United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal Year 2025
Justification of Appropriation
Estimates for the
Committee on Appropriations
Tab 08: Superfund
EPA-190R24002 March 2024
www.epa.gov/cj
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Table of Contents - Superfund
Resource Summary Table 3
Program Projects in Superfund 3
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations 6
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations 7
Compliance 15
Compliance Monitoring 16
Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach, and Education 18
Exchange Network 19
Enforcement 22
Criminal Enforcement 23
Forensics Support 26
Superfund: Enforcement 29
Superfund: Federal Facilities Enforcement 33
Environmental Justice 36
Environmental Justice 37
Homeland Security 40
Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery 41
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure 45
Indoor Air and Radiation 47
Radiation: Protection 48
IT/ Data Management/ Security 50
Information Security 51
IT / Data Management 57
Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review 61
Alternative Dispute Resolution 62
Legal Advice: Environmental Program 65
Operations and Administration 68
Acquisition Management 69
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance 72
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations 76
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Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management 79
Human Resources Management 82
Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability 87
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment 88
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability 93
Research: Sustainable Communities 97
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities 98
Superfund Cleanup 103
Superfund: Emergency Response and Removal 104
Superfund: EPA Emergency Preparedness 107
Superfund: Remedial 109
Superfund: Federal Facilities 114
Superfund Special Accounts 118
Superfund Special Accounts 119
Superfund Tax Receipts 124
Superfund Tax Receipts 125
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Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
APPROPRIATION: Hazardous Substance Superfund
Resource Summary Table
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2025
FY 2023
FY 2024
FY 2025
President's Budget
v.
Final
Annualized
President's
FY 2024
Actuals
CR
Budget
Annualized CR
Hazardous Substance Superfund
Budget Authority
$1,348,774
$1,282,700
$661,167
-$621,533
Total Workyears
2,585.0
2,678.0
2,732.7
54.7
*For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund
account.
Hazardous Substance Superfund
For necessary expenses to carry out the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of1980 (CERCLA), including sections 111(c)(3), (c)(5), (c)(6), and (e)(4) (42 U.S.C.
9611), and hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft, $661,167,000, to remain available until
expended, consisting of such sums as are available in the Trust Fund on September 30, 2024, and
not otherwise appropriatedfrom the Trust Fund, as authorized by section 517(a) of the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of1986 (SARA) andupto $661,167,000 as a payment from
general revenues to the Flazardous Substance Superfund for purposes as authorized by section
517(b) of SARA: Provided, That funds appropriated under this heading may be allocated to other
Federal agencies in accordance with section 111(a) of CERCLA: Provided further, That of the
funds appropriated under this heading, $13,979,000 shall be paid to the "Office of Inspector
General" appropriation to remain available until September 30, 2026, and $32,120,000 shall
be paid to the "Science and Technology" appropriation to remain available until September 30,
2026.
Program Projects in Superfund
[Dollars in Thousands)
Program Project
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
$13,244
$11,800
$13,979
$2,179
Compliance
Compliance Monitoring
$1,377
$1,017
$1,036
$19
Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach, and Education
Exchange Network
$1,018
$1,328
$1,328
$0
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Program Pro ject
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Enforcement
Civil Enforcement
$15
$0
$0
$0
Criminal Enforcement
$6,766
$7,999
$8,876
$877
Forensics Support
$1,597
$1,240
$1,720
$480
Superfund: Enforcement
$173,076
$171,347
$0
-$171,347
Superfund: Federal Facilities Enforcement
$7,725
$8,192
$10,481
$2,289
Subtotal, Enforcement
$189,178
$188,778
$21,077
-$167,701
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
$890
$5,876
$5,901
$25
Homeland Security
Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and
Recovery
$36,249
$34,661
$57,358
$22,697
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel
and Infrastructure
$1,167
$1,029
$1,530
$501
Subtotal, Homeland Security
$37,415
$35,690
$58,888
$23,198
Indoor Air and Radiation
Radiation: Protection
$2,081
$2,472
$3,144
$672
IT / Data Management / Security
Information Security
$1,494
$1,062
$6,012
$4,950
IT / Data Management
$22,040
$19,764
$19,645
-$119
Subtotal, IT / Data Management / Security
$23,535
$20,826
$25,657
$4,831
Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Alternative Dispute Resolution
$758
$791
$1,841
$1,050
Legal Advice: Environmental Program
$844
$599
$482
-$117
Subtotal, Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic
Review
$1,602
$1,390
$2,323
$933
Operations and Administration
Acquisition Management
$22,835
$27,247
$34,172
$6,925
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
$32,914
$31,338
$30,512
-$826
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$74,115
$65,634
$72,349
$6,715
Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management
$4,855
$4,002
$4,660
$658
Human Resources Management
$7,382
$7,419
$9,303
$1,884
Subtotal, Operations and Administration
$142,100
$135,640
$150,996
$15,356
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Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
$9,225
$4,901
$5,040
$139
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
$5,476
$8,060
$8,060
$0
Subtotal, Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability
$14,701
$12,961
$13,100
$139
Research: Sustainable Communities
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
$18,525
$16,937
$17,517
$580
Superfund Cleanup
Superfund: Emergency Response and Removal
$256,354
$195,000
$0
-$195,000
Superfund: EPA Emergency Preparedness
$7,696
$8,056
$8,541
$485
Superfund: Federal Facilities
$26,167
$26,189
$37,680
$11,491
Superfund: Remedial
$612,890
$618,740
$300,000
-$318,740
Subtotal, Superfund Cleanup
$903,107
$847,985
$346,221
-$501,764
TOTAL Superfund
$1,348,774
$1,282,700
$661,167
$621,533
*For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund
account.
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Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
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Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Program Area: Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Inspector General
$41,521
$44,030
$65,257
$21,227
Hazardous Substance Super/und
SU. 2-1-1
SI 1. SOI)
S l.l.V'V
S 2.1'V
Total Budget Authority
$54,765
$55,830
$79,236
$23,406
Total Workyears
246.6
270.0
333.5
63.5
Program Project Description:
Created pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office within the Agency.
The mission of the OIG is to promote economy and efficiency in, and detect fraud, waste, and
abuse related to, programs and operations of EPA and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard
Investigation Board (CSB), as well as to help ensure ethical conduct and program integrity. To this
end, the OIG is responsible for conducting, supervising, and coordinating audits and investigations
relating to EPA's and CSB's programs. One of the OIG's top responsibilities is the requirement to
keep agency heads, Congress, and the American people fully and currently informed about
problems and deficiencies in Agency or Board programs and operations.
In support of the OIG's independence, Congress provides the OIG with, among other things, a
separate appropriation within the Agency's budget. Appropriated resources allow the OIG to not
only complete its mandated oversight work but also to identify and execute discretionary oversight
of key areas, such as water infrastructure, climate change, environmental justice, and toxic
chemicals. In FY 2023the OIG identified over $176 million in potential fraud, waste, or abuse
across nearly all of its oversight offices and directorates, namely, the Office of Audit, the Office
of Investigations, the Office of Special Review and Evaluation, the Administrative Investigations
Directorate, and the Data Analytics Directorate. In other words, for every dollar Congress invested
in the OIG, the OIG returned at least three dollars in identified or avoided fraud, waste, and abuse.
Audits
The Office of Audit (OA) is responsible for conducting financial and performance audits of EPA's
and CSB's programs and operations. Utilizing a cadre of auditors with specialized training and
experience in environmental programs, the OA generally conducts its projects in compliance with
the generally accepted government auditing standards, as applicable based upon the work
performed. Specifically, the OA conducts performance audits to assess the economy, efficiency,
and effectiveness, internal control, and compliance of EPA Superfund programs and EPA
Superfund business operations. In addition, the OA conducts approximately 16 mandated audits
each year, including financial audits of EPA's and CSB's financial statements as required by the
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Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 and audits of EPA's and the CSB's information security
practices as required by the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014.
Impact is measured both in terms of recommendations and in potential monetary benefit. In FY
2023, the OA issued over a dozen reports leading to over 30 recommendations for program
improvements. These reports have focused on, among other things, numerous barriers to
implementing effective resource management and program improvements in EPA's Superfund
Program. An example of this work is an August 2023 audit report on actions the EPA has taken to
identify and address any disproportionate health effects to disadvantaged communities located on
or near the 35th Avenue Superfund site in North Birmingham, Alabama. The OA found that
without policies, guidance, and performance measures, EPA programs may not be addressing
cumulative impacts and disproportionate health effects on overburdened communities. Such
policies, guidance, and performance measures are critical to advancing EPA's environmental
justice and equity goals. The OA also has identified over $77 million in potential monetary
benefits. Finally, the OA has begun reviewing the regulatorily required financial and compliance
audits from each of the clean water and drinking water state revolving funds. These audits, and the
OIG's review of these audits, is an important control in ensuring that the billions of dollars invested
in water and wastewater infrastructure is used effectively and appropriately.
Investigations
The OIG Office of Investigations (OI) is the oversight component responsible for investigating
allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse related to EPA and CSB programs and operations including
EPA's Superfund Program. Consisting of criminal investigators with statutory authority under the
IG Act to carry firearms, make arrests, execute search and seizure warrants, and perform other law
enforcement duties, the OI's special agents are authorized to conduct criminal, civil, and
administrative investigations. With a geographical area of responsibility spanning from Saipan to
Maine and Alaska to the U.S. Virgin Islands, the OI prioritizes work related to the critical sectors
of water and wastewater, including those involving cybercrime or relating to national security, as
well as crimes affecting the integrity of EPA and the CSB. Within these priorities, the OI leverages
a data- and intelligence-driven framework to identify high-impact investigations that relate to
fraudulent practices in awarding, performing, and paying Superfund contracts, grants, or other
assistance agreements, among other crimes.
One of the tools that the IG Act provides the OIG is to request assistance from any federal, state,
or local governmental agency, allowing the OI to coordinate with such agencies regarding the
prevention and detection of fraud, waste, and abuse. To this end, the OI's criminal and civil
investigations are often done in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice and with various
law enforcement task forces. In FY 2023, the OI recovered more than $5 million from more than
a dozen criminal indictments and convictions or civil judgments. For example, in June 2023, a
project manager was sentenced in federal court for misleading federal authorities about lead
contamination in a city park after he was hired to remediate it. The project manager's employer
agreed to pay more than $2 million in a civil settlement agreement related to violations of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, and a separate
settlement agreement related to violations of the False Claims Act. Through the OI's work, EPA
also was able to avoid awarding over $12 million in a potential grant fraud scheme. In addition,
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the 01 works with EPA's Suspension and Debarment Program, "whose actions protect the
government from doing business with entities that pose a business risk to the government." In FY
2023, the 01 initiated over 140 OIG investigations on fraud, waste, and abuse; these investigations
were conducted in response to information obtained through intelligence-gathering or from witness
reports. Finally, the 01 has published three "lessons learned" Management Implication Reports,
identifying potential measures to reduce the Agency's vulnerability to criminal activity.
Evaluations
The OIG Office of Special Review and Evaluation (OSRE) is responsible for evaluating the
effectiveness of EPA's and the CSB's programs. Its oversight projects focus on the efficiency of
program operations, such as program performance from implementation to outcome. It does so by
leveraging a cadre of engineers, scientists, social scientists, and other environmental and public
health professionals, who generally conduct projects in compliance with the Council of the
Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency's Quality Standards for Inspection and Evaluation.
The evaluative reach of the OSRE spans every EPA program office and includes assessments of
implementation efforts by EPA's ten regional offices and the Agency's state, local, and tribal
partners, as well as EPA Superfund programs and activities that support clean air, clean water,
safer chemicals, cleaner communities, scientific research and integrity, and effective oversight and
enforcement. An example of the OSRE's Superfund-related work is a current evaluation of the
EPA's actions on the community health concerns near a Superfund site in St. Charles, Missouri.
Past OIG evaluations have resulted in EPA policy changes, improvements to agency guidance
documents and other written materials, increased transparency on regulatory and other decision-
making, and process changes to eliminate barriers and improve program outcomes. These
evaluations also have provided EPA and Congress with information that is useful in policymaking.
Administrative Investigations
The Administrative Investigations Directorate (AID), located in the Office of Special Review and
Evaluation, conducts civil and administrative investigations into allegations of misconduct by
senior employees and complaints of whistleblower reprisal by agency or Board employees,
contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees, or personal services contractors. It also
performs special reviews of significant events and emergent issues of concern that involve a
suspected or alleged violation of law, regulation, or policy, as well as allegations of serious
mismanagement. Additionally, along with select evaluation staff, this directorate regularly meets
with EPA's scientific integrity official, updates coordination procedures between the OIG and
EPA's Scientific Integrity Office, and reviews documents to make EPA aware of all identified
allegations of violations of its Scientific Integrity Policy.
Since its creation in 2021, the AID has made an immediate impact in helping promote ethical
conduct in EPA and the CSB, particularly in the areas of senior employee misconduct and scientific
misconduct. Despite consisting of only five investigative attorneys and civil investigators, the AID
carries a docket consists of over a dozen civil and administrative investigations. It also has issued
significant reports related to ethical misconduct and whistleblower protection, among other
matters. For example, the AID recently issued a report of investigation substantiating allegations
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that the former chair of the CSB improperly spent nearly $100 thousand in Board funds for travel,
training, and office refurbishment.
The AID also manages the OIG Hotline, triaging each complaint, tracking its referrals, monitoring
the progress of its referrals, and communicating with complainants. As the principal method for
reporting suspected fraud, waste, and abuse to the OIG, the OIG Hotline is an invaluable tool for
gathering intelligence related to EPA and CSB programs and operations and for identifying further
oversight work. In FY 2023, the OIG Hotline received 7,635 contacts through the OIG website,
email account, and telephone number. Furthermore, the OIG employs authorities under 5 U.S.C.
§ 4512 to incentivize the disclosure of fraud, waste, or mismanagement through cash awards.
Data Analytics
The Data Analytics Directorate (DAD) supports OIG wide oversight planning and execution by
leveraging advance analytics to identify and highlight key risk areas to EPA or CSB program
integrity. Specifically, the DAD uses programming languages and database software to automate
the acquisition, transformation, and analysis of large and disparate data sets that supports audits,
evaluations, and investigations. It also provides statistical sampling and survey creation support
for audits and evaluations. The DAD's oversight products, created by a team of data analysts and
data scientists, allow the OIG and the public to visualize the extent of EPA programs and
operations.
Unlike other data analytics operations, the OIG uses its DAD to increase public awareness of
EPA's programs and operations. For example, in FY 2023, the DAD published a new version of a
geographical dashboard on the OIG website, allowing anyone to see where the EPA is spending
supplemental appropriations under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This geographical
dashboard allows the public to filter the spending data by such fields as congressional districts and
Justice40 Initiative overlays. The OIG also uses the DAD to create internal dashboards and other
analytical tools to monitor OIG productivity and improve OIG operations. Just recently, the DAD
developed a dashboard to monitor the EPA's progress in completing corrective actions in response
to audit or evaluation recommendations.
OIG Support
The Office of Inspector General and its oversight programs are supported by the Office of Counsel,
the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, the Office of Information Technology, the Office
of Mission Support, and the Office of Strategic Analysis and Results. These support offices
provide legal, professional, and technical support to the oversight programs, as well as support the
recruitment, retention, and training of the OIG's employees. These support offices also manage
the OIG's public outreach efforts through, among other things, congressional and public
engagements and by, among other things, engaging traditional and social media and the Internet.
In FY 2023, the OIG expanded its social media outreach by becoming the first federal OIG on
Instagram. The OIG also improved public outreach by acquiring a new domain, epaoig.gov, and
developing a new website focused on facilitating the dissemination of the OIG's oversight products
and the reporting of potential fraud, waste, and abuse related to EPA's or the CSB's programs and
operations.
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FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
The OIG takes a rigorous approach to the planning and execution of its oversight work, starting
with the statutory mandate to prepare an annual statement summarizing "the most serious
management and performance challenges facing the agency" and to briefly assess the Agency's
progress in addressing those challenges. To identify these top management challenges, the OIG
reviews the work of the OIG and the U.S. Government Accountability Office, solicits input from
senior EPA leadership and program offices, and considers the public statements of EPA,
administration, and congressional leaders, as well as EPA planning documents, such as the FY
2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan. The OIG then plans specific audits and evaluations for the next
fiscal year that will address these top management challenges, as well as the goals and objectives
of the EPA OIG's strategic plan. This discretionary oversight is, of course, constrained by the
OIG's statutory or regulatory mandates, such as the oversight of the financial and operation audits
of the over 100 state revolving funds, as well as work requested by Congress or resulting from an
OIG Hotline contact.
In FY 2025, the OIG will continue to target initiatives addressing EPA's and CSB's top
management challenges and stated priorities, including enduring challenges related to land
cleanup. To execute these initiatives, the OIG will increase its agility to assess emerging
environmental threats; increase its use of data analytics, business analytics, and business
intelligence to better target resources to address high-risk, high-vulnerability areas of interest;
employ best practices to improve efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, and monetary benefits;
focus on measurable impacts; and increase its return on investment to the American public. The
OIG also will continue to expand upon its oversight of EPA's implementation of the Infrastructure
and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) to assess whether the approximately $60 billion in IIJA funding
provided to EPA is effectively and properly spent.
Audits
The Office of Audit (OA) is responsible for nearly all of the OIG's mandates, which comprises
over 34 percent of the office's oversight work in FY 2023. Furthermore, the OIG will need to
continue its oversight of other requirements, such as single audits. For example, although EPA is
the cognizant agency for audit under the Single Audit Act, the OIG is, under the IG Act,
responsible for providing policy direction for audits relating to the EPA's programs and operations.
To this end, the OA will conduct quality control reviews of the single audits submitted to the EPA.
Finally, the OA will conduct oversight work in response to congressional requests or hotline
contacts. In FY 2023, this comprised over 11 percent of the OA's work. Based on OIG funding
trends, the OIG estimates that by FY 2025 more than half of the OA's work will be non-
discretionary work. At the heart of the independence protections enshrined in the IG Act is the
ability to conduct discretionary oversight of EPA's core programs; however, without additional
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resources to complete mandatory, requested, and discretionary oversight projects, the OA's ability
to conduct discretionary oversight in FY 2025 will be significantly constrained.
Investigations
The Office of Investigations will prioritize investigations based on its Annual Investigative
Priorities and the OIG's strategic plan, giving consideration to the U.S. Department of Justice's
prosecutorial priorities and the U.S. Attorney Offices' prosecutorial guidelines. With a vast
geographic jurisdiction spanning Saipan to Maine and Alaska to the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Office
of Investigations maximizes its reach by using technology, engaging stakeholders, and sharing
information with and working alongside other federal, state, local, and tribal governments, and law
enforcement agencies. Two enduring investigative priorities will be work related to the integrity
of EPA's Superfund Program and to the critical sectors of water and wastewater, including those
investigations involving cybercrime and national security-related matters. This remit requires the
office to have a cadre of special agents and civilian employees expressly trained in investigating
and countering network attacks, intrusions, and cyber fraud; and specialists trained in obtaining
evidence through digital forensics. Further, this cadre must be supported by ongoing training to
maintain proficiency and currency on ongoing industry and technological advances as well as the
ability to procure, sustain, and deploy specialized cyber investigation and forensic tools. As the
OIG has faced stagnant or decreasing budgets over the last decade, the Office's ability to
effectively investigate cyber-based threats to the critical sectors of water and wastewater has been
constrained.
Evaluations
Like the Office of Audit, the Office of Special Review and Evaluation will continue to conduct
oversight projects in response to congressionally requested work, emerging environmental
emergencies, and hotline contacts. Its discretionary oversight will continue to focus on program
performance, state and federal program capacity, and federal oversight of state delegated
hazardous waste programs, among other things.
Administrative Investigations and Special Reviews
The Administrative Investigations Directorate (AID) generally initiates investigations in response
to allegations of misconduct and special reviews in reaction to unique circumstances. However,
over the last two years, the number of investigations on the AID's docket has significantly
outnumbered the AID's ability to complete those investigations in a timely fashion. Many of these
matters, particularly those involving allegations of scientific misconduct, are particularly complex,
requiring rigorous and highly technical investigations. Additional resources in FY 2025 will allow
the AID to take on more investigations and to complete those investigations sooner.
The OIG Hotline has recently seen a notable increase in contacts, going from less than 3,000 in
FY 2022 to approximately 7,000 in FY 2023. As EPA expands its programs because of increased
appropriations and expends more funds because of an unprecedented $100 billion in supplemental
appropriations, the AID expects to see a significant increase in the number of hotline contacts in
FY 2025. With this expected increase in contacts will come an accompanying increase in
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allegations of ethical misconduct, scientific misconduct, and whistleblower retaliation that will
need to be investigated.
Data Analytics
The Data Analytics Directorate (DAD) supports the OIG's oversight by obtaining agency data and
conducting data or statistical analysis. The result is often a dashboard or other visualization of
structured and unstructured data, providing easy identification of complex problems or otherwise
hidden relationships. The DAD's efforts to automate data acquisition and analysis processes has
created time and cost efficiencies for audits, investigations, and evaluations. But the DAD also
provides oversight products to the public through the OIG website, including a geographical
dashboard showing EPA IIJA spending by program, region, and district. Sustaining this work will
require continued investment in both personnel and analytic tools, such as computer hardware and
database software. In FY 2025, the DAD will continue to help oversight the challenges facing
EPA's contract and grant data management because of missing, incomplete, or unstructured data.
Expanding the DAD's work will, therefore, require additional resources. Expanded DAD work
will mean better analytic support for our audits, investigations, and evaluations and better oversight
products for the public.
OIG Support
In FY 2022, the OIG reported that an agency employee was improperly granted access to the
Whistleblower Protection Coordinator's email box, potentially revealing confidential
whistleblower information outside of the OIG. Accordingly, the OIG requests additional funding
to upgrade its IT capabilities to ensure that it can begin obtaining technological independence from
the Agency. The OIG must use EPA IT resources, including for its two most sensitive systems,
the hotline, and the whistleblower protection email. Vulnerabilities were discovered in these IT
capabilities that gave EPA access to these sensitive systems. This initial effort towards IT
independence allows the OIG to establish separate email and other systems from EPA.
Performance Measure Targets:
The EPA's FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific
to this program.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$91.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTEs due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$1,170.0 / +3.5 FTE) This program investment provides initial resources to oversee the
establishment of a separate OIG tenancy. This investment includes $0.7 million for payroll.
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(+$918.0 / +3.0 FTE) This program change provides resources and FTEs to expand the
oversight of the Agency's Superfund Program. This investment includes $0.6 million for
payroll.
Statutory Authority:
The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, 5 U.S.C. §§ 401-424.
Budget Requests:
Since 2010, the OIG's budget has only increased by $1 million, which, when inflation is accounted
for, represents a decrease of nearly $13 million in real terms; put differently, the OIG's authorized
full-time equivalent has decreased from 361 in 2010 to 270 or less in 2023. Exacerbating the OIG's
diminished resources is the increasing assessments from the Council of the Inspectors General on
Integrity and Efficiency. While the OIG's budget has declined by nearly 21 percent when inflation
is accounted for, the CIGIE's assessment has increased from 16 basis points in FY 2016 to 40 basis
points in FY 2025, representing a 250 percent increase in funding for CIGIE. This will require the
OIG to pay $316.9 thousand for increased CIGIE operations. For these reasons, the OIG requests
the following, provided pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 406(g):
The aggregate budget request from the inspector general for the operations of the OIG is
$79.2 million ($65.3 million Office of Inspector General; $13.9 million Superfund
Transfer).
The aggregate President's Budget for the operations of the OIG is $79.2 million
($65.3 million Office of Inspector General; $13.9 million Superfund Transfer).
The portion of the aggregate President's Budget needed for training is $1.0 million
($820.0 thousand Office of Inspector General; $180.0 thousand Superfund Transfer).
The portion of the aggregate President's Budget needed to support the Council of the
Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency is $316.9 thousand ($259.9 thousand OIG;
$57.0 thousand Superfund Transfer).
"I certify as the Inspector General of the Environmental Protection Agency that the amount I have
requested for training satisfies all OIG training needs for FY 2025."
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Compliance
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Compliance Monitoring
Program Area: Compliance
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$104,593
$112,730
$168,474
$55,744
Inland Oil Spill Programs
-$5
$649
$2,154
$1,505
Hazardous Substance Super/und
S
SI.OI -
S
.SIV
Total Budget Authority
$105,966
$114,396
$171,664
$57,268
Total Workyears
441.1
478.9
544.6
65.7
Program Project Description:
The Superfund Compliance Monitoring Program supports enforcement of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) or "Superfund" law. EPA
tracks Superfund-related enforcement activities in its national enforcement and compliance data
systems, the Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS) and Enforcement Compliance
History Online (ECHO). ICIS is EPA's largest mission-focused data system and is a critical
infrastructure tool used by the Agency, state, tribal, local, and territorial governments as well as
the regulated community to track compliance and enforcement of environmental statutes. ICIS
data is available to the public via the internet-accessible ECHO system as well as the companion
data change notification tool ECHO Notify. Electronic tracking of Superfund enforcement work
allows EPA to ensure that its enforcement resources are allocated to address the most significant
concerns and facilitates public transparency.
FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.2, Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2025, the Agency will implement its comprehensive action plan for integrating
Environmental Justice (EJ) and climate change considerations throughout all aspects of the
Compliance Monitoring Program. EPA will track their EJ work through its performance measure
focused on the percentage of inspections affecting communities with potential EJ concerns.
In FY 2025, EPA will focus on timely enforcement in communities with potential EJ concerns.
The Program will continue to support tracking of CERCLA compliance and enforcement activities
in ICIS and ECHO.
16
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Performance Measure Targets:
(PM 409) Number of federal on-site compliance monitoring inspections and evaluations and off-site
compliance monitoring activities.
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
FY
2025
Units
Target
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
11,000
12,000
Inspections
&
Evaluations
Actual
10,600
10,300
8,500
10,800
13,900
13,100
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$19.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also will support the
ongoing operating and maintenance costs for ICIS.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA);
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.).
17
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Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach, and Education
18
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Exchange Network
Program Area: Cross-Agency Coordination, Outreach, and Education
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$12,165
$14,995
$14,769
-$226
Hazardous Substance Super/und
S/.0/.S
SIJ2S
SIJ2S
SO
Total Budget Authority
$13,183
$16,323
$16,097
-$226
Total Workyears
23.2
30.2
30.2
0.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Environmental Information Exchange Network (EN) is a standards-based, secure approach
for EPA and its state, tribal, and territorial partners to exchange and share environmental data over
the internet. Capitalizing on advanced technology, data standards, open-source software, shared
services for EPA's Digital Strategy (EEDS), and reusable tools and applications, the EN offers its
partners tremendous capabilities for managing and analyzing environmental data more effectively
and efficiently, leading to improved decision-making.
The Central Data Exchange (CDX) is the largest component of the EN Program and serves as the
point of entry on the EN for environmental data transactions with the Agency.1 CDX provides a
set of core shared services that promote a leaner and more cost-effective service framework for the
Agency by avoiding the creation of duplicative applications. It enables faster and more efficient
transactions for internal and external EPA clients, resulting in reduced burden.
Working in concert with CDX is EPA's System of Registries, which is a system of shared data
services designed to enhance efficiency, reduce burden on the regulated community, and improve
environmental outcomes, including environmental justice (EJ). EPA and EN partners routinely
reference these shared data registries, from commonly regulated facilities and substances to the
current list of federally recognized tribes. They identify the standard or official names for these
assets, which, when integrated into EPA and partner applications, foster data consistency and data
quality as well as enable data integration.
FY 2025 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 2025, EPA will continue to support core functions for the EN information technology (IT)
systems. The EN Program will continue to be a pivotal component of EPA's Digital Strategy that
1 For more information on the Central Data Exchange, please see: https://cdx.epa.gov/.
19
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supports business process change agencywide. Under this strategy and the 21st Century Integrated
Digital Experience Act,2 the Agency is streamlining business processes and systems to reduce
reporting burden on states and regulated facilities and to improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of environmental programs for EPA, states, and tribes. EPA also is responsible for managing EN
technical governance groups and administering the pre- and post-award phases of the EN grants
to states, tribes, and territories. These efforts support a standards-based, secure approach for EPA
and its state, tribal, and territorial partners to efficiently exchange and share environmental data
electronically. The Agency also administers and implements the Cross-Media Electronic
Reporting Regulation (CROMERR) that removes regulatory obstacles for e-reporting to EPA
programs under Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
EPA aims to reduce burden and avoid costs while improving IT. With CDX's migration to the
cloud, the Agency will continue to carry out baseline support for data exchange services leveraged
by states and tribal partners. This also includes providing a technology framework - shared
CROMERR services - which reduces the burden on programs and external reporters by providing
CROMERR compliant solutions. For example, the shared electronic identity proofing and
signature services for CROMERR supports 31 partner regulatory reporting programs to date. EPA
estimates that partners adopting shared CROMERR services save $120 thousand in development
and at least $30 thousand in operations each year, which results in a cost avoidance of greater than
$2.5 million for EN partners.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue to improve the functionality and use of the System of Registries.3
In addition to streamlining the Registries, EPA will continue to implement a broader effort across
the enterprise to engage organizations and facilitate the adoption of these data services through
cloud technology and Representational State Transfer (REST or RESTful) application
programming interfaces (API). Registries are shared data services in which common data are
managed centrally but shared broadly. They improve data quality in EPA systems, enable
integration and interoperability of data across program silos, and facilitate discovery of EPA
information. An example of the Agency's effort to promote the adoption of data services is the
integration of the tribal identification services (TRIBES) across EPA systems.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue implementing a solution related to shared facility identification
information. Centralized facility management also is fundamental to better environmental
management by bringing together EPA data across programmatic silos. Like facility data,
substance information also is regulated across EPA programs, with many EPA programs relying
on the Substance Registry Service (SRS) to improve data quality and reduce burden.
EPA tracks a wide range of data for each registry to measure customer usage and engagement. The
Agency also tracks web service hits to measure the number of users leveraging publicly available
APIs. For example, the SRS website has approximately 90 thousand pageviews per month; many
of these pageviews are users visiting the SRS web area to understand regulatory information about
chemicals. SRS also receives between 20 and 140 thousand web service hits per month (depending
on reporting cycles), mostly by EPA systems that have incorporated the web services into their
2 For more information on the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act, please refer to:
https://www.c0ngress.g0v/l 1.5/plaws/publ336/.PLAW-1.1.5publ336.pdf.
3 For more information, please see: https://ofmpub.epa.gov/sor intemet/registry/sysofreg/about/about.jsp.
20
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online reporting forms. FY 2025 priorities for EPA registries include continually improving
registry technologies by migrating the registries to a cloud-based environment open-source
platform to make them easier to locate, access, and utilize.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue to expand the number of EPA and partner systems that integrate
registry services into their online reports and systems, reducing burden and improving data quality.
This includes updating EPA's dataset registry to allow EPA scientists, external partners, and others
to share information and make information easier to find in the cloud.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) to maintain, utilize, and improve systems to facilitate the import and
export of legitimate goods and leverage big data and artificial intelligence tools to identify and
prevent or stop illegal goods from entering or leaving the United States. EPA supports over 16
data exchange types within EPA and with CBP to automate and streamline over 8 million annual
import and export filings. This automation is essential for managing a significantly increasing
number of imports and exports (due to e-Commerce) and allows coordinators/officers to focus on
compliance monitoring and key high value targeting activities for non-compliant imports and
exports, and to better coordinate with CBP.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA); Clean Air Act (CAA); Clean Water Act
(CWA); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Government Performance and
Results Act (GPRA); Government Management Reform Act (GMRA); Clinger-Cohen Act (CCA).
21
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Enforcement
22
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Criminal Enforcement
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$57,374
S62.704
$67,829
$5,125
HuzuriloH.s Substance Super/und
Vi.
S'.VJ'J
.s tf.tr 6
.S«V
Total Budget Authority
$64,140
$70,703
$76,705
$6,002
Total Workyears
252.7
269.3
299.4
30.1
Program Project Description:
The Criminal Enforcement Program investigates and works with the U.S. Department of Justice
(DOJ) to prosecute criminal violations of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and associated violations of Title 18 of the United
States Code such as fraud, conspiracy, false statements, and obstruction of justice. EPA's criminal
investigators (Special Agents) do this through investigation of criminal conduct, committed by
individual and corporate defendants, that threatens public health and the environment.
The Criminal Enforcement Program is strengthened by an ongoing collaboration with the
Environmental Justice (EJ) Program, other EPA program offices, and Department of Justice (DOJ)
to ensure Superfund enforcement work addresses the impacts of illegal environmental pollution
activities nationwide and especially on overburdened communities.
Within the Criminal Enforcement Program, forensic scientists, attorneys, technicians, engineers,
and other program experts support Special Agents in their investigations. EPA's criminal
enforcement attorneys provide legal and policy support for all program's responsibilities,
including forensics and expert witness preparation, to ensure that program activities are carried
out in accordance with legal requirements and agency policies. The Agency's National
Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC) provides field investigation, laboratory analysis,
toxicology, chemistry, engineering, and regulatory support to the Criminal Enforcement Program.
These efforts support successful environmental crimes prosecutions primarily by the United States
Attorneys and DOJ's Environmental Crimes Section. In FY 2023, the Criminal Enforcement
Program opened 199 new cases. The conviction rate for criminal defendants charged in EPA
criminal enforcement investigations in FY 2023 is 100 percent, with sentences totaling 106 years
of incarceration.
FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
23
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In FY 2025, the Agency requests an additional $166 thousand and 0.7 FTE to investigate
environmental crimes related to the National Enforcement Compliance Initiatives (NECIs).4 EPA
will continue efforts to devote resources toward, and effectively focus on, those areas and
communities that are disproportionally affected by pollution and environmental crime.
EPA will continue to address Superfund-related issues within criminal enforcement, including in
overburdened communities. The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) works with partners at
DO J to jointly prosecute wrongdoing and reduce the impact pollution has on these areas through
investigation, judicial actions, and settlements. The Environmental Justice Criminal Initiative
focuses prioritization of investigative resources to overburdened and vulnerable communities,
while maintaining case initiation standards and reducing the impact of pollution. In FY 2025, EPA
will continue to prioritize criminal enforcement resources for investigations which involve
vulnerable communities or those that have historically been overburdened by pollution. This effort
has been focused as a Criminal Enforcement Program Initiative with an emphasis on addressing
environmental crimes and crime victims in these areas. EPA program goals and priorities include
the following:
In FY 2025, EPA's Environmental Crime Victim Witness Assistance Program will continue
to closely align its implementation of the Criminal Victims' Rights Act and the Victims' Rights
and Restitution Act with EPA's EJ work.5 Activities will include data mining and mapping to
identify locations of vulnerable communities, environmental crime victims, and public health
impacts overlap. This strategy will aid the Program in identifying sources of pollution
impacting these communities to better focus criminal enforcement resources where
overburdened and vulnerable populations need it most. Where appropriate, EPA will use
environmental crime victim program resources and emergency funds to assist individuals in
such communities. EPA conducts outreach to environmental crime victims and overburdened
communities using the social media platform Nextdoor, sharing information relating to EJ,
sources of pollution, and links to EPA's Report a Violation webpage directly to households in
overburdened communities.
In FY 2025, the Agency requests an additional $741 thousand and 0.7 FTE to support efforts
to interdict the illegal import, manufacture, and use of certain HFC products, pursuant to the
American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. The Criminal Enforcement Program,
working with the Office of Air and Radiation, the Air Enforcement Division, and the
Department of Homeland Security, will continue implementing its responsibilities as a part of
the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Enforcement Task Force, whose permanent mission is to ensure
U.S. compliance with the AIM Act. The Task Force will continue to identify, intercept, and
interdict illegal HFC imports, share data to support allowances, train customs officers and
enforcement personnel, and address common HFC import experiences with other countries.
EPA will continue to collaborate with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), DOJ, and other
federal partners to successfully enforce federal laws related to HFCs. Critically important to
success in this program are dedicated analysts, which the Program is currently in the process
4 For additional information, please see: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-01-12/pdf/2023-00500.pdf.
5 For more information, please visit: https://wwwjustice.gov/usao/resourees/criiiie-victiiiis-riglits-oiiibMlsiiiaiiMctiiiis-riglits-act.
24
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of hiring, to research, assess, and coordinate with federal partners, private industry, and task
force members.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$30.0) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE, adjustments to provide essential workforce support, and
changes to benefits costs.
(+$166.0 / +0.7 FTE) This program increase will enhance investigations for environmental
crimes related to the NECIs, especially in areas and communities that are disproportionally
affected by pollution. This includes $158.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$741.0 / +0.7 FTE) This program investment will ensure EPA has the capacity and
technical expertise to investigate, analyze, sample, test, transport, and store HFCs. The
increase in FTE will allow analysts to research, assess, and coordinate with federal
partners, private industry, and task force members. This investment includes $158.0
thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Title 18 of the U.S.C.; 18 U.S.C. § 3063; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as
amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute);
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); American
Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
25
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Forensics Support
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Detect Violations and Promote Compliance
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Science & Technology
SI 4.152
SI 5.532
SI 9.337
S3.805
HuzuriloH.s Substance Super/und
S l.?9~
S 1.240
SI. '20
S4H0
Total Budget Authority
$15,749
$16,772
$21,057
$4,285
Total Workyears
70.3
70.3
78.7
8.4
Program Project Description:
The Forensics Support Program provides expert scientific and technical support for Superfund
civil and criminal enforcement cases, as well as technical expertise for the Agency's compliance
efforts. EPA's National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC) is an environmental forensic
center accredited for both laboratory analysis and field sampling operations that generate
environmental data for law enforcement purposes. It is fully accredited under International
Standards Organization (ISO) 17025, the main standard used by testing and calibration
laboratories, as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences.6 The NEIC maintains a
sophisticated chemistry and physical science laboratory, and a corps of highly trained inspectors
and scientists with expertise across environmental media. The NEIC works closely with EPA's
Criminal Enforcement Program to provide technical support (e.g., sampling, analysis,
consultation, and testimony) to criminal investigations. The NEIC also works closely with other
EPA programs to provide technical assistance, consultation services, and on-site inspection,
investigation, and case resolution services in support of the Agency's Superfund Enforcement
Program.
The Forensics Support Program will continue to provide expert scientific and technical support for
EPA's Superfund enforcement efforts. The Program will focus its work on collecting and
analyzing materials to characterize contamination and attribute it to an individual facility or source.
The work the NEIC performs supports the most complex cases nationwide, requiring a level of
expertise and equipment not found elsewhere in EPA. The laboratory will continue to coordinate
its support for the Agency's Superfund, Research and Development, and Land and Emergency
Management Programs to evaluate and leverage emerging technologies for enforcement solutions.
6 Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, National Academy of Sciences, 2009, available at:
fattp: //www.nap. edu/ca talog ,php?record id= 1.2 5 89.
26
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FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.2, Detect Violations and Promote
Compliance in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2025, NEIC will support the President's directive to deliver Environmental Justice (EJ) to
communities across America and to hold polluters accountable for their actions.7 To achieve these
goals, the Agency will employ NEIC's environmental forensics expertise to investigate violations
of environmental statutes, to prosecute environmental crimes in communities that are
disproportionally affected by pollution and environmental crime, and to target those areas more
effectively. NEIC supports EJ concerns by targeting critical industry inspections in overburdened
or vulnerable communities and utilizes the data to work with EPA regional offices to take
enforcement actions that could ultimately improve air and water quality in such communities.
NEIC also will continue to further develop and deploy the Agency's Geospatial Measurement of
Air Pollution (GMAP) van, a mobile tool to help identify Clean Air Act noncompliance throughout
the United States.
In FY 2025, the NEIC will continue to streamline its forensics work and identify enhancements to
the Agency's sampling and analytical methods, using existing and emerging technology. The
NEIC is continuing to expand and modernize field and laboratory capabilities to support
enforcement programs' investigations in support of the National Enforcement and Compliance
Initiatives, including PFAS and drinking water. 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 to combat climate
change.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$76.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, changes to benefits costs, and changes to lab utilities
and security costs.
(+$39.0 / +0.2 FTE) This program change will support civil investigations related to the
National Enforcement Compliance Initiatives. This increase includes $37.0 thousand for
payroll.
7 For more information please visit: https://www.federalregister.gOv/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01765/protecting-public-
health-aiid-the-enYiromiient-aiid-restoriiig-science-to-tackle-the-cliiiiate-crisis or https://www.whiteiiouse.gov/briel1ng-
room/presidentia1-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-c1imate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/.
27
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(+$109.0 / +0.2 FTE) This program investment will ensure EPA has the capacity and
technical expertise to investigate, analyze, sample, test, transport, and store PFAS and
drinking water samples. This investment includes $37.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$256.0) This program net increase will be used to support the Agency's forensics
laboratory at the National Enforcement Investigations Center.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); American Innovation Manufacturing Act.
28
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Superfund: Enforcement
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Hazardous Substance Super/und
SI 'J.O'r,
.S/"/..*-/~
SO
-sru-i'
Total Budget Authority
$173,076
$171,347
$0
-$171,347
Total Workyears
732.2
771.3
771.8
0.5
In FY 2025, the Budget proposes to transition the Superfund Enforcement FTE from the annual Superfund
appropriation to the Superfund tax receipts as reimbursable FTE. These FTE are built into the Agency's FTE ceiling.
Program Project Description:
The Superfund Enforcement Program protects communities by ensuring prompt site cleanup using
an "enforcement first" approach that maximizes the participation of liable and viable parties in
performing and paying for cleanups which preserves federal dollars for sites where there are no
liable or viable parties. The Superfund Enforcement Program obtains potentially responsible
parties' (PRPs) commitments to perform or pay for cleanups through judicial and administrative
enforcement actions. The Superfund Enforcement Program works closely with the Superfund
Remedial, Superfund Emergency Response and Removal Programs, and the U.S. Department of
Justice (DOJ) to combine legal and technical skills to bring enforcement actions and address
emerging issues. Superfund enforcement efforts ensure that Superfund sites with responsible
parties or interested third parties are cleaned up in a timely manner and result in more site cleanups
than would be possible using only government funds, which in turn supports reuse.
The Superfund Enforcement Program:
Obtains cleanup commitments from responsible parties and third parties, thereby providing
long term human health and environmental protections and making contaminated
properties available for reuse.
Takes enforcement actions, including negotiating site cleanup agreements to require
cleanup and recover costs from responsible parties, thereby preserving federal taxpayer
dollars for sites where there are no viable contributing parties.
Develops cleanup enforcement policies and model documents.
Issues guidance and utilizes tools to clarify potential cleanup liability to support the
cleanup, reuse, and revitalization of contaminated properties.
In FY 2023, the Superfund Enforcement Program secured commitments for cleanup and cost
recovery and billed parties for oversight costs, all totaling approximately $1.2 billion. The use of
Superfund enforcement tools contributed to the cleanup and redevelopment by private parties of
127 private party sites in FY 2023.
29
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EPA may deposit payments received pursuant to settlement agreements with potentially
responsible parties for EPA's past response costs, as well as cash-out payments received from
parties for future site cleanup, into site-specific special accounts established for use consistent with
a settlement agreement for a specific site. Site specific special accounts provide needed cleanup
dollars at many sites that otherwise may not have received funding. In FY 2023, EPA collected
$185.3 million from potentially responsible parties to deposit into special accounts and disbursed
or obligated approximately $365.0 million from special accounts to perform cleanup actions at
sites (excluding reclassifications).
The Superfund Enforcement Program obtains expeditious and protective cleanups of sites by PRPs
through enforcement instruments that maximize program efficiencies by obtaining responsible
party funding and performance of cleanups. The Superfund Enforcement Program also seeks to
promote the redevelopment and reuse of sites by encouraging PRPs to invest in cleanups that
facilitate reuse outcomes. In addition, the Superfund Enforcement Program supports the cleanup
and reuse of sites by third parties through the development of guidance and other tools to address
potential liability concerns that may pose a barrier to third-party investment. EPA also works to ensure
that legally enforceable institutional controls and financial assurance requirements are in place at
Superfund sites to ensure the long-term protectiveness of Superfund cleanup remedies.
FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2025, the President's Budget proposes to transition the Superfund Enforcement Program,
including associated FTE costs, from the annual Superfund appropriated resources to the
Superfund tax receipts.8 The Program will continue to encourage and facilitate PRP's prompt site
cleanup and investment by third parties in FY 2025 to preserve more tax dollars for cleanups where
there are no viable parties. Superfund tax receipts from FY 2023, on top of annual appropriations,
have bolstered the Program and will continue strengthening enforcement in future fiscal years,
where granted.
In FY 2025, the Agency will continue to strengthen EPA's Superfund Enforcement Program,
complement work in the Superfund Remedial and Superfund Emergency Response and Removal
Programs, provide financial support for DOJ to pursue judicial actions to compel PRP cleanup,
and support possible actions in response to lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
releases. EPA will continue its work to achieve prompt site cleanup, maximize the work
participation by PRPs, and secure third-party funding of cleanups. In addition, the Agency will
prioritize its efforts on the most significant sites in terms of human health and environmental
impact. To support the Agency's focus on Environmental Justice (EJ) and climate change, the
Superfund Enforcement Program intends to:
Require responsible parties to take early cleanup actions,
Ensure prompt cleanup actions by responsible parties,
8 Please refer to the Superfund Tax Policy Paper in the Appendix that continues to raise EPA's concerns regarding the timing and
uncertainty of tax collections.
30
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Develop robust enforcement instruments that address impacts on communities and
climate change vulnerabilities,
Increase oversight of enforcement instruments,
Build trust and capacity through increased community engagement, and
Integrate sustainability principles into enforcement tools, policies, and guidance used for
the cleanup and reuse of contaminated sites.
The Agency will continue its efforts to establish site-specific special accounts to facilitate cleanup.
As special account funds may only be used for sites and uses specified in the settlement agreement,
special account resources, annually appropriated resources, and Superfund tax receipts are critical
to the Superfund Program to clean up Superfund sites. In addition, the Agency continues to work
under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
to address lead and PFAS contamination by gathering information and developing cases to support
possible actions under multiple statutory authorities in response to lead and PFAS releases. In
anticipation of PFAS being potentially designated as CERCLA hazardous substances and the
continued focus and updates on lead exposure levels that pose a threat to human health and the
environment, the Agency expects the Superfund enforcement workload to increase significantly.
In addition, the Superfund Enforcement Program will continue its efforts to address contamination
at historically impacted communities, focusing on community engagement and facilitating cleanup
at such sites.
DOJ's participation in CERCLA cases is statutorily mandated for settlements related to remedial
action cleanups and most cost recovery settlements and is required for all judicial enforcement
matters. DOJ's support will be prioritized to maximize PRP performance of cleanup, particularly
protection of human health at sites located in historically impacted communities. EPA provides
financial support to DOJ for these activities. In FY 2025, similar to the Superfund Enforcement
Program, DOJ's support is proposed to be transitioned to the Superfund tax receipts through an
interagency agreement. DOJ also will continue to support EPA on both the Superfund lead and
PFAS cleanup work.
Cost Recovery Support
In FY 2025, the Agency will continue to standardize the financial management processes for the
financial management aspects of Superfund cost recovery and the collection of debt to the federal
government. EPA's financial, programmatic, and legal offices will continue to maintain the
accounting and billing of Superfund oversight costs attributable to responsible parties and third.
These costs represent EPA's cost of overseeing Superfund site cleanup efforts by responsible and
third parties as stipulated in the terms of settlement agreements. In FY 2023, the Agency collected
$238.4 million in cost recoveries, of which $65.8 million were returned to the Superfund Trust
Fund and $ 185.3 million were deposited in site-specific, interest-bearing special accounts.
The Agency will continue to pursue an "enforcement first" approach that maximizes PRP
participation at Superfund sites by performing enforcement activities such as conducting PRP
searches, negotiating site-specific settlements, pursuing insurance and bankruptcy recoveries, and
recovering costs through appropriate cash-out settlements. These activities ensure that responsible
parties conduct or pay for cleanups and preserve federal dollars for sites where there are no viable
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contributing parties. The Agency will continue to work to increase opportunities for community
engagement at Superfund sites.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$171,347.0 / -771.3 FTE) In FY 2025, the Agency proposes to transition the Superfund
Enforcement Program from the annual Superfund appropriation to the Superfund tax
receipts. This includes an estimated $154.0 million for payroll. In FY 2024, the U.S.
Treasury forecasts collecting a total of $2.17 billion in Superfund taxes which will be
available for use in FY 2025 across EPA Superfund programs. As the Superfund Taxes
were recently passed, there is much uncertainty regarding the tax collections. The Agency
anticipates maintaining the pace of Superfund enforcement work with the Superfund tax
receipts.
(+771.8 FTE) In FY 2025, the Agency proposes to transition 771.8 Superfund Enforcement
FTE from the annual Superfund appropriation to the Superfund tax receipts as reimbursable
FTE.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
32
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Superfund: Federal Facilities Enforcement
Program Area: Enforcement
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Hazardous Substance Super/und
S '25
s.v./yj
S10.-INI
S2.2SV
Total Budget Authority
$7,725
$8,192
$10,481
$2,289
Total Workyears
35.8
40.9
45.2
4.3
Program Project Description:
EPA's Superfund Federal Facilities Enforcement Program monitors compliance and pursues
enforcement primarily at sites where there is federal ownership or a federal operator, whether full
or partial, and the federal owner conducts or is involved in cleanup under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ("CERCLA" or "Superfund"). After
years of service and operation, many federal facilities are contaminated with hazardous substances,
pollutants, per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), solvents, munitions, and radioactive
wastes. Enforcement actions can facilitate timely and protective cleanup and potential
redevelopment of these sites.
Pursuant to CERCLA Section 120, EPA must enter into Interagency Agreements, commonly
referred to as Federal Facility Agreements (FFAs), with responsible federal agencies to ensure
their cleanups at National Priorities List (NPL) sites are protective of public health and the
environment, and to provide EPA with enforceable oversight of the investigation and cleanup
processes. These FFAs govern cleanups at 175 federal facility Superfund sites, including many of
the Nation's largest and most complex cleanup projects. While only 10 percent of the NPL sites
are federal facility sites, over 41 percent of the total operable units in the Superfund Program are
at federal facilities.9
In the Federal Facilities Enforcement Program, EPA assesses the compliance of federal facilities
with environmental statutes and regulations, and works in partnership with federal, state, tribal,
and local agencies, where appropriate, to encourage compliance, compel regulated entities to
correct and/or mitigate violations, and assess appropriate penalties for violations. Pollution from
approximately 30,000 federal facilities can impact surrounding communities, federal employees,
service members, and their children, potentially by contaminating drinking water, polluting the air,
and lead-based paint hazards. By partnering with other federal agencies and departments, and using
enforcement tools where needed, the Federal Facility Enforcement Program ensures that the
9 Operable units often comprise discrete areas of a cleanup site, depending on the complexity of the problems associated with the
site. These operable units may address geographic areas of a site, specific site problems, or areas where a specific action is required.
An example of a typical operable unit could include removal of drums and tanks from the surface of a site.
33
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federal government sets a positive example by meeting its obligations under applicable
environmental laws.
FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2025, the Agency will continue to support possible actions in response to significant
contamination from federal facilities, including a request for an increase of approximately $2.0
million and 4.3 FTE to address PFAS releases. Such actions include sampling private drinking
water wells for PFAS in communities with Environmental Justice (EJ) concerns where such
contamination has migrated from a military installation. The Agency seeks both to identify
drinking water with significant PFAS contamination and to evaluate historic Department of
Defense sampling results where no interim remedial actions to address PFAS contamination have
occurred. EPA will continue to focus its enforcement resources on the highest priority sites,
particularly those that may present an imminent and substantial endangerment, have human
exposure not yet under control, have an impact on overburdened or vulnerable communities with
EJ concerns, or have the potential for beneficial redevelopment. EPA also will negotiate and
amend, as appropriate, FFAs for federal facility sites on the NPL, and continue to monitor FFAs
for compliance. EPA will expedite cleanup and redevelopment of federal facility sites, particularly
those located in communities with EJ concerns, and will use dispute resolution processes and other
approaches to timely resolve formal and informal cleanup disputes. The Agency will continue to
seek ways to improve its engagement with other federal agencies, and state, tribal, local
governments, and their partners, emphasizing protective, timely cleanups that address
communities' needs. EPA will work with its federal partners to encourage greater community
outreach and transparency.
In FY 2025, the Agency will work to address PFAS contamination by developing information and,
where needed, initiating investigations, to support possible actions under multiple statutory
authorities, consistent with the PFAS National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative. Federal
facilities (e.g., Department of Defense military installations and Department of Energy sites) are
starting to address PFAS contamination at their NPL sites. As federal agencies conduct this work
at their federal facility NPL sites, CERCLA requires EPA to oversee the work. An increased
investment for EPA's Superfund Federal Facilities Enforcement Program will support EPA's
efforts to monitor the increasing number of initiated PFAS remedial investigations projected to
occur at federal facilities in the coming years. In FY 2025, the Program will pursue enforcement
actions, where needed, to ensure compliance with CERCLA and other federal environmental laws
to protect public health.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
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FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$264.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation
of base workforce costs for existing FTE, adjustments to provide essential workforce
support, and changes to benefits costs. This change includes critical agencywide
infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity requirements, electronic
discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$2,025.0 / +4.3 FTE) This program increase will be used to address PFAS contamination
by overseeing the increasing number of initiated remedial investigations projected to occur
at federal facilities. This investment includes $802.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) § 120.
35
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Environmental Justice
36
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Environmental Justice
Program Area: Environmental Justice
Goal: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
Objective(s): Embed Environmental Justice and Civil Rights into EPA's Programs, Policies, and
Activities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$109,347
$102,159
$317,712
$215,553
Hazardous Substance Super/und
SS'JO
Y\ W/
S2S
Total Budget Authority
$110,237
$108,035
$323,613
$215,578
Total Workyears
116.4
223.6
264.6
41.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Environmental Justice (EJ) Program coordinates the Agency's efforts to address the needs
of overburdened and vulnerable communities by decreasing environmental burdens, increasing
environmental benefits, and building collaborative partnerships with all stakeholders to build
healthy, sustainable communities based on residents' needs and desires. EPA's EJ Program
focuses on collaboration as a central principle and method of advancing justice. The Program's
core philosophy is that EJ challenges need strong collaborative partnerships that include federal,
state, local, and tribal governments along with the private sector, academia, and philanthropy to
support communities in addressing multifaceted problems and positively changing conditions on
the ground. The Program provides technical assistance and expert consultative support to
communities, partners at all levels of government, and other stakeholders such as business and
industry, to achieve protection from environmental and public health hazards for people of color,
low-income communities, and indigenous communities at or near Superfund sites.
Work in this program directly supports Administrator Michael Regan's message in the memo titled
"Our Commitment to Environmental Justice" issued on April 7, 2021.10 In addition, this work
supports implementation of Executive Order (EO) 14096: Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment
to Environmental Justice for All,11 EO 14091: Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for
Under served Communities Through the Federal Government,12 EO 13985: Advancing Racial
Equity and Support for Under served Communities Through the Federal Government,13 and EO
10 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/fLles/2Q21-04/documents/regan-
messageoncommitmenttoenvironmentaliustice-april072021.pdf.
11 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2Q23/Q4/26/2Q23-Q8955/revitalizing-
our-nations-commitment-to-environmental-iustice-for-all.
12 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2Q23/Q2/22/2Q23-03779/further-
advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal.
13 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2Q21/Ql/25/2Q21-Q1753/advancing-
racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-govemment.
37
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14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.14 In accordance with the America's
Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 (P.L. 115-270), every EPA regional office employs a
dedicated EJ coordinator, and the Agency maintains a list of these persons on EPA's website.15
The Superfund portion of this program has focused on issues that affect people of color, low
income, and Indigenous communities at or near Superfund sites. The EJ Program complements
the Agency's community outreach and other work accomplished under the Superfund Program at
affected sites.
FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 2/Objective 2.2, Embed Environmental Justice and
Civil Rights into EPA's Programs, Policies, and Activities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic
Plan.
EPA will advance implementation of EJ activities in support of the Superfund Program. The EJ
Program will elevate and expand the use of coordinated and collaborative community-driven
partnerships to address community priorities by promoting the active engagement of community-
based organizations, other federal agencies, and tribal, state, and local governments. This will
advance environmental protection and public health for overburdened communities at or near
Superfund sites. The EJ Program will guide EPA's efforts to empower communities to identify
and develop solutions to address environmental harms, working to utilize nationally consistent
data that combines environmental and demographic indicators in mapping and prioritizing
communities with EJ concerns at or near Superfund sites. These efforts help build healthy and
sustainable communities through technical assistance, enabling overburdened and vulnerable
communities to revitalize their local economies while also better facilitating EPA efforts to further
focus federal resources and program design to benefit communities with EJ concerns and those
most at risk of climate change impacts at or near Superfund sites.
The EJ Program will continue to partner with and support other agency programs in their efforts
to fully integrate EJ considerations into all of EPA's policies, programs, and activities while also
developing nationally consistent data that combines environmental and demographic indicators in
mapping and prioritizing communities with EJ concerns at or near Superfund sites.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Environmental Justice Program
under the EPM appropriation.
14 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-
climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad.
15 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/forms/contact-us-about-environmental-
justice.
38
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FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$25.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of base
workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); and Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
39
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Homeland Security
40
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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 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Science & Technology
$26 J 76
$25,347
$40,802
$15,455
HuzuriloH.s Substance Super/und
SjO.J-W
SJ-I.OOJ
S.i-JiS
S 22.0V
Total Budget Authority
$62,624
$60,008
$98,160
$38,152
Total Workyears
116.1
124.1
145.3
21.2
Program Project Description:
EPA leads or supports many critical aspects of preparing for and responding to a nationally
significant incident involving possible chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN)
agents. The Homeland Security Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Program implements a
broad range of activities that cover multifaceted federal efforts, including:
National trainings and exercises;
Participation in national interagency exercises and field studies with federal and state
partners;
Support for headquarters and regional Emergency Operations Centers;
Enhancements for national information technology systems;
Developing guidance and standard operating procedures for responding to CBRN
incidents;
Secured warehouse space for homeland security operations and storage; and
Laboratory analyses of environmental samples and site decontamination projects.
EPA's homeland security program develops these responsibilities through research and
maintaining a level of expertise, training, and preparedness specifically focused on threats
associated with CBRN. This work is consistent with the Department of Homeland Security's
(DHS') National Response Framework (NRF).
EPA assists with multi-media training and exercise development and implementation for
responders, which establishes and sustains coordination with states, local communities, tribes, and
other federal agencies (OF As). The Agency also provides technical assistance to OF As, including
DHS, the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS), in the areas of environmental characterization,
decontamination, and waste disposal methods. In addition, the program operates a national
environmental laboratory for chemical warfare agents and implements EPA's National Approach
to Response.
41
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FY 2025 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 2025, the Homeland Security Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Program will:
Initiate a multi-year plan for carrying out the White House's National Biodefense Strategy
(NBS) and associated Implementation Plan. For FY 2025, EPA is requesting additional
resources and FTE to: 1) acquire and sustain rapid and mobile analysis capabilities to
characterize the extent of biological contamination at the incident location. This capability
will inform immediate response actions and can continue to be leveraged through the
remediation phases; 2) enhance planning and capacity of waste management in response
to a biological incident through the procurement of commercial services and subject matter
expertise; and 3) advance science to evaluate risk-based clearance goals to biological
agents and procedures to determine re-occupancy through acquisition and subject matter
expertise.
Utilize the Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology
(ASPECT) aircraft. ASPECT aids first responders by providing aerial surveillance
screening for wide-area chemical, radiological, and nuclear detection, as well as infrared
and advanced imagery products with real-time data delivery.
Perform a multi-year strategic modernization of the ASPECT airborne screening capability
to the Chemical Incident and Radiological Reconnaissance on Unmanned Systems
(CIRRUS) program. In FY 2025, EPA is requesting an increase of resources and FTE to
support CIRRUS needed to expedite emergency response. EPA will transition this
capability to remotely piloted platforms to more effectively and efficiently support
emergency response, climate crisis, and environmental justice missions. This system will
simultaneously reduce response time to a broader geographic area, enhance response
redundancy, capitalize on potential cost-efficiencies of remotely piloted vehicles, and
significantly reduce the hazards associated with crewed flight operations at extremely low
altitudes.
Operate, enhance, and significantly overhaul the aging Portable High-Throughput
Integrated Identification System (PHILIS) capability. PHILIS units provide the Nation
with mobile analytical "all hazards" confirmatory labs (qualitative and quantitative) with
unique capability to analyze chemical warfare threat agents. PHILIS provides on-scene,
high-throughput analyses of air, soil, and water samples in areas that have experienced a
significant incident. PHILIS can support risk mitigation of contaminated sites which face
climate change impacts and affect communities with environmental justice concerns by
mobilizing laboratory capabilities to areas of need. In FY 2025, EPA is requesting
additional resources to replace outdated PHILIS platforms and equipment, establish new
analytical capabilities to support emergency response actions, and enable the program to
be able to support more than one deployment at a time. The platform replacements will
provide greatly improved long-distance mobility, reliability, maintenance and operating
42
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costs, and operational uniformity. The FY 2025 equipment investment will procure state-
of-the-art systems to increase overall automation, throughput, and sensitivity of the PHILIS
assets as well as bring parity in capabilities between the two ("East" and "West") PHILIS
labs. The goal of the program is to allow for deployment of the laboratories to more than
one emergency response at a time and for long-term sustainment of deployments lasting
over one month, such as the Red Hill drinking water emergency in 2021/2022 and the East
Palestine Train Derailment in 2023.
Participate in trainings and exercises on CBRN preparedness and response topics with key
federal response partners (e.g., DHS, DOD, and DOJ) on select inter-agency workgroups.
Target exercises to improve preparedness for communities with environmental justice
concerns and increase incorporation of environmental justice into preparedness activities.
Support the ERT, which provides nationwide assistance and consultation for emergency
response actions, including unusual or complex incidents. In such cases, the ERT supplies
subject matter experts, with special equipment and technical or logistical assistance.
Provide expertise on detection, environmental characterization, decontamination, and
waste disposal methods following the release of a CBRN agent.
Maintain operational support for the Emergency Management Portal and WebEOC
response systems.
Conduct research, through the Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP), to enhance
response capabilities by developing methods, tools, and information for site
characterization, decontamination, waste management, and clearance for priority chemical,
biological, and radiological threats all while reducing time and cost and ensuring safety.
This research includes testing commercially available technologies to support response and
site cleanup capabilities.
HSRP, in collaboration with Program and Regional Office partners and other federal, state,
local, territorial, and tribal stakeholders, will conduct research to generate resources, tools,
and training for risk communication outreach, building relationships, and community
engagement to empower under-resourced communities and populations with
environmental justice concerns.
HSRP will proceed with the development of sample collection protocols and analysis
methods for inclusion in EPA's Environmental Sampling and Analytical Methods
(ESAM)16 on-line tool. EPA's ESAM detection, sampling, and analysis tool helps local,
state, territorial, tribal, and federal emergency response field personnel and their supporting
laboratories more effectively and efficiently respond to incidents, enabling smooth
transitions of samples and data from the field to the laboratory to decision makers.
16 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/esam.
43
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Maintain a highly skilled, well-trained, and well-equipped response workforce that has the
capacity to respond to simultaneous incidents as well as threats involving CBRN
substances. This includes training On-Scene Coordinators, volunteers of the Response
Support Corps (RSC), and members of Incident Management Teams. RSC volunteers
provide critical support to headquarters and regional Emergency Operations Centers and
assist with operations in the field. To ensure technical proficiency, this cadre of response
personnel requires initial training and routine refresher training.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program directly supports performance results in the Superfund: EPA Emergency
Preparedness program under the Superfund appropriation.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$574.0 / +3.0 FTE) This program change is to plan to develop rapid, mobile, analytical
capabilities to characterize the extent of biological contamination and to enhance planning
and waste management capacity in response to a biological incident. This includes $560.0
thousand in payroll.
(+$12,433.0 / +1.8 FTE) This program change is an increase in resources and FTE to
support Chemical Incident and Radiological Reconnaissance on Unmanned Systems
(CIRRUS) needed to expedite emergency response and provide additional assistance to
EPA partners. These efforts improve preparedness for communities with environmental
justice concerns, such as fenceline communities. This includes $337.0 thousand in payroll
costs and additional changes to fixed support costs.
(+$9,704.0) This program change is an increase in resources to replace outdated PHILIS
equipment. These funds will allow the program to complete a PHILIS equipment upgrade,
update all mobile lab technology, and replace vehicle platforms. These efforts will assist
in improving preparedness for communities with environmental justice concerns, such as
fenceline communities.
(-$164.0) This program change decreases non-payroll resources in order to support
additional FTE costs for site characterization and decontamination research.
(+$150.0 / +1.2 FTE) This net program change is an increase in resources and FTE for
research to enhance response capabilities by developing methods, tools, and information
for site characterization and decontamination. This includes $190.0 thousand in payroll
costs and additional changes to fixed support costs.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, §§ 104, 105, and 106;
Homeland Security Act of 2002.
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Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure
Program Area: Homeland Security
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$6,059
$5,188
$5,158
-$30
Science & Technology
$625
$625
$501
-$124
Building and Facilities
$3,944
$6,676
$6,676
$0
Hazardous Substance Super/und
si.i/r
S /.02 V
S l.xW
S50J
Total Budget Authority
$11,795
$13,518
$13,865
$347
Total Workyears
12.3
13.3
13.3
0.0
Total workyears in FY 2025 include 13.3 FTE to support Homeland Security Working Capital Fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
The federal government develops and maintains Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans and
procedures that provide for the continued performance of its essential functions. The Homeland
Security COOP Program works with other government and non-government organizations to
ensure that Mission Essential Functions (MEFs) and Primary Mission Essential Functions
(PMEFs) continue to be performed during emergency situations. The Department of Homeland
Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Federal Continuity Directive-1
(FCD-1) requires EPA to develop a continuity plan that ensures its ability to accomplish its MEFs
from an alternate site, during a national disaster, continues and that the Agency will be able to
continue operations successfully with limited staffing and without access to resources available
during normal activities.
FY 2025 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 2025, EPA will:
Expand efforts, under FEMA's Federal Mission Resiliency (FMR) directives, including
assessment of the FMR strategy, building upon existing National Continuity Policy,
updating training and exercise materials to incorporate FMR constructs, and developing
assessment tools to measure progress.
Conduct selected annual reviews of regional COOP plans, PMEFs and MEFs, and make
updates as needed.
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Monitor the continuity programs across the Agency, focusing on testing, training, and
exercises as related to general COOP awareness and procedures.
Undergo a monthly evaluation of the headquarters' COOP Program, including program
plans and procedures, risk management, budgeting, and essential functions. Further,
FEMA will perform an in-person biannual review of EPA's COOP Program and provide
the results to the Administrator and to the Executive Office of the President.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$501.0) This program change is an increase in resources to support EPA's COOP
implementation and training.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act §§ 104, 105, 106;
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004; Homeland Security Act of 2002;
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
46
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Indoor Air and Radiation
47
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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 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$8,390
$9,088
$11,748
$2,660
Science & Technology
$2,321
$1,683
$2,416
$733
Hazardous Substance Super/und
S2MI
S 2.-/-J
S.i./VV
V» ~2
Total Budget Authority
$12,792
$13,243
$17,308
$4,065
Total Workyears
57.3
54.8
67.2
12.4
Program Project Description:
This program addresses potential radiation risks that may be found at Superfund and hazardous
waste sites. Through this program, EPA ensures that Superfund site cleanup activities reduce
and/or mitigate the health and environmental risks of radiation by including support of removal
actions, as needed.
FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 4/Objective 4.2, Reduce Exposure to Radiation and
Improve Indoor Air in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
Work in this program directly supports protecting communities from hazardous waste and
environmental damage, thereby protecting human health and the environment, and contributing to
the well-being of disadvantaged communities that may be disproportionately impacted by
radioactive releases. In FY 2025, EPA's National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory
(NAREL) in Montgomery, Alabama, and National Center for Radiation Field Operations
(NCRFO) in Las Vegas, Nevada, will continue to provide analytical and field support to manage
and mitigate radioactive releases and exposures. These two organizations provide analytical and
technical support for the characterization and cleanup of Superfund and hazardous waste sites.
NAREL and NCRFO provide data evaluation and assessment, document review, and field support
through ongoing fixed and mobile analytical capability. Thousands of radiochemical analyses are
performed annually at NAREL on a variety of samples from contaminated sites. NAREL is EPA's
only radiological laboratory with in-house radiochemical analytical capability. NCRFO provides
field-based technical support for screening and identifying radiological contaminants at Superfund
and non-Superfund sites across the country, including air sampling equipment and expert
personnel.
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More specifically, these organizations focus on providing technical support and high-quality data
to support agency decisions at sites across the country. They also develop guidance for cleaning
up Superfund and other sites that are contaminated with radioactive materials.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to this
program.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$119.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of lab
utilities.
(+$553.0 / +2.4 FTE) This program change reflects an increase in program capacity for
activities such as analytical and field support to assess, manage, and mitigate radioactive
releases and exposures at contaminated sites. This investment includes $423.0 thousand
for payroll and additional changes to fixed support costs.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
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IT/ Data Management/ Security
50
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Information Security
Program Area: IT / Data Management / Security
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$8,188
$9,142
$23,937
$14,795
Huzurtlim.s Substance Super/und
SI.-/'J-/
S 1.002
S 0.012
S 4.V50
Total Budget Authority
$9,682
$10,204
$29,949
$19,745
Total Workyears
10.3
14.1
17.1
3.0
Program Project Description:
Digital information is a valuable national resource and a strategic asset that enables EPA to fulfill
its mission to protect human health and the environment. The Information Security Program's
mission is to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of EPA's information assets. The
information protection strategy includes, but is not limited to, risk management, oversight, and
training; network management and protection; and incident management.
FY 2025 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 2025, EPA requests an additional $5.0 million to support enhancements to protect the
Agency's information technology (IT) portfolio. This investment will improve EPA's IT resiliency
and limit vulnerabilities in the event of a malicious attack. EPA will continue to work toward full
compliance with high priority directives (Adoption of Multifactor Authentication, Encryption of
Data At Rest, Encryption of Data In Transit, Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management, Zero
Trust Architecture, and Event Logging) in Executive Order (EO) 14028: Improving the Nation's
Cybersecurity.17
1 Work in this program takes direction for IT implementation practices and priorities from the following:
EO 14028: Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/05/12/executive-order-on-improving-the-nations-cybersecurity/).
OMB Memo M-19-26: Update to the Trusted Internet Connection (TIC) Initiative (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2019/09/M- 19-26.pdf).
OMB Memo M-21-30: Protecting Critical Software Through Enhanced Security Measures (https://whitehouse.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2021/08/M-2 l-30.pdf.
OMB Memo M-21-31: Improving the Federal Government's Investigative and Remediation Capabilities Related to
Cybersecurity Incidents (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/M-21-31-lmproving-the-Federal-
Governments-lnvestigative-and-Remediation-C-apabilities-Related-to-C.ybersecurity-Incidents.pdf).
OMB Memo M-22-01: Improving Detection of Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities and Incidents on Federal Government
Systems through Endpoint Detection and Response (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/M-22-
Ol.pdf).
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Improving the Defense and Resilience of Government Networks
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)
A key priority for EPA's information security will be implementing zero trust capabilities
addressing gaps identified by the Agency to enable the development of networks which can resist
malevolent actions regardless of their origin. ZTA will grant authorized users full access to the
tools and resources needed to perform their jobs but limit access to unnecessary areas. Proper
permissions for a given user's needs are a critical component of ZTA, and coding for more granular
control over the network environment is an information security priority. The Agency also will
focus addressing the need to ensure all devices in EPA's environment are compliant with
information security requirements prior to accessing network resources. EPA will continue efforts
to elevate awareness of and harden isolated environments with enhanced security measures by
integrating those environments with continuous monitoring capabilities to improve visibility and
reduce risk.
EPA will continue to improve defense and resilience of government networks in accordance with
ZTA security principles, which focus on virtual identity management capabilities. These
improvements ensure agency staff can access necessary software applications while providing
resistance to malicious phishing campaigns and sophisticated online attacks. For those system
environments not integrated into the larger enterprise system (i.e., those that may not be compatible
with the enterprise-wide identity management capabilities), EPA will continue efforts to harden
those systems with continuous monitoring capabilities to reduce risk.
The Agency will continue to implement cybersecurity enhancements necessary to support a larger
remote workforce, which includes strengthening cloud security monitoring and access to sensitive
data, cyber incident response, and cloud platform management services. These enhancements
allow agency staff to securely use systems and services in the cloud while also improving
application performance associated with Trusted Internet Connections (TIC). The Agency also
will pilot enterprise web application control tools to protect web applications by preventing
malicious traffic from accessing the web application or agency data. The Agency will continue to
build its Insider Threat Program for the unclassified network to monitor Privileged Users and
Systems Administrators activity, as recommended by several cybersecurity assessments,18 and to
monitor and report on EPA networks and systems.
OMB Memo M-22-09: Moving the U.S. Government Toward Zero Trust Cybersecurity Principles
(https://www.whitehouse.zov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/M-22-09.pdf).
OMB Memo M-22-16: Administration Cybersecurity Priorities for the FY 2024 Budget (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2022/07/M-22- 16.pdf.
OMB Memo M-23-03: Fiscal Year 2023 Guidance on Federal Information Security and Privacy Management
Requirements (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/M-23-03-FY23-FISMA-Guidance-2.pdf).
OMB Memo M-23-18: Administration Cybersecurity Priorities for the FY 2025 Budget
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M-23-18-Administration-Cybersecurity-Priorities-for-the-FY-
2025-Budget-s.pdf).
NIST 800-53 (https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.80Q-53r5.pdf).
18 These assessments include Annual Assessments and Classified briefings with the Department of Homeland Security and EPA's
Office of Homeland Security, as well as a 2017 OIG Report, available at: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-
1.0/docunients/ epaoig_201.71.030-1.8-P-0031. .pdf.
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IT Modernization for Federal Cybersecurity by Design
EPA will continue to strengthen IT assets and develop resiliency against potential cybersecurity
threats. This work includes enhancing Multifactor Authentication to strengthen access controls to
data and evaluating areas which still may require implementation of encryption for Data at Rest
and Data in Transit to protect data. EPA has prioritized investments to protect the most sensitive
systems and information. Additionally, EPA will work with the Department of Homeland Security
and the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Program to ensure up-to-date technologies
are implemented.
Cyberattacks are rapidly increasing in volume and sophistication, impacting both IT and
operational technology systems. EPA's Agency IT Security and Privacy (AITSP) Program enables
agencywide implementation, management, and oversight of the Chief Information Officer's (CIO)
Information Security and Privacy Programs through continuous monitoring functions; one
objective includes the maturation of the Continuous Authorization to Operate (ATO). These
capabilities serve to identify and address security vulnerabilities and incidents quickly, ensuring
that EPA's information environment remains safe.
EPA will continue to support the ongoing implementation of capabilities for data labeling and data
loss prevention, which will improve security information and event management by collecting,
synthesizing, managing, and reporting cybersecurity events for systems across the Agency.
The Information Security Program supports EPA's Enterprise Security Operations Center (SOC),
which manages the Computer Security Incident Response Capability (CSIRC) processes to support
identification, response, alerting, and reporting of suspicious activity. EPA will continue maturing
the system logging capabilities in Event Logging (EL) Level 3 for Advanced Logging
requirements at all criticality levels, leveraging Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response
tools to streamline threat and vulnerability management, incident response, and security operations
automation. Additionally, EL 3 will utilize User Behavior Monitoring analytics to enable early
detection of malicious behavior. Through CSIRC, EPA will continue to collaborate with other
federal agencies and law enforcement entities, as needed, to support the Agency's mission.
The Agency's Security Operations Center will continue maturing End Point Detection and
Response capabilities with the CDM Program to support proactive detection of cybersecurity
incidents, active cyber threat hunting, containment and remediation, and incident response. EPA
will continue modernizing its network and system logging capabilities (on-premises systems and
connections hosted by third parties, such as Cloud Service Providers) for both investigation and
remediation purposes.
EPA leverages CDM capabilities to address the Agency's cybersecurity security gaps and
efficiently identify and respond to government-wide cybersecurity threats and incidents. In FY
2025, as part of the work with the Department of Homeland Security to support implementation
of current and future Phase CDM requirements, the CDM Program will continue closing remaining
gaps in asset management. Privileged access to EPA's network will continue to provide critical
security controls for the Agency's cloud applications. The CDM Program also will review interior
EPA network boundary protection from interconnections to external networks and expand
53
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endpoint detection and response capabilities. EPA also will continue to mature and promote
utilization of the CDM dashboard to rapidly identify and respond to potential threats in the
information technology environment. EPA will continue collaborating with DHS on enhancing
threat hunting capabilities. In line with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and DHS
direction, the CDM Program will implement priority capabilities as they are identified. In FY 2025,
EPA estimates a $15 million budget for the CDM Program.
Strengthening the Foundations of our Digitally-Enabled Future
Securing Infrastructure Investments
The Agency collects Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) metrics and
evaluates related processes, tools, and personnel to identify gaps and opportunities for
improvement.19 EPA's CIO, who also is the Senior Agency Official for Privacy (SAOP), in
coordination with the Chief Information Security Officer, will continue to monitor and report on
these metrics. EPA will:
Modernize and automate the methodology and workflow for collecting Federal
Information Registry data supporting the System of Record Notice Management process.
Continue implementing Ground Truth Testing to validate security and find weaknesses
through manual and automated penetration testing and red team exercises.
The Agency continues to work on refinements to improve the ability to track and report on critical
software used by the Agency in compliance with Federal Information System Reporting and OMB
direction. EPA includes cybersecurity and privacy components in senior leadership program
reviews. These reviews enhance CIO oversight by enabling better risk area determination and
targeted improvement to system and mission program managers. While EPA program and regional
offices maintain responsibility for improving their performance in specific cybersecurity
measures, EPA's senior leadership routinely reviews performance results and potential challenges
for achieving continuous improvement.
The Agency will be making investments in securing mission activities from risks posed by leading
edge technologies such as Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation
(RPA) and Quantum Computing.20 These investments will help to ensure that agency personnel
can perform their business mission activities efficiently and securely with the implementation of
the necessary controls to allow use of leading-edge technologies within the environment and
prevent malicious actors from leveraging these technologies to disrupt business operations.
Human Capital
EPA will further enhance agency-specific role-based training to ensure personnel in key
cybersecurity roles have a comprehensive understanding of modern, secure IT and cybersecurity
19 Including those found in Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 and Federal Information Security
Cybersecurity Act of 2015.
20 OMB Memo 23-02: Migrating to Post-Quantum Cryptography: https://www.whitehouse.gOv/wp-content/uploads/2022/l 1/M-
23-02-M-Memo-on-Migrating-to-Post-Ouantum-Cryptography.pdf.
54
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requirements, with the skills, knowledge, and capabilities to effectively support EPA's
cybersecurity posture.
Technology Ecosystems
EPA will build on efforts to fully implement the Agency's Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk
Management Controls to comply with the Government Accountability Office findings.21 This
work includes coordinating across the Agency with personnel from Information Technology,
Information Security, and Procurement to update the policy and obtain the necessary tools to
address these critical security requirements. EPA will continue to implement standards,
procedures, and criteria to harden and secure software development environments, and investigate
the addition of automated tools to secure the development environment.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM ALR) Implementation of advanced event logging requirements (EL3) across EPA networks.
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
FY
2025
Units
Target
ELI
EL3
EL3
EL3
Tier
Actual
EL0
EL0
(PM PAR) Percentage of EPA data at rest in compliance with encryption requirements.
FY
20IS
FY
201')
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
FY
2025
Units
Target
90
95
100
Percent
Actual
93
Numerator
110
Systems
Penominator
118
(PM PIT) Percentage of EPA data in transit in compliance with encryption requirements.
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
FY
2025
Units
Target
90
98
100
Percent
Actual
98
Numerator
116
Systems
Penominator
118
(PM MFA) Percentage of
EPA systems in compliance with multifactor authentication requirements.
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Target
75
85
100
100
Percent
Actual
48
79
Numerator
223
321
Applications
Penominator
463
406
21 Government Accountability Office Report on information and communications technology (ICT) Supply Chain: GAO-21-
164SU.
55
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(PM ZTA) Percentage of "Zero Trust Architecture" pro
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
Units
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Target
100
100
100
Percent
Actual
50
Numerator
1
Projects
Denominator
2
ects completed on time,
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$4,950.0) This program change supports enhancements to protect the Agency's
information technology infrastructure portfolio and advance the implementation of EO
14028: Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity. This investment will increase EPA's
information technology resiliency and limit vulnerabilities in the event of a malicious
attack.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Cybersecurity Act of 2015; Federal Information
Security Modernization Act (FISMA); Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA);
Government Management Reform Act (GMRA); Clinger-Cohen Act (CCA).
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IT / Data Management
Program Area: IT / Data Management / Security
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$95,631
$91,821
$108,601
$16,780
Science & Technology
S3.489
S3.197
S3.346
SI 49
Hazardous Substance Super/und
S 22.0-10
S/V,
S IV.0-15
-SI IV
Total Budget Authority
$121,160
$114,782
$131,592
$16,810
Total Workyears
457.5
490.9
510.9
20.0
Total work years in FY 2025 include 175.0 FTE to support IT/Data Management working capital fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
This program supports the maintenance of EPA's Information Technology (IT) and Information
Management (IT/IM) services that enable citizens, regulated facilities, states, and other entities to
interact with EPA electronically to access, analyze and understand, and share environmental data
on-demand. The Information Technology/Data Management (IT/DM) Program also provides
support to other IT development projects and essential technology to EPA staff, enabling them to
conduct their work effectively and efficiently in the context of federal IT requirements, including
the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA); Technology Business
Management (TBM); Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC); and the Open, Public,
Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act.
FY 2025 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 2025, in accordance with Executive Order 1411022 on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy
Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, EPA will encourage the use of AI in the federal
space, and do so with transparency, responsibility, safety, and ethical standards. The Agency will
maintain EPA's current AI Inventory and develop a compliance plan, strategy, and AI governance
committee. EPA forecasts that workforce demand for AI tools and training will increase and is
addressing this need through the development of training and pilot programs. Security and privacy
risks are of utmost importance and governance channels already exist which are constantly
evaluating risks associated with AI. EPA will be working to integrate AI into these existing
governance channels.
22 For more information, please see: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/ll/01/2023-24283/safe-secure-and-
trustwortliy-developiiieiit-aiid-use-of-artificial4iitelligeii.ee.
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In FY 2025, in line with OMB Memoranda M-23-15 Measuring, Monitoring, and Improving
Organizational Health and Organizational Performance in the Context of Evolving Agency Work
Environments, EPA will make investments in IT infrastructure to support meaningful, in-person
work across the Agency. Investments include modernizing and enhancing available tools to ensure
the workforce has the proper technology to operate as effectively as possible in a modern capacity
to implement the Agency's mission. Additionally, resources will be utilized to provide a high-
quality service delivery experience for the public.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue implementation of its agencywide Digitization Strategy, which
includes the operation of two EPA digitization centers and the operation of the Agency Records
Management System (ARMS), which is necessary to meet the requirements of Memoranda M-19-
21 Transition to Electronic Records issued by the Office of Management and Budget and the
National Archives and Records Administration.23 In FY 2025, EPA will digitize, validate, and
upload electronic files into the ARMS. Additionally, EPA will leverage artificial intelligence and
machine learning to assist staff with appropriately scheduling electronic records that are saved to
ARMS. The Agency will operate the Paper Asset Tracking Tool (PATT) to track paper records as
they are submitted and processed through the digitization centers.
The Agency also will continue implementing the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act
(P.L. 115-336), which includes modernization of internal and public-facing websites and digital
services, as well as digitization of paper forms and non-digital services. EPA will continue
digitizing the Agency's public-facing paper forms in compliance with the 21st Century Integrated
Digital Experience Act and based on the completed inventory of the Agency's forms.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue to maintain and manage its core IT/DM services, including
Information Collection Requests, the National Library Network, the Agency's Docket Center, and
EPA's Section 508 Program, which directly supports the requirements under Executive Order (EO)
14035: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce 24
Key initiatives include:
Further strengthening the Agency's IT acquisition and portfolio review process as part of
the implementation of FITARA. In the most recent FITARA scorecard, released in
September 2023,25 EPA scored an overall B. EPA will continue to use the results of the
FITARA scorecard to drive agency priorities and investments.
Continuing work to convert internal administrative paper or analog workflows into modern
digital workflows to speed up routine administrative tasks, reduce burdensome paperwork
for EPA employees and managers, improve internal data collection and reporting, and
improve cross-agency data interoperability and delivery to the public. In FY 2025,
application development work will continue to automate processes identified in the Agency
high priority list.
23 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse. gov/wp-content/uploads/201.9/08/M-1.9-21. -new-2 .pdf.
24 For more information, please refer to Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefiiig-room/presidential-
actions/2021/06/25/executive-order-on-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce/.
25 For additional information, please refer to: https://fitara.meritalk.coin/.
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Continuing to implement EPA's Controlled Unclassified Information Program to
standardize, simplify, and improve information management and IT practices to facilitate
the sharing of important sensitive data within the Agency, with key stakeholders outside of
the Agency, and with the public, meeting federal standards as required by Executive Order
13556: Controlled Unclassified Information.26
Increasing the use of registries, continue migration to a cloud infrastructure, and improve
registry quality by modernizing from custom built solutions to commercial off-the-shelf
tools with expanded capabilities. Registries are shared data services in which common data
are managed centrally but shared broadly; they improve data quality in EPA systems,
enable integration and interoperability of data across program silos, and facilitate discovery
of EPA information publicly and internally.
EPA's Customer Experience (CX) Program will focus on improving the mission support
experience of EPA staff to improve their ability to serve the public, in line with the guidance in
Executive Order 14058.27 The Program focuses on collaborations such as the Hiring and
Onboarding process, which collects feedback from IT professionals, hiring managers, regions,
programs, and other stakeholders to improve the experience for hiring authorities and new
employees at EPA. The CX Program collects customer feedback, conducts data analytics, assesses
priorities within a governing community of practice, and presents recommendations to senior
leaders to allocate resources to improve CX initiatives.
In FY 2025, the Agency will continue to support the essential capabilities of GeoPlatform, a shared
technology enterprise for geospatial information and analysis. By implementing geospatial data,
applications, and services such as the Facility Registry System, the Agency can integrate, interpret,
and visualize multiple data sets and information sources to support environmental decisions. The
Agency will continue developing and increasing capabilities of EPA's Data Management and
Analytics Platform, which has both internal and public facing elements, such as Envirofacts. EPA
will partner with other agencies, states, tribes, and academic institutions to propose innovative
ways to use, analyze, and visualize data through EPA's Data Management and Analytics Platform.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue implementation of a governance framework for enterprise data life
cycle approach for managing regulated facility data.
In FY 2025, Web Infrastructure Management will continue to modernize EPA's web presence to
support internal and external users with information on EPA business, support employees with
internal information, and provide a clearinghouse for the Agency to communicate initiatives and
successes. EPA also will continue to upgrade its web infrastructure to ensure that it meets current
statutory and evolving security requirements.
The EPA Chief Data Officer (CDO), with support from the Agency's Data Governance Council
(DGC) will continue to develop enterprise scale data governance, including data policies,
procedures, and standards to ensure all priority data assets are fully available. Additionally, they
will promote data management that emphasizes equitability and FAIR (Findable, Accessible,
26 For more information, please refer to Executive Order: https://www.federalregister.gOv/documents/2010/l 1/09/2010-
28360/controlled-unclassified-information.
27 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/12/16/2021-27380/transforming-
federal-customer-experience-and-service-delivery-to-rebuild-trust-in-govemment.
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Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles. EPA's enterprise data governance implementation
plans depend on coordination across the Agency's program offices and regions. Currently, EPA
relies on a network of data managers and stewards across the Agency to implement governance.
To facilitate effective communication between the DGC and responsible parties, as well as to
ensure development and implementation of the most effective data policies, procedures, and
standards, EPA has established a data officer position in each EPA program office and region.
These data officers fulfill essential communication and coordination functions and serve as
anchors for building a stronger culture of utilizing data to build evidence and support decision
making across EPA.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Information Technology /Data
Management Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$119.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE, 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; Foundations for Evidence-Based Policy
Making Act of 2018; Geospatial Data Act of 2018.
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Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
61
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Alternative Dispute Resolution
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Goal: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
Objective(s): Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$845
$972
S2.820
SI.848
HuzuriloH.s Substance Super/und
.S ".V
.S -VI
SI.S-/1
SI.050
Total Budget Authority
$1,602
$1,763
$4,661
$2,898
Total Workyears
4.7
5.9
14.0
8.1
Program Project Description:
EPA's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program offers cost-effective processes for
preventing and resolving conflicts on Superfund Program matters as an alternative to litigation and
to support collaboration. The Program provides facilitation, mediation, public involvement,
training, and consensus building advice and support for the entire Agency. The Program's ADR
services support the Superfund Program's work with communities, Potentially Responsible
Parties, and other stakeholders, and in particular assist the Superfund Program in meeting their
legal requirements to engage meaningfully with communities by helping to develop collaborative
and effective partnerships.
Significantly, the ADR Program provides conflict resolution and community engagement support
for the Superfund Program to assist with contentious situations at some of the most challenging
sites. In FY 2023, the ADR Program provided ongoing facilitation support for community
engagement in East Palestine, OH following the Norfolk Southern freight train derailment. In
addition to the conflict prevention and resolution support that the ADR Program provides at several
Superfund sites across the country, the ADR Program also supports the Superfund Program's
needs for training in negotiation, public involvement, and other similar topics. In FY 2023, the
ADR Program delivered conflict resolution training for the Community Involvement Training
Program, the National Association of Remedial Project Managers Training Program, and the On-
Scene Coordinators Readiness Training Program. The Program expects to do so again in FY 2025.
FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 3/Objective 3.1, Hold Environmental Violators and
Responsible Parties Accountable in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2025, EPA requests an additional $1.05 million and 2.4 FTE to build its ADR program to
meet the requests in the areas of environmental justice and Title VI civil rights cases. EPA will
continue to provide conflict prevention and ADR services on an increasing number of Superfund
Program matters. This program also supports implementation of Executive Order (EO) 13985:
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Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal
Government,28
Specifically, the ADR Program will:
Administer its five-year Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution Services
(ECCRS) contract, which will be awarded in Spring 2024 and is expected to have a $70 million
capacity. The ADR Program provides most of its conflict prevention and resolution services
to the Agency through this contract. The contract supports more than 50 Superfund projects by
providing facilitators and mediators to resolve conflicts at Superfund sites and is expected to
take on an additional 20 to 30 projects in FY 2025, for an expected total of 70-80 Superfund
projects supported through the ECCRS contract in FY 2025. The ADR Program has
experienced an increase in requests for contract services to support community involvement at
Superfund sites in FY 2023 and the trend is expected to continue. Contract support contributes
to more productive engagement between the Superfund Program and affected communities,
especially underserved and overburdened communities.
Provide the services described above through the four conflict resolution specialists on staff
and Regional Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution (ECCR) Specialists, who
perform environmental ADR work as collateral duty with support from the ADR Program. The
ADR Program expects to provide support through conflict resolution specialists and ECCR
Specialists for agency programs and stakeholders by providing facilitation of public meetings,
mediation, or other consensus building support on six to ten Superfund projects in FY 2025,
which is an increase in direct services (provided by staff) from two to four in FY 2023. As with
contract support, direct staff support promotes greater collaboration and the inclusion of
underserved and overburdened communities at Superfund sites experiencing conflict.
Provide training to EPA staff in conflict resolution concepts and skills. The ADR Program
offers this training through eight interactively designed courses to all national program offices
and regional offices. The ADR Program delivered three trainings to agencywide Superfund
audiences in FY 2023, including conflict resolution training for the Superfund Community
Involvement biannual training program and negotiation training for the National Association
for Remedial Project Managers' annual conference. The ADR Program expects to increase
routine training for Superfund Community Involvement Coordinators in FY 2025. Trainings
include the building of critical skills for Superfund personnel, such as working across cultural
divides and supporting productive dialogue. These skills help Superfund Program staff better
engage with communities.
Help to achieve the goals of President Biden's Justice40 initiative by tracking the number of
ADR projects in which services are provided to underserved and overburdened communities.
From January to December 2023, the ADR Program initiated 22 new projects that provide
conflict prevention or ADR services to benefit underserved and overburdened communities,
and the Program expects to increase services in FY 2025.
28 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-
advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-govemment/.
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The following are examples of FY 2023 accomplishments supporting the Superfund Program:
Provided facilitation and mediation assistance for more than 50 agency supported Superfund
projects, an increase of 18 percent over FY 2022, including multiple sites with challenging
community engagement issues.
Assisted with process design and facilitated a town hall meeting with Rep. Debbie Dingell to
address community concerns related to the Norfolk Southern freight train derailment. EPA
Region 5 Regional Administrator Debra Shore participated in the meeting, which was held in
Belleville, MI, along with representatives from the Michigan Department of Environment,
Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Norfolk Southern, Republic Services, and other state and
local officials. Over 150 people attended the town hall, and nearly 50 engaged with the
panelists.
Provided facilitation support for the Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund Site in Region 2 as part
of the Superfund Pilot Workshop Series. The workshops are a form of conflict prevention and
are designed to build early relationships with communities affected by Superfund sites; the
workshop for the Meeker Avenue Site drew over 100 participants, who learned about the site
and engaged with EPA in an informational setting.
Provided training support for Superfund audiences, including negotiation and other courses for
Community Involvement Coordinators, Remedial Project Managers, and others working on
Superfund sites.
Performance Measures Targets:
EPA's FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$14.0) 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.
(+$1,036.0 / +2.4 FTE) This program change is an increase for the use of alternative dispute
resolution processes, such as mediation and facilitation, to promote equity by including
underserved communities in negotiations. This investment includes $497.0 thousand for
payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Administrative Dispute Resolution Act (ADRA) of 1996; Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1996;
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
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Legal Advice: Environmental Program
Program Area: Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$60,207
$60,061
$86,615
$26,554
Hazardous Substance Super/und
SH44
SS'J'J
S-I.S2
-sir
Total Budget Authority
$61,051
$60,660
$87,097
$26,437
Total Workyears
258.8
273.3
352.5
79.2
Total Workyears in FY 2025 include 8.3 FTE funded by TSCA fees and 22.0 FTE to support Legal Advice working
capital fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
The Legal Advice: Environmental Program provides legal representation, legal counseling, and
legal support for environmental activities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) through the Office of General Counsel's (OGC) Solid
Waste and Emergency Response Law Office (SWERLO). Funding supports legal counseling
activities necessary for the Superfund Program's extensive work to clean up contaminated sites,
which advances environmental justice (EJ) for neighboring communities, and supports EPA's
state, tribal, and local partners. For example, the Program provides legal analysis and advice to
help inform EPA's decisions regarding the assessment of certain contaminants at a given
Superfund site under federal law and a party's potential liability under CERCLA.
The Program supports EPA's Superfund work at thousands of sites and spans a wide array of
Superfund legal issues regarding removal and remedial cleanups costing billions of dollars. The
Program is essential to providing the high-quality legal work to help ensure defensibility of EPA's
decisions to protect human health and the environment.
FY 2025 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 2025, EPA will prioritize legal support for the Superfund Program to assist with the
Administration's priorities including: tackling the climate crisis, advancing EJ, and supporting
state, tribal, and local partners. The Program's increasing work to support CERCLA activities and
these priorities includes but is not limited to counseling on how to address EJ and climate resiliency
in EPA's remedy decisions at Superfund sites, counseling on authorities to address emergencies
and disasters, counseling on the defensibility of agency actions, drafting significant portions of
agency actions, and participating in litigation in defense of agency actions.
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In particular, the Program expects a continued significant increase in work to provide key legal
advice and support related to cleanups, enforcement, rulemakings, guidance, and litigation
concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The Program provides critical legal
advice on actions that are part of the EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap29, an Administration priority
which takes a whole-of-agency approach to address PFAS. For example, the Program will provide
significant counsel on EPA's proposal to designate PFAS as a CERCLA hazardous substance, an
action that, if finalized, could significantly advance EJ goals for communities across the country
impacted by PFAS. Similarly, the Program provides legal counsel on other agency actions,
including an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on various PFAS and guidance related to the
destruction and disposal of PFAS. Legal support is critical to the Superfund Program at many
points throughout the cleanup process. This program also provides legal advice and counseling for
final rules adding Superfund sites to the National Priorities List (NPL), an important step in
advancing cleanup at the Nation's most contaminated sites. This benefits states, tribes, and local
communities, who may not have adequate resources to address these sites on their own. The
Program also provides legal advice on the statutory and regulatory requirements governing the
remedy selection process (such as the consideration of state and tribal standards). This work also
benefits states, tribes, and local communities to allow for state/tribal and public engagement on
cleanups in their communities.
The following are examples of FY 2023 accomplishments, which illustrate the Program's
important role in implementing the Agency's core priorities and mission:
The Program served as the lead on several noteworthy litigation matters. For example:
o The Program led EPA's efforts to develop the Agency's position on a legal issue
of first impression related to CERCLA's statute of limitations for contribution
actions. Program attorneys drafted EPA's letter to the Solicitor General and
advocated to ensure EPA's interests will be reflected in the United States brief in
Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products v. International Paper Company, No. 22-465
(U.S.) to be filed soon.
o Program attorneys, with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), successfully
obtained from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit a favorable opinion
affirming a district court's dismissal of a landowner's claims seeking injunctive
relief to expedite a CERCLA response action. Resort Center Association v. Regan,
No. 21-4150 (10th Cir., May 26, 2023).
o Program attorneys, with DOJ, successfully obtained from the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Ninth Circuit a favorable opinion in U.S. v. Shell USA, No. 21-55320 (9th
Cir., Nov. 7, 2022). The court held that the United States rightfully sought cost
recovery under CERCLA section 107, and rejected a claim that the United States
was required to seek contribution under CERCLA section 113. The court ultimately
upheld the appellant's liability for approximately $50 million at the McColl
Superfund Site in Fullerton, California.
29 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024
66
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The Program provided critical legal counseling on Superfund PFAS issues and the
Program's legal advice has been central to advancing EPA's efforts on a top Administration
priority to address PFAS contamination. For example, program attorneys:
o Provided essential legal guidance on EPA's proposed rule to designate
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)/Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) as CERCLA
hazardous substances;
o Provided further counsel to EPA on the use of CERCLA authority to compel
potentially responsible parties to investigate and address PFAS, the use of
enforcement discretion, and on the impacts of proposed legislation on EPA's
authorities; and
o Played a lead role in advocating for EPA's work protecting human health and the
environment during interagency discussions on how the federal government
approaches PFAS investigation and cleanup, including at military bases.
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$117.0) This net change is a decrease due to a slight reduction to the program. It is offset
by an increase to fixed and other costs due to the recalculation of base workforce costs for
existing FTE, adjustments to provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits
costs. The Program will continue to provide legal representation, counsel, and support for
the Agency's CERCLA activities.
Statutory Authority
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
67
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Operations and Administration
68
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Acquisition Management
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$33,034
$37,251
$42,085
$4,834
T.caking Underground Storage Tanks
SI 73
$181
$136
-$45
Hazardous Substance Super/und
s::.s35
sj-ij-j
Vi.vj.i
Total Budget Authority
$56,042
$64,679
$76,393
$11,714
Total Workyears
268.9
307.7
355.7
48.0
Program Project Description:
Superfund resources in the Acquisition Management Program support EPA's contract activities,
which cover planning, awarding, and administering contracts for the Agency. Efforts include
issuing acquisition policy and interpreting acquisition regulations; administering training for
contracting and program acquisition personnel; providing advice and oversight to regional
procurement offices; and providing information technology (IT) improvements for acquisition.
FY 2025 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 2025, EPA requests an additional $6.9 million and 28.0 FTE for this program. The Agency
will continue to strengthen EPA's capacity to process new, increased, and existing contract award
actions in a timely manner; advance EPA utilization of small and disadvantaged businesses;
support "Made in America" initiatives; and address supply chain risk management activities for
information and communication technology. EPA processes and awards contract actions in line
with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and guidance from the Office of Management and
Budget's (OMB) Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP).
In FY 2025, EPA will continue to support the implementation of supply chain risk requirements
in Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act and the "Made in America Laws"
referenced in Executive Order 14005, Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of
America's Workers,30 while furthering Category Management. The Agency has developed a Made
in America Acquisition training curriculum to train EPA's acquisition workforce and has
developed a comprehensive EPA Made in America intranet site which includes resources on
Agency and Federal Market Resources, compliance requirements and process guidance for both
30 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/01/25/executive-order-on-ensuring-the-future-is-made-in-all-of-america-by-all-of-americas-'workers/.
69
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procurement and assistance agreements. EPA also has established a Supply Chain Risk
Management (SCRM) Program Management Office and task force to formally develop a
comprehensive architecture for the Agency's supply chain, as well as mechanisms to identify and
mitigate risk.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue working to eliminate barriers to full and equal participation in
agency procurement and contracting opportunities for all communities and will continue serving
as an active member of the Procurement Equity Workgroup. The Agency will promote the
equitable delivery of government benefits and opportunities by making contracting and
procurement opportunities available on an equal basis to all eligible providers of goods and
services. This work aims to increase the percentage of EPA contract spend awarded to small
businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones). These businesses
often lack dedicated resources and in-house capacity to capitalize on agency acquisition and
financial assistance opportunities.
In FY 2025, in support of Administration climate sustainability initiatives, EPA will work with
applicable program offices to identify and prioritize procurement plans that spur innovation,
commercialization, and deployment of clean energy technologies.
EPA remains committed to leveraging Category Management principles and enabling Spend
Under Management (SUM) in each of its programs and purchasing areas to save taxpayer dollars
and improve mission outcomes. In FY 2025, EPA will continue to utilize data provided by OFPP
and the General Services Administration, to implement spend analysis, trend analysis, and data
visualization tools to measure progress toward EPA's Category Management goals.
OMB's SUM initiative focuses on managed total acquisition spend and agency activities which
transition spend to contract vehicles aligned with Category Management principles. Since FY
2023, EPA has elevated its focus on employing Category Management from purely strategic
sourcing to broader monitoring and management of EPA's primary spend categoriesFacilities
& Construction, Professional Services, IT, Industrial Products & Services, Office Management,
and Human Capital. Category Liaisons were established to oversee and improve progress with
EPA's development of Category-level strategies in the primary spend categories. In FY 2025, EPA
Category Liaisons will partner with Federal and EPA Category Managers to execute established
Category-level strategies to enable greater SUM and improve the Agency's ability to achieve its
Category Management goals.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue to implement SUM principles to leverage pre-vetted agency and
government-wide contracts. Through SUM solutions, acquisition experts will optimize spending
within the government-wide category management framework and increase the transactional data
available for agency-level analysis of buying behaviors. To modernize the acquisition process and
remove barriers to entry for obtaining government contracts, EPA has developed two innovative
tools available agencywide: the EPA Solution Finder, which provides solution and ordering
information for all EPA enterprise-wide contract solutions; and the SUM Opportunity Tool, which
recommends existing solutions to address newly identified agency requirements for commodities
and services and those supported on expiring contracts.
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EPA also will elevate its focus on the Category Management approach to improve management
and results of its portfolio of contracts. EPA will continue to maximize considerations for
implementing Strategic Sourcing Initiatives (SSIs), thereby enhancing purchase coordination,
improving price uniformity and knowledge-sharing, and leveraging small business capabilities to
meet acquisition goals. EPA will continue to implement strategic sourcing initiatives first launched
in FY 2023 in the areas of Lab Equipment Maintenance; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and
Accessibility; Organizational Development and Coaching; Business and Financial Services; and
Intellitrak software.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Small Minority Business Assistance
Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$1,713.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
(+$5,212.0 / +28.0 FTE) This net program change will strengthen EPA's capacity to
process new, increased, and existing award contract actions in a timely manner; advance
EPA utilization of small and disadvantaged business; support "Made in America"
initiatives; and support supply chain risk management activities for information and
communication technology. The change is partially offset by program efficiencies
realized, reducing acquisition system costs. This investment includes $5.3 million for
payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
71
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Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$85,840
$87,099
$100,595
$13,496
T.caking Underground Storage Tanks
$373
$457
$474
$17
Hazardous Substance Super/und
s.i2.vu
SMJ3X
S.W.SI2
-Sft 2/>
Total Budget Authority
$119,128
$118,894
$131,581
$12,687
Total Workyears
441.2
472.0
486.7
14.7
Total workyears in FY 2025 include 2.0 FTE funded by TSCA fees.
Total workyears in FY 2025 include 45.7 FTE to support Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance working capital
fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
EPA's financial management community maintains a strong partnership with the Superfund
Program. EPA's Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) supports this continuing partnership
by providing a full array of financial management support services and systems necessary to pay
Superfund bills, recoup cleanup and oversight costs for the Trust Fund. EPA's OCFO manages
Superfund activities under the Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance Program in support of
integrated planning, budget formulation and execution, financial management, performance and
accountability processes, financial cost recovery, and systems to ensure effective stewardship of
Superfund resources. This program supports agency activities to meet requirements of the
Government Performance and Results Modernization Act (GPRMA) of 2010,31 as amended by the
Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 ("Evidence Act"), with an emphasis
on Title I of the Act;32 the Digital Accountability and Transparency (DATA) Act of 2014;33 the
Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) of 2015;34 the Federal
Management Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA);35 the Inspector General Act of 1978.36
FY 2025 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.
31 For more information, please see: https://www.congress.gOv/l 1.l/plaws/publ352/PLAW-l 1. Ipubl352.pdf.
32 For more information, please see: https://www.congress.gOv/l 1.5/plaws/publ435/.PLAW- 115publ435.pdf.
33 For more information, please see: https://www.congress.gOv/l 13/plaws/publlOl/PLAW- 113publl01.pdf.
34 FITARA became law as apart of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Title VIII, Subtitle D),
https://www.c0ngress.g0v/l 1.3/plaws/pubt291/PLAW-1.1.3publ291. .pdf.
35 For more information, please see: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-96/pdf/STATUTE-96-Pg814.pdf.
36 For more information, please see: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2012-title5/pdf/USCODE-2Q12-title5-app-
inspector.pdf.
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In FY 2025, EPA requests an additional 0.5 FTE in this program. This increase invests in a solution
that would move the Agency forward in assessing enterprise and programmatic risk, internal
control, and audit management. EPA will continue to provide resource stewardship to ensure that
all agency programs operate with fiscal responsibility, management integrity, financial services
are efficiently and consistently delivered nationwide, and programs demonstrate results. The
Program will maintain key planning, budgeting, and financial management activities. The Program
will ensure secure efficient maintenance operations of core agency financial management systems:
Compass, PeoplePlus (Time and Attendance), Budget Formulation System, which includes a
Performance Module, and related financial reporting systems. The Agency is reviewing its
financial systems for modernization and innovation opportunities to support greater effectiveness
of targeting legacy systems for replacement. Dashboards are now in place to support payroll, FTE
management, and to support GPRMA performance planning and systematic tracking of progress.
In FY 2025, EPA also will continue to standardize and streamline business processes and
operations to promote transparency and efficiency. The Program will apply Lean Management
techniques and leverage input from customer-focused councils, advisory groups, and technical
workgroups to continue improve. At the beginning of FY 2023, EPA began processing new
interagency agreements within G-invoicing, as per the Treasury guidelines. G-invoicing will
streamline processing and improve management of Interagency Agreements (IA) with the Army
Corps of Engineers for Superfund site clean-up. The system implementation will continue to
evolve over the next few years as more agencies come online and start to do business with the
Agency in G-invoicing. EPA will continue to work transferring its entire catalog of interagency
agreements to G-invoicing by the end of FY 2025, however this transfer is dependent on the trading
partners' ability to access G-invoicing.
In FY 2025, the Program will continue to focus on core responsibilities in the areas of strategic
planning and budget preparation, financial reporting, transaction processing, and Superfund Cost
Recovery. In FY 2023, EPA successfully implemented the new billing and cost recovery system,
e-Recovery, for Superfund, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Oil Spill. The Agency
will continue to implement FITARA requirements in accordance with EPA's Implementation
Plan.37 The Chief Information Officer will continue to be engaged throughout the budget planning
process to ensure that information technology (IT) needs are properly planned and resourced in
accordance with FITARA.
The Program will continue to conduct internal control program reviews and use the results and
recommendations from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to provide evidence of the financial
soundness of EPA's financial management program and identify areas for further improvement.
Annually, EPA conducts internal control reviews of multiple programs. In FY 2023, EPA
enhanced its enterprise risk management and risk assessment processes in order to help with the
collection and analysis of agency's risks and mitigating controls. The Program will continue to
collect key operational statistics for its financial management program to further evaluate its
operations and for management decision-making. In future years, the Agency will continue to
refine and implement controls on payments by re-evaluating and adjusting its Payment Integrity
operations to allow for broader reviews of payment transactions. At the end of the current fiscal
37 For more information please see: http://www.epa.gov/open/fitara-mplementation-plan-and-chief-iiifoniiation-ofTLcer-
assignment-plan.
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year, the Program will provide assurance to the OIG of the validity of financial statements and
overall financial reporting.
With increased focused on internal controls, audit management, and enterprise risk assessment, in
FY 2025, the Agency will continue to expand the Program's efforts in this area including
implementing a new internal control tool. The new tool will allow the Agency to easily crosswalk
the anticipated increase in the number of audits for program integrity to the 600+ risks and internal
controls. The tool also will help the Agency to better monitor the effectiveness, impact and testing
of the internal controls set in place.
EPA has made significant strides in recent years to strengthen programs considered susceptible to
improper payment. However, the Agency continues to be vigilant in reducing fraud, waste, and
abuse, and strengthening internal controls over improper payments. In addition, as required by the
Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA) (P.L. 116-117)38 and OMB Memorandum M-
21-19 Appendix C,39 EPA conducts risk assessments of all its payment streams. Other
improvements include the recent implementation of upgraded systems used for payments and
invoice processing through which the Agency anticipates even fewer payment errors moving
forward. To strengthen our processes, EPA is developing risk assessment plans for significant
increases for new funding the Agency receives. These risk assessments will outline potential areas
that may require additional guidance for tracking and reporting, performance measures, and
internal controls to prevent and detect possible improper payment activities.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Central Planning, Budgeting, and
Finance Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$997.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE from annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs. It also includes support
for critical agency wide infrastructure support for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity
requirements, electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of
Trusted Vetting 2.0.
(+$92.0 / +0.5 FTE) This program change invests in a management integrity tool to turn
manual data collection and analysis activities into a streamlined, customer-focused and
agencywide tool that meets the analytical needs of enterprise risk, internal control, and
audit environments. The FTE will support system configuration, training, on-going
administrative functions and expanded agency analysis and compilation activities. This
investment includes $92.0 thousand for payroll.
38 For more information, please see: https://www.congress.gOv/l 16/plaws/publl 17/PLAW-l 16publl 17.pdf.
39 For more information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/M-21-19.pdf
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(-$1,915.0) This program disinvestment reflects the cost savings from decommissioning
the SCORPIOS cost recovery system. In FY 2023, EPA successfully implemented and
replaced SCORPIOS with the new e-Recovery system. This program change also includes
efficiencies gained in adopting G-Invoicing for IAs and reflects fulfillment of a one-time
cost to complete enhancements for the Agency infrastructure investment for devolution
and continuity of operations projects and other workforce support needs.
Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified as Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
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Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$275,614
$283,330
$308,134
$24,804
Science & Technology
$65,328
$67,500
$72,906
$5,406
Building and Facilities
$17,502
$42,076
$98,893
$56,817
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$803
$754
$729
-$25
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$692
$682
$643
-$39
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V). ~/5
Total Budget Authority
$434,054
$459,976
$553,654
$93,678
Total Workyears
304.7
321.8
331.1
9.3
Total work years in FY 2025 include 6.1 FTE to support Facilities Infrastructure and Operations Working Capital
Fund (WCF) services.
Program Project Description:
Superfund resources in the Facilities Infrastructure and Operations Program fund the Agency's
rent, utilities, and security. The Program also supports centralized administrative activities and
support services, including health and safety, environmental compliance and management,
facilities maintenance and operations, space planning, sustainable facilities and energy
conservation planning and support, property management, mail, and transportation services.
Funding for such services is allocated among the major appropriations for the Agency.
FY 2025 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 2025, EPA requests an additional $6.7 million and 0.5 FTE in the Facilities Infrastructure
and Operations Program to support agencywide climate sustainability and resiliency initiatives,
and EPA facilities' operating costs and projects. Investing in the reconfiguration of EPA's
workspaces enables the Agency to release office space and avoid long-term rent costs, consistent
with the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act.40 These resources are essential to help EPA reduce
the number of occupied leased facilities, consolidate and optimize space within owned facilities,
and reduce square footage. The Agency's space consolidation and energy efficiency efforts result
in cost avoidances due to projected rent and utility increases in out-years. For FY 2025, the Agency
requests a total of $41.59 million in rent, $2.84 million in utilities, and $8.8 million for security in
40 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.
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the Superfund appropriation. EPA uses a standard methodology to ensure that rent charging
appropriately reflects planned and enacted resources at the appropriation level.
EPA will continue conducting climate resiliency assessments at EPA-owned facilities to identify
critical upgrades that are necessary to improve facility resiliency against the impacts of climate
change, such as roof stabilization or seawall construction projects. EPA also will continue
incorporating natural hazard and climate vulnerability assessments into their real property risk
management process. In FY 2025, EPA will conduct climate assessments at the Andrew W.
Breidenbach Environmental Research Center, and Center Hill Research Facility in Cincinnati, OH,
and the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, MI. As a result of FY 2022
assessments, EPA initiated two high priority projects in FY 2023: a feasibility study to improve
the resilience of the causeway leading to the Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division
campus in Gulf Breeze, FL, and a solar array feasibility study at the research facility in
Narragansett, RI.
Space consolidation and reconfiguration enables EPA to reduce its footprint to create a more
efficient, collaborative, and technologically sophisticated workplace. In FY 2025, the Agency will
continue to reconfigure EPA's workplaces to ensure the space footprint can accommodate a
growing and hybrid workforce.41 EPA will consider all opportunities for supporting organizational
health, in line with OMB Memoranda M-23-15 - Measuring, Monitoring, and Improving
Organizational Health and Organizational Performance in the Context of Evolving Agency Work
Environments.42 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 and the clean energy goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
In FY 2025, EPA will implement 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, and sustainability assessments). This funding will support
investments 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). In line with federal sustainability goals, EPA will work to utilize 100 percent carbon
pollution-free electricity on a net annual basis by 2030.
EPA also will meet regulatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
obligations determined through audits and assessments and will provide health and safety training
to field staff (e.g., inspections, monitoring, and on-scene coordinators). The Agency will continue
its partnership with GSA to utilize shared services solutions, USAccess, and Enterprise Physical
Access Control System (ePACS) programs. USAccess provides standardized HSPD-12 approved
Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card enrollment and issuance and ePACS provides centralized
access control of EPA facilities, including restricted and secure areas.
41 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/) and 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-susta inability /).
42 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/M-23-15.pdf.
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Performance Measure Targets:
FY
20IX
FY
201<)
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
FY
2025
Units
Target
2
7
11
14
Assessments
Actual
1
7
(I'M CRP) Perce
months of a comi
ntage of priority climate resiliency Projects for EPA-owned facilities initiated within 24
|)lctcd facility climate assessment and Pro ject prioritization.
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
FY
2025
Units
Target
100
100
100
Percent
Actual
100
Numerator
1
Projects
Denominator
1
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$279.0) 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.
(+$1,275.0) This increase includes adjustments to rent, utilities, security, and transit
subsidy needs.
(+$5,161.0 / +0.5 FTE) This program change supports implementation of EO 14057:
Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability requirements
that will require EPA to increase facility resiliency against the impact of climate change
and to advance sustainability of EPA operations. EPA will invest in facility climate
assessments and Optimized Building Managements Systems; EPA facilities projects to
optimize space, avoid costs, and increase efficiency; and EPA's Climate Adaptation Plan.
This investment includes $93.0 thousand for payroll.
Statutory Authority:
Federal Property and Administration Services Act; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat.
2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
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Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$28,225
$30,188
$34,745
$4,557
Hazardous Substance Super/und
S4..S55
S 4.002
S 4.MO
Vo.S
Total Budget Authority
$33,079
$34,190
$39,405
$5,215
Total Workyears
145.5
156.8
184.5
27.7
Program Project Description:
Superfund resources in the Financial Assistance Grants and Interagency Agreement (IA)
Management Program support the management of grants and IAs as well as suspension and
debarment activities for assistance and procurement programs. Grants and IAs historically
comprise approximately a significant percentage of EPA's annual appropriations. Resources in
this program ensure that EPA manages grants and IAs to meet the highest fiduciary standards and
achieve measurable results for environmental programs and agency priorities, and that the
government's financial resources and business interests are protected from fraud and
mismanagement. These objectives are critically important for the Superfund Program, as a
substantial portion of the Program is implemented through IAs with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard.
FY 2025 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 2025, EPA requests an additional $658.0 thousand and 4.7 FTE for this program. The
Agency will continue implementing the FY 2021-2025 Grants Management Plan, focusing on
efficient award and management of assistance agreements, enhancing partnerships within the
grants management community, promoting environmental justice (EJ), and ensuring effective
grant oversight and accountability.
EPA will continue to provide technical assistance and outreach to recipients of federal funding;
improve capacity for oversight and tracking of new and increased grant investments; and process
financial assistance agreements in a timely manner. EPA will conduct a robust training program
for EPA staff and grant applicants and recipients that will focus on:
1) Helping applicants find and apply for competitive and non-competitive grant
opportunities.
2) Providing compliance assistance to ensure applicants and recipients are prepared to
receive and administer funding from the annual appropriations as well as the Infrastructure
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Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and Congressionally
Directed Spending.
3) Ensuring recipients understand and comply with the federal requirements that apply to
them and primary recipients.
EPA will use and adapt the grant competition and grant-making processes to promote equity and
support for underserved communities. For example, EPA will provide technical assistance to
potential grantees from underserved communities on sound financial management practices to
reduce barriers to competition for EPA grant resources. EPA also will track grant place of
performance to help determine whether underserved communities realize the benefits of EPA grant
programs.
EPA will continue to ensure compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act and policies
in its financial assistance programs, consistent with Executive Order 14005 and Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-24-02.43'44 These efforts include establishing
appropriate terms and conditions, developing information to share with recipients, conducting
market research and industrial engagement, and, where absolutely necessary, providing limited
and targeted waivers consistent with statutory requirements and OMB directive.
In FY 2025, the Agency will continue to make use of discretionary debarments and suspensions
as well as statutory disqualifications under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act to protect the
integrity of federal assistance and procurement programs. Congress and federal courts have long
recognized federal agencies' inherent authority and obligation to exclude non-responsible parties
from eligibility to receive government contracts and federal assistance awards (e.g., grants,
cooperative agreements, loans, and loan guarantees).
Performance Measure Targets:
EPA's FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan does not include annual performance goals specific to
this program.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$306.0)) This change to fixed and other costs is a decrease due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE, adjustments to provide essential workforce support,
and changes to benefits costs.
(+$964.0 / +4.7 FTE) This program change will support technical assistance and outreach
to first time recipients of federal funding; improve capacity for oversight and tracking of
new and increased grant investments; and the timely processing of financial assistance
agreements. This investment includes $884.0 thousand for payroll.
43 For more information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/28/2021-02038/ensuriiig-the-future-
is-made-in-all-of-america-bv-all-of-americas-workers.
44 For more information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/M-24-02-Buy-America-
Iinplenieiitatioii-Guidance-IJpdate.pdf.
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Statutory Authority:
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L. 98-80, 97 Stat. 485
(codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute); Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act;
Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act § 2455.
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Human Resources Management
Program Area: Operations and Administration
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$51,882
$51,261
$68,124
$16,863
Hazardous Substance Super/und
S ~JX2
S'.-IIV
.N
SI.fi.S-/
Total Budget Authority
$59,264
$58,680
$77,427
$18,747
Total Workyears
210.6
254.4
328.7
74.3
Total work years in FY 2025 include 1.5FTEto support Human Resources Management working capital fund (WCF)
services.
Program Project Description:
Superfund resources for the Human Resources (HR) Management Program support human capital
management (HCM) activities throughout EPA. HCM activities include diverse outreach,
recruitment, hiring, employee development, performance management, leadership development,
strategic planning (including workforce planning, succession management, employee acclimation
and experience management), data analysis and labor union engagement. These factors are critical
for building, developing, and retaining a diverse and talented workforce at EPA. Additional HCM
activities supported by EPM resources include personnel and payroll processing through the
Human Resources Line of Business. EPM resources also support overall federal advisory
committee management and Chief Human Capital Officer Council activities under applicable
statutes and guidance, including the Agency's Human Capital Operating Plan.
FY 2025 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 2025, EPA requests an additional $18.75 million and 74.3 FTE across EPM and Superfund
resources for the HR Management Program to continue to implement EPA's Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan, establish a centralized EPA intern program,
implement evidence-gathering and application under EPA's Learning Agenda, and strengthen
agencywide capacity to hire and onboard staff in a timely and equitable manner. The activities
supported by EPA's HR Management Program contribute to effective workforce management and
are critical for strengthening the workforce, retaining expertise, and capturing institutional
knowledge. EPA continues developing mechanisms to ensure employees have the right skills to
successfully achieve the Agency's core mission today and in the future.
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EPA is committed to advancing equity, in line with President Biden's Executive Orders (EOs)
13985,45 13988,46 14020,47 14035,48 and 14075.49 In FY 2025, in line with EO 14035, EPA
requests an additional $7,826 million to implement the actions identified in the DEIA Strategic Plan
and to assess whether agency recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention, professional development,
performance evaluations, pay and compensation policies, reasonable accommodations access, and
training policies and practices are equitable. EPA will undertake an evidence-based and data-
driven approach to determine whether, and to what extent, agency practices result in inequitable
employment outcomes, and whether agency actions may help to overcome systemic societal and
organizational barriers. Further, the Agency's Chief Diversity Officer will oversee the assessment
of the status and effects of existing DEIA initiatives or programs and review the institutional
resources available to support human resources activities. For areas where evidence is lacking, the
Agency will propose opportunities to advance DEIA. EPA will continue to involve employees at
all levels of the organization in the assessment of DEIA initiatives and programs.
In FY 2025, EPA will manage and propose an additional $1,360 million investment in its Senior
Executive Service Candidate Development Program. The Program will focus on incorporating
DEIA strategies to ensure future executives reflect the diversity of the American population and
possess the skills necessary to lead a diverse and talented workforce operating in a hybrid work
environment. The Agency will continue to implement a centralized paid internship program and
with the additional funds requested, will expand on existing internship opportunities across the
Agency and to strengthen talent and workforce acquisition. This paid internship program focuses
on expanding federal work experience opportunities for underrepresented and underserved
populations which may have experienced barriers to applying or fully participating in existing
opportunities. EPA's program will provide a total of approximately 180 four-month internship
opportunities across EPA Programs and Regional Offices. Additionally, EPA will implement a
plan to convert eligible interns to permanent federal service based on performance and completing
program requirements.
EPA has increased efforts to improve DEIA with virtual outreach events targeting diverse
networks such as veterans, persons with disabilities, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and
Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions. To recruit
EPA's next generation of employees, EPA will continue outreach to new potential sources for
future employees and use all available hiring authorities including Schedule A and recruitment
incentives. In FY 2025, EPA will continue to work with Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics-focused institutions and organizations such as the Society of Hispanic Professional
Engineers and National Society of Black Engineers. EPA also will participate in the President's
Management Council Interagency Rotational Program to create leadership development
45 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-Q1753/advancing-
racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-govemment.
46 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2Q21/Ql/25/2Q21-Q1761/preventing-
and-combating-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation.
47 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2Q21/Q3/ll/2Q21-Q5183/establishment-
of-the-white-house-gender-policy-council.
48 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2Q21/Q6/3Q/2Q21-14127/diversity-
equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce.
49 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2Q22/Q6/21/2Q22-13391/advancing-
equality-for-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer-and-intersex-individuals.
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assignments for GS 13-15 level employees. EPA will continue to review applicant flow diversity
data every quarter to assess progress and identify areas for improvement.
In FY 2025, in line with OMB Memoranda M-23-15 - Measuring, Monitoring, and Improving
Organizational Health and Organizational Performance in the Context of Evolving Agency Work
Environments,50 EPA will continue to implement, and update as necessary, its Work Environment
Plan in a manner that emphasizes meaningful in-person work and advances organizational health
and performance. EPA will continue to assess and implement any necessary investments in
information technology and real property necessary to implement its Work Environment Plan.
EPA also will continue to support front-line supervisor training for managing individuals and
teams working in hybrid environments and effectively delivering results to customers and
stakeholders. EPA will continue to support a data-driven culture which routinely uses performance
measures for measuring, monitoring, and improving organizational health and organizational
performance.
The Agency will continue to build Talent Teams to effectively expand recruitment and hiring to
meet critical agency skill needs, as well as continue to leverage childcare subsidies to support
retention. EPA also will continue to support and invest in evidence-building activities to carry out
a workforce strategy guided by data-driven decisions as part of its implementation of the Evidence
Act through the Workforce Planning learning priority area in EPA's Learning Agenda. This work
also addresses implementing OMB's Statistical Policy No. 15, Standards for the Classification of
Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity. This work includes determining Mission Critical
Competencies, enhancement of EPA's competency assessment tool, conducting a skills gap
analysis across the Agency, and implementing knowledge transfer strategies to support Succession
Management.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue to operate and maintain the Talent Enterprise Diagnostic (TED)
tool to allow EPA to make data-driven, strategic workforce decisions. TED data will serve a crucial
role in EPA's Workforce Planning and Succession Management activities by identifying potential
competency gaps across the Agency and by increasing management's understanding of where
needed skill sets should reside within EPA. Additionally, EPA will continue to maintain and
operate dashboards related to Mission Critical Occupations, Workforce Demographics, and
Diversity. These dashboards provide data visualizations and easy-to-understand information about
the current workforce, assisting EPA with Succession Management by identifying workforce gaps
due to anticipated retirements and attrition trends. This is critical considering approximately 22
percent of EPA's workforce is retirement eligible and another 15 percent of the current workforce
will become retirement eligible over the next five years.
The Agency will continue to implement Executive Order 14003, Protecting the Federal
Workforce,51 issued on January 22, 2021. EPA reviewed its unions' agreements to identify and
eliminate provisions influenced by four revoked executive orders and will increase the focus on
pre-decisional involvement and interest-based bargaining. In FY 2025, EPA will continue working
to reset and repair relationships and involve unions in a collaborative way, promoting the Agency' s
50 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/M-23-15.pdf.
51 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefuig-rooni/presidential-actions/2021/01/22/executive-
order-protecting-the-federal-workforce/.
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and the unions' shared goal of the positive and equitable treatment of newly empowered
employees.
Finally, EPA's advisory committees have proven effective in building consensus among the
Agency's diverse external partners and stakeholders. In line with President Biden'sMemorandum
on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based
Policymaking,52 EPA remains committed to ensuring highly qualified external experts serve on
agency committees and members and future nominees of EPA advisory committees reflect the
diversity of America in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, geography, and other characteristics.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Human Resources Management
Program under the EPM appropriation.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$64.0) This net change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base workforce costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to
provide essential workforce support, changes to benefits costs, and changes to workers
compensation and childcare.
(+$691.0 / +10.0 FTE) This program change is an increase to continue to develop and
diversify its new paid internship program to strengthen talent and workforce acquisition
and focus on expanding federal work experience opportunities for underrepresented and
underserved populations. This investment includes $590.0 thousand for payroll.
(+$569.0) This program change is an increase to support the implementation of Executive
Order 14035 - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal
Workforce, carry out the actions identified in EPA's DEIA Strategic Plan, and assess
whether agency recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention, professional development,
performance evaluations, pay and compensation policies, reasonable accommodations
access, and training policies and practices are equitable.
(+$360.0) This program change is an increase to support the continuation of the Senior
Executive Service Candidate Development Program with a goal that EPA senior leaders
reflect the diversity of the American people and will include a special focus on developing
diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity competencies.
(+$200.0 / +0.6 FTE) This program change is an increase in support of the Foundations for
Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018. Resources will be used for Learning Agenda's
evidence-gathering activities. This investment includes $79.0 thousand for payroll.
52 For additional information, please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/01/27/memorandum-on-restoring-trust-in-government-through-scientific-integrity-and-evidence-based-
policymaking/.
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Statutory Authority:
Title 5 of the U.S.C.; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, 84 Stat. 2086, as amended by Pub. L.
98-80, 97 Stat. 485 (codified at Title 5, App.) (EPA's organic statute).
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Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability
87
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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 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Science & Technology
$40,119
$39,918
$45,746
$5,828
Hazardous Substance Super/und
SV.225
S 4 SHU
s?jm
.S131
Total Budget Authority
$49,345
$44,819
$50,786
$5,967
Total Workyears
156.6
155.9
179.9
24.0
Program Project Description:
EPA's Health and Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) Research Program is focused on
generating assessments that inform decisions made by EPA and others, including states and tribes.
These assessments provide the scientific basis for decisions under an array of environmental laws
including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA). With funding from Superfund, the HERA program supports the risk assessment needs
of the Agency's Superfund Program and regional risk assessors by providing Provisional Peer-
Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTVs) and other fit-for-purpose human health assessments. The
HERA Research Program also provides technical support on the application of human health and
ecological risk assessment practices at hazardous waste sites for Superfund. These assessment
tools and activities support risk-based management decisions at contaminated Superfund and
hazardous waste sites.
The HERA Research Program supports the Agency's mission to protect human health and the
environment by identifying and characterizing the health hazards of chemicals of concern to the
Superfund Program and responding to technical requests on topics relevant to human health or
ecological risk assessment at hazardous waste sites. EPA scientists in the HERA Research Program
synthesize available scientific information on the potential health and environmental impacts of
exposures to individual chemicals and chemical mixtures in the environment, such as per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PPRTVs and other assessments under the HERA program are
important sources of toxicity information and toxicity values to ensure improvements in human
health and the environment in communities near Superfund sites.
Priorities for PPRTV development are based on the needs of the Agency's Office of Land and
Emergency Management (OLEM), with input from Agency regional offices, and are re-evaluated
annually. Research areas under the HERA program include applying new data; computational
tools; enhancement of supporting data/knowledge bases; and efficiency of derivation for PPRTV
values.
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There are over 1,300 Superfund sites on the National Priorities List.53 Communities near
Superfund sites or in emergencies are faced with an urgent need for coordinated assistance to
assess and address environmental contamination issues. The HERA Research Program anticipates
environmental contamination issues. It develops new assessment approaches to enhance rapid
response and screening capabilities and to augment toxicity value derivation procedures for human
health toxicity assessments.
Recent Accomplishments of the HERA Research 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 Chemical Assessments: In FY 2023, EPA finalized seven PPRTV assessments
under the HERA program, including PPRTVs that apply analogue read-across analysis for
chemicals with limited data such as the PPRTVfor Perylene.54 In FY 2024, EPA anticipates
delivering six to nine additional high-priority PPRTV assessments55 based on the needs and
priorities of EPA's Superfund Program. The HERA Research Program also continues to
support the needs of EPA's Office of Land and Emergency Management through the
development of assessments for other priority chemicals, such as PFAS, polychlorinated
biphenyls, methylmercury, hexavalent chromium, and inorganic arsenic.56
Advancements in Lead Modeling: The Agency anticipates finalizing updates to the All-Ages
Lead Model (AALM)57 in FY 2024 which will include improved lead biokinetic modeling in
adults and children.
Technical Support: The HERA Research Program responds to ongoing requests for scientific
support on human and ecological assessment via the Superfund Health Risk Technical Support
Center58 and Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center.59 Recent efforts have included
providing risk assessment support at Saint-Gobain McCaffrey Street (New York), Plattsburg
Air Force Base (Vermont), Velsicol Chemical Corp (Michigan), Tittabawassee River
(Michigan), LA. Clarke & Son (Virginia), and ASARCO Superfund Site (Nebraska). Ongoing
requests include assistance with employing new approach methods, review of probabilistic risk
assessment models, and continued stakeholder engagement on complex science to address the
needs of Superfund sites across the United States.
53 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/superfmd/supeifund-national-priorities-list-npl.
54 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/pprtv/chemicalLanding.cfm7pprtv sub id= 1.845.
55 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/pprtv.
56 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/iris/iris-recent-additions.
57 For the current All-Ages Lead Model, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/risk/recordi splay.cfm?deid=343670.
58 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/land-research/superfund-health-risk-technical-support-center-stsc.
59 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/land-research/epas-technical-support-centers.
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FY 2025 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 2025, the HERA Research Program's work will focus explicitly on efforts integral to
achieving the Agency's priorities and informing EPA's implementation of key environmental
regulations. Examples of this work include:
PFAS Research: PFAS are a class of chemicals of concern in the environment. Decision-
making on PFAS chemicals is hindered by a limited number of standard toxicity values. There
are still large numbers of PFAS, of high interest to partners, that currently have no federally
published, peer-reviewed toxicity values. As described in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap,60
within the HERA Research Program, EPA is prioritizing additional PFAS for the 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 officials that must make risk
assessment and management decisions.
PPRTV Assessments: In FY 2025, the HERA Research Program anticipates delivering six to
nine additional high-priority PPRTV assessments as prioritized by EPA's Office of Land and
Emergency Management.
Portfolio of Assessment Products: In FY 2025, EPA will complement the PPRTVs by
providing additional human health assessment products for priority chemicals. By developing
a range of fit-for-purpose assessment products, the Agency will match the assessment scope
and problem formulation with program needs to increase efficiency.
Linking Databases and Management Tools: In FY 2025, the HERA Program will continue
to collaborate with the Chemical Safety for Sustainability (CSS) Research Program to link the
architecture of assessment databases and literature management tools, including Health and
Environmental Research Online61 and the Health Assessment and Workplace Collaborative62
with the CompTox Chemicals Dashboard.63
Rapid Technical Support: In FY 2025, the HERA Program will continue essential technical
assistance across EPA to provide rapid technical support to programs and regions. These
activities will provide expedited technical support for evaluating chemical-specific exposures
at Superfund and contaminated sites, as well as incorporating case-specific information related
to urgent situations.
Lead: Childhood lead exposure continues to be one of the highest priorities for EPA. To
advance the application of lead exposure and biokinetic models in EPA regulatory decisions
60 For more information, please see EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap at: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-
coiiiiiiitiiients-actioii-2021. -2024.
61 For more information, please see: https://hero.epa. gov/hero/.
62 For more information, please see: https://hawcprd.epa.gov/.
63 For more information, please see: https://coiiiptox.epa.gov/dasliboard.
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and site assessments, the HERA Research Program will enhance, evaluate, and apply lead
biokinetic models for estimating potential blood lead levels for regulatory determinations.64
Additionally, the Exposure Factors Handbook65 will be continually updated to provide up-to-
date data on various human factors, including soil and dust ingestion rates, used by risk
assessors.
Please note that certain activities within this program could have implications associated with the
Administration's Cancer Moonshot Initiative.
Research Planning:
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research
needs of Agency program and regional offices, states, and tribes, and is planned with their active
involvement. Each research program has developed and published the fourth generation of the
StRAPs,66 which will continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at
solving the problems encountered by the Agency and its stakeholders.
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with various groups, including
communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its research through a variety of mechanisms
that include:
EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement67 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.
64 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/superfuad/lead-superfund-sites-software-and-users-manuals.
65 For more information, please see: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/risk/recordisplay ,cfm?deid=236252.
66 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.gov/research/strategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-years-2023-
2026.
67 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
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Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability Program under the S&T appropriation.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$139.0) This program change reflects an increase for the Health and Environmental
Assessment program. This increase will assist in advancing science assessments like
PPRTV's as well as analytical approaches for the applications of risk assessments and
additional changes to fixed support costs.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
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Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainabilitv
Program Area: Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Environmental Programs & Management
$153
$0
$0
$0
Science & Technology
$96,828
$92,550
$106,217
$13,667
Hazardous Substance Super/und
S
SS.OfiO
.S,S .060
SO
Total Budget Authority
$102,457
$100,610
$114,277
$13,667
Total Workyears
268.8
276.7
315.4
38.7
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.68 CSS products strengthen the Agency's ability to use the best
available science to evaluate and predict human health and ecological impacts from the use, reuse,
recycling, and disposal of manufactured and naturally occurring chemicals and their by-products.
The CSS Research Program informs Agency decisions about chemicals, accelerates the pace of
chemical assessment and decision-making, and helps to replace, reduce, and refine the use of
mammals used to evaluate chemical risks to ecological and human health. CSS products under the
Superfund appropriation conduct mitigation activities at Superfund sites under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Research activities under
CSS are coordinated with the activities of other national research programs to inform high-priority
research topics, such as research focused on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Coordination with the Health and Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) Program ensures that
the approaches, tools, and information produced under the CSS Research Program can be used to
improve chemical risk assessments, reduce uncertainties associated with those assessments, and
increase the speed of delivering chemical information to the Agency.
The CSS program's PFAS research provides great value to EPA's overall PFAS research efforts,
with significant contributions to the development of the EPA National PFAS Testing Strategy,69
the issuance of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 4 Test Orders for PFAS,70 and the
issuance of Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFAS.71
68 For the CSS StRAP, please see: 5 trategic Research Action Plans Fiscal Years 2023-2026 1 US EPA.
69 National PFAS Testing Strategy: https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-iiianaging-cheiiiicals-mider-tsca/national-pfas-testing-
strategy.
70 TSCA Section 4 Test Orders: ht tps://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/tsca-section-4-test-orders.
71 PFAS Drinking Water Health Advisories: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/drink.ing-water-health-advisories-has.
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Recent Accomplishments of the CSS Research Program include:
Inclusion of PFAS Chemicals in Comptox Dashboard: Assembly and curation of PFAS
chemical lists72 and relevant PFAS data were included in the most recent CompTox
Chemicals Dashboard73 release and will continue to be added in future releases.
Specifically, Dashboard users can now access a variety of PFAS data on chemical
properties, chemical structure categories, and chemical hazards.
Inclusion of PFAS Chemical Data in invitroDB: Additional data on hundreds of
perfluorinated chemicals also can be accessed through invitroDB,74 a database of data
generated from testing of chemicals in high-throughput screening assays.
These efforts to assemble and curate PFAS chemical data for inclusion in the Dashboard and
invitroDB will continue in FY 2025.
FY 2025 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 2025, the CSS Research Program will continue to provide the information needed to inform
Agency decisions about PFAS. PFAS are a large class of fluorinated substances of concern. PFAS
chemicals will be acquired to expand and maintain the existing PFAS physical library of
compounds to include those PFAS of interest to the Agency and external partners. EPA is
committed to supporting tribes, states, and local communities to understand and manage risks
associated with these chemicals.75 EPA research on PFAS represents a major integrative effort that
will provide systematic information on a broad range of topics. EPA scientists will continue to
identify, curate, evaluate, and extract available physicochemical, structural, exposure, and
toxicological data from the published and gray literature to inform study design, categorization
approaches, and interpretation of emerging studies.
In FY 2025, PFAS fate, transport, occurrence, and persistence in the environment and in consumer
products will be evaluated to help understand exposure scenarios. CSS will execute a tiered
toxicity testing strategy, which utilizes new approach methods (NAMs) to evaluate single PFAS
chemicals and mixtures in a high throughput manner, followed by targeted in vivo testing for
chemicals identified as priorities. This testing approach will include several systems-specific
toxicity tests, including developmental neurotoxicity, thyroid toxicity, immunotoxicity, and
developmental and reproductive toxicity. Various types of modeling will be used to translate in
vitro results into in vivo outcomes and will include the use of adverse outcome pathway (AOP)
models that link in vitro results to outcomes relevant to regulatory objectives and in silico
72 For more information, please see: https://www.frontiersiii.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.850019/full.
73 For more information, please see: https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard.
74 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/exploring-toxcast-data.
75 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-
2024# enga genient.
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predictive toxicity models. NAMS can be used to group and prioritize chemicals, e.g., as illustrated
in the recent PFAS categorization paper.76
In the ecological domain, EPA is developing multispecies approaches to evaluate species
sensitivity differences across taxa to inform aquatic risk benchmarks. Furthermore, work continues
to determine the bioaccumulation of PFAS in aquatic species, because fish consumption is relevant
to human health and exposure. Resources requested in FY 2025 will build upon the research
foundation formed from completed work outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap.11
Research Planning:
EPA's research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action
Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research needs of Agency program and regional offices, states, and
tribes, and is implemented with their active collaboration and involvement. Each research program
has developed and published the fourth generation of the StRAPs,78 which will continue the
practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at solving the problems encountered
by the Agency and its stakeholders.
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with various groups, including
communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its research through a variety of mechanisms
that include:
EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement79 is designed to inform states about their role within EPA
and EPA's research programs, and to better understand the science needs of state
environmental and health agencies.
Tribal Partnerships
o Key tribal partnerships are established through the Tribal Science Program which
provides a forum for the interaction between tribal and agency representatives of
mutual benefit and responsibility to work collaboratively on environmental science
issues.
76 For more information, please see https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S24681.1.1.32200038X.
77 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024.
78 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.gov/research/strategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-years-2023-
2026.
79 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
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Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability Program under the S&T appropriation.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
There is no change in program funding.
Statutory Authority:
Clean Air Act §§ 103, 104; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act (CERCLA); Children's Health Act; 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development
Act; Clean Water Act; Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA); Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Pollution Prevention Act (PPA); Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA); Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA); Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA).
96
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Research: Sustainable Communities
97
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Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Program Area: Research: Sustainable Communities
Cross-Agency Mission and Science Support
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Science & Technology
$147,279
$137,857
$149,498
$11,641
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$292
$341
$356
$15
Inland Oil Spill Programs
$785
$675
$683
$8
HuzuriloH.s Substance Super/und
SIN.525
.N/6. V
s /-.*/-
S5SO
Total Budget Authority
$166,880
$155,810
$168,054
$12,244
Total Workyears
427.2
421.8
451.3
29.5
Program Project Description:
This area of EPA's Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) Research Program within the
Superfund appropriation responds directly to the Superfund law requirements for a comprehensive
and coordinated federal "program of research, evaluation, testing, development, and demonstration
of alternative or innovative treatment technologies.. .which may be utilized in response actions to
achieve more permanent protection of human health and welfare and the environment."80
SHC has made a commitment to foster environmental, public health, and economic benefits for
overburdened communities. Superfund remedial technologies will directly support communities
with environmental justice concerns and accelerate solutions to ameliorate the negative impacts
Superfund sites and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose for underserved
communities. The research will emphasize remediation technologies that improve long-term site
resilience including the current and potential future impacts of climate change (e.g., flooding, fire,
sea level rise). SHC will apply an integrated systems approach to incorporate diverse data streams
to increase understanding of linkages between the total environment (built, natural, and social) and
public health to support communities and will highlight climate change and Environmental Justice
related research throughout the program.
SHC's research under the Superfund appropriation provides federal, regional, and community
decision-makers with: 1) engineering tools, methods, and information to assess current conditions
at Superfund sites; 2) decision support tools to evaluate the implications of alternative remediation
approaches and technologies, and reuse of sites; 3) the latest science to support policy development
and implementation; and 4) rapid access to technical support through EPA's Superfund Technical
Support Centers.
80 42 U.S.C. § 9660(b).
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Recent Accomplishments of the SHC Research Program include:
PFAS Research to Support EPA's Destruction and Disposal Guidance for PFAS and
PFAS-Containing Materials (June 2021 - July 2023)81'82
This research addresses PFAS transport and fate in environmental systems, as it relates to
municipal solid waste landfills (leachate and gases) and thermal treatment (oxidizers, combustors,
and incinerators). Major findings include: 1) PFAS (terminal acids and precursors) were detected
in landfill leachates and gas condensates at high but variable concentrations, and concentrations
varied across landfills; 2) Leachate treatment technologies ranged in efficacy from no treatment to
99%; 3) Encouraging results for thermal treatment studies indicate that Aqueous film-forming
foams burned at >1000C resulting in high PFAS destruction efficiencies and mostly non-detectable
products of incomplete combustion (PIC). As injection temperatures fall, fluorinated PICs
increase; 4) Bench scale studies are providing evidence that reactive sorbents and catalysts reduce
the energy necessary to destroy PFAS; with nearly complete PFAS destruction and minimal PIC
formation at temperatures below 600C for calcium oxide (CaO) and 500C for aluminum oxide
(AI2O3) and; 5) Models are now available to predict destruction behavior of the short-chain
fluorocarbons and work continues to develop new kinetics for larger (C4-C8) PFAS. This research
directly supports EPA's development of updated Destruction and Disposal Guidance required by
the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
ORD Technical Support for Superfund Site Remediation Report (published September
2023)83
Produced annually, this report provides regions, program offices, and states a summary of the
previous year's technical support and assistance activities. The document describes ORD's site-
specific technical support to programs and regions to help with risk management decisions at
contaminated sites, including for remediating soil, surface waters, groundwaters, sediment,
subsurface contaminant transport and fate, cross-media contaminant influence and mine-related
contamination issues. In FY 2022, ORD coordinated 131 technical support activities, most of
which were related to Superfund sites. The support allows authorities and regulators to work more
quickly, efficiently, and cost effectively and increases the technical knowledge of the EPA
remediation team.
81 For more information on landfill leachate and gas condensate, please see:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.iiih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10463282A https://pub111ed.11cbi.11liii.iiili.gov/36764258/.
82 For more information on thermal treatment, please see: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8525658A
https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public jrecord report.cfm?Lab=CEMM&dirEntryId=354179i
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37158498/.
83 Source: ArcGIS website (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/484b9e0079db49b5a952Oe2e38d74f5).
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Practical Considerations for Transitioning to Passive Sampling for Remedial Monitoring at
Superfund Sites and Guidance for Using Passive Sampling in Remedial Cap Performance
Monitoring (December 2022, June 2023)84'85
Biomonitoring is commonly performed at Superfund sites, to assess remediation effectiveness. In
recent years, passive sampling has been proposed as a cost-effective, scientifically robust, and
data-comparable alternative to biomonitoring. The first part of this research aims to help remedial
project managers interpret field deployment data when transitioning from biomonitoring to passive
sampling. The research evaluated over a three-year period the bioaccumulation of selected
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by mussels in water column deployments compared to co-
developed passive samplers. It showed that, in general, mussel bioaccumulation and passive
sampler accumulation of PCBs were significantly correlated. Notably, agreement on the magnitude
of accumulation was optimal when bioaccumulation and passive sampler uptake were not
corrected for non-equilibrium conditions. The second part of this research was a literature review
to: 1) identify sites where passive samplers have been used to support clean-up efforts; 2) assess
how passive sampling-derived remedial endpoints compare to conventional metrics; and 3)
perform broad semi-quantitative and selective quantitative concurrence analyses, evaluating the
magnitude of agreement between passive sampling and conventional metrics. Considering the
agreement between bioaccumulation and passive sampler uptake, researchers propose further
study to enhance utilization of passive sampling devices.
FY 2025 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 2025, SHC will conduct research, and provide technical assistance and support, to inform
analyses and decisions by the Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), regional
offices, tribes, and states regarding characterization, remediation, and management of
contaminated soil, sediment, and groundwaterissues which are especially concerning to
vulnerable, overburdened communities. The tools developed under the SHC Research Program
will help the Agency address complex contamination problems, which may be made more complex
by the impacts of climate change at Superfund, Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA),
and Brownfields sites in the United States. EPA research personnel and associated support staff
also will identify, monitor, and develop options to control vapor intrusion to reduce exposures,
reduce contaminant sources, and define sampling strategies that address when, where, and how to
sample. SHC researchers will evaluate source control technologies at mine waste sites and
investigate remediation and recovery for reuse of critical minerals from contaminated sites.
Scientific journal articles, datasets, models, and tools will be published and used to support
communities.
PFAS will continue to be a priority research topic for SHC. SHC will develop methods to evaluate
PFAS presence and characteristics in wastes, soils, and sediments, and investigate PFAS fate and
transport in the environment to support the need of EPA partners, states, tribes, and local
84 For more information, please see: https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/etc.5536.
85 For more information, please see: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.est.3c00232.
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communities to identify and characterize PFAS concentrations and distributions at contaminated
sites and solid waste sites. Additionally, SHC will identify locations and source contributors to
high potential human exposure for children and other populations by evaluating multimedia PFAS
sources and pathways. SHC also will investigate approaches, methodologies, and technologies to
treat, remove, destroy, and dispose of PFAS in environmental matrices.
Research Planning:
EPA research is built around six integrated and transdisciplinary research programs. Each of the
six programs is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) that reflects the research
needs of agency program and regional offices, states, and tribes, and is planned with their active
involvement. Each research program has developed and published its fourth generation of the
StRAPs,86 which will continue the practice of conducting innovative scientific research aimed at
solving the problems encountered by the Agency and its stakeholders.
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with various groups, including
communities, to ensure the integrity and value of its research through a variety of mechanisms
that include:
EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC)
o ORD meets regularly with this committee, which provides advice and
recommendations to ORD on technical and management issues of its research
programs.
State Engagement
o EPA's state engagement87 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: Sustainable and Healthy
Communities Program under the S&T appropriation.
86 The StRAPs are available and located here: https://www.epa.gov/research/strategic-research-action-plans-fiscal-years-2023-
2026.
87 For more information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-research-solutions-states.
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FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$30.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
laboratory fixed costs.
(+$550.0) This program change reflects an increase to the Sustainable and Healthy
Communities Research Program. This increase will build capacity to help respond directly
to the Superfund law requirements and additional changes to fixed support 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); Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
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Superfund Cleanup
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Superfund: Emergency Response and Removal
Program Area: Superfund Cleanup
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Hazardous Substance Super/und
.S 250J5-I
SI 95.000
SO
-SI'J.\000
Total Budget Authority
$256,354
$195,000
$0
-$195,000
Total Workyears
278.7
247.7
250.7
3.0
In FY 2025, the Budget proposes to transition the Superfund Removal FTE from the annual Superfund appropriation
to the Superfund tax receipts as reimbursable FTE. These FTE are built into the Agency's FTE ceiling.
Program Project Description:
The Emergency Response and Removal Program (Superfund Removal) is the cornerstone and
principal institution of federal emergency response to releases of hazardous substances, pollutants,
or contaminants. The program is paramount to managing threats and dangers that occur. During a
national emergency, EPA takes action to prevent, limit, mitigate, or contain chemical, oil,
radiological, biological, or hazardous materials releases. Circumstances requiring emergency
response and removal actions vary considerably in size, nature, and location, and include chemical
releases, fires or explosions, natural disasters, and other threats to people from exposure to
hazardous substances. EPA's 24-hour-a-day response capability is a critical component of the
National Contingency Plan.88 Further, this program is responsible for the Agency's only Primary
Mission Essential Function. Superfund Removal cleanups vary in complexity and contain a wide
variety of contaminants including lead, mercury, and asbestos.89
Since 2013, EPA has completed or managed more than 2,420 Superfund removal actions across
the country. Responses are a multilayered activity that can fluctuate due to requirements for
supplies and customized instruments, specialized training and instruction, and the intricate
measures taken to ensure ongoing assessments and responses are appropriate to meet the demands
of site conditions. Superfund Removal sites are found in remote rural areas as well as large urban
settings. Nearly 43 million people, or about 13 percent of the U.S. population, live within 3 miles
of a Superfund Removal site where EPA addressed a removal action between FY 2018 and FY
2022.90 In addition, over 41 percent of removal completions in FY 2019 and FY 2020, and 36
percent in FY 2021 were in communities with populations surpassing the 80th percentile for being
people of color, low income, or having less than a high school education.91 These benefits occurred
in due course of the Program's operation, and were not created from specific targeting efforts.
88 For more information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/emergency-response/national-oil-and-hazardous-substances-
pollution-contingency-plan-ncp-overview.
89 Data from US EPA Superfund Enterprise Management System.
90 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2023. Data collected includes: 1) Superfund removal site information
from SEMS from FY2018-FY2022; and 2) population data from the 2017-2021 American Community Survey.
91 Data from US EPA Superfund Enterprise Management System and US EPA EJ Screen.
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The Superfund Removal Program provides technical assistance and outreach to industry, states,
tribes, and local communities as part of the Agency's responsibility to ensure national safety and
security for chemical and oil responses. EPA trains, equips, and deploys resources to manage,
contain, and remove contaminants. Until contained or removed, these substances have the potential
to significantly damage property, endanger public health, and have critical environmental impact
on communities.
EPA Federal On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) make up the core of the Superfund Removal
Program. These trained and equipped EPA personnel respond to, assess, mitigate, and clean up
hazardous substance releases and oil discharges. States, local, and tribal communities rely upon
the OSC's experience and assistance to address environmental emergencies that are beyond their
capabilities and resources.
Climate change, emerging contaminants, and new scientific developments are adding to the
demands of the Superfund Removal Program. The greater frequency of intense weather events that
lead to releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants increases the workload on the
Program. In addition, emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
are expected to significantly expand demands on the Program as the understanding of the toxicity
levels of these compounds continues to drive down cleanup levels. Changing lead screening values
and actions surrounding this effort could limit Program coverage essential to meeting the demand
where resources needed are not fully supported. This work will include coordinating with EPA
counterparts to apply EPA's January 2024 "Updated Soil Lead Guidance for CERCLA Sites and
RCRA Corrective Action Facilities," which lowered lead screening levels for residential properties
to reflect the best available science. EPA expects a significant number of properties to undergo
evaluation based on this change, which could trigger additional work where cleanup efforts are
required.
FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2025, the President's Budget proposes to transition the Superfund Removal Program from
the annual Superfund appropriation to the Superfund tax receipts. The Program will continue to:
Respond to and provide technical assistance for emergency responses and removal assessments
and time critical response actions (non-emergency responses). The removal program conducts its
work with an emphasis on advancing environmental justice and equitable outcomes by working
through possible candidate time critical actions that exist in the regions.
Address abandoned uranium mines (AUM) impacts on the Navajo Nation (NN) in concert with
other EPA programs. EPA officially opened the Flagstaff, Arizona field office in July 2023, where
dedicated EPA Region 9 staff work with the Navajo Nation staff and communities to advance
cleanup through removal actions at NN AUM sites. This field office assists EPA and NN in
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accelerating actions articulated in the 2020 Ten Year Plan: Federal Actions to Address Impacts of
Uranium Contamination on the Navajo Nation.
Conduct and participate in selected multi-media training and exercises for emergency responders.
These events ensure readiness by focusing on necessary coordination and consistency across the
Agency, enhance specialized technical skills and expertise, and strengthen partnerships with state,
local, tribal, and other federal responders.
Support the environmental response team (ERT), which provides nationwide assistance and
consultation for emergency response actions, including unusual or complex incidents. In such
cases, the ERT supplies subject matter experts, with special equipment and technical or logistical
assistance.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM 137) Number of Superfund removals completed.
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
FY
2025
Units
Target
175
175
141
141
183
183
183
183
Removals
Actual
242
233
197
150
195
194
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$195,000.0 / -247.7 FTE) In FY 2025, the Superfund Emergency Response and Removal
Program is proposed to be transitioned from the annual Superfund appropriated resources
to the Superfund tax receipts. This includes an estimated $48.9 million for payroll. In FY
2024, the U.S. Treasury forecasts collecting a total of $2.17 billion in Superfund taxes
which will be available for use in FY 2025 across EPA Superfund programs. However, as
the Superfund Taxes were recently reauthorized, there is much uncertainty regarding the
tax collections. The Agency anticipates maintaining the pace of work with the Superfund
tax receipts.
(+250.7 FTE) In FY 2025, the Agency proposes to transition 250.7 Superfund Removal
FTE from the annual Superfund appropriation to the Superfund tax receipts as reimbursable
FTE.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) §§ 104,
105, 106; Clean Water Act (CWA); and Oil Pollution Act (OPA).
106
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Superfund: EPA Emergency Preparedness
Program Area: Superfund Cleanup
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Hazardous Substance Super/und
S'.fi'Jf,
.S.S .056
.S.S .57/
.S-/.S5
Total Budget Authority
$7,696
$8,056
$8,541
$485
Total Workyears
33.6
37.4
37.4
0.0
Program Project Description:
The Superfund Emergency Preparedness Program provides for EPA's engagement on the National
Response Team (NRT), Regional Response Teams (RRTs), and Inland Area Committees where it
ensures federal, state, and tribal agencies are prepared to respond to national incidents, threats, and
major environmental emergencies. EPA implements the Emergency Preparedness Program in
coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to deliver
federal hazard assistance to state, local, and tribal governments.
The Agency carries out its responsibility under multiple statutory authorities as well as the
National Response Framework (NRF), which provides the comprehensive federal structure for
managing national emergencies. EPA is the designated lead for the NRF's Oil and Hazardous
Materials Response Annex - Emergency Support Function #10, which covers responsibilities for
responding to releases of hazardous materials, oil, and other contaminants that are a threat to
human health and the environment. As such, the Agency participates and leads applicable
interagency committees and workgroups to develop national planning and implementation policies
at the operational level.
FY 2025 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.
The Superfund Emergency Preparedness Program participates in national and local exercises and
drills, coordinates with stakeholders to develop Area and Regional Contingency Plans, and
provides technical assistance to industry, states, tribes, and local communities. Specific activities
include:
Chair the NRT92 and co-chair the 13 RRTs. The NRT and RRTs are the only active
environmentally focused interagency executive committees addressing oil and hazardous
92 For more information, please refer to: https://www.nrt.org/.
107
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substance emergencies. They serve as multi-agency coordination groups supporting
emergency responders when convened as incident specific teams.
Lead Inland Area Committees to ensure policies, procedures and tools are in place to assist
federal, state, tribal, local, and industry responders in effectively addressing spills.
Participate in the development of limited, scenario-specific exercises and regional drills
designed to assess national emergency response management capabilities. These activities
will involve the RRTs, NRT, and/or principal level participants.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM ER01) Number of emergency response and removal exercises that EPA conducts or participates in.
FY
20IX
FY
201<)
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
FY
2025
Units
Target
120
120
120
120
Exercises
Actual
12U
164
185
(PM ER02) Percentage of emergency response and removal exercises that EPA conducts or participates in
that incorporate environmental justice.
FY
20IX
FY
201<)
FY
2020
FY
2021
FY
2022
FY
2023
FY
2024
FY
2025
Units
Target
14
30
40
40
Percent
Actual
49
53
Numerator
80
98
Exercises
Denominator
164
185
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$391.0) 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 increase includes
critical agency wide infrastructure for Executive Order 14028 cybersecurity requirements,
electronic discovery for FOIA and litigation support, and implementation of Trusted
Vetting 2.0.
(+$94.0) This program change increases essential support for Superfund Emergency
Preparedness Program core activities, such as national and local exercises and drills.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), §§ 104,
105, 106; Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
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Superfund: Remedial
Program Area: Superfund Cleanup
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Hazardous Substance Super/und
S012.M0
Vi/.S", '-ID
.s jnn.iion
-S3IS. '-to
Total Budget Authority
$612,890
$618,740
$300,000
-$318,740
Total Workyears
889.8
890.8
874.8
-16.0
In FY 2025, the Budget proposes to transition the Superfund Remedial FTE from the annual Superfund appropriated
resources to the Superfund tax receipts as reimbursable FTE. These FTE are built into the Agency's FTE ceiling.
Program Project Description:
The Superfund Remedial Program addresses many of the worst contaminated areas in the United
States by investigating contamination and implementing long-term cleanup remedies at sites on
the National Priorities List (NPL). The Program also oversees response work conducted by
potentially responsible parties (PRPs) at NPL and Superfund Alternative Approach (SAA) sites.
By cleaning up and returning land to productive use, the Superfund Remedial Program improves
the health and livelihood of all Americans and supports the Administration's goal to reduce
exposure to Superfund site contamination, especially in disadvantaged communities.
Approximately 23 percent of the U.S. population lives within three miles of a Superfund site, and
this population is more minority, low income, linguistically isolated, and less likely to have a high
school education than the U.S. population as a whole.93
In FY 2023, more than 75 percent of Superfund Remedial annual appropriations and Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) site-specific funds were obligated to Superfund NPL sites where
there is potential for addressing environmental justice concerns. In the same period, more than 60
percent of the Superfund sites that achieved Human Exposure Under Control and more than 50
percent of sites that achieved Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Reuse had potential for
environmental justice concerns.
While conducting cleanup at NPL and SAA sites, remedial construction projects can enhance
national infrastructure while addressing harmful exposures. For example, recent research indicates
that Superfund cleanup actions lowered the risk of elevated blood lead levels by roughly 13 to 26
percent for children living within two kilometers of a Superfund NPL site where lead is a
contaminant of concern.94 For Superfund sites contaminated with lead within one mile, 17 percent
93 U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management 2023. Data collected includes: 1) Superfund site information from
SEMS as of the end of FY 2022 and site boundary data updated in 2023 by Shared Enterprise Geodata and Services (SEGS); and
2) population data from the 2017-2021 American Community Survey.
94 Heather Klemick, Henry Mason, and Karen Sullivan. 2020. "Superfund Cleanups and Children's Lead Exposure," Journal of
Environmental Management, 100. doi: 1.0.1.01.6/j.jeeni.201.9.1.02289.
109
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of the surrounding population is below poverty level, 14 percent is without a high school diploma,
and 40 percent of the population is minority.
By addressing the human health and environmental risks posed by releases atNPL and SAA sites,
the Superfund Remedial Program strengthens the economy and spurs economic growth for all
Americans by returning Superfund sites to productive use. Reuse and restoration of Superfund
NPL sites directly support the Administration's Justice40 initiative95, as articulated in President
Biden's Executive Order (EO) 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (January
27, 2021)96, as this EO acknowledges the urgent need to restore lands and natural assets.97 The
Superfund Remedial Program is one of EPA's Justice40 pilot programs. The Superfund Remedial
Program considers environmental burdens and other socio-economic challenges when developing
community involvement and cleanup plans. Assessing environmental justice concerns in the
communities EPA serves provides important information which influences how the Agency
communicates, makes cleanup decisions, and plans for future reuse of Superfund sites. The
Program works to maximize cleanup benefits as well as state and tribal benefits, enforcement
opportunities, enhancements to community involvement, and the Superfund Redevelopment
Program.
In FY 2023, an additional 14 sites were made sitewide ready for anticipated use and three sites
were retracted. The retractions in FY 2023 were the result of a review which identified sites which
no longer met protectiveness requirements due to detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS) and other emerging contaminants, aging remedies, and new exposure pathways requiring
new institutional controls. The continued remediation of NPL sites produces clear environmental
and economic benefit. As of FY 2022, EPA data show that approximately 1,000 Superfund sites
are in reuse - more than half the total number of sites placed on the NPL over the Program's
existence. EPA has data on more than 10,253 businesses at 671 of these sites. These businesses'
ongoing operations generate annual sales of $74.1 billion. These businesses provided more than
236 thousand jobs which earned a combined income of $18.6 billion. Over the last twelve years,
these businesses generated at least $590 billion in sales. A similar economic analysis is planned
for FY 2025.
Additionally, cleanup work under the Superfund Remedial Program improves property values. A
study conducted by researchers at Duke University and the University of Pittsburgh found that
residential property values within three miles (4.8 kilometers) of Superfund sites increased
between 18.7 and 24.4 percent when sites were cleaned up and deleted from the NPL.98
95 For more information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/enviromiieiitaljustice/justice40/.
96 For more information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-Q2177/tackling-the-
climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad.
97 For more information, please refer to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-
order-oii-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-aiid-abroad/.
98 Shanti Gamper-Rabindran and Christopher Timmons. 2013. "Does cleanup of hazardous waste sites raise housing values?
Evidence of spatially localized benefits," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 65(3): 345-360,
littp: //dx. doi. org /1.0.1.01.6/j. j eeni.2012.12.001..
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FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2025, the President's Budget proposes to fund the Superfund Remedial Program with a
combination of annual Superfund appropriated resources and Superfund tax receipts. EPA will
continue to execute its non-delegable, federal responsibility to remediate sites and protect human
health, welfare, and the environment. EPA endeavors to maximize the use of special account
resources collected from PRPs for site-specific response actions as stipulated in settlement
agreements so that available EPA Superfund resources are prioritized for sites without other
sources of funding. More than half of non-federal sites on the final NPL do not have an associated
open special account and available Superfund resources are critical to the Superfund Remedial
Program to clean up sites.
The IIJA invested $3.5 billion in environmental remediation at Superfund NPL sites and reinstated
the Superfund chemical taxes, and the Inflation Reduction Act reinstated the Superfund petroleum
taxes." These laws provide one of the largest investments in American history to address the
legacy pollution that harms public health in communities and neighborhoods, creating good-
paying jobs, and advancing economic and environmental justice in the process.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue to initiate new work on remedial construction projects, as well as
continue ongoing cleanups at NPL sites across the country. As IIJA funds available for site work
are anticipated to be fully allocated in FY 2024 based on current site information, the FY 2025
President's Budget proposes using a combination of Superfund tax receipts and annual
appropriations to continue funding construction work.
In FY 2025, the Superfund Remedial Program will continue to start and complete critical pre-
construction projects such as site characterization and construction design. The Program will
continue to support Superfund community involvement and outreach activities at sites. These
activities play a pivotal role in ensuring communities have the resources they need to meaningfully
participate in the decision-making process, including an increased involvement of communities to
develop their visions for revitalization by identifying economic drivers and connecting community
needs to federal investments. The Program will continue to support capacity building technical
assistance and the Superfund Job Training Initiative.
In FY 2025, EPA will reduce exposure to lead and associated health impacts including the risk of
elevated blood lead levels for children by completing 45 Superfund lead cleanup projects. This
work will include applying EPA's January 2024 "Updated Soil Lead Guidance for CERCLA Sites
99 On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act [(IIJA), P.L. 117-58] reinstated and modified the excise
taxes on certain listed chemicals and imported substances that are used as materials in their manufacture or production one or
more of those listed chemicals ("Superfund chemical taxes"). The Superfund chemical taxes went into effect beginning July 1,
2022, and expire on December 31, 2031. On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act [(IRA), P.L. 117-169] reinstated and
modified the taxes on oil and petroleum products ("Superfund petroleum taxes"). The Superfund petroleum taxes went into effect
on January 1,2023, and do not have an expiration date. On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 (P.L.
117-328) allowed all tax receipts collected in the Superfund Trust Fund from the prior fiscal year to be available to carry out the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, without further
appropriation by Congress and designated as emergency funding.
Ill
-------
and RCRA Corrective Action Facilities," which lowered lead screening levels for residential
properties to reflect the best available science. EPA expects a significant number of properties to
undergo evaluation based on this change, which could trigger additional work across the pipeline.
EPA also will continue to: support the cleanup of PFAS and will collaborate on agencywide
crosscutting strategies and a multi-pronged implementation plan for the CERCLA PFAS rule;
advance new science and assess the nature and extent of PFAS contamination and other
contaminants of concern at sites; develop coordinated policies, regulations, and communications;
and engage with affected states, tribes, communities, and stakeholders. Completing these cleanup
projects, which include legacy sites that expose Americans to contaminants shown to pose
increased cancer risks, advances work in cancer prevention as part of President Biden's Cancer
Moonshot Initiative.
EPA's regional laboratories will continue to provide cutting-edge science to inform immediate and
near-term, multi-media decisions on environmental conditions, emergency response, and
enforcement. Regional laboratory science also helps inform communities about the risks the site
may pose in terms of chemical exposures and cumulative environmental impacts. This work will
support the ambitious environmental and clean up goals of the Program.
The Program also will continue to support the Environmental Response Team (ERT), which
provides nationwide assistance, direct field expertise, and consultation for Superfund cleanup
including emergency response actions, unusual or complex incidents, and other site support. In
such cases, the ERT supplies subject matter experts, with special equipment and technical or
logistical assistance.
Performance Measure Targets:
(PM 151) Number of Superfund sites with human exposures brought under control.
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
FY 2025
Units
Target
8
12
10
10
12
12
12
12
Sites
Actual
32
17
20
13
-14
-3
(PM 155) Number of Superfund cleanup projects completed that address lead as a contaminant.
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
FY 2025
Units
Target
45
45
45
45
Projects
Actual
5o
45
49
(PM 170) Number of remedial action projects completed
at Superfund sites.
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
FY 2025
Units
Target
95
95
80
80
80
75
75
75
Projects
Actual
87
89
91
75
74
69
(PM S10) Number of Superfund sites made ready for anticipated use site-wide.
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
FY 2025
Units
Target
51
51
51
51
25
15
10
7
Sites
Actual
51
48
34
26
-48
11
112
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FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(-$318,740.0 / -890.8 FTE) In FY 2025, the Superfund Remedial Program is proposing a
partial transition from annual appropriated resources to Superfund Tax receipts. This
includes the transition of approximately $168.4 million for payroll. In FY 2024, the U.S.
Treasury forecasts collecting a total of $2.17 billion in Superfund taxes which will be
available for use in FY 2025 across EPA Superfund programs. However, as the Superfund
taxes were recently reauthorized, there is much uncertainty regarding the tax collections.
The Agency will continue its efforts to sustain cleanup work to prevent developing a
backlog.
(+874.8 FTE) In FY 2025, the Agency proposes to fund 874.8 Superfund Remedial FTE
from the Superfund tax receipts as reimbursable FTE rather than annual Superfund
appropriated resources.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
113
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Superfund: Federal Facilities
Program Area: Superfund Cleanup
Goal: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Objective(s): Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
Final Actuals
FY 2024
Annualized
CR
FY 2025
President's
Budget
FY 2025 President's
Budget v.
FY 2024 Annualized
CR
Hazardous Substance Super/und
S 26.16'
S26.ISV
V* '.6 SO
s ll.-tvi
Total Budget Authority
$26,167
$26,189
$37,680
$11,491
Total Workyears
103.6
113.2
112.7
-0.5
Total work years in FY 2025 include 6.5 Superfund Reimbursable FTE.
Program Project Description:
The Superfund Federal Facilities Program oversees and provides technical assistance for the
protective and efficient cleanup and reuse of Federal Facility National Priorities List (NPL) sites.
Program responsibilities include: 1) inventory and assess potentially contaminated sites; 2) select
and implement protective remedies; 3) facilitate early transfer of property; and 4) ensure ongoing
protectiveness of completed cleanups.
The Federal Facility NPL sites, where the other federal agencies (OFAs) are the lead agency and
EPA is the lead oversight agency, are among the largest in the Superfund Program and can
encompass specialized environmental contaminants such as munitions and radiological waste, and
contaminants of emerging concern such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). EPA
jointly selects site remedies with OF As and uses its oversight authority to provide an independent
assessment of federal cleanups to ensure work conducted is in accordance with site cleanup plans
and yields protective remedies. To ensure efficiencies and consistent approaches to cleanup, the
Program collaborates with OF As and state, local, and Tribal governments. There are 175 Federal
Facility sites on the NPL, which are part of the approximately 2,400 sites on the Federal Agency
Hazardous Waste Compliance Docket (Docket) maintained by EPA. The sites result in nearly $9
billion per year expended by OF As under EPA oversight. The resulting cleanup, restoration, and
reuse of Federal Facility NPL sites contributes significantly to Superfund program
accomplishments. In FY 2023, the Program completed response action decisions at 36 federal
facility sites to address environmental contamination. The Program also achieved 24 Remedial
Action Project Completions and reviewed 36 Five-Year Reviews to confirm protective remedies
remain in place.
The Superfund Federal Facilities Program supports President Biden's Executive Order (EO)
13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal
Government100 by recognizing and working to repair inequities that serve as barriers to equal
opportunity in the Federal Facility Superfund Program. This is accomplished by working to
100 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advanciiig-
racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-govemment.
114
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improve the health and livelihood of communities through cleaning up and returning land to
productive use. Nearly 80 percent of Federal Facility NPL sites are in communities
disproportionately affected by environmental burdens. Cleaning up contaminated sites at federal
facilities also can serve as a catalyst for economic growth and community revitalization.
The Superfund Federal Facilities Program has successfully worked with EPA's partners to
facilitate the redevelopment of Federal Facility NPL sites across the country. Since Federal
Facility NPL sites often encompass thousands of acres with buildings, roads, and other
infrastructure, their effective and efficient cleanup and reuse can play a pivotal role in a
community's economic growth and environmental vitality. Reuse and restoration of Federal
Facility NPL sites directly support President Biden's EO 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at
Home and Abroad101 Redevelopment projects have included ecological preserves, recreational
areas, cultural/historical resources, public transit infrastructure, and alternative energy sources. A
2022 economic analysis of 70 Federal Facility Superfund Sites identified over 2,400 businesses
that generated $28 billion in annual sales, provided over 450,000 jobs, and $44 billion in estimated
annual employment income.102 A similar analysis is planned for FY 2025. Future climate actions
by the Program include piloting Climate Vulnerability Assessments at several federal facility NPL
sites, and continuing collaboration with OF As to include climate impact considerations in remedial
actions.
FY 2025 Activities and Performance Plan:
Work in this program directly supports Goal 6/Objective 6.1, Clean Up and Restore Land for
Productive Uses and Healthy Communities in the FY 2022 - 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.
In FY 2025, the Superfund Federal Facilities Program, as part of its statutorily mandated oversight
responsibilities, will support EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap by overseeing the growing number
of PFAS cleanups at Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and OF A
sites. The Program will benefit from a significant investment to keep pace with the surge of PFAS
cleanups under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA) and adjust core program capacity. Currently, the Program provides oversight at over
110 Federal Facility NPL sites with PFAS detections.
In FY 2025, EPA proposes an investment of $11.5 million in the Superfund Federal Facilities
Program. This investment will allow EPA to minimize disruptions and delays to its oversight
responsibilities, enable DoD to meet their Congressional cleanup obligations for PFAS under the
2022 National Defense Authorization Act and subsequent CERCLA response actions, and adjust
EPA core capacity in its cleanup oversight for legacy contamination such as radioactive waste and
unexploded ordnance. EPA plans to utilize the additional resources to leverage knowledge and
best practices developed from Federal Facilities PFAS investigations to aid PFAS cleanups across
the country.
101 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.federa1register.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackliiig-the-
climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad.
102 For additional information, please refer to: https://www.epa.gov/fedfac/redevelopment-economics-federal-facilities.
115
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In addition to the growing workload related to PFAS, the Program will prioritize and continue to
partner with OF As; state, local, and Tribal governments; and communities to limit human exposure
to potentially harmful levels of lead in the environment. EPA will continue to oversee complex
cleanups at Federal Facility NPL sites, such as contamination in groundwater, munitions and
explosives of concern, contaminants of emerging concern, and contamination from legacy nuclear
weapons development and energy research. For example, while the DOE has completed cleanup
work at many of its sites, DOE estimates that the remaining legacy Cold War sites will take decades
to complete due to groundwater, soil, and waste processing. Similarly, the DoD inventory includes
sites that contain chemical and explosive compounds which require special handling, storage, and
disposal practices, as well as cleanup. EPA will continue to provide oversight and technical
assistance at DoD's military munitions response sites and support DoD's development of new
technologies to streamline cleanups.
To ensure the long-term protectiveness of the remedies, the Agency will continue monitoring,
overseeing progress, and improving the quality and consistency of Five-Year Reviews conducted
at federal sites where waste has been left in place and land use is restricted. Five-Year Reviews
are required under Section 121(c) of CERCLA and EPA's role is to concur or make its own
independent protectiveness determination. EPA has been working collaboratively with DoD,
DOE, and Department of the Interior (DOI) to improve the technical quality, timeliness, and cost
of the five-year review reports and to ensure engagement with pollution-burdened and underserved
communities. In FY 2025, the Superfund Federal Facilities Program will review approximately 32
five-year review reports to fulfill statutory requirements and to inform the public about the
protectiveness of remedies.
In FY 2025, the Superfund Federal Facilities Program will target the highest risk sites and focus
on activities that bring human exposure and groundwater migration under control. In addition,
EPA manages the Docket which contains information reported by federal facilities that manage
hazardous waste or from which hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants have been or
may be released. The Docket: 1) identifies all federal facilities that must be evaluated through the
site assessment process; 2) determines whether they pose a risk to human health and the
environment sufficient to warrant inclusion on the NPL; and 3) provides a mechanism to make the
information available to the public. The Docket is updated semi-annually and has approximately
2,400 facilities listed. EPA anticipates additional engagement on non-NPL federal facilities on the
Docket to address new information and ensure appropriate assessment and referral of these sites
to appropriate cleanup programs.
Performance Measure Targets:
Work under this program supports performance results in the Superfund Remedial Program under
the Superfund appropriation.
FY 2025 Change from FY 2024 Annualized CR (Dollars in Thousands):
(+$353.0) This change to fixed and other costs is an increase due to the recalculation of
base payroll costs for existing FTE due to annual payroll increases, adjustments to provide
essential workforce support, and changes to benefits costs.
116
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(+$11,138.0 / -0.5 FTE) This net program change will help address critical gaps in EPA's
ability to oversee DoD PFAS cleanup under CERCLA and to adjust core program capacity,
including keeping pace with the Agency's oversight role at Federal Facility NPL sites.
Statutory Authority:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) § 120.
117
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Superfund Special Accounts
118
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Superfund Special Accounts
Background
EPA has the authority to collect funds from parties to support Superfund investigations and
cleanups. Section 122(b)(3) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA) authorizes EPA to retain and use funds received pursuant to a settlement
agreement with a party to carry out the purpose of that agreement. Funds are deposited in
Superfund special accounts for cleanup at the sites designated in individually negotiated settlement
agreements. Through use of special accounts, EPA ensures responsible parties pay for cleanup so
that annually appropriated resources from the Superfund Trust Fund, resources made available
through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, and available Superfund tax receipts
are generally conserved for sites where no viable or liable potentially responsible parties (PRPs)
can be identified. Each account is set up separately and distinctly and may only be used for the
sites and uses outlined in the settlements) with the party or parties.
Special accounts are sub-accounts in the Superfund Trust Fund. Pursuant to the specific
agreements, which typically take the form of an Administrative Order on Consent or a Consent
Decree, EPA uses special account funds to finance site-specific CERCLA response actions at the
site for which the account was established. Of the current 1,336 Superfund sites listed as final on
the National Priorities List, more than half do not have special account funds available for use. As
special account funds may only be used for sites and uses specified in the settlement agreement,
special account resources, Superfund tax receipts, and annually appropriated resources are critical
to the Superfund Program to clean up Superfund sites.
Special account funds are used to conduct many different site-specific CERCLA response actions,
including, but not limited to, investigations to determine the nature and extent of contamination
and the appropriate remedy, design, construction and implementation of the remedy, enforcement
activities, and post-construction activities. EPA also may provide special account funds as an
incentive to another PRP(s) who agrees to perform additional work beyond the PRP's allocated
share at the site, which EPA might otherwise have to conduct. Because response actions may take
many years, the full use of special account funds also may take many years. Once all site-specific
response work pursuant to the settlement agreement is complete and site risks are addressed,
special account funds may be used to reimburse EPA for site-specific costs incurred using
appropriated resources {i.e., reclassification), allowing the latter resources to be allocated to other
sites. Any remaining special account funds are transferred to the Superfund Trust Fund, where
they are available for future appropriation by Congress to further support response work.
FY 2023 Special Account Activity
Since the inception of special accounts through the end of FY 2023, EPA has collected
approximately $8.3 billion from parties and earned approximately $895.9 million in interest.
Approximately 61 percent of the funds have been disbursed or obligated for response actions at
sites and plans have been developed to guide the future use of the remaining 39 percent of available
special account funds. In addition, at sites with no additional work planned or costs to be incurred
by EPA, EPA has transferred approximately $65.8 million to the Superfund Trust Fund. As of the
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end of FY 2023, approximately $5.0 billion has been disbursed for site response actions and
approximately $596.3 million has been obligated but not yet disbursed.
The Agency continues to receive site-specific settlement funds that are placed in special accounts
each year, so progress on actual obligation and disbursement of funds may not be apparent upon
review solely of the cumulative available balance. In FY 2023, EPA deposited approximately
$185.3 million into special accounts and disbursed over $186.4 million from special accounts
(including reclassifications). At the end of FY 2023, the cumulative amount available in special
accounts was over $3.5 billion.
Special accounts vary in size. A limited set of accounts represent the majority of the funds
available. At the end of FY 2023, 5 percent of open accounts had greater than $10 million available
and held approximately 70 percent of all available funds in open accounts. There are many
accounts with lower available balances. 71 percent of all open accounts with up to $1 million
available represent approximately 5 percent of available funds in all open accounts.
The balance of over $3.5 billion is not equivalent to an annual appropriation. Unlike annually
appropriated, IIJA, and Superfund tax funds, the funds collected under settlements and deposited
in special accounts are intended to finance future response work at particular sites for the length
of the project(s). EPA is carefully managing those funds that remain available for site response
work and develops plans to utilize the available balance. EPA will continue to plan the use of funds
received to conduct site-specific response activities or reclassify and/or transfer excess funds to
the Superfund Trust Fund to make annually appropriated funds available for use at other Superfund
sites.
For some Superfund sites, although funds are readily available in a special account, remedial
action(s) selected for a site may take time to initiate and complete. The timeframe required to
implement selected remedial actions for a site is driven largely by site-specific conditions, such as
the specific requirements for special account use set forth in the settlement agreement, the stage of
site cleanup, the viability of other responsible parties to conduct site cleanup, and the nature of the
site contamination. EPA has plans to spend approximately $981.2 million of currently available
special account funds over the next five years, but funds also are planned much further into the
future to continue activities, such as conducting five-year reviews or remedy optimization, at sites
where waste has been left in place.
Over the past five fiscal years, EPA has obligated or disbursed approximately $1.3 billion from
special accounts (excluding reclassifications), resulting in the Superfund Program performing a
significant amount of work in addition to work the Agency performed using annually appropriated
and IIJA funds. In FY 2023, EPA disbursed and obligated approximately $365.0 million from
special accounts (excluding reclassifications) for response work at more than 700 Superfund sites.
Site-specific examples of this work include $37.6 million to support work at the Old American
Zinc Plant site in Illinois; $35.5 million for the Cornell Dubilier Electronics Inc. site inNew Jersey,
$26.5 million for the Bonita Peak Mining District site in Colorado, and $25.1 million for the
Tronox Navajo Area Uranium Mines (NAUM) Cove Station on the Navajo Nation. In the absence
of special account funds, annually appropriated and/or IIJA funds would have been necessary for
these response actions to be funded. In other words, EPA was able to fund approximately $365.0
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million in response work at sites in addition to the work funded through appropriated and IIJA
funds obligated or disbursed in FY 2023.
The summary charts below provide additional information on the status of special accounts.
Exhibit 1 illustrates the cumulative status of open and closed accounts, FY 2023 program activity,
and planned multi-year uses of the available balance. Exhibit 2 provides the prior year (FY 2023),
current year (FY 2024), and estimated future budget year (FY 2025) activity for special accounts.
Exhibit 3 provides prior year data (FY 2023) by EPA regional offices to exhibit the geographic
use of the funds.
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Exhibit 1: Summary of FY 2023 Special Account Transactions
and Cumulative Multi-Year Plans for Using Available Special Account Funds
Account Stiitus1
Nil in her of
Accounts
Cumulative Open
1,105
Cumulative Closed
518
I'Y 2022 Spcciiil Account Aclmlv
S in Tliousiinils
Beginning Available Balance
$3,600,504.1
FY 2023 Activities
+ Receipts
$185,340.5
- Transfers to Superfund Trust Fund (Receipt Adjustment)
($6,825.3)
+ Net Interest Earned
$98,298.6
- Net Change in Unliquidated Obligations
($179,769.1)
- Disbursements - For EPA Incurred Costs
($172,768.9)
- Disbursements - For Work Party Reimbursements under Final Settlements
($1,615.7)
- Reclassifications
($12,017.4)
End of Fiscal Year (EOFY) Available Balance2
$3,511,146.8
M
ulli-Yciir Phins lor KOI Y 2023 Axnihible Bnhuice1
S in Thousands
2023 EOFY Available Balance
$3,511,146.8
- Estimates for Future EPA Site Activities based on Current Site Plans4
$3,352,146.4
- Estimates for Potential Disbursement to Work Parties Identified in Final Settlements5
$86,164.5
- Estimates for Reclassifications for FYs 2024-20266
$32,206.5
- Estimates for Transfers to Trust Fund for FYs 2024-20266
$22,390.8
- Available Balance to be Planned for Site-Specific Response7
$18,238.5
1 FY 2023 data is as of 10/01/2023. The Beginning Available Balance is as of 10/02/2022.
2Numbers may not add due to rounding.
3Planning data were recorded in the Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMS) as of 10/30/2023 in
reference to special account available balances as of 10/01/2023.
4 "Estimates for EPA Future Site Activities" includes all response actions that EPA may conduct or oversee in the
future, such as removal, remedial, enforcement, post-construction activities as well as allocation of funds to
facilitate a settlement to encourage PRPs to perform the cleanup. Planning data are multi-year and cannot be used
for annual comparisons.
5 "Estimates for Potential Disbursements to Work Parties Identified in Finalized Settlements" includes those funds
that have already been designated in a settlement document, such as a Consent Decree or Administrative Order on
Consent, to be available to a PRP for reimbursements but that have not yet been obligated.
6 "Reclassifications" and "Transfers to the Trust Fund" are estimated for three FYs only. These amounts are only
estimates and may change as EPA determines what funds are needed to complete site-specific response activities.
7 These include resources received by the EPA at the end of the fiscal year and will be assigned for site-specific
response activities.
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Exhibit 2: Actual and Estimated Special Account Transactions FY 2023 - FY 20251
I V 2023
I V 2024
estimate
I V 2025
estimate
S in Thousands
Beginning Available Balance
$3,600,504.1
$3,511,146.8
$3,669,719.1
Receipts1
$185,340.5
$350,000.0
$350,000.0
Transfers to Trust Fund (Receipt Adjustment)2
($6,825.3)
($7,429.0)
($7,429.0)
Net Interest Earned3
$98,298.6
$100,000.0
$100,000.0
Net Obligations2'4
($354,153.7)
($269,624.7)
($269,624.7)
Reclassifications2
($12,017.4)
($14,374.0)
($14,374.0)
End of Year Available Balance5
$3,511,146.8
$3,669,719.1
$3,828,291.4
1 The estimates for Receipts are in line with more typical years.
2 The estimates for Transfers to Trust Fund, Net Obligations, and Reclassifications are based on a three-year historical
average.
3 Net interest earned in FY 2024 and FY 2025 are estimated utilizing economic assumptions for the FY 2025
President's Budget.
4 Net Obligations reflect special account funds no longer available for obligation, excluding reclassifications and
receipts transferred to the Trust Fund.
5 Numbers may not add due to rounding.
Exhibit 3: FY 2023 Special Account Transactions by EPA Regional Offices
$ in Thousands
lie«»i n n in»
.Mailable
lialancc
Receipts
Transfers to
Trust I' uiul
(Receipt
Adjustment)
Net Interest
Karncd
Net
Obligations
Reclassifications
Kiul of Year
Axitihtble
Balance1:
Region 1
$166,708.8
$6,546.2
($5,864.0)
$4,712.6
($3,678.7)
($3,031.8)
$165,393.1
Region 2
$519,118.1
$18,492.7
$0.0
$15,699.5
($108,995.0)
($2,679.9)
$441,635.3
Region 3
$155,853.5
$5,604.1
($4.1)
$4,471.8
($18,552.0)
($416.1)
$146,957.2
Region 4
$60,208.1
$6,034.0
($0.9)
$1,615.5
($7,323.0)
($805.5)
$59,728.1
Region 5
$496,886.9
$44,895.4
($18.9)
$12,009.3
($57,443.4)
($360.5)
$495,968.8
Region 6
$417,809.1
$6,206.4
($289.8)
$10,460.2
($8,196.6)
($861.2)
$425,128.1
Region 7
$130,741.5
$5,672.0
($145.2)
$3,573.8
($9,098.2)
($1,006.3)
$129,737.6
Region 8
$352,082.6
$62,980.0
($26.1)
$10,986.5
($54,579.5)
($1,732.7)
$369,710.9
Region 9
$1,134,267.1
$14,906.3
($61.8)
$29,436.9
($64,332.3)
($634.6)
$1,113,581.7
Region 10
$166,828.4
$14,003.4
($414.6)
$5,332.5
($21,955.0)
($488.8)
$163,305.9
Total
$3,600,504.1
$185,340.5
($6,825.3)
$98,298.6
($354,153.7)
($12,017.4)
$3,511,146.8
1 FY 2023 data is as of 10/01/2023. The Beginning Available Balance is as of 10/02/2022.
2 Numbers may not add due to rounding.
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Superfund Tax Receipts
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Superfund Tax Receipts
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY 2023
FY 2024
Estimated
Collections
Available103
FY 2025
Estimates of
Collections to Be
Available104
Superfund Chemical Taxes
$159,777
$472,793
$1,152,000
Superfund Taxes on Oil and Petroleum Products
$0
$732,075
$1,022,000
Hazardous Substance Superfund Tax Total Receipts
$159,777
$1,204,868
$2,174,000
Background
On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), P.L. 117-58, reinstated
and modified the excise taxes on certain listed chemicals and imported substances that use as
materials in their manufacture or production one or more of those listed chemicals ("Superfund
chemical taxes").105 The Superfund chemical taxes went into effect beginning July 1, 2022, and
will expire on December 31, 2031. On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), (P.L.
117-169), reinstated and modified the taxes on oil and petroleum products. The oil and petroleum
taxes went into effect on January 1,2023. On December 29,2022, the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328) included legislative language that allows all tax receipts collected in the
Superfund Trust Fund from the prior fiscal year to be available to implement the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) without further
congressional appropriation and to be designated as emergency funding.
FY 2023 Superfund Tax Receipts Activity
In August 2023, EPA issued approximately $159.8 million in realized collections from the prior
year to advance priority work across the Agency's Superfund programs. Of these resources, $104
million went to the Superfund Emergency Response and Removal Program, the Superfund
Remedial Program, and the Superfund Federal Facilities Program. Some of the major program
investments included: $30 million for emergency work in East Palestine to meet commitments to
the community for EPA oversight; $42.7 million to focus on additional lead soil removal and
ensure protection at established levels; more than $20.6 million to expand capacity to complete
additional Superfund removals arising from State referrals and lead; $4.8 million to keep pace with
the growing cleanup oversight workload at Superfund Federal Facility sites; and $3 million to
support work on abandoned uranium mines. In addition, more than $26.1 million has been invested
in the Superfund Enforcement and Superfund Federal Facilities Enforcement programs to continue
the Agency's "enforcement first" approach at private sites before turning to a Fund-lead cleanup,
and to address current needs and emerging challenges regarding Superfund enforcement work at
103 Estimate provided by the U.S. Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal Service as of September 30, 2023:
https://treasurydirect.gov/flp/dfi/tfmb/dfihs0923.pdf. The final amount collected in FY 2023 will be determined by the U.S
Treasury in the 2nd quarter FY 2024.
104 Estimates are developed by the U.S. Treasury and based on their economic assumptions.
105 The original Superfund taxes expired on December 31, 1995, and applied to crude oil and imported petroleum products,
chemicals used in the production of hazardous substances listed in Title 26 section 4661 and imported substances that use
hazardous chemicals as a feedstock, and corporate modified alternative minimum taxable income more than $2 million a year.
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federal facilities, such as addressing per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) contamination at
and near many federal facility National Priorities List (NPL) sites. EPA will continue to prioritize
the Superfund tax receipts to support site-specific response activities. Superfund tax receipts,
special accounts, and annually appropriated resources are critical to the Superfund Program to
clean up Superfund sites.
FY 2024 and FY 2025 Superfund Tax Receipt Activity
As the Superfund Taxes were only recently passed, there is much uncertainty concerning the
projected collections each year. As of September 30, 2023, there is an estimated $1,205 billion of
tax receipts in the Superfund Trust Fund which are available to utilize in FY 2024.106 EPA is in
the process of developing its budget priorities for the Superfund tax receipts available in FY 2024.
EPA will utilize the Superfund tax receipts to implement CERCLA and continue to plan for the
use of available tax receipts in FY 2025.
In FY 2024, the U.S. Treasury forecasts collecting a total of $2.17 billion in Superfund tax receipts
which will be available for use in FY 2025. The FY 2025 President's Budget proposes to transition
the Superfund Emergency Response and Removal and the Superfund Enforcement programs
solely to the Superfund tax receipts, while Superfund Remedial will be partially transitioned to the
tax receipts. EPA anticipates sufficiently funding these programs from the tax receipts to support
mission critical functions. EPA will then evaluate available budgets and resources across the
Agency's Superfund programs to determine the most appropriate use of the tax receipts. EPA will
prioritize the Superfund tax receipts to leverage all funding available to continue to clean up NPL
sites at their optimal pace. The Agency will continue its "enforcement first" policy to pursue and
compel responsible parties to conduct response work or finance cleanups. By doing so, annually
appropriated and Superfund tax receipt resources will be conserved for cleanups at sites and
activities where potentially responsible party (PRP) resources are not available. This will allow
the Agency to maximize progress in returning sites to community use, as well as allow the Agency
to implement agency initiatives (e.g., Environmental Justice (EJ), PFAS, and lead). EPA also will
continue to start new construction projects to avoid the creation of another backlog of new
construction projects awaiting funding to start; more efficiently fund ongoing construction
projects; promptly address emergency and short-term CERCLA response actions; and implement
Administration and Agency priorities (e.g., EJ, per- and polyfluorinated substances, lead, etc.).
106 Please see: https://treasurydirect.gov/flp/dfi/tfmb/dfihs0923.pdf. The final amount collected in FY 2023 will be determined by
the U.S Treasury in the 2nd quarter FY 2024.
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