United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal Year 2025
Justification of Appropriation
Estimates for the
Committee on Appropriations
Tab 16: Appendix
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 - Appendix
Acronyms for Statutory Authority 2
Coordination With Other Federal Agencies 7
FY 2025 Estimated Cybersecurity Resources 48
EPA Budget by National Program Manager and Major Office 50
EPA Response to OIG Top Management Challenges 53
Challenge 1: Mitigating the Causes and Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change.... 53
Challenge 2: Integrating and Implementing Environmental Justice 54
Challenge 3: Safeguarding the Use and Disposal of Chemicals 55
Challenge 4: Promoting Ethical Conduct and Protecting Scientific Integrity 58
Challenge 5: Managing Grants, Contracts, and Data Systems 59
Challenge 6: Maximizing Compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations 59
Challenge 7: Overseeing, Protecting, and Investing in Water and Wastewater Systems. 61
EPA User Fee Programs 63
Eliminated Programs 67
Expected Benefits of E-Government Initiatives 68
FY 2025 Administrator's Priorities 73
EPA Consolidations, Reorganizations, Realignments, or Other Transfer of Resources 74
FY 2025 Environmental Justice Estimated Program Budget1 76
FY 2025 STAG Categorical Program Grants 77
Making Litigation Costs Transparent - Equal Access for Justice Act (EAJA) 86
Office of Enforcement Compliance Assurance Travel by Program Project 88
On-Site Inspections and Off-site Compliance Monitoring Compliance Activities from
EPA's Integrated Compliance Information System 89
Physicians' Comparability Allowance (PCA) Plan 91
Program Projects by Program Area 96
Proposed FY 2025 Administrative Provisions 107
Good Accounting Obligation in Government Act Ill
Working Capital Fund 164
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Environmental Protection Agency
Acronyms for Statutory Authority
The following is not an exhaustive list of [U.S.] statutory authorities but includes those commonly
referred to by acronym in this document.
ACE: Air, Climate, and Energy
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
ADEA: Age Discrimination in Employment Act
AEA: Atomic Energy Act, as amended, and Reorganization Plan #3
AHERA: Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act
AHPA: Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act
AIM: American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2019
ANCSA: Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
APA: Administrative Procedures Act
ARP: American Rescue Plan
ARRA: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
ASHAA: Asbestos in Schools Hazard Abatement Act
ASTCA: Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act
AWIA: America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018
BEACH Act of 2000: Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act
BRERA: Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act
BUILD Act: Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development Act
CAA: Clean Air Act
CAAA: Clean Air Act Amendments (1970 and 1990)
CARES: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
CCA: dinger Cohen Act
CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (1980)
CFOA: Chief Financial Officers Act
CICA: Competition in Contracting Act
CRA: Civil Rights Act
CSA: Computer Security Act
CWA: Clean Water Act (1972)
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CWPPR: Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act of 1990
CZARA: Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments
CZMA: Coastal Zone Management Act
DERA: Diesel Emissions Reduction Act
DPA: Deepwater Ports Act
DREAA: Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
DWWIA: Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021
ECRA: Economic Cleanup Responsibility Act
EFOIA: Electronic Freedom of Information Act
EISA: Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
EO: Executive Order
EPAct: Energy Policy Act of 2005
EPAA: Environmental Programs Assistance Act
EPCA: Energy Policy and Conservation Act
EPCRA: Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (1986)
ERDDAA: Environmental Research, Development and Demonstration Authorization Act
ESA: Endangered Species Act
ESECA: Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act
FACA: Federal Advisory Committee Act
FAIR: Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act
FASA: Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (1994)
FAST: Fixing America's Service Transportation Act
FCMA: Fishery Conservation and Management Act
FEPCA: Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1972, enacted as amendments to FIFRA
FFATA: Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006
FFDCA: Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
FFMIA: Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996
FGCAA: Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act
FIFRA: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (1972)
FISMA: Federal Information Security Modernization Act
FITARA: Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act
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FLPMA: Federal Land Policy and Management Act
FMFIA: Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act (1982)
FOIA: Freedom of Information Act
FPA: Federal Pesticide Act
FPAS: Federal Property and Administration Services Act
FQPA: Food Quality Protection Act (1996)
FRA: Federal Register Act
FSA: Food Security Act
FSMA: Food Safety Modernization Act
FTTA: Federal Technology Transfer Act
FUA: Fuel Use Act
FWCA: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
FWPCA: Federal Water Pollution and Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act [CWA])
GISRA: Government Information Security Reform Act
GMRA: Government Management Reform Act
GPRA: Government Performance and Results Act (1993)
GPRAMA: Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010
HMTA: Hazardous Materials Transportation Act
HSWA: Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, enacted as amendments to RCRA
IGA: Inspector General Act
IIJA: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
IPA: Intergovernmental Personnel Act
IPIA: Improper Payments Information Act
IRA: Inflation Reduction Act
ISTEA: Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
IT: Information Technology
ITMRA: Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996-aka Clinger/Cohen Act
MCRBMA: Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act
MGT: Modernizing Government Technology Act
MPPRCA: Marine Plastic Pollution, Research and Control Act of 1987
MPRSA: Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act
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NAWCA: North American Wetlands Conservation Act
NEEA: National Environmental Education Act
NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act
NHPA: National Historic Preservation Act
NISA: National Invasive Species Act of 1996
ODA: Ocean Dumping Act
OPA: Oil Pollution Act of 1990
OWBPA: Older Workers Benefit Protection Act
PBA: Public Building Act
PFCRA: Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act
PHSA: Public Health Service Act
PIIA: Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019
PLIRRA: Pollution Liability Insurance and Risk Retention Act
PPA: Pollution Prevention Act
PR: Privacy Act of 1974
PRA: Paperwork Reduction Act
PREA: Pesticide Registration Extension Act of 2012 (also known as PRIA 3)
PRIA: Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2003
PRIA 4: Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2018
PRIA 5: Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022
PRIRA: Pesticide Registration Improvement Renewal Act
QCA: Quiet Communities Act
RCRA: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, enacted as amendments to SWDA.
RFA: Regulatory Flexibility Act
RICO: Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
RLBPHRA: Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act
SARA: Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986
SBLRBRERA: Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization and
Environmental Restoration Act
SBREFA: Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
SDWA: Safe Drinking Water Act
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SICEA: Steel Industry Compliance Extension Act
SMCRA: Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
SOS 2.0: Save Our Seas Act 2.0
SPA: Shore Protection Act of 1988
SWDA: Solid Waste Disposal Act
TSCA: Toxic Substances Control Act
UMRA: Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
UMTRLWA: Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Land Withdrawal Act
USMCA: United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act
USTCA: Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act
VIDA: Vessel Incidental Discharge Act
WIFIA: Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act
WIIN: Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act
WQA: Water Quality Act of 1987
WRDA: Water Resources Development Act
WSRA: Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
WWWQA: Wet Weather Water Quality Act of 2000
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Coordination With Other Federal Agencies
Air and Radiation Programs
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Implementation
EPA cooperates with other agencies to achieve goals related to ground level ozone and particulate
matter (PM), and to ensure the actions of other agencies are compatible with state plans for
attaining and maintaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The Agency
works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USD A), Department of the Interior (DOI),
and Department of Defense (DOD) on issues such as prescribed burning at silviculture and
agricultural operations. EPA, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) also work with state and local agencies to integrate transportation
and air quality plans, reduce traffic congestion, and promote livable communities.
Air Quality in the Agricultural Sector
To improve EPA's understanding of environmental issues in the agricultural sector, the Agency
works with USD A and others to improve air quality while supporting sustainable agriculture. The
collaborative approach to the agriculture sector includes scientific assessment, outreach and
education, and implementation/compliance.
Regional Haze
EPA works with the National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and DOI in
implementing its regional haze program and operating the Interagency Monitoring of Protected
Visual Environments (IMPROVE) visibility monitoring network. The operation and analysis of
data produced by this air monitoring system is an example of the close coordination of efforts
between EPA and state and tribal governments.
Air Quality Assessment, Modeling, and Forecasting
For pollution assessments and transport, EPA works with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) on technology transfer using satellite imagery. EPA further distributes
NASA satellite products and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
air quality forecast products to states, local agencies, and tribes to provide a better understanding
of daily air quality and to assist with air quality forecasting. EPA also works with the Department
of the Army on advancing emission measurement technology and with NOAA for meteorological
support for our modeling and monitoring efforts. EPA collects real-time ozone and PM
measurements from state and local agencies, which are used by both NOAA and EPA to improve
and verify Air Quality Forecast models.
EPA's AirNow Program (the national real-time Air Quality Index reporting and forecasting
system) works with the National Weather Service (NWS) to coordinate NOAA air quality forecast
guidance with state and local agencies for air quality forecasting efforts and to render the NOAA
model output in EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI), which helps people determine appropriate air
quality protective behaviors. In wildfire situations, EPA and USFS work closely with states to
deploy monitors and report monitoring information and other conditions on AirNow. The AirNow
Program also collaborates with NPS and USFS in collecting air quality monitoring observations,
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in addition to over 130 state, local, and tribal air agency observations, and with NASA in a project
to incorporate satellite data with air quality observations.
EPA, USD A, and DOI established a collaborative framework to address issues pertaining to
wildland fire and air quality. The agreement recognizes the key roles of each agency, as well as
opportunities for collaboration. For example, the partnership explains that the agencies seek to
reduce the impact of emissions from wildfires, especially catastrophic wildfires, and the impact of
those emissions on air quality as well as highlighting opportunities for information sharing and
collaboration.
Mobile Sources
EPA works with DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the
coordinated national program establishing standards to improve fuel efficiency for light-duty and
heavy-duty vehicles. Specifically, EPA, in coordination with DOT's fuel economy and fuel
consumption standards programs, implements vehicle and commercial truck greenhouse gas
standards.
To address criteria pollutant emissions from marine and aircraft sources, EPA works
collaboratively with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as with other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Coast
Guard (USCG) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). EPA also collaborates with the
USCG in the implementation of Emission Control Area (ECA) around the U.S., and with Mexico
and Canada in the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) to evaluate
the benefits of establishing a Mexican ECA.
To better understand the sources and causes of mobile source pollution, EPA works with the
Department of Energy (DOE) and DOT to fund applied research projects including transportation
modeling projects. EPA also works closely with DOE on refinery cost modeling analyses to
support clean fuel programs, evaluation of petitions for small refinery hardship exemptions under
the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) Program, and coordination regarding fuel supply during
emergency situations.
For mobile sources program outreach, the Agency participates in a collaborative effort with DOT's
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to educate the public and communities about
the impacts of transportation choices on traffic congestion, air quality, climate change, and human
health. These partnerships can involve policy assessments and toxic emission reduction strategies
in different regions of the country. EPA works with DOE, DOT, and other agencies, as needed, on
the requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act
of2007, such as the Renewable Fuel Standard. EPA also has worked with other agencies on biofuel
topics through the Biomass Research and Development Institute.
To develop air pollutant emission factors and emission estimation algorithms for military aircraft,
ground equipment, and vehicles, EPA partners with the DOD. This partnership provides for the
joint undertaking of air-monitoring/emission factor research and regulatory implementation.
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Air Toxics
EPA works closely with other health agencies such as the CDC, National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) on health risk characterization for both toxic and criteria air pollutants. The
Agency also contributes air quality data to CDC's Environmental Public Health Tracking Program,
which is made publicly available and used by various public health agencies.
Addressing Transboundary Air Pollution
In developing regional and international air quality projects, and in working on regional
agreements, EPA works with the Department of State (DOS), NOAA, NASA, DOE, USD A, U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), and with regional organizations. In addition, EPA has partnered with other organizations
and countries worldwide, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the
European Union (EU), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), CEC, Canada, Mexico, China,
and Japan. EPA also partners with environment and public health officials and provides technical
assistance through UNEP to facilitate the development of air quality management strategies to
other major emitters and/or to key regional or sub-regional groupings of countries.
Stratospheric Ozone
EPA works closely with DOS and other federal agencies in international negotiations among
Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, with the goal of
protecting the ozone layer and through managing ozone depleting substances (ODS) it controls.
EPA also supports several multilateral environmental agreements to simultaneously protect the
ozone layer and climate system working closely with the DOS and other federal agencies,
including but not limited to the Office of Science Technology and Policy (OSTP), Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ), Department of Commerce (DOC), OMB, USD A NOAA, and
NASA.
EPA works with other agencies, including the Office of the United States Trade Representative
(USTR) and DOC, to analyze potential trade implications in stratospheric protection regulations
that affect imports and exports. EPA has coordinated efforts with the Department of Justice (DOJ),
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Treasury (U.S. Treasury), and other
agencies to curb the illegal importation of ODS.
Indoor Air and Radon
EPA works closely with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), DOE, the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST) to reduce risks from poor air quality in homes and schools. EPA also
partners with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to provide guidance and technical assistance
to improve school environments through indoor air quality (IAQ) improvements. EPA, CDC, and
HUD have leadership roles in the public-private strategic partnership to advance radon risk
reduction (National Radon Action Plan). EPA co-leads the Federal Asthma Disparities Work
Group under the President's Task Force and leads the Federal Interagency Committee on Indoor
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Air Quality—these two coordinating bodies serve to increase communication, coordination, and
collaboration across the federal family to address IAQ risk reduction.
Radiation and Radiation Preparedness and Response
EPA works primarily with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), DOE, and DHS on
multiple radiation-related issues. EPA has ongoing planning and guidance discussions with DHS
on emergency response activities, including exercises responding to nuclear related incidents. As
the regulator of DOE's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), EPA is charged with coordinating with
DOE to ensure the facility is operating in compliance with EPA regulations. EPA is a member of
the Interagency Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force, established in the Energy
Policy Act, to improve the security of domestic radioactive sources. EPA also is a working member
of the interagency Nuclear Government Coordinating Council (NGCC), which coordinates across
government and the private sector on issues related to security, communications, and emergency
management within the nuclear sector. EPA is a charter member of the Interagency Nuclear Safety
Review Board which was established to review the nuclear safety analysis for launching space
nuclear systems. EPA works with DOD, DOE, NASA, NRC, DOS, and DOT to coordinate the
safety review and launch emergency response plans for commercial and non-commercial launches
of space nuclear systems.
For emergency preparedness, EPA coordinates with other federal agencies through the Federal
Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee and the Advisory Team for Environment,
Food and Health which provides federal scientific advice and recommendations to state and local
decision makers, such as governors and mayors, during a radiological emergency. EPA participates
in planning and implementing exercises including radiological anti-terrorism activities with the
HHS, NRC, DOE, DOD, and DHS.
EPA is a charter member and co-chairs the Interagency Steering Committee on Radiation
Standards (ISCORS), which was created at the direction of Congress. Through its activities,
member agencies are kept informed of cross-cutting issues related to radiation protection,
radioactive waste management, and emergency preparedness and response. ISCORS also helps
coordinate U.S. responses to radiation-related issues internationally.
During radiological emergencies, EPA works with expert members of the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA). EPA also works with OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) on two
committees: the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) and the Committee on
Radiation Protection and Public Health (CRPPH). Through participation on the CRPPH, EPA is
successful in bringing U.S. perspectives to international radiation protection policy.
Climate Change
To carry out a diverse range of regulatory and partnership programs to help tackle the climate
crisis, EPA works with several federal agencies, including the Department of HUD, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), DOE, NASA, USD A, DOS, USAID, DOI, and DOT.
Climate protection partnership programs, government-wide, stimulate the development and use of
renewable energy technologies, energy efficient products, and other strategies that will help reduce
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greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This effort is led by EPA and DOE with significant involvement
from the USD A, HUD, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The Global Methane Initiative (GMI) is a U.S.-led, international public-private partnership that
brings together over 40 partner governments and over 1,000 public and private sector organizations
to advance methane recovery and use methane as a clean energy source. EPA works with DOS on
the GMI, building on the success of EPA's domestic methane programs and focusing on advancing
methane reductions from agriculture, coal mines, landfills, oil and gas systems, and municipal
wastewater.
EPA also will support DOS as the technical lead in developing projections and compiling
information on GHG mitigation policies and measures as part of the upcoming U.S. Biennial
Report and National Communication as required by the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate
Change. EPA will support the State Department and National Science Foundation with applying
applicable goals and GHG mitigation policies in the review of environmental evaluations for non-
Governmental activities in Antarctica consistent with Antarctica Treaty Commission
commitments.
EPA also is working with NASA to study and prototype capabilities for a greenhouse gas
monitoring and information system that will integrate data from a variety of sources with a goal
of making data more accessible and usable to federal, state, and local governments, researchers,
the public, and other users.
Research Supporting the Air and Radiation Program
EPA continues to coordinate with other agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
HHS, CDC, NOAA, DOE, USD A, and USFS to develop effective and sustainable approaches to
manage air pollution and climate change risks.
ENERGY STAR
In 2009, EPA and DOE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that redefined roles and
responsibilities to address implementation challenges and capitalize on the strengths of each
agency. Prior to 2009, both EPA and DOE were implementing the Program for different products,
resulting in inconsistent approaches, duplicative efforts, and market confusion. The 2009
Memorandum of Understanding was designed to solve such problems raised by industry
stakeholders. EPA is the ENERGY STAR brand manager and is accountable for maintaining the
integrity of the label. For ENERGY STAR products, EPA is responsible for setting product
performance levels, educating consumers and businesses, and supporting the efforts of
manufacturers, retailers, and utilities. EPA also oversees third-party certification and verification
testing. EPA also is responsible for the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction,
Commercial, and Industrial programs, including ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
For ENERGY STAR products, DOE develops test procedures for ENERGY STAR products and
contributes to verification testing of appliances and equipment. DOE sets minimum, mandatory
energy efficiency standards for some products through a regulatory process. EPA and DOE work
closely to share data and analyses, synchronize timing, and coordinate requests to industry in the
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development of both the voluntary ENERGY STAR specifications and the DOE minimum
efficiency standards. DOE also is responsible for implementing Home Performance with
ENERGY STAR.
Water Programs
Collaboration with Public and Private Partners on Water Infrastructure Preparedness, Response
and Recovery
EPA coordinates with other federal agencies, primarily DHS, CDC, FDA, and DOD, on biological,
chemical, and radiological contaminants of high concern, and how to detect and respond to their
presence in drinking water and wastewater systems. EPA works with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) and DHS, particularly with respect to ensuring the timely dissemination of
threat information through existing communication networks. Additionally, throughout the
pandemic, EPA worked with DHS and other federal agencies to coordinate aspects of information
sharing, disseminate personal protective equipment, address shortages of treatment chemicals,
provide for equipment and qualified water system operators, and recognize water system operators
and associated contract personnel as critical workers.
EPA works with US ACE and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to refine
coordination processes among federal partners engaged in providing emergency response support
to the water sector, including maintaining clear roles and responsibilities under the National
Disaster Recovery Framework. In addition, EPA continues to work with FEMA, USACE, and
other agencies, on the Federal Interagency Floodplain Management Task Force regarding water
resources and floodplain management.
As the Agency in charge of water sector security, EPA works with DHS Cyber and Infrastructure
Security Agency (CISA) and other government agencies on the Industrial Control System (ICS)
working group to develop an ICS interagency Strategy and Implementation Plan. EPA also
collaborates with CISA on various working groups and cybersecurity issues such as roles and
responsibilities, ICS supply chain, cyber workforce, cybersecurity standards, and cyber response.
Drinking Water Programs
EPA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) established an Interagency Agreement to coordinate
activities and information exchange in the areas of unregulated contaminants occurrence, the
environmental relationships affecting contaminant occurrence, protection area delineation
methodology, and analytical methods. This effort improves the quality of information to support
risk management decision-making at all levels of government, generates valuable new data, and
eliminates potential redundancies. EPA also collaborates with HUD, HHS, DOI and USDA to
develop strategies to decrease drinking water lead exposure in homes. The partnership promotes
the exchange of information, leverages funding, and reviews processes to facilitate better-informed
and coordinated decisions and investments.
In addition, EPA collaborates with DHHS to better understand, characterize, and manage public
health risks from Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), with activities spanning from
assessing CDC's waterborne disease surveillance data related to legionella and other biofilm-
related pathogens to partnering with FDA on antibiotic resistance-related issues. EPA collaborates
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with multiple federal agencies to address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) issues
including DOD, DOE, USD A, FDA, DHHS, theNIH, the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
the Small Business Administration (SB A), NASA, FAA, and the Executive Office of the President
(EOP).
Infrastructure Support for Tribal Water Systems
EPA coordinates the multi-agency tribal Infrastructure Task Force (ITF), created to develop and
coordinate federal activities in delivering water infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure and solid
waste management services to tribal communities. The ITF is the formal mechanism for
interagency coordination among EPA, DHHS's Indian Health Service (IHS), HUD, USD A, and
the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Drinking Water and Wastewater Work in Indian Country
EPA works under a five-federal agency MOU to better coordinate the federal government's efforts
in providing access to safe drinking water and basic wastewater facilities for tribal communities.
EPA, DOI, DHHS, USD A, and HUD work as the Federal Tribal Infrastructure Task Force (TITF)
to use their combined authorities to maintain a framework to enhance interagency efficiency and
coordination, and to cultivate greater cooperation in carrying out their tribal infrastructure
responsibilities. Since 2007, the TITF has: maintained procedures necessary for a common
understanding of the programs pertaining to funding infrastructure construction, solid waste
management efforts, and technical assistance to tribes; worked together to improve the capacity of
tribal communities to operate and maintain sustainable infrastructure; enhanced the efficient
leveraging of funds; worked directly with tribes to promote an understanding of federal programs;
identified ways to improve construction, operation, and maintenance of sustainable infrastructure;
and worked to allow and facilitate the exchange of data and information amongst partners.1
Sustainable Rural Drinking and Wastewater Systems
EPA and USD A work together to increase the sustainability of rural drinking water and wastewater
systems to ensure the protection of public health, water quality, and sustainable communities. The
two agencies facilitate coordinated funding for infrastructure projects that aid in the compliance
of national drinking water and clean water regulations.
National Water Sector Workforce Development
EPA and the Departments of Education, Interior, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs (VA) are
building on existing collaborations, exploring new opportunities and actions, and identifying
potential additional federal programs and partners to support the Nation's water sector
professionals.
Coordination with Department of Defense on Analytical Methods for Detecting PFAS
EPA's Clean Water Act (CWA) analytical methods program is collaborating with DOD on their
efforts to develop an analytical method for detecting certain PFAS compounds in wastewater.
1 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/tribaWederal-iiifrastructure-task-force-improve-access-safe-
drinking-water-and-basic-sanitation.
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Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
EPA participates in quarterly and ad hoc meetings with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), DOE,
DOI, DOT, and DOJ to share information on carbon capture and storage developments. In
addition, EPA serves as a liaison to DOE's National Risk Assessment Partnership to advance its
work in developing tools to improve collective understanding of risk at CO2 storage projects and
inform science and risk-based decision-making at geologic sequestration projects; and to explore
opportunities to integrate the partnership work into EPA's Class VI permitting process. EPA also
will collaborate with DOE and CEQ on several reports and other initiatives related to carbon
sequestration requested by Congress, including developing a report on UIC Class VI permitting.
Through the CAA §309 review program, EPA is collaborating with DOE and other agencies as
needed to assist with identifying potential impacts and ways to avoid and minimize those impacts
from CO2 storage projects.
Research to Support Water Programs
Other federal and non-federal entities conduct research that complements EPA's research on
priority contaminants in drinking water. Cooperative research efforts have been ongoing with the
American Water Works Association, Water Research Foundation, and other stakeholders to
coordinate drinking water research where the private sector is conducting research in areas such
as analytical methods, treatment technologies, and the development and maintenance of water
resources. EPA also has worked with the USGS to evaluate performance of newly developed
methods for measuring microbes in potential drinking water sources.
Interagency coordination in research also is occurring in developing sediment criteria. Here, EPA
has joint research initiatives with NOAA and USGS for linking monitoring data and field study
information with available toxicity data and assessment models for developing sediment criteria.
EPA also conducts studies with the USGS to monitor the occurrence of contaminants of emerging
concern (CECs). Research efforts to monitor the effects of chemical mixtures continue, increasing
our understanding of wastewater effluent impacts to human and aquatic health and prioritizing
future research on developing solutions for the removal of CECs in wastewater treatment
operations.
Source Water Collaborative
EPA participates in the Source Water Collaborative along with USDA (NRCS, Farm Service
Agency (FSA), USFS), USGS, and 25 other national organizations. The goal of the collaborative
is to protect sources of drinking water by combining the strengths and tools of its member
organizations. EPA provides funding to support these efforts.
Source Water Protection and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
To combat HABs and hypoxia, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control
Amendments Act of 2014 (HABHRCA)(supports the scientific understanding and the ability to
detect, predict, control, mitigate, and respond to HABs and hypoxia. This legislation established
the Interagency Working Group (IWG) on HABHRCA (IWG-HABHRCA). It tasked the group
with coordinating and convening federal agencies to discuss HAB and hypoxia events in the U.S.,
and to develop action plans, reports, and assessments of these situations. The IWG-HABHRCA is
co-chaired by representatives from EPA and NOAA, and it is composed of the following member
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agencies and departments: CDC, FDA, NIEHS, USACE, USGS, BOEM, NPS, FWS, NASA,
USD A, DOS, and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
2018 Farm Bill Source Water Protection Provisions
EPA collaborates with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), state and
utility partners to develop implementation strategies and guidance to comply with the 2018 Farm
Bill provisions. These provisions dedicate at least 10 percent of total funds available for
conservation programs (apart from the Conservation Reserve Program) to be used for source water
protection. In addition, the Agency partners with NRCS to foster collaboration at the state and
local levels to identify priority source water protection areas in each state to address agriculture-
related impacts to drinking water sources. EPA also is collaborating with USFS in developing
strategies to implement the 2018 Farm Bill (Title VIII, Subtitle D, Section 8404) Source Water
Protection provisions requiring a "Water Source Protection Program" on National Forest Service
(NFS) lands. EPA is supporting USFS by fostering partnerships with state, utilities, and other water
stakeholders.
National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)
The Agency works with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which
implements Farm Bill conservation programs that can help control nonpoint source pollution. The
National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) partnership with USDA focuses federal resources on
agricultural sources of pollution in select watersheds in every state. Between FY 2017 and FY
2022, over $43.3 million in Clean Water Act section 319 funding was invested in NWQI
watersheds, which was matched by over $52.4 million in nonfederal funding.2 These conservation
efforts have reduced sediment loss from cropland by >1.2 million tons, reduced phosphorous loss
by >3.4 million pounds and reduced nitrogen loss by >15.2 million pounds.
Gulf Hypoxia Task Force
EPA, as the federal chair of the Gulf Hypoxia Task Force, works with member federal agencies
(USDA, NOAA, USGS) and twelve member states to continue implementation of the 2008 Gulf
Hypoxia Action Plan. A key goal of the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan is to improve water quality in
the Mississippi River Basin and reduce the size of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico by
implementing existing and innovative approaches to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in
the Basin and the Gulf. The Hypoxia Task Force is developing basin-wide metrics, while Task
Force member states are using Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act resources to implement
nutrient reduction strategies, partner with land grant universities, report on measures to track
progress, and identify a need for adaptive management. State support for effective nutrient
reduction in the Gulf is coordinated with other Hypoxia Task Force federal member agencies, such
as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Geological Survey, in high-priority watersheds.
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program
The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, established by section 6217 of the Coastal Zone
Act Reauthorization Amendments, addresses nonpoint source pollution problems in coastal
waters. Section 6217 requires states and territories with approved Coastal Zone Management
Programs to develop Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs. In its program, a state or
territory describes how it will implement nonpoint source pollution controls, known as
2 Data as of February 20,2024.
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management measures. This program is administered jointly with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration
The EPA Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration
(NRDA) Program works closely with federal (NOAA, DOI, USD A) and state (5 Gulf states)
NRDA co-Trustees to evaluate, select, and implement projects to restore Gulf of Mexico natural
resources injured by the DWH oil spill. This restoration effort provides the opportunity for EPA
and co-Trustees to collaborate on a wide variety of issues across the Gulf that are important to the
federal co-Trustees including water quality, nutrient reduction, fisheries, wetlands, marine debris,
coastal resilience, monitoring, and adaptive management.
The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA)
The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) regulates the disposition of any
material in the ocean unless expressly excluded under MPRSA. Under the MPRSA, EPA is
responsible for establishing criteria for reviewing and evaluating permit applications, as well as
issuing MPRSA permits for materials other than dredged material (for example, MPRSA
emergency, research, general, and special permits). This will include addressing MPRSA
permitting requests for climate mitigation approaches including ocean-based carbon dioxide
removal activities or ocean-based solar radiation management activities. In the United States, the
primary material (in terms of volume) disposed of in the ocean is dredged material, which is
sediment that is excavated or otherwise removed from our nation's waterways. The removal of
sediment supports a network of coastal ports and harbors that are used for commercial,
transportation, national defense and recreational purposes. Under the MPRSA, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for issuing ocean dumping permits and federal project
authorizations, using EPA's environmental criteria. All MPRSA permits and federal project
authorizations for ocean dumping of dredged material are subject to EPA review and written
concurrence. EPA and USACE together develop site management and monitoring plans for each
designated ocean dredged material disposal site. In the United States, the MPRSA implements the
requirements of the London Convention, where EPA collaborates with the State Department,
USACE, USACE, USCG, DOE, NOAA, DOD, Navy, NASA, and DOI.
Vessels
EPA works closely under the Clean Water Act to jointly regulate vessels of the armed forces with
the Department of Defense through the Department of the Navy. EPA works closely with the U.S.
Coast Guard to regulate incidental discharges from commercial vessels - EPA establishes
discharge standards that become effective once the Coast Guard issues implementing regulations
under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act.
Urban Waters Federal Partnership
EPA leads the Urban Waters Federal Partnership with over 15 federal partner agencies, including
DOI and USD A, to support 21 Urban Waters locations. The Urban Waters Federal Partnership
reconnects urban communities, particularly those that are overburdened or economically
distressed, with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and
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collaborating with community-led revitalization efforts to improve our nation's waters and
promote their economic, environmental, and social benefits.
Wetlands
EPA works closely with US ACE to oversee and implement the Clean Water Act section 404
permitting program. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act establishes a program to regulate the
discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. EPA
develops and interprets policy, guidance, and environmental criteria used in evaluating permit
applications; determines scope of geographic jurisdiction and applicability of exemptions; and
reviews and comments on individual permit applications. EPA also coordinates with the Fish and
Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on certain permitting actions.
Interagency Coastal Wetlands Workgroup
EPA works on the Coastal Wetlands Initiative in partnership with a number of federal agencies
involved in coastal wetlands conservation, including FWS, NMFS, DOT, USGS, USD A, and
US ACE. The goal of the Interagency Coastal Wetlands Workgroup is to reduce and reverse the
trend of coastal wetland loss. The workgroup has developed a series of recommendations to
address coastal wetland loss grouped under five themes: increasing the acreage of wetlands
restored in coastal watersheds; reducing loss of coastal wetlands to development; reducing loss of
coastal wetlands associated with silviculture in the Southeast; supporting the collection,
enhancement, and dissemination of landscape-scale wetland monitoring data; and conducting
targeted outreach and stakeholder engagement.
Coral Reef Task Force
EPA partners with other federal agencies in support of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF).
The USCRTF was established in 1998 by Presidential Executive Order to lead U.S. efforts to
preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. The USCRTF includes federal agencies, states,
territories, commonwealths, and Freely Associated States. The USCRTF helps build partnerships,
strategies, and support for on-the-ground action to conserve coral reefs.
National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC)
EPA partners with other federal agencies, states and other organizations to promote water quality
monitoring. The NWQMC includes representatives from NOAA, Forest Service, NRCS, FWS,
NPS and participation from USGS. A key deliverable of the NWQMC is the National Monitoring
Conference. The NWQMC established a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI)
workgroup to advance inclusion of JEDI issues in programming and expand representation of
Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or
questioning, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTQ+) in the conference.
National Aquatic Resource Surveys
EPA partners with other federal agencies, states, territories, and tribes in implementation of NARS,
a national monitoring network producing statistically representative assessments on the condition
of the nation's rivers and streams, lakes, wetlands, coastal estuaries, and Great Lakes nearshore
waters. Federal agencies that have participated in NARS include NRCS, NPS, FS, BLM, and
USGS.
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Advice about Eating Fish and Shellfish
FDA and EPA collaborate to issue advice regarding eating fish and shellfish that are lower in
mercury and other contaminants. This advice is for those who might become pregnant, are
pregnant, or are breastfeeding as well as parents and caregivers who are feeding children. It can
help people make informed choices about the types of fish that are nutritious and safe to eat.
National Water Reuse Action Plan Development and Implementation
EPA continues to lead the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) in close partnership with
our Federal Partners across the full spectrum of water users. Since 2020, the effort has grown to
include 157 organizations and 69 coordinated actions, with publicly available products that expand
water reuse expertise and address implementation challenges. The Water Reuse Interagency
Working Group, formally established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with participants
from more than ten federal agencies, demonstrates leadership through WRAP implementation and
is celebrating its second year of coordinating and developing tools, actions and resources to
advance water reuse. The Working Group will release a report to Congress in 2024 that presents
key information and outcomes related to its duties and outlines anticipated future activities.
Federal Partners include components of the Executive Office of the President, HHS, DHS, GSA,
US AID, USD A, DOD, DOE, DOI, and the State Department.
Land and Emergency Management Programs
Brownfields
EPA's Brownfields and Land Revitalization Programs partner with the NPS's River, Trails and
Conservation Assistance Program to support Groundwork USA and individual Groundwork Trust
organizations in their efforts to engage youth in brownfields redevelopment and community
revitalization.
Superfund Remedial Program
The Superfund Remedial Program maintains ongoing coordination and collaboration with
ATSDR, NIEHS, HUD, and USACE as well as with the Federal Mining Dialogue and the Federal
Remediation Technologies Roundtable, two multi-agency consortia. Interaction with these entities
enhances program implementation through activities that are mutually beneficial, such as
information sharing and resource leveraging. For example, ATSDR has a statutory mandate to
complete health assessments on sites listed on EPA's National Priorities List while EPA conducts
site characterization and remediation. Moreover, EPA site managers work with their ATSDR
counterparts to coordinate public human health messaging. For NIEHS, EPA collaborates and
coordinates academic research related to contaminant toxicities, site characterization and
remediation and risk communication. EPA collaborates with HUD on residential risk evaluation
and mitigation, while the Agency's work with USACE spans a wide range of technical,
management and acquisition support functions to implement or oversee responsible party
Superfund project implementation for the remedial and removal programs. EPA's participation in
the Federal Mining Dialogue has established the Agency's role in a multi-agency (e.g., DOE, DOI,
etc.) partnership to address abandoned hard rock mining sites on federal and mixed ownership
lands. Membership in the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable facilitates EPA's
collaboration with multiple federal entities, such as DOD, NASA, DOT, to advance the use of
innovative technologies to clean up hazardous waste contamination. EPA also co-chairs with DOE
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and DOD a subgroup of the PFAS Interagency Policy Committee (IPC) on PFAS cleanup and
disposal. The purpose is to foster inter-agency collaboration and communication to accelerate
PFAS cleanups. USDA, EPA, SBA, OMB/OIRA, DHS, DOT/FAA, OSTP and CEQ also
participate in this IPC subgroup and CEQ leads the IPC group.
Superfund Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Program
EPA's Superfund Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Program coordinates with other Federal
Agencies (OFAs); state, tribal, and local governments; and communities to implement its statutory
responsibilities to ensure protective and efficient cleanup and reuse of federally contaminated land
on the Federal Agency Hazardous Waste Compliance Docket and the NPL. Successful
coordination requires strong partnerships and enhanced engagement by having regularly scheduled
and ad hoc meetings that target and resolve critical programmatic issues, emphasize selection and
implementation of protective cleanups, and recognize site reuse opportunities and successes. EPA
has committed to early engagement with our partners that focus on issues with a problem-solving
and action-oriented approach.
The Program also coordinates with national organizations that help to improve engagement such
as the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO), the
Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC), and the Environmental Council of the
States (ECOS). ASTSWMO has a Federal Facilities Research Center Subcommittee that promotes
and enhances state and territory involvement in the cleanup and reuse of contaminated federal
facilities and fosters information exchange by and between states, territories, and OF As. This
includes identifying and researching emerging issues related to state and federal cleanup programs
at federal facility sites, producing and disseminating resource documents and tools, and working
with EPA and OF As on a variety of federal facility issues and forums. Current topics of interest
include addressing contaminants of emerging concern like PFAS; ensuring Applicable or Relevant
and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) are identified and implemented; coordination with
civilian federal agencies; Performance-Based Contracting; and participating in the implementation
and oversight of the Munitions Response Program. ITRC is a state-led coalition working to reduce
barriers to the use of innovative air, water, waste, and remediation environmental technologies and
processes. ITRC produces documents and training that broaden and deepen technical knowledge
and expedite quality regulatory decision making while protecting human health and the
environment. EPA, along with OF As and industry representatives, works through ITRC in defining
continuing research needs through its teams including on topics of relevance and benefit to federal
facility sites, like PFAS, chemicals of emerging concern, and performance-based optimization of
pump and treat systems.
Through the establishment of a national cleanup dialogue with the DOE and the states in
coordination with ECOS, EPA supports special emphasis engagement for nuclear weapons sites,
the largest and costliest portfolio of remaining federal facilities cleanup work. The Dialogue
enhances ongoing working relationships in the cleanup of DOE Environmental Management sites
and focuses on topics of mutual relevance and highest priority to ensure timely advancement of
protective cleanups. The Dialogue exemplifies how collaboration can advance DOE sites and
foster an understanding of challenges and successes nationally.
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EPA also participates with OF As and states on the Munitions Response Dialogue (MRD), partners
with DOD research and development programs on munitions management and environmental
restoration. Current MRD activities include EPA, DOD, Federal Land Management Agencies, and
states updating and harmonizing previous munitions risk/hazard assessment methodologies. The
MRD's goal is to achieve consensus on an updated munitions risk/hazard assessment
methodology. EPA also co-chairs the Intergovernmental Data Quality Task Force (IDQTF) with
DoD and DOE. The IDQTF works to ensure that environmental data are of known and documented
quality and suitable for the intended use.
EPA actively participates in the Defense Environmental Restoration Program and Formerly Used
Defense Sites (FUDS) forums hosted by the DOD. DOD's gathering of State and Federal
regulators offers a unique opportunity to partner, share information, and facilitate more efficient
and effective management of DoD's cleanup program. Recent forums focused on emerging issues,
best practices, and lessons learned, as well as new policies and technology investments to
maximize efficiencies and minimize the time it takes to complete cleanup at active, Base
Realignment and Closure installations, and FUDS. Similar forums hosted by DOD service
components provide EPA and states further opportunities for engagement, often focused on topics
tailored to the unique aspects of the response programs of the Army, Navy or Air Force.
Accelerate Work to Clean-up Contaminated Lands Under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
(ANCSA)
EPA with the other federal agencies (DOI, DOD and others as needed) will use a whole-of-
government approach to clean up and address lands that were contaminated when transferred under
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Agencies will strengthen collaboration
between the Federal government, the State of Alaska, Alaska Native Corporations, Tribes, and
Alaska Native Organizations to improve data and transparency through the creation of a joint
inventory and public facing dashboard; prioritize assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites;
and initiate cleanup of sites that have not yet been addressed.
RCRA Waste Minimization and Recycling: Supporting Sustainable Materials Management and a
Circular Economy for All
Natural resource extraction and processing make up approximately 50 percent of total GHG
emissions. Under RCRA, EPA provides data, information, guidelines, tools, and technical
assistance on resource conservation, recycling, and resource recovery. As part of this work, EPA
focuses on increasing the conservation and recovery of municipal solid waste (e.g., plastics,
aluminum, paper, food waste) and industrial waste (e.g., construction and demolition materials) to
advance a circular economy. EPA is working closely with other federal agencies to implement
EPA's 2021 National Recycling Strategy, the 2020 Save our Seas Act 2.0, and the 2021
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), as well as to develop, finalize and implement
additional strategies on plastics, food waste and organics, critical minerals and electronics, textiles,
and the built environment.
The Save our Seas Act 2.0, passed by Congress in December 2020, demonstrates bipartisan
congressional support and provides EPA with authority to further act on domestic recycling and
address plastic waste through new grant programs, studies, and extensive federal coordination.
EPA is coordinating with DOE, several offices within the DOC (NIST, NOAA, USTR and ITA),
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and USAID to implement the Save our Seas 2.0 Act, with particular emphasis on addressing the
global plastic pollution challenge. In FY 2023, EPA released the Draft National Strategy to
Prevent Plastic Pollution and anticipates implementing the final strategy in FY 2025.
EPA works collaboratively with USDA, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to
reduce food waste in support of the national goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50 percent
by 2030. In FY 2024, EPA released the Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste
and Recycling Organics in partnership with USDA and FDA and anticipates implementing the
final strategy in FY 2025. EPA also provides national estimates of food waste generation and
management and convenes, educates, and supports communities seeking to reduce food waste.
The IIJA was enacted on November 15, 2021. The IIJA provides funding for the Waste
Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program grants under section 302(a) of the Save Our
Seas 2.0 Act as well as education and outreach grants focused on improving material recycling,
recovery, management. The IIJA also establishes new programs focused on battery recycling and
directs EPA to develop a model recycling program toolkit, increase coordination on federal
procurement guidelines, and provide assistance to the educational community to incorporate
recycling best practices into school curriculum. EPA coordinates closely with DOE on the
development of battery recycling best practices and the voluntary labeling program, as DOE also
received significant new IIJA funding to advance battery recycling.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Poly chlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Programs
The RCRA Corrective Action Program coordinates closely with OF As, primarily DOD and DOE,
which have many corrective action sites. A top agency priority is to help federal facilities meet the
Program's goals of investigating and cleaning up hazardous releases. EPA also coordinates with
other agencies on cleanup and disposal issues posed by PCBs under the authority of the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Emergency Preparedness and Response
EPA plays a major role in reducing the risks that accidental and intentional releases of harmful
substances and oil discharges pose to human health and the environment. EPA's leadership in
federal preparedness begins with co-chairing the National Response Team (NRT) and the 13
Regional Response Teams (RRTs) with the USCG. These teams, which have member participation
from 15 total federal agencies (EPA, USCG, DOS, DOD, DHS/FEMA, DOE, USDA, DHHS
(including CDC, NIOSH, and ATSDR), DOI, DOC, DOT, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), DOJ, and the U.S. Department of Labor [DOL]
[including OSHA]), provide guidance and deliver federal assistance to state, local, and tribal
governments to plan for and respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other major
environmental incidents. This requires coordination with many federal, state, and local agencies.
The Agency participates with other federal agencies to develop national planning and
implementation policies at the operational level.
The National Response Framework (NRF), under the direction of DHS, provides for the delivery
of federal assistance to states to help them deal with the consequences of terrorist events, acts of
malfeasance, as well as natural and other significant disasters. EPA maintains the lead
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responsibility for the NRF's Emergency Support Function #10 (covering inland hazardous
materials and petroleum releases) and participates in the Federal Emergency Support Function
Leaders Group which addresses NRF planning and implementation at the operational level.
EPA supports the Weapons of Mass Destruction Strategic Group (WMDSG) crisis-action team
intended to coordinate the United States Government's efforts to successfully resolve a WMD
threat and support interagency senior leader decision making. The WMDSG is comprised of over
50 SMEs representing over 15 different departments and agencies. The WMDSG is on call
24/7/365 to respond to the FBI's Strategic Information and Operations Center (SIOC) within two
hours. The WMDSG - led by the FBI - provides enhanced coordination by focusing on
information sharing and operation synchronization. The WMDSG helps maintain situational
awareness by working directly with FBI Counterterrorism Division (CTD) regarding investigative
activities, and the National Assets Command Post (NACP) regarding crisis operations.
EPA participates as a member of the FEMA Domestic Emergency Support Team (DEST) which,
during a Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD) incident or credible threat, serves to provide expert
advice, guidance, and support to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Assistant Director in
Charge (ADIC) or Special Agent in Charge (SAC). The Consequence Management Coordination
Unit (CMCU) is a national level incident support element responsible for strategic consequence
management decision support to the FEMA Administrator, the FBI WMDSG, and provides
support to the DEST.
The National Biodefense Strategy (NBS) provides a single coordinated effort to orchestrate the
full range of activity that is carried out across the United States Government to protect the
American people from biological threats. The National Security Presidential Memorandum
(NSPM)-14 strategy explains how the United States Government will manage its activities more
effectively to assess, prevent, detect, prepare for, respond to, and recover from biological threats
by coordinating its biodefense efforts with those of international partners, industry, academia, non-
governmental entities, and the private sector. The Biodefense Steering Committee, chaired by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, and comprising the Secretary of State, the Secretary of
Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the
Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency,
will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the execution of the strategy and its
implementation plan, and ensuring federal coordination with domestic and international
government and non-governmental partners. EPA regularly works with the Biodefense Steering
Committee to address questions from the White House Security Council.
EPA supports the DHS Science and Technology Directorate through Interagency Agreements to
conduct bench-scale research and full-scale field studies to improve the nation's ability to respond
to and recover from terrorist incidents. These multi-year, interagency efforts include critical efforts
to improve consequence management of wide-area biological events, chemical warfare agent
attacks, and radiological incidents.
EPA continues to provide critical assets and expertise as members of DHS's nuclear incident
response team (NIRT). EPA maintains mission capable systems and personnel trained to respond
to a nuclear incident. EPA coordinates and collaborates with the DOE as part of NIRT. EPA and
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DOE participate in joint exercises and data exchanges to ensure our national programs provide
equivalent capabilities during response activities.
EPA continuously monitors DOD investments and technological developments as they mature
from basic research through advanced manufacturing for potential transition to civilian
applications and reducing or eliminating duplication of efforts. Through the DOD- sponsored
multi-agency aligned irregular warfare support directorate program, EPA submits and reviews
partner agency requirements to identify synergistic efforts throughout all of government. EPA is
providing DOD organizations laboratory sampling capacity for chemical warfare demilitarization
operations at army depots. EPA can mobilize units to these army depots and perform Chemical
Agent Standard Analytical Reference Material (CASARM) Quality Assurance Plan compliant
analytical services, which illustrates the strong partnership and alignment with the organizations.
Chemical Accident Prevention and Response
Under CAA Section 112(r), EPA administers the Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations
designed to prevent and respond to chemical accidents at fixed facilities that use or store more than
a threshold quantity (TQ) of listed highly toxic or flammable substances in a process. In
administering these regulations, EPA collaborates closely with other federal agencies, including
DOL, DOT, DHS, and others. An important nexus for this collaboration is the National Working
Group on Chemical Safety and Security, which includes participation by EPA, DOL/OSHA, DHS,
DOT, and BATF. The Working Group was initially formed as a result of Executive Order 13650
- Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security - which tasked federal agencies with various
actions to further improve chemical facility safety and security in coordination with facility owners
and operators. Through the Working Group, EPA works with federal agency partners to share
information, develop fact sheets and guidance, and coordinate regulatory and policy actions
relating to chemical safety and security. EPA also conducts additional regular coordination with
DOL and OSHA, which administer the OSHA Process Safety Management standard, a regulation
that shares common provisions with EPA's RMP regulations.
Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, EPA administers regulations
that establish the list of extremely hazardous substances for community emergency response
planning, as well as regulations that establish chemical inventory and release reporting
requirements. In administering these regulations, EPA works closely with DOT, DHS, FEMA,
and other agencies that are involved in planning for chemical emergencies. For example, EPA
collaborates with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop the
Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) software suite and Tier II
Submit software, which provide free computer software tools to help fire departments, local
emergency agencies and other stakeholders manage chemical inventory information and develop
and implement emergency response plans.
Oil and Chemical Spills
EPA is responsible for maintaining the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP), which sets out the federal government's blueprint for responding to oil
and hazardous substance spills. More specifically, the NCP details federal responsibilities and
procedures for preparing for and responding to discharges of oil or releases of hazardous
substances, pollutants, or contaminants in inland and coastal zones of the U.S. EPA is authorized
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to amend the NCP in consultation with other federal agencies. Under the NCP, EPA serves as the
pre-designated On-Scene Coordinator for oil discharges and hazardous substance releases in the
inland zone. As part of its responsibilities, EPA also maintains a list—called the Product
Schedule—of dispersants and other chemical and bioremediation products that may be authorized
for use during an oil spill.
EPA helps agencies such as FWS and the USCG and works in coordination to address oil
discharges nationwide. EPA also assists agencies with judicial referrals when enforcement of
violations becomes necessary. In addition, EPA and the USCG work in coordination to address oil
spills nationwide. Under the authorities provided by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(FWPCA) or Clean Water Act (CWA), EPA develops oil discharge response, prevention, and
preparedness regulations. EPA also provides compliance monitoring activities to enforce these
regulations and coordinates with USCG, DOT, and BSEE in their implementation.
EPA serves as member of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research
(ICCOPR) established under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. ICCOPR coordinates a comprehensive
program of oil pollution research, technology development, and demonstration among federal
agencies in cooperation and coordination with external entities, such as industry, universities,
research institutions, state governments, and other nations, as appropriate. Comprised of 16 federal
agencies, ICCOPR is chaired by USCG, with EPA having served in a rotating Vice Chair capacity.
ICCOPR develops priorities for oil spill research across the federal government on a 6-year cycle
and prepares biennial reports to Congress on research activities and key interagency committee
activities.
Strengthen Human Health and Environmental Protection in Indian Country
EPA, DOI, DHHS, USDA, and HUD work through several MOUs as partners to improve
infrastructure on tribal lands. All five federal partners have committed to continue federal
coordination in delivering services to tribal communities. The Infrastructure Task Force has built
on prior partner successes, including improved access to funding and reduced administrative
burden for tribal communities through the review and streamlining of agency policies, regulations,
and directives as well as improved coordination of technical assistance to water service providers
and solid waste managers through regular coordination meetings and web-based tools.
Homeland Security
EPA's Homeland Security, Preparedness and Response Program continues to develop and
maintain agency assets and capabilities to respond to and support nationally significant incidents
with emphasis on those involving chemical warfare agents. The Program implements a broad range
of activities for a variety of internal and multi-agency efforts consistent with the NRF and the
Homeland Security Presidential Directives that EPA leads or supports. This includes being the
lead analytical agency for environmental sampling during a CWA incident. EPA also coordinates
its preparedness activities with DHS, FEMA, FBI, and other federal, state, and local agencies.
Research to Support Homeland Security
EPA collaborates with numerous agencies on Homeland Security research to leverage funding
across multiple programs and produce synergistic results. EPA's Homeland Security Research
Program and OLEM work with DHS provide science-based information and options to support
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decisions made in its role as a lead agency responsible for cleanup during a Stafford Act declaration
under ESF-10 and as the lead agency for water infrastructure. EPA also works with the DOD and
its sub-organizations in its research work related to biological and chemical warfare agents.
Further, EPA participates in a tri-agency research partnership (Technical Coordination Working
Group [TCWG]) with the DOD and DHS that focuses on chemical and biological defense needs
and gaps. TCWG activities include information sharing; joint science and technology research
projects; and complementing policies. EPA also collaborates with the CDC in conducting
biological agent research.
EPA works with these aforementioned entities and others to address areas of mutual interest and
concern related to both homeland security cleanup and water infrastructure protection issues. The
Program conducts joint research with USDA and DOI focusing on addressing homeland security
threats at the intersection of the environment/public health and agriculture/natural resources. EPA
also works with DOE to access and conduct research at the DOE's National Laboratories
specialized research facilities, such as to establish the Water Security Test Bed and develop
analytical capabilities for biological and chemical agents in environmental matrices.
Research to Support Land and Emergency Management Programs
EPA has complementary and joint programs with DOI (e.g., USGS, BLM), DOE, HHS (e.g.,
NIEHS), DOA (e.g., USFS), USACE, NOAA, and many others to minimize duplication, maximize
scope, and maintain a real-time information flow for land remediation, sustainable materials
management, human and environmental health, and other wellbeing issues. EPA coordinates its
research to support a range of environmental priorities at other federal agencies, including work
with DOD in its Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program and the
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, and work with DOE and its Office of
Health and Environmental Research. EPA also conducts collaborative laboratory research with
DOD, DOI, and USGS to improve characterization and risk management options for dealing with
subsurface contamination. Additionally, EPA works through the Environmental Research Institute
of the States (ERIS) and its Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) in defining
continuing research needs through its teams on topics including PFAS, radionuclides, and
brownfields. EPA leverages the leadership support provided by OSTP's National Science and
Technology Council to coordinate our research and activities with other federal agencies.
Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Programs
Coordination for General Issues Relating to Chemical Safety
EPA established an Interagency Policy Group comprised of other federal agencies with interest
and expertise in chemical issues to hold periodic meetings to obtain input on significant actions
such as the TSCA risk evaluations, rules, and potential existing chemical candidates for
Prioritization under TSCA. The agencies on the Interagency Policy Group include: CPSC, DOD,
OMB, NASA, DOL, SBA, NIH, FDA, and CDC. EPA has utilized this group to review TSCA
materials including, but not limited to, documents related to the scoping of existing chemicals for
risk evaluation. Additionally, EPA has initiated regular engagement with both NIOSH and OSHA
to discuss occupational exposure assessments and risk management.
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EPA also engages in biannual meetings with the OMNE Committee,3 which includes the OSHA,
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), NIOSH, and theNIEHS. The OMNE Committee
exists to provide a venue for federal agencies to share information and coordinate activities
regarding proposed rules, risk assessments, and risk management strategies for controlling
exposure to chemicals.
Furthermore, EPA is actively engaged in multiple working groups related to the National
Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) including the US - EU Community of Researchers for
Nanotechnology, the Interagency Nano-plastics group, the Nanotechnology Signature Initiative
for Sensors and the Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications (NEHI) working
group.
Interagency Testing Committee
TSCA section 4(e) created the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee (1TC) as an independent
advisory committee to the Administrator of the U.S. EPA. The ITC was created to make
recommendations to the EPA Administrator on prioritizing and selecting chemicals for testing or
information reporting to meet the coordinated data needs of its member U.S. Government
organizations. These chemicals are added to the "Priority Testing List". The ITC meets every six
months to discuss testing needs and transmits any recommended revisions to the Priority Testing
List to the EPA Administrator for action and publication in the Federal Register. In addition to
EPA, statutory members of the ITC include CPSC, CEQ, DOC, FDA, NIEHS, NIOSH, NSF, and
OSHA. Liaison members include ATSDR, DOD, DOI and USD A.
Federal Lead Action Plan
Established by Executive Order 13045, the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks
and Safety Risks to Children comprises 17 federal departments and offices and is co-chaired by
the Secretary of DHHS and the EPA Administrator. In December 2018, through cross-
governmental collaboration, the Task Force unveiled the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood
Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts (Federal Lead Action Plan). The Federal Lead
Action Plan is a blueprint for reducing lead exposure and associated harms by working with a
range of stakeholders, including states, tribes, and local communities, along with businesses,
property owners and parents. In 2019, EPA released the Implementation Status Report for EPA
Actions under the December 2018 Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and
Associated Health Impacts4 and Progress Report on the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood
Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts.5 In FY 2025, the Agency will continue to lead
those goals and actions, coordinate with federal, state, tribal and community partners to amplify
the impacts, and report on activities and implementation, as appropriate.
Participation in International Agreements addressing Chemicals and Pesticide Management
To participate effectively in international agreements addressing chemicals and pesticide
management (e.g., the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Minamata
3 The OMNE Committee is named for the first letter in each participating agency's name.
4 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-
04/docuiiients/leadiiiipleiiientatioiibooklet april2019.pdf.
5 For additional information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-
10/documents/lead action plan booklet v8_004.pdf.
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Convention on Mercury, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedures for
Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Strategic Approach to
International Chemicals Management, CODEX Alimentarius, and a wide range of multilateral,
regional, and bilateral free trade agreements), EPA coordinates with other federal agencies, such
as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), DOS, DOC, USDA, DOE, FDA, and
DHHS on a regular basis to develop the policy views and positions of the United States.
EPA also coordinates with other parts of the U.S. Government, including the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), NIH, and CPSC, on more technical international
matters related to the safety and management of chemicals and pesticides. At the regional and
global levels, EPA engages in bilateral cooperation and information exchange with a wide range
of countries and regional organizations, such as the European Union (EU), Canada, China,
Australia, Japan, Brazil, and many others.
In addition to participating in the U.S. Government trade development process, EPA also
specifically engages in trilateral cooperation with Canada and Mexico through the U.S.-Mexico-
Canada (USMCA) Free Trade Agreement, particularly with respect to the provisions related to
agriculture, technical barriers to trade, and environment, among others. Such engagement is
designed to promote further trade and regional cooperation among the three governments through
targeted efforts and technical working groups. EPA is engaged within the USMCA's CEC on a
project to build transparency on industrial chemical releases and transfers of waste to support
increased data compatibility, digital tools for analyzing waste handling practices and identification
of potential compliance issues and strategies to promote pollution prevention opportunities. More
broadly, EPA is working within the USMCA's CEC on projects to identify strategies to address
pollutants, especially short-lived climate pollutants, encourage nature-based solutions and other
pollution prevention approaches, and support community resilience and climate adaptation
strategies.
EPA has a longstanding program of cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD) on various topics of mutual concern such as the development of
guidance, methods, tools, and sharing of best practices in the areas of risk assessment and risk
management of chemicals and pesticides. For example, EPA serves as the National Coordinator
for the United States in support of the OECD Test Guidelines Program's mutual acceptance of
data work, which aims to reduce the need to repeat health effects studies due to incompatible test
protocols. Additionally, among others working groups and committees, EPA is engaged in the
OECD Working Group on Pesticides (WGP), which shares pesticide registration work and develop
tools to monitor and minimize pesticide risk to human health and the environment, and with the
Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee, which oversees eleven working groups and other
subsidiary bodies in the chemicals and pesticide arenas. In addition, EPA chairs the OECD
Working Party on Risk Management, which share information relating to activities relevant to
regulatory and non-regulatory risk management efforts.
Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
EPA also participates significantly with other agencies and international organizations in the
development, coordination, and delivery of capacity-building and technical assistance. For
example, EPA is collaborating with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service and the Inter-American
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Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture to address the many inquiries from foreign countries on
pesticide registrations, standard setting processes, maximum residue level (MRL) harmonization,
and risk assessment procedures. The Agency also collaborates with USDA's Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service on research on foreign animal disease to determine decontamination and
waste management strategies following large outbreaks impacting livestock (e.g., African Swine
Fever, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
Certification and Training, Worker Protection, IPM, and Environmental Stewardship
EPA will continue to coordinate with USD A, DOD, DOI, DOE, tribes, territories, and states to
implement Certification Plans for pesticide applicators who use the riskiest pesticides. EPA
provides technical guidance and assistance to the states and tribes in the implementation of all
pesticide program activities, such as protecting workers, promoting Integrated Pest Management
and environmental stewardship. EPA also provides support through grants, cooperative
agreements, or interagency agreements with states, tribes, and other partners, including
universities, non-profit organizations, other federal agencies, pesticide users, environmental
groups, and other entities, as necessary, to assist in strengthening and implementing EPA's
pesticide activities, such as worker protection, pollinator protection and certifying pesticide
applicators.
Assessing Potential Pesticide Risks with Supplemental Data
EPA relies on data from DHHS and USDA to supplement data from the pesticide industry to assist
the Agency in assessing the potential risks of pesticides in the diets of adults and children.
Specifically, EPA uses National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) food consumption
survey data developed by the DHHS, as well as pesticide residue data in food commodities
generated by the USDA in its Pesticide Data Program (PDP) as inputs for dietary risk assessment.
Endangered Species & Pollinator Protection
EPA will continue collaborating with the USDA, FWS, and NMFS on protecting endangered and
threatened species and improving methods for assessing potential risks and effects of pesticides to
them. EPA, in cooperation with USDA, other federal agencies, state agencies, tribes, territories,
and other entities, will continue to address pesticide risks to bees and other pollinators which are
critical to our environment and the production of food crops.
Public Health Protection and Initiatives
EPA regularly consults and collaborates with DHHS, USDA, FDA, and DOD on pesticide actions
that may have implications for public health. Additional efforts are being made to implement a
framework intended to expand the federal government's process for assessing the risk that certain
antibacterial or antifungal pesticides may pose to the effectiveness of human and animal drugs.
Homeland Security - Protecting Food & Agriculture Sectors
EPA collaborates with the agencies such as DOD, DHS, DHHS, USDA, FDA, FEMA, and other
federal, tribal, and state organizations on a variety of homeland security issues as part of the
Government Coordinating Council (GCC) For Food and Agriculture. The issues focus on
protecting the public and food and agriculture sector from various threats (e.g., biological agents,
diseases, or natural disasters) which are vital to critical functions of the government and private
sector. EPA collaborates with these organizations on many issues such as research pertaining to
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effective disinfectants for high threat microorganisms, planning for response to various potential
incidents, training and development of policies and guidelines. Technical and analytical support is
provided to EPA Regions and states specific to enforcement and litigation of possible illegal
pesticides and/or contamination of registered products. In addition to GCC efforts, EPA continues
to partner with the OSHA, NIOSH, and CPSC on risk assessment and risk mitigation activities.
Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) and State and Tribal Stakeholder Groups
One of the Agency's methods for receiving input on pesticide issues has been the Pesticide
Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC), a Federal Advisory Committee, that brings together a
broad cross-section of knowledgeable stakeholders from organizations that represent divergent
views in order to discuss pesticide regulatory, policy, and implementation issues. The PPDC
includes members from federal and state governments, industry/trade associations, pesticide user
and commodity groups, consumer and environmental/public interest groups, and others. The
PPDC provides a structured environment for meaningful information exchanges and discussions,
and keeping the public involved in decisions that affect them. Dialogue with outside groups is
essential for the Agency to remain responsive to the needs of its many partners. EPA also works
extensively with the Association of American Pest Control Officials and the Tribal Pesticide
Program Council to maximize communication with states, tribes, and territories on pesticide
implementation issues.
General Research to Support Chemical Safety
EPA participates in a multi-agency effort under the Tox21 Consortium. Tox21 pools chemical
research, data and screening tools from multiple federal agencies including the NIH and FDA.
EPA has contributed a chemical library, currently exceeding 4,000 chemicals, to the Tox21 testing
program.6'7 Nearly all of this library includes data from EPA's Toxicity Forecaster (ToxCast™),
an effort that utilizes existing resources to develop faster, more thorough predictions of how
chemicals may affect human and environmental health. The Tox21 Consortium has screened
thousands of chemicals with more than 70 assays, resulting in more than 120 million data points
which can inform decision making regarding the safety of chemicals. The full Tox21 library
comprises approximately equal sized contributions from the EPA, the National Toxicology
Program (NTP), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).
EPA is committed to working collaboratively with federal, state, tribal and local partners to address
the challenges posed by PFAS. Efforts include working with other federal agencies to address
scientific challenges such as the lack of published toxicity data for most PFAS chemicals. The
results will be used to identify categories of PFAS chemicals having similar structural and
toxicological properties that may inform the development and strength of predictive toxicological
models. EPA anticipates increased interagency collaboration on PFAS research and development
efforts through an OSTP-led interagency working group, established as required by the FY 2021
National Defense Authorization Act.
6 Collins, F.S., Gray, G.M., andBucher, J.R. (2008). Transforming environmental health protection. Science, 319, 906-907. doi:
10.1126/science. 1154619.
7 Tice, R.R., Austin, C.P., Kavlock, R.J., and Bucher, J.R. (2013). Improving the human hazard characterization of chemicals: a
Tox21 update. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121,156-165. doi: 10.1289/ehp. 1205784.
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EPA's chemical safety research strongly supports the development of New Approach Methods
(NAMs), which improve the Agency's understanding of chemical toxicity. EPA research informed
development of a guidance document, published in June 2023,8 on the use of developmental
neurotoxicity NAMs data in Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) case
studies. This work was done in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) and other international regulatory partners.
Research to Support Agencywide Risk Assessment Activities
EPA collaborates globally with other federal agencies on research to accelerate the pace of
chemical risk assessment and to provide greater regulatory certainty for the public. EPA is working
with Health Canada and the European Joint Research Center on the development and testing of
new non-animal approach methodologies to evaluate chemicals quickly and cost-effectively for
safety. These new approach methods are a critical part of implementing the TSCA Strategic Plan
to reduce, refine, and replace the use of vertebrates in toxicity testing and evaluation. EPA also
commenced work with Health Canada and ECHA to promote sharing of non-confidential chemical
safety information with the intent of advancing chemical evaluations across regulatory
jurisdictions. This collaborative approach will help EPA and other federal agencies screen,
prioritize, and evaluate chemicals, and promote implementation of alternative methods to replace
vertebrate animal testing under TSCA. Finally, EPA is engaged in multiple OECD chemical safety
groups that share information, expertise, and research results related to chemical safety.
Ultimately, these international efforts will work towards creating transparent data requirements for
industry and reducing the regulatory uncertainty of multiple regulatory environments globally.
EPA consults and collaborates routinely with other federal agencies to improve the rigor and
consistency of the science and practice of risk assessment. EPA engages on the science of
individual assessments, such as the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessments. EPA
also coordinates, respectively, with: ATSDR, through an MOU on the development of
toxicological assessments; NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program, on assessment
methodology, software, and assay development platforms; FDA on advisories and reports; and
DOD on assessment development methods. EPA serves as advisors to federal and international
agencies and departments (e.g., IARC, EFSA, Health Canada, WHO, ATSDR) to review and
provide scientific input on risk assessment related topics. In addition, EPA collaborates with other
federal agencies on complex human health assessment science topics through workshops,
including those managed by National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
(NASEM). EPA also participates in the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of
Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) to work towards increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of
U.S. federal agency test method review, eliminating unnecessary duplication of effort, sharing
experience among U.S. federal regulatory agencies, and reducing, refining, and replacing the use
of animals in testing.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
EPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program (EPP collaborates closely with partner
federal agencies in developing, refining, and issuing EPA's Recommendations of Specifications,
Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing. Through FY 2023 these recommendations have
8 For more information on the OECD guidance document, see: https://www.oecd.org/env/ehs/testing/developmental-
neurotoxicity.htm.
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been maintained and updated to include 48 private sector standards and ecolabels that cover 30
product and service categories commonly acquired through federal purchasing. These
recommendations help federal procurement officials determine which private sector standards and
ecolabels, among sometimes dozens within a single purchase category, are appropriate and
effective in meeting federal procurement goals and mandates for environmental performance. The
EPP Program's work has generated significant cost savings and environmental benefits to the
federal government.
EPA also coordinates federal procurement programs that integrate environmental performance into
procurement, including building software tools for seamlessly integrating sustainable procurement
conditions and language into government procurement solicitations and contracts. Environmental
benefits calculators help federal agencies document the environment performance and benefits
associated with their sustainable procurement. Working with the General Services Administration,
the EPP Program assists in identifying and highlighting best-in-class existing blanket purchase
contracts to further support and streamline efforts by federal procurement officials to meet federal
environmental and cost effectiveness goals, putting tools into the hands of federal procurement
officials, and collaborating with federal agencies such as the General Services Administration,
National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Departments of Defense and Energy, and
others.
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Programs
General Enforcement Coordination
The Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program coordinates closely with:
• Department of Justice (DOJ) on all civil and criminal environmental enforcement matters. In
addition, the Program has coordinated with other agencies on specific environmental issues as
described herein.
• The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in
preventing and responding to accidental releases and endangerment situations.
• Department of Interior's (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and Department of Health and
Human Service's (DHHS) Indian Health Service (IHS) on issues relative to compliance with
environmental laws in Indian country.
• The Department of Commerce (DOC) and Small Business Administration (SBA) on the
implementation of the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Act (SBREFA). In addition, it has
collaborated with the SBA to maintain current environmental compliance information at
Business.gov, a website initiated as an e-government initiative in 2004, to help small businesses
comply with government regulations. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on cases that require
defendants to pay civil penalties, thereby assisting the IRS in assuring compliance with tax
laws.
• United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on Clean Water Act (CWA) wetlands
compliance issues.
• US ACE on Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) sites.
• Department of Transportation's (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration on pipeline spills.
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the regulation of animal feeding
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operations and on food safety issues arising from the misuse of pesticides and shares joint
jurisdiction with the Federal Trade Commission on pesticide labeling and advertising.
• The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to target potential noncompliance with the TSCA lead-
based paint regulations to reduce service members' and their children's exposure to lead-based
paint in privatized military housing.
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to collaborate on ensuring
compliance with lead-based paint regulations in pre-1978 housing.
• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigrations and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) in the compliance with and enforcement of FIFRA and its implementing
regulations at immigration and detention facilities owned/operated by ICE and ICE contractor
facilities.
• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on
compliance with and enforcement of imported products regulated under the Clean Air Act
(CAA), American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM Act), Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and Toxics Substances Control Act (TSCA).
• The General Service Administration's Technology Transformation Services to advance
modernization of IT solutions.
International Trade
EPA works with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on implementing the secure
International Trade Data System (ITDS) across all federal agencies and on chemical and pesticide
imports, hazardous waste and Cathode Ray Tube exports, imports of internal combustion vehicles
and engines that do not meet Clean Air Act requirements, implementation of the American
Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, as well as on a variety of other import/export issues
under the various statutes.
Coordination on Issues Involving Shared Jurisdiction
EPA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) share jurisdiction over general-purpose
disinfectants used on non-critical surfaces and some dental and medical equipment surfaces. EPA
and FDA also collaborate and share information on Good Laboratory Program inspections to avoid
duplication of inspections and maximize efficient use of limited resources. EPA, FDA, and the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jointly regulate drinking water safety on airlines via the
Aircraft Drinking Water Rule. EPA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding in 2024, to establish a framework for
consultation, information-sharing, and collaboration on civil enforcement, thereby strengthening
this partnership and ensuring efficient use of resources to reduce childhood lead exposures and
associated health impacts. The Agency has coordinated with the United States Coast Guard
(USCG) under the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, and on discharges of pollutant from ships
and oil spills under the CWA. EPA also works with DOI on CWA permit enforcement on the
Outer Continental Shelf, as well as both the Interior and Transportation Departments on
enforcement of CWA requirements for offshore facilities.
Criminal Enforcement
EPA's Criminal Enforcement Program coordinates with FBI, CBP, DOL, U.S. Treasury, DHS,
DOI, USCG, and DO J and with international, state, tribal, and local law enforcement organizations
in the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes. EPA also works with DOJ to
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establish task forces that bring together federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement
organizations to address environmental crimes. EPA has an Interagency Agreement with DOJ's
Environment and Natural Resources Division to develop the first federal Environmental Crime
Victim Assistance Program. This allows both agencies to meet their statutory obligations under
the Crime Victims' Rights Act (CVRA) and the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act (VRRA), to
make sure that environmental crime victims are notified of and accorded their rights under the
CVRA and VRRA. In addition, the Program has an Interagency Agreement with the DHS to
provide specialized criminal environmental training to federal, state, local, and tribal law
enforcement personnel at the Federal Law Enforcement Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia.
Monitoring the Environmental Compliance of Federal Agencies
Most environmental statutes require departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the U.S.
government to comply with environmental requirements just like any other regulated entity. EPA
and states inspect federal facilities and take enforcement actions, as appropriate. In addition,
Executive Order 12088 on Federal Compliance with Pollution Control Standards requires federal
agencies to comply with pollution control standards and directs EPA to monitor compliance by
federal agencies with all environmental laws and provide technical assistance. The Federal Facility
Enforcement Program coordinates with other federal, state, tribal, and local agencies to ensure
compliance by federal agencies with all environmental laws. EPA works with the Federal Facilities
Environmental Stewardship and Compliance Assistance Center (FedCenter)
(www.fcdcemter.gov), which is governed by a board of more than a dozen contributing federal
agencies. FedCenter works with federal agencies to plan Federal Environmental Symposiums to
encourage collaboration, information sharing, stewardship, and improved environmental
compliance across the federal government. EPA is working with other Agencies through
FedCenter to address Administration priorities including PFAS and Environmental Justice (EJ).
EPA also partners with other federal agencies to identify ways to expedite cleanup of Superfund
sites and prevent and address regulatory compliance issues.
EPA has commenced several specific collaborative efforts to work one-on-one with other federal
agencies to help foster productive relationships through environmental compliance outreach
efforts. EPA has developed partnerships with other federal agency headquarters offices including,
for example, HHS, BIA, DoD, USCG, DHS, the Department of Energy (DOE), the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Veterans Health Administration and the
Department of Interior to discuss EPA's National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives (NECI)
and explore ways EPA can best help federal agencies remain aware of their environmental
compliance status and requirements nationwide. EPA has instituted a monthly dialogue with DoD
to help address compliance issues in privatized military housing with a particular focus on
compliance with TSCA lead-based paint requirements.
In the context of EPA's NECIs, the Agency proactively addresses potential significant
noncompliance by sending letters to federal agencies highlighting facility noncompliance so
facilities can expeditiously take the necessary actions to address the compliance issues. EPA also
has issued multiple compliance advisories under, for example, the Safe Drinking Water Act and
the Clean Water Act, to other federal agencies providing information on their compliance status,
NECIs and other enforcement initiatives.
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Superfund Enforcement
coordinates with Other Federal Agencies (OF As) in their use of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) enforcement authority. This includes the
coordinated use of such authority at individual hazardous waste sites that are located on both non-
federal land (generally EPA jurisdiction) and federal lands (generally other agency jurisdiction).
As required by Executive Order No. 13016, other departments and agencies must receive
concurrence from EPA before use of CERCLA Section 106 authority.
EPA coordinates closely with Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMAs), such as the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) and the Unites States Forest Service (USFS), at mixed ownership
sites {i.e., those sites located partially on privately-owned land and partially on federally owned
land) pursuant to Executive Order No. 12580. EPA frequently enters into Memorandums of
Understanding (MOUs) with FLMAs designed to provide a framework for agencies to coordinate
response actions. EPA meets with DOI, USD A, and other agencies as part of the Federal Mining
Dialogue, to discuss developments arising out of the CERCLA work at such sites. EPA leads the
Federal Mining Dialogue's Enforcement Subcommittee.
EPA also coordinates with DOI, USDA, DOC, DOE, and DOD to ensure that appropriate and
timely notices, required under CERCLA, are sent to the Natural Resource Trustees notifying them
of potential damages to natural resources. EPA also coordinates with Natural Resource Trustees
on natural resource damage assessments, investigations, and planning of response activities under
Section 104 of CERCLA. When an enforcement action is initiated at a site where hazardous
substances are found to have caused damages to natural resources, EPA coordinates with the
Trustees by including them in negotiations with potentially responsible parties concerning the
releases that have caused those damages.
EPA's Superfund Federal Facilities Enforcement Program ensures that: (1) all federal facility sites
on the NPL have interagency agreements, also known as Federal Facility Agreements (FFAs) with
enforceable cleanup schedules; (2) FFAs are monitored for compliance and enforcement taken,
where appropriate; (3) federal sites are transferred to new owners in an environmentally
responsible manner; and (4) compliance assistance is available to the extent possible. This program
also ensures that federal agencies comply with Superfund cleanup obligations "in the same manner
and to the same extent" as non-federal entities. To enable the cleanup and reuse of such sites, the
Federal Facilities Enforcement Program also has coordinated on creative solutions that help restore
facilities, so they can once again serve an important role in the economy and welfare of local
communities, and the country. EPA also has established a partnership with the Environmental
Council of the States (ECOS) and DOE, the DOE Dialogue, to build relationships and tackle
enduring challenges at DOE cleanup sites.
International and Tribal Affairs Programs
Supporting Global Policy to Reduce Pollution and Harmful Chemicals
EPA is working in close coordination with the Department of State, USAID, NOAA, and other
key Agencies on the development of a global agreement on plastic pollution. These partnerships
help identify domestic activities that EPA can implement to reduce plastic pollution and leakage
into the marine environment. In addition, EPA continues to provide technical assistance to reduce
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plastic pollution through the Agency's Trash Free Waters program.
EPA has a strong network of partners working to achieve reductions in global mercury use and
emissions, particularly when adverse U.S. impacts would be likely. EPA works closely with the
DOS in leading the technical and policy engagement for the U.S. in the Minamata Convention on
Mercury and the multi-stakeholder Global Mercury Partnership. In addition, EPA collaborates
with several federal agencies including USGS and US AID to advance robust implementation of
the Minamata Convention by other countries. EPA also continues to share information through the
Arctic Council on reducing releases of mercury which disproportionally impact indigenous arctic
communities.
EPA also works with USDA, OMB, and FDA on the on reducing food waste which includes
international cooperation on measuring food waste reductions and pilot activities that can create
market opportunities for U.S. technologies and innovation.
Tackling the Climate Crisis, Accelerating Environmental and Economic Justice
EPA works with international partners, such as foreign governments and international
organizations, to deploy assistance that can strengthen on the ground action to tackle the climate
crisis, reduce transboundary pollution that impacts local communities and travels through the
environment to impact other communities across the globe, and that strengthen fundamental
environmental rule of law. An important example of this work is EPA's efforts to identify
environmental best practices and standards in the critical minerals supply chain. This work entails
significant dialogue and coordination. EPA also leads engagement on key issues in the Group of
Seven (G7) and the Group of Twenty (G20) through environment ministerial meetings which
negotiates key outcomes on issues such as climate change, food waste, marine litter, resource
efficiency, air quality and pollution prevention. EPA's engagement with international financial
institutions, United Nations (UN) entities, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation
(OECD).
Supporting Environmental Priorities in Global Trade Policy and Implementation of
Environmental Cooperation Agreements
EPA is a member of the Trade Policy Staff Committee, the Trade Policy Review Group, and
relevant subcommittees - interagency mechanisms that provide advice, guidance, and clearance to
USTR in the development of U.S. international trade and investment policy.
EPA continues its participation in the North American Commission for Environmental
Cooperation (CEC), which provides regional and international leadership to advance
environmental protection, human health, and sustainable economic growth in North America. EPA
also will continue work on implementation of the Environment Chapter of the United States-
Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and other free trade agreements. EPA also continues active
participation in the United States Trade Representative (USTR)-led Interagency Environment
Committee for Monitoring and Environment (IECME) established to promote Mexican and
Canadian compliance with their environmental obligations. In addition, EPA continues to work
with partners (including the U.S. Treasury, State Department, USAID, and the U.S. International
Development Finance Corporation), to improve environmental governance of U.S. funded
international development projects.
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Addressing Transboundary Pollution
EPA collaborates with countries around the world to address foreign sources of pollution in
coordination with DOS, USAID, DOJ, Treasury, and others. EPA works closely with DHHS to
advance recognition of environmental risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and how
to mitigate the risks, including from lead and mercury. In addition, EPA continues to strengthen
its activities in the Arctic by working with Alaska, tribes, federal agencies, and the private sector
to build international support for U.S. environmental policy objectives with the Arctic countries
and continues to engage in Arctic Council cooperation pursuant to parameters set out by the
Nationals Security Council and the Department of State. These objectives cover a range of topics,
including reducing harmful air emissions and exposure to mercury. Further, EPA collaborates with
DOS, the Government of Canada, tribes, federal agencies, and other stakeholders to address
transboundary water pollution caused by historic and current mining practices in the Kootenai
watershed.
EPA continues to work in partnership with Mexico's National Water Commission (CONAGUA)
and the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) to reduce
the wastewater pollution in the Tijuana River, its tributaries, and the Pacific Ocean. In FY 2022,
EPA and CONAGUA signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) identifying projects to be implemented
in the short- and long-term to stem the flow of transboundary pollution in the San Diego/Tijuana
region. Concurrently, the USIBWC and CILA (USIBWC's counterpart in Mexico) signed Minute
328 as the first step in binational implementation of the SOI, including operations and maintenance
cost-sharing for the proposed expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment
Plant (ITP). EPA actively participates in monthly meetings with USIBWC and CONAGUA to
track progress on projects and advance the commitments made in these two binational agreements.
Working in Indian Country
EPA is an active participant in the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA).
The WHCNNA is an interagency principals-level council established in June 2013 in response to
requests from tribal leaders across Indian country for a Cabinet-level council to uphold treaty and
trust obligations, support the Nation-to-Nation relationship, and improve tribal engagement and
consultation. The Biden-Harris Administration reconvened the WHCNAA and established six sub-
committees: Climate Change, Tribal Homelands, and Treaties; Health; Education; Economic
Development, Energy, and Infrastructure; Public Safety and Justice; and International Indigenous
Issues.
EPA serves as the co-lead (with DOI and USD A) on the Climate Change, Tribal Homelands, and
Treaties Committee. Within this Committee, EPA is a co-lead on the Climate Adaptation
Subcommittee. Indigenous Knowledge (IK)-related work, also referred to as Traditional
Ecological Knowledge, remains a priority within the WCHNAA Climate Change, Tribal
Homelands, and Treaties Committee. EPA is active in the National Science and Technology
Council (NSTC) Subcommittee on Indigenous Knowledge.
EPA also serves as the co-lead (with DOI and the DOS) on the WCNAA International Indigenous
Issues Committee. Within this Committee, EPA is co-lead on three subcommittees, including
Human Rights and Environmental Justice, Cross Border Issues, and Climate Crisis.
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Additionally, EPA is involved as a participant on the WHCNAA Health Committee and the
Economic Development, Energy, and Infrastructure Committee.
Central Planning, Budgeting and Finance Programs
Working with Federal Partners on Improving Management and Accountability throughout the
Federal Government
EPA coordinates appropriately with Congress and other federal agencies, such as the U.S.
Treasury, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and GSA. EPA participates and makes
active contributions to standing interagency management committees, including:
• the Chief Financial Officers Council, which focuses on improving resources management and
accountability throughout the federal government.
• the Performance Improvement Council, which coordinates and develops strategic plans,
performance plans, and performance reports as required by law.
• OMB-led E-Government initiatives, such as the Financial Management and Budget
Formulation and Execution Lines of Business.
• the Bureau of Census-maintained Federal Assistance Awards Data System.
• the President's Management Council, which oversees developing and implementing Cross-
Agency Priority (CAP) goals; and
• the Evaluation Officer Council, which serves as a forum to exchange information with the
broader Federal evaluation community.
Provide Government-to-Government Employee Relocation Services
EPA provides government-to-government employee relocation services via interagency
agreements through EPA's Federal Employee Relocation Center (FERC) as a Working Capital
Fund (WCF) activity. EPA-FERC provides "one-stop shop" domestic and international relocation
services to other federal agencies to increase operational efficiency and save the government
money. Relocation services are currently provided internally to all EPA offices, and externally to
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
(ATF), Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), United States
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Health and Human Services Office of Global Affairs
(HHS-OGA), United States Agency of Global Media (USAGM), and Federal Bureau of Prisons
(BOP).
Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights Programs
Environmental Justice
Presidential EO 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad enhanced and
expanded several important means of interagency coordination and collaboration related to
environmental justice. EO 14008 elevated the existing Interagency Working Group on
Environmental Justice, formerly chaired by EPA, to the White House Environmental Justice
Interagency Council (IAC), chaired by the CEQ. This executive order also established a White
House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC) to provide advice and
recommendations to the IAC and CEQ on environmental justice recommendations for the entirety
of the executive branch of the federal government. The IAC will be the primary venue for inter-
agency coordination of executive branch federal activities related to environmental justice.
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Through the Justice40 Initiative, also mandated in EO 14008, the IAC will work to achieve the
goal that forty percent of federal benefits from certain federal programs flow to disadvantaged
communities and will publish an annual public performance scorecard on implementation by
federal agencies. The IAC will likewise coordinate recommendations on further updates to EO
12898 and provide leadership to interagency efforts to address current and historic environmental
injustices. As stipulated in EO 14008, EPA will provide all support necessary for administration
of the WHEJAC and is one of three agencies charged with providing support to CEQ for
administration of the IAC. EPA also will play a prominent membership role within the IAC as a
participating agency.
Mission Support Programs
Working with Federal Partners on Improving Management and Accountability throughout the
Federal Government
EPA provides leadership and expertise to government-wide activities in various areas of human
resources, grants management, contracts management, suspension and debarment, and homeland
security. These activities include specific collaboration efforts through:
• The Chief Human Capital Officers Council, a group of senior leaders that discuss human
capital initiatives across the federal government.
• The Legislative and Policy Committee, a committee comprised of other federal agency
representatives who assist OPM in developing plans and policies for training and development.
• The Chief Acquisition Officers Council, the principal interagency forum for monitoring and
improving the federal acquisition system. The Council also is focused on promoting the
President's specific initiatives and policies in all aspects of the acquisition system.
• The Award Committee for E-Government (E-Gov) provides strategic vision for the portfolio
of systems/federal wide supporting both federal acquisition and financial assistance. Support
also is provided to the associated functional community groups, including the Procurement
Committee for E-Gov, the Financial Assistance Committee for E-Gov, and the
Intergovernmental Transaction Working Group.
• The Grants Quality Service Management Office (QSMO) leads efforts to transform the federal
grants management process by focusing on standardization and modernization of grants
systems to increase efficiency and reduce burden for grant applicants, recipients, and the
federal grants workforce; and better leveraging the buying power of the government to access
high-quality shared solutions and reduce costs. The Grants QSMO supports the work of
OMB's Office of Federal Financial Management and Office of the Federal Chief Information
Officer and GSA's Office of Shared Solutions and Performance Improvement.
• The Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee (ISDC), a representative committee
of federal agency leaders in suspension and debarment. The Committee facilitates lead agency
coordination, serves as a forum to discuss current suspension and debarment related issues,
and assists in developing unified federal policy. Besides participating in the ISDC, EPA: (1)
provides instructors for the National Suspension and Debarment Training Program offered
through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and (2) supports the development of
coursework and training on the suspension and debarment process for the Inspector General
Academy and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
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• The Financial Management Line of Business (FMLoB) has been expanded to also encompass
the Grants Management Line of Business. The combined FMLoB, with U.S. Treasury as the
managing partner, will more closely align the financial assistance and financial management
communities around effective and efficient management of funds. EPA also participates in the
Grants.gov Users' Group, as well as the Federal Demonstration Partnership which is designed
to reduce the administrative burdens associated with research grants.
• The Interagency Committee on Federal Advisory Committee Management (Committee
Management Officer Council) provides leadership and coordination on federal advisory
committee issues and promotes effective and efficient committee operations government-wide.
In addition to serving on the Council, EPA works with the GSA Committee Management
Secretariat to establish and renew advisory committees, conduct annual reviews of advisory
committee activities and accomplishments, maintain committee information in a publicly
accessible online database, and develop committee management regulations, guidance, and
training. Further, EPA participates on the GSA Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA)
Attorney Council Interagency Workgroup to keep abreast of developments in the statutory
language, case law, interpretation, and implementation of the FACA.
• The Interagency Security Committee (ISC) is the leading organization for nonmilitary federal
departments and agencies in establishing policies for the security and protection of federal
facilities, developing security standards, and ensuring compliance with those standards. EPA
participates in the ISC as a primary member and in sub-committees and workgroups to
facilitate EPA's compliance with ISC standards for facilities nationwide.
• The OPM Background Investigations Stakeholder Group (BISG) is a collaborative
organization that is derived from the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of
2004. The BISG is comprised of senior security officials across the federal government who
are responsible for the submission, adjudication and/or oversight of personnel security
programs. EPA works with this group to discuss topics regarding background investigations,
focusing on standardizing and improving the Agency's personnel security program.
• EPA manages the Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program's interagency
agreements with other federal agencies. The interagency agreements are with the White
House/CEQ, the CDC/ATSDR, and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. SEE
enrollees provide administrative, technical, and professional support to these agencies for
projects relating to pollution prevention, abatement, and control.
• EPA's Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) partners with other Federal agencies,
including the USPTO, NOAA, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, to serve
as Presiding Officers for proceedings to adjudicate complaints brought before the partner
organizations. This collaboration allows partner organizations the ability to provide
constitutionally guaranteed legal due process and review without staffing and supporting their
own Offices of Administrative Law Judges, while EPA's judges expand their experience and
knowledge in the area of administrative law. The services OALJ provides to other agencies are
reimbursed by the borrowing organization.
Work with the Department of Interior's Interior Business Center
In FY 2025, EPA will continue working with DOI's Interior Business Center (IBC), an OPM- and
OMB-approved Human Resources Line of Business shared service center. IBC offers HR
transactional processing, compensation management and payroll processing, benefits
administration, time and attendance, HR reporting, talent acquisition systems, and talent
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management systems. EPA also continues its charter membership on the OPM HR Line of
Business (LoB) Multi Agency Executive Strategy Committee (MAESC), providing advice and
recommendations to the Director of OPM as well as additional government-wide executive
leadership, for the implementation of the HR LoB vision, goals, and objectives.
Partnering with GSA on the US Access Program
EPA continues partnering with GSA on the USAccess Program for Personal Identity Verification
cards and identity credential solutions, which provides an efficient, economical and secure
infrastructure to support its credentialing needs, and migrations to the Enterprise Physical Access
Control System, allowing the Agency to control access in EPA space, including restricted and
secure space.
Environmental Information Programs
To support EPA's overall mission, the Agency continues to collaborate with federal, state, and
tribal agencies on a variety of initiatives focused on making government more efficient and
transparent in protecting human health and the environment. EPA's Environmental Information
programs are primarily involved in the information technology (IT), information management
(IM), and information security aspects of the projects on which it collaborates.
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) Council
The CIO Council is the principal interagency forum for improving practices in the design,
modernization, sharing, and performance of federal information resources. The Council develops
recommendations for IT/IM policies, procedures, and standards; identifies opportunities to share
information resources; and assesses and addresses the needs of the federal IT workforce.
The Chief Data Officer (CDO) Council
The CDO Council was established by statute in the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking
Act of 2018. The Council's vision is to improve government mission achievement and increase
the benefits to the Nation through improvement in the management, use, protection, dissemination,
and generation of data in government decision-making and operations.
eRulemaking
The eRulemaking Program is a Federal E-Government shared LoB that manages the Federal
Docket Management System (FDMS) and Regulations.gov. The Program provides the public with
one-stop access to electronic dockets and the ability to electronically comment on proposed
rulemakings and de-regulatory actions for multiple federal agencies.
The National Environmental Information Exchange Network (EN)
EPA's EN Program and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are coordinating on using the
Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system. This coordination will lead to automated
processing of over eight million EPA-related electronic filings needed to clear legitimate imports
and exports. With the move from paper filings to electronic filings combined with automated
processing through ACE, filing time can be reduced from weeks/days to minutes/days. This
significant processing improvement directly impacts the movement of goods into commerce and
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the economy while helping to ensure compliance with environmental and CBP laws and
regulations. It also helps the U.S. Government keep pace with the speed of business.
Automated Commercial Environment/International Trade Data System (ACE/ITDS)
ITDS is the electronic information exchange capability, or "single window," through which
businesses will transmit data required by participating agencies for the import or export of cargo.
ACE is the system built by CBP to ensure that its customs officers and other federal agencies have
the information they need to decide how to handle goods and merchandise being shipped into or
out of the United States. It also will be the way those agencies provide CBP with information about
potential imports/exports. ITDS eliminates the need, burden, and cost of paper reporting. It also
allows importers and exporters to report the same information to multiple federal agencies with a
single submission and facilitates movement of cargo by automating processing of the import and
exports. ITDS provides the capability for industry to consolidate reporting for commodities
regulated by multiple agencies. For these consolidated reports, the industry filers will receive the
appropriate status response when their filings meet each agency's reporting requirements. Once
all agency reporting requirements have been met, filers can receive a coordinated single U.S.
government response to proceed into the commerce of the United States.
EPA has the responsibility and legal authority to make sure pesticides, toxic chemicals, vehicles
and engines, ODS, and other commodities entering and hazardous waste exiting the country meet
its human health and environmental standards. EPA's ongoing collaboration with CBP on the
ACE/ITDS effort will improve the efficiency of processing these shipments through information
exchange between EPA and CBP and automated processing of electronic filings. As resources
permit, EPA will continue to work with CBP to automate the manual paper review process for
admissibility so that importers and brokers (referred to collectively as Trade) can know before
these commodities are loaded onto an airplane, truck, train, or ship if their shipment meets EPA's
reporting requirements. Because of this automated review, Trade can greatly lower its cost of doing
business and customs officers at our nation's ports will have the information on whether shipments
comply with our environmental regulations. EPA will continue to collaborate with CBP to support
regulatory changes and integrate with new ACE capabilities for streamlining the import and export
processes for America's businesses.
Geospatial Information
EPA works with 31 federal agencies through the activities of the Federal Geographic Data
Committee (FGDC) and the OMB Geospatial Line of Business (Geo LoB). EPA also participates
in the FGDC Steering Committee. A key component of EPA's work with FGDC is developing and
implementing the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and the National GeoPlatform. The
key objective of the NSDI is to make a comprehensive array of national spatial data - data that
portrays features associated with a location or tagged with geographic information and can be
attached to and portrayed on maps - easily accessible to both governmental and public
stakeholders. Use of this data, in tandem with analytical applications, supports several key EPA
and government-wide business areas. These include ensuring that human health, demographics
and environmental conditions are represented in the appropriate contexts for targeting and decision
making; enabling the assessment, protection, and remediation of environmental conditions; and
aiding emergency first responders and other homeland security activities. EPA supports geospatial
initiatives through efforts such as EPA's GeoPlatform, the Exchange Network, National
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Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assist, EJScreen, the EPA Metadata Editor, Facilities Registry
System (FRS) Web Services, and My Environment. EPA also works closely with its state, tribal,
and international partners in a collaboration that enables consistent implementation of data
acquisition and development, standards, and technologies supporting the efficient and cost-
effective sharing and use of geographically based data and services.
Federal Executive Boards
The Federal Executive Boards Line of Business will be established in FY 2023. This LoB will
provide more support to regional Federal Executive Board staff members. In line with the Biden
Administration's initiatives, the Federal Executive Boards support and strengthen the Federal
Workforce, including by serving as a forum for communication and collaboration among Federal
agencies outside of Washington, DC.
The Administrator's Office
Regulatory Management and Economic Analyses
EPA's Policy Office (OP) interacts with federal agencies during its rulemaking activities. Per
governing statutes and agency priorities, OP submits "significant" regulatory actions to OMB for
interagency review prior to signature and publication in the Federal Register. In addition, OP
coordinates EPA's review of other agency's regulatory actions submitted to OMB for review.
Under the Congressional Review Act, rules are submitted to each chamber of Congress and to the
Comptroller General of the United States. For regulations that may have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities, OP collaborates extensively with SBA and OMB.
OP also collaborates with other federal regulatory and natural resource agencies to collect data
used in economic benefit-cost analyses of environmental regulations and policies and to foster
improved interdisciplinary research and reporting. Activities include representing EPA on
interagency workgroups or committees tasked with measuring the economic benefits and costs of
federal policies and programs. Occasionally, OP also provides technical reviews of other agencies
research and analyses. In addition, OP's Office of Federal Activities, engages early with the lead
federal agency and supports CEQ for significant regulatory actions that require compliance with
National Environmental Policy Act via an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). In so doing,
EPA provides technical assistance, as needed, to help scope and develop the draft EIS,
recommending ways to avoid and minimize impacts to improve environmental outcomes.
Children's Health
The Administrator of EPA and the Secretary of DHHS co-chair the President's Task Force on
Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children. The Task Force comprises 17 federal
departments, agencies, and White House offices. A senior staff steering committee, co-chaired by
the Director of EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection (OCHP), coordinates interagency
cooperation on Task Force priority areas, including lead, asthma disparities, climate change,
emergencies, and disasters. As part of this effort, OCHP coordinates with other agencies to
improve government-wide support in implementing children's health legislative mandates and
outreach, including providing children's environmental health expertise on interagency activities
and coordinating EPA expertise. OCHP also coordinates with ATSDR to support provision of
training and hands on consultations with doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to
address issues of potential exposures of children to environmental contaminants, such as lead and
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asthma triggers including mold and vermin. OCHP also works the Interagency Policy Council's
groups on Maternal Health and Child Development, as well as with other federal agencies to
address emerging risks to children's environmental health and supports federal interagency
information exchange and cooperation, such as on lead and wildfires. This work supports not only
Presidential Executive Order (EO) 13045: Protection of Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks, but also addresses climate change and environmental justice under
Presidential EO 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
Climate Adaptation and Resilience
Presidential EO 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad created the National
Climate Task Force which facilitates the organization and deployment of a government-wide
approach to combat the climate crisis. EPA is one of 25 federal agencies participating in the Task
Force, where the Agency focuses on increasing resilience and adaptation to the impacts of climate
change, including protection of public health and conservation of our lands, waters, oceans, and
biodiversity.
EPA works with other federal agencies through the U.S. Global Change Research Program's
(USGCRP's) Federal Adaptation and Resilience Group to coordinate federal research related to
climate resilience and adaptation. EPA is collaborating with USGCRP/Subcommittee on Global
Change Research (SGCR) on Climate Literacy, including development of the USGCRP's new
"Climate Literacy Guide'.
EPA participates in CEQ's "Tiger Team" developing performance measures on adaptation for all
federal agencies. EPA participates in the new Climate Resilience Sub-IPC overseeing the
development of the National Climate Resilience Framework. EPA participates in numerous
Interagency Work Groups (IWGs) related to resilience and adaptation, including the Coastal
Workgroup, OMB's Infrastructure Resilience Work Group, the Climate Adaptation Subcommittee
of the White House Council on Native American Affairs, and the CEQ Federal Climate Adaptation
Plan Network.
EPA works closely with NOAA, in number of efforts: EPA's Integrated Climate Sciences Division
(ICSD) collaborates with NOAA's Regional Climate Service Centers to improve the provision of
practical real-time and projected climate information and services to communities nationwide;
NOAA, EPA and HHS are co-leads of the Extreme Heat IWG; NOAA staff have been detailed to
EPA to support the development of "climate layers" in EJScreen; and NOAA collaborates with
EPA geographic programs in the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound, Long Island Sound,
Gulf of Mexico, Lake Champlain, Southeast New England, South Florida, Pacific Northwest
Forest.
EPA chairs the Subgroup on Tribal Climate Adaptation to enable a whole-of-government approach
to supporting tribes as they anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, and recover from the devastating
impacts of climate change. EPA collaborates with DOI/BIA to leverage funding for Tribes as well
as developing a "Money Map" platform for Tribes to identify all federal resources specifically
available to them. EPA also engages the NIST's Climate Resiliency Program to share experiences,
expertise, and support areas of mutual interests.
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National Climate Task Force
The Administrator of EPA is a member of the National Climate Task Force. The Task Force shall
facilitate the organization and deployment of a Government-wide approach to combat the climate
crisis. This Task Force shall facilitate planning and implementation of key Federal actions to
reduce climate pollution; increase resilience to the impacts of climate change; protect public
health; conserve our lands, waters, oceans, and biodiversity; deliver environmental justice; and
spur well-paying union jobs and economic growth. As necessary and appropriate, members of the
Task Force will engage on these matters with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments;
workers and communities; and leaders across the various sectors of our economy.
National Environmental Policy Act
EPA's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementation Program implements the
environmental requirements of NEPA and Section 309 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to review other
federal agency environmental impact statements (EIS) and NEPA regulations. Through a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CEQ,9EPA regularly supports and assists CEQ in
the development of guidance and technical tools. This work also includes engaging with officials
throughout the federal government and across EPA while supporting EPA's lead NEPA Official.
EPA has special authority and responsibilities under CAA section 309 to review and publicly
comment on NEPA environmental analyses for major projects across the federal government. This
work is expected to increase substantially in scope and importance based on projected increases in
energy development and infrastructure projects.
EPA focuses on early engagement with other federal agencies consistent with NEPA principles
and uses interagency cooperation for early identification of issues and potential solutions to reduce
impacts and improve environmental outcomes. EPA's expertise helps other agencies analyze
complex NEPA issues. Through our review of other federal agencies' EISs and the tools and
training provide, EPA facilitates the robust consideration of impacts related to climate change and
EJ; further, EPA plays a critical role in identifying ways to mitigate environmental impacts,
including on overburdened and underserved communities.
Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act Title 41 Coordination
The Office of Federal Activities (OF A) coordinates across 13 other federal agencies, the Federal
Permitting Improvement Steering Council (FPISC), the Council on Environmental Quality, and
the Office of Management and Budget to coordinate on permitting and meet EPA's Permitting
Action Implementation Plan goals. EPA uses its EPA Permitting Action Implementation Plan to
help address the expansion of permitting for major infrastructure projects, expanded FAST-41
covered sectors, and to address seven critical elements of the Plan:
• Accelerating smart permitting through early cross-agency coordination.
• Establishing clear timeline goals and tracking key project information.
• Engaging in early and meaningful outreach and communication with states, tribes,
territories, and local communities.
• Improving agency responsiveness, technical assistance, and support.
9 1977 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CEQ and EPA addressed the allocation of responsibilities between the
two agencies for assuring government-wide implementation of NEPA. This includes the operational duties associated with the
administrative aspects of EISs. Through this MOU, EPA became the official recipient for all copies of EISs.
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• Using agency resources and the environmental review process to improve environmental
and community outcomes.
• Ensuring staffing levels are adequate to address anticipated environmental review and
permitting-related workloads.
• Addressing, elevating, and resolving schedule delays, disputes and other issues impacting
the environmental and permitting process in a timely manner.
Community Revitalization and Sustainable Communities
OP participates in several Interagency Working Groups (IWG) and Interagency Policy Committees
(IPC), including the Rural Prosperity IPC, Urban Equity IPC, Food Strategy IPC, and the Coal and
Powerplant Communities IWG. These interagency efforts support improving community
outcomes on a range of issues including climate resilience, economic transition, diversification,
prosperity, and environmental protection. These work groups have grown out of recent executive
orders and policy initiatives taken on by the Administration. OP works collaboratively with
national program offices and EPA regions to support their involvement in these interagency efforts
so that the full range of EPA equities are at the table and engaged to advance Administration
priorities.
As part of the Coal and Power Communities Interagency Work group (IWG), OP is working
closely with the eleven other federal agencies to support coal, oil and gas, and power plant
communities to create good-paying union jobs, spur economic revitalization, remediate
environmental degradation, and support energy workers. OP is actively participating in the IWG's
working group activities, including community engagement, integration, policy, and investments.
OP also supports the efforts of the IWG by engaging with EPA's regional offices (particularly R3
and R5) as well as national programs to support the Administration's efforts to help coal and power
plant communities transition their economies.
The EPA Administrator co-chairs the Extreme Heat IWG and OP's Associate Administrator is co-
leading the work group with colleagues from HHS and NOAA with over a dozen federal agencies
and White House participation. OP also works alongside OAR, ORD, and OEJ to contribute
knowledge and experience on green infrastructure, effective communication, and climate
adaptation approaches to help communities reduce the occurrence and impact of heat islands and
extreme heat (advancing both climate adaptation and mitigation).
OP works with EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation,
the DOE Vehicle Technologies Office and the National Renewable Energy Lab to explore
interagency approaches that advance the Administration's priorities and Presidential commitments
on electric vehicles. This work has a specific emphasis on helping communities identify policies
and funding opportunities that ensure charging infrastructure and clean transportation policies
support more equitable outcomes in low-income neighborhoods in both rural and urban areas.
OP has several inter-agency efforts on priority projects funded through the American Rescue Plan.
OP works with DOT and HUD to ensure that infrastructure funding investments advance
communities' visions and priorities. OP also works with federal partners to advance community-
level efforts to simultaneously advance community priorities and climate goals. Both of these
projects model the application of a community-driven approach to efficiently advance agencies'
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mission. They also demonstrate an effective way to advance the goals outlined in EO 14008 on
addressing the climate crisis and environmental justice.
OP is the lead on EPA's Memorandum of Agreement with FEMA, which allows the two agencies
to work together to help communities become safer, healthier, and more resilient. The agencies
collaborate to help communities hit by disasters rebuild in ways that protect the environment,
create long-term economic prosperity, and enhance neighborhoods. FEMA and EPA also help
communities incorporate strategies, such as green infrastructure, into their hazard mitigation plans
and direct development away from vulnerable areas. EPA and FEMA are using the lessons they
learn from working together under this agreement and with other federal agencies to better
coordinate assistance to communities on hazard mitigation planning, climate adaptation actions,
and post-disaster recovery. OP coordinates closely with all 10 Regions and many National
Programs on this partnership.
Through an interagency agreement with GSA, OP continues updating the Smart Location
Calculator and Smart Location Database to give the federal government more information to guide
decisions about locating new federal investments. GSA and EPA also are collaborating on
technical assistance around a new site selection support tool to help GSA and other federal
agencies make decisions on where to site new government facilities informed by the cost local and
state governments would likely incur to provide infrastructure and services. The tool will be based
on known relationships between the built environment and the cost to provide infrastructure for a
site and related costs for operation and maintenance over time. EPA also has historically
coordinated with GSA on their Good Neighbor Program by helping communities leverage major
federal investments, such as courthouses or ports of entry, to focus on downtown revitalization. In
FY 2025, EPA will continue work with GSA and Nogales, AZ to evaluate strategies to leverage
the Federal investments in the land port of entry to support community goals for downtown and
neighborhood revitalization.
OP has in the past and continues to coordinate with agencies and departments that work in
communities across the country. This has been through formal and semi-formal arrangements like
the HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities (PSC) and Strong Cities, Strong
Communities (SC2). Further, OP has a number of Interagency Agreements (IA) and Memoranda
of Agreements to partner with other agencies on technical assistance in areas like disaster recovery,
capacity building at the community level, and economic revitalization that supports improved
environmental and human health results. Partnering agencies include and have included: USDA
(Rural Development, Forest Service, Agricultural Marketing Service), DOT, FEMA, GSA, HUD,
HHS, Appalachian Regional Commission, Northern Border Regional Commission, Delta Regional
Authority, and EDA. These agencies often participate in community workshops that OP offers
through technical assistance programs such as: Local Foods, Local Places, Building Blocks, and
Recreation Economy for Rural Communities.
Interagency Policy Committees
EPA participates in interagency groups and collaborates with federal partners on the
implementation of Executive Orders including EO 14017 on America's Supply Chains, Climate
Innovation, Climate and Economics, and the US-EU Summit on Trade and Technology Council.
EPA is working with NSC, NEC, CEQ, DOC, DOE, DOD, State, and other agencies on supply
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chain issues associated with semiconductors, critical minerals, EV batteries, and other critical
materials. EPA also actively participates on the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council,
the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment and the Interagency Policy
Committee (IPC) on Workforce Development and the White House Gender Policy Council.
Interagency Council on Statistical Policy
The Interagency Council on Statistical Policy (ICSP) is the coordinating body for the Federal
Statistical System and plays a leading role in implementing the Evidence Act and advancing the
Federal Data Strategy. The ICSP sets strategic goals for modernizing agency statistical practices
and products and advances those goals through cross-agency collaborations on strategic initiatives.
EPA will continue to work with the ICSP to advance the Federal statistics and availability of robust
information to support evidence-based policy.
The Inspector General
Work with the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE)
EPA's Inspector General is a member of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and
Efficiency (CIGIE), an organization comprised of federal Inspectors General (IGs), GAO, and the
FBI. The CIGIE coordinates and improves the way IGs conduct audits, investigations, and internal
operations. The CIGIE also promotes joint projects of government-wide interest and reports
annually to the President on the collective performance of the IG community.
Activity Coordination, Information Exchange, and Training
EPA's OIG coordinates criminal investigative activities with other law enforcement organizations
such as the FBI, Secret Service, and DOJ. In addition, the OIG participates with various inter-
governmental audit forums and professional associations to exchange information, share best
practices, and obtain or provide training. The OIG also promotes collaboration among EPA's
partners and stakeholders in its participation of disaster response and its outreach activities.
Collaborative Work with Inspectors General and Other Partners
EPA's OIG initiates and participates in collaborative audits, program evaluations, and
investigations with OIGs of agencies with an environmental mission such as the DOI, USD A, as
well as other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies as prescribed by the IG Act, as
amended.
Statutory Duties
As required by the IG Act, EPA's OIG coordinates and shares information with the GAO. EPA's
OIG currently serves as the Inspector General of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard
Investigations Board (CSB). EPA's OIG will continue to perform its duties with respect to the
CSB until otherwise directed.
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FY 2025 Estimated Cybersecurity Resources
NIST Framework
Function10
FY 2025 President's
NIST Capability10
Budget
(Dollars in Millions)
Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation
(CDM)
$0,000
Non-CDM Information Security
Continuous Monitoring
$10,251
Mobile Device Management
$0,865
Identify
Authorization and Policy
$19,734
Standards Development and
Propagation
$0,610
Data Categorization and Classification
$0,019
Supply Chain Risk Management
(SCRM) and Acquisitions Management
$0,931
Other Identify Capabilities
$0,049
Identify Total
$32,459
Trusted Internet Connections
$0,906
Credentialing and Access Management
$0,347
Insider Threat
$0,000
System Security Testing and Analysis
$4,381
Security Training
$1,244
Cloud Security
$1,961
Protect
Data Safeguarding
$2,545
Secure Data Transmission
$3,624
Research & Development
$0,227
Counterintelligence
$1,142
Zero Trust Network Architecture
$2,106
Security Log Management
$1,400
Secure Patch Management
$2,618
Other Protect Capabilities
$1,530
Protect Total
$24,031
Anti-Phishing and Malware Defense
$0,915
Data Loss Prevention
$0,406
Detect
Intrusion Prevention
$0,000
Endpoint Detection and Response
$0,292
Other Detect Capabilities
$0,261
Detect Total
$1,874
10 These estimates are presented using the National Institute of Standards and Technology Framework functions and capabilities.
For more information, please see: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/CSWP/NIST.CSWP.04162018.pdf.
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NIST Framework
Function10
NIST Capability10
FY 2025 President's
Budget
(Dollars in Millions)
Respond
Incident Management and Response
$3,659
Prosecution and Investigation of Cyber
Intrusions
$0,610
Other Respond Capabilities
$0,642
Respond Total
$4,911
Recover
Disaster Recovery
$0,583
Incident Recovery
$0,512
Incident Notification
$0,915
Other Recover Capabilities
$0,158
Recover Total
$2,168
Cybersecurity Total
$65,443
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EPA Budget by National Program Manager and Major Office
Dollars in Thousands
I'Y 2025 Pivsidenl's I$ikIi>c(
M»M Miijiir Ol'lliv
P;i\ (SK) Non-Piix (SK) Tuhil (SK) I'l l!
AO
1 m m etli n 1 c Office
$8,663
$6,490
$15,153
48.1
Office of Administrative and Executive Services
$3,200
$1,343
$4,543
14.f
Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations
$8,983
$917
$9,900
45/
Office of Public Affairs
$6,114
$343
$6,457
35.:
Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education
$2,153
$11,118
$13,271
12.f
Office of Policy
$31,924
$19,652
$51,576
164.:
Office of Children's Health Protection
$2,999
$3,476
$6,475
13.S
Office of Civil Rights
$3,995
$518
$4,513
22.f
Office of Executive Secretariat
$4,124
$154
$4,278
21.'
Office of Homeland Security
$2,858
$1,647
$4,505
13.1
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
$2,131
$1,114
$3,245
9.i
Science Advisory Board
Regional Resources
$3,479
$54,534
$1,230
$29,279
$4,709
$83,813
18/
289.f
AO Total
S135,157
• • • -$77,281
S212,438
708.(
OEJEC
R
Immediate Office
$9,086
$80,001
$89,087
49.'
Office of Resource Management and Communications
$2,000
$100
$2,100
12.C
Office of Community Support
$7,498
$100,001
$107,499
42.C
Office of Policy, Partnerships and Program Development
$11,286
$81,025
$92,311
64i
Office of External Civil Rights Compliance
$9,282
$2,765
$12,047
48.'
Regional Resources
$27,800
$18,369
$46,169
155. f
OK.Il'X R Total
S66,952
S282,261
S349,213
.. v372,'
OAR
Immediate Office
$11,312
$235,699
$247,011
56.c
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
$87,430
$188,823
$276,253
462.'
Office of Atmospheric Protection
$58,952
$222,911
$281,863
308i
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
$79,921
$213,660
$293,581
400.1
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
$39,653
$56,222
$95,875
207. f
Regional Resources
$143,129
$200,202
$343,331
777.(
0\K lolal
S420.397
SI, 117,517
S 1,537,914
2,213.1
OCFO
Immediate Office
$3,249
$11,062
$14,311
17.C
Office of Budget
$8,260
$2,998
$11,258
40.:
Office of Planning, Analysis and Accountability
$4,779
$361
$5,140
25.C
Office of Technology Solutions
$9,254
$27,521
$36,775
43/
Office of Resource and Information Management
$3,155
$1,659
$4,814
16.f
Office of the Controller
$26,403
$2,936
$29,339
130.'
OCFO eEnterprise
$956
$598
$1,554
5.(
Office of Continuous Improvement
$1,912
$510
$2,422
10.C
Regional Resources
$29,051
$2,497
$31,548
160.(
OCFO Total
S87,019
S50,142
S 137,161
447. >
OCSPP
Immediate Office
$2,594
$1,405
$3,999
12.:
Office of Pesticide Programs
$70,313
$53,509
$123,822
369.(
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
$91,193
$66,553
$157,746
477.{
Office of Program Support
$38,282
$3,714
$41,996
185.f
Regional Resources
$26,586
$45,397
$71,983
151i
0< SI>1> Total
S228,968
SI 70,578
S399,546
1,196.1
OECA
Immediate Office
$7,415
$4,893
$12,308
40/
Office of Civil Enforcement
$36,085
$28,159
$64,244
172.f
Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training
$75,208
$14,837
$90,045
339i
Office of Compliance
$25,385
$59,004
$84,389
127.f
Federal Facilities Enforcement Office
$3,493
$1,910
$5,403
17.:
Office of Site Remediation Enforcement
$1,651
$693
$2,344
8.C
Regional Resources
$246,754
$64,866
$311,620
1,347.'
()!'( A Total
S395,991
SI 74,362
S570,353
2,053.5
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M»M
Mu jor ()I'llii-
P;i> INK)
Non-Piix (SK)
Tol;il (SK)
in:
OGC
Immediate Office
$57
$40
$97
10.f
Air and Radiation Law Office
$743
$3
$746
40.f
Pesticides and Toxic Substances Law Office
$819
$2
$821
20i
Solid Waste and Emergency Response Law Office
$1,666
$131
$1,797
17.:
Water Law Office
$522
$114
$636
22.:
Resource Management Office
$574
$3
$577
8."
Civil Rights and Finance Law Office
$672
$4
$676
27.1
Ethics Office
$14
$22
$36
2."
General Law Office
$322
$15
$337
26i
National FOIA Office
$48
$554
$602
9.:
Cross-Cutting Issues Law Office
$619
$9
$628
17/
Alternate Dispute Resolution
$165
$6
$171
OS
Other Legal Support
$50,515
$10,472
$60,987
34.1
Regional Resources
$39,458
$1,378
$40,836
174.C
OGC Total
$96,194
S 12,753
S 108,947
412.:
OIG
Immediate Office
$1,347
$316
$1,663
7.(
Office of Congressional and Public Affairs
$2,469
$579
$3,048
12i
Office of Counsel
$2,469
$579
$3,048
12i
Office of Audit
$22,892
$5,365
$28,257
119.C
Office of Information Technology
$4,489
$1,052
$5,541
23.:
Office of Mission Support
$3,366
$790
$4,156
17.f
Office of Strategic Analysis and Results
$2,693
$631
$3,324
14.C
Office of Special Review and Evaluation
$11,222
$2,631
$13,853
58.:
Office of Investigations
$13,242
$3,104
$16,346
68>
OK. 1 nlill
Sf.4,189
SI 5,047
S79,23(.
333.:
OITA
Immediate Office
$1,598
$201
$1,799
8.(
Office of International Affairs
$10,740
$17,064
$27,804
53i
Office of Management and International Services
$2,595
$2,591
$5,186
13.C
American Indian Environmental Office
$7,390
$3,220
$10,610
37.C
Regional Resources
$25,526
$112,865
$138,391
141.(
O I F A 1otii!
S47,849
S 135,941
SI 83,790
.. • • 253.')
OLEM
Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office
$3,368
$7,466
$10,834
16.:
Office of Land and Emergency Management Assistant Administrator
and Deputy Assistant Administrator
$6,590
$2,036
$8,626
30.C
Office of Communication, Partnership, and Analysis
$1,804
$889
$2,693
9.:
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
$1,786
$2,195
$3,981
10.1
Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery
$31,022
$31,752
$62,774
160.(
Office of Underground Storage Tanks
$4,293
$3,251
$7,544
22.f
Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
$3,114
$13,200
$16,314
16.f
Office of Emergency Management
$14,067
$46,726
$60,793
69.C
Regional Resources
$166,793
$720,572
$887,365
919.1
OJ1NI lotal
S232,837
S828,087
S 1,060,924
1,252.S
-------
M»M
Miijor Olliiv
P;i> (SK)
Non-Piix
(SK)
loiiii isK) iii:
o.\b
Immediate Office
$4,187
$4,483
$8,670
21.(
Office of Resources and Business Operations
$7,736
$13,567
$21,303
39.c
Office of Engagement and Program Management
$8,569
$3,800
$12,369
44.:
Office of Chief Sustainability Officer
$1,114
$591
$1,705
6.C
Office of Administrative Law Judges
$2,676
$175
$2,851
13i
Environmental Appeals Board
$2,326
$175
$2,501
12.C
Office of Acquisition Solutions
$50,859
$7,541
$58,400
262.1
Office of Grants and Debarment
$14,830
$1,341
$16,171
76. f
Office of Site Management and Operations
$13,416
$58,425
$71,841
69.:
Office of Real Property, Safety and Security
$11,264
$381,706
$392,970
58.1
Office of Inclusive Excellence
$5,777
$1,791
$7,568
29i
Office of HR Strategy
$15,354
$13,095
$28,449
79.:
Office of Human Capital Operations
$32,802
$4,817
$37,619
169.2
Office of Information Technology and Operations
$931
$9,219
$10,150
4.1
Office of Digital Services & Technical Architecture
$6,301
$4,637
$10,938
32.i
Office of Information Management
$15,529
$45,983
$61,512
80.1
Office of Information Security & Privacy
$3,703
$28,054
$31,757
19.1
Office of Records, Administrative Systems and eDiscovery
$8,938
$21,778
$30,716
46.1
Regional Resources
$96,957
$57,701
$154,658
534.3
OMS Total
S303,269
S658,879
S962,148
1,598.5
ORD
ORD Headquarters
$54,042
$68,201
$122,243
284.5
Center for Computational Toxicology & Exposure
$50,491
$38,082
$88,573
266.7
Center for Environmental Measurements & Modeling
$74,640
$66,093
$140,733
393.7
Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment
$75,457
$56,652
$132,109
396.e
Center for Environmental Solutions & Emergency
$49,772
$41,431
$91,203
264.2
Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement
$13,856
$58,472
$72,328
73.:
Regional Resources
$21,102
$7,640
$28,742
122.1
GUI.) Total
S339,360
S336,571
S675,931 1,801.-1
OW
Immediate Office
$13,969
$8,806
$22,775
66.:
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
$41,961
$134,122
$176,083
216.f
Office of Science and Technology
$27,491
$32,191
$59,682
133.e
Office of Wastewater Management
$31,178
$211,415
$242,593
i56.e
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
$23,689
$38,079
$61,768
116.3
Regional Resources
$247,574
$3,905,577
$4,153,151 1,386.2
OW Total
S385,862
S4,330,190
S4,716,052 2,075.-1
Reimbursable FTE*
2,425>
Total Agency Resources
S2,804,044
S8,189,609
SI 0,993,653 17,145.-1
*This includes the FTEfor the Superfund Enforcement, Remedial, and Emergency Response and Removal accounts that are proposed to be transitioned
from annual appropriations to Superfund Tax receipts.
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EPA Response to OIG Top Management Challenges
The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the
environment. The Office of Inspector General's (OIG) FY 2024 Top Management Challenges
report highlights risks that the EPA regularly tracks progress through its robust performance
management process and the EPA FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. The EPA will continue to focus
on the following seven challenge areas to drive continued progress and change in the ongoing
environmental and human health challenges. In addition, as mentioned in the management
challenge descriptions, the FY 2025 President's Budget request includes resources to assist in
expanding work in a number of these areas and other key priorities. The responses below provide
a summary of the major topics.
Challenge 1: Mitigating the Causes and Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change.
Agency Response. The EPA is working to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions through an
integrated approach of regulations, partnerships, and technical assistance. The Agency is taking
multiple actions to limit carbon dioxide (C02) and methane emissions as well as working to reduce
high-global warming potential greenhouse gases (GHG), like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), that
will help the U.S. realize near-term climate benefits. These actions include but are not limited to:
• Issued American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act rules to phase down production
and consumption of HFCs by 85 percent by 2036: final rules to amend the production and
consumption baselines and methodology to issue allowances for 2024 through 2028; a final
rule to facilitate the transition to next-generation heating and cooling technologies; and a
proposed rule to maximize reclamation and minimize releases of HFCs.
• Proposed emissions standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles (phase 3) for model
year 2027 and beyond to avoid nearly 10 billion tons of C02 emissions, twice more than total
U.S. C02 emissions in 2022.
• Issued proposed rules to limit GHG emissions from new and existing power plants under
section 111(b) and (d) of the CAA.
• Issued proposed rule to reduce emissions of methane and other harmful air pollution from new
and existing sources in the oil and natural gas industry.
• Issued a proposal to amend reporting requirements for petroleum and natural gas systems under
the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program (GHGRP) consistent with directives in the Inflation
Reduction Act (IRA).
• Launched Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program under the IRA, awarding $250 million
in planning grants to states, Tribes, and major cities and announcing the Notice of Funding
Opportunity (NOFO) for $4.6 billion in implementation grants.
• Launched the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) under the IRA, which will award, by
the end of FY 2024 and in accordance with its statutory deadline, nearly $27 billion across
three competitive grants competitions: the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund, the $6
billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, and the $7 billion Solar for All
competition.
The EPA works with federal, state, Tribal, and local government agencies and key GHG emitting
sectors to tackle the climate crisis and deliver environmental and public health benefits for all
-------
Americans. The EPA builds partnerships, provides tools, and verifies and publishes GHG data,
economic modeling, and policy analysis, all of which increase the understanding of climate
science, impacts, and protection. The EPA also extends this expertise internationally and plays
critical roles in shaping and advancing international agreements and solutions. This international
collaboration helps to both improve public health and air quality in the U.S. and level the global
playing field for American businesses.
The EPA is maintaining its strong commitment to help strengthen the nation's adaptive capacity
and resilience, with a particular focus on advancing EJ. The Agency is ensuring its programs,
policies, rulemaking processes, enforcement and compliance assurance activities, and operations
consider current and future impacts of climate change and how those impacts disproportionately
affect certain communities.
Consistent with Executive Order 14008, the EPA has made advances implementing the
agencywide priorities identified in the Climate Adaptation Action Plan. It is integrating climate
adaptation into rulemaking processes, including regulations and permitting. It also is modernizing
its financial assistance programs to encourage climate-resilient investments across the nation. The
immediate focus is on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the IRA, to ensure
that the outcomes of investments made with those funds are resilient to the impacts of climate
change.
The EPA is embedding climate adaptation into enforcement activities. The Agency's enforcement
and compliance assurance program Includes climate adaptation and resilience in case conclusions
whenever appropriate and providing technical assistance to achieve climate-related solutions and
build climate change capacity among the EPA's staff and our state and local partners.
In addition to implementing measures to protect the Agency's workforce, facilities, and critical
infrastructure from climate change risks, the EPA also partners with other federal agencies to build
the nation's resilience to the impacts of climate change. The Agency contributed to the
development of the National Climate Resilience Framework, which was released at the White
House Summit on Building Climate Resilient Communities. The EPA is now supporting
implementation of the Framework to partner with states, Tribes, territories, local governments,
community groups, EJ organizations, and businesses to strengthen adaptive capacity and increase
the resilience of the nation, with a particular focus on advancing EJ.
Responsible Agency Official(s): Betsy Shaw, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and
Radiation; Victoria Arroyo, EPA Senior Climate Adaptation Official; David Widawsky, Director,
Office of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
Challenge 2: Integrating and Implementing Environmental Justice.
Agency Response. In FY 2023, the EPA continued to build out its newest national program, the
Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR). The Program, founded in
September 2022, brought together the Office of Environmental Justice, the Office of General
Counsel's External Civil Rights Compliance Office, and the Office of General Counsel's
Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center. Consistent with the EPA FY 2022-2026 Strategic
-------
Plan and fueled by historic investment for the EPA and through the IRA for the Environment
and Climate Justice block grants, the OEJECR is providing an unprecedented level of support
throughout the EPA to: 1) engage and support communities; 2) work with and support external
partners such as states, Tribes, and local government ; and 3) bring a stronger structural and
systemic ability to integrate EJ and comply with civil rights requirements throughout all of the
EPA's policies, programs, and activities. This approach provides support for communities and
their partners to advance solutions to on-the-ground challenges and the integration of EJ and
civil rights throughout other levels of government while also advancing the integration of EJ and
civil rights within the EPA's policies, programs, and actions.
The OEJECR currently is working, along with all other EPA programs, on the next iteration of
its National Program Guidance to carry actions successfully to the end of the current strategic
plan. Efforts are in conjunction with the EPA's updated Equity Action Plan (EAP), crafted and
published in accordance with Executive Order 14091. Among other priorities, the EAP
specifically prioritizes developing a comprehensive framework for considering cumulative
impacts in relevant EPA decisions and operationalizing that framework in EPA's programs and
activities.
The EPA also continues to provide direct support to the White House Council on Environmental
Quality (CEQ) as it leads implementation of EO 14008 and EO 14096. In particular, the EPA
continues to support the management of the White House Environmental Justice Interagency
Council (IAC) and regularly engages and supports the CEQ's staff in leading the IAC on
Environmental Justice, as well as providing advice based upon the Agency's experience on
specific elements such as development of the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool and
the EJ Scorecard.
Also reflecting the EPA's federal leadership role, the Agency is working directly with other
federal agencies to coordinate and align efforts through the IIJA, commonly referred to as the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the IRA, and annual appropriations by serving as co-chair with
the Department of Transportation for the federal Thriving Communities Network (TCN). This
effort is especially critical as so many agencies, through the Justice40 Initiative, look for ways
to ensure that the benefits of their programs and investments reach disadvantaged communities.
The EPA complements these efforts by providing direct support to build the capacity of those
disproportionately impacted communities to push from the bottom up and connect with the
resources of numerous federal agencies. Since its inception, the TCN has grown from four initial
federal agencies to a current total of nine.
Responsible Agency Official: Theresa Segovia, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator,
Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights
Challenge 3: Safeguarding the Use and Disposal of Chemicals.
Agency Response: The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, enacted in
2016, dramatically increased the EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) authorities,
responsibilities, and workload. Despite this significant increase in responsibility, appropriations
for the TSCA program were flat for the first six years and had minor increases since. In FY 2023,
-------
the EPA requested $124.2 million and received $82.6 million, which is being used across the
EPA's TSCA program to support an additional 65 full time equivalents. In November 2021, the
EPA's OIG estimated that the EPA's capacity needed to increase by 140 percent to meet the
deadlines for the existing chemical risk evaluations ongoing at that time. The FY 2023
appropriations for the TSCA represented a 39 percent increase from 2020 levels, far less than the
OIG estimated was needed. Without resources commensurate with the Lautenberg Act's
expectations, the TSCA implementation may remain a challenge for EPA.
The EPA's approach to improving implementation of the Lautenberg Act is twofold. First, the
EPA will continue to seek sufficient resources, including ensuring that the TSCA's fees reflect the
true costs of implementation. The EPA is investing more resources in recruitment and more timely
hiring of scientists with expertise in various human health risk assessment disciplines. This is
needed in part to provide senior level scientific peer review of chemical risk assessment products
earlier in the risk evaluation process. In November 2022, the Agency published a supplemental
notice of proposed rulemaking on fees for administering the TSCA. As of November 2023, the
final fees rule is undergoing interagency review.
Second, the EPA will increasingly seek to identify and implement additional process and program
efficiencies. These efficiencies include tailoring risk evaluation steps and processes for existing
chemicals in a "fit for purpose" manner and minimizing re-work by ensuring appropriate internal
scientific peer review is occuring as the risk evaluations are completed. The EPA also is better
utilizing existing comprehensive risk assessments completed by other authoritative governmental
bodies and modifying the peer review process for risk evaluations in cases in which the Agency's
and OMB's guidance on peer review provide the EPA with appropriate options that are less
resource intensive.
For the new chemicals program, efficiencies include developing category approaches to streamline
risk assessment and regulatory decisions for similar chemicals with similar uses. In FY 2023, the
EPA continued its project to inventory, screen, and revise its existing standard operating
procedures (SOP) and guidance for new chemicals review. Also in FY 2023, the EPA released
standardized approaches for risk assessment and risk management of new alternative fuels, mixed
metal oxides (MMOs) including cathode active materials, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS). MMOs are a key component in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and can be
used for semi-conductors and renewable energy generation and storage. Additionally, an SOP for
addressing differing scientific opinions has been in practice since 2022. The EPA proposed
amendments in FY 2023 to the new chemical procedural regulations under the TSCA that are
intended to align the regulatory text with new chemicals review provisions of the Lautenberg Act
and to improve the efficiency of the EPA's review processes.
The EPA continues to make significant strides in using its authority under the TSCA to reduce
risks posed by existing and new chemicals. In FY 2023, the EPA proposed three TSCA section six
rules to address unreasonable risks to health and submitted two additional rules to the OMB for
interagency review. The Agency also issued six final and one draft revised unreasonable risk
determinations amending the TSCA's risk evaluations to better address worker risks. The EPA
also released for public comment and peer review a set of principles for evaluating cumulative
risks under the TSCA and an approach for applying those principles to the evaluation of the
-------
cumulative risk posed by certain phthalate chemicals undergoing the TSCA's section six risk
evaluation.
Turning to the EPA's Pesticide Program, the prioritization of review of Pesticide Registration
Improvement Act (PRIA) actions with statutory decision timeframes over non-PRIA actions
without statutory due dates has led to a decrease in the number of non-PRIA completions in recent
years, and the development of a backlog. During this same period of time, the EPA has seen an
increase in new submissions for PRIA actions as well as renegotiation of PRIA-fee-for-service
actions or the non-PRIA backlog. Currently, there are more than 11,000 non-PRIA pesticide
actions from previous years that are still pending completion. Despite completing record numbers
of PRIA actions in the past few years, the EPA's FY 2022 renegotiation rate for PRIA actions rose
to almost 52 percent for all PRIA applications and to over 70 percent for conventional pesticides.
For comparison, five years ago in FY 2018 the PRIA renegotiation rate was 17 percent, and at the
end of FY 2021, the renegotiation rate was 34 percent.
The EPA recognizes that greater market predictability around the EPA's decision review
timeframes is one of the main objectives of the PRIA and its reauthorizations. The PRIA 5
increased fees related to the EPA's review of new applications and reevaluation of pesticides
currently in the marketplace, but due to increasing use of maintenance fees to the OIG-
recommended levels, these increased fees and appropriated funding are at best maintaining the
EPA's resource levels. The EPA is in the middle of a multi-year upgrade to its information
technology systems that, when completed, is expected to result in increased efficiency and
increased transparency to applicants about their actions pending with the EPA.
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requires the Agency to review
each registered pesticide every 15 years. The initial review is to be completed by October 1, 2026,
in the case of pesticides registered before October 1, 2007. As of April 2023, a total of 789
pesticide cases had that registration review deadline. However, the EPA has been unable to
complete all required registration review processes. As of the end of FY 2023, 614 final or interim
decisions were completed of the 789, and 717 draft risk assessments were completed. However,
court decisions relating to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) have increased the scientific
complexity of the EPA's registration review decisions and dictated changes in the registration
review workplan.
To address a decades-old challenge of protecting endangered species from pesticides while
minimizing regulatory impacts to pesticide users, the first-ever comprehensive workplan,
Balancing Wildlife Protection and Responsible Pesticide Use, was released in April 2022. The
workplan describes new and creative solutions for the EPA to come into compliance with the ESA
and establishes four overall strategies and dozens of actions to adopt those protections while
providing farmers, public health authorities, and others with access to pesticides. The workplan
also sets a new vision for a successful ESA-FIFRA program that focuses on supporting the
development of safer technologies to control pests, completing timely FIFRA decisions, and
collaborating with other agencies and stakeholders on implementing the plan. The EPA released a
workplan update in November 2022, explaining how it will adopt early mitigation for the ESA's
species as part of registration review decisions. In addition to the ESA workplan, the Agency
received in the FY 2023 enacted budget additional funding of approximately $5 million in
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contracts and payroll to support 10 additional FTE to make incremental progress toward meeting
the ESA's mandates.
Responsible Agency Official: Rick Keigwin, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical
Safety and Pollution Prevention
Challenge 4: Promoting Ethical Conduct and Protecting Scientific Integrity.
Agency Response. The EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy has been in effect since 2012 and is one
of the longest standing scientific integrity policies in the federal government. In recognition of the
EPA's leadership in scientific integrity, the White House's Office of Science and Technology
Policy (OSTP) appointed the EPA's Scientific Integrity Official as a co-chair of three related
White House initiatives that implement the January 2021 Executive Memorandum on scientific
integrity and drive such policy across federal executive branch agencies. Scientific integrity at the
EPA will be further strengthened by updating the policy to meet the OSTP's requirements for
policy content, implementation, and evaluation. The EPA anticipates releasing its updated policy
later this year. The updated draft policy was released for public comment in early 2024.
The EPA is unwavering in its commitment to promptly address scientific integrity concerns and
investigate and adjudicate allegations. The Agency will continue to strengthen mechanisms to
protect and maintain a culture of scientific integrity and is on target to develop and implement
procedures to address allegations, including violations involving high-profile issues or senior
officials, including political appointees. The EPA's steadfast commitment to implementing its
Scientific Integrity Policy in support of a culture of scientific integrity, enhanced transparency,
and the protection of scientists is evidenced by Agencywide training and outreach activities that
engage employees on scientific integrity. The Agency has recognized the important role of leaders
in enhancing a culture of scientific integrity and accordingly added a scientific integrity
requirement into the performance plan requirements for its Senior Executive Service, Scientific
and Professional, and Senior-Level leaders in FY 2022 and General Schedule supervisors in FY
2024. This language requires these leaders and supervisors to be responsible for exemplifying firm
commitment to principles of scientific integrity in all relevant situations.
The EPA will continue to maintain scientific integrity's high visibility throughout the Agency
through regular outreach, including hosting an annual meeting with the EPA's employees and
launching updated training for new employees, to build upon 10 years of the Scientific Integrity
Program at the Agency. This combined with the release of the FY 2024 update to the Scientific
Integrity Policy, based on the White House's guidance, will position the EPA to maintain its
position when it comes to advancing scientific integrity within the Agency and across the federal
government.
Responsible Agency Official: Maureen Gwinn, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator,
Office of Research and Development
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Challenge 5: Managing Grants, Contracts, and Data Systems.
Agency Response. The EPA has identified "Grantee Engagement and Outreach: Pre- and Post-
Award Oversight of Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance" as one of the Agency's Enterprise
Risks. Significant new grant funding through the IIJA, IRA, and Congressionally Directed
Spending will result in an increase in the number of new grant applicants, including from
underserved communities and those that are first-time applicants. Effective grants management is
a key focus of the EPA's implementation of the IIJA and IRA and the Agency is undertaking
several actions to reduce fraud, waste and abuse risks to the Agency. The EPA is providing
extensive outreach, training, and technical assistance to potential new recipients of federal funding
that may find it challenging to comply with federal grants management requirements throughout
the grant lifecycle. This outreach includes live and recorded training, direct programmatic support,
and technical assistance, and publishing new policy and guidance to strengthen compliance where
needed. Further, the Agency is continuing to collaborate with the OIG on providing training to
potential grant recipients. The EPA also is working to strengthen existing post-award monitoring
and internal processes to strengthen internal controls to prevent improper payments or waste, fraud,
and abuse. Lastly, the Agency continues to make progress partnering with domestic manufacturers
and supply networks to support the implementation of the Build America, Buy America Act.
Additionally, the EPA's Office of Continuous Improvement within the Office of the Chief
Financial Officer is leading an effort to map out grants processes and systems across the Agency
to identify potential opportunities to streamline grant timeliness pre- and post-award and improve
grants data management to ensure the Agency has access to high-quality, timely data, which its
programs and stakeholders will rely on for monitoring program results. Further, to effectively
manage contracts funded by the IIJA and IRA, the EPA has a contract monitoring dashboard that
includes the percentage of those supplemental appropriation funds placed on each contract
awarded. Reviews of invoices for contracts that are funded with IIJA and IRA resources will occur
to ensure proper billing and progress are made under those contracts.
Responsible Agency Officials: Kimberly Patrick, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator,
Office of Mission Support; Gregg Treml, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Office of the Chief
Financial Officer
Challenge 6: Maximizing Compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations.
Agency Response. The EPA recognizes enforcement as a critical part of the Agency's mission and
maintains a strong enforcement program. Under the current Administration, the EPA has increased
its focus on traditional civil and criminal enforcement tools, with particular attention on
environmental and public health threats to overburdened communities. The revitalization of the
EPA's enforcement and compliance program is underway, and in FY 2023, the program received
an increase of nearly $70 million and 112 FTEs over FY 2022 levels. In addition, the Agency
requests an increase of nearly 201 FTE in the FY 2025 President's Budget. The Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance program had an excellent FY 2023 with the most on-site inspections since
FY 2019, 70 percent more criminal cases opened than during FY 2022, and 60 percent of the
program's inspections and more than 50 percent of the case conclusions in EJ communities. The
program is positioned to have a particularly strong FY 2024, with a significant number of new
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hires and building on the successes from FY 2023. In addition to the increase in FTE for the
program, the EPA has invested significant resources to purchase new equipment for our inspectors.
With respect to climate enforcement and compliance strategy, the EPA will prioritize enforcement
and compliance actions to mitigate climate change and include climate adaptation and resilience
in case conclusions, whenever appropriate. The requirements will apply across all the EPA's
enforcement and compliance efforts, including criminal, civil, federal facilities, and cleanup
actions. Earlier this year, the OECA announced six initiatives for FYs 2024 through 2027. For the
first time, the Agency is pursuing an initiative focused on mitigating climate change, as well as
initiatives addressing exposure to PFAS, and protecting communities from carcinogenic coal ash
contamination. The EPA is strengthening efforts to address hazardous air pollution in
overburdened communities by adding, also for the first time ever, a geographical focus to the
Agency's existing air toxins initiative. We are continuing existing initiatives focused on providing
safe drinking water and reducing the risk of deadly chemical accidents. (These activities also relate
to and address the Management Challenge 1, Mitigating the Causes and Adapting to the Impacts
of Climate Change).
During FY 2023, the OECA conducted -4,700 on-site inspections in areas of potential EJ concern
to increase our presence in low-income and minority communities, up from 57 percent in FY 2022
to over 60 percent in FY 2023. Where the EPA found noncompliance with environmental statutes
that were potentially impacting these overburdened and vulnerable communities, the Agency
pursued enforcement cases with the following results: initiated 957 enforcement actions, a 28
percent increase over FY 2022; concluded 986 enforcement actions, a 33 percent increase over FY
2022; assessed a total of $167 million in penalties up $7 million over FY 2022; estimated value of
$3.7 billion in injunctive relief; and commitments to reduce/treat/dispose -1.2 billion pounds of
air/toxics/water. These FY 2023 results show a continued trend to increase enforcement and
compliance efforts in overburdened communities. (These activities also relate to and address the
Management Challenge 2, Integrating and Implementing Environmental Justice).
The OIG issued multiple reports focused on improving oversight of and collaboration with states
to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations. This year, the EPA updated its
policies to reflect that states and the EPA, as co-regulators, have a shared commitment to work
together to protect human health and the environment, taking advantage of the strengths and
capabilities of both federal and state authorities.
The Agency remains actively engaged with the OIG in implementing corrective actions that will
respond to concerns raised in the reports. The OECA looks forward to working with colleagues
across the Agency, as well as state and Tribal partners, stakeholders, and the OIG in addressing
issues presented in the FY 2024 Top Management Challenges report.
Responsible Agency Official: Cecil Rodrigues, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator,
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
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Challenge 7: Overseeing, Protecting, and Investing in Water and Wastewater Systems.
Agency Response. The EPA helps to identify and better understand the needs for water
infrastructure across the country , through the Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey or the
Clean Watersheds Needs Survey. EPA funds infrastructure projects through multiple funding and
financing programs and provides technical assistance to connect communities and Tribes to federal
funding. The IIJA delivers more than $50 billion to the Agency to improve our nation's drinking
water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. Additionally, the Water Infrastructure
Improvements for the Nation Act and the America's Water Infrastructure Act established various
grant programs that improve drinking water and water quality, deepen infrastructure investments,
enhance public health and quality of life, increase jobs, and bolster the economy.
The EPA oversees programs that are specifically designed to help address technical, managerial,
and financial capacity issues that may contribute to water system non-compliance. Under the
Agency's capacity development program, the EPA works with states and Tribes to ensure there is
a framework in place for systems to acquire and maintain the knowledge, tools, and resources they
need. The Agency assists systems in identifying solutions to problems and provides access to
funding through the EPA WaterTA, which provides hands-on support for communities to assess
their needs, identify potential solutions, and develop funding applications. The Agency also has a
number of long-standing technical assistance programs that support communities in identifying
water challenges, developing plans, building capacity, and developing application materials to
access water infrastructure funding. These programs include the Area-Wide Optimization
Program, Creating Resilient Water Utilities, and EPA's cybersecurity program. The Agency's
Water Finance Center provides financing information to help local decision makers make informed
decisions for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure to protect human health
and the environment.
The EPA continues to underscore that adopting cybersecurity best practices at drinking water and
wastewater utilities is essential to protect communities from the increasing number and severity of
cyber-threats facing our nation's water systems. The Agency is taking steps to support states and
Tribes, technical assistance providers, and drinking water and wastewater systems by providing
ongoing technical assistance in the form of cybersecurity assessments, subject-matter expert
consultations, training, and funding. The EPA conducts cybersecurity assessments for utilities
through the Water Sector Cybersecurity Evaluation Program where utilities work with a
cybersecurity professional to complete an assessment using the Water Cybersecurity Assessment
Tool. The Agency offers direct technical assistance through the Cybersecurity Technical
Assistance Program for the Water Sector where primacy agencies, technical assistance providers,
and utilities can submit cybersecurity questions and receive one-on-one remote assistance (via
phone or email) from a cybersecurity subject-matter expert. The Agency offers cybersecurity
training and tabletop exercises free to the water sector and hosts workshops across the country to
assist primacy agencies with promoting cybersecurity best practices for their water and wastewater
systems.
To assist with costs, the EPA has several funding resources available to support drinking water
and wastewater systems in implementing cyber projects including the EPA managed Clean Water
State Revolving Fund, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, Water Infrastructure Finance and
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Innovation Act, and the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability
Program. In addition, EPA works with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
(CISA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) jointly managed Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security Agency State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, and the Tribal
Cybersecurity Grant Program regarding additional funding for drinking water and clean water
cyber projects.
In addition, the Agency's Cybersecurity Incident Action Checklist provides utilities with guidance
for preparation, response, and recovery of a cybersecurity incident. The EPA, in conjunction with
the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the Department of Homeland
Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, coordinates with water systems to share
information regarding water or wastewater system cybersecurity threats.
Responsible Agency Official: Benita Best-Wong, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of
Water
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EPA User Fee Programs
In FY 2025, EPA will have several user fee programs in operation. These user fee programs and
proposals are referenced below. EPA will continue to review whether fees should be assessed for
programs that provide special benefits to recipients beyond those that accrue to the public, in
accordance with OMB Circular A-25.
Current Fees: Pesticides
Fee collection authority exists under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of
1988, as amended by the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (("PRIA-5"), which was
part of the FY 2023 omnibus (P. L. 117-328) passed in December 2022. PRIA-5 reauthorizes these
fee authorities through fiscal year 2027 and adjusts fee amounts for certain registration activities.
• Pesticides Maintenance Fee (7 U.S.C. §136a-l(i))
The Maintenance Fee provides funding for the registration review programs and a certain
percentage supports the processing of applications not covered by a fee table under Section
33(b)(3)(B). PRIA-5 reauthorizes collection of this fee through FY 2027 and raises the collection
target by $11 million to an average collection of $42 million over five years of PRIA-5
authorization.
• Enhanced Registration Services (7 U.S.C. §136w-8(b))
Entities seeking to register pesticides for use in the United States pay a fee at the time the
registration action request is submitted to EPA, setting specific timeframes for the registration
decision service. This process has introduced new pesticides to the market more quickly. PRIA-5
reauthorizes collection of these fees through FY 2027 and adjusts fee amounts for certain types of
registrations. In FY 2025, EPA expects to collect approximately $26 million from this fee program.
Current Fees: Other
• Clean Air Part 71 Operating Permits Program
Title 40 CFR Part 71 § 71.9 authorizes and establishes requirements for the Clean Air Part 71
program - a comprehensive Federal air quality operating permit program for air pollution control
agencies that do not have a delegated Title V program on charging and collecting user fees, as
required by Section 502(b)(3) of the Clean Air Act. All sources subject to the operating permit
requirements of Title V shall have a permit to operate that assures compliance with all applicable
requirements. The owners or operators shall pay annual fees that are sufficient to cover the permit
program costs, in accordance with the procedures described in this section.
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• Service Fees for the Administration of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA Fees Rule)
On June 22, 2016, the "Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act" (P.L. 114-
182) was signed into law, amending numerous sections of TSCA, including providing authority
for the establishment of a new, broader TSCA User Fee program to replace and expand the former
Section 5 Pre-Manufacturing Notification Fee. Section 26 of TSCA authorizes EPA to collect user
fees to offset 25 percent of the Agency's full costs for implementing TSCA Sections 4, 5, 6, and
14.11 Fees are charged for: issuance of Test Orders, Test Rules and Enforceable Consent
Agreements under TSCA Section 4; submission of Pre-Manufacturing Notices, Significant New
Use Notices and Microbial Commercial Activity Notices and certain submissions for exemptions
under TSCA Section 5; and development of EPA-Initiated Risk Evaluations and Manufacturer-
Requested Risk Evaluations (MRREs) under TSCA Section 6.
EPA promulgated the TSCA User Fee Rule in October 2018.12 EPA proposed revisions to the fee
rule in January 2021. Based on public comments received on the proposed rule, as well as
stakeholder engagement and an analysis by EPA of its workforce and budget to develop a more
accurate estimate of its anticipated costs to implement TSCA, in November 2022 the Agency
issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking that modifies and adjusts this earlier
proposal. As of August 2023, EPA was developing a final rule the Agency expects to publish in
early CY 2024. EPA is proposing these changes to ensure that the fees collected will provide the
Agency with up to 25 percent of eligible TSC A costs consistent with direction in the FY 2022 and
FY 2023 appropriations law to consider the "full" implementation costs of TSCA. An adjustment
of the fees, via the rulemaking, would impact the estimates of fee collections below.
EPA collected $2.74 million in fee revenue in FY 2019 from Section 5 submissions. In FY 2020,
the Agency collected $3.03 million in fee revenue from Section 5 submissions as well as $2.5
million from two Section 6 MRREs for chemicals within the TSCA Work Plan (Di-isodecyl
Phthalate [DIDP] and Diisononyl Phthalate [DINP]). In FY 2021, the Agency collected $28.6
million: $3.3 million from Section 5, $24.05 million from 19 of the 20 Section 6 EPA-Initiated
Risk Evaluations, and $1.25 million from one Section 6 MRRE for a TSCA Work Plan chemical
(Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane [D4]). (The Agency invoiced $88.2 thousand for Section 4 Test
Orders in FY 2020 and FY 2021 but did not start receiving submissions until FY 2022.) Because
nearly $17 million of the collections for the 19 Section 6 Risk Evaluations was not due to be paid
until September 2, 2021, those funds were not accessible to EPA until early FY 2022. In FY 2022,
EPA collected approximately $5.1 million ($1.46 million from the remaining Section 6 EPA-
Initiated Risk Evaluations invoices, $3.5 million from Section 5 submissions, and $88.2 thousand
from invoiced Section 4 Test Order submissions) and is projected to collect $5.23 million in FY
2023 ($3.65 million in Section 5 submissions, $93.2 thousand from Section 4 Test Order invoices,
and an additional amount from one TSCA Section 6 Manufacturer-Requested Risk Evaluation at
$1.49 million if the MRRE request is granted) and $11.9 million in FY 2024 ($ 10.2 million in
Section 5 submissions, $125 thousand from section 4 Test Order invoices and an additional amount
from one TSCA Section 6 Manufacturer-Requested Risk Evaluation at $1.497M if the MRRE
request is granted.), all subject to potential fee level changes. In FY 2025 EPA estimates to collect
approximately $31 million ($8.7 million in Section 5 submissions, $21.2 million from the next
11 TSCA, as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, Section 26(b)(1) and (4)
12 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/tsca-fees/fees-administration-toxic-substances-coiitrol-act.
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round of Section 6 EPA-initiated chemical risk evaluations $125 thousand from section 4 Test
Order invoices, and an additional amount from one TSCA Section 6 Manufacturer-Requested Risk
Evaluation at $1.52M if the MRRE request is granted). Collections estimates in FY 2024 and 2025
are based on fees from EPA's November 16, 2022, supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking
that proposed revisions to the current fee schedule.... EPA will allocate FY 2021 Section 6
collections over the risk evaluation lifecycle (3-3.5 years). TSCA requires EPA to update the fees
every three years.13 Fees collected/projected to be collected in FY 2019 through FY 2021 equated
to approximately 14 percent of associated expenditures for those three fiscal years, below the 25
percent target. While TSCA allows the Agency to collect up to 25 percent of its costs for eligible
TSCA activities via fees, to date, EPA has collected roughly half of that amount due to the
insufficiencies of the current fees rule.
• Motor Vehicle and Engine Compliance Program Fee
This fee is authorized by the Clean Air Act of 1990 and is administered by the Office of
Transportation and Air Quality. Fee collections for manufacturers of light-duty vehicles, light- and
heavy-duty trucks, and motorcycles began in August 1992. In 2004, EPA promulgated a rule that
updated existing fees and established fees for newly regulated vehicles and engines. The fees
established for new compliance programs are paid by manufacturers of heavy-duty and nonroad
vehicles and engines, including large diesel and gas equipment (earthmovers, tractors, forklifts,
compressors, etc.), handheld and non-handheld utility engines (chainsaws, weed-whackers, leaf-
blowers, lawnmowers, tillers, etc.), marine (boat motors, watercraft, jet-skis), locomotive, aircraft
and recreational vehicles (off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles) for in-use
testing and certification. In 2009, EPA added fees for evaporative emissions requirements for
nonroad engines. EPA intends to apply certification fees to additional industry sectors as new
programs are developed. In FY 2025, EPA expects to collect approximately $25.3 million from
this fee program based upon a projection of the original rulemaking cost study adjusted for
inflation.
• Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest
The Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act (P. L. 112-195) provides EPA with
the authority to establish a program to finance, develop, and operate a system for the electronic
submission of hazardous waste manifests supported by user fees. In accordance with the Act, EPA
established the e-Manifest program. EPA finalized the user fee rule, Hazardous Waste
Management System: User Fees for the Electronic Hazardous Waste Manifest System and
Amendments to Manifest Regulations, in December 2017, and the e-Manifest system launched in
June 2018.
In FY 2025, EPA will continue to operate the e-Manifest system and the Agency anticipates
collecting and depositing approximately $20 million in e-Manifest user fees into the Hazardous
Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund. Based upon authority to collect and spend e-Manifest
fees provided by Congress in annual appropriations bills, the fees will fully support the e-Manifest
program, including the operation of the system, necessary program expenses, and future
development costs.
13 For additional information, please see: https://www.epa.gov/tsca-fees/fees-administration-toxic-substances-coiitrol-act.
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• Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program Account (WIFIA) Program Fees
The FY 2025 OMB Submission requests authorization for the Administrator to collect and obligate
fees established in accordance with Title V, subtitle C, Sections 5029 and 5030 of Public Law 113-
121, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014. These funds shall be deposited
in the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program Account (WIFIA) and remain
available until expended. WIFIA fee regulations were first promulgated in FY 2017. Fee revenue
will be used for the cost of contracting with expert services such as financial advisory, legal
advisory, and engineering firms.
The requested WIFIA program fee expenditure authority would be in addition to the $8 million
request for administrative and operations expenses. Fee revenue does not take the place of the
request for WIFIA administration. The appropriated administrative level and the anticipated fee
revenue are both needed to successfully implement the WIFIA Program. In FY 2025, EPA
estimates that $10 million in WIFIA fees could be collected.
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Eliminated Programs
Eliminated Program Projects14
Water Quality Research and Support Grants (also referred to as Congressional Priorities)
(FY 2025 President's Budget: $0.0, 0.0 FTE)
This program is proposed for elimination in the FY 2025 President's Budget. Work to advance
water quality protection can be accomplished within core statutory programs funded in the Budget
request. This program focuses on water quality and water availability research, the development
and application of water quality criteria, the implementation of watershed management
approaches, and the application of technological options to restore and protect water bodies. For
training and technical assistance aspects of the Program, states have the ability to develop technical
assistance plans for their water systems using Public Water System Supervision funds and set-
asides from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). For research and development
components of the Program, EPA was instructed by Congress to award grants on a competitive
basis, independent of the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program and give priority to not-
for-profit organizations that: conduct activities that are national in scope; can provide a twenty-
five percent match, including in-kind contributions; and often partner with the Agency. In addition,
this program was directed by Congress to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to invest
in agronomic research to better understand PFAS uptake into plants and animals to help reduce
PFAS exposure in our food supply farm viability. It also includes a number of Congressional
Directed Spending grants.
Infrastructure Assistance: Clean Water Congressionally Directed Spending
(FY 2025 President's Budget: $0.0, 0.0 FTE)
This program is proposed for elimination in the FY 2025 Budget. The purpose of this
Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) is to provide grants to specific communities to work on
specific clean water infrastructure projects. Congress has set aside funding from the State
Revolving Funds (SRFs) to fund these CDS projects, which do not move through the SRFs, and
do not recycle to facilitate future projects. Grants and work provided by this program can be
accomplished with the restoration of funding for non-CDS projects within the Clean Water State
Revolving Fund (CWSRF).
Infrastructure Assistance: Drinking Water Congressionally Directed Spending
(FY 2025 President's Budget: $0.0, 0.0 FTE)
This program is proposed for elimination in the FY 2025 Budget. The purpose of this CDS is to
provide grants to specific communities to work on specific drinking water infrastructure projects.
Congress has set aside funding from the State Revolving Funds (SRFs) to fund these CDS projects,
which do not move through the SRFs, and do not recycle to facilitate future projects. Grants and
work provided by this program can be accomplished with the restoration of funding for non-CDS
projects within the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).
14 Although not eliminated, funding for Superfund Enforcement, Remedial and Emergency Response and Removal programs is
proposed to be transitioned from annual appropriations to Superfund Tax receipts in FY 2025. Work will continue and FTE will
be funded through the tax receipts as reimbursable FTE and included in the annual FTE count.
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Expected Benefits of E-Government Initiatives
Budget Formulation and Execution Line of Business
The Budget Formulation and Execution Line of Business (BFELoB) allows EPA and other
agencies to access budget-related benefits and services. The Agency has the option to implement
LoB-sponsored tools, training, and services.
EPA has benefited from the BFELoB by sharing valuable information on how systems and
software being developed by the LoB have enhanced work processes. This effort has created a
government-only capability for electronic collaboration (Wiki) in which the Budget Community
website allows EPA to share budget information internally, with OMB, and with other federal
agencies. The Agency also made contributions to the Human Capital Workgroup, participating in
development of online training modules for budget activities - a valuable resource to all agency
budget staff. The LoB has developed the capability to have secure, virtual online meetings where
participants can view budget-related presentations from their workspace and participate in the
discussion through a conference line. The LoB provides regularly scheduled symposia as an
additional forum for EPA budget employees.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2023
020-99-99-99-99-3200-24
$120.0
2024
020-99-99-99-99-3200-24
$125.0
2025
020-99-99-99-99-3200-24
$130.0
eRulemaking
The eRulemaking Line of Business is designed to: enhance public access and participation in the
regulatory process through electronic systems; reduce the burden on citizens and businesses in
finding relevant regulations and commenting on proposed rulemaking actions; consolidate
redundant docket systems; and improve agency regulatory processes and the timeliness of
regulatory decisions. EPA has served as the managing partner for this Line of Business; however,
in FY 2020, EPA transferred management services to the General Services Administration (GSA).
EPA continues to be involved as a partner agency.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Service Fee
(in thousands)
2023
020-99-99-99-99-0060-24
$1,380.0
2024
020-99-99-99-99-0060-24
$1,145.0
2025
020-99-99-99-99-0060-24
$1,470.0
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Federal Audit Clearinghouse
In FY 2024, the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) will transition from the U.S. Census Bureau
to the General Services Administration and has been added to the E-Gov and LoB initiatives. This
LoB supports the ongoing maintenance and modernization of the FAC. The FAC distributes single
audit reporting packages to federal agencies, supports OMB oversight and assessment of federal
award audit requirements, and maintains a public database of completed audits.15
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2023
2024
020-99-99-99-99-1400-24
$65.0
2025
020-99-99-99-99-1400-24
$77.0
Federal Human Resources Line of Business
OPM's Human Resources Line of Business (HR LoB) provides the federal government the
infrastructure to support pay-for-performance systems, modernized HR systems, and the core
functionality necessary for the strategic management of human capital. The HR LoB offers
common solutions that enable federal departments and agencies to work more effectively, and to
provide managers and executives across the federal government an improved means to meet
strategic objectives. EPA will benefit by supporting an effective program management activity
which evaluates provider performance, customer satisfaction, and compliance with program goals.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2023
020-00-01-16-04-1200-24
$69.0
2024
020-00-01-16-04-1200-24
$69.0
2025
020-00-01-16-04-1200-24
$69.0
Federal PKI Bridge
Federal Public Key Infrastructure (FPKI) provides the government with a common infrastructure
to administer digital certificates and public-private key pairs, including the ability to issue,
maintain, and revoke public key certificates. FPKI leverages a security technique called Public
Key Cryptography to authenticate users and data, protect the integrity of transmitted data, and
ensure non-repudiation and confidentiality.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2023
020-99-99-99-99-0090-24
$46.0
2024
020-99-99-99-99-0090-24
$55.0
2025
020-99-99-99-99-0090-24
$49.0
15 For additional information, please refer to: https://facweb.census.gov/uploadpdf.aspx.
-------
Financial Management Line of Business
The Financial Management Line of Business (FM LoB) is a multi-agency effort whose goals
include achieving process improvements and cost savings in the acquisition, development,
implementation, and operation of financial management systems. By incorporating the same FM
LoB-standard processes as those used by central agency systems, interfaces among financial
systems are streamlined, and the quality of information available for decision-making is improved.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2023
020-00-01-01-04-1100-24
$96.0
2024
020-00-01-01-04-1100-24
$96.0
2025
020-00-01-01-04-1100-24
$96.0
Freedom of Information Act Portal
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Improvement Act of 2016 directed the Office of
Management and Budget and Department of Justice to build a consolidated online request portal
that allows a member of the public to submit a request for records to any agency from a single
website. DOJ is managing the development and maintenance of this National FOIA Portal. EPA
and other federal agencies were requested to contribute to this effort.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2023
020-99-99-99-99-0099-24
$36.0
2024
020-99-99-99-99-0099-24
$35.0
2025
020-99-99-99-99-0099-24
$37.0
Geospatial Line of Business
The Geospatial Line of Business, an intergovernmental project managed by the Department of the
Interior, serves to improve the ability of the public and government to use geospatial information
to support the business of government and facilitate decision-making. The intent of the initiative
is to reduce costs and improves agency operations in several areas. This line of business is the
mechanism for coordinating implementation of the Geospatial Data Act and Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) guidance on Coordination of Geographic Information and
Related Spatial Data Activities and the National Geospatial Platform. The National Geospatial
Platform incorporates many national geospatial data and analytical services for federal agencies,
their partners, and stakeholders.
A primary benefit to EPA in participating in and contributing to the line of business is access to
geospatial data sets known as National Geospatial Data Assets (NDGA) supported by multiple
agencies. These datasets and services are easily accessible by federal agencies, their partners, and
stakeholders. EPA uses the National Geospatial Platform to obtain data and services for internal
-------
analytical purposes as well as to publish outward-facing geospatial capabilities to the public. EPA
is expected to contribute to the operation of the National Geospatial Platform in FY 2025. The
intent is to reduce base costs by providing an opportunity for EPA and other agencies to share
approaches on procurement consolidation and include shared services for hosting geospatial data,
services, and applications.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2023
020-99-99-99-99-3100-24
$225.0
2024
020-99-99-99-99-3100-24
$225.0
2025
020-99-99-99-99-3100-24
$225.0
Grants.gov
The Grants.gov initiative benefits EPA and its grant programs by providing a single location to
publish grant opportunities and application packages, and by providing a single site for the grants
community to apply for grants using common forms, processes, and systems. EPA believes that
the central site raises the visibility of its grant opportunities to a wider diversity of applicants.
The grants community benefits from savings in postal costs, paper, and envelopes. Applicants save
time in searching for agency grant opportunities and in learning the application systems of various
agencies. In order to streamline the application process, EPA offers Grants.gov application
packages for mandatory state grants (i.e., Continuing Environmental Program Grants).
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2023
020-00-04-00-04-0160-24
$262.0
2024
020-00-04-00-04-0160-24
$259.0
2025
020-00-04-00-04-0160-24
$276.0
Integrated Award Environment
The Integrated Award Environment (IAE) is comprised of a number of government-wide
automated applications and/or databases that streamline the acquisition business process across the
government and support EPA's contracting and grants programs. In FY 2012, GSA began the
process of consolidating the systems into one central repository called the System for Award
Management (SAM). Until the consolidation is complete, EPA leverages some IAE systems via
electronic linkages to EPA's Acquisition System (EAS); other IAE systems are not linked directly
to EAS but benefit the Agency' s contracting staff and vendor community as stand-alone resources.
EAS uses SAM vendor data: contracting officers can download vendor-provided representation
and certification information electronically via SAM, which allows vendors to submit this
information once rather than separately for every contract proposal. Additionally, contracting
officers access the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, which
contains records on contractor performance, including past performance evaluations, and
suspensions and debarments.
-------
Through the IAE, contracting officers also can review Wage Determinations to obtain information
required under the Service Contract Act and the Davis-Bacon Act. EAS links to the Federal
Procurement Data System (FPDS) and SAM.gov, which includes the Contract Opportunities
platform, for submission of contract actions at the time of award. FPDS provides public access to
government-wide contract information. The Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System supports
vendor subcontracting data submission for contracts identified as requiring this information. EPA
publishes notices of proposed contract actions expected to exceed $25 thousand to the Contact
Opportunities listing. Vendors use this publicly available information to identify business
opportunities in federal contracting.
The IAE houses Assistance Listings (formerly called Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA), which provides a comprehensive description of all federal assistance including
information on eligibility, how to apply, and matching requirements for public consumption.
Further, EPA's IAE fee supports use of services for standardized obligations and award-related
information reporting for all Federal financial assistance and procurement awards as required by
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) and the DATA Act
of2014.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2023
020-00-01-16-04-0230-24
$720.0
2024
020-00-01-16-04-0230-24
$650.0
2025
020-00-01-16-04-0230-24
$520.0
Performance Management Line of Business
Beginning in FY 2025, EPA will contribute to the Performance Management LoB which provides
government-wide performance management capabilities to help meet the transparency
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010
(GPRAMA). The Performance Management LoB also supports government-wide performance
management efforts from data collection and governance to internal and external reporting.
Fiscal Year
Account Code
EPA Contribution
(in thousands)
2023
2024
2025
020-00-01-16-04-0900-24
$100.0
-------
FY 2025 Administrator's Priorities
Funding for the Administrator's priorities are allocated by program project in the FY 2025
President's Budget with a total of $2,375 million in the Environmental and Program Management
Account and $125 thousand in the Science and Technology Account.
These funds, which are set aside for the Administrator's priorities, are used to address unforeseen
issues that may arise during the year. These funds are used by the Administrator to support critical
unplanned issues and the amounts shown in the below table will be reallocated as needed, in
accordance with reprogramming limits.
FY 2025 President's Budget Funding for Administrator's Priorities
Dollars in
Appropriation
Program Project
Thousands
EPM
Acquisition Management
$150
EPM
Brownfields
$25
EPM
Civil Enforcement
$150
EPM
Civil Rights / Title VI Compliance
$75
EPM
Compliance Monitoring
$100
EPM
Criminal Enforcement
$145
EPM
Drinking Water Programs
$100
EPM
Exchange Network
$75
EPM
Federal Stationary Source Regulations
$100
EPM
Federal Support for Air Quality Management
$130
EPM
Human Resources Management
$25
EPM
International Sources of Pollution
$50
EPM
IT / Data Management
$175
EPM
Legal Advice: Environmental Program
$100
EPM
Legal Advice: Support Program
$75
EPM
NEPA Implementation
$100
Pesticides: Protect Human Health from Pesticide
EPM
Risk
$150
Pesticides: Protect the Environment from Pesticide
EPM
Risk
$150
Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide
EPM
Availability
$100
EPM
RCRA: Waste Management
$25
EPM
Science Advisory Board
$100
EPM
State and Local Prevention and Preparedness
$100
EPM
Surface Water Protection
$50
EPM
TRI / Right to Know
$75
EPM
Tribal - Capacity Building
$50
S&T
Federal Support for Air Quality Management
$25
S&T
Research: Air, Climate and Energy
$50
S&T
Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability
$50
Total
$2,500
-------
EPA Consolidations, Reorganizations, Realignments, or Other Transfer of Resources
Office of the Administrator
In FY 2023, the Office of the Administrator (OA) submitted a reorganization proposal to
strengthen internal operations and programs to enhance and streamline its mission support
functions; improve products and services to its customers, partners, and stakeholders; and better
align resources with Administration priorities. The reorganization also realigns functions to
balance workload across OA, eliminate organizational layers, and consolidate similar or
duplicative functions to better leverage personnel and resources. This reorganization does not
affect any other EPA program office or regional office. OA anticipates completing the
reorganization in FY 2024.
Office of Air and Radiation
In FY 2023, the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) submitted a proposal to reorganize the Office
of Atmospheric Protection and the Office of Transportation and Air Quality to better align with its
workload and missions. The Office of Atmospheric Protection (OAP) reorganized three
organizational units: the Climate Change Division (CCD), the Climate Protection Partnership
Division (CPPD) and the Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD). The reorganization creates new
units in these three divisions to distribute existing and new functions more efficiently. In addition,
the title of CAMD is changing to the Clean Air and Power Division (CAPD). The Office of
Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) reorganized three organizational units: the Assessment &
Standards Division, the Compliance Division (CD), and the Transportation and Climate Division
(TCD). The reorganization consolidates and realigns work across OTAQ to better distribute
existing work and manage the increased programmatic and budget responsibilities under the
Inflation Reduction Act. This reorganization does not affect any other EPA program office or
regional office. OAR anticipates completing the reorganization in FY 2024.
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
In FY 2023, the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) submitted a proposal
to reorganize the Risk Assessment Branch 8 (RAB 8) in the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP)'s
Health Effects Division (HED). RAB 8, although technically housed in HED, is a dynamic branch
that supports the science needs across the entire OPP, working on multiple high-level projects
dealing with emerging science and risk assessment issues. The branch provides scientific support
to all divisions in OPP for areas where they may currently lack expertise (e.g., data analytics,
Structure-Activity Relationship and other predictive methods, physiologically-based
pharmacokinetic modeling, New Approach Methods, etc.). To increase efficiency and maximize
the FTE allocation, OCSPP plans to dissolve the structure of RAB 8 and move those staff under
the direct supervision of the divisions under which they currently work. Divisions propose to
receive staff to include the Environmental Fate and Effects Division (EFED), the Biological and
Economic Analysis Division (BEAD), the Antimicrobials Division (AD), the Biopesticides and
Pollution Prevention Division (BPPD), and the Registration Division (RD). This reorganization
does not to affect any other EPA program office or regional office. OCSPP anticipates completing
the reorganization in FY 2024.
-------
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
In FY 2024, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) plans to submit a reorganization
proposal to address important new legislation and mandates and formalize existing ones
(Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, updates to OMB Circulars A-l 1 and
A-123, and others); improve efficiency by consolidating and aligning related functions; better
explain the work of OCFO organizational units in the Agency's official functional statements;
promote operational efficiency and balance workload by flattening and streamlining OCFO's
organizational structure; and rename organizational units for greater clarity and to comply with
requirements for agency Human Resources systems and reporting.
Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights
In September 2022, EPA established a new national program manager, the Office of
Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) to: bolster the integration of EJ
considerations, conflict mitigation and collaboration, and civil rights compliance across all EPA
policies, programs, and activities; support the efforts of regulatory partners to similarly integrate
EJ and fully comply with civil rights requirements; and enhance EPA's ability to meaningfully
engage with and directly support communities with EJ and civil rights concerns. This change
reflects and helps to bolster EPA efforts to fully achieve the many commitments in the FY 2022-
2026 EPA Strategic Plan, Goal 2, Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and
Civil Rights, which similarly elevates EJ and external civil rights compliance priorities.
In FY 2023, EPA submitted a reorganization proposal to ensure OEJECR can most effectively
meet its commitments and critical mission functions in an efficient manner by establishing an
Environmental Justice, Community Health, and Environmental Review Division (EJCHERD) in
each regional office. The Regional EJCHERD is to manage regional implementation of the
environmental justice program and coordination of the external civil rights program. Other core
functions include managing regional National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), children's
health, and environmental education programs. This alignment of national and regional program
management functions supports effective and efficient delivery of new and expanded programs. It
also supports more effective joint planning and coordination with tribal, state, and local partners
in program delivery. This reorganization does not affect any other EPA program office or regional
office.
In addition to the regional reorganizations, OEJECR plans to implement an additional minor
reorganization in its Headquarter office in FY 2024. The primary impetus for this reorganization
is to accommodate the additional structural and supervisory needs of the national program brought
about by the introduction of numerous term-limited positions to implement the Environmental and
Climate Justice Block Grants funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as to make minor
adjustments based upon the national program's first year of operations. This proposed
reorganization does not affect any other EPA program office. OEJECR anticipates completing the
reorganization in FY 2024.
-------
FY 2025 Environmental Justice Estimated Program Budget1
Dollars in Thousands
Appropriation
Program Activities
FY 2025 PB
Resources2
FY 2025
PB FTE3
EPM
HQ Environmental Justice (EJ) Program Management and Coordination4
$108,500.0
EPM
EJSCREEN and Information Tools
$10,900.0
EPM
White House (WH) EJ Inter-Agency Council (formerly EJ IWG) Support
and EJ coordination with Other Federal Agencies
$3,000.0
EPM
National EJ Advisory Council/WHEJ Advisory Council Support, and
Climate EJ Advisory Council
$4,000.0
107.8
EPM
Environmental Justice Community Grant Program5'6
$33,000.0
EPM
Environmental Justice Government to Government Grant Program7
$31,500.0
EPM
Community-based Participatory Research Grant Program
$15,000.0
EPM
Environmental Justice Training Program
$3,000.0
EPM
Environmental Justice Clearinghouse
$5,000.0
EPM
Environmental Justice Legal Support
$3,837.0
EPM
Thriving Community Technical Assistance Centers8
$69,715.0
151.3
EPM
Regional Resources for Environmental Justice Program
$30,260.0
Subtotal of EPM EJ Resources and FIE
$317,712.0
259.1
Supcrfund
Supcrfund Environmental Justice Program Coordination''
$5,901.0
5.5
Subtotal of' Super fund EJ Resources and J'IE
S 5,'JO 1.0
5.5
TOTAL
S323.6I3.0
264.6
1 The Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 instructs EPA to provide
"allocations for each component of funding for environmental justice programs". Please see page 228:
httDs://www.£ovinfo.£ov/content/Dke/CREC-2020-12-21/Ddf/CREC-2( ouse-bk4.odf.
2Estimated program activity resources include both payroll and non-payroll resources.
Estimated FTE per program activity.
4The former Agency Technical Assistance, Research, Training, Education, and Communication program activity has been
incorporated into the HQ Environmental Justice (EJ) Program Management and Coordination program activity.
5In FY 2022, The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Grants Program was
renamed as the Environmental Justice Competitive Grant Program. The Environmental Justice Small Grants Program was
renamed as the Environmental Justice Community Grant Program.
6In FY 2023, EPA combined the Environmental Justice Competitive Grant Program with the Environmental Justice
Community Grant Program.
7In FY 2023, EPA renamed the State, Tribes, and Territories Environmental Justice Grants to the Environmental Justice
Government to Government Grants.
8In FY 2023, EPA renamed the Regional Outreach Centers to the Thriving Community Technical Assistance Centers
(TCTACs).
9The Superfund Environmental Justice Program Coordination includes resources in support of the Agency's Superfund
Program and will include the following: coordination and support for HQ activities that align with or focus on Superfund
issues such as: efforts of the NEJAC Superfund working group, collaboration with Superfund on data enhancements for
EJScreen and other information tools, collaboration of EJ program staff with the Superfund Program on equity and justice
efforts, and coordination of regional staff with Superfund staff and Community Involvement Coordinators on place-based
EJ and Superfund issues of clean-up, risk communication, engagement, and revitalization.
-------
FY 2025 STAG Categorical Program Grants
Statutory Authority and Eligible Uses
(Dollars in Thousands)
(¦mill Tilk-
Sliiluliirx
Aulhiirilk-s
l!li^il>k' ki'iipii'iiis
l!lik- I si-s
i \ 2023
()|K'r;ilin
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(Jinill Tiik-
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Klik- I si-s
i \ 2023
()|K'i';ilin
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(Jinill Tiik-
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r.li^ihk' Ki-ii|>k-nls
Klik- I si-s
i \ 2023
()|K'i';ilin
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(Jinill Tiik-
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Aiilluirilk-s
I!li^il>k' Ri'iipk'iils
Klik- I si-s
i \ 2023
()|K'i';ilin
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(Jinill Tiik-
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i \ 2023
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(Jinill Tiik-
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Klik- I si-s
i \ 2023
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(Jinill Tiik-
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Aulhorilk-s
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Klik- I si-s
i \ 2023
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-------
(Jinill Tiik-
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I!li^il>k' Ri'iipk'iils
Klik- I si-s
i \ 2023
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(Jinill Tiik-
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-------
Making Litigation Costs Transparent - Equal Access for Justice Act (EAJA)16
FY 2023
Date of
final fee
agreement
or court
disposition
Case Name
Court
Case
Number
Judge
Amount
of Fees
and/or
Costs
Paid
Source of
Funds
Was
amount
negotiated
or court
ordered?
Recipients
Nature of Case and Findings
Basis
Hourly
Rate of
Attorney
17
Hourly
Rate of
Expert
Witness
11/14/2022
Earth Island
Institute, etal.
v. Wheeler, et
al..
United
States
District
Court for
the
Northern
District of
California
San
Francisco
Division
3:20-cv-
00670-
WHO
(N.D.
Cal.)
William H.
Orrick
$92,934
EPA
Appropriations
Negotiated
Center for
Biological
Diversity;
Environmental
Law Clinic,
UC Berkeley
School of Law
CWA 505 claim for failure to
perform non-discretionary
duty under CWA 311 (d) to
update National Oil and
Hazardous Substances
Contingency Plan; APA claim
for unreasonable delay in
taking action on petition for
rulemaking and proposed rule
regarding revisions to the
National Oil and Hazardous
Substances Contingency Plan.
N/A
None
United
States
District
12/21/2022
Center for
Food Safety v.
EPA
Court for
the
Northern
District of
California
San
Francisco
Division
3:21-cv-
9640-
JSC
(N.D.
Cal.)
Jacqueline
Scott
Corley
$12,539
EPA
Appropriations
Negotiated
Center for
Food Safety
APA claim of unreasonable
delay in responding to petition
filed in 2017 requesting
amendment to treated article
exemption for treated seeds.
N/A
None
03/28/2023
National
Family Farm
Coalition, etal.
v. EPA, et al.
United
States
Court of
Appeals for
the Ninth
Circuit
19-
70115
(9th Cir.)
Michael
Daly
Hawkins,
M.
Margaret
McKeown,
William A.
Fletcher
$675,000
EPA
Appropriations
Negotiated
Center for
Food Safety
Challenge under FIFRA and
the Endangered Species Act to
EPA's 2018 amendment of
registration for use in 34
states of the herbicide
dicamba on cotton and
soybean that have been
genetically engineered to
resist dicamba.
N/A
None
16 In the FY 2019 Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 116-6), the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations requested Department of
Interior, EPA, and the Forest Service make publicly available the EAJA fee information as specified in the explanatory statement accompanying Division G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2017 (P.L. 115-31).
17 In prior reports EPA had erroneously included hourly rates used in the plaintiffs fee requests. Upon further review, as the final Equal Access to Justice Act settlements are negotiated, it is not
possible to provide the hourly rates reflected in the actual amounts paid.
-------
Date of
final fee
agreement
or court
disposition
Case Name
Court
Case
Number
Judge
Amount
of Fees
and/or
Costs
Paid
Source of
Funds
Was
amount
negotiated
or court
ordered?
Recipients
Nature of Case and Findings
Basis
Hourly
Rate of
Attorney
17
Hourly
Rate of
Expert
Witness
03/10/2023
Center for
Biological
Diversity, etal.
v. EPA, et al.
United
States
Court of
Appeals for
the Ninth
20-
73146
(9th Cir.)
Ryan
Nelson,
Kenneth
Lee, Jed
$175,000
EPA
Appropriations
Negotiated
Center for
Biological
Diversity;
Center for
Challenge under FIFRA and
the Endangered Species Act to
EPA's 2020 approval of
registrations for products
contain the new active
ingredient inpyrfluxam.
N/A
None
Circuit
Rakoff
Food Safety
11/14/2022
Northwest
Environmental
Advocates v.
EPA
United
States
District
Court for
the Western
District of
Washington
Seattle
Division
2:20-cv-
1362-
MJP
(W.D.
Wash.)
Marsha J.
Pechman
$193,320
EPA
Appropriations
Negotiated
Earthrise Law
Center
APA claims alleging EPA's
denial of a rulemaking
petition to promulgate aquatic
life criteria for the state of
Washington was arbitrary and
capricious.
N/A
None
03/10/2023
Rural
Coalition, etal.
v. EPA, et al.
United
States
Court of
Appeals for
the Ninth
Circuit
20-
70787 &
20-
70801
(9th Cir.)
J. Clifford
Wallace,
Danny J.
Boggs,
Michelle T.
Friedland
$260,000
EPA
Appropriations
Negotiated
Center for
Food Safety
Challenge under FIFRA and
the Endangered Species Act to
EPA's 2020 Interim
Registration Review Decision
for glyphosate.
N/A
None
-------
Office of Enforcement Compliance Assurance Travel by Program Project
FY 2019 - FY 2025*
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
FY 2025
Appr. | Program Pro je ct
Enacte d
Actuals * *
Enacte d
Actuals * *
Enacted
Actuals **
Enacted
Actuals * *
Enacted*
Actuals **
4nnualize d CR* *'
Pre s Bud****
EPM
43 - Brownfields
$16.0
$4.2
$16.0
$18.2
$3.0
$0.0
$3.0
$2.3
$3.0
$3.3
$3.0
$12.0
44 - Civil Enforcement
$2,216.0
$1,942.2
$2,197.0
$886.2
$742.0
$602.0
$742.0
$1,230.7
$2,932.0
$2,637.5
$2,932.0
$3,236.0
50 - Compliance Monitoring
$1,529.0
$1,397.2
$1,516.0
$694.8
$567.0
$301.0
$582.0
$658.0
$835.0
$1,217.5
$835.0
$2,336.0
52 - Criminal Enforcement
$1,522.0
$1,458.1
$1,522.0
$748.4
$548.0
$467.0
$548.0
$606.0
$1,518.0
$1,381.8
$1,518.0
$1,690.0
57 - Environmental Justice
$0.0
$5.3
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$4.0
$148.2
$4.0
$248.9
$4.0
$0.0
63 - Geographic Program: Chesapeake Bay
$20.0
$24.0
$20.0
$6.9
$20.0
$9.0
$20.0
$18.4
$20.0
$23.8
$20.0
$20.0
90 - NEPA Implementation
$0.0
$70.5
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
F2 - Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$238.0
$234.5
$238.0
$204.4
$84.0
$132.0
$131.0
$342.4
$207.0
$355.7
$207.0
$238.0
Total
$5,541.0
$5,136.0
$5,509.0
$2,558.9
$1,964.0
$1,511.0
$2,030.0
$3,006.0
$5,519.0
$5,868.5
$5,519.0
$7,532.0
S&T
62 - Forensics Support
$260.0
$193.1
$260.0
$115.0
$141.0
$88.0
$141.0
$170.9
$260.0
$232.2
$260.0
$478.0
LUST
44 - Civil Enforcement
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
OIL
44 - Civil Enforcement
$14.0
$8.1
$14.0
$3.1
$14.0
$6.0
$12.0
$13.4
$12.0
$9.3
$12.0
$14.0
50 - Compliance Monitoring
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
Total
$14.0
$8.1
$14.0
$3.1
$14.0
$6.0
$12.0
$13.4
$12.0
$9.3
$12.0
$14.0
SUPERFUND
50 - Compliance Monitoring
$8.0
$0.0
$8.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$8.0
52 - Criminal Enforcement
$468.0
$236.7
$468.0
$125.8
$468.0
$399.0
$468.0
$547.3
$468.0
$579.7
$468.0
$500.0
62 - Forensics Support
$50.0
$32.9
$50.0
$17.2
$50.0
$48.0
$50.0
$65.3
$50.0
$85.9
$50.0
$57.0
C7 - Superfund: Enforcement ****
$1,145.0
$995.7
$1,143.0
$445.0
$1,143.0
$155.0
$1,143.0
$461.8
$1,143.0
$980.0
$1,143.0
$0.0
H2 - Superfund: Federal Facilities Enf
$120.0
$65.1
$120.0
$81.7
$120.0
$12.0
$120.0
$28.1
$120.0
$102.2
$120.0
$120.0
Total
$1,791.0
$1,330.4
$1,789.0
$669.7
$1,781.0
$614.0
$1,781.0
$1,102.5
$1,781.0
$1,747.8
$1,781.0
$685.0
Grand Total
$7,606.0
$6,667.6
$7,572.0
$3,346.7
$3,900.0
$2,219.0
$3,964.0
$4,292.7
$7,572.0
$7,857.7
$7,572.0
$8,709.0
The Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 instructs EPA to follow guidance as set forth in House Report 116-448. House Report 116-448 directs EPA to provide
"requested enforcement travel budget, and budgeted and actual enforcement travel spending for the previous five fiscal years". Please see page 80: https://www.congress.gOv/l 16/crpt/hrpt448/CRPT-
116hrpt448.pdf. This report fulfills this requirement.
*In FY 2020 and FY 2021, OECA's travel resources decreased due to the COVID Pandemic travel restrictions. In FY 2023 and FY 2024, the travel resources were brought back to pre-COVID levels to
resume in-person travel and inspections.
"Actuals include final obligations of New Obligation Authority (NOA) and Carryover for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA).
***EPA will re-evaluate travel as part of the Agency's FY 2024 Operating Plan activities in preparation for the FY 2024 Enacted Budget.
**** jn py 2025, the Budget proposed to transition the Superfund Enforcement program to the Superfund Tax Receipts. As a result, the Superfund Enforcement travel is proposed to be transitioned to the
Superfund tax receipts and estimates will be evaluated in FY 2025.
-------
On-Site Inspections and Off-site Compliance Monitoring Compliance Activities from
EPA's Integrated Compliance Information System18
The table below provides the numbers in EPA's Integrated Compliance Information (ICIS) data
system for on-site inspection and off-site compliance monitoring activities from fiscal years (FY)
2018-2023.
Fiscal Year
On-Site Inspections
Off-Site Compliance
Monitoring Activities
(EPA has not set separate
targets for this category)
Total
Completed
FY 2018 actual
7,900
2,900
10,800
FY 2019* actual
Target: 7,400
Actual: 8,100
2,200
10,329
FY 2020 actual
Target: not set**
Actual: 3,600
4,900
8,500
FY 2021 actual
Target: not set**
Actual: 3,200
7,600
10,800
FY 2022 actual
Target: not set**
Actual: 5,900
8,000
13,900
FY 2023 actual
Target: not set**
Actual: 7,750
5,350
13,100
FY 2024
projection
Target: 6,050
Actual: TBD
Target: 11,000
FY 2025
projection
Target: TBD
Actual: TBD
Target: 12,000
*In 2019, EPA set targets for on-site inspections only. Previous targets were a combination of on-site inspections
and off-site compliance monitoring activities.
**Targets were not set for on-site inspections in FY 2020 through FY 2023 due to travel restrictions, uncertainty
resulting from COVID-19, and rebuilding capacity as the pandemic ends.
Caveats:
1. Definitions: Nationally consistent definitions of on-site inspections and off-site compliance
monitoring activities did not exist for our compliance monitoring program until we issued
guidance on April 24, 2020 (and updated in November 2020). As a result, earlier data may
include mis-categorized activities. EPA's April 24, 2020, memorandum provided definitions
for both on-site and off-site compliance monitoring activities, which creates more consistency
in each of the categories.
18
The Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 instructs EPA to follow guidance as set
forth in House Report 116-448. House Report 116-448 directs EPA to provide "separate targets for onsite inspections and offsite
compliance monitoring activities, and separate target and actuals data for onsite and offsite compliance monitoring activities for
the previous five fiscal years". Please see page 80: https://www.c0ngress.g0v/l 16/crpt/hrpt448/CRPT-l 16hrpt448.pdf. This
report fulfills this requirement.
-------
2. Incomplete Data Entry: Given that EPA has not historically required most types of off-site
compliance monitoring activities to be entered into an EPA database, these numbers are likely
incomplete. EPA's April 24, 2020, guidance for reporting key off-site compliance monitoring
activities establishes expectations for national reporting of these activities, subsequent years'
numbers are therefore more reflective of actual activities.
3. COVID-19: Restrictions on travel during the pandemic affected EPA's ability to conduct on-
site inspections in FY 2020, FY 2021 and continued partially in FY 2022. While on-site
inspection numbers dropped substantially during this time, EPA was able to increase its off-
site compliance monitoring activities. In FY 2022, as the pandemic eased, EPA was able to
begin increasing the number of on-site inspections again, and on-site inspection numbers have
continued to rise through FY 2023.
4. States Conduct Majority of Inspections: Most inspections are performed by authorized states.
For example, states performed over 35,000 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) inspections.
5. Data Mining: With modern tools, EPA collects data from monitoring reports and manifests.
EPA conducts off-site compliance monitoring to try to detect violations, including possible
violations of emission and discharge limitations. EPA uses this information to target facilities
for on-site inspections. The FY 2020 guidance will help the Agency nationally focus and track
this important off-site compliance monitoring work.
6. Totals More Reliable Than Subtotals: The sum of the two subtotals (on-site inspections +
offsite compliance monitoring activities) is a more reliable value because it smooths out some
of the variability in each subtotal. EPA believes definitions of on-site inspections and off-site
compliance monitoring activities will help make the subtotal data more reliable going forward.
7. Staffing Levels: The number of inspections the Agency completes each year generally
correlates with our annual staffing levels. During the time period reported in the table, OECA's
number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) has decreased from 2,684 in FY 2018 to 2,551 in FY
2023.
-------
Physicians' Comparability Allowance (PCA) Plan
Department and component:
| Environmental Protection Agency
Purpose: The purpose of this document is to describe the Agency's plan for implementing the
Physicians' Comparability Allowance (PCA) Program. Per 5 CFR 595.107, the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) must approve this plan prior to the Agency entering into any
PCA service agreement. Changes to this plan must be reviewed and approved by OMB in
accordance with 5 CFR 595.107.
Reporting: In addition to the plan, each year, components utilizing PCA will include their PCA
worksheet in the OMB Justification (OMBJ), typically in September. OMB and OPM will use this
data for Budget development and congressional reporting.
Plan for Implementing the PCA Program:
1 a) Identify the categories of physician positions the Agency has established are covered by PCA
under § 595.103. Please include the basis for each category. If applicable, list and explain
the necessity of any additional physician categories designated by your agency (for
categories other than I through IV-B). List Any Additional Physician Categories Designated
by Your Agency: Pursuant to 5 CFR 595.107, any additional category of physician receiving
a PCA, not covered by categories I through IV-B, should be listed and accompanied by an
explanation as to why these categories are necessary.
Number of
Physicians
Receiving PCAs
by Category (non-
add)
Category of Physician
Position
Covered
by
Agency
(mark "x"
if
covered)
Basis for Category
2
Category I Clinical
Position
X
EPA's Office of Research and Development
(ORD) clinical physicians oversee the
medical care of study subjects. These studies
are conducted on the health effects of a
variety of common environmental pollutants
in many different human subjects. Our
primary emphasis is on cardio-pulmonary
responses, with recent interest in behavioral
responses. The Medical Officer is
responsible for the health and well-being of
research participants before, during, and after
research. Prior to research, the Medical
Officer is responsible for clinically
evaluating individuals. During research, they
are responsible for instituting preventative
measures to ensure that any procedure entails
the least risk possible. After the research, it is
-------
Number of
Physicians
Receiving PCAs
by Category (non-
add)
Category of Physician
Position
Covered
by
Agency
(mark "x"
if
covered)
Basis for Category
the Medical Officer's responsibility to
evaluate an individual's health to
determine any clinical changes.
Category II Research
Position
n/a
1
Category III
Occupational Health
EPA is establishing a medical staff within
the Office of Administration, Safety and
Sustainability Division that will serve as a
focal point for pandemic planning,
occupational medical surveillance, wellness,
and will provide medical consultative
services supporting the Agency's safety and
health, disease response/outbreak, fitness for
duty, diver, automated external defibrillator,
emergency response, nerve agent antidote,
medical countermeasures, lactation, maternal
wellness, and other national programs.
Category IV-A Disability
Evaluation
n/a
1
Category IV-B Health
and Medical Admin.
X
This position serves as the principal medical
officer and environmental health scientist for
EPA's ORD. The position is responsible for
providing leadership, direction, and technical
expertise in support of organizational-wide
health and environmental planning, policy
development and implementation, and
oversight of scientific initiatives and research
efforts for ORD's Assistant Administrator
(AA) or their designee. This includes:
Strategic Research Action Plan oversight;
prioritization of environmental health
research; and counsel and oversight on
legislation, regulations and health impact
assessments related to Executive Branch
agencies on human health, air quality,
ecosystem services, toxics and risks,
environmental social sciences, and most
notably, COVID-19.
-------
Physicians' Comparability Allowance (PCA) Plan (continued)
2) Explain the recruitment and retention problem(s) for each category of physician in your
agency (this should demonstrate that a current need continues to persist). § 595 of 5 CFR Ch.
1 requires that an agency may determine that a significant recruitment and retention problem
exists only if all of the following conditions apply:
- Evidence indicates that the Agency is unable to recruit and retain physicians for the
category;
- The qualification requirements being sought do not exceed the qualifications necessary for
successful performance of the work;
- The Agency has made efforts to recruit and retain candidates in the category; and
- There are not a sufficient number of qualified candidates available if no comparability
allowance is paid.
Number of Physicians
Receiving PCAs by
Category (non-add)
Category of Physician
Position
Recruitment and retention problem
2
Category I Clinical
Position
The small population of EPA Clinical Physician positions
experiences modest turnover. The value of the physicians'
comparability allowance to EPA is used as a retention
tool. The Agency is told regularly that absent the
allowance some EPA physicians would seek employment
at federal agencies that provide the allowance.
Category II Research
Position
n/a
1
Category III Occupational
Health
The value of the physicians' comparability allowance to
EPA is to be used as a recruitment and retention tool. The
Agency is told regularly that absent the allowance some
EPA physicians would seek employment at federal
agencies that provide the allowance.
Category IV-A Disability
Evaluation
n/a
1
Category IV-B Health and
Medical Admin.
The small population of EPA Health and Medical
Administrative Physician position(s) experiences modest
turnover. The value of the physicians' comparability
allowance to EPA is used as a retention tool. The Agency
is told regularly that absent the allowance some EPA
physicians would seek employment at federal agencies
that provide the allowance.
-------
3) Explain how the Agency determines the amounts to be used for each category of physicians.
Number of
Physicians
Receiving PCAs by
Category (non-add)
Category of Physician
Position
Basis of comparability allowance amount
2
Category I Clinical
Position
EPA reviews the experience and technical expertise of
the candidates. Combined with other salary ranges in the
private sector and in review of other federal agencies,
the Agency tries to be within a range that allows the
Agency to retain the employees.
Category II Research
Position
n/a
1
Category III Occupational
Health
EPA reviews the experience and technical expertise of
the candidates. Combined with other salary ranges in the
private sector and in review of other federal agencies,
the Agency tries to be within a range that allows the
Agency to retain the employees.
Category IV-A Disability
Evaluation
n/a
1
Category IV-B Health and
Medical Admin.
EPA reviews the experience and technical expertise of
the candidates. Combined with other salary ranges in the
private sector and in review of other federal agencies,
the Agency tries to be within a range that allows the
Agency to retain the employees.
4) Does the Agency affirm that the PCA plan is consistent with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5948
and the requirements of § 595 of 5 CFR Ch. 1?
| Yes
-------
Physicians' Comparability Allowance (PCA) Worksheet
1) Department and component:
| Environmental Protection Agency
2) Explain the recruitment and retention problem(s) justifying the need for the PCA pay
authority.
(Please include any staffing data to support your explanation, such as number and duration of unfilled
positions and number of accessions and separations per fiscal year.)
Historically, the number of EPA Research Physicians is between three and seven positions. This small
population experiences modest turnover. The value of the physicians' comparability allowance to EPA is used
as a retention tool. EPA continues to use the PCA to recruit qualified candidates to fill vacancies and to retain
these employees. Additionally, EPA will use the PCA in FY 2024 to recruit and retain a physician for the
newly formed national health and safety medical staff.
3-4) Please complete the table below with details of the PCA agreement for the following
PY 2023
CY 2024
BY* 2025
(Actual)
(Estimates)
(Estimates)
3a) Number of Physicians Receiving PCAs
3
4
4
3b) Number of Physicians with One-Year PCA Agreements
0
0
0
3c) Number of Physicians with Multi-Year PCA Agreements
3
4
4
4a) Average Annual PCA Physician Pay (without PCA
payment)
$189,670
$199,154
$203,137
4b) Average Annual PCA Payment
$23,256
$23,256
$23,256
*BY data will be approved during the BY Budget cycle. Please ensure each column is completed.
5) Explain the degree to which recruitment and retention problems were alleviated in your
agency through the use of PCAs in the prior fiscal year.
(Please include any staffing data to support your explanation, such as number and duration of unfilled
positions and number of accessions and separations per fiscal year.)
The Agency is told regularly that absent the allowance; some EPA research physicians would seek
employment at federal agencies that provide the allowance.
6) Provide any additional information that may be useful in planning PCA staffing levels and
amounts in your agency.
An agency with a very small number of physician positions and a low turn-over rate among them still needs
the allowance authority to maintain the stability of the small population. Those who opt for federal
employment in opposition to private sector employment still want the maximum pay available in the federal
sector. Were it not for the PCA, EPA would regularly lose some of its physicians to other federal agencies
that offer the allowance, both requiring EPA to refill vacant positions and making it more difficult for EPA to
fill those positions. Turn-over statistics should be viewed in this light.
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2025 Annual Performance Plan and Congressional Justification
Program Projects by Program Area
(Dollars in Thousands)
n 2112.* I iiiiil
WlllJlh
W 2024
tiimi;ili/ciilrlir>>
Uncivil
Clean Air and Climate
Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs
Climate Protection
Federal Support for Air Quality Management
Federal Vehicle and Fuels Standards and Certification
Subtotal, Clean Air and Climate
$6,578
$9,968
$8,950
$122,243
$147,738
$7,117
$8,750
$11,343
$117,341
$144,551
$19,987
$10,800
$10,754
$185,873
$227,414
Enforcement
Forensics Support
$14,152
$15,532
$19,337
Homeland Security
Homeland Security: Critical Infrastructure Protection
Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and
Recovery
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and
Infrastructure
Subtotal, Homeland Security
$12,249
$26,376
$10,852
$25,347
$625 $625
$39,250 $36,824
$34,351
$40,802
$501
$75,654
Indoor Air and Radiation
Indoor Air: Radon Program
Radiation: Protection
Radiation: Response Preparedness
Reduce Risks from Indoor Air
Subtotal, Indoor Air and Radiation
$70
$2,321
$3,200
$27
$5,618
$199
$1,683
$3,596
$278
$5,756
$173
$2,416
$4,802
$185
$7,576
IT / Data Management / Security
IT / Data Management
$3,489
$3,197
$3,346
Operations and Administration
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$65,328
$67,500
$72,906
n 21125
I'lv-idrnl'-
Uncivi l \.
n 21124
\nmiiili/cd ( K
$12,870
$2,050
-$589
$68,532
$82,863
$3,805
$23,499
$15,455
-$124
$38,830
-$26
$733
$1,206
-$93
$1,820
$149
$5,406
-------
Pesticides Licensing
Pesticides: Protect Human Health from Pesticide Risk
Pesticides: Protect the Environment from Pesticide Risk
Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide Availability
Subtotal, Pesticides Licensing
$3,034
$2,468
$963
$6,466
$2,894
$2,334
$925
$6,153
$5,902
$4,239
$1,040
$11,181
$3,008
$1,905
$115
$5,028
Research: Air, Climate and Energy
Research: Air, Climate and Energy
$114,659
$100,448
$140,297
$39,849
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Endocrine Disrupters
Computational Toxicology
Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability (other activities)
Subtotal, Research: Chemical Safety for
Sustainability
Subtotal, Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
$40,119
$17,222
$23,500
$56,107
$96,828
$136,947
$39,918
$16,353
$21,606
$54,591
$92,550
$132,468
$45,746
$18,017
$23,646
$64,554
$106,217
$151,963
$5,828
$1,664
$2,040
$9,963
$13,667
$19,495
Research: Sustainable Communities
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
$147,279
$137,857
$149,498
$11,641
Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
$125,346
$116,141
$143,745
$27,604
Ensure Safe Water
Drinking Water Programs
$5,474
$5,098
$7,043
$1,945
Congressional Priorities (previously named Clean and Safe
Water Technical Assistance Grants)
Congressional Priorities
Total, Science & Technology
Alaska Contaminated Lands
Alaska Contaminated Lands
Brownfields
Brownfields
$23,283
$835,028
$30,751
$802,276
Environmental Programs & Management
$3,215
$22,582
$20,000
$26,189
$0
$1,009,960
$20,012
$39,084
-$30,751
$207,684
$12
$12,895
Clean Air and Climate
Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs
Climate Protection
Federal Stationary Source Regulations
Federal Support for Air Quality Management
$17,268
$99,292
$29,768
$134,931
$16,554
$101,000
$30,344
$147,704
$30,743
$176,485
$47,888
$258,663
$14,189
$75,485
$17,544
$110,959
-------
Stratospheric Ozone: Domestic Programs
Stratospheric Ozone: Multilateral Fund
Subtotal, Clean Air and Climate
Compliance
Compliance Monitoring
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Enforcement
Civil Enforcement
Criminal Enforcement
NEPA Implementation
Subtotal, Enforcement
Geographic Programs
Geographic Program: Chesapeake Bay
Geographic Program: Gulf of Mexico
Geographic Program: Lake Champlain
Geographic Program: Long Island Sound
Geographic Program: Other
Lake P ontchartrain
S.New England Estuary (SNEE)
Geographic Program: Other (other activities)
Subtotal, Geographic Program: Other
Great Lakes Restoration
Geographic Program: South Florida
Geographic Program: San Francisco Bay
Geographic Program: Puget Sound
Subtotal, Geographic Programs
Homeland Security
Homeland Security: Communication and Information
Homeland Security: Critical Infrastructure Protection
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and
Infrastructure
Subtotal, Homeland Security
Indoor Air and Radiation
Indoor Air: Radon Program
Radiation: Protection
Radiation: Response Preparedness
Reduce Risks from Indoor Air
$6,358
$8,326
$295,943
$104,593
$109,345
$177,875
$57,374
$15,171
$250,422
$74,640
$22,550
$25,823
$36,429
$1,899
$6,546
$2,041
$10,486
$361,607
$6,806
$45,061
$48,317
$631,720
$4,592
$249
$6,059
$10,899
$2,844
$8,390
$2,111
$13,281
$6,951
$9,244
$311,797
$112,730
$102,159
$205,942
$62,704
$20,611
$289,257
$92,000
$25,524
$25,000
$40,002
$2,200
$7,000
$5,000
$14,200
$368,000
$8,500
$54,500
$54,000
$681,726
$4,692
$923
$5,188
$10,803
$3,364
$9,088
$2,650
$13,593
$72,282
$18,000
$604,061
$168,474
$317,712
$256,252
$67,829
$26,049
$350,130
$92,000
$25,600
$25,000
$40,000
$2,200
$7,000
$5,000
$14,200
$368,000
$8,500
$54,500
$54,000
$681,800
$6,119
$1,025
$5,158
$12,302
$5,147
$11,748
$3,185
$47,570
$65,331
$8,756
$292,264
$55,744
$215,553
$50,310
$5,125
$5,438
$60,873
$0
$76
$0
-$2
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$74
$1,427
$102
-$30
$1,499
$1,783
$2,660
$535
$33,977
-------
Subtotal, Indoor Air and Radiation
$26,627
$28,695
$67,650
$38,955
Cross Agency Coordination, Outreach and Education
(previously named Information Exchange / Outreach)
State and Local Prevention and Preparedness
TRI / Right to Know
Tribal - Capacity Building
Executive Management and Operations
Environmental Education
Exchange Network
Small Minority Business Assistance
Small Business Ombudsman
Children and Other Sensitive Populations: Agency
Coordination
Subtotal, Cross Agency Coordination, Outreach and
Education
$14,124
$11,987
$12,619
$53,653
$8,752
$12,165
$2,225
$1,379
$6,526
$123,431
$15,446
$15,052
$14,715
$56,160
$9,500
$14,995
$2,056
$2,250
$6,362
$136,536
$24,106
$14,123
$35,088
$73,269
$8,759
$14,769
$2,018
$2,242
$7,749
$182,123
$8,660
-$929
$20,373
$17,109
-$741
-$226
-$38
-$8
$1,387
$45,587
International Programs
US Mexico Border
International Sources of Pollution
Trade and Governance
Subtotal, International Programs
$2,512
$7,214
$7,390
$17,116
$2,993
$7,323
$5,510
$15,826
$5,132
$26,183
$7,201
$38,516
$2,139
$18,860
$1,691
$22,690
IT / Data Management / Security
Information Security
IT / Data Management
Subtotal, IT / Data Management / Security
$8,188
$95,631
$103,819
$9,142
$91,821
$100,963
$23,937
$108,601
$132,538
$14,795
$16,780
$31,575
Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Integrated Environmental Strategies
Administrative Law
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Civil Rights Program
Legal Advice: Environmental Program
Legal Advice: Support Program
Regional Science and Technology (proposed to be
moved to Operations and Administration)
Science Advisory Board
Regulatory/Economic-Management and Analysis
Subtotal, Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
$9,702
$5,223
$845
$10,146
$60,207
$15,922
$1,879
$4,219
$16,032
$124,175
$11,297
$5,395
$972
$12,866
$60,061
$18,957
$1,554
$4,155
$17,475
$132,732
$40,197
$6,195
$2,820
$32,227
$86,615
$20,584
$0
$4,671
$19,526
$212,835
$28,900
$800
$1,848
$19,361
$26,554
$1,627
-$1,554
$516
$2,051
$80,103
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Underground Storage Tanks (LUST / UST)
LUST/UST
$11,034
$12,021
$14,604
$2,583
Operations and Administration
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Acquisition Management
Human Resources Management
Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management
Regional Science and Technology (proposed to be
moved from LSRE)
Subtotal, Operations and Administration
$85,840
$275,614
$33,034
$51,882
$28,225
$0
$281,517
$87,099
$283,330
$37,251
$51,261
$30,188
$0
$489,129
$100,595
$308,134
$42,085
$68,124
$34,745
$7,287
$560,970
$13,496
$24,804
$4,834
$16,863
$4,557
$7,287
$71,841
Pesticides Licensing
Science Policy and Biotechnology
Pesticides: Protect Human Health from Pesticide Risk
Pesticides: Protect the Environment from Pesticide Risk
Pesticides: Realize the Value of Pesticide Availability
Subtotal, Pesticides Licensing
$1,628
$59,740
$45,217
$5,774
$112,359
$1,811
$62,125
$48,704
$7,637
$120,277
$1,642
$66,281
$75,963
$8,316
$152,202
-$169
$4,156
$27,259
$679
$31,925
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
RCRA: Corrective Action
RCRA: Waste Management
RCRA: Waste Minimization & Recycling
Subtotal, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA)
$37,176
$70,129
$9,375
$116,681
$40,512
$75,958
$10,252
$126,722
$42,105
$91,500
$15,799
$149,404
$1,593
$15,542
$5,547
$22,682
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
$153
$0
$0
$0
Toxics Risk Review and Prevention
Endocrine Disruptors
Pollution Prevention Program
Toxic Substances: Chemical Risk Review and
Reduction
Toxic Substances: Lead Risk Reduction Program
Subtotal, Toxics Risk Review and Prevention
$6,010
$12,568
$91,214
$11,777
$121,568
$7,614
$12,987
$82,822
$14,359
$117,782
$7,701
$29,193
$131,900
$14,597
$183,391
$87
$16,206
$49,078
$238
$65,609
Protecting Estuaries and Wetlands
National Estuary Program / Coastal Waterways
Wetlands
Subtotal, Protecting Estuaries and Wetlands
$38,790
$19,656
$58,446
$40,000
$21,754
$61,754
$32,611
$26,995
$59,606
-$7,389
$5,241
$2,148
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Ensure Safe Water
Beach / Fish Programs
Drinking Water Programs
Subtotal, Ensure Safe Water
Ensure Clean Water
Preparation for Water Emergencies
Marine Pollution
Surface Water Protection
Subtotal, Ensure Clean Water
Congressional Priorities (previously named Clean and Safe
Water Technical Assistance Grants)
Congressional Priorities
Total, Environmental Programs & Management
$1,673
$109,958
$111,631
$0
$8,081
$213,320
$221,402
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Total, Inspector General
Homeland Security
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and
Infrastructure
Operations and Administration
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
$25,700
$3,077,455
Inspector General
$41,521
$41,521
Building and Facilities
$3,944
$17,502
Total, Building and Facilities
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Compliance
Compliance Monitoring
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Enforcement
Criminal Enforcement
Forensics Support
$2,246
$121,607
$123,853
$0
$10,187
$224,492
$234,679
$30,700
$3,286,330
$44,030
$44,030
$6,676
$42,076
$21,446 $48,752
Hazardous Substance Superfund
$13,244
$1,377
$890
$6,766
$1,597
$11,800
$1,017
$5,876
$7,999
$1,240
$2,391
$143,886
$146,277
$30,000
$12,724
$270,573
$313,297
$0
$4,406,988
$65,257
$65,257
$6,676
$98,893
$105,569
$13,979
$1,036
$5,901
$8,876
$1,720
$145
$22,279
$22,424
$30,000
$2,537
$46,081
$78,618
-$30,700
$1,120,658
$21,227
$21,227
$0
$56,817
$56,817
$2,179
$19
$25
$877
$480
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Superfund: Enforcement
Superfund: Federal Facilities Enforcement
Subtotal, Enforcement
$173,076
$7,725
$189,163
$171,347
$8,192
$188,778
$0
$10,481
$21,077
-$171,347
$2,289
$167,701
Homeland Security
Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and
Recovery
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and
Infrastructure
Subtotal, Homeland Security
$36,249
$1,167
$37,415
$34,661
$1,029
$35,690
$57,358
$1,530
$58,888
$22,697
$501
$23,198
Indoor Air and Radiation
Radiation: Protection
$2,081
$2,472
$3,144
$672
Information Exchange / Outreach
Exchange Network
$1,018
$1,328
$1,328
$0
IT / Data Management / Security
Information Security
IT / Data Management
Subtotal, IT / Data Management / Security
$1,494
$22,040
$23,535
$1,062
$19,764
$20,826
$6,012
$19,645
$25,657
$4,950
-$119
$4,831
Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Legal Advice: Environmental Program
Subtotal, Legal / Science / Regulatory / Economic Review
$758
$844
$1,602
$791
$599
$1,390
$1,841
$482
$2,323
$1,050
-$117
$933
Operations and Administration
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Acquisition Management
Human Resources Management
Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management
Subtotal, Operations and Administration
$32,914
$74,115
$22,835
$7,382
$4,855
$142,100
$31,338
$65,634
$27,247
$7,419
$4,002
$135,640
$30,512
$72,349
$34,172
$9,303
$4,660
$150,996
-$826
$6,715
$6,925
$1,884
$658
$15,356
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Subtotal, Research: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
$9,225
$5,476
$14,701
$4,901
$8,060
$12,961
$5,040
$8,060
$13,100
$139
$0
$139
Research: Sustainable Communities
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
$18,525
$16,937
$17,517
$580
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Superfund Cleanup
Superfund: Emergency Response and Removal
Superfund: EPA Emergency Preparedness
Superfund: Federal Facilities
Superfund: Remedial
Subtotal, Superfund Cleanup
$256,354
$7,696
$26,167
$612,890
$903,107
$195,000
$8,056
$26,189
$618,740
$847,985
Total, Hazardous Substance Superfund
$1,348,759 $1,282,700
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
Enforcement
Civil Enforcement
Underground Storage Tanks (LUST / UST)
LUST/UST
LUST Cooperative Agreements
LUST Prevention
Subtotal, Underground Storage Tanks (LUST / UST)
Operations and Administration
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Acquisition Management
Subtotal, Operations and Administration
Research: Sustainable Communities
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Total, Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$594
Compliance
Compliance Monitoring
Enforcement
Civil Enforcement
Operations and Administration
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
oa
Oil Spill: Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Research: Sustainable Communities
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities
$661
$8,426 $9,991
$59,328 $55,040
$26,326 $25,780
$94,081 $90,811
$373 $457
$803 $754
$173 $181
$1,350 $1,392
$292 $341
$96,317 $93,205
Inland Oil Spill Programs
-$5 $649
$2,580 $2,565
$692 $682
$17,111 $17,501
$785 $675
$0
$8,541
$37,680
$300,000
$346,221
$661,167
$690
$14,776
$65,040
$26,669
$106,485
$474
$729
$136
$1,339
$356
$108,870
$2,154
$2,699
$643
$21,624
$683
-$195,000
$485
$11,491
-$318,740
$501,764
$621,533
$29
$4,785
$10,000
$889
$15,674
$17
-$25
-$45
-$53
$15
$15,665
$1,505
$134
-$39
$4,123
$8
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Total, Inland Oil Spill Programs
$21,164 $22,072
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
$27,803
$5,731
State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
Infrastructure Assistance: Alaska Native Villages $41,810 $39,686 $41,000
Brownfields Projects $87,833 $100,000 $114,482
Infrastructure Assistance: Clean Water SRF $735,951 $775,752 $1,239,895
Infrastructure Assistance: Clean Water Congressionally
Directed Spending $80,622 $863,109 $0
Infrastructure Assistance: Drinking Water SRF $504,799 $516,845 $1,126,105
Infrastructure Assistance: Drinking Water
Congressionally Directed Spending $142,276 $609,256 $0
Infrastructure Assistance: Mexico Border $33,698 $36,386 $36,386
Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant Program $7,239 $100,000 $100,000
Targeted Airshed Grants $34,669 $69,927 $69,927
San Juan Watershed Monitoring (This program is
proposed for elimination in FY 2024 and FY 2025) $585 $0 $0
Safe Water for Small & Disadvantaged Communities $22,887 $30,158 $30,173
Reducing Lead in Drinking Water $32,301 $25,011 $64,479
Lead Testing in Schools $5,417 $30,500 $36,500
Drinking Water Infrastructure Resilience and
Sustainability $0 $7,000 $25,000
Technical Assistance for Wastewater Treatment Works $40,617 $27,000 $18,000
Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Grants $48,486 $50,000 $50,000
Water Infrastructure Workforce Investment $0 $6,000 $6,000
Recycling Infrastructure $2,136 $6,500 $10,005
Wildfire Smoke Preparedness $330 $7,000 $7,000
Technical Assistance and Grants for Emergencies
(SDWA) $0 $0 $2,000
Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure
Resilience and Sustainability $0 $5,000 $5,000
Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program $0 $4,000 $5,000
Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability
Program $0 $0 $25,000
Small and Medium Publicly Owned Treatment Works
Circuit Rider Program $0 $0 $5,000
Grants for Low and Moderate income Household
Decentralized Wastewater Systems $0 $0 $5,000
Connection to Publicly Owned Treatment Works $0 $0 $3,000
Stormwater Infrastructure Technology $0 $3,000 $5,000
Alternative Water Sources Grants Pilot Program $0 $0 $3,000
Enhanced Aquifer Use and Recharge $0 $4,000 $5,000
Water Sector Cybersecurity $0 $0 $25,000
Subtotal, State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) $1,821,656 $3,316,130 $3,062,952
$1,314
$14,482
$464,143
-$863,109
$609,260
-$609,256
$0
$0
$0
$0
$15
$39,468
$6,000
$18,000
-$9,000
$0
$0
$3,505
$0
$2,000
$0
$1,000
$25,000
$5,000
$5,000
$3,000
$2,000
$3,000
$1,000
$25,000
-$253,178
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Categorical Grants
Categorical Grant: Nonpoint Source (Sec. 319)
Categorical Grant: Public Water System Supervision
(PWSS)
Categorical Grant: State and Local Air Quality
Management
Categorical Grant: Radon
Categorical Grant: Pollution Control (Sec. 106)
Monitoring Grants
Categorical Grant: Pollution Control (Sec.
106) (other activities)
Subtotal, Categorical Grant: Pollution Control (Sec.
106)
Categorical Grant: Wetlands Program Development
Categorical Grant: Underground Injection Control
(UIC)
Categorical Grant: Pesticides Program Implementation
Categorical Grant: Lead
Resource Recovery and Hazardous Waste Grants
Categorical Grant: Pesticides Enforcement
Categorical Grant: Pollution Prevention
Categorical Grant: Toxics Substances Compliance
Categorical Grant: Tribal General Assistance Program
Categorical Grant: Underground Storage Tanks
Categorical Grant: Tribal Air Quality Management
Categorical Grants: Direct Implementation Tribal
Cooperative Agreements
Categorical Grant: Multipurpose Grants
Categorical Grant: Environmental Information
Categorical Grant: Beaches Protection
Categorical Grant: Brownfields
Subtotal, Categorical Grants
$176,686
$123,137
$246,130
$8,958
$20,842
$221,431
$242,272
$6,122
$12,661
$13,958
$15,501
$105,369
$24,703
$6,804
$5,005
$82,649
$1,503
$16,620
$0
$195
$7,400
$9,583
$44,730
$1,149,986
$182,000
$121,500
$249,038
$10,995
$18,512
$218,488
$237,000
$14,692
$13,164
$14,027
$16,326
$105,000
$25,580
$4,973
$5,010
$74,750
$1,505
$16,415
$0
$0
$10,836
$10,619
$47,195
$1,160,625
$188,999
$132,566
$400,198
$12,487
$28,915
$259,805
$288,720
$22,000
$11,387
$14,027
$24,639
$108,247
$25,580
$5,755
$6,877
$85,009
$1,505
$23,126
$25,000
$10,200
$15,000
$9,811
$53,954
$1,465,087
$6,999
$11,066
$151,160
$1,492
$10,403
$41,317
$51,720
$7,308
-$1,777
$0
$8,313
$3,247
$0
$782
$1,867
$10,259
$0
$6,711
$25,000
$10,200
$4,164
-$808
$6,759
$304,462
Congressional Priorities (previously named Clean and Safe
Water Technical Assistance Grants)
Congressionally Mandated Projects $17,309 $16,973 $0
Total, State and Tribal Assistance Grants $2,988,952 $4,493,728 $4,528,039
-$16,973
34,311
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Fund
Ensure Clean Water
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation
$322,118
$75,640
$80,000
$4,360
Total, Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation
Fund
$322,118
$75,640
$80,000
$4,360
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Subtotal, EPA
$8,752,759
$10,148,733
$10,993,653
$844,920
Cancellation of Funds
$0
-$13,300
$0
$13,300
TOTAL, EPA
$8,752,759
$10,135,433
$10,993,653
$858,220
*For ease of comparison, Superfund transfer resources for the audit and research functions are shown in the Superfund account.
**In addition to annual appropriated resources, the Superfund tax revenues the Agency received in FY 2023 and expects to receive in FY 2024
and FY 2025 are not reflected here. These additional government revenues will support continued Superfund cleanup and enforcement.
***Note that the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Program is funded from fee collections.
****The FY 2023 annual appropriation for EPA included $13.3 million in rescissions. This value is maintained in the FY 2024 annualized CR
column for display purposes. The actual rescission taken under the partial year FY 2024 CR at the time of publication was $1.5 M based on
available balances.
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Proposed FY 2025 Administrative Provisions
To further clarify proposed Administrative Provisions that involve more than a simple annual
extension or propose a modification to an existing provision, the following information is
provided.
Pesticide Licensing Fees
The following proposed statutory language, which is an annual extension of existing language,
would allow PRIA registration service fees to be assessed and to remain available until expended.
PRIA registration service fees:
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to collect and obligate
pesticide registration service fees in accordance with section 33 of the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. § 136w-8'): Provided, that such fees collected shall
remain available until expended.
Notwithstanding section 33(d)(2) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. § 136w-8(d)(2)), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
may assess fees under section 33 of FIFRA (7 U.S.C. § 136w-8) for fiscal year 2025.
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest
The Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act (Public Law 112-195) provides EPA
with the authority to establish a program to finance, develop, and operate a system for the
electronic submission of hazardous waste manifests supported by user fees. In FY 2025, EPA will
operate the e-Manifest system and the Agency anticipates collecting and depositing approximately
$20 million in e-Manifest user fees into the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund.
Based upon authority to collect and spend e-Manifest fees provided by Congress in annual
appropriations bills, the fees will be utilized for the operation of the system and necessary program
expenses. Fees will fully support the e-Manifest program, including future development costs. The
language to authorize collection and spending of the fees is provided below. Language specifying
that e-Manifest fees collected in FY 2025 will remain available until expended would simplify
aspects of budget execution.
The proposed language below updates the existing provision:
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to collect and obligate
fees in accordance with section 3024 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6939g) for fiscal
year 2025, to remain available until expended.
Change to Buildings and Facilities Per Project Threshold
The Building and Facilities threshold was last increased from $150,000 to $300,000 in FY 2023.
Since 2013, costs for construction, material, and labor have increased significantly. EPA is
proposing to reflect these cost increases by raising the per project threshold from $300,000 to
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$350,000. The purpose of this proposed increase is to adjust the threshold to keep it in line with
construction and labor costs for smaller-scale construction and repair and improvement projects.
The $350,000 threshold will apply to the S&T, EPM, OIG, Superfund, and LUST appropriations
and will allow the programs to proceed effectively and efficiently to address immediate, urgent,
and smaller-scale facility improvements and will enable the Agency to maintain adequate
operations, further mission-critical activities and implement climate sustainability and resiliency
enhancements.
The proposed language below updates the existing provision:
The Science and Technology, Environmental Programs and Management, Office of Inspector
General, Hazardous Substance Superfund, and Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund
Program Accounts, are available for the construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and
renovation of facilities provided that the cost does not exceed $350,000 per project.
Student Services Contracting Authority
In the FY 2025 Budget, the Agency requests authorization for the Office of Research and
Development (ORD), the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), and the
Office of Water (OW) to hire pre-baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate students in science and
engineering fields. This authority would provide ORD, OCSPP, and OW with the flexibility to
hire qualified students that work on projects that support current priorities, programmatic
functions, and the Agency's environmental goals.
The proposed language below updates the existing provision:
For fiscal years 2025 through 2029, the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and
the Office of Water may, using funds appropriated under the headings "Environmental Programs
and Management" and "Science and Technology," contract directly with individuals or indirectly
with institutions or nonprofit organizations, without regard to 41 U.S.C. 5, for the temporary or
intermittent personal services of students or recent graduates, who shall be considered employees
for the purposes of chapters 57 and 81 of title 5, United States Code, relating to compensation for
travel and work injuries, and chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, relating to tort claims,
but shall not be considered to be Federal employees for any other purpose: Provided, that amounts
used for this purpose by the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and the Office of
Water collectively may not exceed $2,000,000 per year.
Special Accounts and Superfund Tax Receipts for Aircraft to Support Superfund Response
Actions
31 U.S.C. 1343(d) generally states that appropriated funds are not available for aircraft unless "the
appropriation specifically authorizes" its use for such purpose.
The FY 2022 Consolidated Appropriation Act (P.L. 117-103) provided that "Section 122(b)(3) of
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C.
9622(b)(3)), shall be applied by inserting before the period: ", including for the hire, maintenance,
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and operation of aircraft." In the absence of any indicia of permanency, this provision has been
interpreted to only be in effect for fiscal year 2022. Accordingly, EPA proposes to extend this
authority.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 (P.L. 117-328) did not provide a provision for
Superfund tax receipts available to carry out CERCLA to be used for the hire, maintenance, and
operation of aircraft. EPA proposes to add this authority for FY 2025.
Proposed Language to add to FY 2025 Budget:
For fiscal year 2025, section 122(b)(3) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9622(b)(3)) shall be applied by inserting
before the period at the end: ", including for the hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft".
For fiscal year 2025, amounts appropriated in section 443(b) of title IV of division G of Public
Law 117-328 shall be applied by inserting ", including for the hire, maintenance, and operation
of aircraft" after "to be used to carry out the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 etseq.)".
Title 42 Hiring Authority
EPA is requesting continuance of its Title 42 Authority through FY 2030. This also would include
a cap of 25 hires for OCSPP and 75 Hires for ORD. ORD currently uses this authority to fill highly
competitive, PhD-level positions where recruiting through the GS system is not appropriate. ORD
has a robust process for managing the program, including an Operations Manual that provides
requirements on recruiting, compensation, ethics, and term renewals. OCSPP faces similar
challenges in hiring specialized talent. OCSPP is actively building the infrastructure and taking
steps to use its new Title 42 hiring authority. The EPA Title 42 delegation was amended to include
OCSPP, and it was approved by the EPA Administrator on October 17, 2022. In accordance with
Public Law 117-103, the agency must also consult with the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) before using its Title 42 hiring authority. EPA is currently undergoing consultation with
OPM on Title 42. Once EPA works through this process, it can finalize the Title 42 Order and
OCSPP can then utilize its hiring authority.
Proposed Language to add to FY 2025 Budget:
The Administrator may, after consultation with the Office of Personnel Management, employ up to
75 persons at any one time in the Office of Research and Development and 25 persons at any one
time in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention under the authority provided in 42
U.S.C. 209 through fiscal year 2030.
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Working Capital Fund Authority
On December 12, 2017, the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT Act) 19 was signed into
law, authorizing CFO-Act agencies to set up information technology (IT) specific WCFs, which
allows them to fund IT modernization projects and reinvest savings for additional modernization
projects in the future. In the FY 2025 Budget, the Agency requests language be added to clarify
and ensure that EPA has the ability to utilize funds deposited into EPA's WCF to modernize and
develop the Agency's IT systems. The Agency has a well-established WCF where nearly 80
percent of the current service offerings are IT related. Establishing a separate IT WCF would be
duplicative and more costly than to utilize the Agency's existing WCF. EPA continues to seek the
authorizing language change. EPA will clarify its existing authority and harmonize it with the
intent of what Congress envisioned in the passage of the MGT Act.
Proposed Language to add to FY 2025 Budget:
The Environmental Protection Agency Working Capital Fund, 42 U.S.C. 4370e, is available for
expenses and equipment necessary for modernization and development of information technology
of or for use by, the Environmental Protection Agency.
Other
In order to address the high administrative costs of administering potential congressionally
directed spending, EPA is requesting a general provision applicable to all community projects in
FY 2025:
For fiscal year 2025, the Administrator may reserve up to 7 percent of the total amount offunds
made available for Community Project Funding Items/Congressionally Directed Spending Items
in this title in this Act for salaries, expenses, and administration.
19 For more information on the MGT Act, please refer to Section G of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2018 (Public Law 115-91): fattps: //www, congress, gov/1.1.5/plaws/publ91. /.FLAW -1.1.5publ91. .pelf.
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Good Accounting Obligation in Government Act
Public Law No: 115-414, January 3, 2019
In accordance with the reporting requirements of the Good Accounting Obligation in Government
Act, Agencies are to submit reports on outstanding recommendations in the annual budget
submitted to Congress. This report includes Government Accountability Office (GAO) and EPA
Office of Inspector General (OIG) recommendations issued up through 01/31/2023 that remained
unimplemented for one year or more from the planned FY 2025 budget justification submission
date.
For the FY 2025 budget justification, the EPA developed a report listing each open public
recommendation for corrective action from the OIG and GAO, along with the implementation
status of each recommendation.
The Act also requires a reconciliation between the agency records of unimplemented
recommendations and each OIG Semiannual Report to Congress (SAR). In cooperation with the
EPA OIG, the agency performs a reconciliation and validation process prior to publication of each
SAR. The process ensures that agency's Good Accounting Obligation in Government Act reporting
aligns with the SAR.
The agency is reporting on:
• 71 open recommendations issued by the GAO between January 6, 2006, and January 31,
2023.
• 69 open recommendations issued by the EPA OIG between July 9, 2008, and January 31,
2023.
No recommendations were closed due to being unimplemented.
The information used to create this report is based on information retained the EPA's Enterprise
Audit Management System and the GAO's recommendations database available on www.eao.eov.
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GAO-IG Act, Office of Inspector General Open Recommendations - As of January 31,2024
OIG Report Report Issue
OIG Report Title Number Date OIG Recommendation EPA Corrective Action and Status Target
The EPA Is Not on Track to Reach Its
National Compliance Initiative Goals
to Stop Aftennarket Defeat Devices
and Tampered Vehicles
23-E-0006
1/25/2023
2. Update the EPA's Stopping
Aftennarket Defeat Devices for
Vehicles and Engines National
Compliance Initiative strategic plan so
that the National Compliance
Initiative goals can be achieved in the
event of a pandemic or other challenge.
The Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance (OECA) will
review the lessons learned related to
conducting enforcement during the
COVID-19 pandemic and will identify
and incorporate appropriate changes
into the FY 2024-2027 NECI template
documents so that NECI goals can be
achieved - to the extent practicable -
in the event of a global pandemic or
other challenge, such as a long
duration natural disaster. Status: On
track
3/29/2024
The EPA Is Not on Track to Reach Its
National Compliance Initiative Goals
to Stop Aftennarket Defeat Devices
and Tampered Vehicles
23-E-0006
1/25/2023
3. In collaboration with EPA regions,
revise and reissue the strategic plan for
the Stopping Aftennarket Defeat
Devices for Vehicles and Engines
National Compliance Initiative. In
addition, ensure the strategic plan
includes quantifiable deliverables that
are linked to known compliance rate
baselines that promote the
success of the initiative, as well as a
mechanism to acquire and implement
post-training feedback from regions
and states.
OECA will compare the pounds of
pollution prevented in each year of the
NECI against the number from the
preceding fiscal year. Status: On track
11/29/2024
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
The EPA Is Not on Track to Reach Its
National Compliance Initiative Goals
to Stop Aftennarket Defeat Devices
and Tampered Vehicles
23-E-0006
1/25/2023
5. Use the OIG's state questionnaire
results, as well as feedback from
regions and states, to identify and
implement a strategy to overcome
barriers and incentivize voluntary
complementary work by the states to
stop aftennarket defeat devices and
tampering.
5.c. OECA will provide the Office of
Transportation and Air Quality
(OTAQ) with the end-of-year
enforcement data for this NECI and
will encourage OTAQ to update their
emission models to account for
tampering. Status: On track.
11/29/2024
The EPA Needs to Improve the
Transparency of Its Cancer Assessment
Process for Pesticides
22-E-0053
7/20/2022
1. Issue guidance on when and how to
conduct the kinetically derived
maximum dose approach in cancer
risk assessments for pesticides.
The Office of Chemical Safety and
Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) will
update the Office of Pesticide
Programs public website to state that
EPA will rely upon the kinetic
guidance currently being developed by
the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on
Pesticide Residues (JMPR) as EPA's
guidance on when and how to apply
the kinetically derived maximum dose
approach in cancer risk assessments foi
pesticides. Status: On track.
6/30/2024
The EPA Needs to Improve the
Transparency of Its Cancer Assessment
Process for Pesticides
22-E-0053
7/20/2022
9. Issue specific criteria requiring
external peer review of Office of
Pesticide Programs' risk assessments
that use scientifically or technically
novel approaches or that are likely to
have precedent setting influence on
future risk assessments, in accordance
with the Office of Management and
Budget's Final Information Quality
Bulletin for Peer Review.
OCSPP will develop a Standard
Operating Procedure to determine
when an external peer review is
required for assessments using
scientifically or technically novel
approaches or likely to have precedent-
setting influence. This guidance will be
used to ensure consistency in the
external peer review process across
OSCPP. Status: On track.
6/30/2024
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
Additional Internal Controls Would
Improve the EPA's System for
Electronic Disclosure of
Enviromnental Violations
22-E-0051
6/30/2022
1. Develop national guidance that
includes a process for screening
eDisclosure submissions for
significant concerns, such as criminal
conduct and potential imminent
hazards.
The Agency will develop national
guidance that includes a process for
screening eDisclosure submissions for
significant concerns, such as criminal
conduct and potential imminent
hazards. Status: On track.
3/29/2024
Additional Internal Controls Would
Improve the EPA's System for
Electronic Disclosure of
Enviromnental Violations
22-E-0051
6/30/2022
3. Develop performance measures for
the eDisclosure system and a
monitoring plan to track its
effectiveness.
The Agency will develop performance
measures for the eDisclosure system
and a monitoring plan to track its
effectiveness. Status: On track.
3/29/2024
Additional Internal Controls Would
Improve the EPA's System for
Electronic Disclosure of
Enviromnental Violations
22-E-0051
6/30/2022
4. In coordination with EPA regions,
assess eDisclosure system functionality
to identify and implement
improvements.
The Agency will assess eDisclosure
system functionality to identify
potential updates to the eDisclosure
system and will seek to implement
improvements, including potential
updates to the eDisclosure system,
dependent upon available resources
Status: On track.
3/29/2024
The EPA Continues to Fail to Meet
Inspection Requirements for
Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage,
and Disposal Facilities
22-E-0047
6/8/2022
1. As previously recommended in our
2016 report, we again recommend that
the assistant administrator for
Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance: 1. Implement management
controls to complete the required
treatment, storage, and disposal facility
inspections.
OECA will work with the regions to
monitor TSDF inspection frequency,
develop and implement a plan to
identify TSDFs not yet inspected near
the end of the required inspection
cycle, and conduct inspections to the
extent possible within the compliance
period or the following fiscal year.
Status: Delayed to due implementation
complexity.
3/29/2024
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
Brownfields Program-Income
Monitoring Deficiencies Persist
Because the EPA Did Not Complete
All Certified Corrective Actions
22-P-0033
3/31/2022
1. Develop a policy and implement
procedures to reduce the balances of
available program income and
establish a time frame for recipients to
use or return the funds to the EPA.
The EPA will work to maximize the
number of older closeout agreements
with consistent national closeout terms
and conditions, as their workload
allows. The Office of Brownfields and
Land Revitalization (OBLR) will
request that the regions attempt initial
contact with Revolving Land Fund
recipients of older closeout agreements
who do not have an open Revolving
Land Fund grant by the provided
completion date in order to begin the
renegotiation process. However, EPA
cannot unilaterally modify older
closeout agreements and will need to
work with these recipients on bilateral
agreements to incorporate the FY 2022
closeout agreements.
Status: On track.
9/30/2027
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
Brownfields Program-Income
Monitoring Deficiencies Persist
Because the EPA Did Not Complete
All Certified Corrective Actions
22-P-0033
3/31/2022
5. Expand existing guidance to include
a deadline for post-closeout annual
report submission.
This action has been completed for
closeout agreements executed after
June 2021. For Revolving Land Fund
recipients of older closeout
agreements, OBLR will request that the
regions attempt initial contact by the
provided completion date to begin the
renegotiation process. However, EPA
cannot unilaterally modify older
closeout agreements and will need to
work with these recipients on bilateral
agreements to incorporate the FY 2022
Closeout Agreement. Status: On track.
9/30/2027
Brownfields Program-Income
Monitoring Deficiencies Persist
Because the EPA Did Not Complete
All Certified Corrective Actions
22-P-0033
3/31/2022
6. Assess whether any of the $46.6
million of program income under
closeout agreements should be returned
to the government.
Since the FY 2022 Closeout
Agreement Template requires that
post-closeout reports be submitted by
October 31st with program income
balances reported as of September
30th, POs will begin conducting
annual reviews of post closeout
program income every November for
Revolving Land Fund grants in post-
closeout status with this closeout
agreement requirement. For those who
do not have this closeout agreement
requirement, project officers will
review post closeout program income
information every November as it
becomes available. Status: On track.
9/30/2024
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OIG Report Report Issue
OIG Report Title Number Date OIG Recommendation EPA Corrective Action and Status Target
Overdue Residual Risk and
Technology Reviews
22-E-0026
3/30/2022
2. Develop and implement a strategy
to conduct (a) residual risk and
technology reviews and recurring
technology reviews by the applicable
statutory deadlines and (b) any
overdue residual risk and technology
reviews and recurring technology
reviews in as timely a manner as
practicable. The strategy should take
into account the Agency's
enviromnental justice responsibilities
under Executive Order 12898 and
other applicable EPA and executive
branch policies, procedures, and
directives.
The Office of Air and Radiation (OAR)
will develop and implement a strategy to
timely meet statutory deadlines for RTRs
and TRs and complete all overdue RTRs
and TRs. OAR fully supports developing
a strategy that integrates the high-level
analysis with the Administration's
priorities, legal deadlines (e.g., court
ordered deadlines, settlement
agreements), risk prioritization, and
other factors in an effort to protect
human health and the enviromnent. We
anticipate much of the strategy
development would be reliant on the
high-level analysis (e.g., assessment of
current operations, prediction of future
operations, and evaluation of impact of
organizational change based on
experience and historical data). Status:
On track.
3/31/2024
EPA's Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020
(Restated) Consolidated Financial
Statements
22-F-0007
11/15/2021
5. Implement a system that tracks the
dates when accounts receivable
source documents need to be
submitted and are submitted by the
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance to the
Cincinnati Finance Center.
Implement a system that tracks the dates
when accounts receivable source
documents need to be submitted and are
submitted by the Office of Enforcement
and
Compliance Assurance to the Cincinnati
Finance Center. Status: Delayed due to
external dependencies including other
EPA offices.
11/30/2024
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OIG Report Report Issue
OIG Report Title Number Date OIG Recommendation EPA Corrective Action and Status Target
EPA's Fiscal Year 2020 Fourth-Quarter
Compliance with the Digital
Accountability and Transparency Act
of 2014
22-P-0001
11/8/2021
3. Update EPA's grants management
system to align with the DATA Act
data standards, including all parts of
data elements reported therein, and to
allow input only of the acceptable
values outlined for each data element
in DATA Act Information Model
Schema, Reporting Submission
Specification.
OMS-OGD will update Next Generation
Grants System to align with the DATA
Act data standards including all parts of
data elements reported therein and allow
input only of the acceptable values
outlined for each data element in DATA
Act Information Model Schema,
Reporting Submission Specification.
Status: Delayed due to implementation
complexity
4/30/2024
EPA Needs an Agency wide Strategic
Action Plan to Address Harmful Alga:
Blooms
21-E-0264
9/29/2021
4. Assess and evaluate the available
information on human health risks
from exposure to cyanotoxins in
drinking water and recreational
waters to determine whether actions
under the Safe Drinking Water Act
are warranted.
EPA will continue evaluating the risks to
human health from exposure to
cyanotoxins and will develop Health
Effects Support Documents (HESDs) for
new toxins (e.g., saxitoxins and
nodularin). EPA intends to develop
health advisories and recreational criteria
for these toxins when sufficient health
data are available. EPA will re-evaluate
the human health risks to previously
evaluated toxins as new toxicological
exposure studies and systematic reviews
of peer-reviewed scientific literature are
completed. EPA will determine whether
additional regulatory or nonregulatory
actions are appropriate under the Safe
Drinking Water Act (SDWA), using the
above health effects information
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring
Rule 4 and other cyanotoxins occurrence
data, and additional information. Status:
On track.
12/31/2025
-------
OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA's Implementation of the
Endocrine Disruption Screening
Program
21-E-0186
7/28/2021
1. Issue Tier 1 test orders for each List
2 chemical or publish an explanation
for public comment on why Tier 1 data
are no longer needed to characterize a
List 2 chemical's endocrine-disruption
activity.
OCSPP, with input from the Office of
Research and Development and the
Office of Water will publish for
comment a List 2 Action Plan which
may include a combination of test
orders, explanations as to why test
orders are not needed, or a
reprioritization of the order of
Endocrine Disruption Screening
Program (EDSP) evaluations.
Following notice and comment,
OCSPP will initiate the process to
issue test orders for List 2 substances,
as appropriate. Status: On track.
9/30/2025
EPA's Implementation of the
Endocrine Disruption Screening
Program
21-E-0186
7/28/2021
2. Determine whether the EPA should
incorporate the Endocrine Disruptor
Screening Program Tier 1 tests (or
approved new approach
methodologies) into the pesticide
registration process as mandatory data
requirements under 40 C.F.R. § 158 for
all pesticide use patterns.
OCSPP will make a determination on
the inclusion of the EDSP Tier 1 tests
into the pesticide registration process
as mandatory data requirement under
40 C.F.R. part 158 for all pesticide use
patterns.
Status: On track.
9/30/2024
EPA's Implementation of the
Endocrine Disruption Screening
Program
21-E-0186
7/28/2021
3. Issue List 1-Tier 2 test orders for the
18 pesticides in which additional Tier 2
testing was recommended or publish
an explanation for public comment on
why this Tier 2 data are no longer
needed to characterize the endocrine-
disruption activity for each of these 18
pesticides.
OCSPP will make a determination on
the need for List 1-Tier 2 data. OCSPP
also will provide an explanation,
which will be published for public
comment, for any of the 18 pesticides
for which it is determined that Tier 2
data is no longer needed. Following
publication and comment, OCSPP will
initiate the process to issue any Tier 2
test orders for List 1 determined to be
needed. Status: On track.
9/30/2024
-------
OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA's Implementation of the
Endocrine Disruption Screening
Program
21-E-0186
7/28/2021
4. Issue for public review and
comment both the Enviromnental Fate
and Effects Division's approach for the
reevaluation of List 1-Tier 1 data and
the revised List 1-Tier 2 wildlife
recommendations.
OCSPP will issue for public review
and comment any reevaluation of List
1-Tier 1 data and any revisions to the
List 1-Tier 2 wildlife
recommendations. Status: Delayed due
to implementation complexity.
12/31/2025
EPA's Implementation of the
Endocrine Disruption Screening
Program
21-E-0186
7/28/2021
6. Develop performance measures,
with reasonable time frames, to
document progress toward and
achievement of milestones or targets.
Specifically, the Endocrine Disruptor
Screening Program should consider at
least one performance measure that
tracks progress in testing pesticides for
human endocrine disruptor activity.
OCSPP will develop short-term
performance measures, such as
scientific publications, number/type of
accepted new approach methods, and
exemptions granted. Short-term
performance measures will be
developed and tracked. OCSPP will
develop longer-term performance
measures, including at least one
measure to track progress in testing
pesticides for human endocrine
disruptor activity. Long-term
performance measures including at
least one that tracks progress in the
evaluation and testing of pesticides for
human endocrine disruptor activity
will be developed and tracked by
October 1, 2024. Status:
On track.
10/1/2024
-------
OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA's Implementation of the
Endocrine Disruption Screening
Program
21-E-0186
7/28/2021
7. Conduct annual internal program
reviews of the Endocrine Disruptor
Screening Program.
OCSPP will conduct the first annual
internal program review of the EDSP
and provide a briefing and report out to
the OCSPP Assistant Administrator on
EDSP progress, especially as it relates
to the Corrective Actions in this Report
and progress developing the EDSP
Strategic Plan. Status:
Delayed due to leadership change.
3/31/2024
EPA Oversight of Synthetic Minor
Sources
21-P-0175
7/8/2021
1. Update Agency guidance on
practical enforceability to more clearly
describe how the technical accuracy of
a permit limit should be supported and
documented. In updating such
guidance, the Office of Air and
Radiation should consult and
collaborate with the Office of
Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance, the Office of General
Counsel, and the EPA regions.
OAR will update Agency guidance on
the practical enforceability of
limitations, including but not limited
to EPA's June 13, 1989, Guidance on
Limiting Potential to Emit in New
Source Permitting, to describe how the
technical accuracy of a permit limit
should be supported and documented.
Specifically, the updated guidance will
address the practical enforceability of
limitations on potential to emit. In
updating our guidance, we will consult
and collaborate with the Office of
Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance, the Office of General
Counsel, and the EPA regions. Status:
Delayed due to implementation
complexity.
10/31/2024
-------
OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Oversight of Synthetic Minor
Sources
21-P-0175
7/8/2021
2. In consultation with the EPA
regions, develop and implement an
oversight plan to include:
• An initial review of a sample
of synthetic-minor-source permits in
different industries that are issued by
state, local, and tribal agencies to
assess whether the permits adhere to
EPA guidance on practical
enforceability, including limits that are
technically accurate; have appropriate
time periods; and include sufficient
monitoring, recordkeeping, and
reporting requirements.
• A periodic review of a
sample of synthetic-minor-source
permits to occur, at a minimum, once
every five years.
• Procedures to resolve any
permitting deficiencies identified
during the initial and periodic reviews.
In consultation with EPA Regional
offices, OAR will develop and
implement an oversight plan in
accordance with current statutory and
EPA regulatory requirements and, as
appropriate, including the specific
elements identified. Status:
On track.
10/31/2024
-------
OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Oversight of Synthetic Minor
Sources
21-P-0175
7/8/2021
3. Assess recent EPA studies of
enclosed combustion device
performance and compliance
monitoring and other relevant
information during the next
statutorily required review of 40 C.F.R
Part 60 Subparts OOOO and 0000a
to determine whether revisions are
needed to monitor, recordkeeping and
reporting requirements for enclosed
combustion devices to assure
continuous compliance with associated
limits and revise the regulatory
requirements as appropriate.
OAR will assess EPA studies of
enclosed combustion device
performance and compliance
monitoring and other relevant
information during the next statutorily
required review of 40 C.F.R part 60
subparts 0000 and 0000a and
determine whether revisions are needec
to monitor, recordkeeping and
reporting requirements for enclosed
combustion devices to assure
continuous compliance with associated
limits and revise the regulatory
requirements as appropriate. Status: On
track.
12/31/2024
EPA Oversight of Synthetic Minor
Sources
21-P-0175
7/8/2021
4. Revise the Agency's guidance to
communicate its key expectations for
synthetic-minor-source permitting to
state and local agencies.
The agency will revise its guidance to
communicate its key expectations for
synthetic-minor-source permitting to
state and local agencies. This will
include an expectation that synthetic
minor permit terms and conditions
ensure that the potential to emit of the
source is less than the applicable major
source threshold by meeting legal and
practical enforceability criteria. Our
work related to this recommendation
may, at least in part, be integrated with
the updated guidance on practical
enforceability in response to OIG
Recommendation 1. Status: On track.
10/31/2024
-------
OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Oversight of Synthetic Minor
Sources
21-P-0175
7/8/2021
5. Identify all state, local, and tribal
agencies in which Clean Air Act
permit program implementation fails
to adhere to the public participation
requirements for synthetic-minor
source permit issuance and take
appropriate steps to assure the
identified states adhere to the public
participation requirements.
With EPA Regional office support,
OAR will identify state, local and
tribal agencies whose program
regulations, including but not limited
to minor new source review and
federally enforceable state operating
permit program regulations and
corresponding practices, do not meet
the public participation requirements
contained in the applicable EPA
regulations, e.g., 40 CFR 51.161, and
guidance with respect to synthetic
minor source permitting. For the
identified agencies, OAR will take
appropriate corrective steps, which
may include constructive, informal
engagement. Status: Delayed due to
implementation complexity.
10/31/2024
EPA Deviated from Typical
Procedures in its 2018 Dicamba
Pesticide Registration Decision
21-E-0146
5/24/2021
3. Annually conduct and document
training for all staff and senior
managers and policy makers to affirm
the office's commitment to the
Scientific Integrity Policy and
principles and to promote a culture of
scientific integrity
Complete the fifth annual Scientific
integrity training by March 31, 2026.
Status: On track.
3/31/2026
Resource Constraints, Leadership
Decisions, and Workforce Culture Led
to a Decline in Federal Enforcement
21-P-0132
5/13/2021
2. Integrate the results of the workforce
analysis into the Office of Enforcement
and Compliance Assurance's annual
and strategic planning processes.
The OECA-wide succession
management plan will include all
components required by the Agency.
4/1/2024
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
Staffing Constraints, Safety and
Health Concerns at EPA's National
Enforcement Investigations Center
May Compromise Ability to Achieve
Mission
21-P-0131
5/12/2021
9. Develop and incorporate metrics on
the National Enforcement
Investigations Center work
enviromnent and culture into Office of
Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and
Training senior management
performance standards, such as results
from the annual Federal Employee
Viewpoint Survey, periodic culture
audits, or other methods to measure
progress.
Measuring this baseline and subsequem
quarterly data will continue until the
completion of the organizational
assessment that will evaluate the
veracity of actual issues or concerns
while also determining root causes of
any concerns
identified. Once that data is available,
the Office of Criminal Enforcement,
Forensics, and Training will evaluate
appropriate measures and/or next steps.
Status: On track.
6/28/2024
Staffing Constraints, Safety and
Health Concerns at EPA's National
Enforcement Investigations Center
May Compromise Ability to Achieve
Mission
21-P-0131
5/12/2021
10. Develop and incorporate metrics
that address work enviromnent and
culture into National Enforcement
Investigations Center senior
management performance standards.
Measuring this baseline and subsequem
quarterly data will continue until the
completion of the organizational
assessment that will evaluate the
veracity of actual issues or concerns
while also determining root causes of
any concerns identified. Once that data
is available, the Office of Criminal
Enforcement, Forensics, and Training
will evaluate appropriate measures
and/or next steps. Status: On track.
6/28/2024
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Helps States Reduce Trash,
Including Plastic, in U.S. Waterways
but Needs to Identify Obstacles and
Develop Strategies for Further
Progress
21-P-0130
5/11/2021
1. Evaluate the obstacles to
implementing the Clean Water Act to
control trash in U.S. waterways and
provide a public report describing
those obstacles.
To evaluate the obstacles to
implementing the Clean Water Act to
control trash in U.S. waterways, EPA
will engage in discussion with states,
and will address this recommendation
through the development of the "water
management" component of the
Federal Strategy required under
Section 301 of Save Our Seas 2.0. This
Strategy will be a public document
addressing both the waste and water
components related to plastic pollution
and will evaluate the requirements and
hurdles posed by the Clean Water Act,
as well as other regulatory
requirements and nonregulatory
actions. Status: Delayed due to
implementation complexity.
4/22/2024
EPA Should Conduct New Residual
Risk and Technology Reviews for
Chloroprene- and Ethylene Oxide
Emitting Source Categories to Protect
Human Health
21-P-0129
5/6/2021
2. Conduct new residual risk reviews
for Group I polymers and resins that
cover neoprene production, synthetic
organic chemical manufacturing
industry, polyether polyols production,
commercial sterilizers, and hospital
sterilizers using the new risk values for
chloroprene and ethylene oxide and
revise the corresponding National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants, as needed.
OAR commits to conduct appropriate
reviews to ensure that the standards for
neoprene production, synthetic organic
chemical manufacturing industry,
polyether polyols production, and
commercial sterilizers continue to
provide an ample margin of safety to
protect public health and that the
standards for hospital sterilizers
provide an ample margin of safety to
protect public health. Status: On track.
9/30/2024
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Should Conduct New Residual
Risk and Technology Reviews for
Chloroprene- and Ethylene Oxide
Emitting Source Categories to Protect
Human Health
21-P-0129
5/6/2021
3. Revise National Emission Standards
for Hazardous Air Pollutants for
chemical manufacturing area sources to
regulate ethylene oxide and conduct a
residual risk review to ensure that the
public is not exposed to unacceptable
risks.
Teclinology-based standards for
ethylene oxide have not yet been
established for the Chemical
Manufacturing Area Sources source
category. Therefore, we plan to first
evaluate ethylene oxide emissions from
the source category, and if ethylene
oxide emissions present a public health
concern (i.e., by considering risk
information), we will regulate ethylene
oxide in the Chemical Manufacturing
Area Sources rule. Regulation would
involve the establishment of
technology-based ethylene oxide
standards pursuant to either Clean Air
Act section 112(d)(5) standards or
sections 112(d)(2) and 112(d)(3)
standards. Within four years of
promulgation, EPA would assess the
risks from ethylene oxide emissions
from Chemical Manufacturing Area
Sources to inform us on whether an
earlier review date is appropriate.
Status: On track.
9/30/2028
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Should Conduct New Residual
Risk and Technology Reviews for
Chloroprene- and Ethylene Oxide
Emitting Source Categories to Protect
Human Health
21-P-0129
5/6/2021
4. Conduct overdue technology reviews
for Group I polymers and resins that cover
neoprene production, synthetic organic
chemical manufacturing industry,
commercial sterilizers, hospital sterilizers,
and chemical manufacturing area sources,
which are required to be completed at least
every eight years by the Clean Air Act.
OAR plans to conduct overdue
technology reviews for commercial
sterilizers, hospital sterilizers. Group I
polymers and resins, synthetic organic
chemical manufacturing, and chemical
plant area sources. Status:
On track.
9/30/2024
Improved Review Processes Could
Advance EPA Regions 3 and 5
Oversight of State-Issued National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System permits.
21-P-0122
4/21/2021
2. Review the modified National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System mining
permits issued by West Virginia based on
the 2019 revisions to its National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System program to
determine whether the permits contain
effluent limits for ionic pollution and other
pollutants that are or may be discharged at
a level that causes, has the reasonable
potential to cause, or contributes to an
excursion above any applicable water
quality standard, as required by Clean
Water Act regulations. If a permit lacks
required effluent limits, take appropriate
action to address such deficiencies.
Develop scope of work for the project.
Review data generated from permits
with conditions applied as a result of
the guidance to determine permits'
impact on water quality and whether
the assumptions underlying that
guidance are supported. Where the
data shows implementation of
guidance is not effective in protecting
water quality, provide
recommendations to WVDEP and
work with WVDEP to modify
guidance as appropriate. Using
information from data and process
analysis, we will take this information
into account as we review draft permits
that apply WVDEP guidance and
provide comment as appropriate.
Status: On track.
1/31/2025
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
Improved Review Processes Could
Advance EPA Regions 3 and 5
Oversight of State-Issued National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System Permits.
21-P-0122
4/21/2021
4. Review and provide written input on
any National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit prepared for
reissuance by the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency for the PolyMet Mining
Inc. NorthMet project, if applicable, as
appropriate pursuant to the requirements
of the Clean Water Act, National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System regulations,
the Region 5 National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit review
standard operating procedure, and the
memorandum of agreement between EPA
Region 5 and the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency.
The Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency has not transmitted the
PolyMet National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit to EPA for
review, so the status of the
recommendation remains unchanged.
Status: Delayed due to implementation
complexity.
11/30/2024
EPA Does Not Consistently Monitor
Hazardous Waste Units Closed with
Waste in Place or Track and Report on
Facilities That Fall Under the Two
Responsible Programs
21-P-0114
3/29/2021
2. Establish mechanisms to ensure that all
required inspections are completed within
the required time frame of two years for
operating treatment, storage, or disposal
facilities and three years for nonoperating
treatment, storage, or disposal facilities.
Work with the regions to develop and
implement a plan to use the
RCRAInfo Closed with Waste in Place
Report for monitoring the inspection
status of operating treatment, storage,
and disposal facilities (TSDFs) with
units closed with waste in place. At
TSDFs for which required inspections
have not been completed
and are near the end of their
compliance period, conduct inspections
to the extent possible within the
compliance period, or the following
fiscal year. Status: On track.
3/29/2024
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
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Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Needs to Substantially Improve
Oversight of Its Military Leave
Processes to Prevent Improper
Payments
21-P-0042
12/28/2020
2. Provide resources for supervisors,
timekeepers, and reservists on their
roles and responsibilities related to
military leave under the law and
Agency policies.
The OMS will update policy and
finalize procedures to comply with
statutory requirements, and OCFO will
provide PeoplePlus training to support
roles and responsibilities related to
military leave and pay policy. Status:
Delayed due to external dependencies.
10/15/2024
EPA Needs to Substantially Improve
Oversight of Its Military Leave
Processes to Prevent Improper
Payments
21-P-0042
12/28/2020
3. Establish and implement internal
controls that will allow the Agency to
monitor compliance with applicable
laws, federal guidance, and Agency
policies, including periodic internal
audits of all military leave, to verily
that (a) charges by reservists are
correct and supported and (b)
appropriate reservist differential and
military offset payroll audit
calculations are being requested and
performed.
The OMS will conduct periodic human
capital audits to ensure compliance
with the updated military leave policy,
and the OCFO will work with the
Interior Business Center, the EPA's
payroll provider, to ensure the
necessary timecard corrections
identified by the OMS periodic audit
were made by the employee and
approved by the supervisor in
accordance with agency policy. The
OCFO will provide a report to the
OMS confirming timecard corrections
identified by the OMS periodic audit
were made by the employee and
approved by the supervisor for the
OMS to distribute to the appropriate
offices. Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies.
10/1/2024
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Needs to Substantially Improve
Oversight of Its Military Leave
Processes to Prevent Improper
Payments
21-P-0042
12/28/2020
4. Require reservists to correct, and
supervisors to approve, military leave
time charging errors in PeoplePlus that
have been identified during the audit or
as part of the Agency's actions related
to Recommendations 5 and 6.
The OCFO will work with the
Agency's payroll provider to confirm
the necessary time charging errors
identified in the audit were corrected
by the employee and approved by the
supervisor; and the OCFO will then
provide a report to the OMS
confirming the necessary time
charging errors identified in the audit
were corrected by the employee and
approved by the supervisor for the
OMS to distribute to the appropriate
offices. Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies.
9/30/2026
EPA Needs to Substantially Improve
Oversight of Its Military Leave
Processes to Prevent Improper
Payments
21-P-0042
12/28/2020
5. Recover the approximately $11,000
in military pay related to unsupported
5 U.S.C. § 6323(a) military leave
charges, unless the Agency can obtain
documentation to substantiate the
validity of the reservists' military
leave.
For any unsupported leave charges, the
OMS will coordinate with the Interior
Business Center (IBC), the Agency's
payroll provider, to initiate the process
to recover the military pay, and where
applicable, the OCFO will recover any
unsupported leave charges for out-of-
service debt. Status: Delayed due to
external dependencies.
8/31/2026
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Needs to Substantially Improve
Oversight of Its Military Leave
Processes to Prevent Improper
Payments
21-P-0042
12/28/2020
6. Submit documentation for the
reservists' military leave related to the
approximately $118,000 charged
under 5 U.S.C. § 6323(b) to the EPA's
payroll provider so that it may perform
payroll audit calculations and recover
any military offsets that may be due.
The OMS will work with the EPA's
programs and regions to collect
documentation related to the identified
military leave charges. For any
unsupported leave charges, the OMS
will coordinate with the IBC to initiate
the process to recover any military
offsets. The OCFO will recover any
unsupported leave charges for out-of-
service debt. Status: Delayed due to
external dependencies.
8/31/2026
EPA Needs to Substantially Improve
Oversight of Its Military Leave
Processes to Prevent Improper
Payments
21-P-0042
12/28/2020
7. Identify the population of reservists
who took unpaid military leave
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 5538 and
determine whether those reservists are
entitled to receive a reservist
differential. Based on the results of
this determination, take appropriate
steps to request that the EPA's payroll
provider perform payroll audit
calculations to identify and pay the
amounts that may be due to reservists.
The OCFO will provide the OMS with
the population of reservists charging
military leave. The OMS will conduct
a review of this population to
determine which items need to be
provided to the IBC for audit
calculation of whether military offsets
were paid accurately. For amounts due
to reservists who are no longer EPA
employees, the OCFO will coordinate
with the IBC on the amounts due.
Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies.
12/31/2026
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Needs to Substantially Improve
Oversight of Its Military Leave
Processes to Prevent Improper
Payments
21-P-0042
12/28/2020
8. For the time periods outside of the
scope of our audit (pre-January 2017
and post-June 2019), identify the
population of reservists who charged
military leave under 5 U.S.C. §
6323(b) or 6323(c), and determine
whether military offset was paid by
the reservists. If not, review reservists'
military documentation to determine
whether payroll audit calculations are
required. If required, request that the
EPA's payroll provider perform payroll
audit calculations to identify and
recover military offsets that may be
due from the reservists under 5 U.S.C.
§§ 6323 and 5519.
The OCFO will provide the OMS with
the population of reservists charging
military leave. The OMS will conduct
a review of this population to
determine which items need to be
provided to the IBC for audit
calculation of whether military offsets
were paid accurately. For any
unsupported leave charges, the OMS
will coordinate with the IBC to initiate
the process to recover any military
offsets. The OCFO will recover any
unsupported leave charges for out-of
service debt. Status: Delayed due to
external dependencies.
2/28/2027
EPA Needs to Substantially Improve
Oversight of Its Military Leave
Processes to Prevent Improper
Payments
21-P-0042
12/28/2020
9. Report all amounts of improper
payments resulting from paid military
leave for inclusion in the annual
Agency Financial Report, as required
by the Payment Integrity Information
Act of 2019.
The OCFO will report any paid
military leave amounts identified as an
improper payment(s) within the
annual Agency Financial Report for
the applicable fiscal year; and the
OCFO also will perform an internal
control review on military leave pay
during the FY 2021 A-123 Internal
Review period and report any
identified improper payment amounts
in the FY 2021 Annual Financial
Report. Status: Delayed due to
external dependencies.
12/1/2025
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OIG Report
Number
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Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
Region 2's Hurricanes Inna and Maria
Response Efforts in Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands Show the Need for
Improved Planning, Communications,
and Assistance for Small Drinking
Water Systems
21-P-0032
12/3/2020
3. In coordination with the Office of
Water, implement America's Water
Infrastructure Act in Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands by:
a. Developing and
implementing a strategy to provide
training, guidance, and assistance to
small drinking water systems as they
improve their resilience.
b. Establishing a process for
small drinking water systems to apply
for America's Water Infrastructure Act
grants. This process should include (1)
implementing the EPA's May 2020
guidance provided to small drinking
water systems regarding resilience
assessments and (2) establishing a
public information campaign to inform
small drinking water systems of the
America's Water Infrastructure Act
grant opportunity, qualifying
requirements, and application
deadlines.
EPA Office of Water will be promoting
and conducting a series of America's
Water Infrastructure Act section 2013
virtual workshops aimed at systems
serving 3,301- 49,999 people,
including a workshop focused on
Region 2 water systems, to include
Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Small water systems and technical
assistance providers in Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands are welcome to
attend these workshops to assist them
in developing risk and resilience
assessments and emergency response
plans. EPA plans to publish guidance
for systems serving less than 3,300
people. EPA also plans to publish a
Spanish version of this guidance to
make it more accessible to small
systems and technical assistance
providers in Puerto Rico. Status:
Delayed due to external dependencies.
6/30/2024
EPA's External Civil Rights
Compliance
Office's Response to Title VI Air
Complaints
20-E-0333
9/28/2020
1. Develop and implement a plan to
coordinate relevant agency program,
regional, and administrative offices
with the External Civil Rights
Compliance Office to develop
guidance on permitting and cumulative
impacts related to Title VI.
The External Civil Rights Compliance
Office (ECRCO) will issue guidance to
clarify the Agency's interpretations of
legal requirements and expectations to
stakeholders. Status: Delayed due to
staffing constraints.
10/1/2024
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OIG Report Report Issue
OIG Report Title Number Date OIG Recommendation EPA Corrective Action and Status Target
EPA's External Civil Rights
Compliance
Office's Response to Title VI Air
Complaints
20-E-0333
9/28/2020
5. Determine how to use existing
or new data to identify and target
funding recipients for proactive
compliance reviews, and develop
or update policy, guidance, and
standard operating procedures for
collecting and using those data.
ECRCO will be determining how to use
data to identify and target funding
recipients for proactive compliance
reviews, as discussed in response to
Recommendation 2, and, also, will develop
or update policy, guidance, and SOPs, as
appropriate, for the collection and use of
data by recipients. ERCO will develop and
release Foundational nondiscrimination
Program Guidance, which includes section
on data collection and reporting; release
technical assistance video, and release data
analytics guidance. Status: Delayed due to
staffing constraints.
10/1/2024
EPA's External Civil Rights
Compliance
Office's Response to Title VI Air
Complaints
20-E-0333
9/28/2020
6. Develop and deliver training
for the deputy civil rights officials
and EPA regional staff that
focuses on their respective roles
and
responsibilities within the EPA's
Title VI program.
ECRCO will provide training to all EPA
staff involved in the form review process
and will release a technical assistance
video. ECRCO will provide additional
training courses to EPA staff on civil rights
topics and issues on a regular basis. For
example, in addition to training in FY22 on
the Form review process, ECRCO will
offer training in FY23 as ECRCO issues
guidance and works with national media
programs and regional offices to ensure
Title VI compliance is integrated into
agency-wide oversight activities. Status:
Delayed due to staffing constraints.
3/31/2024
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Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
Further Efforts Needed to Uphold
Scientific Integrity Policy at EPA
20-P-0173
5/20/2020
6. In coordination with the assistant
administrator for Mission Support,
complete the development and
implementation of the electronic
clearance system for scientific products
across the Agency.
OMS, ORD Office of Scientific
Information Management (OSIM), and
the Scientific Integrity Committee will
coordinate to complete modification
and Agency-wide implementation of
ORD's Scientific & Technical
Information Clearance System to an
agency-wide electronic clearance
system for scientific products across
the Agency. The system will be
consistent with the Scientific Integrity
Policy and our Best Practices
document and with the Agency's Plan
to Increase Access to the Results of
EPA-Funded Scientific Research.
Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies.
6/30/2024
Further Efforts Needed to Uphold
Scientific Integrity Policy at EPA
20-P-0173
5/20/2020
7. With the assistance of the Scientific
Integrity Committee, finalize and
release the procedures for addressing
and resolving allegations of a violation
of the Scientific Integrity Policy, and
incorporate the procedures into
scientific integrity outreach and
training materials.
The Agency will release the
Procedures document. It will be posted
on the Agency's website. The Scientific
Integrity Program will create and
release appropriate outreach materials
to ensure EPA employees and their
managers understand these procedures.
Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies.
6/30/2024
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Number
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Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
Further Efforts Needed to Uphold
Scientific Integrity Policy at EPA
20-P-0173
5/20/2020
8. With the assistance of the Scientific
Integrity Committee, develop and
implement a process specifically to
address and resolve allegations of
Scientific Integrity Policy violations
involving high-profile issues or senior
officials, and specify when this process
should be used.
EPA will amend the procedures
document referenced in
recommendation 7, to include a process
to adjudicate allegations of Scientific
Integrity Policy violations involving
high-profile issues or senior officials in
the Agency for which the Scientific
Integrity Official or Scientific Integrity
Committee does not feel it can
adequately adjudicate via existing
procedures and include an indicator for
when the process should be used.
Status: Delayed due to external
dependencies.
6/30/2024
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Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA's Processing Times for New
Source Air Permits in Indian Country
Have Improved, but Many Still Exceed
Regulatory Time Frames
20-P-0146
4/22/2020
1. Implement a system that is
accessible to both the EPA and the
applicants to track the processing of all
tribal-New-Source-Review permits
and key permit dates including
application received, application
completed, draft permit issued, public
comment period (if applicable), and
final permit issuance.
OAR's Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards has already begun work
on the Electronic Permit System (EPS),
which will include a module to receive
and process applications for the EPA-
issued tribal new source review
permits. Specifically, this module will
allow sources to submit electronic
applications for tribal minor NSR
permits and then allow the EPA staff to
process those applications in EPS. The
system will allow the EPA staff to
update the status of the application and
permit to reflect when the application
is complete, the draft permit is issued,
the beginning and ending of the public
comment period, and the issuance of
the final permit and response to public
comments document. Status: Delayed
due to resource constraints.
9/30/2024
EPA's Processing Times for New
Source Air Permits in Indian Country
Have Improved, but Many Still Exceed
Regulatory Time Frames
20-P-0146
4/22/2020
2. Establish and implement an
oversight process to verily that the
regions update the permit tracking
system on a periodic basis with the
correct and required information.
Upon completion of the EPS, the
Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards will work with the regional
offices to establish an oversight process
to ensure complete, consistent, and
timely entry of data into the EPS.
Status: Delayed due to resource
constraints.
9/30/2024
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Number
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Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Effectively Screens Air Emissions
Data from Continuous Monitoring
Systems but Could Enhance
Verification of System Performance
19-P-0207
6/27/2019
1. Develop and implement electronic
checks in the EPA's Emissions
Collection and Monitoring Plan
System or through an alternative
mechanism to retroactively evaluate
emissions and quality assurance data in
instances where monitoring plan
changes are submitted after the
emissions and quality assurance data
have already been accepted by the
EPA.
The Clean Air Markets Division
(CAMD) has implemented a post
submission data check that is run at the
end of each reporting period. In the
long term, the CAMD will implement
an additional check in the Emissions
Collection and Monitoring Plan
(ECMPS) forcing retroactive span
record changes to require the
reevaluation and resubmission of any
affected quality assurance tests and
hourly emissions records. CAMD has
initiated the process of reengineering
ECMPS. In order to minimize
additional expenditures on the current
version of ECMPS, CAMD will focus
on adding the check to the new version
of ECMPS. Status: On track.
3/31/2025
Pesticide Registration Fee,
Vulnerability Mitigation and Database
Security Controls for EPA's FIFRA and
PRIA Systems Need Improvement
19-P-0195
6/21/2019
2. Complete the actions and
milestones identified in the Office of
Pesticide Programs' PRIA
Maintenance Fee Risk Assessment
document and associated plan
regarding the fee payment and refund
posting processes.
OCSPP's Office of Pesticide Programs
will complete the actions and
milestones identified in the Office of
Pesticide Programs' Pesticide
Registration Improvement Act
Maintenance Fee Risk Assessment
document and associated plan
regarding the fee payment and refund
posting processes. Status: Delayed due
to external dependencies.
1/31/2024
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Number
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Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Needs a Comprehensive Vision
and Strategy for Citizen Science that
Aligns with Its Strategic Objectives on
Public Participation
18-P-0240
9/5/2018
2. Through appropriate EPA offices,
direct completion of an assessment to
identify the data management
requirements for using citizen science
data and an action plan for addressing
those requirements, including those on
sharing and using data, data
format/standards, and data
testing/validation.
The Agency concurs with this
recommendation and will complete an
assessment and action plan to identify
and address data management
requirements for citizen science.
Status: Delayed due to implementation
complexity.
6/30/2024
EPA Needs to Evaluate the Impact of
the Revised Agricultural Worker
Protection Standard on Pesticide
Exposure Incidents
18-P-0080
2/15/2018
1. The Assistant Administrator for
Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention, in coordination with the
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance, shall develop
and implement a methodology to
evaluate the impact of the revised
Agricultural Worker Protection
Standard on pesticide exposure
incidents among target populations.
OCSPP will: (1) collect and review
data related to the extent to which
agricultural workers obtain knowledge
through trainings; (2) collect and
review incident data; and (3) after
reviewing training and incident data,
analyze the need to collect additional
information to help evaluate the impact
of the revised Worker Protection
Standard. Status: Delayed due to
implementation complexity.
6/28/2024
Improved Management of the
Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund
Program Is Required to Maximize
Cleanups
17-P-0368
8/23/2017
14. Develop and implement a method
for the Office of Brownfields and Land
Revitalization to track closed
cooperative agreements with pre- and
post-program income.
OBLR will work with the regions to
develop and implement a method such
as a tool, a spreadsheet, or a database,
to track pre- and post-close out
program income until termination of
the closed out cooperative agreements
in accordance with the reporting
requirements listed under the closeout
agreement. Status: Delayed due to
implementation complexity.
9/30/2024
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OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
Additional Measures Can Be Taken to
Prevent Deaths and Serious Injuries
From Residential Fumigations
17-P-0053
12/12/2016
3. Conduct an assessment of clearance
devices to validate their effectiveness
in detecting required clearance levels,
as part of the Office of Pesticide
Programs ongoing reevaluation of
structural fumigants. The program will
implement this corrective action in two
phases: 3a.OCSPP anticipates that
phase one will consist of revised
mitigation measures to be reflected in a
Final Interim Re-entry Mitigation
Measures Memorandum. 3b. In phase
2, OCSPP will revise sulfuryl labels.
Based on the comment content and the
time needed to review the new data, the
timeframe for responding and
publishing a revised document
outlining required sulfuryl fluoride
label changes will be delayed from
OCSPP's original plan and will likely
involve phased implementation (label
requirements) for some of the
measures. OCSPP anticipates that
revised mitigation measures will be
reflected in a Final Interim Re-entry
Mitigation Measures Memorandum to
be issued by 3/31/23. OCSPP
anticipates that the mitigation measures
will be reflected in revised and
accepted sulfuryl fluoride labels by
9/30/23. Status: Delayed due to
implementation complexity.
2/15/2024
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Number
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Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Has Not Met Certain Statutory
Requirements to Identify
Environmental Impacts of Renewable
Fuel Standard
16-P-0275
8/18/2016
2. Complete the anti-backsliding study
on the air quality impacts of the
Renewable Fuel Standard as required
by the Energy Independence and
Security Act.
EPA has already taken a number of
steps that are important prerequisites
for the anti-backsliding study. There
are multiple intermediate research steps
that still need to be completed before
OAR can plan, fund, and conduct a
comprehensive anti-backsliding study.
These steps include development of
baseline, current, and projected
scenarios for how renewable fuels have
and might be produced, distributed,
and used to fulfill the Renewable Fuel
Standard requirements, generation of
emissions inventories, and air quality
modeling, all of which are time
consuming and resource intensive.
Status: On track.
9/30/2024
EPA Has Not Met Certain Statutory
Requirements to Identify
Enviromnental Impacts of Renewable
Fuel Standard
16-P-0275
8/18/2016
3. Determine whether additional action
is needed to mitigate any adverse air
quality impacts of the Renewable Fuel
Standard as required by the Energy
Independence and Security Act.
OAR acknowledges the statute's
requirement to determine whether
additional action is needed to mitigate
any adverse air quality impacts in
light of the anti-backsliding study.
That study, discussed in Corrective
Action 2, would need to be completed
prior to any such determination taking
place. Status: On track.
9/30/2024
-------
OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA Has Not Met Statutory
Requirements for Hazardous Waste
Treatment, Storage and Disposal
Facility Inspections, but Inspection
Rates Are High
16-P-0104
3/11/2016
1. Implement management controls to
complete the required TSDF
inspections.
OECA will work with the regions to
monitor TSDF inspection frequency,
develop and implement a plan to
identify TSDFs not yet inspected near
the end of the required inspection
cycle, and conduct inspections to the
extent possible within the compliance
period or the following fiscal year.
Status: Delayed due to implementation
complexity.
3/29/2024
Internal Controls Needed to Control
Costs of Emergency and Rapid
Response Services Contracts, as
Exemplified in Region 6
14-P-0109
2/4/2014
3. Direct COs to require that the
contractor adjust all its billings to
reflect the application of the correct
rate to team subcontract ODCs.
Region 6 agrees to require the
contractor to adjust all of its past
billings to reflect the application of the
composite rate to team subcontractor
other direct costs that were arranged
for and paid for by the team-
subcontractor. We intend to implement
the corrective action when final
indirect cost rates are established.
Therefore, the contract officer will be
directed to defer past billing
adjustments until the DCAA audits the
indirect cost rates and the
EPA Financial Administrative
Contracting Officer negotiates,
approves, and issues a Final Indirect
Cost Agreement for the past billing
periods (i.e.. Years 2007 to 2013).
Status: On track.
9/30/2024
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OIG Report Title
OIG Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
OIG Recommendation
EPA Corrective Action and Status
Target
EPA's Endocrine Disruptor Screening
Program Should Establish
Management Controls to Ensure
More Timely Results
ll-P-0215
5/3/2011
4. Develop short-term, intermediate,
and long-term outcome performance
measures, and additional output
performance measures, with
appropriate targets and timeframes, to
measure the progress and results of the
program.
Rec. 4a: Short term performance
measures will be developed and
tracked.
Rec. 4b: Long term performance
measures, including testing for EDSP
activities in pesticides will be
developed and tracked.
Short term performance measures will
be developed by and tracked. Long
term performance measures, including
at least one measure that tracks
progress in the evaluation and testing
of pesticides for human endocrine
disruptor activity, will be developed
and tracked by October 1, 2024.
Status: On track.
10/1/2024
EPA's Endocrine Disruptor Screening
Program Should Establish
Management Controls to Ensure
More Timely Results
ll-P-0215
5/3/2011
6. Annually review the EDSP program
results, progress toward milestones,
and achievement of performance
measures, including explanations for
any missed milestones or targets.
OCSPP will conduct the first annual
internal program review of the EDSP
and provide a briefing and report out
to the OCSPP Assistant Administrator
on EDSP progress, especially as it
relates to the Corrective Actions in this
Report and progress developing the
EDSP Strategic Plan. Status:
Delayed due to leadership change.
3/31/2024
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OIG Report Report Issue
OIG Report Title Number Date OIG Recommendation EPA Corrective Action and Status Target
EPA Should Revise Outdated or
Inconsistent EPA-State Clean Water
Act Memoranda of Agreement
10-P-0224
9/14/2010
2-2. Develop a systematic approach
to identify which States have
outdated or inconsistent MO As,
renegotiate and update those MO As
using the MOA template, and secure
the active involvement and final,
documented concurrence of
Headquarters to ensure national
consistency.
EPA has completed the review of all
the EPA-State Memorandums of
Agreement (MOAs). Ten authorized
National pollutant discharge
elimination system states were
identified as being problematic. EPA
Regions and States have completed
actions to update MO As to satisfy
concerns identified in the corrective
action plan for three states: Iowa,
Missouri, and Virginia. At this time,
seven MOAs are still in the process
of being corrected. Status: Delayed
due to external dependencies.
4/30/2025
Making Better Use of Stringfellow
Superfund Special Accounts
08-P-0196
7/9/2008
2. Reclassify or transfer to the Trust
Fund, as appropriate, $27.8 million
(plus any earned interest less
oversight costs) of the Stringfellow
special accounts in annual reviews,
and at other milestones including the
end of fiscal year 2010, when the
record of decision is signed, and the
final settlement is achieved
The EPA retains the funds in reserve
because final clean-up figures have
not been established. Status:
Delayed due to external
dependencies.
9/30/2026
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GAO-IGAct, Government Accountability Office Open Recommendations - As of January 31, 2024
GAO Report Title
GAO Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Clean Water Act: EPA Should Track
Control of Combined Sewer
Overflows and Water Quality
Improvements
GAO-23-
105285
1/25/2023
1. The Assistant Administrator of the Office of Water should
develop a performance goal and measure(s) to track and
assess the status of long-term control plans or other control
plans for municipalities with CSOs.
OECA is leading the development of the Phase 2
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Electronic Reporting Rule and they have shared that they
expect to release the data by December 2025.
Clean Water Act: EPA Should Track
Control of Combined Sewer
Overflows and Water Quality
Improvements
GAO-23-
105285
1/25/2023
2. The Assistant Administrator of the Office of Water should
develop a performance goal and measures to track and assess
the improvements to water quality resulting from CSO
controls implemented by municipalities with CSOs.
OECA is leading the development of the Phase 2
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Electronic Reporting Rule and they have shared that they
expect to release the data by December 2025.
Clean Water Act: EPA Should Track
Control of Combined Sewer
Overflows and Water Quality
Improvements
GAO-23-
105285
1/25/2023
3. The Assistant Administrator of the Office of Water should
report on nationwide progress and results of municipalities'
efforts to control CSOs.
OECA is leading the development of the Phase 2
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Electronic Reporting Rule and they have shared that they
expect to release the data by December 2025.
Wildfire Smoke: Opportunities to
Strengthen Federal Efforts to Manage
Growing Risks
GAO-23-
104723
3/13/2023
1. The Administrator of EPA should develop and document a
coordinated approach for EPA's actions to help communities
prepare for and respond to the air quality and public health
risks of wildfire smoke. The approach should align with
leading practices for collaboration, including establishing
goals, identifying and leveraging resources, and clarifying
key stakeholder roles and responsibilities.
On November 9, 2023, EPA, USDA, DOI, and CDC
signed a memorandum of understanding to address
wildfire risk and protect communities from smoke. The
four agencies also released a joint plan outlining
wildland fire-related priorities the agencies will focus on
over the next two years.
Wildfire Smoke: Opportunities to
Strengthen Federal Efforts to Manage
Growing Risks
GAO-23-
104723
3/13/2023
2. The Administrator of EPA should work with the
Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to better align air
quality and land management goals for wildfire risk
mitigation and establish joint strategies for achieving those
goals.
On November 9, 2023, EPA, USDA, DOI, and CDC
signed a memorandum of understanding to address
wildfire risk and protect communities from smoke. The
four agencies also released a joint plan outlining
wildland fire-related priorities the agencies will focus on
over the next two years.
Wildfire Smoke: Opportunities to
Strengthen Federal Efforts to Manage
Growing Risks
GAO-23-
104723
3/13/2023
5. The Administrator of EPA should, in consultation with
federal land management agencies, identify and develop
additional information on reducing risks from wildfire smoke
to air quality and public health through wildfire risk
mitigation.
On November 9, 2023, EPA, USDA, DOI, and CDC
signed a memorandum of understanding to address
wildfire risk and protect communities from smoke. The
four agencies also released a joint plan outlining
wildland fire-related priorities the agencies will focus on
over the next two years.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Wildfire Smoke: Opportunities to
Strengthen Federal Efforts to Manage
Growing Risks
GAO-23-104723
3/13/2023
6. The Director of EPA's Office of Air and Radiation
should work with EPA's tribal, state, and local partners
to evaluate options for providing incentives for and
supporting wildfire risk mitigation and establish a plan
for implementing appropriate options, seeking
additional authority from Congress if needed.
On November 9, 2023, EPA, USDA, DOI, and CDC
signed a memorandum of understanding to address
wildfire risk and protect communities from smoke. The
four agencies also released a joint plan outlining
wildland fire-related priorities the agencies will focus on
over the next two years.
Renewable Fuel Standard: Actions
Needed to Improve Decision-Making
in the Small Refinery Exemption
Program
GAO-23-104273
11/3/2022
1. The Administrator of EPA should reassess EPA's
conclusion that all small refineries recover their RFS
compliance costs in the price of the gasoline and diesel
they sell, including by fully examining and
documenting RIN market performance and RIN pass-
through in all relevant fuel markets.
While EPA disagreed with this recommendation, the EPA
did complete the analysis GAO recommended and posted
the results on EPA's website in December 2022. EPA
considers this recommendation to be fully implemented
and requested closure in December 2023.
Renewable Fuel Standard: Actions
Needed to Improve Decision-Making
in the Small Refinery Exemption
Program
GAO-23-104273
11/3/2022
2. The Administrator of EPA should identify and
communicate what information refineries would need
to submit to demonstrate disproportionate economic
hardship.
EPA intends to satisfy this recommendation before the
end FY 2024 Quarter 2.
Renewable Fuel Standard: Actions
Needed to Improve Decision-Making
in the Small Refinery Exemption
Program
GAO-23-104273
11/3/2022
3. The Administrator of EPA should develop policies
and procedures for making small refinery exemption
decisions.
Among other tilings, the EPA intends to continue to
update the guidance it provides for future SRE
exemptions. The Agency continues to work on this
recommendation and will respond to GAO once
complete.
Renewable Fuel Standard: Actions
Needed to Improve Decision-Making
in the Small Refinery Exemption
Program
GAO-23-104273
11/3/2022
4. The Administrator of EPA should develop policies
and procedures to ensure that EPA meets statutory
deadlines to issue decisions, including tracking when
petitions are considered complete.
The Agency intends to better document its internal
processes for receiving petitions, the processes for
checking the petitions for completeness and more
completely tracking the internal decision making and
review steps, including coordination with DOE.
continues to work on this recommendation and will
respond to GAO once complete.
Renewable Fuel Standard: Actions
Needed to Improve Decision-Making
in the Small Refinery Exemption
Program
GAO-23-104273
11/3/2022
5. The Administrator of EPA should assess the effect
of small refinery exemption decision timing on the
benefit provided to small refineries, as well as the
effect on fuel markets, and reconsider petition
requirements, such as that of three quarters of current
year financial information.
The EPA continues to work toward implementation of
this recommendation and will respond to GAO once
complete.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report Report Issue
Number Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Persistent Chemicals: EPA Should Use
New Data to Analyze the
Demographics of Communities with
PFAS in Their Drinking Water
GAO-22-105135
9/30/2022
1. The EPA Administrator should conduct a nationwide
analysis using comprehensive data such as the forthcoming
fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule data to
determine the demographic characteristics of communities
with PFAS in their drinking water.
EPA will be requesting to close out this
recommendation as EPA continues to collect data.
In November 2023 EPA released the second set of
preliminary Fifth Unregulated Contaminant
Monitoring Rule results and will continue to
update results approximately quarterly through
completion of the occurrence data collection.
Privacy: Dedicated Leadership Can
Improve Programs and Address
Challenges
GAO-22-105065
9/22/2022
44. The Administrator of EPA should fully develop and
document a privacy continuous monitoring strategy.
EPA considers this recommendation to be fully
implemented and thus requests its closure.
Oil and Gas: Federal Actions Needed
to Address Methane Emissions from
Oil and Gas Development
GAO-22-104759
5/20/2022
1. The EPA Administrator should provide greater flexibility
to operators for using alternative technologies to detect
methane emissions.
On December 2, 2023, EPA announced a final
rule that will sharply reduce emissions of methane
and other harmful air pollution from oil and
natural gas operations including, for the first time,
from existing sources nationwide. The final rule
includes provisions that allows owners and
operators greater flexibility in the use of advanced
methane detection technologies including
combinations of different technologies to identify
leaks at well sites, centralized production
facilities, and compressor stations. The rule also
creates a streamlined pathway for owners and
operators to demonstrate that new technologies
meet the performance requirements in the rule,
helping ensure that the rule keeps up with the pace
of innovation in this sector.
Small Business Research Programs:
Agencies Should Further Improve
Award Timeliness
GAO-22-104677
10/14/2021
14. The Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency should evaluate the effectiveness of steps taken to
improve SBIR award timeliness and take any necessary
additional steps in order to consistently meet SBA award
timeliness guidelines.
Agency actions are complete. However, GAO
requires outyear data to confirm consistent
implementation. Closure is anticipated after an
additional cycle.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Refined Coal Production Tax Credit:
Coordinated Agency Review Could
Help Ensure the Credit Achieves Its
Intended Purpose
GAO-22-104637
12/15/2021
3. If Congress extends the refined coal production tax credit,
the Administrator of the EPA should coordinate with
Treasury, IRS, and DOE to review the performance of the
credit in achieving its intended purpose and identify and
implement, as appropriate, any improvements towards
achieving that intended purpose, such as adjustments to
allowable emissions testing methods.
Congress elected not to include the refined coal
tax credit when renewing similar energy tax
credits in the Inflation Reduction Act - a
precondition of the recommendation. The Agency
requested closure of the recommendation in
December 2023.
Chemical Accident Prevention: EPA
Should Ensure Regulated Facilities
Consider Risks from Climate Change
GAO-22-104494
2/28/2022
3. The Assistant Administrator of the Office of Enforcement
and Compliance Assurance and Director of the Office of
Emergency Management, together with EPA officials at
regional offices, should provide additional compliance
assistance to RMP facilities related to risks from natural
hazards and climate change.
The Agency is working on a final rule, which is
expected to be complete by December 2023.
After the final rule is published, the Agency still
intends to incorporate methods and/or materials
related to assessing the sufficiency of Risk
Managment Program facilities' incorporation of
risks from natural hazards and climate change into
the Risk Management Program Inspector Training
course.
Chemical Accident Prevention: EPA
Should Ensure Regulated Facilities
Consider Risks from Climate Change
GAO-22-104494
2/28/2022
4. The Assistant Administrator of the Office of Enforcement
and Compliance Assurance should design an information
system to track common deficiencies found during
inspections, including any related to natural hazards and
climate change, and use this information to target compliance
assistance.
The EPA agrees with the goal of this
recommendation. In Spring 2023, the Agency
reported that it had completed the written business
process for identifying common deficiencies and
had begun the implementation. EPA requested
closure of this recommendation in December
2023.
Chemical Accident Prevention: EPA
Should Ensure Regulated Facilities
Consider Risks from Climate Change
GAO-22-104494
2/28/2022
5. The Director of the Office of Emergency Management
should issue regulations, guidance, or both, as appropriate, to
clarify requirements and provide direction for RMP facilities
on how to incorporate risks from natural hazards and climate
change into their risk management programs.
EPA agreed with this recommendation. The
Agency published a proposed rule in August 2022,
which includes amendments that would explicitly
require Risk Management Program facilities to
consider the risks of external events such as
natural hazards, including those caused by climate
change. EPA expects to publish the final rule by
the end of FY 2024 Quarter 2.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Chemical Accident Prevention: EPA
Should Ensure Regulated Facilities
Consider Risks from Climate Change
GAO-22-104494
2/28/2022
1. The Assistant Administrator of the Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance and Director ol
the Office of Emergency Management should develop a
method for inspectors to assess the sufficiency of RMP
facilities' incorporation of risks from natural hazards
and climate change into risk management programs and
provide related guidance and training to inspectors.
EPA agreed with this recommendation. The Agency is
working on a proposal to revise the Risk Management
Program regulations and expects to complete the
revisions by December 2023. After the final rule is
published, the Agency stated that it intends to
incorporate methods and/or materials related to
assessing the sufficiency of Risk Management Program
facilities' incorporation of risks from natural hazards
and climate change into the Risk Management Program
Inspector Training course.
Chemical Accident Prevention: EPA
Should Ensure Regulated Facilities
Consider Risks from Climate Change
GAO-22-104494
2/28/2022
2. The Assistant Administrator of the Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, working with
officials at regional offices, should incorporate
vulnerability of RMP facilities to natural hazards and
climate change as criteria when selecting facilities for
inspection.
In the prior National Enforcement and Compliance
Initiatives cycle, national workgroups focused on
identifying ways to incorporate climate data and
associated risks into targeting and inspection activities.
These were incorporated into workgroup deliverables
and are being implemented by inspectors.
Water Quality: Agencies Should Take
More Actions to Manage Risks from
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
GAO-22-104449
6/15/2022
1. The Administrator of NOAA and the Administrator of
EPA, in collaboration with the members of the working
group, should document and define what a national
HAB and hypoxia program would entail, including
identifying the program's resource needs.
EPA, NOAA, and interagency working group members
are continuing to work to define what a national
program would entail, including identifying the
program's goals, objectives, milestones, and resource
needs. This information will be incorporated into the
2024 Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and
Control National Assessment.
Water Quality: Agencies Should Take
More Actions to Manage Risks from
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
GAO-22-104449
6/15/2022
2. The Administrator of NOAA and the Administrator of
EPA, in collaboration with the members of the working
group, should develop performance measures to assess
the working
group's efforts, including the extent to which the
recommended goals from the Research Plan and Action
Strategy have been achieved.
EPA, NOAA, and interagency working group members
are working to develop performance measures to assess
the working group's efforts. This information will be
incorporated into the 2024 Harmful Algal Blooms and
Hypoxia Research and Control National Assessment.
Water Quality: Agencies Should Take
More Actions to Manage Risks from
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
GAO-22-104449
6/15/2022
3. The Administrator of EPA, working with the other
members of the working group, should develop an
interagency framework, including prioritizing water
bodies and identifying resource needs, to expand
monitoring of freshwater HABs and hypoxia.
EPA and NOAA are working to develop an interagency
framework, including prioritizing water bodies, and
identifying resource needs to expand monitoring of
freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Water Quality: Agencies Should Take
More Actions to Manage Risks from
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
GAO-22-104449
6/15/2022
4. The Administrator of EPA, working with the other
members of the working group, should develop an
interagency framework, including prioritizing water bodies
and identifying resource needs, to expand forecasting of
freshwater HABs and hypoxia.
EPA and NOAA along with interagency working
group members are working to develop an
interagency framework, including prioritizing
water bodies, and identifying resource needs to
expand forecasting of freshwater harmful algal
blooms and hypoxia.
Water Quality: Agencies Should Take
More Actions to Manage Risks from
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
GAO-22-104449
6/15/2022
5. The Administrator of NOAA and the Administrator of
EPA, in collaboration with the members of the working
group, should develop a national goal for the group focused
on efforts to prevent HABs and hypoxia.
EPA and NOAA along with interagency working
group members continue to work to develop a
national harmful algal blooms program prevention
goal. This new goal, that is delayed to March
2024, will be incorporated into the "Interagency
Working Group One-pager" which will serve as an
up-to-date summary of the working group's
structure and function.
Water Quality: Agencies Should Take
More Actions to Manage Risks from
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
GAO-22-104449
6/15/2022
6. The Administrator of NOAA and the Administrator of
EPA, in collaboration with the members of the working
group, should coordinate the development of a more
comprehensive body of information on the costs and benefits
of mitigation, control, and prevention actions for use by
state, local, and tribal governments.
EPA and NOAA are working to coordinate the
development of a more comprehensive body of
information on the costs and benefits of
mitigation, control, and prevention actions for use
by state, local, and tribal governments. This
information will be incorporated into the 2024
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and
Control National Assessment.
Offshore Oil Spills: Additional
Information is Needed to Better
Understand the Environmental
Tradeoffs of Using Chemical
Dispersants
GAO-22-104153
12/15/2021
2. The Administrator of EPA should work with the Coast
Guard and other agencies to conduct assessments, such as
biological assessments or ecological risk assessments, and
examining the potential effects of the subsurface use of
dispersants on ocean ecosystems in regions where this is
considered a viable response option.
The Agency plans to provide support to the Coast
Guard and coordinate with the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration and other
agencies to identify assessment methodologies and
examine potential effects of the subsurface use of
dispersants on ocean ecosystems for select
regions. Implementation has external
dependencies, so a firm estimate for completion is
not yet available.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Recycling: Building on Existing
Federal Efforts Could Help Address
Cross-Cutting Challenges
GAO-21-87
12/18/2020
1. The Director of EPA's Office of Resource Conservation
and Recovery should develop an implementation plan for
conducting a study and developing recommendations for
administrative or legislative action regarding the effect of
existing public policies, and the likely effect of modifying or
eliminating such incentives and disincentives, upon the
reuse, recycling, and conservation of materials, as required
by RCRA.
The EPA initiated an analysis that examines the
impacts of different policies, incentives, and
disincentives on driving a circular economy. This
analysis includes a literature review of existing
domestic and international policies related to
recycling. The final report will include
recommendations on effective policies or
administrative actions. EPA completed drafts of
the final report and anticipates releasing the report
by June 30, 2023.
Recycling: Building on Existing
Federal Efforts Could Elelp Address
Cross-Cutting Challenges
GAO-21-87
12/18/2020
2. The Director of EPA's Office of Resource Conservation
and Recovery should develop an implementation plan for
conducting a study and developing recommendations for
administrative or legislative action regarding the necessity
and method of imposing disposal or other charges on
packaging, containers, vehicles, and other manufactured
goods to reflect the cost of final disposal, the value of
recoverable components of the item, and any social costs
associated with nonrecycling or uncontrolled disposal, as
required by RCRA.
On November 15, 2021, EPA released its final
National Recycling Strategy. This strategy
committed EPA to conducting a study on
reflecting environmental and social costs in
product prices. Per the strategy, the Agency will
develop an implementation plan with more
specificity about this action and the organizational
lead. The EPA completed a draft of the study, and
it is currently undergoing review. Release of the
study is anticipated by June 30, 2023.
Recycling: Building on Existing
Federal Efforts Could Elelp Address
Cross-Cutting Challenges
GAO-21-87
12/18/2020
3. The Director of EPA's Office of Resource Conservation
and Recovery should, while EPA finalizes and implements its
national recycling strategy, incorporate desirable
characteristics for effective national strategies, including (1)
identifying the resources and investments needed, and
balancing the risk reductions with costs; (2) clarifying the
roles and responsibilities of participating entities; and (3)
articulating how it will implement the strategy and integrate
new activities into existing programs and activities.
EPA released the National Recycling Strategy on
November 15, 2021. EPA completed the
implementation plan online platform. Since then,
EPA has undertaken several efforts to implement
the Strategy. GAO is reviewing the
implementation plan.
Environmental Protection: Action
Needed to Ensure EPA's Enforcement
and Compliance Activities Support Its
Strategic Goals
GAO-21-82
12/9/2020
1. The Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance should
communicate final guidance for future national initiative
cycles to all states before the effective date of the national
initiatives.
EPA has begun the FY24 - FY27 National
Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives selection
process and recently engaged the Environmental
Council of States prior to release of the public
Federal Register Notice.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report Report Issue
Number Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Environmental Protection: Action
Needed to Ensure EPA's Enforcement
and Compliance Activities Support Its
Strategic Goals
GAO-21-82
12/9/2020
2. The Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance should incorporate
lessons learned from the initial effort to engage earlier and
more continuously with states when developing the office's
plan for how EPA will work with states on future national
initiatives.
EPA has begun the FY24 - FY27 National
Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives selection
process and recently engaged the Environmental
Council of States prior to release of the public
Federal Register Notice.
Drinking Water: EPA Could Use
Available Data to Better Identify
Neighborhoods at Risk of Lead
Exposure
GAO-21-78
12/18/2020
1. Assistant Administrator for Water should develop guidance
for water systems that outlines methods to use ACS data and,
where available, geospatial lead or other data to identify
high-risk locations in which to focus lead reduction efforts,
including tap sampling and lead service line replacement
efforts.
The Agency developed Guidance for Developing
and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory. The
document includes factors for when a system may
want to prioritize investigations at locations served
by unknown service lines. Implementation is
ongoing.
Drinking Water: EPA Could Use
Available Data to Better Identify
Neighborhoods at Risk of Lead
Exposure
GAO-21-78
12/18/2020
3. EPA's Assistant Administrator for Water should develop a
strategic plan that meets the WIIN Act requirement for
providing targeted outreach, education, technical assistance,
and risk communication to populations affected by the
concentration of lead in public water systems, and that is
fully consistent with leading practices for strategic plans.
EPA continues to disagree with the
recommendation and believe that the Agency met
the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the
Nation Act requirement. Furthermore, EPA
developed a strategic plan for targeted outreach to
populations affected by lead. The plan outlines the
new Water Infrastructure Improvements
requirements and identifies the roles and
responsibilities for EPA, states, and Public Water
Systems.
Drinking Water: EPA Could Use
Available Data to Better Identify
Neighborhoods at Risk of Lead
Exposure
GAO-21-78
12/18/2020
2. EPA's Assistant Administrator for Water should
incorporate use of (1) ACS data on neighborhood
characteristics potentially associated with the presence of
lead service lines and (2) geospatial lead data, when
available, into EPA's efforts to address the Federal Action
Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated
Health Impacts.
The Agency has developed Guidance for
Developing and Maintaining a Service Line
Inventory. In the document there is a section on
"Inventory Planning" that discusses various
approaches that can be used to establish lead
service line inventories. While the Lead and
Copper Rule does not require a specific format for
the service line inventory, the guidance includes a
section titled "How to Make the Data Publicly
Available" including recommendations on
webbased map applications. Implementation is
ongoing.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report Report Issue
Number Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Farmworkers: Additional Information
Needed to Better Protect Workers
from Pesticide Exposure
GAO-21-63
1/15/2021
2. The Director for EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs
should, in the Agency's guidance, on its website, or through
another mechanism, explain EPA's expectations about the
appropriate use of the pesticide information obtained by a
designated representative, including describing potential
misuse of such information.
In December 2021, the Agency completed an
assessment to determine whether the designated
representative provision is fulfilling its intended
purpose and how EPA can support understanding
and compliance with the provision. The EPA now
expects to implement this recommendation by the
end of Quarter 2, FY 2024.
Air Pollution: Opportunities to Better
Sustain and Modernize the National
Air Quality Monitoring System
GAO-21-38
11/12/2020
2. The Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of Air and
Radiation, in consultation with state and local agencies,
should develop, make public, and implement an asset
management framework for consistently sustaining the
national ambient air quality monitoring system. Such a
framework could be designed for success by considering the
key characteristics of effective asset management described
in our report, such as identifying the resources needed to
sustain the monitoring system, using quality data to manage
infrastructure risks, and targeting resources toward assets that
provide the greatest value.
The Agency continues to work with state, local,
and tribal partners. Implementation is ongoing.
Air Pollution: Opportunities to Better
Sustain and Modernize the National
Air Quality Monitoring System
GAO-21-38
11/12/2020
1. The Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of Air and
Radiation, in consultation with state and local agencies and
other relevant federal agencies, should develop and make
public an air quality monitoring modernization plan to better
meet the additional information needs of air quality
managers, researchers, and the public. Such a plan could
address the ongoing challenges in modernizing the national
ambient air quality monitoring system by considering leading
practices, including establishing priorities and roles,
assessing risks to success, identifying the resources needed to
achieve goals, and measuring and evaluating progress.
EPA will continue to work with stakeholders to
establish an approach, goals, and priorities for an
air quality monitoring modernization plan.
Implementation is ongoing.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Private Water Utilities: Actions
Needed to Enhance Ownership Data
GAO-21-291
3/26/2021
The Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Water should
develop definitions for all utility ownership types for regional
offices and states to use when entering data on ownership
type in EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System and
should verify and correct the data as needed.
The modernized Safe Drinking Water Information
System is expected to be available for states to
begin transitioning to the system by end of 2024
and the length of transition period will depend on
states and their available resources to transition.
EPA expects the definition development will be in
the later part of the Safe Drinking Water
Information System development when additional
fields will be added.
Private Water Utilities: Actions
Needed to Enhance Ownership Data
GAO-21-291
3/26/2021
1. Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Water should
conduct another Community Water System Survey to
establish an updated, accurate baseline of drinking water
utility information for rulemaking and other purposes.
The Agency has initiated work to conduct another
Community Water System Survey.
Implementation is ongoing.
Clean Water Act: EPA Needs to Better
Assess and Disclose Quality of
Compliance and Enforcement Data
GAO-21-290
7/12/2021
1. The Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance should revise its
guidance to select files for its State Review Framework
assessments of state-reported data to incorporate statistically
valid probability sampling.
Based on recommendations from EPA's National
Center for Environmental Economics on statistical
methods, the Agency will research randomization
tools to pilot for all Clean Water Act Direct
Implementation State Revolving Fund File
Selection lists during State Review Framework.
Full implementation is planned for FY23.
Clean Water Act: EPA Needs to Better
Assess and Disclose Quality of
Compliance and Enforcement Data
GAO-21-290
7/12/2021
2. The Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance should ensure that
consolidated, complete, and updated information on all data
limitations is disclosed on the State Water Dashboard.
The Agency held discussions with stakeholders to
identify and map what website content requires
modification and how best to implement them.
Implementation includes but is not limited to
consolidation and editing of website content and
editing to improve clarity. Full implementation is
planned for FY23.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report Report Issue
Number Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Clean Water Act: EPA Needs to Better
Assess and Disclose Quality of
Compliance and Enforcement Data
GAO-21-290
7/12/2021
3. The Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance should develop a
plan to determine the overall accuracy and completeness of
the permit limit and discharge monitoring report data
recorded in its national database.
The Agency will continue to work with states to
identify and correct problems that prevent proper
transfer of discharge monitoring report data to the
Integrated Compliance Information System
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
Additionally, the Agency will work to maximize
the amount of discharge monitoring report data
and all necessary permit limit data in the system.
The EPA will develop a methodology to examine
the accuracy of the discharge monitoring report
and permit limit data received by the Integrated
Compliance Information System National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System from
authorized states. Full implementation is planned
for completion by the end of FY25.
Clean Water Act: EPA Needs to Better
Assess and Disclose Quality of
Compliance and Enforcement Data
GAO-21-290
7/12/2021
4. The Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance should develop a
performance measure to track the reduction in pollutant
discharges resulting from enforcement actions for facilities in
significant noncompliance and disclose any limitations.
The EPA will identify trends in this measure over
time to assess whether agency and state
compliance work is positively impacting the
average pollutant load over limit per permit. The
Agency will continue to report annually the
Estimated Water Pollutants to be reduced resulting
from enforcement actions (Estimated Water
Pollutants Reduced, Treated or Eliminated for the
Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System Program). The page also will
identify data limitations. Additionally, the EPA
will develop a methodology and outcome measure
for tracking the extent to which the significant
noncompliance national compliance initiative
achieves reductions in illegal pollutant discharges.
Actions are ongoing.
INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY: Federal Agencies
Need to Take Urgent Action to
Manage Supply Chain Risks
GAO-21-164 SU
10/27/2020
Restricted Report: Recommendation language not publicly
available.
Restricted Report - Not Publicly Available.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Chemical Assessments: Annual EPA
Survey Inconsistent with Leading
Practices in Program Management
GAO-21-156
12/18/2020
The Administrator should direct the Assistant Administrators
of program offices and Regional Administrators to develop
and make available guidance for chemical assessment
nominations. Such guidance could include information such
as how to select chemicals for IRIS assessment nomination oi
for high priority needs, criteria explaining how Assistant and
Regional Administrators determine which nominations to
support and which they may choose not to support, and how
to document these decisions.
The EPA and GAO continue to discuss avenues to
close out this recommendation. The Agency's
Office of Research and Development is discussing
how to assist other EPA program and regional
offices in determining which chemicals are best
suited for evaluation by the Integrated Risk
Information System IRIS) Program.
Chemical Assessments: Annual EPA
Survey Inconsistent with Leading
Practices in Program Management
GAO-21-156
12/18/2020
5. The Administrator of EPA should include in ORD's
strategic plan (or subsidiary strategic plans) identification of
EPA's universe of chemical assessment needs; how the IRIS
Program is being resourced to meet user needs; and specific
implementation steps that indicate how IRIS will achieve the
plan's objectives, such as specific metrics to define progress
in meeting user needs.
The Agency met with GAO in November 2023
and January 2024 to discuss corrective actions
taken. The Agency anticipates requesting closure
in March 2024.
EPA Grants to Tribes: Additional
Actions Needed to Effectively
Address Tribal Environmental
Concerns
GAO-21-150
10/20/2020
5. The Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator of EPA's
Office of Air and Radiation, the Assistant Administrator of
EPA's Office ofWater, and the Director of EPA's American
Indian Environmental Office should update and nationally
distribute guidance for project officers and tribes that
clarifies documentation requirements and eligibility
definitions for quality assurance project plans and the Indian
Environmental General Assistance Program.
The Agency submitted an update with request for
closure to GAO in December 2023.
Chemical Security: Overlapping
Programs Could Better Collaborate to
Share Information and Identify
Potential Security Gaps
GAO-21-12
1/21/2021
7. The EPA should collaborate with the DHS's Cybersecurity
and Infrastructure Security Agency to assess the extent to
which potential security gaps exist at water and wastewater
facilities and, if gaps exist, develop a legislative proposal for
how best to address them and submit it to the Secretary of
Homeland Security and Administrator of EPA, and Congress,
as appropriate.
The EPA and Department of Homeland Security,
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
requested closure of this recommendation in
December 2023.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report Report Issue
Number Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Child Care Facilities: Federal
Agencies
Need to Enhance Monitoring and
Collaboration to Elelp Assure
Drinking
Water is Safe from Lead
GAO-20-597
9/28/2020
4. The Assistant Administrator of the Office of Water should
direct the Office of Water to specify how it will track
progress toward the outcomes of the Memorandum of
Understanding on Reducing Lead Levels in Drinking Water
in Schools and Child Care Facilities and determine how it
will regularly monitor and update the MOU. For example,
the Office of Water could develop performance measures for
each of the MOU's outcomes. In addition, the Office of
Water could submit annual reports on progress toward
achieving the MOU's outcomes or it could plan to update the
agreement at specific intervals.
EPA continues to partner with the US Department
of Health and Human Services, including a jointly
signed Letter to Governors on funding to test for
and address lead in water in early care and
education settings. The Agency requested closure
of the recommendation in December 2023.
Water Infrastructure: Technical
Assistance and Climate Resilience
Planning Could Elelp Utilities Prepare
for Potential Climate Change Impacts
GAO-20-24
1/16/2020
1. The Director of Water Security of EPA, as Chair of the
Water Sector Government Coordinating Council, should
work with the council to identify existing technical assistance
providers and engage these providers in a network to help
drinking water and wastewater utilities incorporate climate
resilience into their projects and planning on an ongoing
basis.
Creating Resilient Water Utilities is now part of
EPA's national Water Technical Assistance
programs. This program includes a network of
technical assistance providers and engage them to
help water systems to address infrastructure issues
including climate resilience. The EPA requested
closure of this recommendation in December
2024.
Cloud Computing Security: Agencies
Increased Their Use of the Federal
Authorization Program, but Improved
Oversight and Implementation Are
Needed
GAO-20-126
12/12/2019
21. The Administrator of EPA should update the list of
corrective actions for the selected operational system to
identify the specific weakness, estimated funding and
anticipated source of funding, key remediation milestones
with completion dates, changes to milestones and completion
dates, and source of the weaknesses.
Implementation is complete. The EPA requested
closure of this recommendation in December
2023.
Cloud Computing Security: Agencies
Increased Their Use of the Federal
Authorization Program, but Improved
Oversight and Implementation Are
Needed
GAO-20-126
12/12/2019
22. The Administrator of EPA should prepare the letter
authorizing the use of cloud service for the selected
operational system and submit the letter to the FedRAMP
Program management office.
Implementation is complete. The EPA requested
closure of this recommendation in December
2023.
Cloud Computing Security: Agencies
Increased Their Use of the Federal
Authorization Program, but Improved
Oversight and Implementation Are
Needed
GAO-20-126
12/12/2019
23. The Administrator of EPA should develop guidance
requiring that cloud service authorization letter be provided
to the FedRAMP Program management office.
Implementation is complete. In November 2023
GAO stated this recommendation is in review for
closure.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report Report Issue
Number Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Environmental Justice: Federal
Efforts Need Better Planning,
Coordination, and Methods to Assess
Progress
GAO-19-543
9/16/2019
21. The Administrator of EPA, as chair of the
working group, should develop guidance for agencies
on what they should include in their environmental
justice strategic plans.
Executive Order 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation's
Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, issued in
April 2023, requires all Federal agencies to develop
Environmental Justice Strategic Plans by October 21,
2024. The EPA is responding to GAO's recommendation
by fulfilling the requirements of Executive Order 14096.
EPA is in the process of developing a draft Executive
Order
14096 EPA 2024 Environmental Justice Strategic Plan,
which builds on the considerable and historic EPA 2022-
2026 Strategic Plan Goal 2: Take Decisive Action to
Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights. The
2024 Environmental Justice Strategic Plan currently under
development incorporates the language, goals, objectives,
metrics, and actions developed through Goal 2 and builds
on these to fully address the requirements of Executive
Order 14096. By March 1,2024, EPA is required to
submit to
Council on environmental quality draft 2024
Environmental Justice Strategic Plan. EPA expects to meet
this deadline as well as the October 2024 deadline for a
final EPA 2024 Environmental Justice Strategic Plan.
Cybersecurity: Agencies Need to
Fully Establish Risk Management
Programs and Address Challenges
GAO-19-384
7/25/2019
40. The Administrator of EPA should establish a
process for conducting an organization-wide
cybersecurity risk assessment.
The EPA is leveraging the Enterprise Risk
Management Process and the Internal Control Review
Process to better integrate cybersecurity risk into the
Enterprise Risk Management Process. The Agency will
clarify how end users (Regions and Program Offices) can
register cybersecurity risks in the current risk tools,
modify the process to clarify how cybersecurity risk can
be captured and develop a series of deliverables.
Cybersecurity: Agencies Need to
Fully Establish Risk Management
Programs and Address Challenges
GAO-19-384
7/25/2019
41. The Administrator of EPA should fully establish
and document a process for coordination between
cybersecurity risk management and enterprise risk
management functions.
This recommendation is fully implemented, and the
Agency requested closure in January 2024.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report
Number
Report Issue
Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Federal Chief Information Officers:
Critical Actions Needed to Address
Shortcomings and Challenges in
Implementing Responsibilities
GAO-18-93
8/2/2018
19. The Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency should ensure that the Agency's IT management
policies address the role of the CIO for key responsibilities
in the six areas we identified.
The publication of the EPA's Capital Planning and
Investment Control Program Policy update
represents implementation of 7 additional GAO
criteria. The Agency continues to engage GAO
regarding implementation on the remaining
criteria.
Puget Sound Restoration: Additional
Actions Could Improve Assessments
of Progress
GAO-18-45 3
7/19/2018
1. The EPA Region 10 Administrator should work with the
management conference on future updates to the CCMP to
help prioritize among the indicators that currently lack
measurable targets and ensure that such targets are
developed for the highest priority indicators where possible.
EPA and the Puget Sound Partnership consider
that this recommendation has been fully
implemented and requested closure in December
2023.
Drinking Water: Additional Data and
Statistical Analysis May Enhance
EPA's Oversight of the Lead and
Copper Rule
GAO-17-424
9/1/2017
3. The Assistant Administrator for Water of EPA's Office of
Water and the Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance should develop a
statistical analysis that incorporates multiple factors-
including those currently in SDWIS/Fed and others such as
the presence of lead pipes and the use of corrosion control-to
identify water systems that might pose a higher likelihood
for violating the LCR once complete violations data are
obtained, such as through SDWIS Prime.
The Agency continues to work toward a March
2024 promulgation date for the final Consumer
Confidence Report Rule.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report Report Issue
Number Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Critical Infrastructure Protection:
Sector-Specific Agencies Need to
Better Measure Cybersecurity
Progress
GAO-16-79
11/19/2015
7. To better monitor and provide a basis for improving the
effectiveness of cybersecurity risk mitigation activities,
informed by the sectors' updated plans and in collaboration
with sector stakeholders, the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency should direct responsible
officials to develop performance metrics to provide data and
determine how to overcome challenges to monitoring the
water and wastewater systems sector's cybersecurity
progress.
This effort is hampered by litigation and
opposition by water sector associations and
owners/operators of utilities to providing
cybersecurity metrics under a voluntary approach.
To meet the intent of the recommendation, the
EPA plans to continue its Technical Assistance
Provider program and has in fact expanded it via
the Water TA initiative. The technical assistance
effort will continue to generate additional data on
Framework adoption by water systems. The EPA
harnessed the aggregated and anonymized data
from its Cybersecurity Evaluation Program
(whereby an EPA contractor conducts cyber
assessments at individual utilities) to understand
the progress achieved by those utilities which have
enrolled in the program. This information
combined with cyber incident data from the sector
provide a degree of insight into the sector's
adoption of cybersecurity practices.
Clean Water Act: Changes Needed If
Key EPA Program Is to Help Fulfill the
Nation's Water Quality Goals
GAO-14-80
12/5/2013
1. To enhance the likelihood that TMDLs support the nation's
waters' attainment of water quality standards and to
strengthen water quality management, the Administrator of
EPA should develop and issue new regulations requiring that
TMDLs include additional elements—and consider requiring
the elements that are now optional—specifically, elements
reflecting key features identified by NRC as necessary for
attaining water quality standards, such as comprehensive
identification of impairment and plans to monitor water
bodies to verify that water quality is improving.
The Agency and GAO have engaged on this topic.
The Agency believes the extensive actions taken
to implement this recommendation are sufficient
to merit closure as implemented.
Federal Software Licenses: Better
Management Needed to Achieve
Significant Savings Government-
Wide
GAO-14-413
5/22/2014
88. To ensure the effective management of software licenses,
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
should employ a centralized software license management
approach that is coordinated and integrated with key
personnel for the majority of agency software license
spending and/or enterprise-wide licenses.
Implementation is complete. The Agency
requested closure of this recommendation in
2023.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report Report Issue
Number Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Pesticides: EPA Should Take Steps to
Improve Its Oversight of Conditional
Registrations
GAO-13-145
8/8/2013
1. To improve EPA's management of the conditional
registration process, the Administrator of EPA should direct
the Director of the Office of Pesticide Programs to complete
plans to automate data related to conditional registrations to
more readily track the status of these registrations and related
registrant and agency actions and identify potential problems
requiring management attention.
GAO is working closely with EPA on this
recommendation and analyzing recent
documentation from the Office of Chemical Safety
and Pollution Prevention. The Agency anticipates
closure of the recommendation.
Drinking Water: Unreliable State Date
Limit EPA's Ability to Target
Enforcement Priorities and
Communicate Water Systems'
Performance
GAO-11-381
6/17/2011
1. To improve EPA's ability to oversee the states'
implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act and provide
Congress and the public with more complete and accurate
information on compliance, the Administrator of EPA should
resume data verification audits to routinely evaluate the
quality of selected drinking water data on health-based and
monitoring violations that the states provide to EPA. These
audits should also evaluate the quality of data on the
enforcement actions that states, and other primacy agencies
have taken to correct violations.
The agency continues to work on modernizing the
Safe Drinking Water Information System and
made significant progress towards its schedule.
The system is expected to be available for states to
begin transitioning by early 2026. The length of
transition period will depend on states and their
available resources to transition. In establishing
data quality goals for monitoring violation and
other information, the Agency plans to engage the
primacy agencies.
Drinking Water: Unreliable State Date
Limit EPA's Ability to Target
Enforcement Priorities and
Communicate Water Systems'
Performance
GAO-11-381
6/17/2011
2. To improve EPA's ability to oversee the states'
implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act and provide
Congress and the public with more complete and accurate
information on compliance, the Administrator of EPA should
work with the states to establish a goal, or goals, for the
completeness and accuracy of data on monitoring violations.
In setting these goals, EPA may want to consider whether
certain types of monitoring violations merit specific targets.
For example, the agency may decide that a goal for the states
to completely and accurately report when required
monitoring was not done should differ from a goal for
reporting when monitoring was done but not reported on
time.
The Agency continues to work on modernizing the
Safe Drinking Water Information System and
made significant progress towards its schedule.
The system is expected to be available for states to
begin transitioning by early 2026. The length of
transition period will depend on states and their
available resources to transition. In establishing
data quality goals for monitoring violation and
other information, the EPA plans to engage the
primacy agencies.
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GAO Report Title
GAO Report Report Issue
Number Date
GAO Recommendation
EPA Implementation Status
Chemical Assessments: Low
Productivity and New Interagency
Review Process Limit the Usefulness
and Credibility of EPA's Integrated
Risk Information System
GAO-08-440
3/7/2008
5. To develop timely chemical risk information that EPA
needs to effectively conduct its mission, the Administrator,
EPA, should require the Office of Research and Development
to re-evaluate its draft proposed changes to the IRIS
assessment process in light of the issues raised in this report
and ensure that any revised process periodically assesses the
level of resources that should be dedicated to this significant
program to meet user needs and maintain a viable IRIS
database.
EPA met with the GAO in November 2023 and
January 2024 to discuss the status of this
recommendation. EPA is updating the Health and
Environmental Risk Assessment resource analysis
to address comments provided by GAO in 2023
and anticipates requesting closure in early 2024.
Drinking Water: EPA Should
Strengthen Ongoing Efforts to Ensure
That Consumers Are Protected from
Lead Contamination
GAO-06-148
1/4/2006
1. The Administrator, EPA, should take a number of steps to
further protect the American public from elevated lead levels
in drinking water. Specifically, to improve EPA's ability to
oversee implementation of the lead rule and assess
compliance and enforcement activities, EPA should ensure
that data on water systems' test results, corrective action
milestones, and violations are current, accurate, and
complete.
The Agency continues to work on modernizing the
Safe Drinking Water Information System and
made significant progress towards its schedule.
The system is expected to be available for states to
begin transitioning by early 2026. The length of
transition period will depend on states and their
available resources to transition. In establishing
data quality goals for monitoring violation and
other information, the Agency plans to engage the
primacy agencies.
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Working Capital Fund
In FY 2025, the Agency will be in its 29th year of operation of the Working Capital Fund (WCF).
The WCF is a revolving fund authorized by law to finance a cycle of operations in which the costs
for goods or services provided are charged to the users. The WCF operates like a commercial
business within EPA where customers pay for services received, thus generating revenue.
Customers include EPA programs, regional offices, and other federal agencies. The WCF
mechanism provides an efficient method for a full cost approach to agency programs. EPA's WCF
was implemented under the authority of Section 403 of the Government Management Reform Act
of 1994 and the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997. EPA received permanent
WCF authority in the Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1998.
EPA's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) initiated the WCF in FY 1997 as part of an effort to: 1) be
accountable to agency offices, the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress; 2) increase
the efficiency of the administrative services provided to program offices; and 3) increase customer
service and responsiveness. The Agency has a WCF Board which provides policy and planning
oversight and advises the CFO regarding the WCF financial position. The Board, chaired by the
Controller within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, is comprised of 23 voting members
from programs and regional offices. Board membership also includes the Director of the Office of
Budget as a non-voting ex officio member.
In FY 2025, there will be 16 core agency activities provided under the WCF. These are the
Agency's Information Technology (IT) services, agency postage, Cincinnati voice services,
background investigations, enterprise human resources, and facilities alterations managed by the
Office of Mission Support; financial and administrative systems, employee relocations, and a
budget formulation system managed by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer; the Agency's
Continuity of Operations site managed by the Office of Land and Emergency Management;
regional information technology service and support managed by EPA Region 8; legal services
managed by the Office of General Counsel; multimedia services, EPA Action Management System
and agency servicing contracts managed by the Office of the Administrator; and language access
services managed by the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.
The Agency's FY 2025 budget request includes resources for these 16 core activities in each
National Program Manager's submission, totaling approximately $540 million. These estimated
resources may be adjusted during the year to incorporate any program office's additional service
needs during the operating year. To the extent these increases are subject to Congressional
reprogramming notifications, the Agency will comply with all applicable requirements. In FY
2025, the Agency will continue to perform relocation services for other federal agencies, delivering
high quality services external to EPA.
The Agency anticipates that there may be minor increases and decreases in FY 2025 due to several
IT improvements, including increased cloud computing, improved network infrastructure,
cybersecurity requirements, continuous diagnostic and mitigation program implementation, and
discovery services. Other funding shifts have been included in the FY 2025 WCF plan that relate
to the necessary telecommunications and computer support needed by every employee. As part of
an overall review and rebalancing of these costs, funds have been shifted across programs to reflect
FTE changes as well.
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