United States
Environmental Protection Agency
FISCAL YEAR 2024
Justification of Appropriation
Estimates for the
Committee on Appropriations
Tab 04: Science and Technology
March 2023
EPA-190-R-23-001 www.epa.gov/cj
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Environmental Protection Agency
2024 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Science and Technology
Contents
Program Projects in S&T 3
Clean Air 6
Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs 7
Climate Protection 12
Federal Support for Air Quality Management 15
Federal Vehicle and Fuels Standards and Certification 19
Enforcement 28
Forensics Support 29
Homeland Security 32
Homeland Security: Critical Infrastructure Protection 33
Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery 41
Research Planning 46
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure 49
Indoor Air and Radiation 51
Indoor Air: Radon Program 52
Radiation: Protection 54
Radiation: Response Preparedness 56
Reduce Risks from Indoor Air 58
IT / Data Management 60
Operations and Administration 63
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations 64
Pesticides Licensing 67
Pesticides: Protect Human Health from Pesticide Risk 68
Pesticides: Protect the Environment from Pesticide Risk 73
Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide Availability 76
Research: Air and Energy 79
Research: Air, Climate and Energy 80
Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability 86
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability 87
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Health and Environmental Risk Assessment 93
Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources 99
Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources 100
Research: Sustainable Communities 108
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities 109
Water: Human Health Protection 115
Drinking Water Programs 116
Congressional Priorities 119
Congressional Priorities 120
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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 of 1980; 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
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Program Pro ject
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, Indoor Air and Radiation
$5,404
$5,756
$7,391
$1,635
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 Pro ject
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.
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Clean Air
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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
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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 approximately $13.2 million, including payroll, 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 modernize the existing
CASTNET network, maintain and provide additional monitoring sites and deployable monitors,
including on tribal lands, and expanding site functionality (i.e., measuring additional air
pollutants). This investment includes $302.0 thousand in 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
SI 00.267
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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 in 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
SI 48.894
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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
-------
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
in payroll.
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Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act.
-------
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
Sciciuv ^ icclnwhixy
SI0/J-/.S
sirj-zi
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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 - 2026 EPA 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
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
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
the Department of Energy, use facilities' energy and operational savings to offset many of the
contract costs.
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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.
The Agency also will look at ways to update the science and data analysis that supports EPA's
evaluation methodology.
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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 programssuch as new and existing motor vehicle inspection and
maintenance (I/M), fuels, and vehicle miles travelled (VMT) offset programsas 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
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.
I V 20I"7
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
1 Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
Target
Established
No Target
Established
No Target
Established
Rules
Actual
i
4 For more information, please see the DERA Fifth Report to Congress, August 2022whichmay be found at:
https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=P1015S8Q.pdf
5 For more information, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ports-initiative.
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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 agency wide 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 in 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
-------
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 ^ icclnwhixy
S N.HI 5
S 15.532
S/.S'A"
S3.125
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
-------
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 it- t echnology
SI0.X52
S J-1.205
S 2JJ5J
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 - 2026 EPA 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 (IIJ A)
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 significantlywith 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/sourcewaterprotection/drinkiiig-water-mappiiig-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.gov/waterlabnetwork.
10 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/dwlabcert/contact-iiifoniiation-certifLcation-programs-and-certified-
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.gov/publication/executive-order-13636-improving-critical-iiifrastructure-
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.
I V 20 r
I V 20IS
I V 201<)
I V 2020
I V 2021
1 Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
:,ooo
3,500
3,500
Systems and
Partners
Actual
3,939
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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 in payroll costs and essential workforce support costs.
(+$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 in payroll costs and essential
workforce support costs.
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
Sciciuv ^ icclnwhixy
S2-I.5M)
S 25.3-1 ~
S 3V.53V
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:
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/national-research-programs.
14 For more information, please see: https://dx.doi.org/1.0.3791/64164.
15 For more information, please see: https://ioumals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/ioumal.pone.0257434.
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/10.1.1.1.1/jani. 1.5339.
19 For more information, please see: https://doi.org/10.1.1.1.1/jani. 1.5437.
20 For more information, please see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34695284/.
21 For more information, please see: http://doi.org/ lain. 1.3770.
22 For more information, please see: https://doi.Org/10.1016/i.iviromet.2021.114251.
23 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/covidl9-research.
24 For more information, please see: https://www.sciencedirect.coin/science/article/pii/S2352186420314772.
25 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record Report.cfm?Lab=CESER&dirEnt _ 1958.
26 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si__public_file_download.cfm7p_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://cfiTub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_Report.cfm?dirEntryId=353143&Lab=CESER.
28 For more information, please see: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721039449.
29 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public record Report.cfm?dirEntryId=355320&Lab=CESER.
30 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.goY/esaiii/saiiipliiig-aiid-aiialYsis-plaii-sap-teiiiplate-tool-addressiiig-
environmental-contamination-pathogens.
31 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public record Report.cfm?dirEntryId=353479&Lab=CESER.
32 For more information, please see:
https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public file download.cfm?p_download id=544599&Lab=CESER.
33 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_ Report.cfm?dirEntryId=353716&Lab=CESER.
-------
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 - 2026 EPA 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/S030147972101389X.
36 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/esam/selected-analvtical-methods-environmental-remediation-and-
recoverv-sam.
37 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/scram/air-quality-dispersion-modeling-prefeiTed-and-recommended-
mcxlels.
-------
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:/Avww.cdc.gov/lab£/BMBL.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fbiosafety%2Fpublications%2Fb
mbl5%2Findex.htm.
-------
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.gov/research/stiategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-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 in payroll costs.
(+$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 $1,764.0 thousand in payroll costs.
Statutory Authority:
Atomic Energy 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:/Avww.epa.gov/research/epa-researcli-solutioiis-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
$4.90.}
S5.188
S5.158
-S30
Science it- t echnology
S501
Sf>25
.s 5tn
-S124
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.
-------
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
-------
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
S2.966
$3,364
$5.113
$1,749
Sciciuv it- icclnwhixy
s no
.SIVV
sr.i
-S_V)
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.
41 https://www.epa.gov/radoii.
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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 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
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
S8.244
S9.088
SI 1.638
S2.550
Science it- icclnwhixy
S 2.22-1
SJ.O.SJ
S2J-/V
Sfififi
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.
-------
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 in 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
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
S2.650
$3,143
$493
Science it- icclnwhixy
S2.V2X
S-/.6.SV)
S/.«<*«
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.
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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 20 r
I V 20IS
I V 201<)
I V 2020
I V 2021
1 Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
90
92
92
Percent
Actual
<>:
88
Numerator
i:x :4
122.78
Personnel
and Assets
Denominator
I4U
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 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).
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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
SI 3.593
S47.389
S33.796
Science it- icclnwhixy
SIJfi
S2S
S/KJ
-.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 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
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
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$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 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
44 For more information about EPA's Quality Program, please see: http://www.epa.gov/quality.
-------
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.gov/quality/guidelines-ensuring-and-maximizing-quality-obiectivitv-utilitv-
and-integrity-information.
46 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/ofFice-inspector-general/report-epa-needs-address-intemal-control-
deRciencies-agencywide-quatitv.
-------
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
-------
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
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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 - 2026 EPA 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
47 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.congress.gOv/bill/l 14th-congress/house-bill/4465. Federal Assets Sale
and Transfer Act of 2016.
-------
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-21-25.48 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-content/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-
room/presidential-actions/2021/12/08/executive-order-on-catalyzing-clean-energy-industries-and-iobs-through-federal-
sustainability/).
-------
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 ofEO 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).
-------
Pesticides Licensing
-------
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
S62.125
$65,529
$3,404
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$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 (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),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.
-------
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 (OEC A) 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.gov/atoutepa/about-microbiology-laboratorv.
52 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/atoutepa/atout-analytical-chemistry-latoratory-acl.
53 See., Report No. 16-P-0316, "Report: EPA Needs a Risk-Based Strategy to Assure Continued Effectiveness of Elospital-Level
Disinfectants," found at: https://www.epa.gov/ofFLce-iiispector-general/report-epa-needs-risk-based-strategy-assure-contiiiued-
effectiveness.
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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-analytical-methods/national-pesticide-standard-
repositorv.
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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 difficile), 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.gov/pesticide-registration/antimicrobial-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.
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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
$48,704
$75,391
$26,687
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$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.
57 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/section-7-consultations.
58 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-microbiology-laboratory.
59 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-analytical-chemistry-laboratory-acl.
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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.
-------
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).
-------
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
S7.022
S7.637
$8,234
$597
Science it- t echnology
SV-ll
SV25
S 1.002
,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/atoutepa/about-microbiology-laboratorv.
61 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/atoutepa/atout-analytical-chemistry-latoratory-acl.
62 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-analytical-methods/national-pesticide-standard-
repositorv.
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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
-------
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.
-------
Research: Air and Energy
-------
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
Sciciuv ^ icclnwhixy
SV3.-I02
.S I00.44H
SI J "iS'.i.i
Tolal Budget Authority
$93,402
^100,448
S137,835
S37,387
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.
-------
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/national-research-programs.
65 For more information, please see https://acp.copemicus.org/preprints/acp-2022-201/ and
https://doi.Org/10.1016/i.atmosenv.2021.118277.
66 For more information, please see https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1.1.1.1/gcb. 1.6076,
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/S0306261921007698.
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.mdpi.eom/2073-4433/13/6/877/htm and
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S13522310210054Q9.
71 For more information, please see https://www.publish.csiro.au/wf/pdf/WF20140.
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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 2022-2026 EPA 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.gov/air-seiisor-toolbox/wildfire-smoke-air-monitoring-response-techiiologv-
wsinart-pitot.
73 For more information, please see https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.llll/ina.13163
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 are also 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 oxidea 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, PL110-140. For more information, please see:
https://www.epa.gov/kws-regulations/sumiiiary-energiy-iiidependence-and-security-act. More information about the report is
available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public record report.cfm?Lab=IO&dirEntryId=341.491.
76 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.gov/research/strategic-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.
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 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.
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
93
94
94
Percent
Actual
loo
100
Numerator
5
7
Products
Denominator
5
7
77 For more information, please see: https:/Avww.epa.gov/research/epa-researcli-solutioiis-states.
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(PM RD4) Percentage of Office of Research and Development (ORD) environmental justice-related research
products meeting partner needs.
I V 2»r
I V 20IS
I V 201<)
I V 2020
I V 2021
1 Y 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 agencywide 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 in 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 thousand in 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
-------
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
Sciciuv ^ icclnwhixy
S v_\.w
S V2.55H
SIOJ.S'S
SIIJ2S
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) 1 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.gov/chemical-research.
80 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-06/documents/epa alt strat plan.6-20-
18 clean ftnal.pdf.
81 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/new-approach-methods-work-plan.
82 For more information, please see: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468111.32200038X.
83 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_pra view.cfm?dirEntryID=349776&Lab=CCTE.
84 For more information, please see: https://comptox.epa.gov/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 2022-2026 EPA 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 will also 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.gov/chemical-research/sequence-aligmiient-predict-across-species-
susceptibility.
87 See EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap at: https://www.epa.gov/systeni/fLles/documents/2021-10/pfas-roadniap_final-508.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 508compliant l.pdf.
89 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-community-engagement.
90 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-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/strategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-years-2023-
2026.
92 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM RDl) 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
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 20 r
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
1 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 in 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 in 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
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
Sciciuv ^ icclnwhixy
S3X. --/()
SJV.VIS
S 44SU2
S 5.024
Hazardous Substance SupeiTund
$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=354490.
94 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/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-additions.
97 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/pprtv.
98 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris drafls/recordisplay.cfm?deid=2481.50.
99 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris drafls/recordi splay. cfm?deid=356370.
100 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/bmds.
101 For more information, please see: fattps://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 2022-2026 EPA 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-techiiical-
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,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/system/files/documents/2021-
10/pfas-roadmap_final-508.pdf.
105 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/supeifund/lead-supeifund-sites-sof1tware-and-users-manuals.
106 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/risk/recordisplay.cfm?deid=236252.
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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 in payroll costs.
Tribal
o
107 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.gov/research/strategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-years-2023-
2026
108 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/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 in payroll costs.
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
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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
Sciciuv it- icclnwhixy
S//.UJ-
SI 16.1-11
.S
s-Jl-t
Tolal Budget Authority
S113,427
SI 16,141
S123,555
S7,414
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.gov/research/iiatioiial-researcli-prograiiis.
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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 was also 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: https://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.
FY 2024 Activities and Performance Plan:
111 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-
06/documents/cyan app fact sheet final 19junl9 508 coiiipliaiit.pdf".
-------
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.
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.
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.
Microplastics:
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).
o Reviewing available literature on effectiveness and cost data for different water treatment
technologies applied to different PFAS.
112 See EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap at: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documeiits/2021-10/pfas-roadmap final-508.pdf
-------
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)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
113 For more information, please see: https://iaspub.epa.gOv/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.gov/research/strategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-years-2023-
2026.
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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 RDl) Percentage of Office of Research and Development (ORD) research products meeting partner
needs.
I V 20 r
I V 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
No 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.
I V 20I"7
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
1 Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
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
117 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
-------
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 agency wide 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 in 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).
-------
Research: Sustainable Communities
-------
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
Sciciuv ^ icclnwhixy
SI 33,SOS
SI3-.S5'
.S N0.0-I2
.SiV, "iS'.i
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
S312
$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 will also 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.
-------
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 2022-2026 EPA 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.
Specifically, in FY 2024 the SHC Research Program will conduct research in the following areas:
118 For more information, please see: https://www.ncbi.nlni.nih.gov/pmc/aiticles/PMC9327739/ and
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9528653/.
119 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-l 1 /from-farm-to-kitchen-the-
environmental-impacts-of-u. s.-food-waste_508-tagged.pdf.
-------
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 will also investigate
approaches, methodologies, and technologies to treat, remove, destroy, and dispose of PFAS
in environmental matrices. This research supports implementation of the PFAS Strategic
Roadmap.120
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 will also 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
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
120 See EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap at: https://www.epa.gov/systeiii/files/docmiients/2021.-1.0/pfas-roadmap final-508.pdf
121 See EPA's National Recycling Strategy at: fattps://www.epa.gov/recvclingstrategy.
-------
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/strategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-years-2023-
2026.
123 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
-------
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM RDl) 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
No 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.
I V 20I"7
I V 20IS
I V 201')
I V 2020
I V 2021
1 Y 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
Units
Target
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
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.
(+$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 in payroll costs.
-------
(+$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
in payroll 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).
-------
Water: Human Health Protection
-------
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
SI 17.205
SI 21.607
S142.583
S20.976
Science it- icclnwhixy
S 4.1"
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 l'Y 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. The Program also
supports the Agency's implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021
(IIJ A).
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.
-------
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.gov/dwlabcert.
125 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/optimization-program-drinking-water-sy stems.
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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
of IIJA.
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. This change also
includes supporting critical Agency wide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028
cybersecurity requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and
implementation of Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$1,689.0 / +4.0 FTE) This 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 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 in payroll costs.
Statutory Authority:
SDWA.
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Congressional Priorities
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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
Environmental Programs & Management
$21,700
$30,700
$0
-S30.700
Sciciuv it- Technology
S
S M'SI
so
-SM "1
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
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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 (NISA); 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).
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