AEC protects our land, air and water by engaging the present and charting the future. This is accomplished by meeting environmental standards, enabling Army operations, maximizing readiness, and protecting Soldiers, families and communities, as well as through the institutionalization of best practices.

As steward of more than 13 million acres across many diverse ecosystems, the Army complies with almost 100 Army, DoD and federal regulations that protect human health and the environment.  AEC helps installations understand their requirements and minimize the impact of environmental compliance on the Army mission.

AEC oversees the handling of more than 2,700 environmental permits at more than 150 installations, the annual disposal of more than three million pounds of universal waste, and assists installations in implementing new guidance and regulations.  Through the sharing of best practices and lessons learned, AEC  helps integrate sustainable management practices into installation activities, protects reliable access to land, water, and other resources and preserves operational flexibility into the future. 

In addition, AEC hosts communities of practice for air, water, and waste to provide a forum to share and distribute the latest information, provide guidance, respond to questions and share best practices among Army installation environmental staffs.