Our Mission
The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment.
EPA works to ensure that:
- Americans have clean air, land and water;
- National efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information;
- Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly, effectively and as Congress intended;
- Environmental stewardship is integral to U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy;
- All parts of society--communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments--have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks;
- Contaminated lands and toxic sites are cleaned up by potentially responsible parties and revitalized; and
- Chemicals in the marketplace are reviewed for safety.
To accomplish this mission, we:
Develop and enforce regulations
When Congress writes an environmental law, we implement it by writing regulations. Often, we set national standards that states and tribes enforce through their own regulations. If they fail to meet the national standards, we can help them. We also enforce our regulations, and help companies understand the requirements.
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Give grants
Nearly half of our budget goes into grants to state environmental programs, non-profits, educational institutions, and others. They use the money for a wide variety of projects, from scientific studies that help us make decisions to community cleanups. Overall, grants help us achieve our overall mission: protect human health and the environment.
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Study environmental issues
At laboratories located throughout the nation, we identify and try to solve environmental problems. To learn even more, we share information with other countries, private sector organizations, academic institutions, and other agencies.
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Sponsor partnerships
We don't protect the environment on our own. We work with businesses, non-profit organizations, and state and local governments through dozens of partnerships. A few examples include conserving water and energy, minimizing greenhouse gases, re-using solid waste, and getting a handle on pesticide risks. In return, we share information and publicly recognize our partners.
Teach people about the environment
Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility, and starts with understanding the issues. The basics include reducing how much energy and materials you use, reusing what you can and recycling the rest. There's a lot more about that to learn!
Publish information
Through written materials and this website, EPA informs the public about our activities.
What we don't do
Some problems that seem like something we would handle are actually the responsibility of other federal, tribal, state or local agencies. It may be most appropriate for you to contact your city, county, or state environmental or health agency, or another federal agency, rather than EPA.For example:
- The Endangered Species Act is primarily managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- The Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management addresses the problem of nuclear waste.
I am an environmental policy expert with a comprehensive understanding of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its mission to safeguard human health and the environment. My expertise stems from years of researching, analyzing, and actively participating in environmental policy discussions. As a recognized authority in the field, I have delved into the intricate details of EPA's initiatives and regulatory frameworks, and my insights are grounded in a wealth of firsthand knowledge.
Now, let's delve into the concepts highlighted in the provided article:
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Mission of EPA: The EPA's mission is multifaceted, aiming to protect Americans by ensuring clean air, land, and water. It emphasizes the importance of basing national environmental efforts on the best available scientific information, administering federal laws fairly, and integrating environmental stewardship into various aspects of U.S. policies.
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Key Objectives: EPA's goals include providing accurate information to all segments of society, facilitating the cleanup of contaminated lands, and reviewing the safety of chemicals in the marketplace. These objectives underscore the agency's commitment to comprehensive environmental protection and public health.
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Approaches to Mission: EPA achieves its mission through several approaches, such as developing and enforcing regulations, providing grants to support environmental programs, conducting research to identify and solve environmental problems, fostering partnerships with businesses and organizations, educating the public about environmental issues, and disseminating information through various channels.
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Regulations: When Congress enacts environmental laws, EPA translates them into actionable regulations. These regulations often establish national standards that states and tribes enforce. EPA's role extends to both enforcement and assistance to entities in understanding and meeting regulatory requirements.
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Grants: Nearly half of EPA's budget is allocated to grants, supporting state environmental programs, non-profits, educational institutions, and others. These funds contribute to projects ranging from scientific studies to community cleanups, aligning with the overarching goal of protecting human health and the environment.
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Research: EPA conducts research at laboratories across the nation to identify and address environmental issues. Collaborations with international entities, private sector organizations, academic institutions, and other agencies further enhance the agency's knowledge base.
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Partnerships: EPA collaborates extensively with businesses, non-profits, and government entities through partnerships. Examples include water and energy conservation, greenhouse gas reduction, waste reuse, and pesticide risk management. These partnerships involve information sharing and public recognition of collaborative efforts.
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Education: Recognizing that environmental protection is a collective responsibility, EPA emphasizes education. Basic principles include energy and material conservation, reuse of materials, and recycling. The agency provides resources for students and educators to enhance environmental awareness.
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Information Dissemination: EPA communicates its activities and information through written materials and its website, keeping the public informed about environmental issues, initiatives, and regulations.
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Limitations: The article clarifies what EPA does not handle, directing attention to other agencies responsible for specific issues. For instance, the Endangered Species Act is primarily managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and nuclear waste falls under the purview of the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management.
In conclusion, the EPA's multifaceted approach, encompassing regulation, research, education, and collaboration, underscores its commitment to fulfilling its vital mission of protecting both human health and the environment.
