What We Do
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.
More about regulations
More about enforcement and compliance assistance
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.
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.
More about how we study these issues - Science and Technology
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!
Learn the issues
Web sites for students and educators
Publish Information
Through written materials and this Web site, EPA informs the public about our activities.
Web publishing schedule
More about EPA publications
What We Don't Do
Sometimes problems seem like something we would handle, but may actually be 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 rather than EPA.
For example:
- Endangered Species Act is primarily managed by the US Fish and Wildlife.
- Nuclear Waste - The Department of Energy's Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management addresses the problem of nuclear waste.
How Do I...?
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Find someone who works at EPA?
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Visit EPA?
- Visit Us in Washington, DC:
- Visit the regional offices
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Work with EPA
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Volunteer?