use for understanding the
overall national recycling sector. EPA's Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map
uncovers opportunities for recycling infrastructure investment and recycling market development
by visually presenting data estimates from all phases of the recycling process, including
generation, collection, sortation, and end use. This aims to address the lack of an accessible,
comprehensive resource for understanding opportunities related to material recovery.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
How can we better understand the overall national recycling sector?
How can we comprehensively understand opportunities related to material
recovery?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: This interactive map
identifies and displays multiple layers of data on information such as estimated generation,
recycling and recycling potential by zip code and material; locations of recycling infrastructure;
potential primary and secondary end markets for recycled materials; market factors such as
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landfill tipping fees and bottle bill deposit prices; and MSW infrastructure such as landfills and
transfer stations.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The Recycling Infrastructure
and Market Opportunities Map can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
Assisting developers with recycling infrastructure site selection;
Visualizing the distribution of available recycled material generated by
geographic region to inform facility development and expansion sites, including
environmental justice considerations;
Identifying recycled material feedstocks for circular economy entrepreneurs;
Developing or expanding hub-and-spoke collection systems to help provide
economies of scale to rural recycling programs; and
Helping local governments design recycling programs by estimating gaps in
required recycling capacity.
Link for findings: To be released for public comment January 2023.
Activity 7:
Title
Drum Reconditioner Damage Case Report
Lead National
Program
OLEM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.2: Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
Completion date
September 2022
Purpose and brief description: On September 8, 2022, EPA published a drum reconditioner
report to improve Agency understanding of how the drum reconditioning industry operates and
document damage case incidents at facilities that have caused significant harm to human health
and the environment. The report also serves to inform domestic policymakers, enforcement
officials, and the public about the regulatory and waste issues surrounding drum reconditioning
facilities. EPA plans to use information gathered from this report to engage stakeholders on
approaches to address and mitigate these issues. This analysis examined the existing Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations, particularly the empty container provision
found in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations in section 261.7, which exempts from
regulation hazardous waste residues that remain in a drum or other container if certain conditions
are met. Both RCRA empty containers (that can still have small amounts of residues) and non-
empty containers are shipped to drum reconditioners creating compliance challenges. Even when
in compliance, drum reconditi oners are receiving and managing large quantities of hazardous
waste residues. This report begins the process of examining this industry to see what further
Agency action, regulatory or otherwise, is needed to protect human health and the environment.
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Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: What
further Agency action, regulatory or otherwise, is needed in the drum reconditioning industry to
protect human health and the environment?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The report's findings
indicate an estimated national drum reconditioning universe of 181 facilities, of which 106 are
presumed to still be operating, with approximately 40 million total drums being processed each
year and 47.5 percent of all facilities having experienced one or more reported damage case.
This analysis helped identify common types of incidents within this industry and their underlying
causes, the populations most at risk to damage cases at these facilities, and the current and future
risks to human health and the environment.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: This report began the
process of examining the drum reconditioner industry to see what further Agency action,
regulatory or otherwise, is needed to protect human health and the environment by documenting
damage cases and releases into the environment. EPA will use this report and its evidence to
increase awareness of issues at drum reconditioners and serve as the first step in a larger data
gathering and formal engagement process to work towards mitigation of future damage to human
health and the environment from these facilities.
Link for findings: https://www.epa.sov/hw/drum-reconditioner-dcanaze-case-report
Activity 8;
Title
OIG Report: Authorized State Hazardous Waste Program Inspections and
Operations Were Impacted During Coronavirus Pandemic Report No. 22-E-
0009
Lead National
Program
OLEM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal
and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.2: Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
Completion date
December 2021
Purpose and brief description: The OIG conducted this review to determine the ability of
authorized state RCRA hazardous waste programs to continue operations during the coronavirus
pandemic. Under RCRA, states and territories may be authorized to implement the federal
hazardous waste program under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regional oversight. EPA
has authorized the program in 48 states and two territories. States received EPA guidance to assist
in maintaining adequate regulatory oversight during the pandemic. Issues addressed included
holding virtual public meetings, adjusting state inspection commitments, and conducting off-site
compliance monitoring activities.
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Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG found that the
pandemic impacted state RCRA program operations and resulted in a lower number of
inspections and violations. The OIG reports that a number of inspections from March 2020
through February 2021 for RCRA treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, known as TSDFs,
decreased by 34 percent and for large quantity generators, or LQGs, decreased by 47 percent
when compared to the prior year. The number of violations found per inspection also decreased.
After a sharp initial reduction in TSDF inspections in April 2020, states neared normal inspection
rates by July 2020, but the number of inspections decreased again in October 2020 and remained
below historical levels through February 2021. LQG inspections followed a similar pattern except
that the decrease in inspections was more significant from October 2020 through February 2021.
In addition, states did not consistently use EPA guidance on Off-site compliance monitoring.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG issued five
recommendations to the agency. The OIG recommends that the Agency review inspection data
and determine why the rate of inspections and violations was reduced during the coronavirus
pandemic. The Agency should also support the ability of authorized state RCRA programs to
respond to future pandemic events and disasters. OLEM was responsible for two
recommendations and provided corrective actions which have been completed.
Link for findings: Authorized State Hazardous Waste Program Inspections and Operations Were
Impacted Purine Coronavirus Pandemic Report No. 22-E-0009
Activity 9:
Title
Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Cleanup Cost Study
Lead National
Program
OLEM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and
Healthy Communities
Completion date
March 2022
Purpose and brief description: There are approximately 544,000 underground storage takes
(USTs) nationwide and approximately 62,000 releases that are currently in cleanup. These
cleanups employ a number of technologies and, due to a wide range of factors, cleanup costs of
LUSTs vary substantially. Due to this variability, state LUST programs asked OUST for help in
calculating the lifecycle cost of different LUST cleanup technologies and approaches with the
goal of making better, more cost-effective cleanup decisions. This project's goals were to
establish ranges of costs for various cleanup phases and technologies used in LUST cleanups
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and to identify additional cost drivers by analyzing projection duration assessment versus total
costs.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
Which LUST cleanup technology is the most cost effective? For example, is it better to employ a
technology that has larger upfront costs and a greater potential of attaining cleanup goals quickly
or a seemingly less expensive longer-term technology that may involve more O&M costs over
time?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Differences in cleanup
programs between the pilot states (Kansas, South Carolina, and Virginia) prevented detailed
comparisons of cleanup program costs and durations, although more detailed analysis was
possible within individual states. Within each state, the median phase and total costs were lower
than average costs, which suggests that a small number of the most expensive sites represent
major drivers of average total project costs. Specifically, total project costs averaged
$300,241, $135,636, and $88,274 in Kansas, South Carolina and Virginia, respectively, compared
to median costs of $265,883, $94,195, and $27,120. The higher costs reported for Kansas can
largely be attributed to our data for Kansas being limited to remedial action sites, which means
these total costs are not comparable to those in South Carolina and Virginia, whose data included
a large number of (less-expensive) non-remedial action sites. Across the states, assessment costs
were similar across projects of various sizes although, for sites that underwent remedial action,
typical project costs varied across the states. Site assessment in South Carolina, Virginia, and
Kansas made up 37, 44, and 52 percent of total projects costs, respectively for projects costing
over $100,000. At sites with costs totaling less than $100,000, site assessment made up an
average of 83 percent of the total in South Carolina and 87 percent in Virginia.
Finally, non-remedial sites were often closed very quickly, however, remedial site cleanups lasted
an average of more than five years. Ultimately, project duration was a significant driver of
remedial action costs and, therefore, overall site costs. A one day increase in project duration
corresponds with a $116 increase in total project cost.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: Based on key findings from
this study, EPA was able to provide states with several factors to consider as they plan the future
direction of their LUST cleanup programs. A key finding from this study was that even states with
robust data still lack the granularity and connectedness across datasets to conduct a comprehensive
analysis of key cost drivers. A follow up study, "Best Practices for High Resolution Site
Characterization at Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Release Sites,' is currently underway.
Link for findings: Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Cost Studv.pdf (epa.gov)
Activity 10:
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Title
OIG Report: Brownfields Program-Income Monitoring Deficiencies Persist
Because EPA Did Not Complete All Certified Corrective Actions Report
No.
22-P-0033
Lead National
Program
OI.EM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy
Communities
Completion date
March 2022
Purpose and brief description: The Office of Inspector General (GIG) conducted this audit to
determine whether the corrective actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
Office of Brown fields and Land Revitalization (OBLR), under the Office of Land and Emergency
Management, effectively addressed the program deficiencies identified in OIG Report No.
0368. Improved Management of the Brown fields Revolving Loan Program Is Required to
Maximize Cleanups, issued August 23, 2017
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG determined that
OBLR continues to lack current, accurate, and complete data necessary for effective post-
closeout monitoring of program income. Without such data, the EPA is unable to determine
whether an estimated $46.6 million of program income under closed cooperative agreements was
used timely and for the purposes authorized under the closeout agreements, as required by federal
regulation, or whether actions are needed to address noncompliance with closeout agreement
terms and conditions.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: In its December 202 1
response to the OIG's 202 1 draft report, EPA addressed the 5 recommendations, which included
an explanation of how the Agency implemented their recommendations and limitations to
implementing them to the extent the OIG expected. In the time since the OIG's 2017
recommendations, the Agency determined that it needs to take a few additional actions on some
of the recommendations. EPA agreed with the report recommendations and provided corrective
actions and milestone dates. The OIG accepted the proposed corrective actions.
Link for findings: Brownfields Program-Income Monitoring Deficiencies Persist Because EPA
Did Not Complete All Certified Corrective Actions
Activity 11:
Title
OIG Report: The Coronavirus Pandemic Caused Schedule Delays, Human
Health Impacts, and Limited Oversight at Superfund National Priorities List
Sites Report No. 22-E-0049
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Lead National
Program
OLEM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic
Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy
Communities
Completion date
June 2022
Purpose and brief description: The OIG conducted this assessment to determine the impact of
the coronavirus pandemic on long-term cleanups at Superfund National Priorities List sites.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG found that the
coronavirus pandemic caused schedule delays and changed or extended exposure to human
health or ecological receptors at 31 Superfund National Priorities List, or NPL, sites. The OIG
reported that the pandemic also prolonged human health and environmental exposures and
disproportionate impacts on some communities.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG recommends that
EPA develop and implement guidance about how to use virtual technologies for community
involvement activities and how to conduct oversight for Superfund sites when travel or site
access is limited. The OIG also recommends that EPA develop and implement a policy to provide
the necessary tools—such as appropriate testing, vaccination, and supplies—to safely deploy
remedial project managers (RPMs) during a pandemic or other emergency. Multiple offices share
responsibility for the report recommendations. The Agency agreed with the recommendations and
provided corrective actions and milestone dates. The Agency is awaiting the OIG Management
Decision on the proposed corrective actions.
Link for findings: The Coronavirus Pandemic Caused Schedule Delays. Human Health Impacts,
and Limited Oversight at Superfund National Priorities List Sites
Activity 12:
Title
GAO Report: Household Hazardous Waste Removal: EPA Should
Develop a Formal Lessons Learned Process for Its Disaster Response
(GAO-22-
104726)
Lead
National
Program
OLEM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.3: Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
Completion date
March 2022
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Purpose and brief description: The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) began their
work for this engagement in May 2020 under the title: EPA Disaster Debris Removal (104276) in
response to a congressional mandate. GAO's key questions for review are: What steps did EPA
take to plan and carry out debris removal for the November 2018 wildfires in California,
including coordination with intergovernmental partners?; To what extent did EPA oversee debris
removal, including coordinating contractor activities, in response to the 2018 wildfires?; and, To
what extent has EPA identified lessons learned from its response to the 2018 wildfires, and what
steps, if any, has EPA taken to address lessons learned?
Region 9 was the lead for EPA due to GAO's focus of the 2018 and 2020 California wildfires.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: GAO believes EPA plays
a significant role in responding to wildfires under the National Response Framework as a primary
agency for helping to provide a coordinated federal response, including removing household
hazardous waste, to incidents involving hazardous materials. As a result, GAO advised the
Agency to develop a formal lessons learned process for disaster responses—similar to EPA's
lessons learned process following exercises—that incorporates the key practices of a lessons
learned process may enable EPA to be better prepared to respond to wildfires. Specifically, a
formal lessons learned process for disaster responses would provide EPA with a consistent
process to identify lessons learned and implement needed corrective actions following actual
events.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: GAO made one
recommendation for EPA as follows: The Director of the Office of Emergency Management at
EPA should develop a formal lessons learned process with written guidelines for disaster
responses, including responses to Stafford Act disasters, that incorporates the key practices of a
lessons learned process. EPA agreed with the GAO recommendation and provided a corrective
action with a December 2022 completion date.
Link for findings: Household Hazardous Waste Rento\ lould Develop a Formal
Lessons Learned Process for Its Disaster Response (GAO-S _ L» \. \ ••
Activity 13:
Title
GAO Draft report: Chemical Accident Prevention: EPA Should Ensure
Regulated Facilities Consider Risks from Climate Change (GAO-22-
104494)
Lead
National
Program
OLEM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.2: Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis
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Objective 1.2: Accelerate Resilience and Adaption to Climate Change
Completion date
February 2022
Purpose and brief description: Pursuant to its authority under 31 U.S.C. 717 and at the request
of Senator Tom Carper, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works;
and Senator Cory Booker, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management,
and Regulatory Oversight, GAO was asked to review climate change risks at Risk Management
Plan (RMP) facilities.
This GAO report examines, among other things, (1) what available federal data indicate about
RMP facilities in areas with natural hazards that may be exacerbated by climate change; and 2)
challenges RMP facilities face in managing risks from natural hazards and climate change, and
opportunities for EPA to address these challenges. GAO analyzed federal data on RMP facilities
and four natural hazards (flooding, storm surge, wildfire, and sea level rise) that may be
exacerbated by climate change, reviewed Agency documents, and interviewed Agency officials
and stakeholders, such as industry representatives.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: GAO's position is RMP
facilities face several challenges, including insufficient information and direction, in managing
risks from natural hazards and climate change, according to some EPA officials and stakeholders.
By issuing regulations, guidance, or both to clarify requirements and provide direction on how to
incorporate these risks into risk management programs, EPA can better ensure that facilities are
managing risks from all relevant hazards. When developing any such regulation, EPA should,
pursuant to executive orders, conduct a cost-benefit analysis.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: GAO made a total of six (6)
recommendations. OLEM bears partial or full responsibility for three of these, including that EPA
issue regulations, guidance, or both to clarify requirements and provide direction to facilities on
incorporating natural hazards and climate change into risk management programs. EPA concurred
with the recommendations and noted that these are long term actions that will require a multi-year
approach.
Link for findings: ^ Hau port: Chemical Accident Prevent!on 1 1' \ should Ensure
Regulated Facilities Consider Risks from Climate Change (GAO-'l .. LH 1° 0
Activity 14;
Title
GAO Report: Offshore Oil Spills: Additional Information Is Needed to
Better Understand the Environmental Tradeoffs of Using Chemical
Dispersants (project no. GAO-22-104153).
Lead National
Program
OLEM
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective 6.2: Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination
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Completion date December 2021
Purpose and brief description: In April 2010, an explosion onboard the Deepwater Horizon
drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in 11 deaths and the release of approximately 206
million gallons of oil. During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, responders applied dispersants to
the oil slick at the ocean surface as well as at the wellhead more than 1,500 meters below the
surface. The subsurface use of dispersants was unprecedented and controversial.
GAO was asked to review what is known about the use of chemical dispersants. This report
examines, among other things, what is known about the effectiveness of dispersants, what is
known about the effects of chemically dispersed oil on the environment, and the extent to which
federal agencies have taken action to help ensure decision makers have quality information to
support decisions on dispersant use. GAO reviewed scientific studies, regulations, and policies.
GAO also interviewed Agency officials and stakeholders from academia and industry.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: GAO found that when an
oil spill occurs, responders have several options to manage the environmental impacts, including
using chemical dispersants (see figure). Chemical dispersants used on a surface oil slick can be
effective at breaking up floating oil, which can help prevent the oil from reaching shore and
harming sensitive ecosystems, according to studies GAO reviewed and stakeholders GAO
interviewed. However, the effectiveness of applying dispersants below the ocean surface—such
as when responding to an uncontrolled release of oil from a subsurface wellhead—is not well
understood. Various reasons account for this. For example, measurements for assessing
effectiveness of dispersants applied at the subsurface wellhead during the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill had limitations and were inconclusive. In addition, there are limited experimental data on the
effectiveness of subsurface dispersants that reflect conditions found in the deep ocean.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: GAO made four
recommendations, including that the Coast Guard and EPA assess the potential environmental
effects of the subsurface use of dispersants. EPA concurred with the recommendation issued to the
agency and corrective action activities are underway.
Link for findings: Offshore Oil Spills: Additional Information Is Needed to Better Understand the
Environment >1 i ,deoffs of Using Chemical Dispersants (project i<\> ^ uMi
n 1 hi ice of Mission Suppoi f
-------
Lead National
Program
OMS
IV 2022-2026 ( ross-
Agencv
Strategy
supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence
and Workforce Equity
Completion Dale
September 2023
Purpose and brief description: EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment
requires a highly skilled and dedicated workforce. Almost forty percent of EPA's workforce is or
will be eligible for retirement within five years. This, along with changing workforce
demographics, will impact every region and program. EPA has a unique opportunity to transform
its human capital processes, including workforce planning, knowledge transfer and succession
management to prepare itself for the future of work. EPA is carrying out evidence- building
activities to address priority questions related to workforce planning, one of EPA's Learning
Agenda priority areas. The Agency will use the results to inform and develop policies and
approaches that equip employees with the needed competencies, knowledge and most up- to-date
tools to advance EPA's mission.
OMS assessed: 1) overall effectiveness of EPA's existing workforce planning tools (Workforce
Demographics Dashboard, Diversity Dashboard, Succession Management Guide and Workforce
Plan); 2) consistent use of the tools; 3) alignment of the tools with stakeholder needs; and 4)
effectiveness of EPA communications and training for these tools.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: To
what extent does EPA have access to the tools and strategies needed to analyze and understand
the Agency's near and long-term workforce needs?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: OMS administered a
workforce planning/succession management survey to the Human Resource Officer
(HRO)ZProgram Management Officer (PMO) Community. The survey captured current
workforce planning efforts and assessed respondent's knowledge and use of EPA's corresponding
resources and tools. OMS shared results from the survey with the HRO/PMO community during a
stakeholder call. Additionally, insights from the survey helped shape guidance and educational
and training material supporting organizations in their succession management plan development
in FY 2023.
OMS developed and administered a workforce planning-related survey to help organizations
prioritize immediate staffing needs for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) while
also considering long-term workforce goals. OMS shared results from the IDA survey with the
HRO/PMO community during a stakeholder call. Survey results helped organizations assess
immediate needs in the context of shifting or new strategic priorities and facilitated more
accurate planning for the influx of recruitment designed to support new IDA related activities for
EPA.
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Several organizations within OMS completed a workforce planning pilot in FY 2022. The pilot
walked organizations through EPA's process and templates for each of the five steps on OPM's
workforce planning model: 1) Set strategic direction; 2) Analyze workforce, identify skill gaps
and conduct workforce analysis; 3) Develop action plan; 4) Implement action plan; and 5)
Monitor, evaluate and revise. Each organization will use the information gathered to monitor and
track actions designed to close perceived competency gaps.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The data collected through
the workforce planning/succession management baseline survey, IIJA survey, and workforce
planning informs EPA's current succession management initiative. The survey and pilot data
served as starting points in understanding office perceptions of and experience with workforce
planning. The information also helped improve support material and guidance for the tools
facilitating succession management plan development. All EPA first-level offices have been
asked to complete a succession management plan by the end of FY 2023. Templates and training
materials from the workforce planning pilot have been modified as needed for the current (FY
2023) succession management initiative.
Activity 2:
Title
OIG Report: EPA Should Consistently Track Coronavirus Pandemic-
Related Grant Flexibilities and Implement Plan for Electronic Grant
File Storage (22-P-0018)
Lead National
OMS
Program
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence
Cross-Agency
and Workforce Equity
Strategy supported
Estimated
December 2023
Completion Date
Purpose and brief description: The OIG is conducting this audit to determine the extent to
which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has implemented the coronavirus
pandemic-related grant flexibilities permitted by the Office of Management and Budget.
Specifically, OIG is assessing the extent to which EPA modified work plans, adjusted budgets,
and extended periods of performance for grants; granted administrative relief or continued to
compensate grant recipients whose work had been interrupted; and provided regulatory
exceptions on a case-by-case basis. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Office of
Management and Budget issued several memorandums that provided temporary administrative,
financial management, and audit requirement flexibilities for grants. EPA manages over $20
billion in cumulative grant awards annually.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
activity is intended to address efficiency and effectiveness, and a top EPA management
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challenge - managing infrastructure funding and business operations. Specific questions include:
To what extent has EPA implemented the coronavirus pandemic-related grant
flexibilities permitted by the Office of Management and Budget?
To what extent has EPA modified work plans, adjusted budgets, and extended periods
of performance for grants; granted administrative relief or continued to compensate
grant recipients whose work has been interrupted; and provided regulatory exceptions
on a case-by-case basis?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG states that EPA
Office of Grants and Debarment does not know the full extent to which program offices and
regions have implemented grant flexibilities and exceptions permitted by the Office of
Management and Budget due to the coronavirus pandemic—that is, the SARS-CoV-2 virus and
resultant COVID-19 disease.
The OIG states that EPA risks mismanaging over $20 billion in cumulative grant funds by
inconsistently tracking grants that were modified during the coronavirus pandemic and
lacking an electronic data storage plan.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG recommends that
the assistant administrator for Mission Support develop a standard operating procedure that
instructs program offices and regions on tracking and documenting grant flexibilities and
exceptions for unanticipated events to ensure consistency in the information needed to manage
grants, as well as develop a plan to implement, by December 2022, a uniform electronic record-
keeping system for grants to meet the Office of Management and Budget's direction that all
federal records be created, retained, and managed in electronic formats.
EPA and the OIG reached agreement on corrective actions for all three recommendations.
Link for findings: https:/A\rww.eva.2ov/system/files/documents/2022-
02/ eyaoig 202-i1 -22z22zi'• •''' ^-vdf
Activity 3:
Title
OIG Report: EPA Needs to Complete Implementation of Religious
Compensatory Time Training for Supervisors and Employees (22-P-
0019)
Lead National
Program
OMS
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency
Strategy supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence
and Workforce Equity
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Completion date June 2023
Purpose and brief description: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of
Inspector General conducted this follow-up audit to determine whether EPA's corrective actions
effectively addressed the weaknesses identified in EPA OIG Report No. 16-P-0333, Enhanced
Controls Needed to Prevent Further Abuse of Religious Compensatory Time, issued September
27, 2016. The purpose of this report is to follow up recommendations from the previous report.
The activity is intended to address efficiency and effectiveness, as well as address a top EPA
management challenge - managing infrastructure funding and business operations.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
activity addresses the following question: To what extent have EPA's corrective actions
addressed the weaknesses identified in EPA OIG Report No.l6-P-0333, Enhanced Controls
Needed to Prevent Further Abuse of Religious Compensatory Time?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Report No. 16-P-0333
contained four recommendations: x Recommendations 1, 2, and 3 were issued to the assistant
administrator for Administration and Resources Management. The Office of Administration and
Resources Management was merged into the Office of Mission Support in November 2018. x
Recommendation 4, which was issued to the chief financial officer, is no longer applicable due
to regulatory changes and is, therefore, not addressed in this follow-up report. EPA's Office of
Human Resources, within the Office of Mission Support, took corrective actions to address
Recommendations 1, 2, and 3 issued in OIG Report No. 16-P- 0333. The Agency completed
corrective actions for Recommendations 1 and 2 that met the intent of those recommendations.
However, although the Agency agreed with Recommendation 3, the related corrective action that
the Agency certified as complete did not fully implement the recommendation. Specifically,
training was provided to EPA's human resources community, but it was not provided to all
employees who use Religious Compensatory Time and all supervisors who approve such time.
Providing training on religious compensatory time to all EPA supervisors and employees would
decrease the potential for employee misuse, as well as the Agency's monetary liability.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG recommend that
EPA train all employees and supervisors who earn, use, or approve Religious Compensatory
Time on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's current regulatory requirements for, and
EPA's current policy and procedures related to, Religious Compensatory Time. EPA and OIG
reached agreement on the corrective actions for the three applicable recommendations,
Link for findings: https:/A\rww.eva.2ov/system/files/documents/2022-
03/ eyaoig 20220307-22-p-OOi
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Activity 4;
Title
OIG Report: Considerations from Single Audits Reports for EPA's
Administration of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funds (22-
N-0057)
Lead National
Program
OMS
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency
Strategy supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence
and Workforce Equity
Completion date
September 2022
Purpose and brief description: The OIG performed this review to highlight findings identified
in single audit reports that are relevant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
administration of programs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The review
covered fiscal years 2019 through 2021. The project number for this review was OA-FY22-
0099. OIG performed this review to help EPA prepare to administer an additional $60 billion in
funds pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA.
The activity is intended to address compliance with the law, partnering with states and other
stakeholders, operating efficiency and effectiveness, and addressing a top management challenge
- managing infrastructure funding and business operations.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
Specific questions addressed include:
• Which areas of noncompliance with applicable federal laws, regulations and program
requirements were most frequently noted in single audit reports conducted from FY
2019 through FY 2021?
• Which programs have the most instances of noncompliance noted in single audit
reports conducted from FY 2019 through FY 2021?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: During the review of
single audit findings from fiscal years 2019 through 2021, the OIG identified 364 instances of
noncompliance with applicable federal laws, regulations, and program requirements by
nonfederal entities expending EPA grant dollars. OIG found that most instances of
noncompliance were associated with two programs: the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
(CWSRF) program and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: N/A (No recommendations
received)
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Link for findings: https:/Avww.epa.sov/system/files/documents/2022-
09/ evaois 20220914-22-N-00S7.pdf
Activity 5:
Title
OIG Report: EPA Lacks Documented Procedures for Detecting and
Removing Unapproved Software on the Agency's Network (22-E-
0028)
Lead National
OMS
Program
FY 2022-2026 Cross-
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence
Agency Strategy
and Workforce Equity
supported
Estimated
January 2023
completion date
Purpose and brief description: The OIG performed this assessment to assess the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's compliance with the FY 2021 Inspector General Federal
Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) Reporting Metrics and determine
whether EPA followed its processes to investigate and remove unapproved software from the
network. The activity is intended to address compliance with the law, operating effectively and
efficiently, as well as address a top EPA management challenge - protecting information
technology and systems against cyberthreats.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
activity addresses the following question:
• To what extent is EPA in compliance with FISMA reporting metrics?
To what extend has EPA followed FISMA processes to investigate and
remove unapproved software from the network?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG concluded that
EPA achieved an overall maturity level of Level 3 (Consistently Implemented) for the five
security functions and nine domains outlined in the FY 2021 Inspector General Federal
Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) Reporting Metrics. This means that
EPA consistently implemented its information security policies and procedures, but quantitative
and qualitative effectiveness measures are lacking. The OIG identified that EPA has deficiencies
in documenting software management procedures on the detection and removal of nonbase
software, which is software that is not part of the standard Agency package.
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Without documented procedures governing software management and vulnerability remediation
processes, EPA continues to be at risk of outsiders gaining access to compromise and exploit
Agency systems and data.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The Agency developed a
software triage team in response to an August 2019 chief information officer memorandum to
senior information officers asking them to certify software on EPA network. The software triage
team maintains an agencywide dashboard available to all information management officers that
shows all software loaded on program office and regional computers. The team meets regularly to
discuss the justification for unapproved software discovered on the network or the information
management officers' plans for software removal and updates the dashboard accordingly.
Link for findings: https.VAvww.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-03/ epaoig 20220330-
22-e-0028.pdf
Activity 6:
Title
OIG Report: EPA Established a Web Management Program, but
Improvements Are Needed in Deploying Web Analytics (22-P-0013)
Lead National
Program
OMS
FY 2022-2026 Cross-
Agency Strategy
supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Workforce Equity
Completion date
March 2022
Purpose and brief description: The OIG conducted this audit to determine whether the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's public websites and digital services complied with federal
laws and policies, as outlined in Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-17-06,
Policies for Federal Agency Public Websites and Digital Services. The activity is intended to
address efficiency and effectiveness, as well as a top EPA management challenge - integrating
and leading environmental justice, including communicating risks.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
activity addresses the following question:
• Do EPA public websites and digital services comply with federal laws and policies?
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Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG concluded that
EPA has established a program to manage its public websites and digital services in accordance
with federal laws and policies outlined in Office of Management and Budget M-17-06. EPA has
developed a digital strategy, governance structure, Web Council, and policy, as well as
procedures and standards, but it has not deployed the required web analytics tracking code for 14
of the 308 public websites that provide essential environmental information to communities. The
required code captures website traffic data, such as the number of visitors, the type of web
browser used, the length of time visitors remains on each webpage, the documents downloaded
from a webpage, and the visitors' locations.
Without fully implementing web analytics, EPA could be without vital usage information to
meet the needs of the public, regulatory agencies, industries, and other stakeholders when
conveying environmental issues.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: During the audit, the OIG
identified broken links in six of the ten websites reviewed. The OIG notified the Agency of these
issues, and Agency personnel indicated that actions were taken to fix the broken links. The OIG
revisited the websites and verified that the Agency fixed the links.
Link for findings: https:/A\rww.eva.2ov/system/files/documents/2021-12/ eyaois 20211220-
22-p-0013.pdf
Activity 7;
Title
OIG Report: EPA Generally Adheres to Information Technology Audit
Follow-Up Processes, but Management Oversight Should Be Improved
(22-P-0010)
Lead National
Programs
OMS, OCSPP
FY 2022-2026 Cross-
Agency Strategy
supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Workforce Equity
Completion date
December 2021
Purpose and brief description: The Office of Inspector General conducted this audit to
determine whether the (1) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completed corrective actions for
agreed-to cybersecurity audit recommendations in OIG reports issued from fiscal year 2017
through fiscal year 2020 and (2) corrective actions effectively resolved the weaknesses identified.
The OIG has identified Enhancing Information Technology Security to Combat Cyberthreats as a
key management challenge confronting EPA. The activity is intended to address efficiency and
effectiveness, as well as top EPA management challenges - enhancing information technology
security and complying with key internal control requirements (data quality; policies and
procedures).
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Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
activity addressed the following questions:
To what extent has EPA completed corrective actions for agreed-to cybersecurity audit
recommendations in OIG reports issued from FY 2017 through FY 2020?
To what extent have corrective actions effectively resolved weaknesses identified?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG concluded that
EPA completed the 13 corrective actions for cybersecurity audit recommendations in the OIG
reports that were reviewed as part of this audit. However, for one of the 13 corrective actions,
EPA inaccurately reported its timely completion. For two of the 13 corrective actions, EPA lacked
management oversight to effectively resolve identified weaknesses. EPA's goal to provide its
workforce and the public with accurate information is undermined when the Agency does not
correct deficiencies in a timely manner, which weakens the integrity of its systems and data.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG recommended that
the assistant administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention develop a strategy to
validate that corrective actions are completed before closing them in the Agency's audit tracking
system and implement controls to comply with federal and Agency required time frames to install
patches. In addition, the OIG recommended that the assistant administrator for Mission Support
develop and implement processes for storing certifications collected for annual role-based
training requirements in a centralized restricted location. EPA agreed with all four audit
recommendations; completed corrective actions for two of them; and provided corrective actions
and estimated milestone dates for the remaining two, which are consider resolved with corrective
actions pending.
Link for findings: https:/A\rww.eva.2ov/system/files/documents/2021-12/ eyaois 20211208-
22-v-0010.vdf
Activity 8:
Title
OIG Report: Considerations For EPA'S Implementation of Grants
Awarded Pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (22-
N-0055)
Lead National
Program
OMS
FY 2022-2026 Cross-
Agency Strategy
supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Workforce Equity
Completion date
August 2022
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Purpose and brief description: The OIG performed this review to highlight findings from prior
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General and U.S. Government
Accountability Office audit reports that are relevant to EPA's administration and oversight of
grant awards pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The project number for this
review was OA-FY22-0080. The activity is intended to address efficiency and effectiveness, as
well as address a top EPA management challenge - managing infrastructure funding and business
operations.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
activity addresses the following question:
• What are key areas for EPA to consider as it prepares to administer and oversee IIJA
grants, based on findings from prior OIG and GAO audit reports?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG concluded that
prior OIG and GAO findings of deficiencies in EPA's grant administration and oversight can be
grouped into three broad areas for improvement for EPA to consider as it prepares to administer
and oversee IIJA grants: Enhancing the grants oversight workforce and strengthening monitoring
and reporting, Establishing and implementing comprehensive guidance and detailed work plans,
as well as improving communications, and acquiring adequate documentation to support grant
payments.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: N/A (No recommendations
given)
Link for findings: https.VAvww.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-08/ epaoig 20220811-
22-N-0055.pdf
Activity 9:
Title
OIG Report: The Coronavirus Pandemic Caused Schedule Delays,
Human Health Impacts, and Limited Oversight at Superfund National
Priorities List Sites (22-E-0049)
Lead National
OMS
Program
FY 2022-2026 Cross-
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Agency Strategy
Workforce Equity
supported
Estimated
April 2023
completion date
Purpose and brief description: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector
General conducted this assessment to determine the impact of the coronavirus pandemic—that
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is, the SARS-CoV-2 vims and resultant COVID-19 disease—on long-term cleanups at Superfund
National Priorities List sites. The activity is intended to address EPA mission-related efforts to
clean up and revitalize land, as well as address a top EPA management challenge - integrating
and leading environmental justice, including communicating risks.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, informally called
Superfund, authorizes EPA to oversee the cleanup of contaminated sites. The National Priorities
List identifies the worst hazardous waste sites that warrant further investigation and cleanup.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
audit addresses the following question:
• What impact did the coronavirus pandemic have on long-term cleanups at Superfund
National Priorities list sites?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: OIG sent surveys to 457
remedial project managers in February 2021 and received 279 responses, a 61-percent response
rate. OIG also interviewed EPA regional Superfund and Emergency Management Division
directors, as well as directors from EPA headquarters. The coronavirus pandemic caused schedule
delays and changed or extended the exposure of human health and ecological receptors to
hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants at 31 Superfund National Priorities List, or
NPL, sites. The pandemic also prolonged such human health and environmental exposures, as
well as contributed to disproportionate impacts on some communities. Furthermore, some
communities that do not use or cannot access electronic communications were unable to
participate in community-involvement activities. Conversely, the pandemic did steer some
positive changes, such as improved health and safety protocols, increased community
participation in virtual meetings, and reduced EPA travel costs. Also, as of February 2021, there
were no known impacts to cleanup costs at a large majority of Superfund NPL sites.
Coronavirus pandemic restrictions delayed work and limited on-site oversight, with
disproportionate impacts to some communities.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG made three
recommendations to improve community involvement, Superfund site oversight, and safe
deployment of RPMs during a pandemic or other emergency. Based on additional information
provided by EPA gave to the OIG in its response to the draft report, Recommendation 1 was
revised. The OIG agreed with the Agency's proposed corrective action for Recommendation 3,
which is resolved. Recommendations 1 and 2 are unresolved with resolution efforts underway.
The report was updates as appropriate based on EPA's technical comments.
Link for findings: htips://www.epa2ov/system/fUes/dbctfments/2022-06/ epaois 20220623-
22-E-0049.pdf
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Activity 10:
Title
OIG Report: EPA's Reporting of Its Financial and Award Data in
Accordance with the Digital Accountability And Transparency Act
(DATA ACT) Of 2014 (22-P-0001)
Lead National
Program
OMS
FY 2022-2026 Cross-
Agency Strategy
supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Workforce Equity
Estimated
completion date
September 2023
Purpose and brief description: The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014
requires the inspector general to review a statistically valid sample of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency' s spending data submitted under the Act to assess the completeness, accuracy,
timeliness, and quality of the data sampled, as well as EPA's implementation and use of the data
standards established by the Office of Management and Budget and U.S. Department of the
Treasury. To satisfy this requirement, the OIG performed this audit on fiscal year 2020 fourth-
quarter financial and award data submitted to the Department of the Treasury by EPA's Office of
the Chief Financial Officer. The activity is intended to address compliance with the law, and
effectiveness and efficiency, as well as address top EPA management challenges - complying
with key internal control requirements (data quality) and fulfilling mandated reporting
requirements.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:. The
activity addresses the following question:
To what extent is EPA in compliance with the requirements of the Digital Accountability
and Transparency Act of 2014?
To what is extent is EPA spending data complete, accurate, and timely?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG found that EPA
substantially complied with the requirements of the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act
of 2014 and submitted financial and award data to the Department of the Treasury's DATA Act
Broker on time. The OIG's nonstatistical and statistical tests of EPA's DATA Act submissions—
including those tests that assessed the data attributes of completeness, accuracy, and timeliness—
determined that EPA's fiscal year 2020 fourth-quarter financial and award data were of "higher"
quality, as defined by the CIGIE FAEC Inspectors General Guide to Compliance under the DATA
Act, dated December 4, 2020.
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How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG recommended that
the assistant administrator for Mission Support update EPA's policies and procedures to address
the errors identified in this audit, as well as update EPA's grants management system to align
with the DATA Act data standards and provide training to improve the consistency of data entry.
EPA agreed with the six recommendations and provided acceptable planned corrective actions
and estimated completion dates. The recommendations are considered resolved with corrective
actions pending.
Link for findings: https:/Avww.emf.20v/svstem/files/dociments, - ij- /- / / eyaois 202 /1 !!>>-
22-v-0001.vdf
Activity 11:
Title
OIG Report: EPA Did Not Follow Agency Policies in Managing the
Northbridge Contract and Potentially Violated Appropriations Law (22-
E-0027)
Lead National
Program
OMS
FY 2022-2026 Cross-
Agency Strategy
supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Workforce Equity
Completion date
September 2022
Purpose and brief description: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of
Inspector General conducted this assessment of EPA Contract EP-C-16-001, awarded to
Northbridge, to follow up on funding and invoice irregularities in Region 9 for the States of
Hawaii and California identified in OIG Report No. 20-P-0331. The purpose of this assessment
was to determine whether (1) EPA properly approved, paid for, and accounted for charges
submitted by Northbridge for work in Region 9 for the States of Hawaii and California under
EPA Contract EP-C-16-001 and (2) Northbridge provided acceptable deliverables, as specified in
EPA Contract EP-C-16-001 and the associated work plans. This contract provided support
services to states for their municipal drinking water and wastewater programs.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
Specific questions the activity addressed include:
• Did EPA properly approve, pay for and account for charges submitted by Northbridge for
work in Region 9 for the States of Hawaii and California under EPA Contract EP-C-16-
001?
• Did Northbridge provide acceptable deliverables, as specified in EPA Contract EP-
C-16001?
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Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The OIG found that the
Agency did not follow estimated split-funding policy when allocating $6.8 million for the entire
contract during the period analyzed. Staff did not follow protocols nor obtain proper approvals
when paying invoices for the contract according to EPA's Administrative Control of
Appropriated Funds, Release 3.2, known as the 2008 Funds Control Manual, and EPA
Acquisition Guide. These issues occurred because management in the Office of Water and in the
Office of Acquisition Solutions, within the Office of Mission Support, did not ensure that EPA's
contract staff understood and adhered to EPA accounting policies. By not following these
policies, the staff increased the risk of expending appropriated funds in ways that were
inconsistent with the funds' purposes and beyond the amounts available, which could have
violated 31 U.S.C. § 1301(a), known as the Purpose Statute, and increased the likelihood of the
Agency violating the Antideficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. § 1341(a)(1)(A).
Because key accounting policies were not adhered to, EPA cannot ensure that $6.8 million in
appropriated dollars went toward their intended purposes, potentially violating laws.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The OIG recommended that
the assistant administrators for Water and for Mission Support, in coordination with the general
counsel and chief financial officer, (1) assess whether and to what extent EPA staff failed to
comply with 31 U.S.C. §§ 1301(a) and 1341(a)(1)(A); (2) annually train staff on requirements
applicable to funding contract activity using multiple appropriations; (3) review and update
internal controls to ensure the segregation of duties between staff, as well as the proper review
and tracking of the completion of contractor deliverables. EPA and the OIG reached agreement
on corrective actions for the three recommendations.
Link for findings: https:/Avww.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-03/ eyaois 20220331-
22-e-0027.pdf
111ik 11 If earch and Developm iif
-------
Purpose and brief description: To measure ORD's progress on its Long-Term Performance
Goal of the percentage of research products that meet partner's needs, ORD distributed 273
surveys to research product users in EPA Program Offices, Regions, other federal and non-
federal partners to solicit feedback on the products. This survey seeks to gather input from
partners to address any potential quality, usability, and/or timeliness issues that may have been
experienced with ORD product use and delivery. The activity is meant to be a catalyst to identify
and improve operational inefficiencies during research product development and provide data to
further the continuous improvement of ORD research.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
This survey seeks to gather input from partners to address any potential quality, usability, and/or
timeliness issues that may have been experienced with ORD product use and delivery. The
activity is meant to be a catalyst to identify and improve operational inefficiencies during research
product development and provide data to further the continuous improvement of ORD research.
The results from this survey have highlighted the need for consistent engagement with ORD
partners throughout the product life cycle and the importance of communicating products to the
partner once it has been delivered.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: ORD found that 94% of
ORD's research products assessed in FY 2022 had met partner needs.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The survey data collected
provided important insights into ORD's contributions to its partners' missions and the data was
used to support research planning and engagement activities. The data collected will inform staff-
level and management discussions with ORD's partners ranging from technical improvements to
the quality, usability, and timeliness of ORD's research products to broader improvements to
ORD's relationship with its product user base. This measure has also provided an additional
mechanism for managers to ensure that peer review and clearance processes are strictly adhered
to for each product prior to its delivery.
Link for findings: Results are published in the Annual Performance Report.
Activity 2:
Title
GAO Report: Small Business Research Programs: Agencies Should
Further Improve Award Timeliness
Lead National
ORD
Program
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency Strategy 1: Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based
Cross-Agency
Decision Making
Strategy supported
Completion date
October 2021
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Purpose and brief description: This engagement occurs on an annual basis to ensure agency-
wide timely issuance of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business
Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. Timely issuance can affect the speed with which small
businesses receive funds and begin work. Participating agencies have awarded over $3 billion to
small businesses to develop and commercialize new technologies.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
GAO's audit examines: (1) agencies' timeliness in notification and issuance, (2) the extent to
which agencies have addressed risks to award timeliness, and (3) the extent to which DOD
established a pilot program to improve timeliness.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: GAO found that less than
30 percent of awards have been issued on time during the 5-year review periods. However, EPA
commented that GAO's report lacks acknowledgment that efforts have been undertaken resulting
in progress not covered during this audit review period. For example, EPA implemented new
procedures to substantially improve identified timeliness issues for the current Small Business
Innovative Research (SBIR) Request for Application (RFS) cycle. EPA expects further
improvements following the full implementation of these procedures. In October 2022, the GAO
released a timeliness report that stated the following, "After evaluating the impact of previous
steps taken to improve timeliness, EPA is formalizing a structure for establishing, tracking, and
reviewing significant milestones in the SBIR award process in order to meet SB A time frames."
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: GAO issued one
recommendation: EPA (ORD) should evaluate the effectiveness of steps taken to improve SBIR
award timeliness and take any necessary additional steps to consistently meet SBA award
timeliness guidelines. EPA agreed with the recommendation and during the engagement, steps
were taken to assess best practices, leading to the discovery that a formalized plan will further
enhance EPA's ability to improve SBIR award timeliness. This comprehensive plan will create a
structure for establishing, tracking, and reviewing significant milestones in the SBIR process to
determine compliance with timeliness goals. In October 2022, the GAO released their most
recent report and stated, "Other civilian agencies—U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in particular—have shown timeliness improvements
over the last few years." ORD submitted the completed timeliness plan to the GAO in July 2022.
The GAO will assess EPA's timeliness data for the current and subsequent fiscal years' award
timeliness data to determine whether the efforts outlined in the plan led to "consistently meet
SBA award timelines guidelines" as called for by the recommendation before closing out the
recommendation as implemented.
Link for findings: https://www.gao.gOv/assets/g.
Activity .?:
1191
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Title
GAO Report: Persistent Chemicals: Technologies for PFAS Assessment,
Detection, and Treatment
Lead National
ORD
Program
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency
Cross-Agency Strategy 1: Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based
Strategy supported
Decision Making
Completion date
July 2022
Purpose and brief description: This engagement was initiated as a technology assessment on
the Federal Government's capabilities concerning PFAS assessment, detection, and treatment.
The technology assessment examined technologies for more efficient assessments of the adverse
health effects of PFAS and alternative substances; the benefits and challenges of the current and
emerging technologies for PFAS detection and treatment, and policy options that could help
enhance benefits and mitigate challenges associated with these technologies.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
GAO did not audit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or its programs, but rather
conducted a review and assessment of PFAS detection and removal technologies and the
assessment of PFAS alternatives under GAO's Technology Assessment product line.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The GAO found that
current and promising technologies and methods could accelerate the assessment of human health
effects caused by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and improve the detection and
treatment of PFAS in the environment. The GAO identified three policy options that could help to
mitigate issues caused by PFAS. GAO states that policymakers can promote research, expand
method development, and support full-scale treatment to help mitigate challenges associated with
PFAS assessment, detection, and treatment technologies. These policy options did not constitute
recommendations.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: Recommendations are not
issued as part of a technology assessment.
Link for findings: https:/Avww.gao.gov/assets/gao-22-105088-highlights.pdf
Activity 4;
Title
GAO Report: Offshore Oil Spills: Additional Information Is Needed to
Better Understand the Environmental Tradeoffs of Using Chemical
Dispersants
Lead National
Program
ORD
1192
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I'Y 2022-2026
Cross-Agency
Strategy supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 1: Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based
1 )ecision Making
Completion dale
December 2021
Purpose and brief description: In 2020, the GAO initiated an engagement to understand the use
and effectiveness of chemical dispersants. In April 2010, an explosion onboard the Deepwater
Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in eleven deaths and the release of
approximately 206 million gallons of oil. During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, responders
applied dispersants to the oil slick at the ocean surface as well as at the wellhead more than 1,500
meters below the surface. The subsurface use of dispersants was unprecedented and controversial
due to the unknown effects of dispersants below sea-level.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: This
audit examined the following: (1) what is known about the effectiveness of dispersants, (2) what
is known about the effects of chemically dispersed oil on the environment, (3) what is known
about the effects of dispersants on human health, and (4) the extent to which federal agencies
have taken action to help ensure decision makers have quality information to support decisions
about the use of chemical dispersants.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The GAO found that
while agencies have supported research, there is limited quality information about the
effectiveness of subsurface dispersants and the toxicity and biodegradation of chemically
dispersed oil. This is due to a variety of factors, including a wide variation in modeling results,
inconsistent test designs, and experiments that may not reflect ocean conditions. The GAO
concluded that by assessing the potential environmental efforts of the subsurface use of
dispersants, the Coast Guard and EPA could help ensure that decision makers are fully equipped
with information about the environmental tradeoffs.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: GAO issued one
recommendation to EPA (the Office of Research and Development and the Office of Land and
Emergency Management). EPA should work with the Coast Guard and other agencies to conduct
assessments—such as biological assessments or ecological risk assessments— examining the
potential effects of the subsurface use of dispersants on ocean ecosystems in regions where this is
considered a viable response option. EPA agrees with this recommendation, understanding it
provides flexibility for conducting these assessments as part of contingency planning in regions
where subsurface dispersant is considered amongst the viable response options. EPA will support
the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in identifying assessment methodologies to examine potential
environmental and ecological effects of subsurface use of dispersants on ocean systems for select
regions, and, as appropriate, coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and other federal agencies. EPA anticipates completing this recommendation in
2026.
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Link for findings: https:/Avww.gao.gov/assets/gi r)df
Activity 5;
Title
ORD External Webinar Series Planning Process
Lead National Program
ORD
FY 2022-2026 Cross-
Agency Strategy
supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 1: Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-
Based Decision Making
Completion date
August 2022
Purpose and brief description: ORD establishes an annual external webinar series schedule to
track webinar dates, series, topics, presenters, and other relevant information for the upcoming
year. A draft process has been developed in an effort to standardize the process, however, not all
relevant stakeholders have been involved. The current process requires repetitive topic gathering
and submission of information for review.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: This
kaizen event served as a catalyst to develop a process of selecting and approving annual topics for
each of ORD's established external webinar series.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: ORD identified issues
with the current selection process and created process steps to identify and select potential
webinar topics, and schedule and coordinate approval. ORD found that developing a standardized
process eliminated the burden when selecting topics and improved engagement with management
and branding/messaging both internally and externally.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: ORD developed a
centralized process to select webinar topics and series which
Link for findings: N/A
Activity 6:
Title
Research Area: Assessment and Management of Harmful Algal Blooms
Lead National
Program
ORD
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency
Strategy supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 1: Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based
Decision Making
Completion date
February 2022
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Purpose and brief description: Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasing in
intensity, and geographic range. Potential impacts from blooms and associated toxins include
health risks to humans, pets, livestock, wildlife, and other biotas; restricted recreational activities;
increased treatment costs and decreased economic revenue. HABs are complex ecological
processes that are affected by various conditions (i.e., physical-chemical, biological, hydrological,
and meteorological) and therefore are difficult to predict. This research area focuses on toxicity
and impacts to humans and biota, mitigation of blooms and their effects in source and drinking
waters, and the characterization of bloom-impacted environments.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: EPA,
states, and tribes need tools to predict toxic bloom occurrence, characterize bloom development,
increase the effectiveness of cyanotoxin monitoring techniques, and understand the impacts of
shifting temperature patterns and hydrologic regimes on blooms. This research informed best
management practices to mitigate HABs including but not limited to refining Drinking Water
Health advisories and informing Recreational Criteria for cyanotoxin exposures.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: This research area, under
EPA's Safe and Sustainable Water Resources research program (SSWR), supported planned
activities in the FY19-23 Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) and expanded the state of
scientific understanding and best management approaches for nutrient/harmful algae bloom
reduction. ORD developed predictive and forecasting models that may identify the top drivers
that promote or deter cyanobacteria bloom development in lakes and reservoirs. The tools will be
used to predict toxic bloom occurrence, characterize bloom development, and increase the
effectiveness of cyanotoxin monitoring techniques.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: EPA publications such as the
Cyanobacteria in Lakes indicator in the Report on the Environment, produced data to estimate
cyanobacteria concentrations in water to describe trends in detectable cyanobacteria in more than
2,000 lakes and reservoirs across the U.S.
Link for findings: https:/Avww.epa.govAvater-research/cvanobacteria-assessment-network-
cyan; https:/Avww.ncbi.nlm.nih.sov/pmc/articIes/PMC8843926/
Activity 7;
Title
Research Area: Waste Recovery and Beneficial Use
Lead National
ORD
Program
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency Strategy 1: Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based
Cross-Agency
Decision Making
Strategy supported
Completion date
May 2022
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potentially be reused, recycled, or reprocessed to reduce the consumption of natural resources,
decrease waste generation, and reduce the volume of materials disposed into hazardous and
nonhazardous landfills. This project provided methodologies that can be used to determine
whether the potential for adverse impacts to human health and the environment from a proposed
beneficial use is comparable to or lower than that posed by an analogous product, or at or below
relevant health-based and regulatory benchmarks.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: This
research enhanced scientific understanding of material recycling, waste remediation, and the
potential for adverse human health and environmental impacts of beneficial material reuse.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: This research area, under
EPA's Sustainable and Healthy Communities research program (SHC), supported the planned
activities in the FY 2019-22 StRAP, and identified potential for recycling materials and
quantified the risks and associated adverse impacts of beneficial reuse of materials. FY 2022
specific topic areas include studying advanced separation technologies for recovery and reuse of
industrial-use solvents, engineering soil amendments for remediation of lead and other
contaminants, remediation of industrial by-products, and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Recycling Processes Research into the PET reclamation and converting steps found that the
amounts of materials represent opportunities for recycling, with a fraction of PET bottles
collected and almost no non-bottle PET collected. While 29.0% of PET bottles are collected for
recycling, collected material is processed for conversion to products at a 65.5% efficiency.
Mismanaged waste represents 2.66% of PET that would go to disposal, totaling 183 million
pounds.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: This research area produced
numerous tools, models, and peer-reviewed journal articles. These outputs and products used a
variety of data, tools, and method/analytical approaches including, but not limited to:
• Evaluation and characterization of emerging technologies, policies, sorting, and
identification trends in reuse, recycling, and demolition activities.
Collection and analysis of data from ORD colleagues, existing data, and/or review of new
literature to address issues related to leaching of organics into groundwater
• LEAF methods and software (i.e., LeachXS-Lite) to measure organic and
inorganic Constituents of Potential Concern (COPCs) 745
• In situ laboratory experiments on soil amendments, including implementation of
screening tools and engineered soil amendment mixtures
Link for findings: https:/A\fww.eva.sov/smm/sustainable-manasement-industrial-non-
hazardaus-secondarV'-materials; https:/Avww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC906.
Activity 8:
Title
Leadership for Inclusion (L4I) Survey
Lead National
Program
ORD
FY 2022-2026
Cross-Agency
Strategy supported
Cross-Agency Strategy 3: Advance EPA's Organizational Excellence and
Workforce Equity
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Completion date August 22
Purpose and brief description: Ensuring a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible
environment within the workplace is one the Agency's, and ORD's top priorities. ORD is
continually looking for innovative ways to improve its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and
Accessibility (DEIA) program. ORD is partnering with the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) to administer the Leadership for Inclusion (L4I) Survey. This survey is designed to help
agencies develop a climate of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
survey seeks input from all staff, with the results informing leadership on the DEIA climate
across ORD. The survey focuses on the measurement of five categories of leadership behaviors
that result in a positive DEIA climate:
Openness
Team Stewardship
Individual Support
Consistency
Advocacy
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: OPM administered the
survey and sent results to Managers in September 2022.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: Feedback received improves
ORD and provides leaders with insights into what they are doing well and where they should
improve upon on in our DEIA efforts. This survey allowed ORD employees to provide
anonymous feedback on ORD leadership, their efforts toward inclusion, and areas they may
improve upon. There was a 48% response rate (737 of 1530 employees responded). 90% of ORD
employees are proud to be a part of their team, 87% of employees are satisfied with their time,
and 85%) felt integral to their team.
Link for findings: N/A
Office of Water (OW)
Activity I;
Title
EPA's Annual Assessment of the Jurisdictions' Progress toward
Meeting the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (Bay TMDL)
Lead National
Program
OW
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
Completion date
June 2022
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Purpose and brief description: Through the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, the
Chesapeake Bay Program has committed to having 100% of pollution-reducing practices in place
that would achieve all of the nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reductions necessary to meet the
goals outlined in the Bay TMDL by 2025. These estimates are generated by the Chesapeake Bay
Watershed Model and are derived from land use data, implementation and effectiveness of best
management practices and the most up-to-date water quality monitoring data. The Chesapeake
Bay Program assesses water quality by the amount of dissolved oxygen in the Bay, chlorophyll a
(a measure of algae growth) and water clarity (using underwater grass acreage).
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
seven watershed jurisdictions, in coordination with local governments, businesses, non-
governmental organizations and individuals have installed pollution-reducing best management
practices to lower the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment entering tributaries of the
Chesapeake Bay. The conservation practices reported by the seven watershed jurisdictions, along
with land use, manure and fertilizer information, are entered into a sophisticated suite of modeling
tools to estimate the progress that each jurisdiction is making in meeting their individual nitrogen,
phosphorus and sediment goals as outlined in the Bay TMDL. By incorporating the best available
data into the computer simulations and pollution load estimates, EPA can more accurately track
the jurisdictions' progress toward their pollution- reducing goals. Assessing the progress that each
jurisdiction is making toward reducing nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution entering not
only the Chesapeake Bay, but also their local waterways, gives EPA and the larger partnership a
more holistic view of how conservation practice installation and improved management actions
are helping to improve Bay water quality.
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Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: As of 2021, the best
management practices in place to reduce pollution are estimated to achieve 49% of the nitrogen
reductions, 64% of the phosphorus reductions and 100% of the sediment reductions needed to
attain applicable water quality standards when compared to 2009 levels. The jurisdictions are off
track for nitrogen and phosphorus since BMPs are not in place to achieve the 2021 target for
nitrogen and phosphorus. The 2021 target is essentially 80% of the needed nitrogen, phosphorus,
and sediment pollution load reductions to attain water quality standards (the difference between
the 2009 pollution load and the 2025 pollution load). While BMPs are in place to achieve 80% of
the needed sediment load reductions, marking the sediment goal complete, the pollution control
measures are not in place to achieve the 2021 target for nitrogen and phosphorus loads.
Over the past year, it was determined that 77% of nitrogen reductions came from the agricultural
sector. Declines in phosphorus and sediment pollution came primarily from the natural (forests,
scrub and brush, stream beds and banks, wetlands and shorelines) and agricultural sectors. While
historically, nitrogen and phosphorus reductions have come from the wastewater sector, in 2021,
nitrogen and phosphorus entering the Bay actually increased in the wastewater sector, mainly due
to permit violations at select Maryland wastewater facilities.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: EPA uses these estimates to
evaluate whether jurisdictions are on track to meet the reduction goals as reflected in the Bay
TMDL, the Watershed Implementation Plans, and two-year milestones, and whether increased
levels of oversight are needed in order to assist the jurisdictions in meeting their water quality
goals. In addition, funding and technical assistance is greater targeted towards those sectors (e.g.,
agriculture or stormwater) that may be off track.
Link for findings: https://www.chesapeakeprogress.com/clean-water/watershed-
implementation-plans and
https://dl81evlok51eia.cl oudfroiit.net/chesapeakebav/documeiits/2021-2022-Bav-
Barometer 2022-iO-i 0-202922 hdrd.pdf
Activity 2:
Title
Clean Water State Revolving Fund Reviews
Lead National
Program
OW
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities.
Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water
Infrastructure.
Estimated
Completion Date
September 2023
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Purpose and brief Description: EPA completes annual reviews of each Clean Water State
Revolving Fund Program (CWSRF).
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
These reviews will help assess if states are effectively implementing the CWSRF Categorical
Grant Program by increasing the amount of non-federal dollars leveraged. The reviews will also
be used to encourage states to direct funding to projects that address climate resiliency and equity.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: EPA CWSRF review
results are reported out in 51 State specific Performance Evaluation Reports annually. The reports
function similarly to base line monitoring reports for grant programs. Because reports are state
specific, there is not a national report of overall program evaluation. Examples of items included
in the review include:
Are states effectively implementing the CWSRF Categorical Grant Program
by leveraging non-federal funds?
Are the states complying with the EPA's State and Tribal Assistance Grant
Program requirements?
What steps are the states taking to promote climate resiliency and equity through
CWSRF funding?
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: EPA makes publicly
available an annual report on the status of the national CWSRF program. EPA also shares project
and financial data at the national and state level.
Link for findings: The findings from the annual state reviews are documented in Program
Evaluation Reports, which are provided to EPA Headquarters by the regional offices. EPA
Headquarters periodically updates our guidance based on these findings. Revised guidance is
made available to states and stakeholders through EPA's CWSRF website.
Activity 3:
Title
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Environmental Accomplishments in
the Great Lakes (EAGL2) Data System Audit Procedures and Results
Lead National
Program
OW
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
Completion date
September 2022
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Purpose and brief description: Annual review of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)
Action Plan III reported results through an audit of information reported to EPA through the
Environmental Accomplishments in the Great Lakes 2 (EAGL 2) data system.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
annual system-wide audit of the EAGL 2 data system is conducted to assess the accuracy,
completeness, consistency, and currency (respective to the Data Call for which the results were
submitted) of reported results for audited Measures of Progress. The audit identifies sources of
error so EPA and Regional Working Group (RWG) agencies may implement systematic and
procedural changes to improve the data quality of future reporting. The system-wide audit, unlike
internal audits conducted by individual RWG agencies, reviews data entered in the EAGL 2
system by all RWG agencies.
The EAGL 2 system-wide audit assesses whether stored records and documentation, uploaded to
EAGL 2, support results entered in the system, and whether the reported results meet GLRI Action
Plan III Measure of Progress definitions.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Findings of the most
recent audit continue to indicate improvements to the quality of GLRI project data and results in
EAGL2. Inconsistencies were found in 3-6% of audited projects in FY 2021 and FY 2022 vs 27%
in FY 2020. Improvements have been made through implementation of additional agency reviews,
data entry improvements, and training. All instances where the results did not match supporting
documentation were examined and corrective actions were taken.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: To further improve data
collection, EPA has continued to make improvements to the EAGL2 Information System: the
system is a more robust database system than the previous spreadsheet-based system, providing
improved control over data, better verification and documentation, and help in maintaining and
enhancing the reliability of reported results in line with GAO recommendations in its July 2015
Report (GAO-15-526). As a result of audit findings, EPA is improving the EAGL2 Information
System by: (i) using the system to enforce a requirement for all agencies to include supporting
documentation when entering results and (ii) improving the workflow to ensure reviewers can
more quickly and easily verify results, make changes, or send a request for changes to the project
officer who did data entry.
Link for findings: N/A
Activity 4;
Title
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Report to Congress
Lead National
Program
OW
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
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Objective
supported
Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
Completion dale
December 2022
Purpose and brief description: The EPA Administrator is required by Clean Water Act Section
118 (c)(7)(H)(iii) to provide annually the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Report to
Congress (RTC) to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate. The RTC is
to provide a detailed description of the progress of the GLRI and amounts transferred to
participating Federal departments and agencies. To satisfy these requirements, the RTC provides
examples of progress within each of the five GLRI focus areas (Toxic Substances and Areas of
Concern; Invasive Species; Nonpoint Source Pollution Impacts on Nearshore Health; Habitats and
Species; and Foundations for Future Restoration Actions) and provides details on annual results
for each of the 23 measures of progress pertaining to the focus areas. The RTC also identifies
annual funding to participating Federal departments and agencies over time.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
What progress has been made under each of five focus areas and their associated
measures and annual targets?
What resources have been transferred to participating Federal departments and
agencies over a five-year period?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Since its inception in
2010, the GLRI has greatly accelerated efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes - the largest
system of fresh surface water in the world. The GLRI continues to address the most persistent and
challenging environmental problems facing this vital ecosystem. Under EPA's leadership, the
GLRI has been a catalyst for unparalleled coordination among the federal agencies and
departments that make up the GLRI Interagency Task Force and the GLRI Regional Working
Group. This unprecedented coordination has produced unprecedented results. Through March of
2022, GLRI has funded over 6,800 projects focused on the most important Great Lakes
environmental issues, including cleaning up highly contaminated Areas of Concern (AOCs),
protecting, and restoring native habitat and species, and preventing and controlling invasive
species. In FY 2022 all management actions were completed at the Buffalo River AOC; 16 U.S.
AOCs (out of 31) now have either been delisted or have achieved "all management actions
complete" status.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: EPA is using results to
influence outyear planning and funding decisions. Results are informing development of a new
GLRI Action Plan IV, covering FY 2025 - FY 2029. For example, assuming continued use of an
invasive species measure regarding the reported amount of acreage on which invasive species is
controlled, the result from that measure will be used to establish ambitious, yet achievable,
targets for that measure from FY 2025 - FY 2029. Reported results would be similarly used to
establish ambitious, yet achievable targets for the corresponding measures for pounds of
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phosphorus reductions from conservation practices, gallons of untreated stormwater runoff
captured or treated, and habitat acreage protected or restored.
Link for findings: https://www.glri.us/documents. Results under Action Plan III measures are
also tracked at https://www.glri.us/results.
Activity 5;
Title
Review of Great Lakes Long-Term Monitoring Programs
Lead National
Program
OW
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
Completion date
September 2022
Pnrpose and brief description: Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) annually
monitors Great Lakes water quality, aquatic life, sediments, air, and coastal wetlands.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
Monitoring results are used to help determine the overall health of the Great Lakes ecosystem and
fulfill some of the requirements of Clean Water Act Section 118 and the obligations under the
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. GLNPO uses a variety of internal and external
mechanisms to maintain the integrity of these long-term programs and ensure the timely and
accurate reporting on the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Quality documentation and
standard operating procedures are frequently reviewed and updated as necessary. Datasets
undergo a vigorous validation and verification process before they are reported and shared
publicly. Further, GLNPO intermittently reviews the sampling and analytical frameworks for
each monitoring activity using external technical experts.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Monitoring datasets
continue to be uploaded to the Great Lakes Environmental Database portal on EPA's Central Data
Exchange. Data continues to be reported for monitored Great Lakes water quality, aquatic life,
sediments, air, and coastal wetlands. Data from the EPA long-term monitoring surveys have
played a major role in tracking Great Lakes ecosystem health and emerging threats to Great Lakes
water quality. As a result of these monitoring programs, EPA is able to assess and report on lake-
wide and basin-wide ecological improvements and on potential ecosystem threats that could
require management attention. Examples of the results from these programs include the following:
A 50+ year dataset of Poly chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Lake Trout collected by the
EPA Great Lakes Fish Monitoring and Surveillance Program reveal significant decreases
in PCBs in Lake Michigan Lake Trout since the late 1970s when PCB manufacture and
use
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was phased out. These data have supported model forecasts by EPA Office of Research and
Development that predict continued declines in PCB concentrations in Lake Trout as a result of
long-term decreases of PCBs in other media including air, water and sediment as a result of
management actions.
Long term monitoring of the Great Lakes phytoplankton and zooplankton community
through EPA's Great Lakes Biology Monitoring program has documented changes in
taxa, biomass and depth distributions due to environmental stressors associated with
invasive species introductions and changes in climate. Actions taken by environmental
managers are informed by the results of the program such as identification of a major
shift in the Lake Huron zooplankton community structure that impacted forage fish and
the recreational fishery. The Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program also searches for
new aquatic non-native species, helping to identify newly introduced species even when
they are at low abundances.
GLNPO's Great Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Program includes monitoring of Spring
Total Phosphorus (TP) concentrations in Lake Erie open waters since 1983 that allows
EPA to assess whether those concentrations meet Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
objectives. Program monitoring indicates that exceedances of TP concentration
objectives in the three Lake Erie basins have been particularly evident since the early
2000s, and most consistently so in the western and central basins.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: EPA is using results to
report on the health of Great Lakes ecosystem and identify the current and emerging challenges
impacting the health of the ecosystem. Results also influence outyear planning and funding
decisions.
Link for findings: Great Lakes Monitorii
Activity 6:
Title
Gulf of Mexico Performance Metrics
Lead National
Office of Water/Region 4
Program and
Region
FY 2022-2026
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Strategic Goal and
Objective
Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
supported
Completion date
September 2022
Purpose and brief description: Gulf of Mexico Division (GMD) quarterly monitors Gulf of
Mexico water quality, habitat restoration, community resilience, and environmental education.
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Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
Environmental results (water quality, habitat restoration, community resilience, and
environmental education), are used to help determine the overall health of the Gulf of Mexico
ecosystem and to improve resiliency levels and environmental education of communities
throughout the Gulf of Mexico watershed to fulfill requirements of Clean Water Act 104B3.
GMD uses a variety of internal and external mechanisms to maintain the integrity of
environmental results and ensure the timely and accurate reporting on the health of the Gulf of
Mexico ecosystem. Quality documentation and standard operating procedures are frequently
reviewed and updated as necessary.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The GMD has a target for
each metric mentioned above and uses these to assess performance and to identify
possible ways to focus resources. During this fiscal year, GMD exceeded its annual target for all
metrics:
Measure
Target
Actual
Unit of Measure
Habitat Restoration
350
253,195
Acres Restored,
Enhanced, or
Protected
Environmental Education
10,000
31,199
Individuals Reached
Community Resilience
40
155
Communities
Impacted
Water Quality
6
70
Segments Improved
It should be noted the actual numbers could change due to the two-month quality assurance and
control period. Final FY 2022 metrics will be reported in December 2022.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: GMD reviews quarterly and
final reports from recipients of assistance agreements to determine project effectiveness and to
narrow foci of Federal Funding Opportunities. These data aid innovation and highlight
geographically prone contributors of issues impacting the Gulf of Mexico. We used data from
quarterly reports and our engagement with partners to expand GMD's nutrient reduction efforts
that concentrated mostly on agricultural environmental degradation to work on non- agricultural
rural and urban communities. This allows for a broader focus on improving habitat to reduce
nutrient pollution (projects to enhance or restore riparian and near coastal areas in rural, urban,
and suburban communities) and managing urban runoff (projects to capture, store, filter, and treat
runoff to reduce nutrient loads and improve water quality consistent with a broader strategy for
watershed protection or restoration).
To ensure Federal Funding Opportunities address stakeholders needs and concerns, GMD hosted
virtual and in-person listening sessions to collect input on activities or projects. GMD also
assessed partnership opportunities and identified gaps in our outreach and engagement with
Minority Serving Institutions. As a result, we specifically reached out to institutions of higher
learning in Mississippi and will be expanding engagement to academia across the Gulf of Mexico.
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Link for findings: N/A
Activity 7:
Title
GAO Report: Long Island Sound Restoration: Improved Reporting and
Cost Estimates Could Help Guide Future Efforts
Region
EPA Region 1 and Region 2
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
Completion date
November 2021
Purpose and brief description: In 2017 the GAO conducted a review of the Long Island Sound
Study (LISS) as part of a larger review that GAO was conducting of EPA's National Estuary
Program (NEP). GAO reviewed a total of four NEPs, including Puget Sound, Columbia River,
San Francisco Bay, and the LISS. The LISS final report was issued on July 12, 2018.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
objectives for this GAO review were to assess:
What roles the federal, state, and other groups play in restoring the Long Island Sound;
What federal funds have been spent to date;
What progress has been made in restoring the Long Island Sound; and,
What remains to be done.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: In July 2018, GAO
issued the final report Improved Reporting and Cost Estimates Could Help Guide Future Efforts,
which included three recommendations for the program:
The Director should ensure that as the Study finalizes its reporting format, it fully
incorporates leading practices of performance reporting. (Recommendation 1)
The Director should develop cost estimates that include analyses of uncertainties for
each of the targets in the 2015 plan. (Recommendation 2)
The Director should estimate the range of potential costs for all implementation actions
and include the estimates in future supplements to the 2015 plan. (Recommendation 3)
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The EPA Long Island
Sound Office (LISO - Region 2 and Region 1) worked to fully implement all GAO
recommendations and updated the GAO tracking system in November 2021 to confirm that the
Agency considered all recommendations to be fully implemented.
Recommendation #1: The Long Island Sound Study's online reporting and tracking system is
completed and in full use by the Study. Data has been added to the online tracking and reporting
system to show progress in implementing the 2020-2024 implementation actions.
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Data will be added to the tracking and reporting system approximately every six months to allow
the Study to evaluate progress toward goal implementation. As reported previously, the Study has
already implemented two leading practices into its reporting format. The Study website shows the
past condition and progress over time toward ecosystem targets compared to the recovery plan.
The online reporting and tracking system addresses the leading practice of reporting
recommended by the GAO, which is to evaluate actions for unmet goals. By tracking the 2020-
2024 implementation actions, the Study will be able to explain why goals are not being met and
create plans and schedules to achieve the goals. With the online tracking system in place, the
Study has fully incorporated the three leading practices of performance reporting and considers
this recommendation to be fully implemented.
Recommendation #2: In June 2020, the Study hired a contractor to develop a report that included
the estimated cost (with a high and low range) needed to attain each of the targets in the 2015
plan. The contractor estimated costs for each ecosystem target by adding up the existing cost
ranges for each of the implementation actions in the 2015 plan. The report is posted and
accessible to the public on the Long Island Sound Study website
(https://loiieislaiidsouiidstudv.uet/2019/l 1/addressine-gaos-recommendations-liss- performance-
reportine-and-cost-estimatine/). The report contained recommendations for the Study to continue
estimating costs in future reports. In September 2020, EPA stated that the cost ranges for the
implementation actions would be updated as the Study updated the CCMP implementation
actions for the period 2020-2024. This information was developed and contained in the CCMP
supplemental documents completed in 2020.
Recommendation #3: In June 2020, the Study said that the Plan 2020-2024 implementation
action update would include a range of costs for implementation actions. The Study received
concurrence from the EPA Regional Administrators (Region 1 and Region 2) and EPA Office of
Water on the 2020-2024 CCMP Update. In January 2021, the CCMP Update was completed and
posted on the LISS website, including the Technical Supporting Documents that indicate the
range of cost estimates for each Implementation Action. See:
https://loiieislaiidsouiidstudv.iiet/2021/01/ccmp4mplementatioii-actioiis-supplemeiital-documeiits/
to view the CCMP Update and associated Technical Supporting Documents.
Link for findings: The public version of the LISS online reporting and tracking system is
available at: https://loiieislaiidsouiidstudv.iiet/proeram-implemeiitation-aiid-proeress/
Activity 8:
Title
Long Island Sound Study 2022 Report to Congress "Returning the
Urban Sea to Abundance"
Region
EPA Region 1 and Region 2
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective Supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds
Estimated
completion date
January 2023
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Purpose and brief description: The purpose of the Long Island Sound Study Report to Congress
is to meet the statutory requirement under the Clean Water Act Section 119 for the Long Island
Sound Office to issue biennial reports to Congress summarizing the progress made in
implementing the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), any
modifications to the CCMP, and recommendations concerning the CCMP. To accomplish this,
the program will use grant progress report data that is entered into an internal EPA SharePoint
site. That data is used to compare intended to actual performance in accomplishing the targets and
actions in the CCMP
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: The
objectives for this review were to assess:
Progress made toward meeting the goals, actions, and schedules of the CCMP.
Overview on the status of the Ecosystem Targets.
Demonstrate investments in Implementation Actions.
Feature success stories in New York and Connecticut highlighting progress towards
goals under each CCMP theme.
Overview of the FY 2020 and FY 2021 investments by budget categories.
Areas of focus in the near future under each CCMP theme.
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: The report provides a
summary of the progress made toward achieving the goals in each of the CCMP themes.
Program Results: Program investments have allowed the LISS partners to better characterize the
health of the Long Island Sound watershed and waterbody. Water quality monitoring has
expanded from the open sound to embayments (bays and harbors). Researchers have been able to
document water quality improvements due to decreased nitrogen loading from wastewater
treatment facilities despite the increasing climate change impacts that make it harder to maintain
water quality standards. The program continues to support wildlife and fish by investing in the
protection of open space habitat; this led to 1,007 habitat acres preserved from 2020 to 2021.
Public involvement and education activities, such as the International Coastal Cleanup events,
enhance the sustainability and resiliency of the watershed by reducing the amount of marine
debris that flows into the waterbody. These activities collectively contribute to the overall health
of Long Island Sound.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: The EPA Long Island
Sound Office will use the assessment of Implementation Action investments to target
implementation actions where further progress needs to be made. The assessment of the status of
ecosystem targets will also be used to focus efforts on program activities and projects to bring
ecosystem
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targets on track or keep them on schedule. The sections focused on future areas of investment will
help guide program priorities.
Link for findings: A link will be provided once the report is made final.
Activity 9:
Title
Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program Reviews & Drinking
Water State Revolving Fund State Reviews
Lead National
Program
OW
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water
Infrastructure
Completion date
September 2022
Purpose and brief description: EPA annually conducts reviews of agencies with Public Water
System Supervision (PWSS) primacy (55 reviews) and reviews of each state Drinking Water
State Revolving Fund program (51 reviews).
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address:
These reviews evaluate if primacy entities are effectively implementing the PWSS program to
oversee community water system compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and evaluate if
states are effectively implementing the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program to
facilitate public water system compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Questions
addressed include:
Are primacy entities effectively implementing the range of activities in the PWSS program to
oversee community water system compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act?
Are states effectively implementing the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program to
facilitate public water system compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, addressing public
health protection and affordability, and complying with the EPA's State and Tribal Assistance
Grant program requirements?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: EPA DWSRF review
results are reported out in 51 State specific Performance Evaluation Reports annually. The reports
function similarly to base line monitoring reports for grant programs. Because reports are state
specific, there is not a national report of overall program evaluation. Examples of items included
in the review include
The results of reviews of state program files for system compliance with DWSRF
rules and cross cutting requirements
The results of regional transaction testing for federal cash draws
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State performance in key DWSRF program metrics
Success (or lack of success) in addressing past issues raised
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: EPA's regional offices
engage and share results with primacy agencies under their purview. EPA shares PWSS
information on water system compliance rates across and within states. EPA makes publicly
available an annual report on the status of the national DWSRF program. EPA also shares project
and financial data at the national and state level.
Link for findings: For the most recent annual report, 2019 DWSRF annual report, is available
here: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/202Q-
10/documents/2019 annual report final 508compliant.pdf
Activity 10:
Title
Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) National Community
Water System Non-Compliance Review
Lead National
Program
OW
FY 2022-2026
Strategic Goal and
Objective
supported
Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water
Infrastructure
Completion date
September 2022
Purpose and brief description: EPA conducts a review quarterly of the Safe Drinking Water
Information System (SDWIS) National Community Water System (CWS) health-based non-
compliance data.
Policy, programmatic, and/or operational questions the activity is intended to address: This
review evaluates the trends and causes of non-compliance to information technical, managerial
and financial state and public water system capacity building training or future drinking water
regulation needs, in support regulatory drinking water compliance. The question addressed was:
What are the barriers and challenges of CWS systems maintaining compliance with health- based
drinking water standards?
Brief list of results/conclusions/findings including interim findings: Annual Program Reviews
provide a management level review of each SDWA primacy agency's (55 total) accomplishments
and challenges. Some notable accomplishments include efforts to reduce the number of health-
based violations especially those for the Stage 2 DBPR, state programs to require asset
management plans for their PWS, and programs that states have developed for
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lead testing in schools. Challenges often include documenting programs with resources
constraints, for example programs with a significant number of vacancies, that impact
performance on key implementation actions, such as timely completion of sanitary surveys.
How EPA used the results/conclusions/findings/interim findings: Data are provided from the
EPA's SDWIS database. There is a non-compliance review of CWS systems with health-based
violations by regulation type, geographical distribution, and system source type.
Link for findings: The findings from the program reviews will be publicly shared. Quarterly data
reports are shared publicly via the SDWIS FED Data Warehouse1.
1 https://o finpub. epa. gov/apex/s fdw/f?p=./ 08%3 A 200%3A %3 A %3 A %3A %3A %3A.
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Environmental Protection Agency
2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Appendix
Coordination With Other Federal Agencies 1214
Acronyms for Statutory Authority 1252
Making Litigation Costs Transparent - Equal Access for Justice Act (EAJA) 1257
FY 2024 Congressional Justification Estimated Resources and FTE for Environmental
Justice Program 1258
EPA User Fee Programs 1259
Expected Benefits of E-Government Initiatives 1263
FY 2024 Administrator's Priorities 1268
FY 2024: Consolidations, Realignments, or Other Transfer of Resources 1269
FY 2024 STAG Categorical Program Grants 1271
Agency Response to Office of Inspector General FY 2023 Top Management Challenges
Report 1281
EPA Budget by National Program Manager and Major Office 1289
OECA Travel by Program Project FY 2018-2024* 1296
On-Site Inspections and Off-site Compliance Monitoring Compliance Activities from EPA's
Integrated Compliance Information System15 1298
Physicians' Comparability Allowance (PCA) Plan 1300
Program Projects by Program Area 1306
Eliminated Programs 1318
Proposed FY 2024 Administrative Provisions 1319
062S. 2276 - Good Accounting Obligation in Government Act 1323
Working Capital Fund 1378
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Coordination With Other Federal Agencies
Air and Radiation Programs
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Implementation
EPA cooperates with other agencies to achieve goals related to ground level ozone and particulate
matter (PM), and to ensure the actions of other agencies are compatible with state plans for
attaining and maintaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The Agency
works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USD A), Department of the Interior (DOI),
and Department of Defense (DOD) on issues such as prescribed burning at silviculture and
agricultural operations. EPA, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) also work with state and local agencies to integrate transportation
and air quality plans, reduce traffic congestion, and promote livable communities.
Air Quality in the Agricultural Sector
To improve EPA's understanding of environmental issues in the agricultural sector, the Agency
works with USD A and others to improve air quality while supporting sustainable agriculture. The
collaborative approach to the agriculture sector includes scientific assessment, outreach and
education, and implementation/compliance.
Regional Haze
EPA works with the National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and DOI in
implementing its regional haze program and operating the Interagency Monitoring of Protected
Visual Environments (IMPROVE) visibility monitoring network. The operation and analysis of
data produced by this air monitoring system is an example of the close coordination of efforts
between EPA and state and tribal governments.
Air Quality Assessment, Modeling, and Forecasting
For pollution assessments and transport, EPA works with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) on technology transfer using satellite imagery. EPA further distributes
NASA satellite products and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
air quality forecast products to states, local agencies, and tribes to provide a better understanding
of daily air quality and to assist with air quality forecasting. EPA works with NASA to develop a
better understanding of PM formation using satellite data. EPA also works with the Department of
the Army on advancing emission measurement technology and with NOAA for meteorological
support for our modeling and monitoring efforts. EPA collects real-time ozone and PM
measurements from state and local agencies, which are used by both NOAA and EPA to improve
and verify Air Quality Forecast models.
EPA's AirNow Program (the national real-time Air Quality Index reporting and forecasting
system) works with the National Weather Service (NWS) to coordinate NOAA air quality forecast
guidance with state and local agencies for air quality forecasting efforts and to render the NOAA
model output in EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI), which helps people determine appropriate air
quality protective behaviors. In wildfire situations, EPA and USFS work closely with states to
deploy monitors and report monitoring information and other conditions on AirNow. The AirNow
Program also collaborates with NPS and USFS in collecting air quality monitoring observations,
in addition to over 130 state, local, and tribal air agency observations, and with NASA in a project
to incorporate satellite data with air quality observations.
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EPA, USDA, and DOI established a collaborative framework to address issues pertaining to
wildland fire and air quality. The agreement recognizes the key roles of each agency, as well as
opportunities for collaboration. For example, the partnership explains that the agencies seek to
reduce the impact of emissions from wildfires, especially catastrophic wildfires, and the impact of
those emissions on air quality. In addition, the partnership highlights opportunities for enhancing
coordination among the agencies through information sharing and consultation, collaboration on
tools and information resources, and working together to collaborate with state and other partners,
among others on strategic goals.
Mobile Sources
EPA works with DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the
coordinated national program establishing standards to improve fuel efficiency for light-duty and
heavy-duty vehicles. Specifically, EPA, in coordination with DOT's fuel economy and fuel
consumption standards programs, implements vehicle and commercial truck greenhouse gas
standards.
To address criteria pollutant emissions from marine and aircraft sources, EPA works
collaboratively with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as with other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Coast
Guard (USCG) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). EPA also collaborates with the
USCG in the implementation of Emission Control Area (ECA) around the U.S., and with Mexico
and Canada in the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) to evaluate
the benefits of establishing a Mexican ECA.
To better understand the sources and causes of mobile source pollution, EPA works with the
Department of Energy (DOE) and DOT to fund applied research projects including transportation
modeling projects. EPA also works closely with DOE on refinery cost modeling analyses to
support clean fuel programs, and coordinates with DOE regarding fuel supply during emergency
situations. EPA works with DOE in evaluating petitions for small refinery hardship exemptions
under the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) Program.
For mobile sources program outreach, the Agency participates in a collaborative effort with DOT's
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to educate the public and communities about
the impacts of transportation choices on traffic congestion, air quality, climate change, and human
health. These partnerships can involve policy assessments and toxic emission reduction strategies
in different regions of the country. EPA works with DOE, DOT, and other agencies, as needed, on
the requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act
of2007, such as the Renewable Fuel Standard. EPA also has worked with other agencies on biofuel
topics through the Biomass Research and Development Institute.
To develop air pollutant emission factors and emission estimation algorithms for military aircraft,
ground equipment, and vehicles, EPA partners with the DOD. This partnership provides for the
joint undertaking of air-monitoring/emission factor research and regulatory implementation.
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Air Toxics
EPA works closely with other health agencies such as the CDC, National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) on health risk characterization for both toxic and criteria air pollutants. The
Agency also contributes air quality data to CDC's Environmental Public Health Tracking Program,
which is made publicly available and used by various public health agencies.
Addressing Transboundary Air Pollution
In developing regional and international air quality projects, and in working on regional
agreements, EPA works with the Department of State (DOS), NOAA, NASA, DOE, USD A, U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), and with regional organizations. In addition, EPA has partnered with other organizations
and countries worldwide, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the
European Union (EU), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), CEC, Canada, Mexico, China,
and Japan. EPA also partners with environment and public health officials and provides technical
assistance through UNEP to facilitate the development of air quality management strategies to
other major emitters and/or to key regional or sub-regional groupings of countries.
Stratospheric Ozone
EPA works closely with DOS and other federal agencies in international negotiations among
Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, with the goal of
protecting the ozone layer and through managing ozone depleting substances (ODS) it controls.
EPA also supports several multilateral environmental agreements to simultaneously protect the
ozone layer and climate system working closely with the DOS and other federal agencies,
including but not limited to the Office of Science Technology and Policy (OSTP), Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ), Department of Commerce (DOC), OMB, USD A NOAA, and
NASA.
EPA works with other agencies, including the Office of the United States Trade Representative
(USTR) and DOC, to analyze potential trade implications in stratospheric protection regulations
that affect imports and exports. EPA has coordinated efforts with the Department of Justice (DOJ),
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Treasury (U.S. Treasury), and other
agencies to curb the illegal importation of ODS.
Indoor Air and Radon
EPA works closely with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), DOE, U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) to reduce risks from poor air quality in homes and schools. EPA also partners
with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to provide guidance and technical assistance to
improve school environments through indoor air quality (IAQ) improvements. EPA, CDC, and
HUD have leadership roles in the public-private strategic partnership to advance radon risk
reduction (National Radon Action Plan). EPA co-leads the Federal Asthma Disparities Work
Group under the President's Task Force and leads the Federal Interagency Committee on Indoor
Air Quality—these two coordinating bodies serve to increase communication, coordination, and
collaboration across the federal family to address IAQ risk reduction.
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Radiation and Radiation Preparedness and Response
EPA works primarily with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), DOE, and DHS on
multiple radiation-related issues. EPA has ongoing planning and guidance discussions with DHS
on emergency response activities, including exercises responding to nuclear related incidents. As
the regulator of DOE's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), EPA is charged with coordinating with
DOE to ensure the facility is operating in compliance with EPA regulations. EPA is a member of
the Interagency Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force, established in the Energy
Policy Act, to improve the security of domestic radioactive sources. EPA also is a working member
of the interagency Nuclear Government Coordinating Council (NGCC), which coordinates across
government and the private sector on issues related to security, communications, and emergency
management within the nuclear sector. EPA is a charter member of the Interagency Nuclear Safety
Review Board which was established to review the nuclear safety analysis for launching space
nuclear systems. EPA works with DOD, DOE, NASA, NRC, DOS, and DOT to coordinate the
safety review and launch emergency response plans for commercial and non-commercial launches
of space nuclear systems.
For emergency preparedness, EPA coordinates with other federal agencies through the Federal
Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee and the Advisory Team for Environment,
Food and Health which provides federal scientific advice and recommendations to state and local
decision makers, such as governors and mayors, during a radiological emergency. EPA participates
in planning and implementing exercises including radiological anti-terrorism activities with the
HHS, NRC, DOE, DOD, and DHS.
EPA is a charter member and co-chairs the Interagency Steering Committee on Radiation
Standards (ISCORS), which was created at the direction of Congress. Through its activities,
member agencies are kept informed of cross-cutting issues related to radiation protection,
radioactive waste management, and emergency preparedness and response. ISCORS also helps
coordinate U.S. responses to radiation-related issues internationally.
During radiological emergencies, EPA works with expert members of the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA). EPA also works with OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) on two
committees: the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) and the Committee on
Radiation Protection and Public Health (CRPPH). Through participation on the CRPPH, EPA is
successful in bringing U.S. perspectives to international radiation protection policy.
Climate Change
To carry out a diverse range of regulatory and partnership programs to help tackle the climate
crisis, EPA works with a number of other federal agencies, including the Department of HUD,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), DOE, USD A, DOS, USAID, DOI, and DOT.
Climate protection partnership programs, government-wide, stimulate the development and use of
renewable energy technologies, energy efficient products, and other strategies that will help reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The effort is led by EPA and DOE with significant involvement
from the USD A, HUD, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
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The Global Methane Initiative (GMI) is a U.S.-led, international public-private partnership that
brings together over 40 partner governments and over 1,000 public and private sector organizations
to advance methane recovery and use methane as a clean energy source. EPA works with DOS on
the GMI, building on the success of EPA's domestic methane programs and focusing on advancing
methane reductions from agriculture, coal mines, landfills, oil and gas systems, and municipal
wastewater.
EPA also will support DOS as the technical lead in developing projections and compiling
information on GHG mitigation policies and measures as part of the upcoming U.S. Biennial
Report and National Communication as required by the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate
Change. EPA will support the State Department and National Science Foundation with applying
applicable goals and GHG mitigation policies in the review of environmental evaluations for non-
Governmental activities in Antarctica consistent with Antarctica Treaty Commission
commitments.
Research Supporting the Air and Radiation Program
EPA continues to coordinate with other agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
HHS, CDC, NOAA, DOE, USD A, and USFS to develop effective and sustainable approaches to
manage air pollution and climate change risks.
ENERGYSTAR
In 2009, EPA and DOE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that redefined roles and
responsibilities to address implementation challenges and capitalize on the strengths of each
agency. Feedback from stakeholders has been positive on improvements in the Program since the
2009 Memorandum of Understanding.
Prior to 2009, both EPA and DOE were implementing the Program for different products, resulting
in inconsistent approaches, duplicative efforts, and market confusion. The 2009 Memorandum of
Understanding was designed to solve such problems raised by industry stakeholders. EPA is the
ENERGY STAR brand manager and is accountable for maintaining the integrity of the label. For
ENERGY STAR products, EPA is responsible for setting product performance levels, educating
consumers and businesses, and supporting the efforts of manufacturers, retailers, and utilities. EPA
also oversees third-party certification and verification testing. Across the more than 75 product
categories, EPA has demonstrated accessibility and transparency in the implementation of the
ENERGY STAR products program. EPA also is responsible for the ENERGY STAR Residential
New Construction, Commercial, and Industrial programs, including ENERGY STAR Portfolio
Manager.
For ENERGY STAR products, DOE develops test procedures for ENERGY STAR products and
contributes to verification testing of appliances and equipment. DOE also sets minimum,
mandatory energy efficiency standards for some products through a regulatory process. EPA and
DOE work closely to share data and analyses, synchronize timing, and coordinate requests to
industry in the development of both the voluntary ENERGY STAR specifications and the DOE
minimum efficiency standards. DOE also is responsible for implementing Home Performance
with ENERGY STAR.
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Water Programs
Collaboration with Public and Private Partners on Water Infrastructure Preparedness, Response
and Recovery
EPA coordinates with other federal agencies, primarily DHS, CDC, FDA, and DOD, on biological,
chemical, and radiological contaminants of high concern, and how to detect and respond to their
presence in drinking water and wastewater systems. EPA maintains a close linkage with the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and DHS, particularly with respect to ensuring the timely
dissemination of threat information through existing communication networks. Additionally,
throughout the pandemic, EPA worked with DHS and other federal agencies to coordinate aspects
of information sharing, disseminate personal protective equipment, address shortages of treatment
chemicals, provide for equipment and qualified water system operators, and recognize water
system operators and associated contract personnel as critical workers.
EPA works with US ACE and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to refine
coordination processes among federal partners engaged in providing emergency response support
to the water sector, including maintaining clear roles and responsibilities under the National
Disaster Recovery Framework. In addition, EPA continues to work with FEMA, US ACE, and
other agencies, on the Federal Interagency Floodplain Management Task Force regarding water
resources and floodplain management.
As the Agency in charge of water sector security, EPA works with DHS Cyber and Infrastructure
Security Agency (CISA) and other government agencies on the Industrial Control System (ICS)
working group to develop an ICS interagency Strategy and Implementation Plan. EPA also
collaborates with CISA on various working groups and cybersecurity issues such as roles and
responsibilities, ICS supply chain, cyber workforce, cybersecurity standards, and cyber response.
Drinking Water Programs
EPA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) established an Interagency Agreement to coordinate
activities and information exchange in the areas of unregulated contaminants occurrence, the
environmental relationships affecting contaminant occurrence, protection area delineation
methodology, and analytical methods. This effort improves the quality of information to support
risk management decision-making at all levels of government, generates valuable new data, and
eliminates potential redundancies. EPA also collaborates with HUD to develop strategies to
decrease drinking water lead exposure in homes. The partnership promotes the exchange of
information, leverages funding, and reviews processes to facilitate better-informed and
coordinated decisions and investments.
In addition, EPA collaborates with DHHS to better understand, characterize, and manage public
health risks from Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), with activities spanning from
assessing CDC's waterborne disease surveillance data related to legionella and other biofilm-
related pathogens to partnering with FDA on antibiotic resistance-related issues. EPA collaborates
with multiple federal agencies to address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) issues
including DOD, DOE, USD A, FDA, DHHS, the NIH, the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
the Small Business Administration (SBA), NASA, FAA, and the Executive Office of the President
(EOP).
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Infrastructure Supportfor Tribal Water Systems
EPA coordinates the multi-agency tribal Infrastructure Task Force (ITF), created to develop and
coordinate federal activities in delivering water infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure and solid
waste management services to tribal communities. The ITF is the formal mechanism for
interagency coordination among EPA, DHHS's Indian Health Service (IHS), HUD, USD A, and
the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Drinking Water and Wastewater Work in Indian Country
EPA works under a five-federal agency MOU to better coordinate the federal government's efforts
in providing access to safe drinking water and basic wastewater facilities for tribal communities.
EPA, DOI, DHHS, USD A, and HUD work as the Federal Tribal Infrastructure Task Force (TITF)
to use their combined authorities to maintain a framework to enhance interagency efficiency and
coordination, and to cultivate greater cooperation in carrying out their tribal infrastructure
responsibilities. Since 2007, the TITF has: maintained procedures necessary for a common
understanding of the programs pertaining to funding infrastructure construction, solid waste
management efforts, and technical assistance to tribes; worked together to improve the capacity of
tribal communities to operate and maintain sustainable infrastructure; enhanced the efficient
leveraging of funds; worked directly with tribes to promote an understanding of federal programs;
identified ways to improve construction, operation, and maintenance of sustainable infrastructure;
and worked to allow and facilitate the exchange of data and information amongst partners.1
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) / Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Coordination work with other federal agencies also will support EPA's BIL/IDA implementation
priorities.
Sustainable Rural Drinking and Wastewater Systems
EPA and USD A work together to increase the sustainability of rural drinking water and wastewater
systems to ensure the protection of public health, water quality, and sustainable communities. The
two agencies facilitate coordinated funding for infrastructure projects that aid in the compliance
of national drinking water and clean water regulations.
National Water Sector Workforce Development: Department of Veterans Affairs
EPA and the Departments of Education, Interior, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs (VA) are
building on existing collaborations, exploring new opportunities and actions, and identifying
potential additional federal programs and partners to support the Nation's water sector
professionals.
Coordination with Department of Defense on Analytical Methods for Detecting PFAS
EPA's Clean Water Act (CWA) analytical methods program is collaborating with DOD on their
efforts to develop an analytical method for detecting certain PFAS compounds in wastewater.
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
EPA participates in quarterly and ad hoc meetings with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), DOE,
DOI, DOT, and DOJ to share information on carbon capture and storage developments. In
1 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/tribal/federal-infrastructiire-task-force-iniprove-access-safe-
drinking-water-and-basic- sanitation.
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addition, EPA serves as a liaison to DOE's National Risk Assessment Partnership to advance its
work in developing tools to improve collective understanding of risk at CO2 storage projects and
inform science and risk-based decision-making at geologic sequestration projects; and to explore
opportunities to integrate the partnership work into EPA's Class VI permitting process. EPA also
will collaborate with DOE and CEQ on several reports and other initiatives related to carbon
sequestration requested by Congress, including developing a report on UIC Class VI permitting.
Through the CAA §309 review program, EPA is collaborating with DOE and other agencies as
needed to assist with identifying potential impacts and ways to avoid and minimize those impacts
from CO2 storage projects.
Research to Support Water Programs
While EPA is the federal agency mandated to ensure safe drinking water, other federal and non-
federal entities conduct research that complements EPA's research on priority contaminants in
drinking water. Cooperative research efforts have been ongoing with the American Water Works
Association, Water Research Foundation, and other stakeholders to coordinate drinking water
research where the private sector is conducting research in areas such as analytical methods,
treatment technologies, and the development and maintenance of water resources. EPA also has
worked with the USGS to evaluate performance of newly developed methods for measuring
microbes in potential drinking water sources.
Interagency coordination in research also is occurring in developing sediment criteria. Here, EPA
has joint research initiatives with NOAA and USGS for linking monitoring data and field study
information with available toxicity data and assessment models for developing sediment criteria.
EPA also conducts studies with the USGS to monitor the occurrence of contaminants of emerging
concern (CECs). Research efforts to monitor the effects of chemical mixtures continue, increasing
our understanding of wastewater effluent impacts to human and aquatic health and prioritizing
future research on developing solutions for the removal of CECs in wastewater treatment
operations.
Source Water Collaborative
EPA participates in the Source Water Collaborative along with USDA (NRCS, Farm Service
Agency (FSA), USFS), USGS, and 25 other national organizations. The goal of the collaborative
is to protect sources of drinking water by combining the strengths and tools of its member
organizations. EPA provides funding to support these efforts.
Source Water Protection and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
To combat HABs and hypoxia, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control
Amendments Act of 2014 (HABHRCA 2014, P.L. 113-124, reauthorized through the National
Integrated Drought Information System [HABHRCA 2017, Public Law 115-423]) emphasizes the
mandate to advance the scientific understanding and ability to detect, predict, control, mitigate,
and respond to HABs and hypoxia. This legislation established the Interagency Working Group
(IWG) on HABHRCA (IWG-HABHRCA). It tasked the group with coordinating and convening
federal agencies to discuss HAB and hypoxia events in the U.S., and to develop action plans,
reports, and assessments of these situations. The IWG-HABHRCA is co-chaired by representatives
from EPA, NOAA, and the OSTP, and it is composed of the following member agencies and
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departments: CDC, FDA, NIEHS, USACE, USGS, BOEM, NPS, FWS, NASA, USD A, DOS, and
the National Science Foundation (NSF).
2018 Farm Bill Source Water Protection Provisions
EPA collaborates with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), state and
utility partners to develop implementation strategies and guidance to comply with the 2018 Farm
Bill provisions. These provisions dedicate at least 10 percent of total funds available for
conservation programs (with the exception of the Conservation Reserve Program) to be used for
source water protection. In addition, the Agency partners with NRCS to foster collaboration at the
state and local levels to identify priority source water protection areas in each state to address
agriculture-related impacts to drinking water sources. EPA also is collaborating with USFS in
developing strategies to implement the 2018 Farm Bill (Title VIII, Subtitle D, Section 8404)
Source Water Protection provisions requiring a "Water Source Protection Program" on National
Forest Service (NFS) lands. EPA is supporting USFS by fostering partnerships with state, utilities,
and other water stakeholders.
National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)
The Agency works with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which
implements Farm Bill conservation programs that can help control nonpoint source pollution. The
National Water Quality Initiative partnership with USDA focuses federal resources on agricultural
sources of pollution in select watersheds in every state. From 2012 to 2021, NRCS has invested
more than $250 million and worked with over 5 million farmers and ranchers to implement
conservation practices on 1.1 million acres. Between FY 2017-2020, over $20 million in Clean
Water Act section 319 funding was invested in these same NWQI watersheds, which was matched
by over $22 million in nonfederal funding. These conservation efforts have reduced sediment loss
from cropland by >1.1 million tons, reduced phosphorous loss by >3.1 million pounds and reduced
nitrogen loss by >13.5 million pounds.
Gulf Hypoxia Task Force
EPA, as the federal chair of the Gulf Hypoxia Task Force, works with member federal agencies
(USDA, NOAA, USGS) and twelve member states to continue implementation of the 2008 Gulf
Hypoxia Action Plan. A key goal of the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan is to improve water quality in
the Mississippi River Basin and reduce the size of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico by
implementing existing and innovative approaches to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in
the Basin and the Gulf. The Hypoxia Task Force is developing basin-wide metrics, while Task
Force member states are using Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act resources to implement
nutrient reduction strategies, partner with land grant universities, report on measures to track
progress, and identify a need for adaptive management. State support for effective nutrient
reduction in the Gulf is coordinated with other Hypoxia Task Force federal member agencies, such
as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Geological Survey, in high-priority watersheds.
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program
The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, established by section 6217 of the Coastal Zone
Act Reauthorization Amendments, addresses nonpoint source pollution problems in coastal
waters. Section 6217 requires states and territories with approved Coastal Zone Management
Programs to develop Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs. In its program, a state or
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territory describes how it will implement nonpoint source pollution controls, known as
management measures. This program is administered jointly with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration
The EPA Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration
(NRDA) Program works closely with federal (NOAA, DOI, USD A) and state (5 Gulf states)
NRDA co-Trustees to evaluate, select, and implement projects to restore Gulf of Mexico natural
resources injured by the DWH oil spill. This restoration effort provides the opportunity for EPA
and co-Trustees to collaborate on a wide variety of issues across the Gulf that are important to the
federal co-Trustees including water quality, nutrient reduction, fisheries, wetlands, marine debris,
coastal resilience, monitoring, and adaptive management.
Ocean Dumping Program
The MPRSA regulates the disposition of any material in the ocean unless expressly excluded under
MPRSA. Under the MPRSA, EPA is responsible for establishing criteria for reviewing and
evaluating permit applications, as well as issuing ocean dumping permits for materials other than
dredged material. In the case of dredged material, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is
responsible for issuing ocean dumping permits, using EPA's environmental criteria. Permits for
ocean dumping of dredged material are subject to EPA review and written concurrence. EPA and
US ACE together develop site management and monitoring plans for each designated ocean
dredged material disposal site. In the United States, the MPRSA implements the requirements of
the London Convention, where EPA collaborates with the State Department and US ACE.
Vessels
EPA works closely under the Clean Water Act to jointly regulate vessels of the armed forces with
the Department of Defense through the Department of the Navy. EPA works closely with the U. S.
Coast Guard to regulate incidental discharges from commercial vessels - EPA establishes
discharge standards that become effective once the Coast Guard issues implementing regulations
under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act.
Urban Waters Federal Partnership
EPA leads the Urban Waters Federal Partnership with over 15 federal partner agencies, including
DOI and USD A, to support 21 Urban Waters locations. The Urban Waters Federal Partnership
reconnects urban communities, particularly those that are overburdened or economically
distressed, with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and
collaborating with community-led revitalization efforts to improve our nation's waters and
promote their economic, environmental, and social benefits.
Wetlands
EPA works closely with USACE to oversee and implement the Clean Water Act section 404
permitting program. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act establishes a program to regulate the
discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. The
Army Corps of Engineers administers day-to-day program, including individual and
general permit decisions. EPA develops and interprets policy, guidance, and environmental
criteria used in evaluating permit applications; determines scope of geographic jurisdiction and
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applicability of exemptions; and reviews and comments on individual permit applications. EPA
also coordinates with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) on certain permitting actions.
Interagency Coastal Wetlands Workgroup
EPA works on the Coastal Wetlands Initiative in partnership with a number of federal agencies
involved in coastal wetlands conservation, including FWS, NMFS, DOT, USGS, USD A, and
US ACE. The ultimate goal of the Interagency Coastal Wetlands Workgroup is to reduce and
reverse the trend of coastal wetland loss. The workgroup has developed a series of
recommendations to address coastal wetland loss grouped under five themes: increasing the
acreage of wetlands restored in coastal watersheds; reducing loss of coastal wetlands to
development; reducing loss of coastal wetlands associated with silviculture in the Southeast;
supporting the collection, enhancement, and dissemination of landscape-scale wetland monitoring
data; and conducting targeted outreach and stakeholder engagement.
Coral Reef Task Force
EPA partners with other federal agencies in support of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF).
The USCRTF was established in 1998 by Presidential Executive Order to lead U.S. efforts to
preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. The USCRTF includes federal agencies, states,
territories, commonwealths, and Freely Associated States. The USCRTF helps build partnerships,
strategies, and support for on-the-ground action to conserve coral reefs.
National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC)
EPA partners with other federal agencies, states and other organizations to promote water quality
monitoring. The NWQMC includes representatives from NOAA, Forest Service, NRCS, FWS,
NPS and participation from USGS. A key deliverable of the NWQMC is the National Monitoring
Conference. The NWQMC established a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI)
workgroup to advance inclusion of JEDI issues in programming and expand representation of
Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or
questioning, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTQ+) in the conference and the broader monitoring
workforce.
National Aquatic Resource Surveys
EPA partners with other federal agencies, states, territories, and tribes in implementation of NARS,
a national monitoring network producing statistically representative assessments on the condition
of the nation's rivers and streams, lakes, wetlands, coastal estuaries, and Great Lakes nearshore
waters. Federal agencies that have participated in NARS include NRCS, NPS, FS, BLM, and
USGS.
Advice about Eating Fish and Shellfish
FDA and EPA collaborate to issue advice regarding eating fish and shellfish that are lower in
mercury. This advice is for those who might become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding
as well as parents and caregivers who are feeding children. It can help people make informed
choices about the types of fish that are nutritious and safe to eat.
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Land and Emergency Management Programs
Brownfields
EPA's Brownfields and Land Revitalization Programs partner with the NPS's River, Trails and
Conservation Assistance Program to support Groundwork USA and individual Groundwork Trust
organizations in their efforts to engage youth in brownfields redevelopment and community
revitalization.
Superfund Remedial Program
The Superfund Remedial Program maintains ongoing coordination and collaboration with
ATSDR, NIEHS, HUD, and USACE as well as with the Federal Mining Dialogue and the Federal
Remediation Technologies Roundtable, two multi-agency consortia. Interaction with these entities
enhances program implementation through activities that are mutually beneficial, such as
information sharing and resource leveraging. For example, ATSDR has a statutory mandate to
complete health assessments on sites listed on EPA's National Priorities List while EPA conducts
site characterization and remediation. Moreover, EPA site managers work with their ATSDR
counterparts to coordinate public human health messaging. For NIEHS, EPA collaborates and
coordinates academic research related to contaminant toxicities, site characterization and
remediation and risk communication. EPA collaborates with HUD on residential risk evaluation
and mitigation, while the Agency's work with USACE spans a wide range of technical,
management and acquisition support functions to implement or oversee responsible party
Superfund project implementation for the remedial and removal programs. EPA's participation in
the Federal Mining Dialogue has established the Agency's role in a multi-agency (e.g., DOE, DOI,
etc.) partnership to address abandoned hard rock mining sites on federal and mixed ownership
lands. Membership in the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable facilitates EPA's
collaboration with multiple federal entities, such as DOD, NASA, DOT, to advance the use of
innovative technologies to clean up hazardous waste contamination. EPA also co-chairs with DOE
and DOD a subgroup of the PFAS Interagency Policy Committee (IPC) on PFAS cleanup and
disposal. The purpose is to foster inter-agency collaboration and communication to accelerate
PFAS cleanups. USDA, EPA, SBA, OMB/OIRA, DHS, DOT/FAA, OSTP and CEQ also
participate in this IPC subgroup and CEQ leads the IPC group.
Superfund Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Program
EPA's Superfund Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Program coordinates with other Federal
Agencies (OF As); state, tribal, and local governments; and communities to implement its statutory
responsibilities to ensure protective and efficient cleanup and reuse of federally contaminated landon
the Federal Agency Hazardous Waste Compliance Docket and the NPL. Successful coordination
requires strong partnerships and enhanced engagement by having regularly scheduled and ad hoc
meetings that target and resolve critical programmatic issues, emphasize selection and
implementation of protective cleanups, and recognize site reuse opportunities and successes. EPA
has committed to early engagement with our partners that focus on issues with a problem-solving
and action-oriented approach.
The Program also coordinates with national organizations that help to improve engagement such
as the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO), the
Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC), and the Environmental Council of the
States (ECOS). ASTSWMO has a Federal Facilities Research Center Subcommittee that promotes
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and enhances state and territory involvement in the cleanup and reuse of contaminated federal
facilities and fosters information exchange by and between states, territories, and OF As. This
includes identifying and researching emerging issues related to state and federal cleanup programs
at federal facility sites, producing and disseminating resource documents and tools, and working
with EPA and OF As on a variety of federal facility issues and forums. Current topics of interest
include addressing contaminants of emerging concern like PFAS; ensuring Applicable or Relevant
and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) are identified and implemented; coordination with
civilian federal agencies; Performance-Based Contracting; and participating in the implementation
and oversight of the Munitions Response Program. ITRC is a state-led coalition working to reduce
barriers to the use of innovative air, water, waste, and remediation environmental technologies and
processes. ITRC produces documents and training that broaden and deepen technical knowledge
and expedite quality regulatory decision making while protecting human health and the
environment. EPA, along with OF As and industry representatives, works through ITRC in defining
continuing research needs through its teams including on topics of relevance and benefit to federal
facility sites, like PFAS, chemicals of emerging concern, and performance-based optimization of
pump and treat systems.
Through the establishment of a national cleanup dialogue with the DOE and the states in
coordination with ECOS, EPA supports special emphasis engagement for nuclear weapons sites,
the largest and costliest portfolio of remaining federal facilities cleanup work. The Dialogue
enhances ongoing working relationships in the cleanup of DOE Environmental Management sites
and focuses on topics of mutual relevance and highest priority to ensure timely advancement of
protective cleanups. The Dialogue exemplifies how collaboration can advance DOE sites and
foster an understanding of challenges and successes nationally.
EPA also participates with OF As and states on the Munitions Response Dialogue (MRD), partners
with DOD research and development programs on munitions management and environmental
restoration. Current MRD activities include EPA, DOD, Federal Land Management Agencies, and
states updating and harmonizing previous munitions risk/hazard assessment methodologies. The
MRD's goal is to achieve consensus on an updated munitions risk/hazard assessment
methodology. EPA also co-chairs the Intergovernmental Data Quality Task Force (IDQTF) with
DoD and DOE. The IDQTF works to ensure that environmental data are of known and documented
quality and suitable for the intended use.
EPA actively participates in the Defense Environmental Restoration Program and Formerly Used
Defense Sites (FUDS) forums hosted by the DOD. DOD's gathering of State and Federal
regulators offers a unique opportunity to partner, share information, and facilitate more efficient
and effective management of DoD's cleanup program. Recent forums focused on emerging issues,
best practices, and lessons learned, as well as new policies and technology investments to
maximize efficiencies and minimize the time it takes to complete cleanup at active, Base
Realignment and Closure installations, and FUDS. Similar forums hosted by DOD service
components provide EPA and states further opportunities for engagement, often focused on topics
tailored to the unique aspects of the response programs of the Army, Navy or Air Force.
EPA coordinates with OF As on the Federal Mining Dialogue (FMD). The FMD is a cooperative
initiative among federal environmental and land management agencies that provide a national-
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level forum for federal agencies to identify and discuss lessons learned and technical mining
impact issues associated with the cleanup and reuse of abandoned and inactive hard rock mine and
mineral processing sites across the country. EPA also engages with OF As in the complementary
Abandoned Uranium Mine Work Group, which focuses on investigation and cleanup of legacy
uranium ore mining and mill tailing sites in the western U.S. Multiple program and enforcement
offices participate for EPA in both venues to ensure coordinated engagement across the Agency.
Accelerate Work to Clean-up Contaminated Lands Under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
(ANCSA)
EPA with the other federal agencies (DOI, DOD and others as needed) will use a whole-of-
government approach to clean up and address lands that were contaminated when transferred under
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Agencies will strengthen collaboration
between the Federal government, the State of Alaska, Alaska Native Corporations, Tribes, and
Alaska Native Organizations to improve data and transparency through the creation of a joint
inventory and public facing dashboard; prioritize assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites;
and initiate cleanup of sites that have not yet been addressed.
RCRA Waste Minimization and Recycling: Supporting Sustainable Materials Management and a
Circular Economy for All
Natural resource extraction and processing make up approximately 50 percent of total GHG
emissions. Under RCRA, EPA provides data, information, guidelines, tools, and technical
assistance on resource conservation, recycling, and resource recovery. As part of this work, EPA
focuses on increasing the conservation and recovery of municipal solid waste (e.g., plastics,
aluminum, paper, food waste) and industrial waste (e.g., construction and demolition materials) to
advance a circular economy. EPA is working closely with other federal agencies to implement
EPA's 2021 National Recycling Strategy, the 2020 Save our Seas Act 2.0, and the 2021
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IDA), as well as to develop additional strategies on
plastics, food waste and organics, critical minerals and electronics, textiles, and the built
environment.
EPA works collaboratively with USD A, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to
reduce food waste in support of the national goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50 percent
by 2030. EPA also is providing national estimates of food waste generation and management;
convening, educating, and supporting communities seeking to reduce food waste.
The Save our Seas Act 2.0, passed by Congress in December 2020, demonstrates bipartisan
congressional support and provides EPA with authority to further act on domestic recycling and
address plastic waste through new grant programs, studies, and extensive federal coordination.
EPA is coordinating with DOE, several offices within the DOC (NIST, NOAA, USTR and ITA),
and US AID to implement Save our Seas. EPA also works with these same federal agencies and
the Department of State to implement Save Our Seas 2.0, with particular emphasis on addressing
the global plastic pollution challenge.
The IIJA was enacted on November 15, 2021. The IIJA provides funding for the solid waste
infrastructure for recycling grants under section 302(a) of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act as well as
education and outreach grants focused on improving material recycling, recovery, management.
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The IIJA also establishes new programs focused on battery recycling and directs EPA to develop
a model recycling program toolkit, increase coordination on federal procurement guidelines, and
provide assistance to the educational community to incorporate recycling best practices into school
curriculum. EPA coordinates closely with DOE on the development of battery recycling best
practices and the voluntary labeling program, as DOE also received significant new IIJA funding
to advance battery recycling.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Programs
The RCRA Corrective Action Program coordinates closely with OF As, primarily DOD and DOE,
which have many corrective action sites. A top agency priority is to help federal facilities meet the
Program's goals of investigating and cleaning up hazardous releases. EPA also coordinates with
other agencies on cleanup and disposal issues posed by PCBs under the authority of the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Emergency Preparedness and Response
EPA plays a major role in reducing the risks that accidental and intentional releases of harmful
substances and oil discharges pose to human health and the environment. EPA's leadership in
federal preparedness begins with co-chairing the National Response Team (NRT) and the 13
Regional Response Teams (RRTs) with the USCG. These teams, which have member participation
from 15 total federal agencies (EPA, USCG, DOS, DOD, DHS/FEMA, DOE, USD A, DHHS
(including CDC, NIOSH, and ATSDR), DOI, DOC, DOT, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), DOJ, and the U.S. Department of Labor [DOL]
[including OSHA]), provide guidance and deliver federal assistance to state, local, and tribal
governments to plan for and respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other major
environmental incidents. This requires coordination with many federal, state, and local agencies.
The Agency participates with other federal agencies to develop national planning and
implementation policies at the operational level.
The National Response Framework (NRF), under the direction of DHS, provides for the delivery
of federal assistance to states to help them deal with the consequences of terrorist events, acts of
malfeasance, as well as natural and other significant disasters. EPA maintains the lead
responsibility for the NRF's Emergency Support Function #10 (covering inland hazardous
materials and petroleum releases) and participates in the Federal Emergency Support Function
Leaders Group which addresses NRF planning and implementation at the operational level.
EPA supports the Weapons of Mass Destruction Strategic Group (WMDSG) crisis-action team
intended to coordinate the United States Government's efforts to successfully resolve a WMD
threat and support interagency senior leader decision making. The WMDSG is comprised of over
50 SMEs representing over 15 different departments and agencies. The WMDSG is on call
24/7/365 to respond to the FBI's Strategic Information and Operations Center (SIOC) within two
hours. The WMDSG - led by the FBI - provides enhanced coordination by focusing on
information sharing and operation synchronization. The WMDSG helps maintain situational
awareness by working directly with FBI Counterterrorism Division (CTD) regarding investigative
activities, and the National Assets Command Post (NACP) regarding crisis operations.
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The National Biodefense Strategy (NBS) provides a single coordinated effort to orchestrate the
full range of activity that is carried out across the United States Government to protect the
American people from biological threats. The National Security Presidential Memorandum
(NSPM)-14 strategy explains how the United States Government will manage its activities more
effectively to assess, prevent, detect, prepare for, respond to, and recover from biological threats
by coordinating its biodefense efforts with those of international partners, industry, academia, non-
governmental entities, and the private sector. The Biodefense Steering Committee, chaired by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, and comprising the Secretary of State, the Secretary of
Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the
Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency,
will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the execution of the strategy and its
implementation plan, and ensuring federal coordination with domestic and international
government and non-governmental partners. EPA regularly works with the Biodefense Steering
Committee to address questions from the White House Security Council.
EPA supports the DHS Science and Technology Directorate through Interagency Agreements to
conduct bench-scale research and full-scale field studies to improve the nation's ability to respond
to and recover from terrorist incidents. These multi-year, interagency efforts include critical efforts
to improve consequence management of wide-area biological events, chemical warfare agent
attacks, and radiological incidents.
EPA continues to provide critical assets and expertise as members of DHS's nuclear incident
response team (NIRT). The EPA maintains mission capable systems and personnel trained to
respond to a nuclear incident. The EPA coordinates and collaborates with the DOE as part of
NIRT. EPA and DOE participate in joint exercises and data exchanges to ensure our national
programs provide equivalent capabilities during response activities.
EPA continuously monitors DoD investments and technological developments as they mature from
basic research through advanced manufacturing for potential transition to civilian
applications and reducing or eliminating duplication of efforts. Through the DoD sponsored multi-
agency aligned irregular warfare support directorate program, the EPA submits and reviews
partner agency requirements to identify synergistic efforts throughout all of government. EPA is
providing DoD organizations laboratory sampling capacity for chemical warfare demilitarization
operations at army depots. The EPA can mobilize units to these army depots and perform Chemical
Agent Standard Analytical Reference Material (CASARM) Quality Assurance Plan compliant
analytical services, which illustrates the strong partnership and alignment with the organizations.
Chemical Accident Prevention and Response
Under CAA Section 112(r), EPA administers the Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations
designed to prevent and respond to chemical accidents at fixed facilities that use or store more than
a threshold quantity (TQ) of listed highly toxic or flammable substances in a process. In
administering these regulations, EPA collaborates closely with other federal agencies, including
DOL, DOT, DHS, and others. An important nexus for this collaboration is the National Working
Group on Chemical Safety and Security, which includes participation by EPA, DOL/OSHA, DHS,
DOT, and BATF. The Working Group was initially formed as a result of Executive Order 13650
- Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security - which tasked federal agencies with various
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actions to further improve chemical facility safety and security in coordination with facility owners
and operators. Through the Working Group, EPA works with federal agency partners to share
information, develop fact sheets and guidance, and coordinate regulatory and policy actions
relating to chemical safety and security. EPA also conducts additional regular coordination with
DOL and OSHA, which administer the OSHA Process Safety Management standard, a regulation
that shares common provisions with EPA's RMP regulations.
Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, EPA administers regulations
that establish the list of extremely hazardous substances for community emergency response
planning, as well as regulations that establish chemical inventory and release reporting
requirements. In administering these regulations, EPA works closely with DOT, DHS, FEMA,
and other agencies that are involved in planning for chemical emergencies. For example, EPA
collaborates with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop the
Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) software suite and Tier II
Submit software, which provide free computer software tools to help fire departments, local
emergency agencies and other stakeholders manage chemical inventory information and develop
and implement emergency response plans.
Oil and Chemical Spills
EPA is responsible for maintaining the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP), which sets out the federal government's blueprint for responding to oil
and hazardous substance spills. More specifically, the NCP details federal responsibilities and
procedures for preparing for and responding to discharges of oil or releases of hazardous
substances, pollutants, or contaminants in inland and coastal zones of the U.S. EPA is authorized
to amend the NCP in consultation with other federal agencies. Under the NCP, EPA serves as the
pre-designated On-Scene Coordinator for oil discharges and hazardous substance releases in the
inland zone. As part of its responsibilities, EPA also maintains a list—called the Product
Schedule—of dispersants and other chemical and bioremediation products that may be authorized
for use during a spill.
EPA helps agencies such as FWS and the USCG and works in coordination to address oil
discharges nationwide. EPA also assists agencies with judicial referrals when enforcement of
violations becomes necessary. In addition, EPA and the USCG work in coordination to address oil
spills nationwide. Under the authorities provided by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(FWPCA) or Clean Water Act (CWA), EPA develops oil discharge response, prevention, and
preparedness regulations. EPA also provides compliance monitoring activities to enforce these
regulations and coordinates with USCG, DOT, and BSEE in their implementation.
EPA serves as member of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research
(ICCOPR) established under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. ICCOPR coordinates a comprehensive
program of oil pollution research, technology development, and demonstration among federal
agencies in cooperation and coordination with external entities, such as industry, universities,
research institutions, state governments, and other nations, as appropriate. Comprised of 16 federal
agencies, ICCOPR is chaired by USCG, with EPA having served in a rotating Vice Chair capacity.
ICCOPR develops priorities for oil spill research across the federal government on a 6-year cycle
and prepares biennial reports to Congress on research activities and key interagency committee
activities.
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Strengthen Human Health and Environmental Protection in Indian Country
EPA, DOI, DHHS, USD A, and HUD work through several MOUs as partners to improve
infrastructure on tribal lands. All five federal partners have committed to continue federal
coordination in delivering services to tribal communities. The Infrastructure Task Force has built
on prior partner successes, including improved access to funding and reduced administrative
burden for tribal communities through the review and streamlining of agency policies, regulations,
and directives as well as improved coordination of technical assistance to water service providers
and solid waste managers through regular coordination meetings and web-based tools.
Homeland Security
EPA's Homeland Security, Preparedness and Response Program continues to develop and
maintain agency assets and capabilities to respond to and support nationally significant incidents
with emphasis on those involving chemical warfare agents. The Program implements a broad range
of activities for a variety of internal and multi-agency efforts consistent with the NRF and the
Homeland Security Presidential Directives that EPA leads or supports. This includes being the
lead analytical agency for environmental sampling during a CWA incident. EPA also coordinates
its preparedness activities with DHS, FEMA, FBI, and other federal, state, and local agencies.
Research to Support Homeland Security
EPA collaborates with numerous agencies on Homeland Security research to leverage funding
across multiple programs and produce synergistic results. EPA's Homeland Security Research
Program and OLEM work with DHS provide science-based information and options to support
decisions made in its role as a lead agency responsible for cleanup during a Stafford Act declaration
under ESF-10 and as the lead agency for water infrastructure. EPA also works with the DOD and
its sub-organizations in its research work related to biological and chemical warfare agents.
Further, EPA participates in a tri-agency research partnership (Technical Coordination Working
Group [TCWG]) with the DOD and DHS that focuses on chemical and biological defense needs
and gaps. TCWG activities include information sharing; joint science and technology research
projects; and complementing policies. EPA also collaborates with the CDC in conducting
biological agent research.
EPA works with these aforementioned entities and others to address areas of mutual interest and
concern related to both homeland security cleanup and water infrastructure protection issues. The
Program conducts joint research with USD A and DOI focusing on addressing homeland security
threats at the intersection of the environment/public health and agriculture/natural resources. EPA
also works with DOE to access and conduct research at the DOE's National Laboratories
specialized research facilities, such as to establish the Water Security Test Bed and develop
analytical capabilities for biological and chemical agents in environmental matrices.
Research to Support Land and Emergency Management Programs
EPA has complementary and joint programs with the USFS, USGS, USD A, US ACE, NOAA,
BLM, and many others to minimize duplication, maximize scope, and maintain a real-time
information flow for land and emergency management issues. EPA coordinates its research to
support a range of environmental priorities at other federal agencies, including work with DOD in
its Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program and the Environmental Security
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Technology Certification Program, and works with DOE and its Office of Health and
Environmental Research. EPA also conducts collaborative laboratory research with DOD, DOI,
and USGS to improve characterization and risk management options for dealing with subsurface
contamination. EPA also works through the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) in
defining continuing research needs through its teams on topics including PFAS, radionuclides, and
brownfields.
Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Programs
National Coordination for General Issues Relating to Chemical Safety
EPA established an Interagency Policy Group comprised of other federal agencies with interest
and expertise in chemical issues to hold periodic meetings to obtain input on significant actions
such as the TSCA Risk Evaluations, rules, and potential existing chemical candidates for
Prioritization under TSCA. The agencies on the Interagency Policy Group include: CPSC, DOD,
OMB, NASA, DOL, SBA, NIH, FDA, and CDC. EPA has utilized this group to review TSCA
materials including, but not limited to, risk evaluations documents related to the scoping of existing
chemicals for risk evaluation and associated draft risk evaluations. Additionally, EPA has initiated
regular engagement with both NIOSH and OSHA to discuss occupational exposure assessments
and risk management.
EPA also engages in biannual meetings with the OMNE2 Committee, which includes the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mining Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA), NIOSH, and the NIEHS. The OMNE Committee exists to provide a
venue for federal agencies to share information and coordinate activities regarding proposed rules,
risk assessments, and risk management strategies for controlling exposure to chemicals.
Federal Lead Action Plan
Established by Executive Order 13045, the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks
and Safety Risks to Children comprises 17 federal departments and offices and is co-chaired by
the Secretary of DHHS and the EPA Administrator. In December 2018, through cross-
governmental collaboration, the Task Force unveiled the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood
Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts (Federal Lead Action Plan). The Federal Lead
Action Plan is a blueprint for reducing lead exposure and associated harms by working with a
range of stakeholders, including states, tribes and local communities, along with businesses,
property owners and parents. In 2019, EPA released the Implementation Status Report for EPA
Actions under the December 2018 Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and
Associated Health Impacts3 and Progress Report on the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood
Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts.4 In FY 2022 and FY 2023, the Agency will
continue to lead those goals and actions, coordinate with federal, state, tribal and community
partners to amplify the impacts, and report on activities and implementation, as appropriate.
2 The OMNE Committee is named for the first letter in each participating agency's name.
3
For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sites/defaiilt/files/2019-
04/docunients/leadiniplenientationbooklet april2019.pdf.
4
For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.eoY/leadactionplaiiiniplenieiitatioii/progress-repoi1-
federal-action- plan-reduce-childhood-lead-exposures.
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Participation in International Agreements addressing Chemicals and Pesticide Management
To participate effectively in international agreements addressing chemicals and pesticide
management (e.g., the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Minamata
Convention on Mercury, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedures for
Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Strategic Approach to
International Chemicals Management, CODEX Alimentarius, and a wide range of multilateral,
regional, and bilateral free trade agreements), EPA coordinates with other federal agencies, such
as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), DOS, DOC, USDA, DOE, FDA, and
DHHS on a regular basis to develop the policy views and positions of the United States.
EPA also coordinates with other parts of the U.S. Government, including the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), NIH, and CPSC, on more technical international
matters related to the safety and management of chemicals and pesticides. At the regional and
global levels, EPA engages in bilateral cooperation and information exchange with a wide range
of countries and regional organizations, such as the European Union (EU), Canada, China,
Australia, Japan, Brazil, and many others.
In addition to participating in the U.S. Government trade development process, EPA also
specifically engages in trilateral cooperation with Canada and Mexico through the U.S.-Mexico-
Canada (USMCA) Free Trade Agreement, particularly with respect to the provisions related to
agriculture, technical barriers to trade, and environment, among others. Such engagement is
designed to promote further trade and regional cooperation among the three governments through
targeted efforts and technical working groups. In 2022-2024, for example, under OCSPP's
leadership, EPA is working within the USMCA's CEC with Canada and Mexico on a project to
explore supply chain transparency to identify innovative approaches and digital tools supporting
the identification and disclosure of chemical contents in goods and materials. The project is
intended to foster best practices for information exchanges and collaboration and to engage
different industry sectors, environmental experts, and government and technical authorities.
EPA also works closely with a number of countries in the context of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) to further coordination amongst the OECD Member
countries and observer governments. For example, OCSPP serves as the National Coordinator for
the United States in support of the OECD Test Guidelines Program's mutual acceptance of data
work, which aims to reduce the need to repeat health effects studies due to incompatible test
protocols. Additionally, among others working groups and committees, EPA is engaged in the
OECD Working Group on Pesticides (WGP), which shares pesticide registration work and develop
tools to monitor and minimize pesticide risk to human health and the environment, and with the
Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee, which oversees eleven working groups and other
subsidiary bodies in the chemicals and pesticide arenas.
Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
EPA also participates significantly with other Agencies and international organizations in the
development, coordination, and delivery of capacity-building and technical assistance. For
example, OCSPP is collaborating with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service and the Inter-
American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture to address the many inquiries from foreign
countries on pesticide registrations, standard setting processes, maximum residue level (MRL)
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harmonization, and risk assessment procedures. ORD and OLEM collaborate with USDA's
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on research on foreign animal disease to determine
decontamination and waste management strategies following large outbreaks impacting livestock
(such as African Swine Fever, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
Certification and Training, Worker Protection, IPM, and Environmental Stewardship
EPA will continue to coordinate with USD A, DOD, DOI, DOE, tribes, territories, and states to
implement Certification Plans for pesticide applicators who use the riskiest pesticides. EPA
provides technical guidance and assistance to the states and tribes in the implementation of all
pesticide program activities, such as protecting workers, promoting Integrated Pest Management
and environmental stewardship. EPA also provides support through grants, cooperative
agreements, or interagency agreements with states, tribes, and other partners, including
universities, non-profit organizations, other federal agencies, pesticide users, environmental
groups, and other entities, as necessary, to assist in strengthening and implementing EPA's
pesticide activities, such as worker protection, pollinator protection and certifying pesticide
applicators.
Assessing Potential Pesticide Risks with Supplemental Data
EPA relies on data from DHHS and USDA to supplement data from the pesticide industry to assist
the Agency in assessing the potential risks of pesticides in the diets of adults and children.
Specifically, EPA uses National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) food consumption
survey data developed by the DHHS, as well as pesticide residue data in food commodities
generated by the USDA in its Pesticide Data Program (PDP) as inputs for dietary risk assessment.
Endangered Species & Pollinator Protection
EPA will continue collaborating with the USDA, FWS, and NMFS on protecting endangered and
threatened species and improving methods for assessing potential risks and effects of pesticides to
them. EPA, in cooperation with USDA, other federal agencies, state agencies, tribes, territories,
and other entities, will continue to address pesticide risks to bees and other pollinators which are
critical to our environment and the production of food crops.
Homeland Security - Protecting Food & Agriculture Sectors
EPA collaborates with the agencies such as DOD, DHS, DHHS, USDA, FDA, FEMA, and other
federal, tribal, and state organizations on a variety of homeland security issues as part of the
Government Coordinating Council (GCC) For Food and Agriculture. The issues focus on
protecting the public and food and agriculture sector from various threats (e.g., biological agents,
diseases, or natural disasters) which are vital to critical functions of the government and private
sector. EPA collaborates with these organizations on many issues such as research pertaining to
effective disinfectants for high threat microorganisms, planning for response to various potential
incidents, training and development of policies and guidelines. Technical and analytical support is
provided to EPA Regions and states specific to enforcement and litigation of possible illegal
pesticides and/or contamination of registered products. In addition to GCC efforts, EPA continues
to partner with the OSHA, NIOSH, and CPSC on risk assessment and risk mitigation activities.
Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) and State and Tribal Stakeholder Groups
One of the Agency's methods for receiving input on pesticide issues has been the Pesticide
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Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC), a Federal Advisory Committee, that brings together a
broad cross-section of knowledgeable stakeholders from organizations that represent divergent
views in order to discuss pesticide regulatory, policy, and implementation issues. The PPDC
includes members from federal and state governments, industry/trade associations, pesticide user
and commodity groups, consumer and environmental/public interest groups, and others. The
PPDC provides a structured environment for meaningful information exchanges and discussions,
and keeping the public involved in decisions that affect them. Dialogue with outside groups is
essential for the Agency to remain responsive to the needs of its many partners. EPA also works
extensively with the Association of American Pest Control Officials and the Tribal Pesticide
Program Council to maximize communication with states, tribes, and territories on pesticide
implementation issues.
General Research to Support Chemical Safety
EPA participates in a multi-agency effort under the Tox21 Consortium. Tox21 pools chemical
research, data and screening tools from multiple federal agencies including EPA, and the NIH and
FDA. EPA has contributed a chemical library, currently exceeding 4,000 chemicals, to the Tox21
testing program.5'6 Nearly all of this library includes data from EPA's Toxicity Forecaster
(.ToxCast™), an effort that utilizes existing resources to develop faster, more thorough predictions
of how chemicals may affect human and environmental health. The Tox21 Consortium has
screened thousands of chemicals with more than 70 assays, resulting in more than 120 million data
points which can inform decision making regarding the safety of chemicals. The full Tox21 library
comprises approximately equal sized contributions from the EPA, the National Toxicology
Program (NTP), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).
PFAS are a large, diverse class of chemicals that have been widely used in industry and consumer
products and are ubiquitous in the environment. EPA is committed to working collaboratively with
federal, state, tribal and local partners to address the challenges posed by PFAS. Efforts include
working with other federal agencies to address scientific challenges such as the lack of published
toxicity data for most PFAS chemicals. The results will be used to identify categories of PFAS
chemicals having similar structural and toxicological properties that may inform the development
and strength of predictive toxicological models. EPA anticipates increased interagency
collaboration on PFAS research and development efforts through an OSTP-led interagency
working group, established as required by the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.
Resources requested in FY 2024 will build upon the research foundation formed from completed
work.
Research to Support the Amended Toxic Substances Control Act
EPA collaborates globally with other federal agencies on research to accelerate the pace of
chemical risk assessment and to provide greater regulatory certainty for the public. EPA is working
with Health Canada and the European Joint Research Center on the development and testing of
new non-animal approach methodologies to evaluate chemicals quickly and cost-effectively for
safety. These new approach methods are a critical part of implementing the TSCA Strategic Plan
5 Collins, F.S., Gray, G.M., and Bucher, J.R. (2008). Transforming environmental health protection. Science, 319,906-907. doi:
10.1126/science.l 154619
6 Tice, R.R., Austin, C.P., Kavlock, R. J., and Bucher, J.R. (2013). Improving the human hazard characterization of
chemicals: a Tox21 update. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121,156-165. doi: 10.1289/ehp. 1205784.
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to reduce, refine, and replace the use of vertebrates in toxicity testing and evaluation. EPA also
commenced work with Health Canada and ECHA to promote sharing of non-confidential chemical
safety information with the intent of advancing chemical evaluations across regulatory
jurisdictions. This collaborative approach will help EPA and other federal agencies screen,
prioritize, and evaluate chemicals, and promote implementation of alternative methods to replace
vertebrate animal testing under TSCA. Finally, EPA is engaged in multiple OECD chemical safety
groups that share information, expertise, and research results related to chemical safety.
Ultimately, these international efforts will work towards creating transparent data requirements for
industry and reducing the regulatory uncertainty of multiple regulatory environments globally.
Research to Support Agencywide Risk Assessment Activities
EPA consults and collaborates routinely with other federal agencies to improve the rigor and
consistency of the science and practice of risk assessment. EPA engages on the science of
individual assessments, such as the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessments. EPA
also coordinates, respectively, with: ATSDR, through an MOU on the development of
toxicological assessments; NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program, on assessment
methodology, software, and assay development platforms; FDA on advisories and reports; and
DOD on assessment development methods. EPA serves as advisors to federal and international
agencies and departments (e.g. IARC, EFSA, Health Canada, WHO, ATSDR) to review and
provide scientific input on risk assessment related topics. In addition, EPA collaborates with other
federal agencies on complex human health assessment science topics through workshops,
including those managed by National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
(NASEM). EPA also participates in the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of
Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) to work towards increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of
U.S. federal agency test method review, eliminating unnecessary duplication of effort, sharing
experience among U.S. federal regulatory agencies, and reducing, refining, and replacing the use
of animals in testing.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
EPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program (EPP) implements the direction provided
to EPA in the Pollution Prevention Act, the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act,8
Federal Acquisition Regulations, and Executive Orders that mandate sustainable federal
procurement, including through the development and use of sustainability standards,
specifications, and ecolabels. The EPP Program collaborates closely with partner federal agencies
in developing, refining, and issuing the EPA Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and
Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing. Through FY 2022 these recommendations have been maintained
and updated to include 48 private sector standards and ecolabels that cover 30 product and service
categories commonly acquired through federal purchasing. These recommendations help federal
procurement officials determine which private sector standards and ecolabels, among sometimes
dozens within a single purchase category, are appropriate and effective in meeting federal
procurement goals and mandates for environmental performance. The EPP Program's work has
generated significant cost savings and environmental benefits to the federal government.
EPA also coordinates federal procurement programs that integrate environmental performance into
procurement, including building software tools for seamlessly integrating sustainable procurement
conditions and language into government procurement solicitations and contracts. Environmental
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benefits calculators help federal agencies document the environment performance and benefits
associated with their sustainable procurement. Working with the General Services Administration,
the EPP Program assists in identifying and highlighting best-in-class existing blanket purchase
contracts to further support and streamline efforts by federal procurement officials to meet federal
environmental and cost effectiveness goals, putting tools into the hands of federal procurement
officials, and collaborating with federal agencies such as the General Services Administration,
National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Departments of Defense and Energy, and
more.
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Programs
General Enforcement Coordination
The Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program coordinates closely with:
• Department of Justice (DOJ) on all civil and criminal environmental enforcement matters. In
addition, the Program has coordinated with other agencies on specific environmental issues as
described herein.
The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in
preventing and responding to accidental releases and endangerment situations.
• Department of Interior's (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and Department of Health and
Human Service's (DHHS) Indian Health Service (IHS) on issues relative to compliance with
environmental laws in Indian country.
The Department of Commerce (DOC) and Small Business Administration (SBA) on the
implementation of the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Act (SBREFA). In addition, it has
collaborated with the SBA to maintain current environmental compliance information at
Business.gov, a website initiated as an e-government initiative in 2004, to help small businesses
comply with government regulations. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on cases that require
defendants to pay civil penalties, thereby assisting the IRS in assuring compliance with tax
laws.
• United States Army Corps of Engineers (US ACE) on wetlands issues.
• Department of Transportation's (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration on pipeline spills.
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the regulation of animal feeding
operations and on food safety issues arising from the misuse of pesticides and shares joint
jurisdiction with the Federal Trade Commission on pesticide labeling and advertising.
International Trade
EPA works with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on implementing the secure
International Trade Data System (ITDS) across all federal agencies and on chemical and pesticide
imports, hazardous waste and Cathode Ray Tube exports, imports of internal combustion vehicles
and engines that do not meet Clean Air Act requirements, implementation of the American
Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, as well as on a variety of other import/export issues
under the various statutes.
Coordination on Issues Involving Shared Jurisdiction
EPA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) share jurisdiction over general-purpose
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disinfectants used on non-critical surfaces and some dental and medical equipment surfaces. EPA
and FDA also collaborate and share information on Good Laboratory Program inspections to avoid
duplication of inspections and maximize efficient use of limited resources. EPA, FDA, and the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jointly regulate drinking water safety on airlines via the
Aircraft Drinking Water Rule. The Agency has entered into an agreement with the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) concerning enforcement of the Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA) lead-based paint notification requirements. The Agency has coordinated with the
United States Coast Guard (USCG) under the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, and on
discharges of pollutant from ships and oil spills under the Clean Water Act (CWA). EPA also
works with DOI on CWA permit enforcement on the Outer Continental Shelf, as well as both the
Interior and Transportation Departments on enforcement of CWA requirements for offshore
facilities.
Criminal Enforcement
EPA's Criminal Enforcement Program coordinates with FBI, CBP, DOL, U.S. Treasury, DHS,
DOI, USCG, and DO J and with international, state, tribal, and local law enforcement organizations
in the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes. EPA also works with DOJ to
establish task forces that bring together federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement
organizations to address environmental crimes. EPA has an Interagency Agreement with DOJ's
Environment and Natural Resources Division to develop the first federal Environmental Crime
Victim Assistance Program. This allows both agencies to meet their statutory obligations under
the Crime Victims' Rights Act (CVRA) and the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act (VRRA), to
make sure that environmental crime victims are notified of and accorded their rights under the
CVRA and VRRA. In addition, the Program has an Interagency Agreement with the DHS to
provide specialized criminal environmental training to federal, state, local, and tribal law
enforcement personnel at the Federal Law Enforcement Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia.
Monitoring the Environmental Compliance of Federal Agencies
Most environmental statutes require departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the U.S.
government to comply with environmental requirements just like any other regulated entity. EPA
and states inspect federal facilities and take enforcement actions, as appropriate. In addition,
Executive Order 12088 on Federal Compliance with Pollution Control Standards directs EPA to
monitor compliance by federal agencies with all environmental laws and provide technical
assistance. The Federal Facility Enforcement Program coordinates with other federal, state, tribal,
and local agencies to ensure compliance by federal agencies with all environmental laws. EPA
works with the Federal Facilities Environmental Stewardship and Compliance Assistance Center
{FedCenter) (www.fedcenter.govl which is governed by a board of more than a dozen
contributing federal agencies. EPA also partners with other federal agencies to identify ways to
expedite cleanup of Superfund sites and prevent and address regulatory compliance issues.
FedCenter works with federal agencies to plan Federal Environmental Symposiums to encourage
collaboration, information sharing, stewardship, and improved environmental compliance across
the federal government. EPA is working with other Agencies through FedCenter to address
Administration priorities including PFAS and Environmental Justice (EJ).
EPA has commenced a number of specific collaborative efforts to work one-on-one with other
federal agencies to help foster productive relationships through environmental compliance
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outreach efforts. EPA has developed partnerships with other federal agency headquarters offices
including, for example, HHS, BIA, the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy
(DOE), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to discuss EPA's
compliance initiatives and explore ways EPA can best help federal agencies remain aware of their
environmental compliance status and requirements nationwide. EPA has instituted a biweekly
dialogue with DOD to help address compliance issues at housing for military personnel with a
particular focus on compliance with lead-based paint requirements.
In the context of EPA's compliance initiatives, the Agency proactively addresses potential
significant noncompliance by sending letters to federal agencies highlighting facility
noncompliance so facilities can expeditiously take the necessary actions to address the compliance
issues. EPA also has issued multiple compliance advisories geared to other federal agencies
providing information on the Agency's compliance initiatives.
Superfund Enforcement
EPA coordinates with OF As in their use of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) enforcement authority. This includes the coordinated
use of such authority at individual hazardous waste sites that are located on both non-federal land
(EPA jurisdiction) and federal lands (other agency jurisdiction). As required by Executive Order
13016, EPA also reviews and concurs on the use of CERCLA Section 106 authority by other
departments and agencies.
EPA coordinates closely with Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMAs), such as the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) and the Unites States Forest Service (USFS), at mixed ownership
sites {i.e., those sites located partially on privately-owned land and partially on federally owned
land) pursuant to Executive Order 12580. EPA frequently enters into Memoranda of
Understanding (MOUs) with FLMAs designed to provide a framework for agencies to coordinate
response actions. Most recently, EPA has completed an MOU with FLMAs to improve the
efficient and effective use of federal resources to cleanup at mixed ownership mining sites. EPA
meets with DOI and USDA as part of the Federal Mining Dialogue, to discuss developments
arising out of the CERCLA work at such sites.
EPA also coordinates with DOI, USDA, DOC, DOE, and DOD to ensure that appropriate and
timely notices, required under CERCLA, are sent to the Natural Resource Trustees notifying them
of potential damages to natural resources. EPA also coordinates with Natural Resource Trustees
on natural resource damage assessments, investigations, and planning of response activities under
Section 104 of CERCLA. When an enforcement action is initiated at a site where hazardous
substances are found to have caused damages to natural resources, EPA coordinates with the
Trustees by including them in negotiations with potentially responsible parties concerning the
releases that have caused those damages.
EPA's Superfund Federal Facilities Enforcement Program ensures that: (1) all federal facility sites
on the NPL have interagency agreements, also known as Federal Facility Agreements (FFAs) with
enforceable cleanup schedules; (2) FFAs are monitored for compliance; (3) federal sites are
transferred to new owners in an environmentally responsible manner; and (4) compliance
assistance is available to the extent possible. This program also ensures that federal agencies
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comply with Superfund cleanup obligations "in the same manner and to the same extent" as private
entities. To enable the cleanup and reuse of such sites, the Federal Facilities Enforcement Program
also has coordinated creative solutions that help restore facilities, so they can once again serve an
important role in the economy and welfare of local communities, and the country. EPA also has
established a partnership with the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) and DOE, the DOE
Dialogue, to build relationships and tackle enduring challenges at DOE cleanup sites.
International and Tribal Affairs Programs
Supporting Global Policy to Reduce Pollution and Harmful Chemicals
EPA has a strong network of partners working to achieve reductions in global mercury use and
emissions, particularly when adverse U.S. impacts would be likely. EPA works closely with the
DOS in leading the technical and policy engagement for the U.S. in the Minamata Convention on
Mercury and the multi-stakeholder Global Mercury Partnership. In addition to the DOS, EPA
collaborates with several federal agencies including USGS and US AID to advance robust
implementation of the Minamata Convention by other countries. EPA also continues to share
information through the Arctic Council on reducing releases of mercury which disproportionally
impact indigenous arctic communities.
Similarly, EPA is engaged in a multi-pronged effort to address the growing global problem of
marine litter. Here, EPA works with the DOS, NOAA, USAID, and Peace Corps as appropriate as
they return to countries after COVID, to advance policy and technical solutions for marine litter
in global fora. EPA also is working with USD A, OMB, and FDA on the on reducing food waste
which includes international cooperation on measuring food waste reductions and pilot activities
that can create market opportunities for U.S. technologies and innovation.
Tackling the Climate Crisis, Accelerating Environmental and Economic Justice
EPA works with international partners, such as foreign governments and international
organizations, to deploy assistance that can strengthen on the ground action to tackle the climate
crisis, reduce transboundary pollution that impacts local communities and travels through the
environment to impact other communities across the globe, and that strengthen fundamental
environmental rule of law. An important example of this work is EPA's engagement in the Group
of Seven (G7) and the Group of Twenty (G20) through environment ministerial meetings which
negotiate outcomes on key EPA issues such as climate change, food waste, marine litter, resource
efficiency, and air quality. EPA's engagement with international financial institutions, United
Nations (UN) entities, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD).
Supporting Environmental Priorities in Global Trade Policy and Implementation of
Environmental Cooperation Agreements
Since the 1972 Trade Act mandated USTR engage in interagency consultations, EPA has played
a key role in trade policy development. Specifically, EPA is a member of the Trade Policy Staff
Committee, the Trade Policy Review Group and relevant subcommittees - interagency
mechanisms that provide advice, guidance, and clearance to USTR in the development of U.S.
international trade and investment policy.
EPA continues its participation in the North American Commission for Environmental
Cooperation (CEC), which provides regional and international leadership to advance
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environmental protection, human health, and sustainable economic growth in North America. EPA
also will continue work on implementation of the Environment Chapter of the United States-
Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and other free trade agreements. EPA also continues active
participation in the United States Trade Representative (USTR)-led Interagency Environment
Committee for Monitoring and Environment (IECME) established to promote Mexican and
Canadian compliance with their environmental obligations. In addition, EPA continues to work
with partners (including the U.S. Treasury, State Department, US AID, and the U.S. International
Development Finance Corporation), to improve environmental governance of U.S. funded
international development projects.
Addressing Transboundary Pollution
EPA collaborates with countries around the world to address foreign sources of pollution in
coordination with DOS, USAID, DOJ, Treasury, and others. EPA works closely with DHHS to
advance recognition of environmental risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and how
to mitigate the risks, including from lead and mercury. In addition, EPA continues to strengthen
its activities in the Arctic by working with Alaska, tribes, federal agencies, and the private sector
to build international support for U.S. environmental policy objectives through the Arctic Council.
These objectives cover a range of topics, including reducing emissions and exposure to mercury.
EPA also plays a leadership role with other agencies including NOAA, DOS, and USAID in
crafting sound programs to address marine litter globally, ensuring that sound waste management
and recycling strategies are advanced in key source countries. Further, EPA collaborates with
DOS, the Government of Canada, tribes, federal agencies, and other stakeholders to address
transboundary water pollution caused by historic and current mining practices in the Kootenai
watershed.
Working in Indian Country
EPA is an active participant in the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA).
The WHCNNA is an interagency Principals-level council established by President Obama's
Executive Order 13647 in June 2013, in response to requests from tribal leaders across Indian
country for a Cabinet-level council to uphold treaty and trust obligations, support the Nation-to-
Nation relationship, and improve tribal engagement and consultation. The Biden-Harris
Administration has reconvened the WHCNAA and established six sub-committees: Climate
Change, Tribal Homelands, and Treaties; Health; Education; Economic Development; Energy and
Infrastructure; Public Safety and Justice; and International Indigenous Issues.
EPA serves as the co-lead (with DOI and USDA) of the Climate Change, Tribal Homelands, and
Treaties Committee. Within this Committee, EPA is a co-lead and lead on two subcommittees,
including the Tribal Treaty Rights MOU Subcommittee and the Climate Adaptation
Subcommittee. Through this Committee, EPA also signed onto the renewed Sacred Sites
Memorandum of Understanding. Additionally, EPA signed on as a supporting agency to the
Native Language Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
EPA also serves as the co-lead (with DOI and the DOS) on the International Indigenous Issues
Committee. Within this Committee, EPA is co-lead on three subcommittees, including Human
Rights and Environmental Justice, Cross Border Issues, and Climate Crisis.
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Additionally, EPA is involved as a participant in the Health Committee.
EPA continues work as a federal partner under the federal interagency Memorandum of
Understanding Regarding Interagency Coordination and Collaboration for the Protection of Tribal
Treaty Rights and Reserved Rights, which was signed by the EPA Administrator on August 5,
2021. The revised MOU strongly reaffirms the federal government's duty to protect on and off
reservation treaty, reserved rights and other similar rights, such as rights guaranteed by federal
statute.
Central Planning, Budgeting and Finance Programs
Working with Federal Partners on Improving Management and Accountability throughout the
Federal Government
EPA coordinates appropriately with Congress and other federal agencies, such as the U.S.
Treasury, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and GSA. EPA participates and makes
active contributions to standing interagency management committees, including:
• the Chief Financial Officers Council, which focuses on improving resources
management and accountability throughout the federal government.
• the Performance Improvement Council, which coordinates and develops
strategic plans, performance plans, and performance reports as required by law.
OMB-led E-Government initiatives, such as the Financial Management and
Budget Formulation and Execution Lines of Business.
• the Bureau of Census-maintained Federal Assistance Awards Data System.
• the President's Management Council, which oversees developing and
implementing Cross- Agency Priority (CAP) goals; and
• the Evaluation Officer Council, which serves as a forum to exchange information
with the broader Federal evaluation community.
Provide Government-to-Government Employee Relocation Services
EPA provides government-to-government employee relocation services via interagency
agreements through the EPA's Federal Employee Relocation Center (FERC) as a Working Capital
Fund (WCF) activity. EPA-FERC provides "one-stop shop" domestic and international relocation
services to other federal agencies to increase operational efficiency and save the government
money. Relocation services are currently provided internally to all EPA offices, and externally to
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
(ATF), Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), United States
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Health and Human Services Office of Global Affairs
(HHS-OGA), United States Agency of Global Media (USAGM), and Federal Bureau of Prisons
(BOP).
Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights Programs
Environmental Justice
Presidential EO 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad enhanced and
expanded several important means of interagency coordination and collaboration related to
environmental justice. EO 14008 elevated the existing Interagency Working Group on
Environmental Justice, formerly chaired by EPA, to the White House Environmental Justice
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Interagency Council (IAC), chaired by the CEQ. This executive order also established a White
House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC) to provide advice and
recommendations to the IAC and CEQ on environmental justice recommendations for the entirety
of the executive branch of the federal government. The IAC will be the primary venue for inter-
agency coordination of executive branch federal activities related to environmental justice.
Through the Justice40 Initiative, also mandated in EO 14008, the IAC will work to achieve the
goal that forty percent of federal benefits from certain federal programs flow to disadvantaged
communities and will publish an annual public performance scorecard on implementation by
federal agencies. The IAC will likewise coordinate recommendations on further updates to EO
12898 and provide leadership to interagency efforts to address current and historic environmental
injustices. As stipulated in EO 14008, EPA will provide all support necessary for administration
of the WHEJAC and is one of three agencies charged with providing support to CEQ for
administration of the IAC. EPA also will play a prominent membership role within the IAC as a
participating agency.
Mission Support Programs
Working with Federal Partners on Improving Management and Accountability throughout the
Federal Government
EPA provides leadership and expertise to government-wide activities in various areas of human
resources, grants management, contracts management, suspension and debarment, and homeland
security. These activities include specific collaboration efforts through:
The Chief Human Capital Officers Council, a group of senior leaders that discuss human
capital initiatives across the federal government.
The Legislative and Policy Committee, a committee comprised of other federal agency
representatives who assist OPM in developing plans and policies for training and development.
The Chief Acquisition Officers Council, the principal interagency forum for monitoring and
improving the federal acquisition system. The Council also is focused on promoting the
President's specific initiatives and policies in all aspects of the acquisition system.
The Award Committee for E-Government (E-Gov) provides strategic vision for the portfolio
of systems/federal wide supporting both federal acquisition and financial assistance. Support
also is provided to the associated functional community groups, including the Procurement
Committee for E-Gov, the Financial Assistance Committee for E-Gov, and the
Intergovernmental Transaction Working Group.
The Grants Quality Service Management Office (QSMO) leads efforts to transform the federal
grants management process by focusing on standardization and modernization of grants
systems to increase efficiency and reduce burden for grant applicants, recipients, and the
federal grants workforce; and better leveraging the buying power of the government to access
high-quality shared solutions and reduce costs. The Grants QSMO supports the work of
OMB's Office of Federal Financial Management and Office of the Federal Chief Information
Officer and GSA's Office of Shared Solutions and Performance Improvement.
The Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee (ISDC), a representative committee
of federal agency leaders in suspension and debarment. The Committee facilitates lead agency
coordination, serves as a forum to discuss current suspension and debarment related issues,
and assists in developing unified federal policy. Besides participating in the ISDC, EPA: (1)
provides instructors for the National Suspension and Debarment Training Program offered
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through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and (2) supports the development of
coursework and training on the suspension and debarment process for the Inspector General
Academy and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
The Financial Management Line of Business (FMLoB) has been expanded to also encompass
the Grants Management Line of Business. The combined FMLoB, with U.S. Treasury as the
managing partner, will more closely align the financial assistance and financial management
communities around effective and efficient management of funds. EPA also participates in the
Grants.gov Users' Group, as well as the Federal Demonstration Partnership which is designed
to reduce the administrative burdens associated with research grants.
The Interagency Committee on Federal Advisory Committee Management (Committee
Management Officer Council) provides leadership and coordination on federal advisory
committee issues and promotes effective and efficient committee operations government-wide.
In addition to serving on the Council, EPA works with the GSA Committee Management
Secretariat to establish and renew advisory committees, conduct annual reviews of advisory
committee activities and accomplishments, maintain committee information in a publicly
accessible online database, and develop committee management regulations, guidance, and
training. Further, EPA participates on the GSA Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA)
Attorney Council Interagency Workgroup to keep abreast of developments in the statutory
language, case law, interpretation and implementation of the FACA.
The Interagency Security Committee (ISC) is the leading organization for nonmilitary federal
departments and agencies in establishing policies for the security and protection of federal
facilities, developing security standards, and ensuring compliance with those standards. EPA
participates in the ISC as a primary member and in sub-committees and workgroups to
facilitate EPA's compliance with ISC standards for facilities nationwide.
The OPM Background Investigations Stakeholder Group (BISG) is a collaborative
organization that is derived from the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of
2004. The BISG is comprised of senior security officials across the federal government who
are responsible for the submission, adjudication and/or oversight of personnel security
programs. EPA works with this group to discuss topics regarding background investigations,
focusing on standardizing and improving the Agency's personnel security program.
• EPA manages the Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program's interagency
agreements with other federal agencies. The interagency agreements are with the White
House/CEQ, the CDC/ATSDR, and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. SEE
enrollees provide administrative, technical, and professional support to these agencies for
projects relating to pollution prevention, abatement, and control.
• EPA's Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) partners with other Federal agencies,
including the USPTO, NOAA, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, to serve
as Presiding Officers for proceedings to adjudicate complaints brought before the partner
organizations. This collaboration allows partner organizations the ability to provide
constitutionally guaranteed legal due process and review without staffing and supporting their
own Offices of Administrative Law Judges, while EPA's judges expand their experience and
knowledge in the area of administrative law. The services OALJ provides to other agencies are
reimbursed by the borrowing organization.
Work w ith the Department of Interior's Interior Business Center
In FY 2024, EPA will continue working with DOI's Interior Business Center (IBC), an OPM- and
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OMB-approved Human Resources Line of Business shared service center. IBC offers HR
transactional processing, compensation management and payroll processing, benefits
administration, time and attendance, HR reporting, talent acquisition systems, and talent
management systems. EPA also continues its charter membership on the OPM HR Line of
Business (LoB) Multi Agency Executive Strategy Committee (MAESC), providing advice and
recommendations to the Director of OPM as well as additional government-wide executive
leadership, for the implementation of the HR LoB vision, goals, and objectives.
Partnering with GSA on the US Access Program
EPA is partnering with GSA on the USAccess Program for Personal Identity Verification cards
and identity credential solutions, which provides an efficient, economical and secure infrastructure
to support its credentialing needs, and migrations to the Enterprise Physical Access Control
System, allowing the Agency to control access in EPA space, including restricted and secure space.
Environmental Information Programs
To support EPA's overall mission, the Agency collaborates with federal, state, and tribal agencies
on a variety of initiatives focused on making government more efficient and transparent in
protecting human health and the environment. EPA's Environmental Information programs are
primarily involved in the information technology (IT), information management (IM), and
information security aspects of the projects on which it collaborates.
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) Council
The CIO Council is the principal interagency forum for improving practices in the design,
modernization, use, sharing, and performance of federal information resources. The Council
develops recommendations for IT/IM policies, procedures, and standards; identifies opportunities
to share information resources; and assesses and addresses the needs of the federal IT workforce.
The Chief Data Officer (CDO) Council
The CDO Council was established by statute in the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking
Act of 2018. The Council's vision is to improve government mission achievement and increase
the benefits to the Nation through improvement in the management, use, protection, dissemination,
and generation of data in government decision-making and operations.
eRulemaking
The eRulemaking Program is a Federal E-Government shared LoB that manages the Federal
Docket Management System (FDMS) and Regulations.gov. The Program provides the public with
one-stop access to electronic dockets and the ability to electronically comment on proposed
rulemakings and de-regulatory actions for multiple federal agencies.
At the beginning of FY 2020, the Program Managing Organization transitioned from EPA to the
GSA. EPA will continue working with GSA as a Partner Agency to improve FDMS and provide
the public with access to electronic dockets and the ability to electronically comment on proposed
rulemaking and de-regulatory actions.
The National Environmental Information Exchange Network (EN)
EPA's EN Program and CBP are coordinating on using the Automated Commercial Environment
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(ACE) system. This coordination will lead to automated processing of over 8 million EPA-related
electronic filings needed to clear legitimate imports and exports. With the move from paper filings
to electronic filings combined with automated processing through ACE, filing time can be reduced
from weeks/days to minutes/days. This significant processing improvement directly impacts the
movement of goods into commerce and the economy while helping to ensure compliance with
environmental and CBP laws and regulations. It also helps the U.S. Government keep pace with
the speed of business.
Automated Commercial Environment/International Trade Data System (ACE/ITDS)
ITDS is the electronic information exchange capability, or "single window," through which
businesses will transmit data required by participating agencies for the import or export of cargo.
ACE is the system built by CBP to ensure that its customs officers and other federal agencies have
the information they need to decide how to handle goods and merchandise being shipped into or
out of the United States. It also will be the way those agencies provide CBP with information about
potential imports/exports. ITDS eliminates the need, burden, and cost of paper reporting. It also
allows importers and exporters to report the same information to multiple federal agencies with
single submission and facilitates movement of cargo by automating processing of the import and
exports. ITDS provides the capability for industry to consolidate reporting for commodities
regulated by multiple agencies. For these consolidated reports, the industry filers will receive the
appropriate status response when their filings meet each agency's reporting requirements. Once
all agency reporting requirements have been met, filers can receive a coordinated single U.S.
government response to proceed into the commerce of the United States.
EPA has the responsibility and legal authority to make sure pesticides, toxic chemicals, vehicles
and engines, ODS, and other commodities entering and hazardous waste exiting the country meet
its human health and environmental standards. EPA's ongoing collaboration with CBP on the
ACE/ITDS effort will improve the efficiency of processing these shipments through information
exchange between EPA and CBP and automated processing of electronic filings. As resources
permit, EPA will continue to work with CBP to automate the manual paper review process for
admissibility so that importers and brokers (referred to collectively as Trade) can know before
these commodities are loaded onto an airplane, truck, train, or ship if their shipment meets EPA's
reporting requirements. Because of this automated review, Trade can greatly lower its cost of doing
business and customs officers at our nation's ports will have the information on whether shipments
comply with our environmental regulations. EPA will continue to collaborate with CBP to support
regulatory changes and integrate with new ACE capabilities for streamlining the import and export
processes for America's businesses.
Geospatial Information
EPA works with 31 federal agencies through the activities of the Federal Geographic Data
Committee (FGDC) and the OMB Geospatial Line of Business (Geo LoB). EPA also participates
in the FGDC Steering Committee. A key component of EPA's work with FGDC is developing and
implementing the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and the National GeoPlatform. The
key objective of the NSDI is to make a comprehensive array of national spatial data - data that
portrays features associated with a location or tagged with geographic information and can be
attached to and portrayed on maps - easily accessible to both governmental and public
stakeholders. Use of this data, in tandem with analytical applications, supports several key EPA
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and government-wide business areas. These include ensuring that human health and environmental
conditions are represented in the appropriate contexts for targeting and decision making; enabling
the assessment, protection, and remediation of environmental conditions; and aiding emergency
first responders and other homeland security activities. EPA supports geospatial initiatives through
efforts such as EPA's GeoPlatform, EPA's Environmental Dataset Gateway, the Exchange
Network, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assist, !• J Screen, the EPA Metadata Editor,
Facilities Registry System (FRS) Web Services, and My Environment. EPA also works closely
with its state, tribal, and international partners in a collaboration that enables consistent
implementation of data acquisition and development, standards, and technologies supporting the
efficient and cost-effective sharing and use of geographically-based data and services.
Federal Executive Boards
The Federal Executive Boards Line of Business will be established in FY 2023. This LoB will
replace the current structure and provide more support to regional Federal Executive Board staff
members. In line with the Biden Administration's initiatives, the Federal Executive Boards support
and strengthen the Federal Workforce, including by serving as a forum for communication and
collaboration among Federal agencies outside of Washington, DC.
The Administrator's Office
Regulatory Management and Economic Analyses
EPA's Policy Office (OP) interacts with federal agencies during its rulemaking activities. Per
governing statutes and agency priorities, OP submits "significant" regulatory actions to OMB for
interagency review prior to signature and publication in the Federal Register. In addition, OP
coordinates EPA's review of other agency's regulatory actions submitted to OMB for review.
Under the Congressional Review Act, rules are submitted to each chamber of Congress and to the
Comptroller General of the United States. For regulations that may have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities, OP collaborates extensively with SBA and OMB.
OP also collaborates with other federal regulatory and natural resource agencies to collect data
used in economic benefit-cost analyses of environmental regulations and policies and to foster
improved interdisciplinary research and reporting. Activities include representing EPA on
interagency workgroups or committees tasked with measuring the economic benefits and costs of
federal policies and programs. Occasionally, OP also provides technical reviews of other agencies
research and analyses. In addition, OP's Office of Federal Activities, engages early with the lead
federal agency and supports CEQ for significant regulatory actions that require compliance with
National Environmental Policy Act via an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). In so doing,
EPA provides technical assistance, as needed, to help scope and develop the draft EIS,
recommending ways to avoid and minimize impacts to improve environmental outcomes.
Children's Health
The Administrator of EPA and the Secretary of DHHS co-chair the President's Task Force on
Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children. The Task Force comprises 17 federal
departments, agencies, and White House offices. A senior staff steering committee, co-chaired by
the Director of EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection (OCHP), coordinates interagency
cooperation on Task Force priority areas, including lead, asthma disparities, climate change,
emergencies, and disasters. As part of this effort, OCHP coordinates with other agencies to
improve government-wide support in implementing children's health legislative mandates and
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outreach, including providing children's environmental health expertise on interagency activities
and coordinating EPA expertise. OCHP also coordinates with ATSDR to support provision of
training and hands on consultations with doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to
address issues of potential exposures of children to environmental contaminants, such as lead and
asthma triggers including mold and vermin. OCHP also works the Interagency Policy Council's
groups on Maternal Health and Child Development, as well as with other federal agencies to
address emerging risks to children's environmental health and supports federal interagency
information exchange and cooperation, such as on lead and wildfires. This work supports not only
Presidential Executive Order (EO) 13045: Protection of Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks, but also addresses climate change and environmental justice under
Presidential EO 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
Climate Adaptation and Resilience
Presidential EO 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad created the National
Climate Task Force which facilitates the organization and deployment of a government-wide
approach to combat the climate crisis. A key component of this is to increase resilience to the
impacts of climate change and to protect public health; conserve our lands, waters, oceans, and
biodiversity. EPA works with FEMA, DOT, DOI, NOAA, HUD, BIA, HHS, NASA, and many
other agencies to ensure our programs, infrastructure investments, remedies and communities are
resilient to the immediate and long-term impacts of the changing climate both within the task force
and through the full breadth of partnership EPA has with Office of Federal Activities. EPA also
works with other federal agencies through the U.S. Global Change Research Program's
(USGCRP's) Federal Adaptation and Resilience Group to coordinate federal research related to
climate resilience and adaptation. In June 2013, the White House Council on Native American
Affairs was established by EO. In June 2021, a subgroup on Tribal Climate Adaptation was
created, chaired by EPA, to enable a whole-of-government approach to supporting tribes as they
anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, and recover from the devastating impacts of climate change.
EPA participates in interagency efforts related to climate change and the Nation's coasts. EPA is
engaging the NIST's Climate Resiliency Program to share experiences, expertise, and support
areas of mutual interests.
National Climate Task Force
The Administrator of EPA is a member of the National Climate Task Force. The Task Force shall
facilitate the organization and deployment of a Government-wide approach to combat the climate
crisis. This Task Force shall facilitate planning and implementation of key Federal actions to
reduce climate pollution; increase resilience to the impacts of climate change; protect public
health; conserve our lands, waters, oceans, and biodiversity; deliver environmental justice; and
spur well-paying union jobs and economic growth. As necessary and appropriate, members of the
Task Force will engage on these matters with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments;
workers and communities; and leaders across the various sectors of our economy.
Community Revitalization and Sustainable Communities
OP participates in several Interagency Working Groups (IWG) and Interagency Policy Committees
(IPC), including the Rural Prosperity IPC, Food Strategy IPC, and the Coal and Powerplant
Communities IWG. These interagency efforts support improving community outcomes on a range
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of issues including climate resilience, economic transition, diversification, prosperity, and
environmental protection. These work groups have grown out of recent executive orders and policy
initiatives taken on by the Administration. OP works collaboratively with national program offices
and EPA regions to support their involvement in these interagency efforts so that the full range of
EPA equities are at the table and engaged to advance Administration priorities.
As part of the Coal and Power Communities Interagency Work group (IWG), OP is working
closely with the eleven other federal agencies to support coal, oil and gas, and power plant
communities to create good-paying union jobs, spur economic revitalization, remediate
environmental degradation, and support energy workers. OP is actively participating in the IWG's
working group activities, including community engagement, integration, policy, and investments.
OP also is supporting the efforts of the IWG by engaging with EPA's regional offices (particularly
R3 and R5) as well as national programs to support the Administration's efforts to help coal and
power plant communities transition their economies.
The EPA Administrator co-chairs the Extreme Heat IWG and OP's Associate Administrator is co-
leading the work group with colleagues from HHS and NOAA with over a dozen federal agencies
and White House participation. OP also is working alongside OAR, ORD, and OEJ to contribute
knowledge and experience on green infrastructure, effective communication, and climate
adaptation approaches to help communities reduce the occurrence and impact of heat islands and
extreme heat (advancing both climate adaptation and mitigation).
OP is working with EPA's Offices of Air and Radiation and Mission support, DOT, and DOE to
explore interagency approaches that advance the Administration's priorities and Presidential
commitments on electric vehicles. This work has a specific emphasis on helping communities
distribute charging infrastructure equitably, in low-income neighborhoods in both rural and urban
areas.
OP has several inter-agency efforts on priority projects funded through the American Rescue Plan.
OP is working with DOT and HUD to ensure that infrastructure funding investments advance
communities' visions and priorities. OP also is working with federal partners to advance
community-level efforts to simultaneously advance community priorities and climate goals. Both
of these projects model the application of a community-driven approach to efficiently advance
agencies' mission. They also demonstrate an effective way to advance the goals outlined in EO
14008 on addressing the climate crisis and environmental justice.
OP is the lead on EPA's Memorandum of Agreement with FEMA, which allows the two agencies
to work together to help communities become safer, healthier, and more resilient. The agencies
collaborate to help communities hit by disasters rebuild in ways that protect the environment,
create long-term economic prosperity, and enhance neighborhoods. FEMA and EPA also help
communities incorporate strategies, such as green infrastructure, into their hazard mitigation plans
and direct development away from vulnerable areas. EPA and FEMA are using the lessons they
learn from working together under this agreement and with other federal agencies to better
coordinate assistance to communities on hazard mitigation planning, climate adaptation actions,
and post-disaster recovery. OP coordinates closely with all 10 Regions and many National
Programs on this partnership.
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OP is using an interagency agreement with GSA to update the Smart Location Calculator to give
the federal government more information to guide decisions about locating new federal
investments. GSA and EPA also are collaborating on development and technical assistance around
a new site selection support tool to help GSA and other federal agencies make decisions on where
to site new government facilities informed by the cost local and state governments would likely
incur to provide infrastructure and services. The tool will be based on known relationships between
the built environment and the cost to provide infrastructure for a site and related costs for operation
and maintenance over time. EPA also has historically coordinated with GSA on their Good
Neighbor Program by helping communities leverage major federal investments, such as
courthouses or ports of entry, to focus on downtown revitalization.
OP has in the past and continues to coordinate with agencies and departments that work in
communities across the country. This has been through formal and semi-formal arrangements like
the HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities (PSC) and Strong Cities, Strong
Communities (SC2). Further, OP has a number of Interagency Agreements (IA) and Memoranda
of Agreements to partner with other agencies on technical assistance in areas like disaster recovery,
capacity building at the community level, and economic revitalization that supports improved
environmental and human health results. Partnering agencies include and have included: USD A
(Rural Development, Forest Service, Agricultural Marketing Service), DOT, FEMA, GSA, HUD,
HHS, Appalachian Regional Commission, Northern Border Regional Commission, Delta Regional
Authority, and EDA. These agencies often participate in community workshops that OP offers
through technical assistance programs such as: Local Foods, Local Places, Building Blocks, and
Recreation Economy for Rural Communities.
Interagency Policy Committees
EPA participates in interagency groups and collaborates with federal partners on the
implementation of Executive Orders including EO 14017 on America's Supply Chains, Climate
Innovation, Climate and Economics, and the US-EU Summit on Trade and Technology Council.
EPA is working with NSC, NEC, CEQ, DOC, DOE, DOD, State, and other agencies on supply
chain issues associated with semiconductors, critical minerals, EV batteries, and other critical
materials. EPA also actively participates on the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council,
the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment and the Interagency Policy
Committee (IPC) on Workforce Development and the White House Gender Policy Council.
Interagency Council on Statistical Policy
The Interagency Council on Statistical Policy (ICSP) is the coordinating body for the Federal
Statistical System and plays a leading role in implementing the Evidence Act and advancing the
Federal Data Strategy. The ICSP sets strategic goals for modernizing agency statistical practices
and products and advances those goals through cross-agency collaborations on strategic initiatives.
EPA will continue to work with the ICSP to advance the Federal statistics and availability of robust
information to support evidence-based policy.
The Inspector General
Workwith the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE)
EPA's Inspector General is a member of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and
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Efficiency (CIGIE), an organization comprised of federal Inspectors General (IGs), GAO, and the
FBI. The CIGIE coordinates and improves the way IGs conduct audits, investigations, and internal
operations. The CIGIE also promotes joint projects of government-wide interest and reports
annually to the President on the collective performance of the IG community.
Activity Coordination, Information Exchange, and Training
EPA's OIG coordinates criminal investigative activities with other law enforcement organizations
such as the FBI, Secret Service, and DOJ. In addition, the OIG participates with various inter-
governmental audit forums and professional associations to exchange information, share best
practices, and obtain or provide training. The OIG also promotes collaboration among EPA's
partners and stakeholders in its participation of disaster response and its outreach activities.
Collaborative Work with Inspectors General and Other Partners
EPA's OIG initiates and participates in collaborative audits, program evaluations, and
investigations with OIGs of agencies with an environmental mission such as the DOI, USD A, as
well as other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies as prescribed by the IG Act, as
amended.
Statutory Duties
As required by the IG Act, EPA's OIG coordinates and shares information with the GAO. EPA's
OIG currently serves as the Inspector General of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard
Investigations Board (CSB). EPA's OIG will continue to perform its duties with respect to the
CSB until otherwise directed.
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Environmental Protection Agency
Acronyms for Statutory Authority
The following is not an exhaustive list of [U.S.] statutory authorities but includes those commonly
referred to by acronym in this document.
ACE: Air, Climate, and Energy
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
ADEA: Age Discrimination in Employment Act
AEA: Atomic Energy Act, as amended, and Reorganization Plan #3
AHERA: Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act
AHPA: Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act
AIM: American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2019
APA: Administrative Procedures Act
ARP: American Rescue Plan
ARRA: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
ASHAA: Asbestos in Schools Hazard Abatement Act
ASTCA: Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act
AWIA: America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018
BEACH Act of 2000: Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act
BRERA: Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act
BUILD Act: Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development Act
CAA: Clean Air Act
CAAA: Clean Air Act Amendments (1970 and 1990)
CARES: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
CCA: dinger Cohen Act
CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (1980)
CFOA: Chief Financial Officers Act
CICA: Competition in Contracting Act
CRA: Civil Rights Act
CSA: Computer Security Act
CWA: Clean Water Act (1972)
CWPPR: Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act of 1990
CZARA: Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments
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CZMA: Coastal Zone Management Act
DERA: Diesel Emissions Reduction Act
DPA: Deepwater Ports Act
DREAA: Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
DWWIA: Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021
ECRA: Economic Cleanup Responsibility Act
EFOIA: Electronic Freedom of Information Act
EISA: Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
EO: Executive Order
EPAct: Energy Policy Act of 2005
EPAA: Environmental Programs Assistance Act
EPCA: Energy Policy and Conservation Act
EPCRA: Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (1986)
ERDDAA: Environmental Research, Development and Demonstration Authorization Act
ESA: Endangered Species Act
ESECA: Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act
FACA: Federal Advisory Committee Act
FAIR: Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act
FASA: Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (1994)
FAST: Fixing America's Service Transportation Act
FCMA: Fishery Conservation and Management Act
FEPCA: Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1972, enacted as amendments to
FIFRA
FFATA: Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006
FFDCA: Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
FFMIA: Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996
FGCAA: Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act
FIFRA: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (1972)
FISMA: Federal Information Security Modernization Act
FITARA: Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act
FLPMA: Federal Land Policy and Management Act
FMFIA: Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act (1982)
FOIA: Freedom of Information Act
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FPA: Federal Pesticide Act
FPAS: Federal Property and Administration Services Act
FQPA: Food Quality Protection Act (1996)
FRA: Federal Register Act
FSA: Food Security Act
FSMA: Food Safety Modernization Act
FTTA: Federal Technology Transfer Act
FUA: Fuel Use Act
FWCA: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
FWPCA: Federal Water Pollution and Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act [CWA])
GISRA: Government Information Security Reform Act
GMRA: Government Management Reform Act
GPRA: Government Performance and Results Act (1993)
GPRAMA: Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010
HMTA: Hazardous Materials Transportation Act
HSWA: Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, enacted as amendments to RCRA
IGA: Inspector General Act
IIJA: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
IPA: Intergovernmental Personnel Act
IPIA: Improper Payments Information Act
IRA: Inflation Reduction Act
ISTEA: Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
IT: Information Technology
ITMRA: Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996-aka Clinger/Cohen Act
MCRBMA: Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act
MGT: Modernizing Government Technology Act
MPPRCA: Marine Plastic Pollution, Research and Control Act of 1987
MPRSA: Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act
NAWCA: North American Wetlands Conservation Act
NEEA: National Environmental Education Act
NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act
NHPA: National Historic Preservation Act
NISA: National Invasive Species Act of 1996
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ODA: Ocean Dumping Act
OPA: Oil Pollution Act of 1990
OWBPA: Older Workers Benefit Protection Act
PBA: Public Building Act
PFCRA: Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act
PHSA: Public Health Service Act
PIIA: Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019
PLIRRA: Pollution Liability Insurance and Risk Retention Act
PPA: Pollution Prevention Act
PR: Privacy Act of 1974
PRA: Paperwork Reduction Act
PREA: Pesticide Registration Extension Act of 2012 (also known as PRIA 3)
PRIA: Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2003
PRIA 4: Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2018
PRIRA: Pesticide Registration Improvement Renewal Act
QCA: Quiet Communities Act
RCRA: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, enacted as amendments to SWDA
RFA: Regulatory Flexibility Act
RICO: Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
RLBPHRA: Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act
SARA: Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986
SBLRBRERA: Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization and
Environmental Restoration Act
SBREFA: Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
SDWA: Safe Drinking Water Act
SICEA: Steel Industry Compliance Extension Act
SMCRA: Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
SOS 2.0: Save Our Seas Act 2.0
SPA: Shore Protection Act of 1988
SWDA: Solid Waste Disposal Act
TSCA: Toxic Substances Control Act
UMRA: Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
UMTRLWA: Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Land Withdrawal Act
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USMCA: United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act
USTCA: Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act
VIDA: Vessel Incidental Discharge Act
WIFIA: Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act
WIIN: Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act
WQA: Water Quality Act of 1987
WRDA: Water Resources Development Act
WSRA: Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
WWWQA: Wet Weather Water Quality Act of 2000
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Making Litigation Costs Transparent - Equal Access for Justice Act (EAJA)7
FY 2022
Date of
final fee
agreement
or court
disposition
Case Name
Court
Case
Number
Judge
Amount
of Fees
and/or
Costs
Paid
Source of Funds
Was
amount
negotiated
or court
ordered?
Recipients
Nature of Case and Findings
Basis
Hourly
Rate of
Attorney8
Hourly
Rate of
Expert
Witness
9/6/2022
Breast Cancer
Prevention
Partners, etal.
v. U.S.
Environmental
Protection
Agency, etal.
United
States
District
Courtfor
the
Northern
District of
California
Oakland
Division
4:21-cv-
07360-
HSG
Judge
Haywood
S.
Gilliam,
Jr.
$29,699.
80
EPA
Appropriations
Negotiated
Earthjustice
Unreasonable delay suit
regarding finalization of2000
proposed rule to add
diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
to the EPCRA section 313
toxic chemical list (i.e., the
Toxics Release Inventory).
This resulted in a settlement
agreement.
N/A
None
7 In the FY 2019 Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 116-6), the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations requested Department of
Interior, EPA, and the Forest Service make publicly available the EAJA fee information as specified in the explanatory statement accompanying Division G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2017 (P.L. 115-31).
8 In prior reports EPA had erroneously included hourly rates used in the plaintiffs fee requests. Upon further review, as the final Equal Access to Justice Act settlements are negotiated, it is not
possible to provide the hourly rates reflected in the actual amounts paid.
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FY 2024 Congressional Justification Estimated Resources and FTE for Environmental Justice
Program1
Dollar in Thousands
FY 2024 CJ
FY 2024 CJ
Appropriation
Program Activities
Estimated
Resources2
Estimated
FTE3
EPM
HQ Environmental Justice (EJ) Program Management and
Coordination4
$115,537.0
EPM
EJSCREEN
$5,900.0
EPM
White House (WH) EJ Inter-Agency Council (formerly EJ IWG)
Support and EJ coordination with Other Federal Agencies
$3,000.0
EPM
National EJ Advisory Council/WHEJ Advisory Council Support,
and Climate EJ Advisory Council
$4,000.0
107.8
EPM
Environmental Justice Community Grant Program5,6
$65,000.0
EPM
Environmental Justice Government to Government Grant
$40,000.0
Program7
EPM
Community-based Participatory Research Grant Program
$15,000.0
EPM
Environmental Justice Training Program
$10,000.0
EPM
Environmental Justice Clearinghouse
$5,000.0
EPM
Environmental Justice Legal Support
$4,000.0
EPM
Thriving Community Technical Assistance Centers8
$71,409.0
151.3
EPM
Regional Resources for Environmental Justice Program
$30,260.0
Subtotal of EPM Environmental Justice Resources and FTE
$369,106.0
259.1
Superfund
Superfund Environmental Justice Program Coordination9
$5,888.0
5.5
Subtotal of Superfund Environmental Justice Resources and FTE
$5,888.0
5.5
Total FY 2024 CJ Estimated Resources and FTE for the EJ Program
$374,994.0
264.6
lrThe Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 instructs EPA to provide "allocations
for each component of funding for environmental justice programs". Please see page 54:
https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Division%20G%20-%20Interior%20Statement%20FY21.pdf
^Estimated program activity resources include both payroll and non-payroll resources.
3Estimated FTE per program activity.
4The former Agency Technical Assistance, Research, Training, Education, and Communication program activity has been
incorporated into the HQ Environmental Justice (EJ) Program Management and Coordination program activity.
5In FY 2022, The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Grants Program was renamed
as the Environmental Justice Competitive Grant Program. The Environmental Justice Small Grants Program was renamed as
the Environmental Justice Community Grant Program.
6In FY 2023, EPA combined the Environmental Justice Competitive Grant Program with the Environmental Justice
Community Grant Program.
7In FY 2023, EPA renamed the State, Tribes, and Territories Environmental Justice Grants to the Environmental Justice
Government to Government Grants.
8In FY 2023, EPA renamed the Regional Outreach Centers to the Thriving Community Technical Assistance Centers
(TCTACs).
9The Superfund Environmental Justice Program Coordination includes resources in support of the Agency's Superfund
Program and will include the following: coordination and support for HQ activities that align with or focus on Superfund issues
such as: efforts of the NEJAC Superfund working group, collaboration with Superfund on data enhancements for EJScreen and
other information tools, collaboration of EJ program staff with the Superfund program on equity and justice efforts, and
coordination of regional staff with Superfund staff and Community Involvement Coordinators on place-based EJ and
Superfund issues of clean-up, risk communication, engagement, and revitalization.
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EPA User Fee Programs
In FY 2024, EPA will have several user fee programs in operation. These user fee programs and
proposals are referenced below. EPA will continue to review whether fees should be assessed for
programs that provide special benefits to recipients beyond those that accrue to the general public,
in accordance with OMB Circular A-25.
Current Fees: Pesticides
Fee collection authority exists under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of
1988, as amended by the Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2022 (P. L. 117-
328) ("PRIA-5"), which was passed in December 2022. PRIA-5 reauthorizes these fee authorities
through fiscal year 2027 and adjusts fee amounts for certain registration activities.
• Pesticides Maintenance Fee (7 U.S.C. §136a-l(i))
The Maintenance Fee provides funding for the registration review programs and a certain
percentage supports the processing of applications involving inert ingredients and expedited
processing of some applications, such as fast track amendments. PRIA-5 reauthorizes collection
of this fee through FY 2027 and raises the collection target by $11 million to an average collection
of $42 million over five years of PRIA-5 authorization.
• Enhanced Registration Services (7 U.S.C. §136w-8(b))
Entities seeking to register pesticides for use in the United States pay a fee at the time the
registration action request is submitted to EPA, setting specific timeframes for the registration
decision service. This process has introduced new pesticides to the market more quickly. PRIA-5
reauthorizes collection of these fees through FY 2027 and adjusts fee amounts for certain types of
registrations. In FY 2024, EPA expects to collect approximately $26 million from this fee program.
Current Fees: Other
• Clean Air Part 71 Operating Permits Program
Title 40 CFR Part 71 § 71.9 authorizes and establishes requirements for the Clean Air Part 71
program - a comprehensive Federal air quality operating permit program for air pollution control
agencies that do not have a delegated Title V program on charging and collecting user fees, as
required by Section 502(b)(3) of the Clean Air Act. All sources subject to the operating permit
requirements of Title V shall have a permit to operate that assures compliance with all applicable
requirements. The owners or operators shall pay annual fees that are sufficient to cover the permit
program costs, in accordance with the procedures described in this section.
Service Fees for the Administration of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA Fees Rule)
On June 22, 2016, the "Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act" (P.L. 114-
182) was signed into law, amending numerous sections of TSCA, including providing authority
1259
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for the establishment of a new, broader TSCA User Fee program that replaces and expands the
former Section 5 Pre-Manufacturing Notification Fee. Section 26 of TSCA authorizes EPA to
collect user fees to offset 25 percent of the Agency's full costs for implementing TSCA Sections
4, 5, 6, and 14.9 Fees are charged for: issuance of Test Orders, Test Rules and Enforceable Consent
Agreements under TSCA Section 4; submission of Pre-Manufacturing Notices, Significant New
Use Notices and Microbial Commercial Activity Notices and certain submissions for exemptions
under TSCA Section 5; and development of EPA-Initiated Risk Evaluations and Manufacturer-
Requested Risk Evaluations (MRREs) under TSCA Section 6.
EPA promulgated the TSCA User Fee Rule in October 201810 and collected $2.74 million in fee
revenue in FY 2019 from Section 5 submissions. In FY 2020, the Agency collected $3.03 million
in fee revenue from Section 5 submissions as well as $2.5 million from two Section 6 MRREs for
chemicals within the TSCA Work Plan (Di-isodecyl Phthalate [DIDP] and Diisononyl Phthalate
[DINP]). In FY 2021, the Agency collected $28.6 million: $3.3 million from Section 5, $24.05
million from 19 of the 20 Section 6 EPA-Initiated Risk Evaluations, and $1.25 million from one
Section 6 MRRE for a TSCA Work Plan chemical (Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane [D4]). (The
Agency invoiced $88.2 thousand for Section 4 Test Orders in FY 2020 and FY 2021 but did not
start receiving submissions until FY 2022.) Because nearly $17 million of the collections for the
19 Section 6 Risk Evaluations was not due to be paid until September 2, 2021, those funds were
not accessible to EPA until early FY 2022. In FY 2022, EPA collected approximately $5.1 million
($1.46 million from the remaining Section 6 EPA-Initiated Risk Evaluations invoices, $3.5 million
from Section 5 submissions, and $88.2 thousand from invoiced Section 4 Test Order submissions)
and is projected to collect $5.23 million in FY 2023 ($3.65 million in Section 5 submissions, $93.2
thousand from Section 4 Test Order invoices, and an additional amount from one TSCA Section
6 Manufacturer-Requested Risk Evaluation at $1.49 million if the MRRE request is granted) and
$35.9 million in FY 2024 ($3.8 million in Section 5 submissions and $32.1 million from the next
round of Section 6 EPA-initiated existing chemical risk evaluations), all subject to potential fee
level changes. EPA will allocate FY 2021 Section 6 collections over the risk evaluation lifecycle
(3-3.5 years). TSCA requires EPA to update the Fees every three years.11 Fees collected/projected
to be collected in FY 2019 through FY 2021 equated to approximately 14 percent of associated
expenditures for those three fiscal years, below the 25 percent target. While TSCA allows the
Agency to collect up to 25 percent of its costs for eligible TSCA activities via fees, to date, EPA
has collected roughly half of that amount due to the insufficiencies of the current fees rule.
EPA proposed revisions to the fee rule in January 2021. Based on public comments received on
the proposed rule, as well as stakeholder engagement and an analysis by EPA of its workforce and
budget to develop a more accurate estimate of its anticipated costs to implement TSCA, in
November 2022 the Agency issued a supplemental proposed rule that modifies and adjusts this
earlier proposal. EPA is proposing these changes to ensure that the fees collected will provide the
Agency with up to 25 percent of eligible TSCA costs consistent with direction in the FY 2022
appropriations law to consider the "full" implementation costs of TSCA. EPA intends to finalize
this proposal before the end of FY 2023. An adjustment of the fees, via the rulemaking, would
impact the estimates of fee collections above.
9 TSCA, as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, Section 26(b)(1) and (4)
10 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/tsca-fees/fees-adtmmstratioti-toxic-substatices-control-act.
11 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/tsca-fees/fees-adniimstration~toxic-substances-contTOl-act.
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• Motor Vehicle and Engine Compliance Program Fee
This fee is authorized by the Clean Air Act of 1990 and is administered by the Office of
Transportation and Air Quality. Fee collections for manufacturers of light-duty vehicles, light- and
heavy-duty trucks, and motorcycles began in August 1992. In 2004, EPA promulgated a rule that
updated existing fees and established fees for newly regulated vehicles and engines. The fees
established for new compliance programs are paid by manufacturers of heavy-duty and nonroad
vehicles and engines, including large diesel and gas equipment (earthmovers, tractors, forklifts,
compressors, etc.), handheld and non-handheld utility engines (chainsaws, weed-whackers, leaf-
blowers, lawnmowers, tillers, etc.), marine (boat motors, watercraft, jet-skis), locomotive, aircraft
and recreational vehicles (off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles) for in-use
testing and certification. In 2009, EPA added fees for evaporative emissions requirements for
nonroad engines. EPA intends to apply certification fees to additional industry sectors as new
programs are developed. In FY 2024, EPA expects to collect approximately $25.3 million from
this fee program based upon a projection of the original rulemaking cost study adjusted for
inflation.
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest
The Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act (P. L. 112-195) provides EPA with
the authority to establish a program to finance, develop, and operate a system for the electronic
submission of hazardous waste manifests supported by user fees. In accordance with the Act, EPA
established the e-Manifest program. EPA finalized the user fee rule, Hazardous Waste
Management System: User Fees for the Electronic Hazardous Waste Manifest System and
Amendments to Manifest Regulations, in December 2017, and the e-Manifest system launched in
June 2018.
In FY 2024, EPA will continue to operate the e-Manifest system and the Agency anticipates
collecting and depositing approximately $27 million in e-Manifest user fees into the Hazardous
Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund. Based upon authority to collect and spend e-Manifest
fees provided by Congress in annual appropriations bills, the fees will fully support the e-Manifest
program, including the operation of the system, necessary program expenses, and future
development costs.
• Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program Account (WIFIA) Program Fees
The FY 2024 President's Budget requests authorization for the Administrator to collect and
obligate fees established in accordance with Title V, subtitle C, Sections 5029 and 5030 of Public
Law 113-121, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014. These funds shall be
deposited in the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program Account (WIFIA) and
remain available until expended. WIFIA fee regulations were first promulgated in FY 2017. Fee
revenue will be used for the cost of contracting with expert services such as financial advisory,
legal advisory, and engineering firms.
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The requested WIFIA program fee expenditure authority would be in addition to the $8 million
request for administrative and operations expenses. Fee revenue does not take the place of the
request for WIFIA administration. The appropriated administrative level and the anticipated fee
revenue are both needed to successfully implement the WIFIA program. In FY 2024, EPA
estimates that $10 million in WIFIA fees could be collected.
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Expected Benefits of E-Government Initiatives
Budget Formulation and Execution Line of Business
The Budget Formulation and Execution Line of Business (BFELoB) allows EPA and other
agencies to access budget-related benefits and services. The Agency has the option to implement
LoB-sponsored tools, training, and services.
EPA has benefited from the BFELoB by sharing valuable information on how systems and
software being developed by the LoB have enhanced work processes. This effort has created a
government-only capability for electronic collaboration (Wiki) in which the Budget Community
website allows EPA to share budget information internally, with OMB, and with other federal
agencies. The Agency also made contributions to the Human Capital Workgroup, participating in
development of online training modules for budget activities - a valuable resource to all agency
budget staff. The LoB has developed the capability to have secure, virtual online meetings where
participants can view budget-related presentations from their workspace and participate in the
discussion through a conference line. The LoB provides regularly scheduled symposia as an
additional forum for EPA budget employees.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2022
020-99-99-99-99-3200-24
$120.0
2023
020-99-99-99-99-3200-24
$120.0
2024
020-99-99-99-99-3200-24
$120.0
eRulemaking
The eRulemaking Line of Business is designed to: enhance public access and participation in the
regulatory process through electronic systems; reduce the burden on citizens and businesses in
finding relevant regulations and commenting on proposed rulemaking actions; consolidate
redundant docket systems; and improve agency regulatory processes and the timeliness of
regulatory decisions. EPA has served as the managing partner for this Line of Business; however,
in FY 2020, EPA transferred management services to the General Services Administration (GSA).
EPA continues to be involved as a partner agency.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Service Fee
(in thousands)
2022
020-99-99-99-99-0060-24
$1,330.0
2023
020-99-99-99-99-0060-24
$1,380.0
2024
020-99-99-99-99-0060-24
$1,144.0
Federal Audit Clearinghouse
In FY 2024, the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) will be transitioning from the U.S. Census
Bureau to the General Services Administration and has been added to the E-Gov and LoB
initiatives. This LoB supports the ongoing maintenance and modernization of the FAC. The Fac
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distributes single audit reporting packages to federal agencies, supports OMB oversight and
assessment of federal award audit requirements, and maintains a public database of completed
audits.12
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2022
2023
2024
020-99-99-99-99-1400-24
$65.0
Federal Human Resources Line of Business
OPM's Human Resources Line of Business (HR LoB) provides the federal government the
infrastructure to support pay-for-performance systems, modernized HR systems, and the core
functionality necessary for the strategic management of human capital.
The OPM HR LoB offers common solutions that enable federal departments and agencies to work
more effectively, and to provide managers and executives across the federal government an
improved means to meet strategic objectives. EPA will benefit by supporting an effective program
management activity which evaluates provider performance, customer satisfaction, and
compliance with program goals, on an ongoing basis.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2022
020-00-01-16-04-1200-24
$69.0
2023
020-00-01-16-04-1200-24
$69.0
2024
020-00-01-16-04-1200-24
$69.0
Federal PKI Bridge
Federal Public Key Infrastructure (FPKI) provides the government with a common infrastructure
to administer digital certificates and public-private key pairs, including the ability to issue,
maintain, and revoke public key certificates. FPKI leverages a security technique called Public
Key Cryptography to authenticate users and data, protect the integrity of transmitted data, and
ensure non-repudiation and confidentiality.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2022
020-99-99-99-99-0090-24
$46.0
2023
020-99-99-99-99-0090-24
$46.0
2024
020-99-99-99-99-0090-24
$55.0
12 For additional information, please refer to: https://facweb.census.gov/uploadpdf.aspx.
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Financial Management Line of Business
The Financial Management Line of Business (FM LoB) is a multi-agency effort whose goals
include achieving process improvements and cost savings in the acquisition, development,
implementation, and operation of financial management systems. By incorporating the same FM
LoB-standard processes as those used by central agency systems, interfaces among financial
systems are streamlined, and the quality of information available for decision-making is improved.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2022
020-00-01-01-04-1100-24
$96.0
2023
020-00-01-01-04-1100-24
$96.0
2024
020-00-01-01-04-1100-24
$96.0
Freedom of Information Act Portal
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Improvement Act of 2016 directed the Office of
Management and Budget and Department of Justice to build a consolidated online request portal
that allows a member of the public to submit a request for records to any agency from a single
website. DOJ is managing the development and maintenance of this National FOIA Portal. EPA
and other federal agencies were requested to contribute to this effort.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2022
020-99-99-99-99-0099-24
$37.0
2023
020-99-99-99-99-0099-24
$36.0
2024
020-99-99-99-99-0099-24
$35.0
Geospatial Line of Business
The Geospatial Line of Business, an intergovernmental project managed by the Department of the
Interior, serves to improve the ability of the public and government to use geospatial information
to support the business of government and facilitate decision-making. The intent of the initiative
is to reduce costs and improves agency operations in several areas. This line of business is the
mechanism for coordinating implementation of the Geospatial Data Act and Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) guidance on Coordination of Geographic Information and
Related Spatial Data Activities and the National Geospatial Platform. The National Geospatial
Platform incorporates many national geospatial data and analytical services for federal agencies,
their partners, and stakeholders.
A primary benefit to EPA in participating in and contributing to the line of business is access to
geospatial data sets known as National Geospatial Data Assets (NDGA) supported by multiple
agencies. These datasets and services are easily accessible by federal agencies, their partners, and
stakeholders. EPA uses the National Geospatial Platform to obtain data and services for internal
analytical purposes as well as to publish outward-facing geospatial capabilities to the public. EPA
is expected to contribute to the operation of the National Geospatial Platform in FY 2024. The
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intent is to reduce base costs by providing an opportunity for EPA and other agencies to share
approaches on procurement consolidation and include shared services for hosting geospatial data,
services, and applications.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2022
020-99-99-99-99-3100-24
$225.0
2023
020-99-99-99-99-3100-24
$225.0
2024
020-99-99-99-99-3100-24
$225.0
Grants.gov
The Grants.gov initiative benefits EPA and its grant programs by providing a single location to
publish grant opportunities and application packages, and by providing a single site for the grants
community to apply for grants using common forms, processes, and systems. EPA believes that
the central site raises the visibility of its grant opportunities to a wider diversity of applicants.
The grants community benefits from savings in postal costs, paper, and envelopes. Applicants save
time in searching for agency grant opportunities and in learning the application systems of various
agencies. In order to streamline the application process, EPA offers Grants.gov application
packages for mandatory state grants (i.e., Continuing Environmental Program Grants).
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2022
020-00-04-00-04-0160-24
$347.0
2023
020-00-04-00-04-0160-24
$262.0
2024
020-00-04-00-04-0160-24
$259.0
Integrated Award Environment
The Integrated Award Environment (IAE) is comprised of a number of government-wide
automated applications and/or databases that streamline the acquisition business process across the
government and support EPA's contracting and grants programs. In FY 2012, GSA began the
process of consolidating the systems into one central repository called the System for Award
Management (SAM). Until the consolidation is complete, EPA leverages some IAE systems via
electronic linkages to EPA's Acquisition System (EAS); other IAE systems are not linked directly
to EAS but benefit the Agency's contracting staff and vendor community as stand-alone resources.
EAS uses SAM vendor data: contracting officers can download vendor-provided representation
and certification information electronically via SAM, which allows vendors to submit this
information once rather than separately for every contract proposal. Additionally, contracting
officers access the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, which
contains records on contractor performance, including past performance evaluations, and
suspensions and debarments.
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Through the IAE, contracting officers also can review Wage Determinations to obtain information
required under the Service Contract Act and the Davis-Bacon Act. EAS links to the Federal
Procurement Data System (FPDS) and SAM.gov, which includes the Contract Opportunities
platform, for submission of contract actions at the time of award. FPDS provides public access to
government-wide contract information. The Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System supports
vendor subcontracting data submission for contracts identified as requiring this information. EPA
publishes notices of proposed contract actions expected to exceed $25 thousand to the Contact
Opportunities listing. Vendors use this publicly available information to identify business
opportunities in federal contracting.
The IAE houses Assistance Listings (formerly called Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA), which provides a comprehensive description of all federal assistance including
information on eligibility, how to apply, and matching requirements for public consumption.
Further, EPA's IAE fee supports use of services for standardized obligations and award-related
information reporting for all Federal financial assistance and procurement awards as required by
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) and the DATA Act
of2014.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Service Fee
(in thousands)
2022
020-00-01-16-04-0230-24
$720.0
2023
020-00-01-16-04-0230-24
$720.0
2024
020-00-01-16-04-0230-24
$650.0
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FY 2024 Administrator's Priorities
Funding for the Administrator's priorities are allocated by program project in the FY 2024
President's Budget with a total of $2,375 million in the Environmental and Program Management
Account and $125 thousand in the Science and Technology Account.
These funds, which are set aside for the Administrator's priorities, are used to address unforeseen
issues that may arise during the year. These funds are used by the Administrator to support critical
unplanned issues and the amounts shown in the below table will be reallocated as needed, in
accordance with reprogramming limits.
FY 2024 President's Budget Funding for Administrator's Priorities
Dollars in
Appropriation
Program Project
Thousands
EPM
Acquisition Management
$150
EPM
Brownfields
$25
EPM
Civil Enforcement
$150
EPM
Civil Rights / Title VI Compliance
$75
EPM
Compliance Monitoring
$100
EPM
Criminal Enforcement
$145
EPM
Drinking Water Programs
$100
EPM
Exchange Network
$75
EPM
Federal Stationary Source Regulations
$100
EPM
Federal Support for Air Quality Management
$130
EPM
Human Resources Management
$25
EPM
International Sources of Pollution
$50
EPM
IT / Data Management
$175
EPM
Legal Advice: Environmental Program
$100
EPM
Legal Advice: Support Program
$75
EPM
NEP A Implementation
$100
EPM
Pesticides: Protect Human Health from Pesticide Risk
$150
EPM
Pesticides: Protect the Environment from Pesticide Risk
$150
EPM
Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide Availability
$100
EPM
RCRA: Waste Management
$25
EPM
Science Advisory Board
$100
EPM
State and Local Prevention and Preparedness
$100
EPM
Surface Water Protection
$50
EPM
TRI / Right to Know
$75
EPM
Tribal - Capacity Building
$50
S&T
Federal Support for Air Quality Management
$25
S&T
Research: Air, Climate and Energy
$50
S&T
Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability
$50
Total
$2,500
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FY 2024: Consolidations, Realignments, or Other Transfer of Resources
Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights Compliance as a National Program Manager
The FY 2022 and FY 2023 President's Budgets signaled the Administration's and EPA's intent to
establish a new National Program Manager (NPM) for Environmental Justice (EJ). EPA achieved
this in September of 2022, with the establishment of the new national program manager, Office of
Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR).
Previously, the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) was located within the Office of Policy
within the Office of the Administrator, and the External Civil Rights Compliance Office (ECRCO)
was located within the Office of General Counsel. The reorganization also included EPA's
alternative dispute resolution (ADR) program, the Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center
(CRPC), which was previously located within the Office of General Counsel. The reorganization
elevated EJ, ADR, and external civil rights compliance to the national program level to bolster the
integration of EJ considerations, conflict mitigation and collaboration, and civil rights compliance
across all EPA policies, programs, and activities; support the efforts of regulatory partners to
similarly integrate EJ and fully comply with civil rights requirements; and enhance EPA's ability
to meaningfully engage with and directly support communities with EJ and civil rights concerns.
This change reflects and helps to bolster EPA efforts to fully achieve the many commitments in
the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan, Goal 2, Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental
Justice and Civil Rights, which similarly elevates EJ and external civil rights compliance priorities.
The head of the new NPM is an Assistant Administrator position to be nominated by the President
and confirmed by the Senate. EPA appreciates the support Congress has and continues to provide
to the newly established OEJECR. In FY 2023 and potentially into FY 2024, OEJECR will
evaluate its organizational structure to ensure OEJECR will meet its commitments and critical
mission functions in an efficient manner.
Office of Mission Support
The Office of Mission Support (OMS) is considering a reorganization to realign functions and
staff within OMS to better position the office to meet critical mission needs from new requirements
associated with Executive Orders on climate,13 supporting underserved communities, and
acquisition.1414 The reorganization also would realign functions to balance workload across OMS,
eliminate organizational layers, and consolidate similar or duplicative functions to better leverage
personnel and resources. This proposed reorganization would not affect any other EPA program
office or regional office. OMS anticipates completing the reorganization by the end of FY 2023.
Office of Research and Development
The Office of Research & Development (ORD) is implementing a reorganization to realign
13 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.goY/briefinp-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-
order-on-tackline-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/.
14 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.eoY/briefma-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executiYe-
order-advancine-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/.
1269
-------
functions and staff within the Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment (CPHEA) to
better position ORD to meet critical research needs associated with Executive Orders on climate
and supporting underserved communities and the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act. The
reorganization will realign functions to enable ORD to better address increased demand from
internal and external stakeholders for integrated natural and social science research, analyses and
assessments related to climate change and associated health and environmental risks and impacts.
This reorganization will enhance ORD's ability to deliver assessment products, technical support,
and assistance to Regional and Program Office stakeholders for climate adaptation planning and
implementation across EPA mission areas and in communities impacted by climate change. This
reorganization was approved by Congress in January of 2023 and will not affect any other EPA
program office or regional office.
Office of Inspector General
In FY 2023, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is in the process of reorganizing one
organization unit, the Office of Counsel and Congressional and Public Affairs. The reorganization
will create two separate offices, Office of Counsel and Office of Congressional and Public Affairs
and is anticipated to be completed by the end of FY 2023.
The planned reorganization will allow the Office of Counsel and the Office of Congressional and
Public Affairs to independently conduct critical but disparate work in support of the OIG's mission
to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Agency's programs. The Office of
Counsel will provide independent legal and policy advice to the inspector general, senior
leadership, criminal investigators, and audit and evaluation teams, as well as management and
oversight of the OIG's Ethics Program and Freedom of Information Act Program. The Office of
Congressional and Public Affairs will independently coordinate and facilitate requests from the
OIG activities involving Congress and the media; edit, publish, and disseminate OIG reports and
correspondence; manage the OIG's website, social media platforms, and internal communications;
and manage and operate the OIG Hotline.
Current organization title:
• Office of Inspector General, Office of Counsel, Congressional, and
Public Affairs
Proposed organization titles:
• Office of Inspector General, Office of Counsel
• Office of Inspector General, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs
1270
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FY 2024 STAG Categorical Program Grants
Statutory Authority and Eligible Uses (Dollars in
Thousands)
(¦mill Tilk-
Sl;illllii|-\
Aiillnirilk-s
llli^il)k' Ki-upk-nis
IHik- I si-s
i \ 2022
Aiiu;il Dolkirs
(\IIHHI)
n 2023
l'!n;K'k'd Diilliirs
(\IOOO)
i \ 2024
1'ivsiik-lll's IJiidml
Diilkirs
(\IOOO)
State and Local Air
Quality Management
CAA, Section 103
Air pollution control
agencies as defined in
Section 302(b) of the
CAA
S/L monitoring and data
collection activities in
support of the PM2.5
monitoring network and
associated program costs.
$41,875.0
$43,875.0
$75,000.0
State and Local Air
Quality Management
CAA, Section 103
Air pollution control
agencies as defined in
Section 302(b) of the
CAA
S/L monitoring and data
collection activities in
support of air toxics
monitoring.
$8,073.0
$8,300.0
$20,000.0
State and Local Air
Quality Management
CAA, Section 103
Air pollution control
agencies as defined in
Section 302(b) of the
CAA
S/L monitoring
procurement activities in
support of the NAAQS.
$4,204.0
$4,970.0
$7,000.0
1271
-------
(¦mill Tilk-
Malllliirx
Aulhiirilk-s
l'.li^il>k' Ki-iipk-nis
I'.li^il>k' I si-s
i \ 2022
.Ulual Diilkirs
(\IIHHI)
2023
I'.iiaik'd Dollars
(\IOOO)
i \ 2024
Pivsiik-lll's IJiidml
Dollars
(\IOOO)
State and Local Air
Quality Management
CAA, Sections
103, 105, 106
Air pollution control
agencies as defined in
Section 302(b) of the
CAA; Multi-
jurisdictional
organizations (non-
profit organizations
whose boards of
directors or
membership is made
up of CAA Section
302(b) agency
officers and whose
mission is to support
the continuing
environmental
programs of the
States); Interstate air
quality control region
designated pursuant
to Section 107 of the
CAA or of
implementing Section
176A, or Section 184.
NOTE: only the
Ozone Transport
Commission is
eligible.
Carrying out the
traditional prevention and
control programs
required by the CAA and
associated program
support costs, including
all monitoring activities,
including PM 2.5
monitoring and
associated program costs
(Section 103 and/or 105);
Coordinating or
facilitating a multi-
jurisdictional approach to
carrying out the
traditional prevention and
control programs
required by the CAA
(Sections 103 and 106);
Supporting training for
CAA Section 302(b) air
pollution control agency
staff (Sections 103 and
105); Supporting
research, investigative,
and demonstration
projects (Section 103).
$171,690.0
Section 105 grants
$191,254.0
Section 105 grants
$297,498.0
Section 105 grants
$639.0
Section 106 grants
Total:
$226,481.0
$639.0
Section 106 grants
Total:
$249,038.0
$700.0
Section 106 grants
Total:
$400,198.0
1272
-------
(¦mill Tilk-
Malllliirx
Aulhiirilk-s
rii^ihk- Ki-iipk-nls
l'.li^il>k' I si-s
i \ 2022
.Ulual Diilkirs
(\IIHHI)
2023
I'.iiaik'd Dollars
(\IOOO)
i \ 2024
1'ivsiik-lll's IJiidml
Dollars
(\IOOO)
Tribal Air Quality
Management
CAA, Sections 103
and 105; Tribal
Cooperative
Agreements (TCA)
in annual
Appropriations
Acts.
Tribes; Intertribal
Consortia;
State/Tribal College
or University
Conducting air quality
assessment activities to
determine a Tribe's need
to develop a CAA
program; Carrying out
the traditional prevention
and control programs
$10,543.0
Section 103 grants
$11,415.0
Section 103 grants
$18,126.0
Section 103 grants
required by the CAA and
associated program costs;
Supporting CAA training
for Federally- recognized
Tribes.
$4,000.0
Section 105 grants
Total:
$14,543.0
$5,000.0
Section 105 grants
Total:
$16,415.0
$5,000.0
Section 105 grants
Total:
$23,126.0
Radon
TSCA, Sections 10
and 306.
State Agencies,
Tribes, Intertribal
Consortia
Assist in the development
and implementation of
programs for the
assessment and
mitigation of radon.
$8,007.2
$10,995.0
$12,487.0
Multipurpose Grants
Annual
Appropriations
Acts; all other
major
environmental
legislation
including, but not
limited to, CAA,
CWA, SDWA, and
CERCLA.
State Agencies,
Tribes
Implementation of
mandatory statutory
duties delegated by EPA
under pertinent
environmental laws.
$2,509.0
$0.0
$10,200.0
1273
-------
(¦mill Tilk-
M;illlliir\
Aulhiirilk-s
I'.li^il>k' Ki-iipk-nls
l'.li^il>k' I si-s
i \ 2022
.U'lu;il Diilkirs
(\IIHHI)
2023
l'.ii;K'k'(l Diilkirs
(\I000)
i \ 2024
Pivsiik-lll's IJiidml
Diilkirs
(\IOOO)
Water Pollution
Control (Section 106)
FWPCA, as
amended, Section
106; TCAin
annual
Appropriations
Acts.
States, Tribes,
Intertribal Consortia,
Interstate Agencies
Develop and carry out
surface and ground water
pollution control
programs, including
NPDES permits,
TMDLs, WQ standards,
monitoring, and NPS
control activities.
$225,304.0
$237,000.0
$279,440.0
Nonpoint Source (NPS
- Section 319)
FWPCA, as
amended, Section
319(h); TCAin
annual
Appropriations
Acts.
States, Tribes,
Intertribal Consortia
Implement EPA-
approved State and Tribal
nonpoint source
management programs
and fund projects as
selected by the state.
$169,181.3
$182,000.0
$188,999.0
Wetlands Program
Development
FWPCA, as
amended, Section
104 (b)(3); TCAin
annual
Appropriations
Acts.
States, Local
Governments, Tribes,
Interstate
Organizations,
Intertribal Consortia,
Non-Profit
Organizations
To develop new wetland
programs or enhance
existing programs for the
protection, management,
and restoration of
wetland resources.
$17,353.2
$14,692.0
$15,079.0
Public Water System
Supervision (PWSS)
SDWA, Section
1443(a); TCA in
annual
Appropriations
Acts.
States, Tribes,
Intertribal Consortia
Assistance to implement
and enforce National
Primary Drinking Water
Regulations to ensure the
safety of the Nation's
drinking water resources
and to protect public
health.
$110,742.3
$121,500.0
$132,566.0
1274
-------
(¦mill Tilk-
M;illlliir\
Aulhiirilk-s
I'.li^il>k' Ki-iipk-nls
l'.li^il>k' I si-s
i \ 2022
.U'lu;il Diilkirs
(\IIHHI)
2023
l'.ii;K'k'(l Diilkirs
(\IOOO)
i \ 2024
Pivsiik-lll's IJiidml
Diilkirs
(\IOOO)
Underground Injection
Control (UIC)
SDWA, Section
1443(b); TCA in
annual
Appropriations
Acts.
States, Tribes,
Intertribal Consortia
Implement and enforce
regulations that protect
underground sources of
drinking water by
controlling Class I-V
underground injection
wells.
$11,825.0
$13,164.0
$11,387.0
Beaches Protection
BEACH Act of
2000; TCA in
annual
Appropriations
Acts.
States, Tribes,
Intertribal Consortia,
Local Governments
Develop and implement
programs for monitoring
and notification of
conditions for coastal
recreation waters
adjacent to beaches or
similar points of access
that are used by the
public.
$9,368.0
$10,619.0
$9,811.0
Resource Recovery
and Hazardous Waste
Grants
Solid Waste
Disposal Act, as
amended by the
Resource
Conservation and
Recovery Act §
3011; Consolidated
Appropriations
Act, 2018 (Public
Law 115-141).
States, Tribes,
Intertribal Consortia
Develop and implement
solid and hazardous
waste programs.
$98,146.0
$105,000.0
$108,247.0
1275
-------
(¦mill Tilk-
M;illlliir\
Aulluirilk-s
I'.li^il>k' Ki'iipk'nls
l'.li^il>k' I si-s
i \ 2022
.U'lu;il Diilhirs
(\IIHHI)
2023
l'.ii;K'k'(l Diilhirs
(\I000)
i \ 2024
Pivsiik-lll's IJlldml
Diilhirs
(\I000)
Brownfields
Comprehensive
Environmental
Response,
Compensation, and
Liability Act
(CERCLA§
128(a)).
States, Tribes,
Intertribal Consortia
Establish and enhance
state and tribal response
programs which will
survey and inventory
brownfields sites;
develop oversight and
enforcement authorities
to ensure response
actions are protective of
human health and the
environment; develop
ways for communities to
provide meaningful
opportunities for public
participation; and
develop mechanisms for
approval of a cleanup
plan and verification and
certification that cleanup
is complete.
$47,278.0
$47,195.0
$46,954.0
Underground Storage
Tanks (UST)
Solid Waste
Disposal Act of
1976, as amended
by the Superfund
Amendments and
Reauthorization
Act of 1986, §
2007(f); Energy
Policy Act, § 9011.
States
Provide funding for
States' underground
storage tanks and to
support direct UST
implementation
programs.
$1,475.0
$1,505.0
$1,505.0
1276
-------
(¦mill Tilk-
Malllkirx
rii^ihk- Kiiipknls
l'.li^il>k' I si-s
i \ 2022
2023
i \ 2024
Aulhiiriiii-s
.Ulual Dollars
(\IIHHI)
I'.iiaik'd Dollars
(\IOOO)
Pivskk'iH's liud^i'l
Dollars
(\IOOO)
Pesticides Program
FIFRA, Sections
States, Tribes,
Implement the following
$12,691.0
$12,683.0
$12,759.0
Implementation
23(a)(1); Federal
Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act
(FDCA); Food
Intertribal Consortia
programs through grants
to States, tribes, partners,
and supporters for
implementation of
- States formula
- States formula
- States formula
Quality Protection
pesticide programs,
Act (FQPA);
including:
$1,411.0
$1,344.0
$1,268.0
Endangered
Certification and
Species Act (ESA).
Training (C&T); Worker
Protection; Endangered
HQ Programs:
HQ Programs:
HQ Programs:
Species Protection
- Tribal: $835.0
- Tribal: $865.0
-Tribal: $818.0
Program (ESPP) Field
-PREP: $285.0
-PREP: $285.0
- PREP: $285.0
Activities; Pesticides in
- AAPCO: $165.0
-AAPCO: $165.0
-AAPCO: $165.0
Water; and Tribal
- Pollinator Protection:
-Regions: $29.0
Programs.
$17.0
-Regions: $111.0
Total: $14,102.0
Total: $14,027.0
Total: $14,027.0
1277
-------
(¦mill Tilk-
Malllliirx
Aulhiiriiii-s
I'.li^il>k' Ki'iipk'nls
I'.li^il>k' I si-s
i \ 2022
.Ulual Dollars
(\IIHHI)
2023
I'.iiaik'd Dollars
(\I000)
i \ 2024
Pivsiik-lll's IJlldml
Dollars
(\IOOO)
Lead
TSCA, Sections
401-412.
States, Tribes,
Intertribal Consortia
Aid states, territories, the
District of Columbia, and
tribes to develop and
implement authorized
lead-based paint
abatement programs and
authorized Renovation,
Repair, and Painting
(RRP) programs. EPA
directly implements these
programs in all areas of
the country that are not
authorized to do so, and
will continue to operate
the Federal Lead-based
Paint Program Database
(FLPP) of trained and
certified lead-based paint
professionals.
$11,978.9
404(g) State/ Tribal
Certification
$12,301.0
404(g) State/Tribal
Certification
$22,653.0
404(g) State/ Tribal
Certification
$2,834.4
404(g) Direct
Implementation
Total:
$14,813.3
$4,025.0
404(g) Direct
Implementation
Total:
$16,326.0
$1,986
404(g) Direct
Implementation
Total:
$24,639.0
Toxic Substances
Compliance
Toxic Substances
Control Act
(TSCA) § 28(a)
and 404(g); TCA
in annual
Appropriations
Acts.
States, Federally
Recognized Indian
Tribes, Intertribal
Consortia, and
Territories of the U.S.
Assist in developing,
maintaining, and
implementing
compliance monitoring
programs for PCBs,
asbestos, and Lead Based
Paint. In addition,
enforcement actions by
1) the Lead Based Paint
program and 2) States
that obtained a "waiver"
under the Asbestos
program.
$4,767.9
$5,010.0
$6,877.0
1278
-------
(¦mill Tilk-
M;illlliir\
Aulhiirilk-s
I'.li^il>k' Ki-iipk-nls
l'.li^il>k' I si-s
i \ 2022
.U'lu;il Diilkirs
(\IIHHI)
2023
l'.ii;K'k'(l Diilkirs
(\IOOO)
i \ 2024
Pivsiik-lll's IJiidml
Diilkirs
(\IOOO)
Pesticide Enforcement
FIFRA § 23(a)(1);
TCA in annual
Appropriations
Acts.
States, Federally
Recognized Indian
Tribes, Intertribal
Consortia, and
Territories of the U.S.
Assist with
implementation of
cooperative pesticide
enforcement programs.
$23,091.0
$25,580.0
$25,580.0
Pollution Prevention
Pollution
Prevention Act of
1990, Section
6605; TSCA
Section 10; FY
2000
Appropriations Act
(P.L. 106-74);
TCA in annual
Appropriations
Acts.
States, Tribes,
Intertribal Consortia
Provides assistance to
States and State entities
(i.e., colleges and
universities) and
Federally-recognized
Tribes and intertribal
consortia to deliver
pollution prevention
technical assistance to
small and medium-sized
businesses. A goal of the
program is to assist
businesses and industries
with identifying
improved environmental
strategies and solutions
for reducing waste at the
source.
$2,757.0
$4,973.0
$5,775.0
Tribal General
Assistance Program
Indian
Environmental
General Assistance
Program Act (42
U.S.C. § 4368b);
TCA in annual
Appropriations
Acts.
Tribal Governments,
Intertribal Consortia
Plan and develop Tribal
environmental protection
programs.
$67,520.0
$74,750.0
$85,009.0
1279
-------
(¦mill Tilk-
M;illlliir\
I'.li^il>k' Ki'iipk'nls
I'.li^il>k' I si-s
i \ 2022
2023
i \ 2024
Aulluirilk-s
.U'lu;il Diilhirs
l'.ii;K'k'(l Diilhirs
Pivsidi'lll's IJlldml
(\IIHHI)
(\IOOO)
Diilhirs
(\IOOO)
National
Reorganization
States, U.S.
Helps States, U.S.
$3,586.0
$10,836.0
$15,000.0
Environmental
Plan No. 3 of 1970,
Territories, Federally
Territories, Tribes, and
Information Exchange
84 Stat. 2086, as
Recognized Tribes
intertribal consortia
Network (NEIEN, aka
amended by Pub.
and Native Villages,
develop the information
"the Exchange
L. 98-80, 97 Stat.
Interstate Agencies,
management and
Network")
485 (codified at
Tribal Consortia,
technology (IM/IT)
Title 5, App.)
Other Agencies with
capabilities they need to
(EPA's organic
Related
participate in the
statute).
Environmental
Exchange Network, to
Information
continue and expand
Activities.
data-sharing programs,
and to improve access to
environmental
information.
1280
-------
Agency Response to Office of Inspector General FY 2023 Top Management
Challenges Report
October 28, 2022
Below is the agency's response to the Office of Inspector General's FY 2023 Top Management
Challenges report, which included issues related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
mission to protect human health and the environment. The EPA agrees there are significant
environmental and human health challenges, including but not limited to tackling the climate crisis,
taking action to advance environmental justice and civil rights, ensuring safety of chemicals,
ensuring scientific integrity and science-based decision making, and managing the agency's
infrastructure resources and business operations. These and other priorities are communicated in
the agency's FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, along with a detailed roadmap for achieving our
mission. In addition, as mentioned in the management challenge descriptions, the EPA will request
appropriations in the FY 2024 President's Budget to assist in expanding work in a number of these
areas and other key priorities. The responses below provide a summary of the major topics.
Challenge 1: Mitigating the Causes and Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change.
Agency Response. The EPA is working to drive greenhouse gas emission reductions through an
integrated approach of regulations, partnerships, and technical assistance. The EPA is also working
to strengthen the nation's adaptive capacity and resilience, with a particular focus on advancing
environmental justice. The EPA will ensure its programs, policies, regulations, enforcement
activities, and operations consider current and future impacts of climate change and how those
impacts disproportionately affect certain communities. As directed in Executive Order 14008,
Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, the EPA issued a Policy Statement on Climate
Change Adaptation in May 2021 and published its 2021 Climate Adaptation Action Plan in
October 2021. In FY 2022, the agency published program and regional office Implementation
Plans, which reported progress to date and identified actions needed to address the agency-wide
priorities identified in the Climate Adaptation Action Plan. Program and regional offices will
continue to engage with states, tribes, territories, and local communities in implementing their
plans.
Responsible Agency Official: Victoria Arroyo, EPA Senior Climate Adaptation Official; Betsy
Shaw, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation.
Challenge 2: Integrating and Leading Environmental Justice Across the Agency and
Government.
Agency Response. In FY 2022, the EPA took the historic step of creating a new national program
Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights incorporating the Office of
Environmental Justice with the Office of General Counsel's External Civil Rights Compliance
Office, along with OGC's Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center. This new national program
will be led by a presidentially appointed Senate confirmed Assistant Administrator, significantly
elevating the profile and authority of environmental justice and civil rights compliance across the
EPA to a level on par with other programs, such as air, water, and land and emergency
management. Together with the increased funding the EPA received in the FY 2022 annual
1281
-------
appropriation for EJ and the investment received through the Inflation Reduction Act for the
Environment and Climate Justice block grants, the OEJECR will provide an unprecedented level of
support throughout the EPA to engage and support communities; work with and support external
partners such as states, tribes, and local government; and bring a stronger structural and systemic
ability to integrate EJ and comply with civil rights requirements throughout all of the EPA's
policies, programs, and activities.
In the past year, the EPA also finalized its FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. This plan, for the first
time ever, contains a dedicated goal specifically focused on advancing environmental justice and
external civil rights compliance throughout the agency. This inclusion not only signals to all parts
of the EPA and its partners, such as states, tribes, and local government, the central importance of
EJ and civil rights compliance within the EPA's mission, but also puts the new program office on
level footing with other priority programs of the agency and its mission of environmental and
public health protection.
Inclusion of this goal also enabled the new OEJECR to craft and publish an accompanying
National Program Guidance (NPG) to help guide implementation of the strategic plan
commitments. Both the strategic plan and the accompanying NPG have focused on tying together
the EJ and external civil rights commitments of the strategic plan with the commitments and goals
of EPA's Equity Action Plan, crafted and published in accordance with Executive Order 13985,
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal
Government. A highlight of these plans is the commitment to develop and publish a framework
for the consideration and integration of cumulative impacts throughout the environmental public
health regulatory system, the crafting of guidance and tools to support full compliance with civil
rights laws and requirements, and the development of at least ten indicators of disparity reduction
as the ultimate measures of achieving beneficial outcomes on the ground for overburdened and
vulnerable communities as a result of the efforts of the EPA and its partners.
The EPA also continues to provide direct support to the White House Council on Environmental
Quality as it leads implementation of EO 14008. In particular, the EPA supports the management
of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council and regularly engages and supports
CEQ staff in leading the Interagency Council on Environmental Justice as well as providing advice
based upon the agency's experience on specific elements such as development of the Climate and
Economic Justice Screening Tool and the EJ Scorecard. The EPA is working directly with
numerous federal agencies to coordinate and align efforts through the Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and annual appropriations. This is especially critical as so many
agencies, through the Justice40 initiative, look for ways from the top down to ensure the benefits
of their programs and investments reach disadvantaged communities. The EPA complements these
efforts by providing direct support to build the capacity of those communities to push from the
bottom up.
The EPA's resources are essential to support the affected communities. These resources enable
them to build the capacity to assess their needs, develop a vision and plan, and leverage
collaborative partnerships across the federal government.
Responsible Agency Official: Marianne Engelman-Lado, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.
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Challenge 3: Providing for the Safe Use of Chemicals.
Agency Response. The prioritization of review of Pesticide Registration Improvement Act actions
with statutory decision timeframes over non-PRIA actions without statutory due dates has led to a
decrease in the number of non-PRIA completions in recent years, and the development of a
backlog. During this same period of time, the EPA has seen an increase in new submissions for
PRIA actions as well as renegotiation of PRIA-fee-for-service actions or the non-PRIA backlog.
Currently, there are more than 11,000 non-PRIA pesticide actions from previous years that are still
pending completion. Despite completing record numbers of PRIA actions in the past few years,
the EPA's FY 2022 renegotiation rate for PRIA actions rose to almost 52 percent for all PRIA
applications and to over 70 percent for conventional pesticides. For comparison, 5 years ago in FY
2018 the PRIA renegotiation rate was 17 percent, and at the end of FY 2021 the renegotiation rate
was 34 percent. In addition, the scientific and legal complexity of pesticide submissions has
increased significantly while the Pesticide program has been losing seasoned and experienced staff
and program resources have remained flat over the years. In fact, there are 25 percent fewer staff
in the Pesticide program than 15 years ago. Decreased capacity in staffing requires longer time to
complete pesticide actions and further contributes to a growing backlog.
The EPA recognizes that greater market predictability around the EPA decision review timeframes
is one of the main objectives of PRIA and its reauthorizations. The agency is actively working
with its stakeholders to identify process improvements and resource needs in the future to bring
the EPA's decision review timeframes back in alignment with statutory timeframes in PRIA, to
eliminate the existing backlog of non-PRIA actions, and to improve review timeframes for non-
PRIA applications going forward so that a backlog does not again develop.
To address a decades-old challenge of protecting endangered species from pesticides while
minimizing regulatory impacts to pesticide users, the first-ever comprehensive workplan,
Balancing Wildlife Protection and Responsible Pesticide Use, was released to the public in April
2022. The workplan describes new and creative solutions for the EPA to come into compliance
with the Endangered Species Act and establishes four overall strategies and dozens of actions to
adopt those protections while providing farmers, public health authorities, and others with access
to pesticides. The workplan also sets a new vision for a successful ESA-Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act program that focuses on supporting the development of safer
technologies to control pests, completing timely FIFRA decisions, and collaborating with other
agencies and stakeholders on implementing the plan. The EPA released a workplan update in
November 2022, explaining how it will adopt early mitigation for ESA species as part of
registration review decisions. In addition to the ESA workplan, the agency requested, for the first
time in the FY 2023 President's Budget, an additional $4.9 million and 10 FTE to begin making
incremental progress toward meeting ESA mandates and enable the Pesticide program to make
progress toward better protection for federally threatened and endangered species from exposure
to new active ingredients. In the explanatory statement accompanying the FY 2022 omnibus
appropriations act, Congress encouraged the EPA "to properly consider full costs [of implementing
the Toxic Substances Control Act] in its deliberations, in line with the Lautenberg Act's intent."
To that end, in November 2022 the agency published a supplemental notice of proposed
rulemaking on fees for administering TSCA. Though the Lautenberg Act was enacted in 2016,
EPA's first fees rule was not finalized until 2018, and no fees were collected until FY 2019. Under
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the 2018 rule, the costs of the first 10 risk evaluations were exempted from the fees, and the last
Administration did not conduct a budget analysis to calculate the actual costs of implementing the
new law to use as its baseline. As a result, only about 13 percent of the artificially low baseline
cost estimate for the program were collected under the 2018 fees rule. In addition, the 2021 fees
rule proposal excluded the costs of risk management activities for the first 10 chemicals and 20
high-priority substances and the additional resources needed to implement TSCA as Congress
intended. The EPA is further working to ensure that the TSCA program is adequately funded by
incorporating the Office of Pollutant Prevention and Toxic's most recent workforce analysis to
inform its proposals in the FY 2023 President's Budget request. The OPPT is also investing in
recruitment and hiring of additional scientists with specialized expertise in various human health
risk assessment disciplines to provide internal senior level review (outside of the management
chain) of chemical risk assessment products, which are the foundation of sound risk management.
The Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention is also developing a multi-year
collaborative research program in partnership with the agency's Office of Research and
Development and other federal entities to improve existing approaches and develop and implement
New Approach Methodologies and to ensure the best available science is used in TSCA new
chemical evaluations. In addition, the EPA reviewed its risk determinations for the first 10 existing
chemical substances evaluated under the Lautenberg Act to assess whether the previous
Administration's policy decision to exclude certain exposure pathways (i.e., air, water) from the
risk evaluations may have led to failures in identifying potential unreasonable risks from these
exposure pathways and appropriately addressing the statutory requirement to evaluate potential
exposures to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations, including fenceline communities
(i.e., communities near industrial facilities).
In October 2021, OCSPP announced several actions to enhance the scientific integrity of its
programs, including forming a new internal advisory group to provide advisory support and
recommendations on science policy and scientific integrity issues that arise within OCSPP,
establishing a new science policy advisor position that provides guidance to the Assistant
Administrator for OCSPP on emerging science policy and scientific integrity, and adopting a range
of policies, practices, and procedures to ensure sound science and consistent approaches for
chemical reviews.
Responsible Agency Official: Rick Keigwin, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical
Safety and Pollution Prevention.
Challenge 4: Safeguarding Scientific Integrity Principles.
Agency Response. The EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy has been in effect since February 2012
and is one of the longest standing scientific integrity policies in the federal government. Scientific
integrity at the EPA will be further strengthened by updating the Scientific Integrity Policy to meet
the Office of Science and Technology Policy's requirements for policy content, implementation,
and evaluation. In recognition of EPA's leadership in scientific integrity, OSTP appointed our
Scientific Integrity Official as a co-chair of three related White House initiatives that implement
the January 2021 Executive Memorandum on scientific integrity and drive scientific integrity
policy across federal executive branch agencies.
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The EPA is unwavering in its commitment to promptly address scientific integrity concerns and
investigate and adjudicate allegations. The EPA will continue to strengthen its robust mechanisms
to protect and maintain a culture of scientific integrity and is on target to develop and implement
procedures to address allegations, including violations involving high-profile issues or senior
officials. The EPA's steadfast commitment to implementing the Scientific Integrity Policy in
support of a culture of scientific integrity, enhanced transparency, and the protection of scientists
is evidenced by agencywide training and outreach activities that engage employees on scientific
integrity. The Agency has recognized the important role of leaders in enhancing a culture of
scientific integrity and accordingly added strong language about scientific integrity into the
performance plan requirements for its SES, ST, and SL leaders in FY22 and going forward. This
language requires these leaders to be responsible for exemplifying firm commitment to principles
of scientific integrity in all relevant situations and complying with and advocating for the EPA
Scientific Integrity Policy when doing any of the following: conducting, managing, using the
results, and communicating about science and scientific activities.
The EPA will continue to maintain scientific integrity's high visibility throughout the agency
through regular outreach, including hosting an annual meeting with EPA employees and launching
updated training for new employees, to build upon 10 years of the Scientific Integrity Program at
EPA.
Responsible Agency Official: Maureen Gwinn, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office
of Research and Development.
Challenge 5: Ensuring Agency Systems and Other Critical Infrastructure Are Protected
Against Cyberthreats.
Agency Response. The agency recognizes the importance of enhancing information technology
security to combat cyber threats. In addition to addressing recommendations identified in audit
reports, the agency continues to make progress towards complying with Executive Order 14028,
Improving the Nation's Cyber security, improving its Federal Information Security Management
Act report rating, and improving security at water facilities at a nationwide scale. The agency
developed processes to improve compliance with federal requirements and agency policy and
metrics to monitor progress towards cybersecurity improvements and has improved internal
procedures and roles towards oversight and review of agency cybersecurity initiatives and
processes. The agency has been able to improve its cybersecurity posture in part by deploying
Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation software, Privilege Access User Management tools,
Endpoint Detection and Response tools, and a next generation Security Incident and Event
Management system. The EPA will also continue to work with states, tribes, and territories to
improve their cybersecurity surrounding water systems by providing technical assistance,
publishing guidance, and work with the Department of Homeland Security to develop sector-
specific infrastructure cybersecurity goals.
Responsible Agency Official: Tonya Manning, Acting Director, Office of Information Security
& Privacy, Office of Mission Support; Benita Best-Wong, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office
of Water.
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Challenge 6: Managing Business Operations and Resources.
Agency Response. Workforce planning and management is a priority for the agency and is
integrated into the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan and as a part of the EPA's Evidence Act
Learning Agenda. The agency is implementing workforce planning and knowledge transfer
strategies to support succession planning across the agency and adopting new workforce and
workplace innovations to support the future of work. In response to increases in workload resulting
from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the agency is
working to leverage all available hiring authorities to expedite the hiring of new employees
followed by timely onboarding and training. The agency has well established internal controls to
provide effective oversight for programs and has developed additional training, technical
assistance, and internal control plans to ensure that funds directed toward infrastructure
improvements through the use of grants, loans, and contracts are utilized as intended. The EPA
acknowledges that increases in funding require appropriate oversight and is committed to
safeguarding its resources against waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement.
In FY 2023, the EPA identified New Grantees of Annual and Supplemental Funds as an Enterprise
Risk. Significant new grant funding through legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,
the IRA, and Congressionally Directed Spending will result in an increase in the number of new
grant applicants, including from underserved communities and those that are first-time applicants.
Therefore, grants management is a key focus of the EPA's implementation of IIJA and IRA, with
the agency mapping out grants processes to identify potential opportunities to improve the process
and tracking the announcements of grants and the awarding of funds internally through our
Continuous Improvement process. Without extensive outreach, training, and technical assistance,
these new recipients are at risk of not having the capacity to comply with all federal grants
management requirements throughout the grant lifecycle. In FY 2023, the agency is developing
best practices for grants management and is collaborating with the OIG on providing training to
potential grant recipients. This focus as an enterprise risk will allow the agency to implement a
coordinated approach to engage with new recipients and provide a suite of tools to help new
recipients reduce noncompliance risks and meet federal programmatic, financial, and reporting
requirements. These tools include live and recorded training, direct programmatic support and
technical assistance, and publishing new policy and guidance to strengthen compliance where
needed.
Additionally, the EPA continues to refine and enhance its risk, internal control, fraud, and
improper payment management activities, which enable smooth business operations and
protection against fraud, waste, and abuse. In FY 2022, the agency engaged in a robust effort to
boost its risk and internal control programs by instituting the Enterprise Risk Management
Application. Through this tool, risks and associated mitigation strategies were collected and
analyzed to allow for a more corporate view of vulnerabilities that could impact the agency's
mission. As the inaugural year of this application has ended, the agency is working to leverage the
momentum gained and build a more prominent and free-standing fraud detection program.
Responsible Agency Official: Kimberly Patrick, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator,
Office of Mission Support; Carol Terris, Acting Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Office of the
Chief Financial Officer.
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Challenge 7: Enforcing Compliance and Environmental Laws and Regulations.
Agency Response. Enforcement and compliance activities are critical parts of the agency's
mission. Building on a historically strong program, under the current Administration, the EPA has
increased its focus on traditional civil and criminal enforcement tools, with particular attention on
environmental and public health threats to overburdened communities. This includes identifying
strategies and actions to make environmental justice considerations a part of all aspects of the
agency's enforcement program. In furtherance of the Administration's priorities, the agency has
rescinded several policies that, in part, were responsible for a number of the concerns identified
by the OIG. The agency put in place new policies that reflect the current Administration's emphasis
on strong enforcement.
There are two challenges identified by the OIG where additional information from the EPA may
help clarify the enforcement program's current posture. With respect to the OIG's reference to the
challenges faced by the National Enforcement Investigations Center from high rates of attrition
from 2014 to 2020, NEIC has been able increase full-time equivalents to 2014 levels. In 2023,
NEIC continues to hire additional full-time equivalents to bring NEIC to the highest staffing levels
in over a decade (a 20 percent increase over 2014 levels). With respect to the FY 2023 $42 million
budget request to support compliance monitoring, these resources are not only intended to
modernize our national enforcement and compliance data system, but the resources will also
expand compliance monitoring efforts to address: environmental justice issues, including the
Compliance Advisor Program; Smart Tools for inspectors; implementation of the Evidence Act;
per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances; and climate change concerns, including reduction in the use
of hydrofluorocarbons. The EPA is approaching this challenge from multiple angles and
contingent upon additional resources, is committed to getting back to high compliance monitoring
levels, similar to the 2010 levels, as quickly as possible.
The agency remains actively engaged with the OIG in developing corrective actions that will
respond to concerns raised in a recent report (Report Number: 21-P-0132 - Resource Constraints,
Leadership Decisions, and Workforce Culture Led to a Decline in Federal Enforcement). The
EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance looks forward to working with
colleagues across the agency, as well as state and tribal partners, stakeholders, and the OIG in
addressing issues presented in the FY 2023 Top Management Challenges report.
Responsible Agency Official: Mark Badalamente, Director, Office of Administration and Policy,
Office of Enforcement and Compliance.
Challenge 8: Managing Increased Investment in Infrastructure.
Agency Response. The enactment of IIJA has greatly increased the amount of resources EPA is
responsible for directing into infrastructure investments, and will also increase the number and
types of grantees with whom EPA will be working. To provide effective oversight for programs
that received infrastructure funding, the agency continues to promote efficiency and ensure
compliance with the IIJA provisions. This oversight includes the establishment of a Program
Integrity Framework to focus on the agencywide applications of risk management, payment
integrity, and internal controls. Senior leadership uses the Program Integrity Framework to assist
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in prioritizing and mitigating risks, identifying the agency's enterprise risk, and making critical
operations decisions. Additionally, those offices receiving funding received training on technical
assistance and internal control plans to ensure that funds directed toward infrastructure
improvements through the use of grants, loans, and contracts continue being used as intended. The
EPA is continuously enhancing Program Integrity efforts and oversight over infrastructure
investments and is committed to safeguarding its resources against waste, fraud, abuse, and
mismanagement. Additional agency efforts include:
• Developed performance measures to monitor and report on progress, as outlined in the IIJA
Program Implementation Plans.
• Launched several technical assistance programs / initiatives to help communities better
access IIJA funding.
• Engaged stakeholders to hold quarterly fraud trainings for agency personnel.
• Implemented additional controls within the agency's financial systems to track
infrastructure investments by appropriation, program, etc.
Conducting OMB Circular A-123, Appendix C risk assessments in FY2023 to ensure
protection against fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Implementing a more robust fraud detection and prevention program.
• Employing an industrial engagement strategy for partners with IDA funding.
Responsible Agency Official: Zealan Hoover, Senior Advisor to the Administrator; Kimberly
Patrick, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Mission Support; Carol Terris, Acting
Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
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EPA Budget by National Program Manager and Major Office
Dollars in Thousands
FY 2023 Enacted Budget
Pay($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total
($K) FTE
FY 2024 President's Budget
Pay ($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total
($K) FTE
NPM Major Office
OA
Immediate Office
$5,801
$2,928
$8,729
31.0
$8,546
$6,482
$15,027
49.C
Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations
$8,477
$533
$9,009
43.2
$8,504
$882
$9,386
44.2
Office of Public Affairs
$6,279
$490
$6,769
31.5
$6,031
$333
$6,364
30.5
Office of Public Engagement
$1,727
$799
$2,526
10.0
$2,152
$12,452
$14,604
13.C
Office of Policy
$30,389
$7,826
$38,215
150.4
$33,131
$28,381
$61,512
175.6
Children's Health Protection
$2,777
$2,408
$5,185
13.1
$2,779
$2,445
$5,224
13.1
Environmental Education
$1,012
$7,047
$8,059
5.2
$1,010
$7,095
$8,105
5.2
Office of Civil Rights
$4,175
$650
$4,825
20.9
$3,583
$463
$4,047
20.9
Executive Secretariat
$3,839
$221
$4,060
20.1
$4,068
$152
$4,220
20.1
Executive Services
$3,094
$366
$3,460
14.9
$3,157
$1,159
$4,316
14. S
Homeland Security
$2,675
$355
$3,031
11.3
$2,819
$1,619
$4,438
13.3
Science Advisory Board
$3,846
$436
$4,282
18.7
$3,431
$727
$4,158
18.7
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
$2,245
$1,299
$3,544
10.7
$2,102
$1,113
$3,215
9.7
Regional Resources
$44,047
$2,005
$46,052
248.3
$55,178
$48,414
$103,592
296.9
OA
TOTAL
$120,383
$27,363
$147,746
629.3
$136,491
$111,716
$248,207
725.1
OEJECR
Immediate Office
$3,890
$5,466
$9,356
19.9
$8,390
$87,185
$95,575
45.7
Office of Resource Management and Communications
$1,553
$33
$1,586
12.0
$2,000
$100
$2,100
12.C
Office of Community Support
$3,260
$7,199
$10,459
25.C
$7,397
$125,002
$132,399
42.C
Office of Policy, Partnerships and Program Development
$6,652
$12,474
$19,126
52.3
$11,134
$100,001
$111,135
64. Ł
Office of External Civil Rights Compliance
$3,028
$579
$3,607
21.9
$8,993
$2,765
$11,758
48.7
Regional Resources
$15,217
$52,030
$67,247
110.3
$27,428
$18,369
$45,797
155.5
OEJECR
TOTAL
$33,601
$77,781
$111,382
241.4
$65,342
$333,421
$398,763
368.7
1289
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EPA Budget by National Program Manager and Major Office
Dollars in Thousands
FY 2023 Enacted Budget
Pay ($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total
($K) FTE
FY 2024 President's Budget
Pay ($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total ($K)
FTE
NPM Major Office
OAR
Immediate Office
$11,693
$150,102
$161,795
62.7
$11,159
$235,683
$246,842
56.9
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
$61,274
$48,772
$110,045
359.0
$86,255
$281,404
$367,660
462.7
Office of Atmospheric Programs
$44,824
$61,070
$105,894
230.8
$58,159
$217,593
$275,752
308.9
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
$63,759
$150,343
$214,103
351.0
$78,841
$258,420
$337,261
400.1
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
$28,006
$14,570
$42,576
145.0
$39,116
$56,017
$95,132
207.5
Regional Resources
$105,225
$210,819
$316,044
629.4
$141,204
$207,552
$348,756
777.0
OAR
TOTAL
$314,781 $635,676 $950,457 1,777.9
$414,734 $1,256,669 $1,671,403 2,213.1
OCFO
Immediate Office
$2,200
$7,032
$9,232
1
$3,370
$10,182
$13,552
1
Office of Budget
$7,792
$3,233
$11,026
42.
$7,828
$2,588
$10,416
39.
Office of Planning, Analysis and Accountability
$4,584
$277
$4,861
2
$4,954
$334
$5,289
2
Office of Technology Solutions
$8,966
$24,638
$33,604
48.
$9,414
$25,382
$34,796
47.
Office of Resource and Information Management
$2,659
$6,697
$9,355
14.
$3,191
$5,121
$8,312
16.
Office of the Controller
$24,882
$2,058
$26,940
136.
$25,508
$3,007
$28,515
127.
OCFO eEnterprise
$917
$649
$1,566
$991
$559
$1,550
Office of Continuous Improvement
$1,834
$572
$2,406
1
$1,982
$472
$2,454
1
Regional Resources
$33,723
$2,354
$36,077
203.3
$28,660
$2,497
$31,157
160.0
OCFO
TOTAL
$87,556 $47,511 $135,067 497.9
$85,898 $50,142 $136,040 447.8
OCSPP
Immediate Office
$3,252
$943
$4,195
17.0
$2,529
$1,391
$3,920
12.2
Office of Pesticide Programs
$65,009
$26,444
$91,452
353.0
$69,705
$51,670
$121,375
369.0
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
$60,657
$34,269
$94,926
357.1
$89,946
$64,673
$154,619
477.6
Office of Program Support
$35,504
$3,661
$39,166
175.0
$37,480
$3,656
$41,136
185.5
Regional Resources
$23,385
$34,249
$57,634
141.9
$26,229
$45,417
$71,646
151.8
OCSPP
TOTAL
$187,807 $99,566 $287,373 1,044.0
$225,889 $166,806 $392,695 1,196.1
1290
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EPA Budget by National Program Manager and Major Office
Dollars in Thousands
FY 2023 Enacted Budget
Pay ($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total ($K)
FTE
FY 2024 President's Budget
Pay ($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total ($K)
FTE
NPM Major Office
OECA
Immediate Office
$9,874
$11,841
$21,714
44.9
$7,222
$4,915
$12,136
40.4
Office of Civil Enforcement
$28,583
$11,244
$39,827
132.8
$34,060
$27,452
$61,512
164.1
Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training
$66,305
$11,083
$77,388
304.3
$73,040
$14,635
$87,674
332.9
Office of Compliance
$22,692
$24,200
$46,893
118.2
$24,371
$58,960
$83,331
123.2
Federal Facilities Enforcement Office
$3,104
$752
$3,855
16.6
$3,267
$1,652
$4,919
16.4
Office of Site Remediation Enforcement
$14,616
$19,119
$33,736
68.7
$1,449
$682
$2,131
7.5
Regional Resources
$329,636
$55,548
$385,184
1,865.0
$232,154
$63,980
$296,134
1,284.4
OECA
TOTAL
$474,810 $133,787 $608,597 2,550.5
$375,563 $172,275 $547,838 1,968.9
OGC
Immediate Office
$1,780
$315
$2,096
8.C
$2,460
$473
$2,933
10.3
Air and Radiation Law Office
$9,068
$2,057
$11,125
41.C
$10,914
$2,681
$13,595
44.0
Pesticides and Toxic Substances Law Office
$3,693
$838
$4,531
21.C
$4,713
$1,158
$5,871
19.C
Solid Waste and Emergency Response Law Office
$3,806
$990
$4,797
17.3
$4,941
$1,414
$6,355
20.7
Water Law Office
$4,900
$1,162
$6,062
22.C
$6,608
$1,655
$8,263
26.6
Other Legal Support
$18,985
$3,955
$22,941
88.5
$25,884
$3,963
$29,847
112.4
Regional Resources
$29,427
$952
$30,379
139.9
$39,128
$1,318
$40,446
174.9
OGC
TOTAL
$71,661 $10,269 $81,930 337.6
$94,647 $12,663 $107,310 408.2
1291
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EPA Budget by National Program Manager and Major Office
Dollars in Thousands
FY 2023 Enacted Budget
Pay ($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total ($K)
FTE
FY 2024 President's Budget
Pay ($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total ($K)
FTE
NPM Major Office
OIG
Immediate Office
$488
$46
$534
2.6
$607
$144
$751
3.:
Office of Chief of Staff
$488
$46
$534
2.6
$607
$144
$751
3.:
Office of Strategic Analysis and Results
$2,279
$218
$2,497
12.1
$2,832
$673
$3,505
14. S
Office of Information Technology
$3,744
$358
$4,102
19.8
$4,653
$1,106
$5,759
24.5
Office of Counsel and Congressional Public Affairs
$4,233
$405
$4,638
22.4
$5,260
$1,250
$6,510
27.7
Office of Mission Support
$3,582
$343
$3,925
19.C
$4,451
$1,058
$5,509
23.4
Office of Audit
$18,071
$1,728
$19,799
95.8
$22,457
$5,336
$27,793
118.;
Office of Special Review and Evaluations
$8,466
$809
$9,275
44.9
$10,521
$2,500
$13,021
55.4
Office of Investigations
$9,606
$919
$10,525
50.8
$11,938
$2,835
$14,773
62.S
OIG
TOTAL
$50,957 $4,873 $55,830 270.0
$63,326 $15,047 $78,373 333.5
OITA
Immediate Office
$1,210
$96
$1,306
6.C
$1,576
$201
$1,777
8.C
Office of International Affairs
$7,221
$1,939
$9,160
35.8
$10,598
$17,064
$27,662
53.Ł
Office of Management and International Services
$2,481
$1,160
$3,642
12.3
$2,561
$2,591
$5,152
13.C
American Indian Environmental Office
$3,833
$1,343
$5,176
19.C
$7,288
$3,220
$10,508
37.C
Regional Resources
$11,315
$74,913
$86,228
67.6
$25,181
$87,865
$113,046
141.6
OITA
TOTAL
$26,061 $79,451 $105,512 140.7
$47,204 $110,941 $158,145 253.4
1292
-------
EPA Budget by National Program Manager and Major Office
Dollars in Thousands
FY 2023 Enacted Budget
Pay ($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total ($K)
FTE
FY 2024 President's Budget
Pay ($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total ($K)
FTE
NPM Major Office
OLEM
Immediate Office
$9,444
$5,384
$14,828
43.7
$6,504
$2,036
$8,540
30.0
Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office
$3,150
$1,672
$4,822
16.3
$3,323
$7,466
$10,790
16.2
Office of Communication, Partnership, and Analysis
$2,759
$1,563
$4,322
13.Ł
$1,779
$889
$2,668
9.:
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
$26,902
$69,385
$96,287
143. Ł
$1,762
$2,195
$3,957
10.1
Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery
$27,781
$21,397
$49,177
145.7
$29,610
$31,652
$61,262
154.4
Office of Underground Storage Tanks
$4,413
$2,384
$6,797
21.6
$4,237
$3,251
$7,488
22.6
Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
$3,082
$10,276
$13,358
16.6
$3,073
$13,200
$16,272
16.6
Office of Emergency Management
$13,237
$28,883
$42,120
64.2
$13,344
$46,566
$59,910
66.C
Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains
$718
$2,067
$2,784
4.C
$0
$0
$0
O.C
Regional Resources
$284,384
$909,731
$1,194,115
1,632.6
$162,873
$429,872
$592,745
909.7
OLEM
TOTAL
$375,870 $1,052,741 $1,428,611 2,102.3
$226,505 $537,127 $763,632 1,234.9
OMS
Immediate Office
$14,367
$23,728
$38,095
90. S
$18,840
$61,017
$79,858
92.3
Environmental Appeals Board
$3,113
$111
$3,225
13.Ł
$3,498
$163
$3,661
15.C
Administrative Law Judges
$2,020
$143
$2,163
12.C
$2,327
$161
$2,488
ll.C
Office of Human Resources
$21,521
$7,833
$29,354
93.9
$31,931
$9,839
$41,770
153.7
Research Triangle Park
$15,401
$35,490
$50,891
101.C
$16,474
$30,213
$46,687
100.C
Office of Grants and Debarment
$13,093
$8,413
$21,506
69.6
$16,618
$4,317
$20,935
87.C
Cincinnati
$10,117
$16,941
$27,057
66.C
$11,456
$9,238
$20,694
70.0
Office of Administration
$18,903
$320,042
$338,945
92.2
$22,822
$395,516
$418,338
102.5
Office of Acquisition Solutions
$37,889
$8,317
$46,206
214.C
$45,811
$6,576
$52,387
248.1
Office of Enterprise Information Programs
$8,107
$9,112
$17,219
42.5
$8,292
$7,866
$16,158
40.1
Office of Information Management
$11,014
$32,927
$43,941
59.7
$12,018
$33,466
$45,484
58.7
Office of Digital Services & Technical Architecture
$4,800
$2,106
$6,907
24.C
$4,619
$1,655
$6,274
23.C
Office of Customer Advocacy, Policy & Portfolio Management
Office of Information Security & Privacy
$6,157
$3,440
$9,597
34.C
$6,070
$2,076
$8,146
31.0
$3,199
$11,956
$15,156
16.1
$3,709
$27,951
$31,660
18.1
Office of Information Technology Operations
$1,455
$1,230
$2,686
7.1
$2,115
$12,287
$14,402
9./
Regional Resources
$85,344
$53,537
$138,881
490.4
$97,655
$55,647
$153,302
534.3
1293
-------
1
OMS
$256,501 $535,326 $791,827 1,427.0
$304,256 $657,988 $962,244 1,594.5
1
TOTAL
1294
-------
EPA Budget by National Program Manager and Major Office
Dollars in Thousands
FY 2023 Enacted Budget
Pay ($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total ($K)
FTE
FY 2024 President's Budget
Pay ($K) Non-Pay ($K) Total ($K]
FTE
NPM Major Office
ORD
ORD Headquarters
$47,811
$74,136
$121,947
257.2
$47,982
$61,788
$109,770
256.4
Center for Computational Toxicology & Exposure
$44,554
$27,948
$72,502
242.7
$49,737
$37,708
$87,445
265.9
Center for Environmental Measurements & Modeling
$66,627
$39,116
$105,743
358.9
$74,385
$59,525
$133,911
397.3
Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment
$66,818
$37,013
$103,831
356.3
$75,250
$52,846
$128,096
400.6
Center for Environmental Solutions & Emergency
$45,567
$28,389
$73,956
245.3
$48,449
$37,694
$86,143
260.8
Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement
$12,324
$84,133
$96,457
66.3
$13,961
$57,801
$71,761
74.C
Regional Resources
$35,247
$19,800
$55,047
210.9
$19,042
$7,140
$26,182
112.1
ORD
TOTAL
$318,948
$310,535
$629,483
1,737.6
$328,806
$314,502
$643,308
1,767.7
ow
Immediate Office
$12,395
$8,795
$21,190
63.4
$13,775
$8,794
$22,569
66.2
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
532,225
588,723
5120,948
172.5
545,343
5250,210
5295,553
239.Ł
Office of Science and Technology
$22,819
$14,608
$37,427
116.9
$27,784
$53,758
$81,542
137.6
Office of Wastewater Management
$28,153
$174,502
$202,655
143.3
$40,407
$646,985
$687,393
213.6
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
$20,290
$28,475
$48,765
107.8
$23,713
$63,373
$87,085
118.3
Regional Resources
$213,064
$4,170,870
$4,383,934
1,313.2
$244,220
$4,556,953
$4,801,173
1,388.2
OW
TOTAL
$328,945
$4,485,973
$4,814,918
1,917.1
$395,242
$5,580,073
$5,975,315
2,163.7
buototai Agency Resources
>Z,b4/,881
>/,suu,asz
>lU,148,/33
14,b/3.3
/bi,yui
>y,3iy,3/u
>lZ,UH3,Z/3
14,b/S.t
Less Rescission of Prior Year Funds
($13,300
$0
Reimbursable FTE
442.3
504.5
Superfund Tax FTE*
1,897.3
Total Agency Resources
$2,647,881 $7,500,852
$10,135,433
15,115.6
$2,763,903 $9,319,370
$12,083,273
17,077.4
*ln FY 2024, funding for Superfund Enforcement, Remedial, and Emergency Response and Removal is proposed to be transitioned from annual
appropriations to Superfund Tax receipts. In total 1897.3 FTE in Superfund will be funded as reimbursable FTE, including 771.8 FTE in Superfund
Enforcement, 874.8 FTE in Remedial, and 250.7 FTE in Emergency Response and Removal.
1295
-------
OECA Travel by Program Project FY 2018-2024*
1296
-------
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Appr. | Program Project
Enacted
Actuals**
Enacted
Actuals**
Enacted
Actuals**
Enacted
Actuals*'1
Enacted
Actuals**
Enacted*
PresBud***
EPM
43- Brownfields
$16.C
$10.4
$16.C
$4.2
$16.C
$18.2
$3.0
$0.C
$3.C
$2.3
$3.(
$ 12.C
44- Civil Enforcement
$2,148.C
$1,860.9
$2,216.C
$1,942.2
$2,197.C
$886.1
$742.C
$602.C
$742.C
$1,230.7
$2,932.C
$3,236.(
50- Compliance Monitoring
$1,524.C
$1,498.3
$1,529.C
$1,397.2
$1,516.C
$694.5
$567.C
$301.C
$582.C
$658.C
$835.C
$2,016.(
52- Criminal Enforcement
$1,522.C
$1,385.7
$1,522.C
$1,458.1
$1,522.C
$748.^
$548.C
$467.C
$548.C
$606.C
$1,518.C
$1,690.(
57- Environmental Justice
$186.C
$103.7
$0.C
$5.3
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$4.C
$148.1
$4.C
$0.C
63- Geographic Program: Chesapeake Bay
$20.C
$17.C
$20.C
$24.C
$20.C
$6.?
$20.C
$9.C
$20.C
$18.^
$20.C
$20.C
90- NEPA Implementation
$505.C
$251.1
$0.C
$70.5
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
F2 - Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$238.C
$503.^
$238.C
$234.5
$238.C
$204.^
$84.C
$132.C
$131.C
$342.^
$207.C
$238.(
Total
$6,159.C
$5,630.5
$5,541.0
$5,136.0
$5,509.0
$2,558.5
$1,964.(
$1,511.(
$2,030.(
$3,006.(
$5,519.(
$7,212.(
S&T
62- Forensics Support
$260.C
$157.J
$260.C
$193.1
$260.C
$115.(
$141.C
$88.(
$141.C
$170.1
$260.(
$478.(
LUST
44- Civil Enforcement
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
OIL
44- Civil Enforcement
$14.C
$16.4
$14.C
$8.1
$14.C
$3.1
$14.C
$6.C
$12.C
$13.^
$ 12.C
$14.C
50- Compliance Monitoring
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
Total
$14.C
$16.4
$14.C
$8.1
$14.C
$3.]
$14.C
$6.(
$12.C
$13.^
$12.(
$14.(
1
SUPERFUND
50- Compliance Monitoring
$8.C
$0.C
$8.C
$0.C
$8.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$0.C
$8.C
52- Criminal Enforcement
$468.C
$237.^
$468.C
$236.7
$468.C
$125.5
$468.C
$399.C
$468.C
$547.:
$468.C
$500.(
62- Forensics Support
$50.C
$25.5
$50.C
$32.9
$50.C
$17.2
$50.C
$48.C
$50.C
$65.;
$50.C
$57.C
C7 - Superfund: Enforcement****
$1,135.C
$798.7
$1,145.C
$995.7
$1,143.C
$445.C
$1,143.C
$155.C
$1,143.C
$461.5
$1,143.0
$0.C
H2 - Superfund: Federal Facilities Enf
$120.C
$69.C
$120.C
$65.1
$120.C
$81.7
$120.C
$12.(
$120.C
$28.1
$120.C
$120.(
Total
$1,781.C
$1,130.6
$1,791.C
$1,330.4
$1,789.C
$669.:
$1,781.(
$614.(
$1,781.(
$1,102.5
$1,781.(
$685.(
Grand Total
$8,214.C
$6,935.3
$7,606.C
$6,667.6
$7,572.C
$3,346.7
$3,900.(
$2,219.C
$3,964.(
$4,292.7
$7,572.C
$8,389.C
The Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 instructs EPA to follow guidance as set forth in House Report 116-448. House Report 116-448
directs EPA to provide "requested enforcement travel budget, and budgeted and actual enforcement travel spending for the previous five fiscal years". Please see page 80:
https://www.congress.gov/116/crpt/hrpt448/CRPT-116hrpt448.pdf. This report fulfills this requirement.
*ln FY 2020 and FY 2021, OECA's travel resources decreased due to the COVID Pandemic travel restrictions. In FY 2023 and FY 2024, the travel resources were brought back to pre-
COVID levels to resume in-person travel and inspections.
**Actuals include final obligations of New Obligation Authority (NOA) and Carryover for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA).
***EPA will re-evaluate travel as part of the Agency's FY 2024 Operating Plan activities in preparation for the FY 2024 Enacted Budget.
**** In FY 2024, the Budget proposed to transition theSuperfund Enforcement program to the Superfund Tax Receipts. As a result, the Superfund Enforcement travel is proposed to
be transitioned to the Superfund tax receipts and estimates will be evaluated in FY 2024. ] 297
-------
On-Site Inspections and Off-site Compliance Monitoring Compliance
Activities from EPA's Integrated Compliance Information System1515
The table below provides the numbers in EPA's Integrated Compliance Information (ICIS) data
system for on-site inspection and off-site compliance monitoring activities from fiscal years (FY)
2018-2022.
Fiscal Year
(FY)
On-Site Inspections
Off-Site Compliance
Monitoring Activities
(EPA has not set separate
targets for this category of
activities)
Total
Completed
FY 2018 actual
7,900
2,900
10,800
FY 2019* actual
Target:7,400
Actual: 8,100
2,200
10,329
FY 2020 actual
Target: not set**
Actual: 3,600
4,900
8,500
FY 2021 actual
Target: not set**
Actual: 3,200
7,600
10,800
FY 2022 actual
Target: not set**
Actual: 5,900
8,000
13,900
FY 2023
projection
Target: not set**
Actual: TBD
10,000
FY 2024
projection
Target: not set**
Actual: TBD
10,000
*In 2019, EPA set targets for on-site inspections only. Previous targets were for combination of on-site inspections
and off-site compliance monitoring activities.
**Targets were not set for on-site inspections in FY 2020 through FY 2023 due to travel restrictions, uncertainty
resulting from COVID-19, and rebuilding capacity as the pandemic ends.
Caveats:
1. Definitions: Nationally consistent definitions of on-site inspections and off-site compliance
monitoring activities did not exist for our compliance monitoring program until we issued
guidance on April 24, 2020 (and updated in November 2020). As a result, earlier data may
include mis-categorized activities. EPA's April 24, 2020 memorandum provided definitions
for both on-site and off-site compliance monitoring activities, which creates more consistency
in each of the categories.
15 The Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 instructs EPA to follow guidance as set
forth in House Report 116-448. House Report 116-448 directs EPA to provide "separate targets for onsite inspections and offsite
compliance monitoring activities, and separate target and actuals data for onsite and offsite compliance monitoring activities for
the previous five fiscal years". Please see page 80: https://www.congress.eov/116/crpt/hrpt448/CRPT-116hrpt448.pdf. This
report fulfills this requirement.
1298
-------
2. Incomplete Data Entry: Given that EPA has not historically required most types of off-site
compliance monitoring activities to be entered into an EPA database, these numbers are likely
incomplete. EPA's April 24, 2020, guidance for reporting key off-site compliance monitoring
activities establishes expectations for national reporting of these activities, subsequent years'
numbers are therefore more reflective of actual activities.
3. COVID-19: Restrictions on travel during the pandemic affected EPA's ability to conduct on- site
inspections in FY 2020, FY 2021 and continued partially in FY 2022. While on-site inspection
numbers dropped substantially during this time, EPA was able to increase its off- site compliance
monitoring activities. In FY 2022, as the pandemic eased, EPA was able to begin increasing the
number of on-site inspections again.
4. States Conduct Majority of Inspections: Most inspections are performed by authorized states. For
example, states performed about 34,000 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) inspections - that is just one program.
5. Data Mining: With modern tools, EPA mines data from monitoring reports and manifests. EPA
conducts off-site compliance monitoring to try to detect violations, including possible violations
of emission and discharge limitations. EPA uses this information to target facilities for on-site
inspections. The April 2020 and subsequent November 2020 guidances will help EPA nationally
focus and track this important off-site compliance monitoring work.
6. Totals More Reliable Than Subtotals: The sum of the two subtotals (on-site inspections + offsite
compliance monitoring activities) is a more reliable value because it smooths out some of the
variability in each subtotal. EPA believes definitions of on-site inspections and off-site compliance
monitoring activities will help make the subtotal data more reliable going forward.
7. Staffing Levels: The number of inspections EPA completes each year generally correlates with our
annual staffing levels. During the time period reported in the table, OECA's number of full-time
equivalents (FTEs) has decreased from 2,880 in FY 2016 to 2,439 in FY 2022.
1299
-------
Physicians' Comparability Allowance (PCA) Plan
Department and component:
| Environmental Protection Agency
Purpose: The purpose of this document is to describe the Agency's plan for implementing the
Physicians' Comparability Allowance (PCA) Program. Per 5 CFR 595.107, the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) must approve this plan prior to the Agency entering into any
PCA service agreement. Changes to this plan must be reviewed and approved by OMB in
accordance with 5 CFR 595.107.
Reporting: In addition to the plan, each year, components utilizing PCA will include their PCA
worksheet in the OMB Justification (OMB J), typically in September. OMB and OPM will use this
data for Budget development and congressional reporting.
Plan for Implementing the PCA Program:
la) Identify the categories of physician positions the Agency has established are covered by PCA
under § 595.103. Please include the basis for each category. If applicable, list and explain
the necessity of any additional physician categories designated by your agency (for
categories other than I through IV-B). List Any Additional Physician Categories Designated
by Your Agency: Pursuant to 5 CFR 595.107, any additional category of physician receiving
a PCA, not covered by categories I through IV-B, should be listed and accompanied by an
explanation as to why these categories are necessary.
1300
-------
Number of
Physicians
Receiving PCAs
by Category (non-
add)
Category of Physician
Position
Covered
by
Agency
(mark "x"
if
covered)
Basis for Category
2
Category I Clinical
Position
X
EPA's Office of Research and Development
(ORD) clinical physicians oversee the
medical care of study subjects. These studies
are conducted on the health effects of a
variety of common environmental pollutants
in many different human subjects. Our
primary emphasis is on cardio-pulmonary
responses, with recent interest in behavioral
responses. The Medical Officer is
responsible for the health and well-being of
research participants before, during, and after
research. Prior to research, the Medical
Officer is responsible for clinically
evaluating individuals. During research, they
are responsible for instituting preventative
measures to ensure that any procedure entails
the least risk possible. After the research, it is
the Medical Officer's responsibility to
evaluate an individual's health to
determine any clinical changes.
Category II Research
Position
n/a
1
Category III
Occupational Health
EPA is establishing a medical staff within
the Office of Administration, Safety and
Sustainability Division that will serve as a
focal point for pandemic planning,
occupational medical surveillance, wellness,
and will provide medical consultative
services supporting the Agency's safety and
health, disease response/outbreak, fitness for
duty, diver, automated external defibrillator,
emergency response, nerve agent antidote,
medical countermeasures, lactation, maternal
wellness, and other national programs.
Category IV-A Disability
Evaluation
n/a
1301
-------
Number of
Physicians
Receiving PCAs
by Category (non-
add)
Category of Physician
Position
Covered
by
Agency
(mark "x"
if
covered)
Basis for Category
1
Category IV-B Health
and Medical Admin.
X
This position serves as the principal medical
officer and environmental health scientist for
EPA's ORD. The position is responsible for
providing leadership, direction, and technical
expertise in support of organizational-wide
health and environmental planning, policy
development and implementation, and
oversight of scientific initiatives and research
efforts for ORD's Assistant Administrator
(AA) or their designee. This includes:
Strategic Research Action Plan oversight;
prioritization of environmental health
research; and counsel and oversight on
legislation, regulations and health impact
assessments related to Executive Branch
agencies on human health, air quality,
ecosystem services, toxics and risks,
environmental social sciences, and most
notably, COVID-19.
1302
-------
Physicians' Comparability Allowance (PCA) Plan (continued)
2) Explain the recruitment and retention problem(s) for each category of physician in your
agency (this should demonstrate that a current need continues to persist). § 595 of 5CFR Ch.
1 requires that an agency may determine that a significant recruitment and retention problem
exists only if all of the following conditions apply:
- Evidence indicates that the Agency is unable to recruit and retain physicians for the
category;
- The qualification requirements being sought do not exceed the qualifications necessary for
successful performance of the work;
- The Agency has made efforts to recruit and retain candidates in the category; and
- There are not a sufficient number of qualified candidates available if no comparability
allowance is paid.
Number of Physicians
Receiving PCAs by
Category (non-add)
Category of Physician
Position
Recruitment and retention problem
2
Category I Clinical
Position
The small population of EPA Clinical Physician positions
experiences modest turnover. The value ofthe physicians'
comparability allowance to EPA is used as a retention
tool. The Agency is told regularly that absent the
allowance some EPA physicians would seek employment
at federal agencies that provide the allowance.
Category II Research
Position
n/a
1
Category III Occupational
Health
The value of the physicians' comparability allowance to
EPA is to be used as a recruitment and retention tool. The
Agency is told regularly that absent the allowance some
EPA physicians would seek employment at federal
agencies that provide the allowance.
Category IV-A Disability
Evaluation
n/a
1
Category IV-B Health and
Medical Admin.
The small population of EPA Health and Medical
Administrative Physician position(s) experiences modest
turnover. The value ofthe physicians' comparability
allowance to EPA is used as a retention tool. The Agency
is told regularly that absent the allowance some EPA
physicians would seek employment at federal agencies
that provide the allowance.
1303
-------
3) Explain how the Agency determines the amounts to be used for each category of physicians.
Number of
Physicians
Receiving PCAs by
Category (non-add)
Category of Physician
Position
Basis of comparability allowance amount
2
Category I Clinical
Position
EPA reviews the experience and technical expertise of
the candidates. Combined with other salary ranges in the
private sector and in review of other federal agencies,
the Agency tries to be within a range that allows the
Agency to retain the employees.
Category II Research
Position
n/a
1
Category III Occupational
Health
EPA reviews the experience and technical expertise of
the candidates. Combined with other salary ranges in the
private sector and in review of other federal agencies,
the Agency tries to be within a range that allows the
Agency to retain the employees.
Category IV-A Disability
Evaluation
n/a
1
Category IV-B Health and
Medical Admin.
EPA reviews the experience and technical expertise of
the candidates. Combined with other salary ranges in the
private sector and in review of other federal agencies,
the Agency tries to be within a range that allows the
Agency to retain the employees.
4) Does the Agency affirm that the PCA plan is consistent with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5948
and the requirements of § 595 of 5 CFR Ch. 1?
| Yes
1304
-------
Physicians' Comparability Allowance (PCA) Worksheet
1) Department and component:
| Environmental Protection Agency
2) Explain the recruitment and retention problem(s) justifying the need for the PCA pay
authority.
(.Please include any staffing data to support your explanation, such as number and duration of
unfilled positions and number of accessions and separations per fiscal year.)
Historically, the number of EPA Research Physicians is between three and seven positions. This
small population experiences modest turnover. The value of the physicians' comparability allowance
to EPA is used as a retention tool.
EPA continues to use the PCA to recruit qualified candidates to fill vacancies and to retain these
employees. Additionally, EPA will use the PCA in FY 2024 to recruit and retain a physician for the
newly formed national health and safety medical staff.
3-4) Please complete the table below with details of the PCA agreement for the following
years:
PY 2022
CY 2023
BY* 2024
(Actual)
(Estimates)
(Estimates)
3a) Number of Physicians Receiving PCAs
3
4
4
3b) Number of Physicians with One-Year PCA Agreements
0
0
0
3c) Number of Physicians with Multi-Year PCA Agreements
3
4
4
4a) Average Annual PCA Physician Pay (without PCA
payment)
$188,100
$193,700
$183,979.33
4b) Average Annual PCA Payment
$19,300
$19,300
$23,333.33
*BY data will be approved during the BY Budget cycle. Please ensure each column is completed.
5) Explain the degree to which recruitment and retention problems were alleviated in your
agency through the use of PC As in the prior fiscal year.
(.Please include any staffing data to support your explanation, such as number and duration of
unfilled positions and number of accessions and separations per fiscal year.)
The Agency is told regularly that absent the allowance, some EPA research physicians would seek
employment at federal agencies that provide the allowance.
6) Provide any additional information that may be useful in planning PCA staffing levels and
amounts in your agency.
An agency with a very small number of physician positions and a low turn-over rate among them still
needs the allowance authority to maintain the stability of the small population. Those who opt for
federal employment in opposition to private sector employment still want the maximum pay
available in the federal sector. Were it not for the PCA, EPA would regularly lose some of its
physicians to other federal agencies that offer the allowance, both requiring EPA to refill vacant
positions and making it more difficult for EPA to fill those positions. Turn-over statistics should be
viewed in this light.
1305
-------
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2024 Congressional Justification and Annual Performance Plan
Program Projects by Program Area
(Dollars in Thousands)
Science & Technology
n 21122 I iinil
Ailll;ll-
M 2II2.> I'.iiiii lcil
()|iri':iliii
-------
Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide Availability
Subtotal, Pesticides Licensing
Research: Air, Climate and Energy
Research: Air, Climate and Energy
Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Research: Sustainable Communities
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Endocrine Disrupters
Computational Toxicology
Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability (other activities)
Subtotal, Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Subtotal, Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Ensure Safe Water
Drinking Water Programs
n 21122 l-iiiiil n 2112.* I.nailed
WllLiI- ()|K'ralill*! I'hi11
$941 $925
$6,282 $6,153
$93,402
$113,427
$133,808
$38,740
$16,325
$21,349
$54,679
$100,448
$116,141
$137,857
$39,918
$16,353
$21,606
$54,591
$92,353 $92,550
$131,092 $132,468
n 21124
I'lv-idi'iil"-
liud|>craliii!! I'laii
$77
$1,219
$37,387
$7,414
$8,785
$5,024
$1,177
$1,522
$8,629
$103,878 $11,328
$148,820 $16,352
$4,177
$5,098
$6,975
$1,877
Congressional Priorities (previously named Clean and Safe
Water Technical Assistance Grants)
Congressional Priorities
Total, Science & Technology
$7,492
$740,947
$30,751
$802,276
$0
$967,838
-$30,751
$165,562
Environmental Programs & Management
Clean Air and Climate
Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs
Climate Protection
Federal Stationary Source Regulations
Federal Support for Air Quality Management
Stratospheric Ozone: Domestic Programs
Stratospheric Ozone: Multilateral Fund
Subtotal, Clean Air and Climate
$15,423
$100,267
$26,821
$148,894
$7,937
$8,326
$307,667
$16,554
$101,000
$30,344
$147,704
$6,951
$9,244
$311,797
$30,535
$170,512
$47,468
$356,016
$72,152
$18,000
$694,683
$13,981
$69,512
$17,124
$208,312
$65,201
$8,756
$382,886
Indoor Air and Radiation
1307
-------
n 2022 l iiiiil
Wllhll-
Indoor Air: Radon Program $2,966
Radiation: Protection $8,244
Radiation: Response Preparedness $2,658
Reduce Risks from Indoor Air $12,611
Subtotal, Indoor Air and Radiation $26,479
Brownflelds
Brownfields $23,716
Compliance
Compliance Monitoring $108,996
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice $20,455
Enforcement
Civil Enforcement $179,062
Criminal Enforcement $55,343
NEPA Implementation $ 17,177
Subtotal, Enforcement $251,582
Geographic Programs
Geographic Program: Chesapeake Bay $90,309
Geographic Program: Gulf of Mexico $21,194
Geographic Program: Lake Champlain $19,096
Geographic Program: Long Island Sound $29,758
Geographic Program: Other
Lake Pontchartrain $1,899
S. New England Estuary (SNEE) $6,017
Geographic Program: Other (other activities) $4,881
Subtotal, Geographic Program: Other $12,797
Great Lakes Restoration $349,157
Geographic Program: South Florida $6,917
Geographic Program: San Francisco Bay $2,631
Geographic Program: Puget Sound $34,746
Subtotal, Geographic Programs $566,606
Homeland Security
Homeland Security: Communication and Information $4,054
Homeland Security: Critical Infrastructure Protection $873
n 2024
I'lv-idrnl"-
M 2024 liud I'.iiiii lrd I'lc-idi lll - M 2023 l iui lrd
Opcl'lllill!! I'lilll Iilld
-------
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and
Infrastructure
Subtotal, Homeland Security
n 21122 I inal
Ailll;ll-
$4,903
$9,830
I- ^ 2II2.> I '.iiiii lcil
(>i>rr:iling I'hill
$5,188
$10,803
n 2024
I'lvjili-lH'*
M 2024 limliirl\.
I'lcvidi lll - M 2023 liuilrd
Uncivil l':iIilm I'hill
$5,158
$12,232
-$30
$1,429
Cross Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
(previously named Information Exchange / Outreach)
State and Local Prevention and Preparedness
TRI / Right to Know
Tribal - Capacity Building
Executive Management and Operations
Environmental Education
Exchange Network
Small Minority Business Assistance
Small Business Ombudsman
Children and Other Sensitive Populations: Agency
Coordination
Subtotal, Cross Agency Coordination, Outreach and
Education
$14,957
$13,064
$13,735
$55,872
$8,303
$13,016
$2,564
$1,564
$6,098
$129,173
$15,446
$15,052
$14,715
$56,160
$9,500
$14,995
$2,056
$2,250
$6,362
$136,536
$23,884
$14,018
$34,674
$67,600
$23,972
$14,685
$1,996
$2,227
$6,500
$189,556
$8,438
-$1,034
$19,959
$11,440
$14,472
-$310
-$60
-$23
$138
$53,020
International Programs
US Mexico Border
International Sources of Pollution
Trade and Governance
Subtotal, International Programs
$2,886
$7,220
$6,252
$16,358
$2,993
$7,323
$5,510
$15,826
$5,088
$26,044
$7,153
$38,285
$2,095
$18,721
$1,643
$22,459
IT / Data Management / Security
Information Security
IT / Data Management
Subtotal, IT / Data Management / Security
$10,450
$90,029
$100,480
$9,142
$91,821
$100,963
$23,889
$105,868
$129,757
$14,747
$14,047
$28,794
Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Integrated Environmental Strategies
Administrative Law
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Civil Rights Program
Legal Advice: Environmental Program
Legal Advice: Support Program
Regional Science and Technology (proposed to be
moved to Operations and Administration)
Science Advisory Board
Regulatory/Economic-Management and Analysis
Subtotal, Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
$10,534
$5,022
$1,196
$10,061
$63,795
$18,246
$1,345
$3,854
$16,725
$130,778
$11,297
$5,395
$972
$12,866
$60,061
$18,957
$1,554
$4,155
$17,475
$132,732
$71,722
$6,116
$2,194
$31,462
$85,252
$20,322
$0
$4,124
$16,930
$238,122
$60,425
$721
$1,222
$18,596
$25,191
$1,365
-$1,554
-$31
-$545
$105,390
1309
-------
Operations and Administration
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Acquisition Management
Human Resources Management
Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management
Regional Science and Technology (proposed to be
moved from LSRE)
Subtotal, Operations and Administration
n 2022 l iiiiil
Vt'liiaK
$82,781
$291,501
$36,051
$56,709
$29,070
$0
$496,113
I- ^ 21123 I'.iiiii lrd
Opcriiliii!! I'liin
$87,099
$283,330
$37,251
$51,261
$30,188
$0
$489,129
n 21124
I'lv-idi'iil"-
M 21124 liud
-------
Subtotal, Protecting Estuaries and Wetlands
n 21122 l iiiiil n 2II2.« I .iiai led
Vt liiiiK ()|iri':iliii I'.iiiu lrd
()|iri'iiliii
-------
n 21122 l iiiiil
VtliiiiK
M 2023 I 'lim lcd
()|iri':iliii
-------
Human Resources Management
Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management
Subtotal, Operations and Administration
n 21122 l iiiiil
WllLll-
$7,253
$4,188
$140,202
I- ^ 2023 Knai led
<>|>rr:iliii!! I'lan
$7,419
$4,002
$135,640
n 2024
I'lv-idrnl"-
Iiud
-------
Inland Oil Spill Programs
n 21122 I iinil n 2II2.« I.nailed
Ailll;il- Operaling I'hill
n 21124
I'lvjilrlll**
Uncivil
n 21124
I'lvjili-lH'*
lilld
-------
Technical Assistance and Grants for Emergencies, Small
Systems
Source Water Petition Program
Voluntary Connections to Public Water Systems
Underserved Communities Grant to Meet SDWA
Requirements
Small System Water Loss Identification and Prevention
Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure
Resilience and Sustainability
Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program
Advanced Drinking Water Technologies
Clean Water Act Research, Investigations, Training, and
Information
Wastewater Efficiency Grant Pilot Program
Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability
Program
Small and Medium Publicly Owned Treatment Works
Circuit Rider Program
Grants for Low and Moderate income Household
Decentralized Wastewater Systems
Connection to Publicly Owned Treatment Works
Water Data Sharing Pilot Program
Stormwater Infrastructure Technology
Stormwater Control Infrastructure Project Grants
Alternative Water Sources Grants Pilot Program
Enhanced Aquifer Use and Recharge
Water Sector Cybersecurity
Recycling Infrastructure
Wildfire Smoke Preparedness
Subtotal, State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
n 21122 l iiiiil
WllLll-
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$2,015,882
I- ^ 2023 I 'liui'lcil
()|iri':iliii
-------
n 21124
n 2022 final
WllLll-
M 2023 I'.iiai'lrd
<>|>craliii!! I'lan
n 2024
I'lv-idi'iil"-
liud|>craliii!! I'lan
Categorical Grant: Wetlands Program Development
$17,353
$14,692
$15,079
$387
Categorical Grant: Underground Injection Control
(UIC)
$11,825
$13,164
$11,387
-$1,777
Categorical Grant: Pesticides Program Implementation
$14,102
$14,027
$14,027
$0
Categorical Grant: Lead
$14,813
$16,326
$24,639
$8,313
Resource Recovery and Hazardous Waste Grants
$98,146
$105,000
$108,247
$3,247
Categorical Grant: Pesticides Enforcement
$23,091
$25,580
$25,580
$0
Categorical Grant: Pollution Prevention
$2,757
$4,973
$5,775
$802
Categorical Grant: Toxics Substances Compliance
$4,768
$5,010
$6,877
$1,867
Categorical Grant: Tribal General Assistance Program
$67,520
$74,750
$85,009
$10,259
Categorical Grant: Underground Storage Tanks
$1,475
$1,505
$1,505
$0
Categorical Grant: Tribal Air Quality Management
$14,543
$16,415
$23,126
$6,711
Categorical Grant: Environmental Information
$3,586
$10,836
$15,000
$4,164
Categorical Grant: Beaches Protection
$9,368
$10,619
$9,811
-$808
Categorical Grant: Brownfields
$47,278
$47,195
$46,954
-$241
Categorical Grant: Multipurpose Grants
$2,509
$0
$10,200
$10,200
Subtotal, Categorical Grants
$1,072,856
$1,160,625
$1,416,906
$256,281
Congressional Priorities (previously named Clean and Safe
Water Technical Assistance Grants)
Congressionally Mandated Projects
$148
$16,973
$0
-$16,973
Total, State and Tribal Assistance Grants
$3,088,886
$4,493,728
$5,855,624
$1,361,896
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
RCRA: Waste Management
$12,482
$0
$0
$0
Operations and Administration
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
$149
$0
$0
$0
Total, Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System
Fund
$12,631
$0
$0
$0
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Fund
Ensure Clean Water
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation
$154,098
$75,640
$80,443
$4,803
Total, Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation
Fund
$31,620
$75,640
$80,443
$4,803
Subtotal, EPA $8,420,261 $10,148,733 $12,083,273 $1,934,540
1316
-------
n 21124
I'lv-iilriil"-
M 21124 limliirl \.
M 2022 l inul M 2112.5 l iurlcd I'li-idi lll - M 2II2.> l iui lrd
Vt'liiiiK ()|iri':iliii|>t-r:iIin» Hull
Cancellation of Funds $0 -$13,300 $0 $13,300
TOTAL, EPA $8,420,261 $10,135,433 $12,083,273 $1,947,840
*For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund account.
**In addition to annual appropriated resources, the agency expects to receive an estimated $2.5 billion in Superfund tax receipts in FY 2024 not
reflected here. These additional government revenues will support continued Superfund cleanup and enforcement.
***Note that the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Program is funded from fee collections.
1317
-------
Eliminated Programs
Eliminated Program Projects16
Water Quality Research and Support Grants (also referred to as Congressional Priorities) (FY
2024 President's Budget: $0.0, 0.0 FTE)
This program is proposed for elimination in the FY 2024 President's Budget. Work to advance
water quality protection can be accomplished within core statutory programs funded in the Budget
request. This program focuses on water quality and water availability research, the development
and application of water quality criteria, the implementation of watershed management
approaches, and the application of technological options to restore and protect water bodies. For
training and technical assistance aspects of the Program, states have the ability to develop technical
assistance plans for their water systems using Public Water System Supervision funds and set-
asides from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). For research and development
components of the Program, EPA was instructed by Congress to award grants on a competitive
basis, independent of the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program and give priority to not-
for-profit organizations that: conduct activities that are national in scope; can provide a twenty-
five percent match, including in-kind contributions; and often partner with the Agency.
San Juan Watershed Monitoring (formerly Gold King Mine Water Monitoring)
(FY 2024 President's Budget: $0.0, 0.0 FTE)
This program is proposed for elimination in the FY 2024 Budget due to project completion. This
program was established under Section 5004(d) of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the
Nation Act of 2016 (WIIN). EPA and the tribes and states in the San Juan watershed - Arizona,
Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Southern Ute Indian
Tribe - work together to monitor water quality and use the best available data and science to
identify and implement pollution prevention and restoration projects to improve water quality.
Additional programs exist that the states may use to monitor the water quality of the San Juan
watershed.
16 Although not eliminated, funding for Superfund Enforcement, Remedial and Emergency Response and Removal programs is
proposed to be transitioned from annual appropriations to Superfund Tax receipts in FY 2024. Work will continue and FTE will
be funded through the tax receipts as reimbursable FTE and included in the annual FTE count.
1318
-------
Proposed FY 2024 Administrative Provisions
To further clarify proposed Administrative Provisions that involve more than a simple annual
extension or propose a modification to an existing provision, the following information is provided.
Pesticide Licensing Fees
The following proposed statutory language would allow PRIA registration service fees to be
assessed and to remain available until expended.
PRIA registration service fees:
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to collect and obligate
pesticide registration service fees in accordance with section 33 of the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136w-8'): Provided, That such fees collected shall
remain available until expended.
Notwithstanding section 33(d)(2) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 13 6w-8 (d)(2)), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may
assess fees under section 33 of FIFRA (7 U.S.C. 136w-8) for fiscal year 2024.
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest
The Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act (Public Law 112-195) provides EPA
with the authority to establish a program to finance, develop, and operate a system for the
electronic submission of hazardous waste manifests supported by user fees. In FY 2024, EPA will
operate the e-Manifest system and the Agency anticipates collecting and depositing approximately
$27 million in e-Manifest user fees into the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund.
Based upon authority to collect and spend e-Manifest fees provided by Congress in annual
appropriations bills, the fees will be utilized for the operation of the system and necessary program
expenses. Fees will fully support the e-Manifest program, including future development costs. The
language to authorize collection and spending of the fees is provided below. Language specifying
that e-Manifest fees collected in FY 2024 will remain available until expended would simplify
aspects of budget execution.
Propose a modification to the existing provision:
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to collect and obligate
fees in accordance with section 3024 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6939g) for fiscal
year 2024, to remain available until expended.
Change to Buildings and Facilities Per Project Threshold
The Building and Facilities threshold was last increased from $150,000 to $300,000 in FY 2023.
Since 2013, costs for construction, material, and labor have increased significantly. EPA is
proposing to reflect these cost increases by raising the per project threshold from $300,000 to
1319
-------
$350,000. The purpose of this proposed increase is to adjust the threshold to keep it in line with
construction and labor costs for smaller-scale construction and repair and improvement projects.
The $350,000 threshold will apply to the S&T, EPM, OIG, Superfund, and LUST appropriations
and will allow the programs to proceed effectively and efficiently to address immediate, urgent,
and smaller-scale facility improvements and will enable the Agency to maintain adequate
operations, further mission-critical activities and implement climate sustainability and resiliency
enhancements.
Proposed modification to the existing provision:
The Science and Technology, Environmental Programs and Management, Office of Inspector
General, Hazardous Substance Superfund, and Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund
Program Accounts, are available for the construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and
renovation of facilities provided that the cost does not exceed $350,000 per project.
Student Services Contracting Authority
In the FY 2024 Budget, the Agency requests authorization for the Office of Research and
Development (ORD), the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), and the
Office of Water (OW) to hire pre-baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate students in science and
engineering fields. This authority would provide ORD, OCSPP, and OW with the flexibility to
hire qualified students that work on projects that support current priorities, programmatic
functions, and the Agency's environmental goals.
Proposed Language to add to FY 2024 Budget:
For fiscal years 2024 through 2028, the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and
the Office of Water may, using funds appropriated under the headings "Environmental Programs
and Management" and "Science and Technology, " contract directly with individuals or indirectly
with institutions or nonprofit organizations, without regard to 41 U.S.C. 5, for the temporary or
intermittent personal services of students or recent graduates, who shall be considered employees
for the purposes of chapters 57 and 81 of title 5, United States Code, relating to compensation for
travel and work injuries, and chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, relating to tort claims,
but shall not be considered to be Federal employees for any other purpose: Provided, that amounts
used for this purpose by the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and the Office of
Water collectively may not exceed $2,000,000 per year.
Special Accounts and Superfund Tax Receipts for Aircraft to Support Superfund Response
Actions
31 U.S.C. 1343(d) generally states that appropriated funds are not available for aircraft unless "the
appropriation specifically authorizes" its use for such purpose. The FY 2022 Consolidated
Appropriation Act provided that "Section 122(b)(3) of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9622(b)(3)), shall be applied by
inserting before the period: ", including for the hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft." In the
1320
-------
absence of any indicia of permanency, this provision has been interpreted to only be in effect for
fiscal year 2022. Accordingly, EPA proposes to extend this authority.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 (P.L. 117-328) did not provide a provision for
Superfund tax receipts available to carry out CERCLA to be used for the hire, maintenance, and
operation of aircraft. EPA proposes to add this authority for FY 2024.
Proposed Language to add to FY 2024 Budget:
For fiscal year 2024, section 122(b)(3) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9622(b)(3)) shall be applied by inserting
before the period at the end: ", including for the hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft".
For fiscal year 2024, amounts appropriated in section 443(b) of title IV of division G of Public
Law 117-328 shall be applied by inserting ", including for the hire, maintenance, and operation
of aircraft" after "to be used to carry out the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.)".
Title 42 Hiring Authority
EPA is requesting changes to its Title 42 Authority to obtain an extension of this authority through
2030. This also would include a cap of 25 hires for OCSPP and 75 Hires for ORD. ORD currently
uses this authority to fill highly competitive, PhD-level positions where recruiting through the GS
system is not appropriate. ORD has a robust process for managing the program, including an
Operations Manual that provides requirements on recruiting, compensation, ethics, and term
renewals. OCSPP faces similar challenges in hiring specialized talent. OCSPP is actively building
the infrastructure and taking steps to use its new Title 42 hiring authority. The EPA Title 42
delegation was amended to include OCSPP, and it was approved by the EPA Administrator on
October 17, 2022. In accordance with Public Law 117-103. the agency must also consult with the
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before using its Title 42 hiring authority. EPA is currently
undergoing consultation with OPM on Title 42. Once we work through this process, EPA can
finalize the Title 42 Order and OCSPP can then utilize its new hiring authority.
Proposed Language to add to FY 2024 Budget:
The Administrator may, after consultation with the Office of Personnel Management, employ up to
75 persons at any one time in the Office of Research and Development and 25 persons at any one
time in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention under the authority provided in 42
U.S.C. 209 through fiscal year 2030.
Working Capital Fund Authority
On December 12, 2017, the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT Act)17 was signed into
law, authorizing CFO-Act agencies to set up information technology (IT) specific WCFs, which
17 For more information on the MGT Act, please refer to Section G of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2018 (Public Law 115-91): https://www.coiipress.gov/115/plaws/publ91/PLAW"]. 15publ91.pdf.
1321
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allows them to fund IT modernization projects and reinvest savings for additional modernization
projects in the future. In the FY 2023 Budget, the Agency requests language be added to clarify
and ensure that EPA has the ability to utilize funds deposited into EPA's WCF to modernize and
develop the Agency's IT systems. The Agency has a well-established WCF where nearly 80
percent of the current service offerings are IT related. Establishing a separate IT WCF would be
duplicative and more costly than to utilize the Agency's existing WCF. By seeking the proposed
authorizing language change, EPA will clarify its existing authority and harmonize it with the
intent of what Congress envisioned in the passage of the MGT Act.
Proposed Language to add to FY 2024 Budget:
The Environmental Protection Agency Working Capital Fund, 42 U.S.C. 4370e, is available for
expenses and equipment necessary for modernization and development of information technology
of or for use by, the Environmental Protection Agency.
Other
In order to address the high administrative costs of administering potential congressionally
directed spending, EPA is requesting that general provision applicable to all community projects
in FY 2024:
For fiscal year 2024, the Administrator may reserve up to 7 percent of the total amount of funds
made available for Community Project Funding Items/Congressionally Directed Spending Items
in this title in this Act for salaries, expenses, and administration.
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062S. 2276 - Good Accounting Obligation in Government Act
Public Law No: 115-414, January 3, 2019
In accordance with the reporting requirements of the Good Accounting Obligation in Government
Act, Agencies are to submit reports on outstanding recommendations in the annual budget
submitted to Congress.
For the FY 2024 budget justification, the EPA developed a report listing each open public
recommendation for corrective action from the Office of the Inspector General, along with the
implementation status of each recommendation.
In cooperation with the EPA OIG, the EPA performs a reconciliation and validation process prior
to each publication of the EPA OIG's Semiannual Report to Congress (SAR). The reconciliation
ensures that agency's Good Accounting Obligation in Government Act reporting aligns with the
SAR.
The EPA also developed a report listing the status of each open or closed as unimplemented public
recommendation from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
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EPA OIG Open Recommendations and Corrective Actions
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22-P-
0033
3/31/22
1. De\ clop a policy and
implement procedures to
reduce the balances of
available program income and
establish a time frame for
recipients to use or return the
funds to the EPA.
The LP A w ill w ork to maximize the
number of older closeout agreements
with consistent national closeout terms
and conditions, as their workload allows.
The Office of Brownfields and Land
Revitalization (OBLR) will request that
the regions attempt initial contact with
Revolving Land Fund recipients of older
closeout agreements who do not have an
open Revolving Land Fund grant by the
provided completion date in order to
begin the renegotiation process.
However, EPA cannot unilaterally
modify older closeout agreements and
will need to work with these recipients on
bilateral agreements to incorporate the
FY 2022 closeout agreements. Status: On
track
9/30/27
22-P-
0033
3/31/22
2. Implement a method for
tracking program income and
compliance with post-closeout
reporting requirements.
OBLR will make enhancements to the
Assessment, Cleanup, and
Redevelopment
Exchange System (ACRES) software in
order to include entries for program
income balance and date of latest post-
closeout performance report.
If required by their closeout agreements,
cooperative agreement recipients will
begin reporting the program income
balance as of September 30th of each
fiscal year, along with the date of the
latest post-closeout report in ACRES.
Project officers will check ACRES for
cooperative agreement recipients' entry
and review the post-closeout report. For
cooperative agreement recipients for
whom this is not required, project
officers will add the information to
ACRES as it becomes available
(Information Collection Request approval
is required before this can be initiated).
Status: On track
12/31/23
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22-P-
0033
3/31/22
4. Provide training to regional
Brownfields Revolving Loan
Fund staff and management on
the post-closeout tracking and
monitoring requirements.
OBLR will provide training to Revolving
Land Fund project officers on the
"Closeout Procedures" chapter of the
Revolving Land Fund Program Manual
and discuss their responsibilities for
tracking program income and
performance reporting under closeout
agreements
OBLR will provide training to Revolving
Land Fund recipients and project officers
on ACRES enhancements and
requirements for reporting of program
income and post-closeout reporting.
Status: On track
3/31/23
22-P-
0033
3/31/22
5. Expand existing guidance to
include a deadline for post-
closeout annual report
submission.
This action has been completed for
closeout agreements executed after June
2021. For Revolving Land Fund
recipients of older closeout agreements,
OBLR will request that the regions
attempt initial contact by the provided
completion date to begin the
renegotiation process. However, EPA
cannot unilaterally modify older closeout
agreements and will need to work with
these recipients on bilateral agreements
to incorporate the FY 2022 Closeout
Agreement. Status: On track
9/30/27
22-P-
0033
3/31/22
6. Assess whether any of the
$46.6 million of program
income under closeout
agreements should be returned
to the government.
Since the FY 2022 Closeout Agreement
Template requires that post-closeout
reports be submitted by October 31st
with program income balances reported
as of September 30th, POs will begin
conducting annual reviews of post-
closeout program income every
November for Revolving Land Fund
grants in post-closeout status with this
closeout agreement requirement. For
those who do not have this closeout
agreement requirement, project officers
will review post-closeout program
income information every November as it
becomes available. For Revolving Land
Funds in post-closeout status that have
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more than $500,000 of program income
and no recent subgrant or loan activity,
OBLR will encourage the regions to
increase their efforts in helping the
recipient to use the funds on eligible
activities, as regional workload allows.
OBLR will review on a case-by-case
basis whether additional action is needed,
including recovery of program income
for deposit into the US Treasury as
miscellaneous receipts if necessary.
Status: On track
22-P-
0019
3/7/22
1. Require the EPA's Office of
Human Resources to train all
employees and supervisors
who earn, use, or approve
religious compensatory time
on the U.S. Office of
Personnel Management's
current regulatory
requirements and the EPA's
current policy and procedures
related to religious
compensatory time.
The EPA Office of Mission Support
(OMS) Office of Human Resources
(OHR) will develop basic training on
religious compensatory time and place it
in FedTalent. Employees who use
religious compensatory time and their
first-line supervisor will be required to
complete the training. FedTalent will
have a record of learning that reflects
date of completion. OMS will issue a
memorandum to program and regional
senior management requiring employees
who use religious compensatory time and
their first-line supervisor to complete the
religious compensatory time training.
Status: On track
6/30/23
22-P-
0018
2/22/22
1. Develop a standard
operating procedure that
instructs program offices and
regions on tracking and
documenting grant flexibilities
and exceptions, and their
impacts, due to unanticipated
events in order to assure
consistency in the information
needed to manage grants.
Develop a standard operating procedure
that instructs program offices and regions
on tracking and documenting grant
flexibilities and exceptions, and their
impacts, due to unanticipated events in
order to assure consistency in the
information needed to manage grants.
Status: On track
12/31/23
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22-P-
0010
12/8/21
4. Implement controls to
comply with federally and
Agency-required time frames
to install patches to correct
identified vulnerabilities in the
Pesticide Registration
Information System
application.
Implement controls to comply with
federally and Agency-required time
frames to install patches to correct
identified vulnerabilities in the Pesticide
Registration Information System
application. Status: On track
10/31/23
22-P-
0001
11/8/21
1. Update policies and
procedures to require that
Awardee/Recipient Legal
Entity Name and Legal Entity
Address data elements match
SAM.gov at the time of the
award and any award
modifications for all contracts
and grants. At the time of any
award modification, update the
Agency's contracts or grants
management system and the
Federal Procurement Data
System with any changes to
these data elements.
The OMS Office of Grants and
Debarment (OGD) will update policies
and/or procedures, such as guidance,
SOPs, or pre-award checklists, to require
that Awardee/Recipient Legal Entity
Name and Legal Entity Address data
elements match SAM.gov at the time of
the award and of any award
modifications for all grants. OMS-OGD
will require, at the time of any award
modification, an update to the Agency's
grants management system with any
changes to these data elements. OMS-
OGD will also incorporate the new
requirements in training materials. Status:
On track
2/28/23
22-P-
0001
11/8/21
3. Update EPA's grants
management system to align
with the DATA Act data
standards, including all parts
of data elements reported
therein, and to allow input only
of the acceptable values
outlined for each data element
in DATA Act Information
Model Schema, Reporting
Submission Specification.
OMS-OGD will update Next Generation
Grants System to align with the DATA
Act data standards including all parts of
data elements reported therein and allow
input only of the acceptable values
outlined for each data element in DATA
Act Information Model Schema,
Reporting Submission Specification.
Status: On track
9/30/23
22-F-
0007
11/15/21
5. Implement a system that
tracks the dates when accounts
receivable source documents
need to be submitted and are
submitted by the Office of
Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance to the Cincinnati
Finance Center.
Implement a system that tracks the dates
when accounts receivable source
documents need to be submitted and are
submitted by the Office of Enforcement
and Compliance Assurance to the
Cincinnati Finance Center. Status: On
track
4/28/23
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22-E-
0026
3/30/22
1. Perform a workforce
analysis to determine the staff
and resources needed to meet
the statutory deadlines for
residual risk and technology
reviews, initial technology
reviews, and recurring eight-
year technology reviews, as
well as to complete any such
reviews that are overdue.
The EPA Office of Air and Radiation
(OAR) will develop a high-level analysis
that will enable the Agency to determine
the staff and resources needed to
complete future reviews in accordance
with statutory deadlines and complete
overdue Residual Risk and Technology
Reviews (RTRs) and Technology
Reviews (TRs). Performing an analysis
will enable OAR to identify proper
staffing levels for the RTR and TR
program to ensure critical competencies
are fulfilled, succession planning is well
managed, costs are optimized, agility is
achieved, and resiliency is retained. OAR
will work with Agency partners to
develop this high-level analysis. Status:
On track
3/31/23
22-E-
0026
3/30/22
2. Develop and implement a
strategy to conduct (a) residual
risk and technology reviews
and recurring technology
reviews by the applicable
statutory deadlines and (b) any
overdue residual risk and
technology reviews and
recurring technology reviews
in as timely a manner as
practicable. The strategy
should take into account the
Agency's environmental
justice responsibilities under
Executive Order 12898 and
other applicable EPA and
executive branch policies,
procedures, and directives.
OAR will develop and implement a
strategy to timely meet statutory
deadlines for RTRs and TRs and
complete all overdue RTRs and TRs.
OAR fully supports developing a strategy
that integrates the high-level analysis
with the Administration's priorities, legal
deadlines (e.g., court-ordered deadlines,
settlement agreements), risk
prioritization, and other factors in an
effort to protect human health and the
environment. We anticipate much of the
strategy development would be reliant on
the high-level analysis (e.g., assessment
of current operations, prediction of future
operations, and evaluation of impact of
organizational change based on
experience and historical data). Status:
On track
3/31/24
22-E-
0017
1/12/22
1. Coordinate with EPA
regions to provide recurring
training on Clean Air Act Title
V fee laws and regulations to
permitting agencies.
The OAR will develop and conduct
training for EPA regional staff on the
updated fee guidance developed to
address recommendations 3 and 4.
Additionally, the OAR will coordinate
with regional offices to develop training
on title V fee laws and regulations to
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present to permitting authorities. Status:
On track
22-E-
0017
1/12/22
2. In collaboration with EPA
regions, develop and
implement a plan to address
declining Clean Air Act Title
V revenues.
The OAR will collaborate with regions,
convene a workgroup, and develop and
implement strategies to address declining
title V fee revenues. The OAR will
collaborate with regional staff to convene
a workgroup and identify key
stakeholders and plan for consultations.
We plan to conduct consultations with
permitting authorities to determine the
scope of fee deficiencies and fee
structures and identify current best
practices. Status: On track
12/31/23
22-E-
0017
1/12/22
3. Update the EPA's guidance
documents to require regions
to establish time frames for
permitting authorities to
complete corrective actions in
program and fee evaluation
reports and clear, escalating
consequences if timely
corrective actions are not
completed.
The OAR will update the 2018 title V fee
guidance to establish expectations for
how and when to perform fee evaluations
and set expectations for completion of
corrective actions agreed to as a result of
a fee evaluation. Status: On track
3/31/23
22-E-
0017
1/12/22
4. Update the Clean Air Act
Title V guidance documents to
establish criteria for when
regions must conduct Title V
fee evaluations and require a
minimum standard of review
for fee evaluations.
The OAR will update the 2018 title V fee
guidance to establish expectations for
how and when to perform fee evaluations
and set expectations for completion of
corrective actions agreed to as a result of
a fee evaluation. Status: On track
3/31/23
22-E-
0017
1/12/22
5. Provide training to EPA
regional staff on the updated
Clean Air Act Title V fee
guidance and how to conduct
fee evaluations.
The OAR will develop and conduct
training for EPA regional staff on the
updated fee guidance developed to
address recommendations 3 and 4.
Additionally, the OAR will coordinate
with regional offices to develop training
on title V fee laws and regulations to
present to permitting authorities. Status:
On track
6/30/23
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22-E-
0009
12/1/21
3. Review Resource
Conservation and Recovery
Act information data entered
during the coronavirus
pandemic to determine the
extent off-site compliance-
monitoring activities were
incorrectly counted as
inspections and correct the
inspection data in the system
as needed.
The EPA's Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance (OECA) will
review the inspection data to determine if
off-site compliance monitoring activities
were incorrectly counted as inspections
and correct the inspection data in the
system if needed. Status: On track
3/30/23
22-E-
0009
12/1/21
4. Work with all EPA regions
to determine why the rate of
violations was reduced during
the coronavirus pandemic and
the inspection rate for large
quantity generators was below
historical levels from October
2020 through F ebruary 2021.
OECA will work with Regions to define
inspection requirements and flexibilities
to optimize the capabilities of authorized
state programs in future disaster events.
Status: On track
3/31/23
22-E-
0009
12/1/21
5. Develop policies that define
inspection requirements and
flexibilities to optimize the
capabilities of authorized state
programs in future large-scale
pandemic or disaster events.
These should include
mechanisms, consistent with
EPA guidance documents, that
allow maintenance of normal
Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act inspection rates
while ensuring the safety of
enforcement staff.
OECA will work with EPA regions and
states to develop policies for inspection
requirements and flexibilities that help
optimize the capabilities of authorized
state programs in the face of future large-
scale pandemic or disaster events. Our
considerations will include mechanisms,
consistent with EPA guidance
documents, that allow maintenance of
normal Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) inspection rates
while ensuring the safety of enforcement
staff. Status: On track
3/31/23
22-E-
0008
11/17/21
4. Determine and document
the conditions or parameters
under which the use of remote
video to conduct off-site
partial compliance evaluations
is feasible from a legal,
technical, and programmatic
perspective.
Finalize the Remote Virtual Partial
Compliance Evaluation workgroup
standard operating procedures. Status: On
track
6/30/23
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22-E-
0008
11/17/21
5. Finalize the Remote Video
Partial Compliance Evaluation
workgroup's standard
operating procedures.
Finalize the Remote Virtual Partial
Compliance Evaluation workgroup
standard operating procedures. Status: On
track
6/30/23
22-E-
0008
11/17/21
6. Determine whether and how
remote video can be used in
conjunction with document
reviews to qualify as a full
compliance evaluation for
purposes of the Clean Air Act
Stationary Source Compliance
Monitoring Strategy and
provide instructions to state
and local agencies.
Finalize the Remote Virtual Partial
Compliance Evaluation workgroup
standard operating procedures. Status: On
track
6/30/23
21-P-
0265
9/30/21
4. Issue addendums to the
Resource Management
Directive System 2550B travel
policy or equivalent to:
a. Require approvers to
estimate and compare the total
cost of temporary change of
station versus extended
temporary duty travel and
authorize the one that is most
advantageous for the Agency,
cost and other factors
considered.
b. Require the travel card
cancellation and closeout
process to occur within a
predetermined number of days.
The EPA's Office of the Chief Financial
Officer (OCFO) will issue either an
addendum or update to the Resource
Management Directive System (RMDS)
25 5 0B travel manual to state that cost
comparisons on temporary change of
station versus extended temporary duty
travel must be considered and maintained
in the program/regional office. Per the
Federal Travel Regulation, only details
over six months are considered eligible
for a temporary change of station.
Detailed language will be added to the
travel policy to require a cost comparison
to be performed for details over six
months.
The OCFO will issue either an addendum
or an update to the RMDS 2550B travel
manual to require explicitly that the
travel card cancellation and closeout
process occur within 30 days of an
employee's departure from the agency.
Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies
9/30/23
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21-P-
0175
7/8/21
1. Update Agency guidance on
practical enforceability to
more clearly describe how the
technical accuracy of a permit
limit should be supported and
documented. In updating such
guidance, the Office of Air and
Radiation should consult and
collaborate with the Office of
Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance, the Office of
General Counsel, and the EPA
regions.
OAR will update Agency guidance on
the practical enforceability of limitations,
including but not limited to EPA's June
13, 1989, Guidance on Limiting Potential
to Emit in New Source Permitting, to
describe how the technical accuracy of a
permit limit should be supported and
documented. Specifically, the updated
guidance will address the practical
enforceability of limitations on potential
to emit. In updating our guidance, we
will consult and collaborate with the
Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance, the Office of General
Counsel, and the EPA regions. Status: On
track
10/31/23
21-P-
0175
7/8/21
2. In consultation with the
EPA regions, develop and
implement an oversight plan to
include:
• An initial review of a sample
of synthetic-minor-source
permits in different industries
that are issued by state, local,
and tribal agencies to assess
whether the permits adhere to
EPA guidance on practical
enforceability, including limits
that are technically accurate;
have appropriate time periods;
and include sufficient
monitoring, record-keeping,
and reporting requirements.
• A periodic review of a
sample of synthetic-minor-
source permits to occur, at a
minimum, once every five
years.
• Procedures to resolve any
permitting deficiencies
identified during the initial and
periodic reviews.
In consultation with EPA Regional
offices, OAR will develop and
implement an oversight plan in
accordance with current statutory and
EPA regulatory requirements and, as
appropriate, including the specific
elements identified. Status: On track
10/31/24
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21-P-
0175
7/8/21
3. Assess recent EPA studies
of enclosed combustion device
performance and compliance
monitoring and other relevant
information during the next
statutorily required review of
40 C.F.R Part 60 Subparts
OOOO and OOOOa to
determine whether revisions
are needed to monitoring,
record-keeping and reporting
requirements for enclosed
combustion devices to assure
continuous compliance with
associated limits and revise the
regulatory requirements as
appropriate.
OAR will assess EPA studies of enclosed
combustion device performance and
compliance monitoring and other
relevant information during the next
statutorily required review of 40 C.F.R
part 60 subparts OOOO and OOOOa and
determine whether revisions are needed
to monitoring, record-keeping and
reporting requirements for enclosed
combustion devices to assure continuous
compliance with associated limits and
revise the regulatory requirements as
appropriate. Status: On track
12/31/24
21-P-
0175
7/8/21
4. Revise the Agency's
guidance to communicate its
key expectations for synthetic-
minor-source permitting to
state and local agencies.
The agency will revise its guidance to
communicate its key expectations for
synthetic-minor-source permitting to
state and local agencies. This will include
an expectation that synthetic minor
permit terms and conditions ensure that
the potential to emit of the source is less
than the applicable major source
threshold by meeting legal and practical
enforceability criteria. Our work related
to this recommendation may, at least in
part, be integrated with the updated
guidance on practical enforceability in
response to OIG Recommendation 1.
Status: On track
10/31/24
21-P-
0175
7/8/21
5. Identify all state, local, and
tribal agencies in which Clean
Air Act permit program
implementation fails to adhere
to the public participation
requirements for synthetic-
minor-source permit issuance
and take appropriate steps to
assure the identified states
adhere to the public
participation requirements.
With EPA Regional office support, OAR
will identify state, local and tribal
agencies whose program regulations,
including but not limited to minor new
source review and federally enforceable
state operating permit program
regulations and corresponding practices,
do not meet the public participation
requirements contained in the applicable
EPA regulations, e.g., 40 CFR 51.161,
and guidance with respect to synthetic
minor source permitting. For the
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identified agencies, OAR will take
appropriate corrective steps, which may
include constructive, informal
engagement. Status: On track
21-P-
0131
5/12/21
9. Develop and incorporate
metrics on the National
Enforcement Investigations
Center work environment and
culture into Office of Criminal
Enforcement, Forensics, and
Training senior management
performance standards, such as
results from the annual Federal
Employee Viewpoint Survey,
periodic culture audits, or
other methods to measure
progress.
Measuring this baseline and subsequent
quarterly data will continue until the
completion of the organizational
assessment that will evaluate the veracity
of actual issues or concerns while also
determining root causes of any concerns
identified. Once that data is available, the
Office of Criminal Enforcement,
Forensics, and Training will evaluate
appropriate measures and/or next steps.
Status: On track
6/28/24
21-P-
0131
5/12/21
10. Develop and incorporate
metrics that address work
environment and culture into
National Enforcement
Investigations Center senior
management performance
standards.
Measuring this baseline and subsequent
quarterly data will continue until the
completion of the organizational
assessment that will evaluate the veracity
of actual issues or concerns while also
determining root causes of any concerns
identified. Once that data is available, the
Office of Criminal Enforcement,
Forensics, and Training will evaluate
appropriate measures and/or next steps.
Status: On track
6/28/24
21-P-
0130
5/11/21
1. Evaluate the obstacles to
implementing the Clean Water
Act to control trash in U.S.
waterways and provide a
public report describing those
obstacles.
To evaluate the obstacles to
implementing the Clean Water Act to
control trash in U.S. waterways, EPA
will engage in discussion with states, and
will address this recommendation
through the development of the "water
management" component of the Federal
Strategy required under Section 301 of
Save Our Seas 2.0. This Strategy will be
a public document addressing both the
waste and water components related to
plastic pollution and will evaluate the
requirements and hurdles posed by the
Clean Water Act, as well as other
regulatory requirements and non-
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regulatory actions. Status: Delayed due to
implementation complexity
21-P-
0130
5/11/21
2. Develop and disseminate
strategies to states and
municipalities for addressing
the obstacles identified in the
evaluation from
Recommendation 1. These
strategies may include
guidance regarding how to
develop narrative water quality
criteria, consistent assessment
and measurement
methodologies, and total
maximum daily loads for trash
pollution.
The Office of Wetlands, Oceans and
Watersheds agrees to issue, in
collaboration with EPA Regions, national
303(d) guidance for States highlighting
the requirement to assemble and evaluate
all water quality-related data and
information and use such
data/information to determine if all
applicable water quality standards are
attained (including narrative criteria that
encompass trash). In developing the
guidance, OWOW will work with
regions and states to seek to identify
examples of assessment approaches and
address the variability that may be
appropriate among states/areas. Status:
On track
4/30/23
21-P-
0129
5/6/21
2. Conduct new residual risk
reviews for Group I polymers
and resins that cover neoprene
production, synthetic organic
chemical manufacturing
industry, polyether polyols
production, commercial
sterilizers, and hospital
sterilizers using the new risk
values for chloroprene and
ethylene oxide and revise the
corresponding National
Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants, as
needed.
OAR commits to conduct appropriate
reviews to ensure that the standards for
neoprene production, synthetic organic
chemical manufacturing industry,
polyether polyols production, and
commercial sterilizers continue to
provide an ample margin of safety to
protect public health and that the
standards for hospital sterilizers provide
an ample margin of safety to protect
public health. Status: On track
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21-P-
0129
5/6/21
3. Revise National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants for chemical
manufacturing area sources to
regulate ethylene oxide and
conduct a residual risk review
to ensure that the public is not
exposed to unacceptable risks.
Technology-based standards for ethylene
oxide have not yet been established for
the Chemical Manufacturing Area
Sources source category. Therefore, we
plan to first evaluate ethylene oxide
emissions from the source category, and
if ethylene oxide emissions present a
public health concern (i.e., by
considering risk information), we will
regulate ethylene oxide in the Chemical
Manufacturing Area Sources rule.
Regulation would involve the
establishment of technology-based
ethylene oxide standards pursuant to
either Clean Air Act section 112(d)(5)
standards or sections 112(d)(2) and
112(d)(3) standards. Within four years of
promulgation, EPA would assess the
risks from ethylene oxide emissions from
Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources to
inform us on whether an earlier review
date is appropriate. Status: On track
9/30/28
21-P-
0129
5/6/21
4. Conduct overdue technology
reviews for Group I polymers
and resins that cover neoprene
production, synthetic organic
chemical manufacturing
industry, commercial
sterilizers, hospital sterilizers,
and chemical manufacturing
area sources, which are
required to be completed at
least every eight years by the
Clean Air Act.
OAR plans to conduct overdue
technology reviews for commercial
sterilizers, hospital sterilizers, Group I
polymers and resins, synthetic organic
chemical manufacturing, and chemical
plant area sources. Status: On track
9/30/24
21-P-
0122
4/21/21
4. Review and provide written
input on any National
Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit
prepared for reissuance by the
Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency for the PolyMet
Mining Inc. NorthMet project,
if applicable, as appropriate
pursuant to the requirements of
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
has not transmitted the PolyMet National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
permit to EPA for review, so the status of
the recommendation remains unchanged.
Status: On track
11/30/23
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the Clean Water Act, National
Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System
regulations, the Region 5
National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit
review standard operating
procedure, and the
memorandum of agreement
between EPA Region 5 and the
Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency.
21-P-
0122
4/21/21
1. Review the modified
National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System mining
permits issued by West
Virginia based on the 2019
revisions to its National
Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System program
to ensure that no backsliding
has occurred, including for
discharges of ionic pollution,
in accordance with EPA
Region 3's approval letter
dated March 27, 2019. If a
permit does not contain record
documentation for the
reasonable potential analysis
or otherwise allows
backsliding, alert West
Virginia of the permit
inadequacies.
Conduct reviews of 5% of the 286
permits, focusing on the presence of
reasonable potential analysis and
backsliding. We will confirm that the
West Virginia Department of
Environmental Protection (WVDEP)
followed same process for all 286
permits and will ensure that subset of
permits would be representative of all
286. If initial review indicates
discrepancies in how WVDEP
approached modifications, we commit to
increasing number of permits reviewed.
Through Region 3's Permit Quality
Review of West Virginia's National
pollutant discharge elimination system
permitting program, we will evaluate a
minimum of 10 Core permits and 15
additional mining permits. We will add
the three permits that were the subject of
EPA's July 25, 2019, comment letters.
Develop Permit Quality Review report
that documents findings and action items
to resolve any deficiencies. Status: On
track
1/31/23
21-P-
0122
4/21/21
2. Review the modified
National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System mining
permits issued by West
Virginia based on the 2019
Develop scope of work for the project.
Review data generated from permits with
conditions applied as a result of the
guidance to determine permits' impact on
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revisions to its National
Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System program
to determine whether the
permits contain effluent limits
for ionic pollution and other
pollutants that are or may be
discharged at a level that
causes, has the reasonable
potential to cause, or
contributes to an excursion
above any applicable water
quality standard, as required
by Clean Water Act
regulations. If a permit lacks
required effluent limits, take
appropriate action to address
such deficiencies.
water quality and whether the
assumptions underlying that guidance are
supported.
Where the data shows implementation of
guidance is not effective in protecting
water quality, provide recommendations
to WVDEP and work with WVDEP to
modify guidance as appropriate.
Using information from data and process
analysis, we will take this information
into account as we review draft permits
that apply WVDEP guidance and provide
comment as appropriate. Status: On track
21-P-
0122
4/21/21
3. Develop a formal internal
operating procedure to
facilitate timely permit reviews
and transmission of EPA
comments to states.
Implement new permit tracking system,
which will update receipt, processing,
and management of documentation for
permits received for EPA real-time
review.
Complete development of an internal
state oversight real-time permit review
process document that will outline roles
and responsibilities, definitions, process
steps, and timelines. Status: On track
10/31/23
21-P-
0114
3/29/21
2. Establish mechanisms to
ensure that all required
inspections are completed
within the required time frame
of two years for operating
treatment, storage, or disposal
facilities and three years for
nonoperating treatment,
storage, or disposal facilities.
Work with the regions to develop and
implement a plan to use the RCRAInfo
Closed with Waste in Place Report for
monitoring the inspection status of
operating treatment, storage, and disposal
facilities (TSDFs) with units closed with
waste in place. At TSDFs for which
required inspections have not been
completed and are near the end of their
compliance period, conduct inspections
to the extent possible within the
compliance period, or the following
fiscal year. Status: On track
3/29/24
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21-P-
0114
3/29/21
4. Develop and implement
controls to verify that the
Superfund program deferrals
to the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act are added to
RCRAInfo for further
Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act attention, as
necessary.
The Office of Land and Emergency
Management (OLEM) Office of
Resource Conservation and Recovery
will (1) evaluate the existing policies and
process for Superfund deferrals to
RCRA; (2) identify gaps; and (3) identify
corrective measures, as needed, to meet
program needs, such as identifying
Superfund program deferrals to RCRA in
RCRAInfo. Status: On track
9/30/23
21-P-
0114
3/29/21
6. Develop and implement
controls to identify and
eliminate overlap of
environmental indicators
between Resource
Conservation and Recovery
Act Corrective Action and
Superfund Programs and
include this information in
public queries, such as
Cleanups in My Community.
OLEM will standardize communications
on the Cleanups in My Community
webpage regarding the intersection of
RCRA Corrective Action and Superfund
cleanup programs, including
environmental indicator designations at
sites. OLEM will implement controls to
check between programs when
environmental indicators are established
in the future to prevent double-counting
and inconsistencies. Status: Delayed due
to implementation complexity
3/30/23
21-P-
0042
12/28/20
2. Provide resources for
supervisors, timekeepers, and
reservists on their roles and
responsibilities related to
military leave under the law
and Agency policies.
The OMS will update policy and finalize
procedures to comply with statutory
requirements, and OCFO will provide
PeoplePlus training to support roles and
responsibilities related to military leave
and pay policy. Status: Delayed due to
external dependencies
4/30/23
21-P-
0042
12/28/20
3. Establish and implement
internal controls that will allow
the Agency to monitor
compliance with applicable
laws, federal guidance, and
Agency policies, including
periodic internal audits of all
military leave, to verify that (a)
charges by reservists are
correct and supported and (b)
appropriate reservist
differential and military offset
payroll audit calculations are
being requested and
performed.
The OMS will conduct periodic human
capital audits to ensure compliance with
the updated military leave policy, and the
OCFO will work with the Interior
Business Center, the EPA's payroll
provider, to ensure the necessary
timecard corrections identified by the
OMS periodic audit were made by the
employee and approved by the supervisor
in accordance with agency policy. The
OCFO will provide a report to the OMS
confirming timecard corrections
identified by the OMS periodic audit
were made by the employee and
approved by the supervisor for the OMS
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to distribute to the appropriate offices.
Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies
21-P-
0042
12/28/20
4. Require reservists to correct,
and supervisors to approve,
military leave time charging
errors in PeoplePlus that have
been identified during the audit
or as part of the Agency's
actions related to
Recommendations 5 and 6.
The OCFO will work with the agency's
payroll provider to confirm the necessary
time charging errors identified in the
audit were corrected by the employee and
approved by the supervisor; and the
OCFO will then provide a report to the
OMS confirming the necessary time
charging errors identified in the audit
were corrected by the employee and
approved by the supervisor for the OMS
to distribute to the appropriate offices.
Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies
7/31/24
21-P-
0042
12/28/20
5. Recover the approximately
$11,000 in military pay related
to unsupported 5 U.S.C. §
6323(a) military leave charges,
unless the Agency can obtain
documentation to substantiate
the validity of the reservists'
military leave.
For any unsupported leave charges, the
OMS will coordinate with the Interior
Business Center (IBC), the agency's
payroll provider, to initiate the process to
recover the military pay, and where
applicable, the OCFO will recover any
unsupported leave charges for out-of-
service debt. Status: Delayed due to
external dependencies
12/30/24
21-P-
0042
12/28/20
6. Submit documentation for
the reservists' military leave
related to the approximately
$118,000 charged under 5
U.S.C. § 6323(b) to the EPA's
payroll provider so that it may
perform payroll audit
calculations and recover any
military offsets that may be
due.
The OMS will work with the EPA's
programs and regions to collect
documentation related to the identified
military leave charges. For any
unsupported leave charges, the OMS will
coordinate with the IBC to initiate the
process to recover any military offsets.
The OCFO will recover any unsupported
leave charges for out-of-service debt.
Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies
12/30/24
21-P-
0042
12/28/20
7. Identify the population of
reservists who took unpaid
military leave pursuant to 5
U.S.C. § 5538 and determine
whether those reservists are
entitled to receive a reservist
The OCFO will provide the OMS with
the population of reservists charging
military leave. The OMS will conduct a
review of this population to determine
which items need to be provided to the
IBC for audit calculation of whether
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differential. Based on the
results of this determination,
take appropriate steps to
request that the EPA's payroll
provider perform payroll audit
calculations to identify and pay
the amounts that may be due to
reservists.
military offsets were paid accurately. For
amounts due to reservists who are no
longer EPA employees, the OCFO will
coordinate with the IBC on the amounts
due. Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies
21-P-
0042
12/28/20
8. For the time periods outside
of the scope of our audit (pre-
January 2017 and post-June
2019), identify the population
of reservists who charged
military leave under 5 U.S.C. §
6323(b) or 6323(c), and
determine whether military
offset was paid by the
reservists. If not, review
reservists' military
documentation to determine
whether payroll audit
calculations are required. If
required, request that the
EPA's payroll provider
perform payroll audit
calculations to identify and
recover military offsets that
may be due from the reservists
under 5 U.S.C. §§ 6323 and
5519.
The OCFO will provide the OMS with
the population of reservists charging
military leave. The OMS will conduct a
review of this population to determine
which items need to be provided to the
IBC for audit calculation of whether
military offsets were paid accurately. For
any unsupported leave charges, the OMS
will coordinate with the IBC to initiate
the process to recover any military
offsets. The OCFO will recover any
unsupported leave charges for out-of-
service debt. Status: Delayed due to
external dependencies
9/30/24
21-P-
0042
12/28/20
9. Report all amounts of
improper payments resulting
from paid military leave for
inclusion in the annual Agency
Financial Report, as required
by the Payment Integrity
Information Act of 2019.
The OCFO will report any paid military
leave amounts identified as an improper
payment(s) within the annual Agency
Financial Report for the applicable fiscal
year; and the OCFO also will perform an
internal control review on military leave
pay during the FY 2021 A-123 Internal
Review period and report any identified
improper payment amounts in the FY
2021 Annual Financial Report. Status:
Delayed due to external dependencies
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21-P-
0032
12/3/20
2. Develop and implement a
supplement to Region 2's
emergency response plan to
describe and address the
specific geographic, logistical,
and cultural norms applicable
to disaster response in Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands. This supplement
should include local EPA staff
roles and responsibilities, as
well as address the likely
limitations to transportation,
communications, and power in
the aftermath of disasters.
The Region 2 emergency response
program has initiated the development /
implementation of plans to respond to
emergency and disaster responses in the
Caribbean. Discussions include the
development and scope of a training,
workshop and exercise program to better
coordinate and integrate local personnel
into the region's response structure. This
initiative would include training on
EPA's various roles, responsibilities, and
procedures, as well as identification of
ways to effectively utilize Caribbean
Environmental Protection Division
personnel capabilities and expertise,
especially during the early stages of a
response to address limitations to
transportation, communications, and
power in the aftermath of disasters.
Further development of cultural
awareness guidance developed during the
response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria
and strategies for addressing language
barriers would also be addressed and
included in deployment materials. Status:
On track
6/30/23
21-P-
0032
12/3/20
3. In coordination with the
Office of Water, implement
America's Water Infrastructure
Act in Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands by:
a. Developing and
implementing a strategy to
provide training, guidance, and
assistance to small drinking
water systems as they improve
their resilience.
b. Establishing a process for
small drinking water systems
to apply for America's Water
Infrastructure Act grants. This
process should include (1)
EPA Office of Water will be promoting
and conducting a series of America's
Water Infrastructure Act section 2013
virtual workshops aimed at systems
serving 3,301-49,999 people, including a
workshop focused on Region 2 water
systems, to include Puerto Rico and U.S.
Virgin Islands. Small water systems and
technical assistance providers in Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are
welcome to attend these workshops to
assist them in developing risk and
resilience assessments and emergency
response plans. EPA plans to publish
guidance for systems serving less than
3,300 people. EPA also plans to publish a
Spanish version of this guidance to make
it more accessible to small systems and
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implementing the EPA's May
2020 guidance provided to
small drinking water systems
regarding resilience
assessments and (2)
establishing a public
information campaign to
inform small drinking water
systems of the America's
Water Infrastructure Act grant
opportunity, qualifying
requirements, and application
deadlines.
technical assistance providers in Puerto
Rico. Status: On track
21-E-
0264
9/29/21
3. Mindful that the EPA has
substantial work to complete
before publishing final
numeric water quality criteria
recommendations for nitrogen
and phosphorus under the
Clean Water Act for rivers and
streams, establish a plan,
including milestones and
identification of resource
needs, for developing and
publishing those criteria
recommendations.
EPA will develop a strategic plan,
including milestones and identification of
resource needs, to gather nationally
consistent data (e.g.,The National
Aquatic Resource Surveys monitoring);
evaluate the scientific information and
conduct exploratory stressor-response
analyses on the available data; determine
if the science supports new or revised
numeric nutrient criteria
recommendations. Status: On track
4/30/23
21-E-
0264
9/29/21
4. Assess and evaluate the
available information on
human health risks from
exposure to cyanotoxins in
drinking water and recreational
waters to determine whether
actions under the Safe
Drinking Water Act are
warranted.
EPA will continue evaluating the risks to
human health from exposure to
cyanotoxins and will develop Health
Effects Support Documents (HESDs) for
new toxins (e.g., saxitoxins and
nodularin). EPA intends to develop
health advisories and recreational criteria
for these toxins when sufficient health
data are available. EPA will re-evaluate
the human health risks to previously
evaluated toxins as new toxicological
exposure studies and systematic reviews
of peer-reviewed scientific literature are
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completed. EPA will determine whether
additional regulatory or nonregulatory
actions are appropriate under the Safe
Drinking Water Act (SDWA), using the
above health effects information,
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring
Rule 4 and other cyanotoxins occurrence
data, and additional information. Status:
On track
21-E-
0254
9/27/21
3. Develop and implement a
plan to prioritize and address
the recommendations
identified in the 2019 file
review for Region 9. (Region
9)
Region 9 committed to developing a plan
to prioritize and address the
recommendations identified in EPA
headquarters' file review for Region 9.
Status: On track
9/30/23
21-E-
0254
9/27/21
5. Develop a workforce
analysis to address staff
workload and the skills needed
for the direct implementation
of the tribal drinking water
program. (Region 9)
Region 9 committed to developing a
workforce analysis to address staff
workload and the skills needed for the
direct implementation of the tribal
drinking water program. The R9
workload analysis was completed on
08/08/2022. Region 9 will finalize the
staffing plan before 09/30/2023. Status:
On track
9/30/23
21-E-
0186
7/28/21
1. Issue Tier 1 test orders for
each List 2 chemical or publish
an explanation for public
comment on why Tier 1 data
are no longer needed to
characterize a List 2
chemical's endocrine-
disruption activity.
The Office of Chemical Safety and
Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), with
input from the Office of Research and
Development and the Office of Water,
will publish for comment a List 2 Action
Plan, which may include a combination
of test orders, explanations as to why test
orders are not needed, or a
reprioritization of the order of Endocrine
Disruption Screening Program (EDSP)
evaluations. Following notice and
comment, OCSPP will initiate the
process to issue test orders for List 2
substances, as appropriate. Status: On
track
9/30/25
21-E-
0186
7/28/21
2. Determine whether the EPA
should incorporate the
Endocrine Disruptor Screening
Program Tier 1 tests (or
approved new approach
OCSPP will make a determination on the
inclusion of the EDSP Tier 1 tests into
the pesticide registration process as
mandatory data requirement under 40
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methodologies) into the
pesticide registration process
as mandatory data
requirements under 40 C.F.R.
§ 158 for all pesticide use
patterns.
C.F.R. part 158 for all pesticide use
patterns. Status: On track
21-E-
0186
7/28/21
3. Issue List 1-Tier 2 test
orders for the 18 pesticides in
which additional Tier 2 testing
was recommended or publish
an explanation for public
comment on why this Tier 2
data are no longer needed to
characterize the endocrine-
disruption activity for each of
these 18 pesticides.
OCSPP will make a determination on the
need for List 1-Tier 2 data. OCSPP will
also provide an explanation, which will
be published for public comment, for any
of the 18 pesticides for which it is
determined that Tier 2 data is no longer
needed. Following publication and
comment, OCSPP will initiate the
process to issue any Tier 2 test orders for
List 1 determined to be needed. Status:
On track
9/30/24
21-E-
0186
7/28/21
4. Issue for public review and
comment both the
Environmental Fate and
Effects Division's approach
for the reevaluation of List 1-
Tier 1 data and the revised List
1-Tier 2 wildlife
recommendations.
OCSPP will issue for public review and
comment any reevaluation of List 1-Tier
1 data and any revisions to the List 1-
Tier 2 wildlife recommendations. Status:
On track
12/31/23
21-E-
0186
7/28/21
5. Develop and implement an
updated formal strategic
planning document, such as
the Comprehensive
Management Plan.
OCSPP, with input from the Office of
Research and Development and the
Office of Water, will develop an EDSP
Strategic Plan. OCSPP expects to update
this document on an as needed basis.
Status: Delayed due to leadership change
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0186
7/28/21
6. Develop performance
measures, with reasonable time
frames, to document progress
toward and achievement of
milestones or targets.
Specifically, the Endocrine
Disruptor Screening Program
should consider at least one
performance measure that
tracks progress in testing
pesticides for human endocrine
disruptor activity.
OCSPP will develop short-term
performance measures, such as scientific
publications, number/type of accepted
new approach methods, and exemptions
granted. Short-term performance
measures will be developed and tracked.
OCSPP will develop longer-term
performance measures, including at least
one measure to track progress in testing
pesticides for human endocrine disruptor
activity. Long-term performance
measures including at least one that
tracks progress in the evaluation and
testing of pesticides for human endocrine
disruptor activity will be developed and
tracked by October 1, 2024. Status: On
track
10/1/24
21-
E00186-
164
7/28/21
7. Conduct annual internal
program reviews of the
Endocrine Disruptor Screening
Program.
OCSPP will conduct the first annual
internal program review of the EDSP and
provide a briefing and report out to the
OCSPP Assistant Administrator on
EDSP progress, especially as it relates to
the Corrective Actions in this Report and
progress developing the EDSP Strategic
Plan. Status: Delayed due to leadership
change
6/30/23
21-E-
0146
5/24/21
3. Annually conduct and
document training for all staff
and senior managers and
policy makers to affirm the
office's commitment to the
Scientific Integrity Policy and
principles and to promote a
culture of scientific integrity
Complete the fifth annual Scientific
integrity training by March 31, 2026.
Status: On track
3/31/26
21-E-
0124
4/16/21
1. Update information security
procedures to make them
consistent with current federal
directives, including the
National Institute of Standards
and Technology Special
Publication 800-53 Revision 5,
Security and Privacy Controls
for Information Systems and
Organizations.
The majority of the EPA IT Security
policies and procedures are consistent
with current federal directives. All
current security assessments,
implementations, and actions are
completed in accordance with NIST SP
800-53r4. EPA, like other federal
agencies are allowed one year from the
release of NIST Special Publications to
update internal policies and procedures.
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The EPA has created a detailed project
schedule to transition its current policies
and procedures to NIST 800-53 Rev 5.
This detail schedule includes Enterprise
collaboration and inputs across all
Information Security stakeholders.
Status: Delayed due to implementation
complexity
20-P-
0173
5/20/20
6. In coordination with the
assistant administrator for
Mission Support, complete the
development and
implementation of the
electronic clearance system for
scientific products across the
Agency.
OMS, ORD Office of Scientific
Information Management (OSIM), and
the Scientific Integrity Committee will
coordinate to complete modification and
Agency-wide implementation of ORD's
Scientific & Technical Information
Clearance System to an agency-wide
electronic clearance system for scientific
products across the Agency. The system
will be consistent with the Scientific
Integrity Policy and our Best Practices
document and with the Agency's Plan to
Increase Access to the Results of EPA-
Funded Scientific Research. Status:
Delayed due to external dependencies
6/30/24
20-P-
0173
5/20/20
7. With the assistance of the
Scientific Integrity Committee,
finalize and release the
procedures for addressing and
resolving allegations of a
violation of the Scientific
Integrity Policy, and
incorporate the procedures into
scientific integrity outreach
and training materials.
The Agency will release the Procedures
document. It will be posted on the
Agency's website. The Scientific
Integrity Program will create and release
appropriate outreach materials to ensure
EPA employees and their managers
understand these procedures. Status:
Delayed due to external dependencies
3/31/23
20-P-
0173
5/20/20
8. With the assistance of the
Scientific Integrity Committee,
develop and implement a
process specifically to address
and resolve allegations of
Scientific Integrity Policy
violations involving high-
profile issues or senior
officials, and specify when this
process should be used.
EPA will amend the procedures
document referenced in recommendation
7, to include a process to adjudicate
allegations of Scientific Integrity Policy
violations involving high-profile issues
or senior officials in the Agency for
which the Scientific Integrity Official or
Scientific Integrity Committee does not
feel it can adequately adjudicate via
existing procedures and include an
indicator for when the process should be
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used. Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies
20-P-
0146
4/22/20
1. Implement a system that is
accessible to both the EPA and
the applicants to track the
processing of all tribal-New-
Source-Review permits and
key permit dates including
application received,
application completed, draft
permit issued, public comment
period (if applicable), and final
permit issuance.
OAR's Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards has already begun work on
the Electronic Permit System (EPS),
which will include a module to receive
and process applications for the EPA-
issued tribal new source review permits.
Specifically, this module will allow
sources to submit electronic applications
for tribal minor NSR permits and then
allow the EPA staff to process those
applications in EPS. The system will
allow the EPA staff to update the status
of the application and permit to reflect
when the application is complete, the
draft permit is issued, the beginning and
ending of the public comment period, and
the issuance of the final permit and
response to public comments document.
Status: Delayed due to resource
constraints
9/30/23
20-P-
0146
4/22/20
2. Establish and implement an
oversight process to verify that
the regions update the permit
tracking system on a periodic
basis with the correct and
required information.
Upon completion of the EPS, the Office
of Air Quality Planning and Standards
will work with the Regional offices to
establish an oversight process to ensure
complete, consistent, and timely entry of
data into the EPS. Status: Delayed due to
resource constraints
9/30/23
20-E-
0333
9/28/20
1. Develop and implement a
plan to coordinate relevant
Agency program, regional, and
administrative offices with the
External Civil Rights
Compliance Office to develop
guidance on permitting and
The External Civil Rights Compliance
Office (ECRCO) will issue guidance to
clarify the agency's interpretations of
legal requirements and expectations to
stakeholders. Status: Delayed due to
staffing constraints
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cumulative impacts related to
Title VI.
20-E-
0333
9/28/20
2. Develop and implement a
plan to complete systematic
compliance reviews to
determine full compliance with
the Title VI program.
ECRCO will conduct 1 or more
compliance reviews to determine
compliance with Title VI, with the
number depending on complexity and
resources. ECRCO will conduct and
complete additional compliance reviews
to determine compliance with Title VI, as
well as other federal civil rights laws and
EPA's nondiscrimination regulation in
each FY going forward, as resources
allow. Status: Delayed due to staffing
constraints
12/30/23
20-E-
0333
9/28/20
4. Verify that EPA funding
applicants address potential
noncompliance with Title VI
with a written agreement
before the funds are awarded.
ECRCO plans to use a revised 4700-4
pre-award process, the EPA General
Terms and Conditions, which are binding
on recipients and sub-recipients of funds,
to implement this Recommendation. EPA
has developed modifications to its pre-
award review process intended to achieve
the goal of compliance by applicants
recommended for competitive and non-
competitive funding by EPA program
offices, while also serving the goal of
efficiency, given limitations in resources.
The revised 4700-4 Process will be
launched with the issuance of the Dear
Colleague and Guidance documents
clarifying expectations. These
documents will provide for an initial six-
month grace period. ERCO will train all
EPA staff involved in the Form 4700-4
review process, develop a post-award
audit protocol, initiate representative
audit process, and effectuate the revised
4700-4 Process. Status: Delayed due to
staffing constraints
1/1/24
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20-E-
0333
9/28/20
5. Determine how to use
existing or new data to identify
and target funding recipients
for proactive compliance
reviews, and develop or update
policy, guidance, and standard
operating procedures for
collecting and using those
data.
ECRCO will be determining how to use
data to identify and target funding
recipients for proactive compliance
reviews, as discussed in response to
Recommendation 2, and, also, will
develop or update policy, guidance, and
SOPs, as appropriate, for the collection
and use of data by recipients. ERCO will
develop and release Foundational
Nondiscrimination Program Guidance,
which includes section on data collection
and reporting; release technical assistance
video, and release data analytics
guidance. Status: Delayed due to staffing
constraints
10/1/24
20-E-
0333
9/28/20
6. Develop and deliver training
for the deputy civil rights
officials and EPA regional
staff that focuses on their
respective roles and
responsibilities within the
EPA's Title VI program.
ECRCO will provide training to all EPA
staff involved in the form review process
and will release a technical assistance
video. ECRCO will provide additional
training courses to EPA staff on civil
rights topics and issues on a regular
basis. For example, in addition to training
in FY22 on the Form review process,
ECRCO will offer training in FY23 as
ECRCO issues guidance and works with
national media programs and regional
offices to ensure Title VI compliance is
integrated into agency-wide oversight
activities. Status: Delayed due to staffing
constraints
9/30/23
19-P-
0318
9/25/19
5. Update and revise the 2010
Revised State Implementation
Guidance for the Public
Notification Rule to include:
a. Public notice delivery
methods that are consistent
with regulations.
b. Information on modern
methods for delivery of public
notice.
The EPA will revise the State
Implementation Guidance per OIG's
recommendation. Status: Delayed due to
staffing constraints
9/30/23
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19-P-
0318
9/25/19
6. Update and revise the 2010
Public Notification Handbooks
to include:a. Public notice
delivery methods that are
consistent with regulations.b.
Information on modern
methods for delivery of public
notice, c. Public notice
requirements for the latest
drinking water regulations.d.
Procedures for public water
systems to achieve compliance
after violating a public notice
regulation.e. Up-to-date
references to compliance
assistance tools.f. Additional
resources for providing public
notice in languages other than
English.
The EPA will revise the Public
Notification Handbook per OIG's
recommendation. Status: Delayed due to
staffing constraints
9/30/23
19-P-
0207
6/27/19
1. Develop and implement
electronic checks in the EPA's
Emissions Collection and
Monitoring Plan System or
through an alternative
mechanism to retroactively
evaluate emissions and quality
assurance data in instances
where monitoring plan
changes are submitted after the
emissions and quality
assurance data have already
been accepted by the EPA.
The Clean Air Markets Division
(CAMD) has implemented a post-
submission data check that is run at the
end of each reporting period. In the long
term, the CAMD will implement an
additional check in the Emissions
Collection and Monitoring Plan
(ECMPS) forcing retroactive span record
changes to require the reevaluation and
resubmission of any affected quality
assurance tests and hourly emissions
records. CAMD has initiated the process
of re-engineering ECMPS. In order to
minimize additional expenditures on the
current version of ECMPS, CAMD will
focus on adding the check to the new
version of ECMPS. Status: On track
3/31/25
19-P-
0195
6/21/19
2. Complete the actions and
milestones identified in the
Office of Pesticide Programs'
PRIA Maintenance Fee Risk
Assessment document and
associated plan regarding the
OCSPP's Office of Pesticide Programs
will complete the actions and milestones
identified in the Office of Pesticide
Programs' Pesticide Registration
Improvement Act Maintenance Fee Risk
Assessment document and associated
plan regarding the fee payment and
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fee payment and refund
posting processes.
refund posting processes. Status: Delayed
due to external dependencies
19-P-
0002
11/15/18
3. Complete development of
the probabilistic risk
assessment tool and screening
tool for biosolids land
application scenarios.
OW is working to complete the screening
tool and probabilistic risk assessment
framework for biosolids land application
scenarios. OW anticipates releasing the
screening tool first, followed by the
probabilistic modeling framework, after
peer and public review. Status: Delayed
due to implementation complexity
3/31/23
19-P-
0002
11/15/18
4. Develop and implement a
plan to obtain the additional
data needed to complete risk
assessments and finalize safety
determinations on the 352
identified pollutants in
biosolids and promulgate
regulations as needed.
OW will continue reviewing
environmental fate and effects
information to incorporate into risk
assessments for pollutants in biosolids.
OW will prioritize using the screening
tool to determine which pollutants
warrant a more refined (i.e., probabilistic)
risk assessment and take into
consideration the 61 chemicals identified
as hazardous under other statutes as
identified by the OIG. Status: Delayed
due to implementation complexity
3/30/23
18-P-
0240
9/5/18
4. Build capacity for managing
the use of citizen science, and
expand awareness of citizen
science resources, by:a.
Finalizing the checklist on
administrative and legal
factors for agency staff to
consider when developing
citizen science projects, as
well as identifying and
developing any procedures
needed to ensure compliance
with steps in the checklist;b.
Conducting training and/or
marketing on the EPA's citizen
science intranet site for
ORD will consult with the Office of
General Counsel and other relevant EPA
programs and regions to finalize the
checklist on administrative and legal
factors for agency staff to consider when
developing citizen science projects. ORD
will conduct training and marketing for
program and regional staff. Finally, ORD
will have an active communication and
outreach strategy that will include
communications materials highlighting
project successes and how EPA has used
results of its investment in citizen
science. Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies
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program and regional staff in
developing projects; andc.
Finalizing and distributing
materials highlighting project
successes and how the EPA
has used results of its
investment in citizen science.
18-P-
0240
9/5/18
2. Through appropriate EPA
offices, direct completion of an
assessment to identify the data
management requirements for
using citizen science data and
an action plan for addressing
those requirements, including
those on sharing and using
data, data format/standards,
and data testing/validation.
The agency concurs with this
recommendation and will complete an
assessment and action plan to identify
and address data management
requirements for citizen science. Status:
Delayed due to external dependencies
12/31/23
18-P-
0221
7/19/18
6. Provide regular training for
EPA drinking water staff,
managers and senior leaders on
Safe Drinking Water Act tools
and authorities; state and
agency roles and
responsibilities; and any Safe
Drinking Water Act
amendments or Lead and
Copper Rule revisions.
OECA continues to hold regular SDWA
section 1431/1414 trainings for staff and
managers and to conduct consultations
with the regions regarding specific
potential emergency drinking water
situations. The PowerPoints from the
trainings are on the National Drinking
Water Enforcement SharePoint site for
24/7 access. OCE will re-evaluate
training needs. OCE has provided and
will continue to provide regular training
nationally to staff and managers about
SDWA tools and authorities, like
Sections 1414 and 1431, and various
NPDWRs, including the Lead and
Copper Rule (LCR). EPA will also make
these trainings available to senior leaders.
Status: Re-opened by OIG follow-up
audit
12/30/23
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18-P-
0221
7/19/18
8. Create a system that tracks
citizen complaints and gathers
information on emerging
issues. The system should
assess the risk associated with
the complaints, including
efficient and effective
resolution.
Identify potential enhancements to
existing systems and/or identify new
system requirements that can support
tracking of citizen complaints. In 2019,
OW developed a "Protocol for
Addressing Water Quality Concerns from
the Public" to address this OIG
recommendation. This protocol was
shared with the OIG in March 2021.
Status: Re-opened by OIG follow-up
audit
4/28/23
18-P-
0080
2/15/18
1. The Assistant Administrator
for Chemical Safety and
Pollution Prevention, in
coordination with the Office of
Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance, shall develop and
implement a methodology to
evaluate the impact of the
revised Agricultural Worker
Protection Standard on
pesticide exposure incidents
among target populations.
OCSPP will: (1) collect and review data
related to the extent to which agricultural
workers obtain knowledge through
trainings; (2) collect and review incident
data; and (3) after reviewing training and
incident data, analyze the need to collect
additional information to help evaluate
the impact of the revised Worker
Protection Standard. Status: On track
12/31/23
17-P-
0368
8/23/17
1. Develop a policy to reduce
balances of available program
income of Brownfields
Revolving Loan Funds being
held by recipients. The policy
should establish a timeframe
for recipients to use or return
the funds to the EPA.
The Office of Brownfields Land and
Revitalization will work with the regions
to develop a policy regarding monitoring
of accumulated program income on the
cooperative agreement. The policy will
also establish actions to be taken in
certain timeframes to reduce balance of
program income or require return of
funds to EPA as appropriate. Status: Re-
opened by OIG follow-up audit
9/30/27
17-P-
0368
8/23/17
8. Develop and implement
required training for all
regional Brownfields
Revolving Loan Fund staff.
Have the training include all
program policy and guidance
relating to maintaining a
Brownfields Revolving Loan
Fund after the cooperative
agreement is closed if program
income exists.
OBLR will work with the Regions to
develop and deliver a series of training
sessions to regional Brownfields
Revolving Loan Fund staff. The training
will cover all program policies and
guidance related to the management of
Brownfields Revolving Fund after
closeout with a focus on cooperative
agreements that have program income
after closeout. OBLR will use various
formats to deliver training to project
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officers, e.g., during regularly scheduled
meetings, webinars, SharePoint site, and
in-person training etc. Status: Re-opened
by OIG follow-up audit
17-P-
0368
8/23/17
14. Develop and implement a
method for the Office of
Brownfields and Land
Revitalization to track closed
cooperative agreements with
pre- and post-program income.
OBLR will work with the regions to
develop and implement a method such as
a tool, a spreadsheet, or a database, to
track pre- and post-close out program
income until termination of the closed
out cooperative agreements in accordance
with the reporting requirements listed
under the closeout agreement. Status: Re-
opened by OIG follow-up audit
12/31/23
17-P-
0368
8/23/17
16. Create a method for the
Office of Brownfields and
Land Revitalization, and EPA
regional managers, to track
compliance with reporting
requirements for closed
cooperative agreements.
OBLR will work with the regions to
create a method to track compliance with
reporting requirements for closed
cooperative agreements. The tracking
tool will be distributed to the regions.
Status: Re-opened by OIG follow-up
audit
9/30/27
17-P-
0053
12/12/16
3. Conduct an assessment of
clearance devices to validate
their effectiveness in detecting
required clearance levels, as
part of the Office of Pesticide
Programs ongoing re-
evaluation of structural
fumigants. The program will
implement this corrective
action in two phases:
3a.OCSPP anticipates that
phase one will consist of
revised mitigation measures to
be reflected in a Final Interim
Re-entry Mitigation Measures
Memorandum. 3b. In phase 2,
OCSPP will revise sulfuryl
labels.
Based on the comment content and the
time needed to review the new data, the
timeframe for responding and publishing
a revised document outlining required
sulfuryl fluoride label changes will be
delayed from OCSPP's original plan and
will likely involve phased
implementation (label requirements) for
some of the measures. OCSPP anticipates
that revised mitigation measures will be
reflected in a Final Interim Re-entry
Mitigation Measures Memorandum to be
issued by 3/31/23. OCSPP anticipates
that the mitigation measures will be
reflected in revised and accepted sulfuryl
fluoride labels by 9/30/23. Status:
Delayed due to implementation
complexity
9/30/23
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16-P-
0333
9/27/16
3-3. Develop training on the
proper use of Religious
Compensatory Time and
require all managers
approving, and employees
using, Religious
Compensatory Time to
complete the course.
Develop training on the proper use of
Religious Compensatory Time and
require all managers approving, and
employees using, Religious
Compensatory Time to complete the
course. Status: Re-opened by OIG
follow-up audit
6/23/23
16-P-
0275
8/18/16
2. Complete the anti-
backsliding study on the air
quality impacts of the
Renewable Fuel Standard as
required by the Energy
Independence and Security
Act.
EPA has already taken a number of steps
that are important prerequisites for the
anti-backsliding study. There are multiple
intermediate research steps that still need
to be completed before OAR can plan,
fund, and conduct a comprehensive anti-
backsliding study. These steps include
development of baseline, current, and
projected scenarios for how renewable
fuels have and might be produced,
distributed, and used to fulfill the
Renewable Fuel Standard requirements,
generation of emissions inventories, and
air quality modeling, all of which are
time-consuming and resource intensive.
Status: On track
9/30/24
16-P-
0275
8/18/16
3. Determine whether
additional action is needed to
mitigate any adverse air
quality impacts of the
Renewable Fuel Standard as
required by the Energy
Independence and Security
Act.
OAR acknowledges the statute's
requirement to determine whether
additional action is needed to mitigate
any adverse air quality impacts in light of
the anti-backsliding study. That study,
discussed in Corrective Action 2, would
need to be completed prior to any such
determination taking place. Status: On
track
9/30/24
16-P-
0104
3/11/16
1. Implement management
controls to complete the
required TSDF inspections.
OECA will work with the regions to
monitor TSDF inspection frequency,
develop and implement a plan to identify
TSDFs not yet inspected near the end of
the required inspection cycle, and
conduct inspections to the extent possible
within the compliance period or the
following fiscal year. Status: Re-opened
by OIG follow-up audit
12/29/23
14-P-
0109
2/4/14
3. Direct COs to require that
the contractor adjust all its
Region 6 agrees to require the contractor
to adjust all of its past billings to reflect
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billings to reflect the
application of the correct rate
to team subcontract ODCs.
the application of the composite rate to
team-subcontractor other direct costs that
were arranged for and paid for by the
team-subcontractor. We intend to
implement the corrective action when
final indirect cost rates are established.
Therefore, the contract officer will be
directed to defer past billing adjustments
until the DCAA audits the indirect cost
rates and the EPA Financial
Administrative Contracting Officer
negotiates, approves, and issues a Final
Indirect Cost Agreement for the past
billing periods (i.e., Years 2007 to 2013).
Status: On track
11-P-
0215
5/3/11
4. Develop short-term,
intermediate, and long-term
outcome performance
measures, and additional
output performance measures,
with appropriate targets and
timeframes, to measure the
progress and results of the
program.
Rec. 4a: Short term
performance measures will be
developed and tracked.
Rec. 4b: Long term
performance measures,
including testing for EDSP
activities in pesticides will be
developed and tracked.
Short term performance measures will be
developed by and tracked. Long term
performance measures, including at least
one measure that tracks progress in the
evaluation and testing of pesticides for
human endocrine disruptor activity, will
be developed and tracked by October 1,
2024. Status: On track
10/1/24
11-P-
0215
5/3/11
5. Develop and publish a
comprehensive management
plan for EDSP, including
estimates of EDSP's budget
requirements, priorities, goals,
and key activities covering at
least a 5-year period.
OCSPP, with input from the Office of
Research and Development and the
Office of Water, will develop an EDSP
Strategic Plan. OCSPP expects to update
this document on an as needed basis.
Status: Delayed due to leadership change
6/30/23
11-P-
0215
5/3/11
6. Annually review the EDSP
program results, progress
toward milestones, and
achievement of performance
measures, including
OCSPP will conduct the first annual
internal program review of the EDSP and
provide a briefing and report out to the
OCSPP Assistant Administrator on
EDSP progress, especially as it relates to
6/30/23
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Report
Number
Report
Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
Date
explanations for any missed
milestones or targets.
the Corrective Actions in this Report and
progress developing the EDSP Strategic
Plan. Status: Delayed due to leadership
change
10-P-
0224
9/14/10
2-2. Develop a systematic
approach to identify which
States have outdated or
inconsistent MO As,
renegotiate and update those
MO As using the MOA
template, and secure the active
involvement and final,
documented concurrence of
Headquarters to ensure
national consistency.
EPA has completed the review of all the
EPA-State Memorandums of Agreement
(MOAs). Ten authorized National
pollutant discharge elimination system
states were identified as being
problematic. EPA Regions and States
have completed actions to update MO As
to satisfy concerns identified in the
corrective action plan for three states:
Iowa, Missouri, and Virginia. At this
time, seven MO As are still in the process
of being corrected. Status: Delayed due
to implementation complexity
9/30/23
EPA GAO Open Recommendations and Recommendations Closed as Unimplemented
GAO
Report
Number
Report
Issue
Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
GAO
06-148
2006-
01-04
The Administrator, EPA, should take
a number of steps to further protect
the American public from elevated
lead levels in drinking water.
Specifically, to improve EPA's ability
to oversee implementation of the lead
rule and assess compliance and
enforcement activities, EPA should
ensure that data on water systems'
test results, corrective action
milestones, and violations are
current, accurate, and complete.
The agency continues to work on modernizing
the Safe Drinking Water Information System
and has made significant progress towards its
schedule (expected to be available for states to
begin transitioning to the system by end of
2024). In establishing data quality goals for
monitoring violation and other information, the
agency plans to engage the primacy agencies.
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GAO-
08-440
2008-
03-07
To develop timely chemical risk
information that EPA needs to
effectively conduct its mission, the
Administrator, EPA, should require
the Office of Research and
Development to re-evaluate its draft
proposed changes to the IRIS
assessment process in light of the
issues raised in this report and ensure
that any revised process periodically
assesses the level of resources that
should be dedicated to this significant
program to meet user needs and
maintain a viable IRIS database.
Implementation is complete. The EPA
requested closure of this recommendation in
February 2023.
GAO-
11-381
2011-
06-17
To improve EPA's ability to oversee
the states' implementation of the Safe
Drinking Water Act and provide
Congress and the public with more
complete and accurate information on
compliance, the Administrator of
EPA should resume data verification
audits to routinely evaluate the
quality of selected drinking water
data on health-based and monitoring
violations that the states provide to
EPA. These audits should also
evaluate the quality of data on the
enforcement actions that states, and
other primacy agencies have taken to
correct violations.
The agency continues to work on modernizing
the Safe Drinking Water Information System
and has made significant progress towards its
schedule (expected to be available for states to
begin transitioning to the system by end of
2024). In establishing data quality goals for
monitoring violation and other information, the
agency plans to engage the primacy agencies.
GAO-
11-381
2011-
06-17
To improve EPA's ability to oversee
the states' implementation of the Safe
Drinking Water Act and provide
Congress and the public with more
complete and accurate information on
compliance, the Administrator of
EPA should work with the states to
establish a goal, or goals, for the
completeness and accuracy of data on
monitoring violations. In setting
these goals, EPA may want to
consider whether certain types of
monitoring violations merit specific
targets. For example, the agency may
The agency continues to work on modernizing
the Safe Drinking Water Information System
and has made significant progress towards its
schedule (expected to be available for states to
begin transitioning to the system by end of
2024). In establishing data quality goals for
monitoring violation and other information, the
agency plans to engage the primacy agencies.
Estimated Completion Date: December 2024.
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decide that a goal for the states to
completely and accurately report
when required monitoring was not
done should differ from a goal for
reporting when monitoring was done
but not reported on time.
GAO-
12-42
2011-
12-09
To better ensure the credibility of
IRIS assessments by enhancing their
timeliness and certainty, the EPA
Administrator should require the
Office of Research and Development,
should different time frames be
necessary, to establish a written
policy that clearly describes the
applicability of the time frames for
each type of IRIS assessment and
ensures that the time frames are
realistic and provide greater
predictability to stakeholders.
EPA continues to discuss with GAO
approaches to communicate timeframe
expectations to the public. As noted by GAO,
content in the more recently developed
Integrated Risk Information System IRIS
assessment plans helps identify the extent of
the evidence and key science issues. EPA has
included preliminary metrics on how long
some systematic review steps used in
assessment development (e.g., study screening;
data extraction) typically require on a per-study
basis.
GAO-
13-145
2013-
08-08
To improve EPA's management of
the conditional registration process,
the Administrator of EPA should
direct the Director of the Office of
Pesticide Programs to complete plans
to automate data related to
conditional registrations to more
readily track the status of these
registrations and related registrant
and agency actions and identify
potential problems requiring
management attention.
The agency met with GAO in November 2022
to discuss the changed landscape since this
2013 report. The EPA plans to request closure
in FY 2023.
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GAO-
14-80
2013-
12-05
To enhance the likelihood that
TMDLs support the nation's waters'
attainment of water quality standards
and to strengthen water quality
management, the Administrator of
EPA should develop and issue new
regulations requiring that TMDLs
include additional elements—and
consider requiring the elements that
are now optional—specifically,
elements reflecting key features
identified by NRC as necessary for
attaining water quality standards,
such as comprehensive identification
of impairment and plans to monitor
water bodies to verify that water
quality is improving.
The agency asserts that extensive actions taken
to implement this recommendation are
sufficient to merit closure as implemented.
GAO-
14-413
2014-
05-22
To ensure the effective management
of software licenses, the
Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency should employ a
centralized software license
management approach that is
coordinated and integrated with key
personnel for the majority of agency
software license spending and/or
enterprise-wide licenses.
Implementation is complete. The agency
requested closure of this recommendation in
December 2022.
GAO-
16-79
2015-
11-19
To better monitor and provide a basis
for improving the effectiveness of
cybersecurity risk mitigation
activities, informed by the sectors'
updated plans and in collaboration
with sector stakeholders, the
Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency should direct
responsible officials to develop
performance metrics to provide data
and determine how to overcome
challenges to monitoring the water
and wastewater systems sector's
cybersecurity progress.
The agency continues to develop and
implement activities in support of the water and
wastewater sector's cybersecurity, such as a
cyber-attack risk assessment tool and
cybersecurity training for sector partners. The
effort is challenged because disclosure of
metric data in this area is voluntary for water
sector facilities. Dialogue with GAO is
ongoing.
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GAO-
16-530
2016-
07-14
The EPA Administrator should direct
OGD and program and regional
offices, as appropriate, as part of
EPA's ongoing streamlining
initiatives and the development of a
grantee portal, once EPA's new
performance system is in place, to
ensure that the Office of Water
adopts software tools, as appropriate,
to electronically transfer relevant data
on program results from program-
specific databases to EPA's national
performance system.
Implementation is complete. The agency
requested closure of this recommendation in
December 2022.
GAO-
16-530
2016-
07-14
The EPA Administrator should direct
OGD and program and regional
offices, as appropriate, as part of
EPA's ongoing streamlining
initiatives and the development of a
grantee portal, to expand aspects of
EPA's policy for certain categorical
grants, specifically, the call for an
explicit reference to the planned
results in grantees' work plans and
their projected time frames for
completion, to all grants.
CLOSED - NOT IMPLEMENTED
GAO and EPA agreed that, due to changed
circumstances since issuance of the
recommendation and implementation of a new
EPA grants management system with built-in
quality controls, the recommendation would be
closed as unimplemented.
GAO-
17-424
2017-
09-01
The Assistant Administrator for
Water of EPA's Office of Water and
the Assistant Administrator of EPA's
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance should
develop a statistical analysis that
incorporates multiple factors-
including those currently in
SDWIS/Fed and others such as the
presence of lead pipes and the use of
corrosion control—to identify water
systems that might pose a higher
likelihood for violating the LCR once
complete violations data are
obtained, such as through SDWIS
Prime.
The agency is working to provide an update on
Safe Drinking Water Information System
modernization or other data plans for
identifying data associated with water systems
that might pose a higher likelihood for
violating the Lead and Copper Rule. FY25
implementation is anticipated.
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GAO-
18-453
2018-
07-19
The EPA Region 10 Administrator
should work with the management
conference on future updates to the
CCMP to help prioritize among the
indicators that currently lack
measurable targets and ensure that
such targets are developed for the
highest priority indicators where
possible.
In August 2022, the agency approved a new
Puget Sound Comprehensive Conservation and
Management Plan, called the 2022-2026 Action
Agenda. The agency agreed to develop
additional medium-term targets and reengage
GAO regarding closure.
GAO-
18-93
2018-
08-02
The Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency
should ensure that the agency's IT
management policies address the role
of the CIO for key responsibilities in
the six areas we identified.
The agency has fully implemented 10 of the 18
responsibilities identified by GAO. A further 5
are partially met, and 3 are not yet met. The
agency anticipates requesting closure by the
end of CY23.
GAO-
19-280
2019-
07-08
EPA's Designated Agency Ethics
Official should direct EPA's Ethics
Office, as part of its periodic review
of EPA's ethics program, to evaluate-
-for example, through audits or spot-
checks - the quality of financial
disclosure reviews for special
government employees appointed to
EPA advisory committees.
Implementation is complete. The agency
requested closure of this recommendation in
February 2023.
GAO-
19-280
2019-
07-08
The EPA Administrator should direct
EPA officials responsible for
appointing advisory committee
members to follow a key step in its
appointment process—developing and
including draft membership grids in
appointment packets with staff
rationales for proposed membership—
for all committees.
Implementation is complete. The agency
requested closure of this recommendation in
February 2023.
GAO-
19-384
2019-
07-25
The Administrator of EPA should
establish a process for conducting an
organization-wide cybersecurity risk
assessment.
The agency is engaged with a third party to
help develop an organizational wide
cybersecurity risk assessment. Completion of
implementation is anticipated by the end of
FY23.
GAO-
19-384
2019-
07-25
The Administrator of EPA should
fully establish and document a
process for coordination between
cybersecurity risk management and
The agency is working internally to update
current processes that exist regarding enterprise
risk management and cybersecurity risk
assessment to build out a single enterprise risk
management program. Completion of
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enterprise risk management
functions.
implementation is anticipated by the end of
FY23.
GAO-
19-543
2019-
09-16
The Administrator of EPA, as chair
of the working group, should develop
guidance for agencies on what they
should include in their environmental
justice strategic plans.
In January 2021, the White House issued
Executive Order 14008 "Tackling the Climate
Crisis at Home and Abroad." It includes
sections to achieve environmental justice
through a number of actions. One of the actions
was to create a White House Environmental
Justice Interagency Council chaired by the
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). As
such, implementation is the responsibility of
the CEQ. GAO is monitoring their efforts and
stated they will close the recommendation upon
completion.
GAO-
19-543
2019-
09-16
The Administrator of EPA, as chair
of the working group, should develop
guidance or create a committee of the
working group to develop guidance
on methods the agencies could use to
assess progress toward their
environmental justice goals.
In January 2021, the White House issued
Executive Order 14008 "Tackling the Climate
Crisis at Home and Abroad." It includes
sections to achieve environmental justice
through a number of actions. One of the actions
was to create a White House Environmental
Justice Interagency Council chaired by the
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). As
such, implementation is the responsibility of
the CEQ. GAO is monitoring their efforts and
stated they will close the recommendation upon
completion.
GAO-
19-543
2019-
09-16
The Administrator of EPA, as chair
of the working group, and in
consultation with the working group,
should clearly establish, in its
organizational documents, strategic
goals for the federal government's
efforts to carry out the 1994
Executive Order.
In January 2021, the White House issued
Executive Order 14008 "Tackling the Climate
Crisis at Home and Abroad." It includes
sections to achieve environmental justice
through a number of actions. One of the actions
was to create a White House Environmental
Justice Interagency Council chaired by the
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). As
such, implementation is the responsibility of
the CEQ. GAO is monitoring their efforts and
stated they will close the recommendation upon
completion.
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GAO-
20-129
2019-
10-30
The Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency
should ensure that the agency fully
implements each of the eight key IT
workforce planning activities it did
not fully implement.
Implementation is complete. The EPA
requested closure of this recommendation in
December 2022.
GAO-
20-126
2019-
12-12
The Administrator of EPA should
update security plan for the selected
operational system to identify a
description of security controls, and
the individual reviewing and
approving the plan and date of
approval.
Implementation is complete. The EPA
requested closure of this recommendation in
December 2022.
GAO-
20-126
2019-
12-12
The Administrator of EPA should
update the security assessment report
for the selected operational system to
identify the summarized results of
control effectiveness tests.
Implementation is complete. The EPA
requested closure of this recommendation in
December 2022.
GAO-
20-126
2019-
12-12
The Administrator of EPA should
update the list of corrective actions
for the selected operational system to
identify the specific weakness,
estimated funding and anticipated
source of funding, key remediation
milestones with completion dates,
changes to milestones and
completion dates, and source of the
weaknesses.
Implementation is complete. The EPA
requested closure of this recommendation in
December 2022.
GAO-
20-126
2019-
12-12
The Administrator of EPA should
prepare the letter authorizing the use
of cloud service for the selected
operational system and submit the
letter to the FedRAMP program
management office.
Implementation is complete. The EPA
requested closure of this recommendation in
December 2022.
GAO-
20-126
2019-
12-12
The Administrator of EPA should
develop guidance requiring that cloud
service authorization letter be
provided to the FedRAMP program
management office.
Implementation is complete. The EPA
requested closure of this recommendation in
December 2022.
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GAO-
20-24
2020-
01-16
The Director of Water Security of
EPA, as Chair of the Water Sector
Government Coordinating Council,
should work with the council to
identify existing technical assistance
providers and engage these providers
in a network to help drinking water
and wastewater utilities incorporate
climate resilience into their projects
and planning on an ongoing basis.
The agency continues to work with its wide-
ranging, existing technical assistance providers
and coordinates with its stakeholders including
the Water Sector Coordinating Council
(WSCC) to improve and build drinking water
and wastewater utility resilience.
Implementation is challenged because the
participation of the water sector and of other
federal agencies in helping these utilities is
voluntary.
GAO-
20-95
2020-
01-31
The Assistant Administrator for
EPA's Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance should clearly
document in guidance to the regional
offices how they should use the
definition of informal enforcement
actions to collect data on these
actions.
The agency is currently amending 2019
guidance for consistency with Executive Order
13892 and will provide it to GAO once
finalized. The guidance includes a definition of
informal enforcement actions. 2023 release is
planned.
GAO-
20-95
2020-
01-31
The Assistant Administrator for
EPA's Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance should clearly
document in guidance to the regional
offices that they should collect data
on compliance assistance activities
and specify which mechanism to use
to maintain the data, such as ICIS.
The agency is currently amending 2019
guidance for consistency with Executive Order
13892 and will provide it to GAO once
finalized. The guidance includes a definition of
informal enforcement actions. 2023 release is
planned.
GAO-
20-95
2020-
01-31
The Assistant Administrator for
EPA's Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance should
include the known limitations of data
in its annual reports and provide
information on the intended use of
EPA's data.
The agency is currently amending 2019
guidance for consistency with Executive Order
13892 and will provide it to GAO once
finalized. The guidance includes a definition of
informal enforcement actions. 2023 release is
planned.
GAO-
20-597
2020-
09-28
The Assistant Administrator of the
Office of Water should develop an
agreement with HHS's Offices of
Child Care and Head Start on their
roles and responsibilities in
implementing the Memorandum of
Understanding on Reducing Lead
Levels in Drinking Water in Schools
and Child Care Facilities. For
example, these agreements may
include the ways in which guidance
The agency has awarded WIIN Act grants,
receiving annual grantee reports, and holding a
three-part webinar series on reducing lead in
drinking water in schools and childcare
facilities in June and July 2022.
Implementation is ongoing.
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and information will be shared with
states and Head Start grantees, such
as through webinars or email, and
how frequently.
GAO-
20-597
2020-
09-28
The Assistant Administrator of the
Office of Water should direct the
Office of Water to specify how it will
track progress toward the outcomes
of the Memorandum of
Understanding on Reducing Lead
Levels in Drinking Water in Schools
and Child Care Facilities and
determine how it will regularly
monitor and update the MOU. For
example, the Office of Water could
develop performance measures for
each of the MOU's outcomes. In
addition, the Office of Water could
submit annual reports on progress
toward achieving the MOU's
outcomes or it could plan to update
the agreement at specific intervals.
(Recommendation 4)
The agency has taken additional steps to
implement the Memorandum of Understanding,
including developing tools for childcare
facilities to assist them with lead testing and
remediation efforts. Implementation is ongoing.
GAO-
21-150
2020-
10-20
The Associate Administrator of
EPA's Office of Congressional and
Intergovernmental Relations should
update Performance Partnership
Grant (PPG) best practices guidance
for tribes to clarify, for EPA and
tribal staff, how PPGs operate,
including that tribes may use PPG
funds for any activity that is eligible
under any grant eligible for inclusion
in PPGs.
The agency is revising the Best Practices Guide
for Tribal PPG Implementation. In addition, the
EPA plans to include more foundational
guidance related to PPGs in its fiscal year
2023-2024 National Program Guidance and
cite the best practices guide in this national
program guidance. Implementation is ongoing.
GAO-
21-150
2020-
10-20
The Principal Deputy Assistant
Administrator of EPA's Office of Air
and Radiation, the Assistant
Administrator of EPA's Office of
Water, and the Director of EPA's
American Indian Environmental
The agency submitted an update with request
for closure to GAO on 11/9/22.
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Office should update and nationally
distribute guidance for project
officers and tribes that clarifies
documentation requirements and
eligibility definitions for quality
assurance project plans and the
Indian Environmental General
Assistance Program.
GAO-
21-
164SU
2020-
10-27
Restricted Report: Recommendation
language not publicly available.
Restricted Report - Not Publicly Available
Implementation is complete, and the agency
requested closure in December 2022.
GAO-
21-
164SU
2020-
10-27
Restricted Report: Recommendation
language not publicly available.
Restricted Report - Not Publicly Available
Implementation is complete, and the agency
requested closure in December 2022.
GAO-
21-
164SU
2020-
10-27
Restricted Report: Recommendation
language not publicly available.
Restricted Report - Not Publicly Available
Implementation is complete, and the agency
requested closure in December 2022.
GAO-
21-
164SU
2020-
10-27
Restricted Report: Recommendation
language not publicly available.
Restricted Report - Not Publicly Available
Implementation is complete, and the agency
requested closure in December 2022.
GAO-
21-38
2020-
11-12
The Assistant Administrator of EPA s
Office of Air and Radiation, in
consultation with state and local
agencies, should develop, make
public, and implement an asset
management framework for
consistently sustaining the national
ambient air quality monitoring
system. Such a framework could be
designed for success by considering
the key characteristics of effective
asset management described in our
report, such as identifying the
resources needed to sustain the
monitoring system, using quality data
to manage infrastructure risks, and
targeting resources toward assets that
provide the greatest value.
The agency continues to work with state, local,
and tribal partners. Implementation is ongoing.
GAO-
21-38
2020-
11-12
The Assistant Administrator of EPA s
Office of Air and Radiation, in
consultation with state and local
agencies and other relevant federal
agencies, should develop and make
EPA will continue to work with stakeholders to
establish an approach, goals, and priorities for
an air quality monitoring modernization plan.
Implementation is ongoing.
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public an air quality monitoring
modernization plan to better meet the
additional information needs of air
quality managers, researchers, and
the public. Such a plan could address
the ongoing challenges in
modernizing the national ambient air
quality monitoring system by
considering leading practices,
including establishing priorities and
roles, assessing risks to success,
identifying the resources needed to
achieve goals, and measuring and
evaluating progress.
GAO-
21-82
2020-
12-09
The Assistant Administrator for
EPA's Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance should
communicate final guidance for
future national initiative cycles to all
states before the effective date of the
national initiatives.
EPA has begun the FY24 - FY27 National
Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives
selection process and recently engaged the
Environmental Council of States prior to
release of the public Federal Register Notice.
GAO-
21-82
2020-
12-09
The Assistant Administrator for
EPA's Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance should
incorporate lessons learned from the
initial effort to engage earlier and
more continuously with states when
developing the office's plan for how
EPA will work with states on future
national initiatives.
EPA has begun the FY24 - FY27 National
Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives
selection process and recently engaged the
Environmental Council of States prior to
release of the public Federal Register Notice.
GAO-
21-156
2020-
12-18
The Administrator should direct the
Assistant Administrator of the Office
of Research and Development to
provide more information publicly
about where chemical assessments
are in the development process,
including internal and external steps
in the process, and changes to
assessment milestones.
The agency submitted documentation related to
the IRIS website that address GAO concerns
and submitted a request for closure in February
2023.
GAO-
21-156
2020-
12-18
The Administrator should direct the
Assistant Administrators of program
offices and Regional Administrators
to develop and make available
guidance for chemical assessment
The EPA and GAO continue to discuss avenues
to close out this recommendation. The agency's
Office of Research and Development is
discussing how to assist other EPA program
and regional offices in determining which
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nominations. Such guidance could
include information such as how to
select chemicals for IRIS assessment
nomination or for high priority needs,
criteria explaining how Assistant and
Regional Administrators determine
which nominations to support and
which they may choose not to
support, and how to document these
decisions.
chemicals are best suited for evaluation by the
IRIS Program.
GAO-
21-156
2020-
12-18
The Administrator of EPA should
include in ORD's strategic plan (or
subsidiary strategic plans)
identification of EPA's universe of
chemical assessment needs; how the
IRIS Program is being resourced to
meet user needs; and specific
implementation steps that indicate
how IRIS will achieve the plan's
objectives, such as specific metrics to
define progress in meeting user
needs.
The EPA provided a briefing in 2022 to GAO
to describe the Office of Research and
Development's research planning process,
including specifics of resource and research
planning for the Health and Environmental
Risk Assessment (HERA) National Research
Program. The briefing articulated how IRIS
contributes to the broader objectives of the
HERA research program and describes how
HERA and CPHEA (the ORD Center that
houses the IRIS Program) undertake workforce
planning activities focused on addressing those
objectives.
GAO-
21-78
2020-
12-18
EPA's Assistant Administrator for
Water should develop guidance for
water systems that outlines methods
to use ACS data and, where
available, geospatial lead or other
data to identify high-risk locations in
which to focus lead reduction efforts,
including tap sampling and lead
service line replacement efforts.
The Agency developed Guidance for
Developing and Maintaining a Service Line
Inventory. The document includes factors for
when a system may want to prioritize
investigations at locations served by unknown
service lines. Implementation is ongoing.
GAO-
21-78
2020-
12-18
EPA's Assistant Administrator for
Water should develop a strategic plan
that meets the WIIN Act requirement
for providing targeted outreach,
education, technical assistance, and
risk communication to populations
affected by the concentration of lead
in public water systems, and that is
fully consistent with leading practices
for strategic plans.
EPA continues to be in disagreement with the
recommendation and believe that the agency
met the Water Infrastructure Improvements for
the Nation Act (WIIN) requirement.
Furthermore, EPA developed a strategic plan
for targeted outreach to populations affected by
lead. The plan outlines the new WIIN
requirements and identifies the roles and
responsibilities for EPA, states, and Public
Water Systems. The plan establishes
procedures for ensuring that communities are
provided with:
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(1) An explanation of potential adverse effects
on human health of drinking water that
contains a high level of lead;
(2) The steps that the public water system is
taking to lower the concentration of lead; and
(3) The possible need for homeowners to seek
another water source until the lead level can be
lowered. In addition, in December 2021, EPA
announced its efforts to strengthen the
regulatory framework on lead in
drinking water. EPA identified priority
improvements for the LCRI: proactive and
equitable lead service line replacement (LSLR),
strengthening compliance tap sampling to
better identify communities most at risk of lead
in drinking water and to compel lead reduction
actions, and reducing the complexity of the
regulation through improvement of the action
and trigger level construct. EPA has begun
development of a proposed National Primary
Drinking Water Regulation, Lead and Copper
Rule Improvements (LCRI) to address key
issues and opportunities to protect all
Americans from lead in drinking water. EPA
intends to promulgate the LCRI prior to
October 16, 2024.
GAO-
21-78
2020-
12-18
EPA's Assistant Administrator for
Water should incorporate use of (1)
ACS data on neighborhood
characteristics potentially associated
with the presence of lead service
lines and (2) geospatial lead data,
when available, into EPA's efforts to
address the Federal Action Plan to
Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures
and Associated Health Impacts.
The Agency has developed Guidance for
Developing and Maintaining a Service Line
Inventory. In the document there is a section on
"Inventory Planning" that discusses various
approaches that can be used to establish lead
service line inventories. While the LCRR does
not require a specific format for the service line
inventory, the guidance includes a section titled
"How to Make the Data Publicly Available"
including recommendations on web-based map
applications. Implementation is ongoing.
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GAO-
21-87
2020-
12-18
The Director of EPA's Office of
Resource Conservation and Recovery
should develop an implementation
plan for conducting a study and
developing recommendations for
administrative or legislative action
regarding the effect of existing public
policies, and the likely effect of
modifying or eliminating such
incentives and disincentives, upon
the reuse, recycling, and conservation
of materials, as required by RCRA.
The EPA initiated an analysis that examines the
impacts of different policies, incentives, and
disincentives on driving a circular economy.
This analysis includes a literature review of
existing domestic and international policies
related to recycling. The final report will
include recommendations on effective policies
or administrative actions. EPA completed
drafts of the final report and anticipates
releasing the report by June 30, 2023.
GAO-
21-87
2020-
12-18
The Director of EPA's Office of
Resource Conservation and Recovery
should develop an implementation
plan for conducting a study and
developing recommendations for
administrative or legislative action
regarding the necessity and method
of imposing disposal or other charges
on packaging, containers, vehicles,
and other manufactured goods to
reflect the cost of final disposal, the
value of recoverable components of
the item, and any social costs
associated with nonrecycling or
uncontrolled disposal, as required by
RCRA.
On November 15, 2021, EPA released its final
National Recycling Strategy. This strategy
committed EPA to conducting a study on
reflecting environmental and social costs in
product prices. Per the strategy, the agency will
develop an implementation plan with more
specificity about this action and the
organizational lead. The EPA completed a draft
of the study, and it is currently undergoing
review. Release of the study is anticipated by
June 30, 2023.
GAO-
21-87
2020-
12-18
The Director of EPA's Office of
Resource Conservation and Recovery
should, while EPA finalizes and
implements its national recycling
strategy, incorporate desirable
characteristics for effective national
strategies, including (1) identifying
the resources and investments
needed, and balancing the risk
reductions with costs; (2) clarifying
the roles and responsibilities of
participating entities; and (3)
articulating how it will implement the
strategy and integrate new activities
into existing programs and activities.
EPA released the National Recycling Strategy
on November 15, 2021. EPA completed the
implementation plan online platform. Since
then, EPA has undertaken several efforts to
implement the Strategy. GAO is reviewing the
implementation plan.
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GAO-
21-63
2021-
01-15
The Director for EPA's Office of
Pesticide Programs should, in the
agency's guidance, on its website, or
through another mechanism, explain
EPA's expectations about the
appropriate use of the pesticide
information obtained by a designated
representative, including describing
potential misuse of such information.
In December 2021, the agency completed an
assessment to determine whether the
designated representative provision is fulfilling
its intended purpose and how EPA can support
understanding and compliance with the
provision. The EPA now expects to implement
this recommendation by December 2023.
GAO-
21-291
2021-
03-26
The Assistant Administrator for
EPA's Office of Water should
develop definitions for all utility
ownership types for regional offices
and states to use when entering data
on ownership type in EPA's Safe
Drinking Water Information System
and should verify and correct the data
as needed.
The modernized Safe Drinking Water
Information System is expected to be available
for states to begin transitioning to the system
by end of 2024 and the length of transition
period will depend on states and their available
resources to transition. EPA expects the
definition development will be in the later part
of the SDWIS development when additional
fields will be added.
GAO-
21-291
2021-
03-26
The Assistant Administrator for
EPA's Office of Water should
conduct another Community Water
System Survey to establish an
updated, accurate baseline of
drinking water utility information for
rulemaking and other purposes.
The Agency has initiated work to conduct
another Community Water System Survey.
Implementation is ongoing.
GAO-
21-290
2021-
07-12
The Assistant Administrator of EPA's
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance should revise
its guidance to select files for its
State Review Framework
assessments of state-reported data to
incorporate statistically valid
probability sampling.
Based on recommendations from EPA's
National Center for Environmental Economics
on statistical methods, the agency will research
randomization tools to pilot for all Clean Water
Act Direct Implementation State Revolving
Fund File Selection lists during State Review
Framework. Full implementation is planned for
FY23.
GAO-
21-290
2021-
07-12
The Assistant Administrator of EPA's
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance should ensure
that consolidated, complete, and
updated information on all data
limitations is disclosed on the State
Water Dashboard.
The agency held discussions with stakeholders
to identify and map what website content
requires modification and how best to
implement them. Implementation includes but
is not limited to consolidation and editing of
website content and editing to improve clarity.
Full implementation is planned for FY23.
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GAO-
21-290
2021-
07-12
The Assistant Administrator of EPA s
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance should
develop a plan to determine the
overall accuracy and completeness of
the permit limit and discharge
monitoring report data recorded in its
national database.
The agency will continue to work with states to
identify and correct problems that prevent
proper transfer of discharge monitoring report
data to the Integrated Compliance Information
System National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System. Additionally, the agency
will work to maximize the amount of discharge
monitoring report data and all necessary permit
limit data in the system. The EPA will develop
a methodology to examine the accuracy of the
discharge monitoring report and permit limit
data received by the Integrated Compliance
Information System National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System from authorized
states. Full implementation is planned for
completion by the end of FY25.
GAO-
21-290
2021-
07-12
The Assistant Administrator of EPA s
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance should
develop a performance measure to
track the reduction in pollutant
discharges resulting from
enforcement actions for facilities in
significant noncompliance and
disclose any limitations.
The EPA will identify trends in this measure
over time to assess whether agency and state
compliance work is positively impacting the
average pollutant load over limit per permit.
The agency will continue to report annually the
Estimated Water Pollutants to be reduced
resulting from enforcement actions (Estimated
Water Pollutants Reduced, Treated or
Eliminated for the Clean Water Act National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Program). The page will also identify data
limitations. Additionally, the EPA will develop
a methodology and outcome measure for
tracking the extent to which the significant
noncompliance national compliance initiative
achieves reductions in illegal pollutant
discharges. Actions are ongoing.
GAO-
21-
103181
2021-
09-21
The Administrator of EPA should
fully describe available public
comment data, including any
limitations, to external users of the
data. This should include
coordination with GSA, as the
manager ofRegulations.gov, as
appropriate.
Implementation is complete. The EPA
requested closure of this recommendation in
December 2023.
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GAO-
22-
104677
2021-
10-14
The Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency
should evaluate the effectiveness of
steps taken to improve SBIR award
timeliness and take any necessary
additional steps in order to
consistently meet SBA award
timeliness guidelines.
Agency actions are complete. However, GAO
requires outyear data to confirm consistent
implementation. Closure is anticipated after an
additional cycle.
GAO-
22-
104153
2021-
12-15
The Administrator of EPA should
work with the Coast Guard and other
agencies to conduct assessments,
such as biological assessments or
ecological risk assessments, and
examining the potential effects of the
subsurface use of dispersants on
ocean ecosystems in regions where
this is considered a viable response
option.
The agency plans to provide support to the
Coast Guard and coordinate with the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and
other agencies to identify assessment
methodologies and examine potential effects of
the subsurface use of dispersants on ocean
ecosystems for select regions. Implementation
has external dependencies, so a firm estimate
for completion is not yet available.
GAO-
22-
104637
2021-
12-15
If Congress extends the refined coal
production tax credit, the
Administrator of the EPA should
coordinate with Treasury, IRS, and
DOE to review the performance of
the credit in achieving its intended
purpose and identify and implement,
as appropriate, any improvements
towards achieving that intended
purpose, such as adjustments to
allowable emissions testing methods.
Congress elected not to include the refined coal
tax credit when renewing similar energy tax
credits in the Inflation Reduction Act - a
precondition of the recommendation. The
agency requested closure of the
recommendation.
GAO-
22-
104494
2022-
02-28
The Assistant Administrator of the
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance should design
an information system to track
common deficiencies found during
inspections, including any related to
natural hazards and climate change,
and use this information to target
compliance assistance.
The agency intends to develop a written
business process to identify common
deficiencies and to use this process to target
compliance assistance efforts. Completion is
anticipated by mid-2023.
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GAO-
22-
104494
2022-
02-28
The Assistant Administrator of the
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance and Director
of the Office of Emergency
Management should develop a
method for inspectors to assess the
sufficiency of RMP facilities'
incorporation of risks from natural
hazards and climate change into risk
management programs and provide
related guidance and training to
inspectors.
The agency is working on a proposal to revise
the Risk Management Plan (RMP) regulations
and after the final rule is published, we intend
to incorporate methods and/or materials related
to assessing the sufficiency of RMP facilities'
incorporation of risks from natural hazards and
climate change into the Risk Management
Program Inspector Training course.
Completion is anticipated by the end of FY23.
GAO-
22-
104494
2022-
02-28
The Assistant Administrator of the
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance, working with
officials at regional offices, should
incorporate vulnerability of RMP
facilities to natural hazards and
climate change as criteria when
selecting facilities for inspection.
The agency is working on a proposal to revise
the RMP regulations and will look for
opportunities to incorporate risks from climate
change into the National Compliance Initiative
goals and inspection selection criteria, as well
as refine its approach after the final rule is
published. Completion is anticipated by the end
of FY23.
GAO-
22-
104494
2022-
02-28
The Assistant Administrator of the
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance and Director
of the Office of Emergency
Management should develop a
method for inspectors to assess the
sufficiency of RMP facilities'
incorporation of risks from natural
hazards and climate change into risk
management programs and provide
related guidance and training to
inspectors.
The agency is working on a proposal to revise
the RMP regulations. After the final rule is
published, the agency intends to incorporate
methods and/or materials related to assessing
the sufficiency of RMP facilities' incorporation
of risks from natural hazards and climate
change into the Risk Management Program
Inspector Training course. Completion is
anticipated by the end of FY23.
GAO-
22-
104494
2022-
02-28
The Assistant Administrator of the
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance and Director
of the Office of Emergency
Management, together with EPA
officials at regional offices, should
provide additional compliance
assistance to RMP facilities related to
risks from natural hazards and
climate change.
Progress on this recommendation is contingent
on the final rule being published, so EPA does
not expect to develop the additional materials
to assist regulated entities in complying with
the updated RMP regulations until after the
final rule is published.
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GAO-
22-
104494
2022-
02-28
The Director of the Office of
Emergency Management should
issue regulations, guidance, or both,
as appropriate, to clarify
requirements and provide direction
for RMP facilities on how to
incorporate risks from natural
hazards and climate change into their
risk management programs.
EPA published the proposed rule ahead of
schedule in August 2022. It includes
amendments to the PHA and hazard review
provisions that would explicitly require RMP
facilities to consider the risks of external events
such as natural hazards, including those caused
by climate change or other triggering events
that could lead to an accidental release.
Completion is anticipated by the end of FY23.
GAO-
22-
104276
2022-
03-17
The Director of the Office of
Emergency Management at EPA
should develop a formal lessons
learned process with written
guidelines for disaster responses,
including responses to Stafford Act
disasters, that incorporates the key
practices of a lessons learned process.
The agency is on track to complete this action
by the end of CY23.
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Working Capital Fund
In FY 2024, the Agency will be in its 28th year of operation of the Working
Capital Fund (WCF). The WCF is a revolving fund authorized by law to finance
a cycle of operations in which the costs for goods or services provided are
charged to the users. The WCF operates like a commercial business within EPA
where customers pay for services received, thus generating revenue. Customers
include EPA program and regional offices and other federal agencies. The WCF
mechanism provides an efficient method for a full cost approach to agency
programs. EPA's WCF was implemented under the authority of Section 403 of
the Government Management Reform Act of 1994 and the Omnibus
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997. EPA received permanent WCF
authority in the Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
of 1998.
EPA's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) initiated the WCF in FY 1997 as part of an
effort to: 1) be accountable to agency offices, the Office of Management and
Budget, and Congress; 2) increase the efficiency of the administrative services
provided to program offices; and 3) increase customer service and
responsiveness. The Agency has a WCF Board which provides policy and
planning oversight and advises the CFO regarding the WCF financial position.
The Board, chaired by a management representative within the Office of the
Chief Financial Officer, is comprised of 23 voting members from program and
regional offices.
In FY 2024, there will be 15 core agency activities provided under the WCF.
These are the Agency's information technology services, agency postage,
Cincinnati voice services, background investigations, enterprise human
resources, Information and Technology (IT) services, and facilities alterations
managed by the Office of Mission Support; financial and administrative systems,
employee relocations, and a budget formulation system managed by the Office
of the Chief Financial Officer; the Agency's Continuity of Operations (COOP)
site managed by the Office of Land and Emergency Management; regional
information technology service and support managed by EPA Region 8; legal
services managed by the Office of General Counsel; and multimedia services,
EPA Action Management System (EAMS) and agency servicing contracts
managed by the Office of the Administrator.
The Agency's FY 2024 budget request includes resources for these 15 core
activities in each National Program Manager's submission, totaling
approximately $463 million. These estimated resources may be adjusted during
the year to incorporate any program office's additional service needs during the
operating year. To the extent these increases are subject to Congressional
reprogramming notifications, the Agency will comply with all applicable
requirements. In FY 2024, the Agency will continue to perform relocation
services for other federal agencies, delivering high quality services external to
EPA.
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The Agency anticipates that there may be minor increases and decreases in FY
2024 due to several IT improvements, including increased cloud computing,
improved network infrastructure, cybersecurity requirements, continuous
diagnostic and mitigation program implementation, and discovery services.
Other funding shifts have been included in the FY 2024 WCF plan that relate to
the necessary telecommunications and computer support needed by every
employee. As part of an overall review and rebalancing of these costs, funds have
been shifted across programs to reflect FTE changes as well.
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A
Acquisition Management 202, 207, 469, 626, 629, 690, 746, 748, 753, 1268, 1310, 1312, 1313
Acronyms for Statutory Authority 1212,1252
Administrative Law 201,207,431,433, 1244, 293, 1309
Administrative Provisions 2, 1319
Advanced Drinking Water Technologies 795, 802, 920, 1315
Agency Financial Report 1136, 1137,1341
Alternative Dispute Resolution 44, 201, 207, 434, 438, 626, 629, 683, 1309, 1312
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 327, 1252
Analytical Methods 116,178, 589, 664,1220
Annual Performance Report 975,1004, 1190
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations 2, 4, 5, 6, 626, 628, 631,632,1311, 1312
B
Beach / Fish Programs 202, 208, 570, 1311
Brownfields 4, 14, 63, 189, 200, 204, 205, 213, 214, 215, 216, 10, 720, 794, 801, 803, 807, 808, 867, 868, 869, 990,
991, 1070, 1160, 1171, 1225, 1252, 1255, 1268, 1276, 293,297, 1308, 1314, 1316, 1324, 1325, 1354, 1355
Brownfields Projects 4, 63, 216, 794, 801, 808, 867, 1314
C
CASTNET 80, 81, 82, 83, 221, 222, 223, 224, 852
Categorical Grant
Multipurpose Grants 794, 803, 820, 1316
Categorical Grants 12, 47, 534, 794, 802, 803, 804, 805, 807, 810, 814, 817, 818, 820, 822, 826, 828, 832, 837,
840, 843, 845, 849, 851, 854, 857, 859, 861, 1315, 1316
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance. 202, 207, 473, 478, 626, 629, 694, 696, 746, 748, 755, 2, 1310, 1312,
1313, 1316
Chesapeake Bay 12, 157, 201, 206, 342, 343, 344, 345, 1118, 1197, 1198, 297, 1308
Children/Other Sensitive Populations
Agency Coordination 200, 207,275, 1309
Civil Enforcement 6, 44, 101, 102, 200, 206, 267, 315, 317, 321, 325, 746, 748, 750, 4, 6, 1, 2, 1268, 291, 297,
1308, 1313, 1314
Civil Rights / Title VI Compliance 1268
Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs 74, 76, 80, 81, 82, 83, 200, 205, 219, 220, 222, 223, 224, 1306, 1307
Clean Air and Climate 76, 80, 85, 88, 91, 205, 219, 226, 240, 245, 256, 262, 1306, 1307
Clean and Safe Water 9, 10, 14, 18, 21, 23, 54, 55, 78, 193, 197, 209, 342, 346, 350, 353, 356, 362, 366, 369, 373,
562, 566, 570, 573, 585, 588, 600, 803, 805, 822, 832, 840, 857, 861, 871, 873, 878, 884, 885, 890, 892, 894,
896, 898, 900, 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922, 924, 926, 928, 930, 932, 934, 936, 938,
940, 942, 944, 7, 973, 997, 998, 999, 1059, 1060, 1061, 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1067, 1068, 1116, 1118,
1197, 1199, 1200, 1201, 1203, 1204, 1206, 1207, 1209, 1210, 1307
Climate Change 2, 25, 27, 29, 85, 91, 92, 106, 137, 157, 161, 180, 226, 231, 232, 236, 237, 247, 249, 255, 276,
319, 326, 329, 344, 406, 408, 416, 444, 448, 449, 590, 735, 864, 865, 995, 1012, 1013, 1018, 1021, 1023, 1044,
1121, 1122, 1124, 1125, 1126, 1127, 1129, 1134,1164, 1173, 1174, 1217, 1218, 1241, 1281
Climate Protection Program 2, 85,226, 232
Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) 406,411, 1215
Communities 4, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 33, 37, 38, 39, 48, 49, 54, 55, 60, 61, 73, 75, 77, 80, 88, 105,
113, 121, 124, 127, 130, 133, 178, 185, 186, 188, 193, 197,211,214,215,219, 221,223,224, 229, 235,240,
245, 256, 262, 268, 276, 280, 301, 303,311, 319, 331, 333, 342, 346, 350, 353, 354, 356, 362, 366, 369, 373, 381,
388, 390, 394, 396, 398, 401, 434, 437, 438, 446, 447, 458, 461, 467, 497, 517, 518, 520, 526, 554, 558, 562,
566, 570, 573, 585, 588, 597, 600, 8, 627, 629, 658, 662, 666, 669, 684, 710, 717, 718, 723, 724, 726, 729, 731,
734, 735, 746, 748, 759, 760, 764, 765, 767, 770, 771, 4, 6, 4, 10, 1, 795, 802, 805, 807, 808, 810, 812, 814, 822,
832, 840, 843, 845, 851, 857, 859, 861, 867, 868, 871, 873, 878, 884, 885, 888, 890, 892, 894, 896, 898, 900,
902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922, 924, 926, 928, 930, 932, 934, 936, 938, 940, 942, 944,
946, 7, 8, 4, 973, 975, 982, 983, 990, 992, 993, 997, 998, 999, 1007, 1026, 1040, 1050, 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054,
1055, 1056, 1057, 1058, 1059, 1060, 1061, 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1067, 1068, 1069, 1070, 1071, 1072,
1380
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1073, 1074, 1075, 1076, 1077, 1078, 1079, 1080, 1081, 1116, 1118, 1122, 1127, 1128, 1130, 1131, 1133, 1135,
1160, 1161, 1162, 1163, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1171, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1197, 1199, 1200, 1201, 1203, 1204,
1205, 1206, 1207, 1209, 1210, 1248, 1249, 1250, 1255, 1282, 1307, 1313, 1314, 1315
Compliance..5, 6, 7, 18, 20, 23, 39, 41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 57, 63, 85, 101, 102, 141, 151, 200, 205, 264, 265, 266, 267,
268, 269, 270, 272, 273, 295, 297, 306, 315, 316, 318, 319, 321, 323, 326, 327, 331, 434, 437, 442, 458, 480,
559, 577, 587, 626, 629, 638, 639, 645, 648, 651, 655, 683, 699, 734, 750, 768, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1, 794, 803, 826,
835, 849, 859, 970, 971, 977, 978, 999, 1037, 1038, 1040, 1041, 1043, 1044, 1045, 1046, 1047, 1048, 1049,
1067, 1112, 1114, 1123, 1153, 1154, 1155, 1156, 1157, 1158, 1159, 1187, 1210, 1212, 1225, 1237, 1238, 1255,
1256, 1261, 1268, 1269, 1278, 1281, 1287, 289, 291, 297, 1298, 1308, 1312, 1314, 1316, 1330, 1331, 1348,
1369, 1374, 1376
Compliance Monitoring 6, 46, 57, 102, 200, 205, 265, 266, 267, 316, 577, 626, 629, 639, 4, 6, 8, 826, 835, 849,
970, 971, 1114, 1154, 1155, 1212, 1268, 297, 1298, 1308, 1312, 1314, 1331
Computational Toxicology 77, 295,1307
Congressional Priorities 75,78, 196, 197,203,209,599, 600, 1307, 1311, 1316, 1318
Congressionally Mandated Projects 803,1316
Connection to Publicly Owned Treatment Works 795, 802, 932, 1315
Coordination With Other Federal Agencies 1212, 1214
Covid-19 1147
Criminal Enforcement...7, 45, 101, 200, 206, 323, 324, 325, 626, 629, 645, 646, 648, 725, 2, 1238, 1268, 291, 297,
1308, 1312, 1334
D
Decontamination 117
Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant Program 794, 801, 864, 1314
Drinking Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability 795, 802, 896, 1314
Drinking Water Programs 10, 56, 75, 78, 193, 202, 208, 389, 573, 858, 891, 893, 895, 897, 898, 904, 906, 908,
910, 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 945, 1219, 1268, 1307, 1311
Ecosystems 202, 347, 423, 561, 675, 974, 1117
eEnterprise 290
E-Enterprise 266, 971, 1109
Electronic Reporting 265, 266, 286, 549, 642, 835
Eliminated Programs 1212,1318
eManifest 1138
E-Manifest 2
Endocrine Disruptors 77, 202, 208, 531, 1307, 1310
Enforcement ..7, 33, 39, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 74, 77, 100, 101, 103, 151, 200, 206, 266, 267, 272, 294, 297, 306, 314,
315, 318, 321, 323, 324, 325, 326, 437, 438, 461, 7, 10, 626, 629, 633, 635, 639, 644, 645, 646, 648, 650, 651,
652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 743, 746, 748,749, 750, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 1, 794, 803, 826, 835, 978, 1026, 1037, 1040,
1044, 1047, 1153, 1155, 1156, 1157, 1158, 1159, 1237, 1238, 1239, 1240, 1244, 1255, 1279, 1287,291,295,
297, 1306, 1308, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1316, 1318, 1334, 1353, 1369
Enforcement Training 1244
Enhanced Aquifer Use and Recharge 795, 802, 942, 1315
Ensure Clean Water 208,585, 588, 5,7, 1311, 1316
Ensure Safe Water 78, 193,208,570, 573, 1307, 1311
Environmental Education 198, 200, 207, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 347, 1205, 1254, 289, 1309
Environmental Justice ....4, 5, 18, 20, 23, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 45, 92, 98, 200, 205, 215, 267, 276, 288, 290, 295,
299, 309, 310, 311, 323, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 339, 354, 370, 432, 437, 438, 440, 452, 454, 458, 461,
462, 463, 467, 498, 541, 546, 590, 626, 629, 645, 646, 657, 658, 659, 8, 854, 855, 976, 996, 1007, 1008, 1021,
1026, 1027, 1028, 1029, 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, 1036, 1037, 1038, 1039, 1040, 1041, 1042, 1044,
1080, 1164, 1212, 1238, 1241, 1242, 1243, 1258, 1269, 1281, 1282, 297, 1308, 1312, 1364
EPA User Fee Program 1212,1259
Exchange Network 200, 207, 285, 287, 626, 629, 641, 810, 812, 1245, 1247, 1268, 1280, 1309, 1312
Executive Management and Operations 200, 207,279, 284, 1309
Expected Benefits of E-Government Initiatives 1212,1263
1381
-------
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations.. 74, 77, 140, 142, 202, 207, 479, 4, 6, 1, 626, 629, 698, 746, 748, 757, 4,
6, 8, 297, 1306, 1310, 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314
Federal Stationary Source Regulations 8, 200, 205,240, 1268, 1307
Federal Support for Air Quality Management 8, 50, 74, 76, 88, 90, 200, 205, 245, 848, 853, 1268, 1306, 1307
Federal Vehicle and Fuels Standards and Certification 3, 74,76, 85, 91, 93,1306
Forensics Support 74, 77, 101, 102, 267, 316, 626, 629, 648, 297, 1306, 1312
G
General Counsel 19, 452, 1269, 1281, 1332, 1352, 1378
Geographic Programs 12, 59, 201, 204, 206, 341, 342, 346, 350, 353, 356, 362, 366, 369, 373, 1065, 1308
Goal 1 .18,25,26, 85, 92, 231,406,411,414,415,444, 865, 995, 1002, 1005, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017,
1018, 1019, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1121, 1124, 1125, 1126, 1129, 1134, 1173
Goal 2.4, 18,33,34, 187,290,310, 332, 338,414, 438, 440,442, 462, 658, 659, 855, 996, 1002, 1005, 1008, 1026,
1027, 1028, 1029, 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, 1036, 1037, 1038, 1039, 1040, 1041, 1042, 1164, 1269
Goal 3 18, 41, 42, 101, 266, 267, 316, 323, 327, 415, 434, 639, 645, 648, 652, 655, 683, 750, 8, 1, 826, 849, 970,
971,977, 1002, 1005, 1043, 1044, 1045, 1046, 1047, 1048, 1049, 1112, 1114, 1153, 1154, 1157
Goal 4 .18, 48, 49, 82, 88, 125, 127, 130, 133, 222, 241, 248, 258, 262, 394, 396, 398, 401, 415, 467, 669, 843, 845,
851, 888, 949, 975, 982, 983, 1002, 1005, 1050, 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054, 1055, 1056, 1057, 1058, 1122, 1127,
1128, 1130, 1131, 1133, 1135
Goal 5 .10, 14, 18, 54, 55, 193, 343, 346, 350, 354, 358, 363, 367, 370, 374, 563, 566, 571, 574, 585, 588, 805, 823,
832, 841, 857, 862, 872, 874, 881, 887, 890, 892, 894, 896, 898, 900, 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916,
918, 920, 922, 924, 926, 928, 930, 932, 934, 936, 938, 940, 942, 944, 8, 973, 997, 998, 999, 1002, 1005, 1059,
1060, 1061, 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1067, 1068, 1116, 1118, 1197, 1199, 1200, 1201, 1203, 1204, 1206,
1207, 1209, 1210
Great Lakes Legacy Act 374
Great Lakes Restoration 189,201, 206, 373,1200,1201,1202,1308
Greenhouse Gases 232, 461
H
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund 4, 5, 21,24, 473, 520, 694, 755, 10,2, 4, 5,1137,1138,
1139, 1261, 1316, 1319
Hazardous Waste Facilities 320,1077
Healthy Schools 276
Homeland Security 74, 77, 104, 105, 113, 114, 116, 117, 121, 122, 130, 131, 142, 150, 154, 201,206, 260,287,
380, 381, 382, 387, 388, 389, 390, 392, 398, 399, 400, 421, 422, 537, 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 626, 629, 646, 661, 662,
663,665,666, 667,673,674, 726, 823, 1081, 1216, 1229, 1231, 1234, 1285,289, 1306, 1308, 1309, 1311, 1312
Human Health 256,710, 1065, 1172, 1185, 1231
Human Resources Management 202,207, 486, 490,627, 629, 704,707, 1268, 1310, 1313
I
Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program 795, 802, 918, 1315
Indoor Air8, 48, 52, 53,74, 76, 123, 124, 125, 127, 130, 133,201,205,393, 394,396, 398, 401,402,626, 628,668,
669, 843,949, 1050, 1055, 1133, 1216,290, 1306, 1307, 1308, 1312
Indoor Air and Radiation ....74, 76, 123, 124, 127, 130, 133, 201, 205, 393, 394, 396, 398, 401, 626, 628, 668, 669,
1306, 1307, 1308, 1312
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 1,19, 26, 269, 327, 448, 477, 483, 696, 701, 969, 975, 1027, 1119
Information Exchange / Outreach 1309,1312
Information Security 138, 201, 206, 287, 383, 420, 421, 422, 423, 425, 429, 7, 9, 626, 629, 643, 672, 673, 674, 675,
677,681, 1181, 1253, 1254, 1285,293, 1309, 1312, 1347
Infrastructure Assistance 415,794, 801, 871, 873, 878, 885,1314
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).... 1, 19, 72, 105, 215, 328, 378, 483, 527, 529, 574, 696, 701, 729,
807, 868, 872, 947, 1176, 1220, 1227
1382
-------
Inspector General 19, 4,5, 107, 137,473,476,532, 2, 4,6,7, 10,3,628, 632, 633,635,637,694, 695, 1130, 1131,
1133, 1136, 1138, 1139, 1140, 1141, 1142, 1145, 1149, 1151, 1154, 1157, 1171, 1179, 1181, 1183, 1185, 1188,
1212, 1244, 1250, 1251, 1254, 1270, 1281, 1311, 1320
Integrated Environmental Strategies 201, 207,444, 1309
International Programs 201, 206,404, 405,411, 414, 1309
International Sources of Pollution 201, 206,405, 1268, 1309
IT / Data Management.74, 77, 135, 136, 201, 206, 207, 420, 426, 626, 629, 641, 672, 678, 1268, 1306, 1309, 1312
IT/Data Management/Security 77, 136, 206, 207,420, 426, 629, 641,672, 678, 1306, 1309, 1312
L
Lake Pontchartrain 12, 206, 357, 358, 359, 1308
Lead Testing in Schools 10,795, 802, 894, 1314
Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review 207,431, 434, 437,444, 451, 457,461, 466, 626, 629,682,
683,686, 1309, 1312
Legal Advice
Environmental Program 201, 207, 451, 460, 626, 629, 686, 1268, 1309, 1312
Support Program 201, 207, 457, 458, 460, 1268, 1309
LUST / UST 202, 208, 558, 746, 748, 764, 6, 1310, 1313, 1314
LUST Cooperative Agreements 746,748, 766, 770,773, 1313
LUST Prevention 560, 746, 748, 767, 860, 1079, 1313
M
Marine Pollution 202,208, 585, 1311
Mercury and Air Toxics Standards 220,241,242, 244,249, 1122
Mexico Border 415, 417, 794, 798, 801, 885, 886, 887, 1024, 1314
Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability 795, 802, 916
Mississippi River Basin 564,1222
Monitoring Grants 803, 1315
N
Nanotechnology 168, 181, 716
National Estuary Program / Coastal Waterways 202,208, 562, 1310
NEPA Implementation 200,206,326, 327, 328, 1268, 297, 1308
O
Office of Air and Radiation 982, 996, 1002, 1107, 1120, 1122, 1124, 1125, 1126, 1127, 1128, 1129, 1130, 1131,
1132, 1133, 1135, 1249, 290, 1328, 1329, 1332, 1333, 1334, 1335, 1336, 1348, 1356
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Protection 168, 172,174, 452, 499, 544, 968, 969, 985, 989,1002,
1145, 1147, 1148, 1149, 1151, 1183, 1233, 1284, 290, 1320, 1321, 1344, 1345, 1346, 1351, 1354, 1355, 1357
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.. 43, 46,145,146, 265, 266,268, 270, 273, 317, 318, 321, 8,
970, 971,977, 978,988, 1002, 1009, 1085, 1112, 1114, 1152, 1153, 1154, 1157, 1158, 1159, 1212, 1287,291,
296, 297, 1299, 1327, 1330, 1332, 1353, 1354, 1356, 1362, 1366, 1369, 1373, 1374, 1375, 1376
Office of General Counsel 19, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 1281, 291
Office of International Affairs 292
Office of International and Tribal Affairs 310,1037, 292
Office of Land and Emergency Management 14, 64,186,188,214, 517, 521, 558, 635,709, 710, 711,719, 723,
729, 735, 764, 767, 770, 807, 867, 868, 990, 992, 993, 996, 997, 1002, 1008, 1009, 1019, 1159, 1160, 1161,
1162, 1163, 1164, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1171, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1193, 1231, 1234, 293, 1339, 1378
Office of Mission Support... 19, 382, 811, 979, 1002, 1175, 1176, 1177, 1178, 1179, 1180, 1181, 1182, 1183, 1184,
1185, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1269, 1285, 1286, 1288, 292, 293,294, 1326, 1327, 1339, 1340, 1341, 1347, 1378
Office of Policy 294, 311, 384, 1020, 1269, 289
Office of Research and Development 16, 19, 8,9,35, 118,119, 160, 161,167, 168, 171, 174,182,183, 189,190,
542, 548, 558, 9, 2, 4, 712, 715, 716, 720, 760, 761, 764, 767, 770, 3, 991, 992, 995, 996, 997, 1002, 1006, 1017,
1027, 1032, 1033, 1037, 1095, 1096, 1189, 1190, 1191, 1192, 1193, 1194, 1195, 1196, 1197, 1204, 1234, 1249,
1269, 1270, 1284, 1285, 295, 1301, 1302, 1320, 1321, 1344, 1345, 1347, 1352, 1357, 1359, 1360, 1369, 1370
Office of the Administrator 19, 283,6,7,632, 633,980, 1002, 1119, 1180, 1185, 1269,289, 1378
1383
-------
Office of the Chief Financial Officer. .. 19, 4, 476, 694, 696, 984, 1002, 1136, 1137, 1139, 1140, 1141, 1142, 1143,
1144, 1187, 1286, 1288, 290, 1331, 1339, 1340, 1341, 1378
Office of the Inspector General. 19, 137, 145, 147,241,282, 421,476,532, 533,6,7,8, 10, 1,2,3,632, 633,634,
635,636, 637, 673,695,696, 1130, 1131, 1132, 1133, 1136, 1137, 1138, 1139, 1140, 1141, 1142, 1143, 1144,
1145, 1149, 1150, 1151, 1154, 1155, 1157, 1158, 1159, 1168, 1169, 1171, 1172, 1177, 1178, 1179, 1180, 1181,
1182, 1183, 1184, 1185, 1186, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1251, 1270, 1286, 1287,292, 1320, 1323, 1324, 1325, 1326,
1327, 1328, 1329, 1330, 1331, 1332, 1333, 1334, 1335, 1336, 1337, 1338, 1339, 1340, 1341, 1342, 1343,1344,
1345, 1346, 1347, 1348, 1349, 1350, 1351, 1352, 1353, 1354, 1355, 1356, 1357, 1358
Office of Water... 178, 973,977, 996, 997, 1002, 1008, 1116, 1118, 1197, 1199, 1200, 1201, 1203, 1209, 1210, 295,
1320, 1352, 1354
Oil..4, 5,20,21,23,24, 103, 120, 130, 140, 186, 222, 265,273,322,398, 479, 567, 1,639, 695,698,718, 725,726,
743,757,760, 4, 6, 8, 9, 1,2,3,4, 5,6,8, 1,2, 3, 1081, 1133, 1174, 1175, 1192, 1230, 1255, 1314
Oil Spill
Prevention, Preparedness and Response 4, 6, 4,1314
Operations and Administration74, 77, 139, 140, 202, 207, 468, 469, 473, 479, 483, 486, 491, 4, 6, 10, 1, 626, 629,
689, 690, 694, 698,701,704, 746, 748,752, 753,755,757,4, 6,7, 8, 2, 1306, 1309, 1310, 1311, 1312, 1313,
1314, 1316
P
Pesticide Safety Education Program 498,499, 506
Pesticides
Protect Human Health from Pesticide Risk 74, 77,144,147, 202, 208,495, 1268,1306, 1310
Realize the Value of Pesticide Availability 74, 77, 152, 202,208, 510, 1268, 1307,1310
Pesticides Licensing 74, 77, 143, 144, 149, 152, 202, 208, 494, 495, 502, 510, 513, 1306, 1307, 1310
Pollution Prevention.... 15, 19, 67, 71, 72, 87, 120, 161, 163, 164, 165, 168, 172, 202, 208, 239, 304, 305, 308, 451,
452, 493, 506, 534, 535, 536, 539, 7, 633, 716, 794, 803, 821, 837, 839, 968, 969, 985, 986, 987, 988, 989, 1002,
1037, 1082, 1091, 1092, 1111, 1145, 1149, 1152,1184, 1232, 1236, 1255, 1279, 1284, 290, 1310, 1316, 1320,
1321, 1344, 1354
Pollution Prevention Program 15, 19, 164, 165, 172, 202, 208, 534, 535, 839, 1232, 1310
Proposed FY 2024 Administrative Provisions 2, 1212, 1319
Puget Sound 12, 201, 206, 369, 370, 371, 1020, 1206, 1308, 1363
R
Radiation..48, 52, 74, 76, 113, 118, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 133, 141, 172,201,205, 255, 296,394,396,
397, 398, 401, 451, 453, 480, 9, 626, 628, 646, 669, 699, 843, 949, 975, 982, 983, 1002, 1019, 1037, 1050, 1055,
1056, 1107, 1120, 1132, 1133, 1214, 1217, 1218, 1249, 1255, 1281,290, 291, 1306, 1308, 1312, 1328, 1332,
1367, 1368
Reduce Risks from Indoor Air 74, 76, 132, 133,201,205,401, 1306, 1308
Reducing Lead in Drinking Water 10, 795, 802, 892, 1314
Regional Science and Technology 202, 207,491,1309,1310
Regions 35, 81, 145, 248, 270, 273, 307, 337, 338, 381, 382, 442, 491, 549, 2, 636, 978, 998, 999, 1031, 1037,
1038, 1165, 1190, 1234, 1249, 1277, 1330, 1335, 1354, 1358
Regulatory/Economic-Management and Analysis 201, 207,461, 1309
Research
Air and Energy 74, 155
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 47, 87, 163, 168,172, 198,202, 208,239,269,287, 316,
410, 413, 417, 433, 452, 491, 493, 516, 517, 519, 520, 525, 526, 529, 643, 716, 814, 821, 10, 2, 3, 4, 5, 990,
1070, 1160, 1167, 1228, 1310, 1316, 1330
Resource Recovery and Hazardous Waste Grants 794, 803, 814, 1316
Restore Land60, 61, 211, 214, 215, 517, 518, 558, 723, 724, 729, 731, 734, 735, 764, 765, 770, 771, 807, 808, 867,
868, 990, 992, 993, 1069, 1070, 1160, 1161, 1162, 1163, 1169, 1171, 1172
5
Safe and Sustainable Water Resources 75, 77,176,177,1195,1307
Safe Water for Small & Disadvantaged Communities 795,802, 890, 1314
San Francisco Bay 12, 201, 206, 366, 367, 368, 1206, 1308
1384
-------
Science Advisory Board 202, 207, 334, 463, 466, 976, 1268, 289, 1309
Science Policy and Biotechnology 202, 208, 513,1310
Security. 92, 99, 105, 108, 109, 112, 120, 159, 161, 198, 201,236,382, 383,384,385,386, 389,390,391,408,419,
420, 422, 423,457,9, 1,626, 666, 671,672, 674, 675,681,944, 1183, 1215, 1217, 1219, 1229, 1231, 1242,
1244, 1252, 1253, 1254, 1285, 1346, 1356, 1366
Small and Medium Publicly Owned Treatment Works Circuit Rider Program 795, 802, 928
Small Business Ombudsman 200, 207, 294, 1309
Small Minority Business Assistance 200,207,298, 472,692, 1309
Source Water Petition Program 795, 802, 908, 1315
Special Accounts 1320
State and Local Prevention and Preparedness 200, 207, 301, 302, 1268, 1309
State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) 14, 415, 534, 794, 801, 802, 863, 864, 867, 871, 873, 878, 884, 885,
888, 890, 892, 894, 896, 898, 900, 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922, 924, 926, 928, 930,
932, 934, 936, 938, 940, 942, 944, 946, 949, 1314, 1315
Stormwater Control Infrastructure Project Grants 795, 802, 938, 1315
Stormwater Infrastructure Technology 795, 802, 936, 1315
Stratospheric Ozone
Domestic Programs 8,200, 205,256, 1307
Multilateral Fund 200, 205, 262, 1307
Superfund
Federal Facilities Enforcement 626, 629,655, 1312
Superfund Cleanup 627, 630, 722, 723, 726, 729, 734, 1313
Surface Water Protection 9, 202, 208, 564, 588, 898, 922, 1268, 1311
Sustainable and Healthy Communities75, 77, 186, 627, 630, 718, 721, 746, 748, 760, 762, 4, 6, 1, 3, 1196, 1307,
1313, 1314
Targeted Airshed Grants 794, 801, 888, 889,1314
Technical Assistance and Grants for Emergencies (SDWA) 795, 802, 904, 1314
Technical Assistance and Grants for Emergencies, Small Systems 795, 802, 906
Technical Assistance for Treatment Works 898
Toxics Risk Review and Prevention 202, 208, 530, 531, 534, 540, 553, 1310
Trade and Governance 201,206, 411, 413,1309
TRI/Right to Know 200, 207,304, 1268, 1309
Tribal - Capacity Building 200, 207, 309, 1268, 1309
U
Underground Storage Tanks (LUST I UST) 208, 558, 748, 764, 767, 770, 6, 1310, 1313, 1314
US Mexico Border 201, 206, 414, 415, 417, 794, 798, 801, 885, 886, 887, 1024, 1309, 1314
W
Wastewater Efficiency Grant Pilot Program 795, 802, 924, 1315
Water
Human Health Protection 75, 192, 202, 569
Water Data Sharing Pilot Program 795, 802, 934, 1315
Water Quality Monitoring 362, 1204, 1224
Water Quality Protection 202, 362, 363, 584,2, 6
Water Quality Research and Support Grants 600, 1318
Water Sector Cybersecurity 110,112, 795, 802, 944, 1315
Wetlands 184, 198, 202, 208, 362, 367, 562, 565, 566, 567, 794, 803, 861, 862, 973, 1223, 1224, 1252, 1254, 1274,
295, 1310, 1311, 1316, 1335
WIFIA 12, 55, 56, 576, 875, 876, 881, 882, 883, 901, 903, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 1060, 1062, 1256, 1261, 1262
Working Capital Fund 121, 390, 451, 473, 582, 589, 8, 666, 1212, 1242, 1321, 1322, 1378
1385
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1386
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