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The United States Government Manual
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460
202-272-0167
http://www.epa.gov
Office of the Administrator
| ADMINISTRATOR | Lee Zeldin |
| Deputy Administrator | Janet G. McCabe |
| Chief of Staff | Daniel Utech |
| Special Assistant to the Administrator | John Lucey |
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| Agency Science Advisor | Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta |
| Chief Financial Officer | David A. Bloom, Acting |
| General Counsel | Melissa Hoffer, Acting |
Assistant Administrators
| Air and Radiation | Joseph Goffman, Acting |
| Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention | Michal I. Freedhoff |
| Enforcement and Compliance Assurance | Lawrence Starfield, Acting |
| International and Tribal Affairs | Mark Kasman, Acting |
| Land and Emergency Management | Barry Breen, Acting |
| Mission Support | Donna J. Vizian, Acting |
| Research and Development | Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, Acting |
| Water | Radhika Fox |
Regional Administrators
| Region 1—Boston (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, and Tribal Nations) | Deborah Szaro, Acting |
| Region 2—New York (NJ, NY, and Tribal Nations, as well as Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands) | Walter Mugdan, Acting |
| Region 3—Philadelphia (DE, MD, PA, VA, WV, and Tribal Nations, as well as DC) | Diana Esher, Acting |
| Region 4—Atlanta (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, and Tribal Nations) | (vacancy) |
| Region 5—Chicago (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI, and Tribal Nations) | Cheryl Newton, Acting |
| Region 6—Dallas (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX, and Tribal Nations) | David W. Gray, Acting |
| Region 7—Kansas City (IA, KS, MO, NE, and Tribal Nations) | Edward H. Chu, Acting |
| Region 8—Denver (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY, and Tribal Nations) | Debra H. Thomas, Acting |
| Region 9—San Francisco (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and Tribal Nations, as well as American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau) | Deborah Jordan, Acting |
| Region 10—Seattle (AK, ID, OR, WA, and Tribal Nations) | Michelle Pirzadeh, Acting |
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| Inspector General | Sean W. O'Donnell |
The Environmental Protection Agency protects human health and safeguards the environment.
ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATION
On July 9, 1970, Richard M. Nixon signed Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, which became effective on December 2d of that same year and established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an independent agency in the executive branch.
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5a-node84-leaf178&num=0&edition=prelimPresident Nixon also sent his "Message to the Congress Transmitting Reorganization Plan 3 of 1970: Environmental Protection Agency" to accompany the plan. The message was published on page 587 of the "Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States" (1970).
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/ppp/president-37_Nixon,%20Richard%20M./1970/01%21A%21January%201%20to%20December%2031%2C%201970The reorganization plan was published in the Federal Register on October 6, 1970 (35 FR 15623–15626).
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1970-10-06/pdf/FR-1970-10-06.pdfThe Administrator serves as head of the EPA. The President appoints the Administrator by the advice and with the consent of the Senate. The Administrator is responsible to the President for providing overall supervision to the EPA. The Deputy Administrator, whom the President also appoints by the advice and with the consent of the Senate, assists the Administrator and serves as the Acting Administrator in the absence of the Administrator.
The EPA's statement of organization and general information on the agency has been assigned to first part of 40 CFR.
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bdc970c644f5ea3d05ff15f7f3c8500&mc=true&node=pt40.1.1&rgn=div5The EPA website includes an "EPA Organizational Chart" web page.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-organization-chartREGULATORY AUTHORITIES
Statutory material on "The Public Health and Welfare" has been assigned to 42 U.S.C. For example, that title contains chapters on "National Environmental Policy" (Ch. 55) and "Environmental Quality Improvement" (Ch. 56), as well as a subchapter on the "Safety of Public Water Systems" (Ch. 6A).
https://uscode.house.gov/browse/prelim@title42&edition=prelimRules and regulations affecting the protection of the environment have been assigned to 40 CFR.
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=73131f98295736a6ba65a9e05ee063f4&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tplParts 1–49 of 40 CFR contains rules and regulations that are associated with the EPA.
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=73131f98295736a6ba65a9e05ee063f4&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfrv1_02.tpl#0ACTIVITIES
The EPA facilitates coordinated and effective governmental action to protect the environment. It also serves as the public's advocate for a livable environment.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/our-mission-and-what-we-doAir / Radiation
The Office of Air and Radiation develops national programs, policies, and regulations to control air pollution and radiation exposure. The Office administers the Clean Air Act, the Atomic Energy Act, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act, and other environmental laws. The Office's core concerns include acid rain, climate change, energy efficiency, indoor and outdoor air quality, industrial air pollution, pollution from engines and vehicles, pollution prevention, radiation protection, radon, and stratospheric ozone depletion.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-air-and-radiation-oarChemical Safety / Pollution Prevention
The Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention protects people and the environment from potential risks that are associated with pesticides and toxic chemicals. The Office administers the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act; Toxic Substances Control Act; Pollution Prevention Act; and portions of other statutes. Through innovative partnerships and collaboration, the Office also works to prevent pollution. Stopping pollution before it is created reduces waste, saves energy and natural resources, and keeps homes, schools, and workplaces cleaner and safer.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-chemical-safety-and-pollution-prevention-ocsppEnforcement / Compliance Assurance
The Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance addresses pollution problems that affects American communities through vigorous civil and criminal enforcement. Its enforcement activities target the most serious water, air and chemical hazards. The Office works with EPA regional offices; it partners with State and Tribal governments; and it cooperates with other Federal agencies to enforce the Nation’s environmental laws. These laws include the Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act; Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act; National Environmental Policy Act; Oil Pollution Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; and Toxic Substances Control Act. With States and Tribal partners, the Office shares a commitment to a clean and healthy environment. By improving transparency, adopting advanced technologies, and increasing community participation, the Office seeks to further empower the public to play a key role in assuring compliance with environmental laws nationwide and to make the playing field more level for entities and organizations that abide by those laws.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-enforcement-and-compliance-assurance-oecaInternational Affairs / Tribal Affairs
The Office of International and Tribal Affairs leads the EPA's international and Tribal engagements. Agencywide and nationwide in scope, the Office's activities cut across EPA programs and regions as it develops and implements policy and programs that protect public health and the environment. Pollution does not respect international borders; therefore, the Office collaborates with other Federal agencies, international organizations, and individual countries to address bilateral, regional, and global environmental challenges and to advance the Nation's foreign policy objectives. The Office honors the government-to-government Federal–Tribal relationship and respects Tribal treaty rights as it guides the agencywide effort to strengthen public health and environmental protection in Indian country. Special efforts are made to enable federally recognized Tribes administer their own environmental programs.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-international-and-tribal-affairs-oitaMission Support
The Office of Mission Support leads the core mission support functions of the EPA to improve efficiency, coordination, and customer experience for internal customers, stakeholders, and the general public.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-mission-supportResearch / Development
The Office of Research and Development conducts the research that provides the foundation for EPA decision-making to safeguard human health and ecosystems from environmental pollutants. With input from other EPA offices, external partners, and stakeholders, the Office's six research programs identify the most pressing environmental health research needs. Its "Strategic Research Action Plans," which are updated every few years, outline the current activities of the research programs. The Office also serve as the Agency’s national program manager for regional laboratories.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-research-and-development-ord#whatWaste Programs / Emergency Response
The Office of Land and Emergency Management makes policy, guides, and directs the EPA's emergency response and waste programs. More specifically, the Office develops guidelines for the land disposal of hazardous waste and underground storage tanks; provides technical assistance to all levels of government for establishing safe waste management practices; supports State and local governments in redeveloping and reusing potentially contaminated sites; responds to abandoned and active hazardous waste sites, as well as to accidental chemical releases; and encourages innovative technologies to address contaminated soil and groundwater.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-land-and-emergency-managementWater Quality
The Office of Water ensures that drinking water is safe. It also protects human health; supports economic and recreational activities; and provides healthy habitat for fish, plants, and wildlife, by restoring and maintaining oceans, watersheds, and aquatic ecosystems. The Office administers the Clean Water Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; and portions of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Ocean Dumping Ban Act; Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act; Shore Protection Act; Marine Plastics Pollution Research and Control Act; London Dumping Convention; the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, and several other statutes. The Office works with the 10 EPA regional offices, other Federal agencies, State and local governments, American Indian Tribes, the regulated community, organized professional and interest groups, landowners and managers, and the public-at-large. The Office provides guidance, specifies scientific methods and data collection requirements, performs oversight, and facilitates communication among participants in its work. It also helps States and American Indian Tribes build capacity, and, in some cases, water programs can be delegated to them for implementation.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-waterSources of Information
A–Z Index
The EPA website has an alphabetical topic index on its "Web Topics Published" web page.
https://www.epa.gov/topics-epa-webAir Quality Forecasts
The EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards manages the "AirNow" website, which allows visitors to get air quality data for cities, States, and Zip Codes.
https://www.airnow.govArchived Records
The "Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States" indicates that EPA records have been assigned to record group 412.
https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/412.htmlBlogs / Discussion Forums
In addition to its official blog, the EPA has several other blogs. These blogs deal with a range of EPA-related and environmental topics. Two discussion forums center on the topics of data and data sources.
https://www.epa.gov/web-policies-and-procedures/list-social-media-platforms-epa-uses#blogsBusiness Opportunities
Acquisition management information, the procurement status of projects across the Agency's procurement divisions, and an acquisition forecast database of future EPA procurement opportunities are available on the EPA website. Contact the Office of Acquisition Management for more information. Phone, 202-564-4310.
https://www.epa.gov/contractsCareer Opportunities
The EPA relies on professionals from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of skill sets to carry out its mission. The Agency posts current job openings on its website. For more information, contact the Office of Human Resources. Phone, 202-564-4606.
http://www.epa.gov/careers | Email: recruit_inquiries@epa.govIn 2020, the EPA ranked 20th among 25 midsize Government agencies in the Partnership for Public Service's Best Places To Work Agency Rankings.
https://bestplacestowork.org/rankings/detail/?c=EP00Climate Change Effects
Climate change continues to affect water resources. The "Regional Actions To Address Climate Change Impacts on Water" web page provides links for information on regional actions that are being taken to address this growing problem.
https://www.epa.gov/climate-change-water-sector/regional-actions-address-climate-change-impacts-waterContact Information
Information for accessing libraries; commenting on regulations; connecting on social media; finding mailing addresses; locating an employee, lab, or office; reporting a problem; submitting a Freedom of Information Act request; and subscribing to alerts, blogs, newsletters, and news releases, is available on the "Contact EPA" web page.
https://www.epa.gov/home/forms/contact-epaThe EPA maintains a "Mailing Addresses and Phone Numbers" web page.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/mailing-addresses-and-phone-numbersThe EPA maintains a "Media Contacts" web page for reporters.
https://www.epa.gov/newsroom/media-contactsEducation
Educators and students can access homework resources, lesson plans, and project ideas on the EPA's website. Environmental education incorporates a multidisciplinary approach to learning, builds critical thinking skills, and helps students make informed and responsible decisions that sustain Earth's ecosystems.
https://www.epa.gov/studentsEnergy Efficient Products
The Office of Atmospheric Programs certifies products that help consumers save energy and money through Energy Star.
https://www.energystar.govEnvironmental Justice
The website provides access to the EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool (EJSCREEN) that is based on nationally consistent data and an approach that combines environmental and demographic indicators in maps and reports. The EPA developed its EJSCREEN Tool to help the Agency become a more effective protector of public health and the environment.
https://www.epa.gov/ejscreenFederal Register
Significant documents and documents that the EPA recently published in the Federal Register are accessible online.
https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/environmental-protection-agencyFire Tools
The EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards manages the "AirNow" website, which maintains a fire tools web page.
https://www.airnow.gov/more-fire-toolsFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)
To any person, the FOIA gives a statutory right for obtaining access to Government information in the records of executive branch agencies. This right to access is limited, however, when the requested information is shielded from disclosure by any of nine exemptions contained within the statute.
https://www.epa.gov/foia | Email: hq.foia@epa.govThe FOIA libraries contain frequently requested information. Before making a FOIA request, search the online FOIA libraries to see if the desired information is immediately available at no cost.
https://www.epa.gov/foia/foia-online-librariesFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some EPA offices and programs have their own FAQs web pages. The EPA maintains a list of the most often viewed questions, which are drawn from those web pages of FAQs.
https://usepa.servicenowservices.com/ecss?id=ecss_kb_homeThe EPA maintains a database of FAQs and its answers to them.
https://usepa.servicenowservices.com/ecss?id=kb_search&kb_knowledge_base=98a9e8ce1b4858104614ddb6bc4bcb03&spa=1Glossaries
The "Report on the Environment" glossary defines terms that are used in the report or have particular meaning within the EPA.
https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/roe-glossaryAn Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool (EJSCREEN) glossary is available on the EPA's website.
https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen/glossary-ejscreen-termsThe EPA's Terminology Services maintains a "Terms and Acronyms" web page. A search tool is available on the page.
https://sor.epa.gov/sor_internet/registry/termreg/searchandretrieve/termsandacronyms/search.doThe EPA's Terminology Services maintains a "Vocabulary Catalog" web page. A vocabulary search tool is available on the page.
https://sor.epa.gov/sor_internet/registry/termreg/searchandretrieve/glossariesandkeywordlists/search.doGrants
Information to apply for, manage, and understand EPA grants is available online. Contact the Office of Grants and Debarment for more information. Phone, 202-564-5315.
https://www.epa.gov/grantsGreenhouse Gas Emissions
The EPA's Office of Atmospheric Programs has released its "DRAFT Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, 1990–2019" in Portable Document Format (PDF) for viewing and downloading. The final version will be published in April of 2021.
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/draft-inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks-1990-2019Hotlines / Service Lines
Hotline and service line information for specific topics is available on the EPA website.
https://www.epa.gov/home/epa-hotlinesInformation on region-specific customer service lines is also available.
https://www.epa.gov/home/epa-hotlines#RegionSpecificCustomerServiceLinesLaws / Executive Orders
As a regulatory agency, the EPA has received authorization from the U.S. Congress to write regulations that explain environmental laws for proper implementation. A number of Presidential Executive Orders also affect EPA regulatory activities.
https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-ordersNewsroom
The EPA posts news releases online.
https://www.epa.gov/newsroomNon-English Readers
The EPA provides information on its website in Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Language tags are visible at the bottom of the EPA's home page.
https://www.epa.govOpen Government
The EPA supports the Open Government initiative by promoting the principles of collaboration, participation, and transparency.
https://www.epa.gov/openPlain Language
The EPA upholds the Plain Writing Act of 2010 by adhering to Federal plain language guidelines. EPA writers and editors want to know if a document or web page contains content that was not written clearly.
https://www.epa.gov/home/plain-writingProtecting Pollinators
The "Protecting Bees and Other Pollinators from Pesticides" web page provides information on helping pollinators stay healthy. In addition to the EPA, advocates, consumers, growers, pesticide manufacturers, and governments have roles to play in protecting pollinators like honeybees and monarch butterflies.
https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protectionRegional Offices
Ten regional offices help develop local programs for pollution abatement.
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/visiting-regional-officeRegulatory Information
EPA regulations address a host of environmental issues that range from acid rain to wetlands ecosystems. The "Regulatory Information By Topic" web page provides convenient access to laws and regulations, to compliance and enforcement information, and to policies and guidance, that are associated with or relevant to the topics listed on it.
https://www.epa.gov/regulatory-information-topicSocial Media
The EPA has Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube accounts. Links to these accounts may be found on the "List of Social Media Platforms that EPA Uses" web page.
https://www.epa.gov/web-policies-and-procedures/list-social-media-platforms-epa-usesStaff Directory
The EPA maintains an online staff directory.
https://cfpub.epa.gov/locator/index.cfmSuperfund Sites
The EPA's Superfund program cleans up some of the Nation's most contaminated land and responds to environmental emergencies, oil spills, and natural disasters. The program's website has a search tool for locating Superfund sites.
https://www.epa.gov/superfund/search-superfund-sites-where-you-liveTrash-Free Waters
Most of the trash that pollutes estuaries, lakes, rivers, and oceans washes into them from land-based sources. Plastic trash, in particular, damages aquatic ecosystems, economic activity, and human health.
https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-watersWebsite Snapshots
Snapshots of the EPA website are available for January 19, 2017, and January 19, 2021. The snapshots capture the content of www.epa.gov at a specific point in time. A new snapshot is made every 4 years, the day before the Presidential Inauguration, and added to the "www.epa.gov Snapshots" web page.
https://www.epa.gov/home/wwwepagov-snapshotsThe Sources of Information were updated 7–2021.