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FY 2026-2030 EPA Strategic Plan
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's strategic plan for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, built around Administrator Zeldin's five Powering the Great American Comeback pillars: clean air, land, and water; American energy dominance; permitting reform, cooperative federalism, and cross-agency partnership; super intelligence; and American auto jobs.
Other Information
Administrator Zeldin's Message ~ At the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, we are proving every single day that Americans don't have to choose between a strong economy and a clean environment. We can grow the economy, bring down costs for American families, and protect human health and the environment, all at the same time. ... EPA's Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2030 Strategic Plan is our roadmap for turning that vision into results. This plan lays out how EPA will protect human health and the environment across our great nation through commonsense policies that deliver clean air, land, and water for all Americans while unleashing American energy, revitalizing domestic manufacturing, lowering the cost of living, and fueling American innovation and entrepreneurship. Its five strategic goals are supported by 14 strategic objectives, each with clear implementation strategies. ... Alongside the Strategic Plan, EPA is releasing its FY 2027 Evidence Plan, which includes the agency's FY 2026-2030 Learning Agenda, focused on getting better results from EPA's grant programs, reforming and speeding up permitting processes, and developing super intelligence capabilities that make the agency run more efficiently. ... EPA will keep working every day to protect America's air, land, and water within the bounds of the laws Congress wrote. - Lee Zeldin, Administrator
Introduction ~ The plan communicates the agency's priorities and goals and lays out the approach to achieving those goals and its mission to protect human health and the environment. It is built around President Trump's Executive Orders and the five pillars Administrator Zeldin identified as core components of EPA's Powering the Great American Comeback initiative, which have been translated into the plan's five strategic goals. The plan fulfills EPA's obligations under Section 3 of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, as updated by Section 2 of the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010.
Agency Priority Goals (FY 2026-2027) ~ (1) Advance Investment into America and Job Creation through Permitting Reform: By September 30, 2027, streamline the permitting process and improve efficiencies so the Nation can unleash economic growth while providing cost savings to hardworking Americans. (2) Reduce Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Risks to the Public: By September 30, 2027, strengthen the science, fulfill statutory obligations, enhance communication, and build partnerships.
External Factors ~ EPA considers external factors and risks in achieving its strategic goals and objectives. Economic conditions, legislative changes, and public opinion are examples of external factors that can hinder the agency's ability to meet objectives.
Learning Agenda and Capacity Assessment ~ The plan is complemented by the agency's Learning Agenda and Capacity Assessment. The Capacity Assessment will guide efforts to develop the skills, expertise, and infrastructure that support routine and rigorous use of data. The Learning Agenda questions are: (1) To what extent are EPA grant programs most effectively advancing the agency mission of protecting human health and the environment, while being good stewards of tax dollars? (2) What innovative strategies, initiatives, partnerships, and reforms will be most effective in streamlining EPA's processes to reduce the time, uncertainty, and costs involved in issuing a permit? (3) How can EPA leverage automation and super intelligence (SI) to enhance operational efficiencies and support the agency's mission?
Stakeholder Engagement ~ The agency solicited feedback from Congress, Tribes, state agencies, and associations to inform the Strategic Plan, and reviewed and considered the feedback received in refining it.
Notes ~ The plan is dated October 2026; EPA's strategic plan page was updated October 2, 2026. Each page of the published PDF bears the marking "CUI//SP-BUDG," apparently carried over from the pre-decisional draft, although the document is posted publicly on epa.gov. The plan does not include formally labeled mission, vision, or values statements; the Mission element in this rendition is drawn from the plan's reference to EPA's "mission to protect human health and the environment," and Vision and Value elements are omitted. The plan uses the term "super intelligence (SI)" where the April 2026 draft referred to artificial intelligence. The plan includes no performance indicators. Agency Priority Goals and Learning Agenda questions are also noted in the OtherInformation elements of the objectives to which they most directly relate; those associations are the submitter's. Context and Key Strategies text in the objectives is lightly condensed from the plan; footnoted references are omitted.
Submitter's Note: As per the requirement set forth in section 10 of the GPRA Modernization Act, this StratML rendition was compiled from the source by Claude.ai and can be edited in the form at https://stratml.us/forms/Claude/Part1.html. Source: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-10/fy-2026-2030-epa-strategic-plan-final-for-publication-october-2026.pdf
🏢U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA The federal agency whose core mission is to protect human health and the environment, delivering clean air, land, and water for every American in cooperation with state, Tribal, and local co-regulators.
Stakeholders:
👤 👥 👥 👥 👥 🏢 👥 👥 | Source & SubmitterSource:https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-10/fy-202... Period: to Published: |
Mission
Protect human health and the environment.
Goal 1: Clean Air, Land & Water 🔗
Provide Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American.
Other Information
Overview ~ The EPA is committed to promoting cleaner air, land, and water for every American, which is central to the EPA's core mission to protect human health and the environment. By implementing cost-effective regulations and streamlining permitting processes, the EPA will show that protecting human health and the environment goes hand-in-hand with economic prosperity. The EPA will empower states and Tribes to tailor decisions to local priorities and conditions. The EPA will act consistently with its statutory authority, will not read statutory silence or ambiguity as a grant of agency power, and will avoid statutory interpretations that reach the periphery of the authority granted to the agency by Congress. To uphold environmental laws, the agency will focus efforts on achieving compliance quickly and efficiently while taking enforcement actions to address clear and substantial violations.
Objective 1.1: Healthy Air Quality 🔗
Reduce Air Pollutants, Enhance Ambient and Indoor Air Quality, Lower Radiation Exposure, and Respond to Air-Quality Emergencies.
Stakeholders:
🏢Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)
🏢Office of State Air Partnerships : Established by EPA to improve coordination with state, local, and Tribal air permitting agencies
👥State, Local, and Tribal Air Agencies
👥Schools
Other Information
Context ~ Cleaner air for every American is central to the EPA's mission. From 1970 to 2023, aggregate national emissions of the six criteria air pollutants dropped an average of 78 percent while U.S. economic indicators remained strong. Despite this progress, millions of people live in counties with monitored air that do not meet the EPA's ambient air quality standards. The agency works to promote access to cleaner air while removing or reforming unnecessarily burdensome regulations, reducing air pollution indoors and outdoors, mitigating radiation exposure, and positioning the agency to respond to radiological and air quality emergencies. Key Strategies ~ (a) Clean Outdoor Air: Improve air quality while supporting economic growth, fiscal stewardship, and national security by setting standards for air quality and air toxics, addressing transboundary pollution at the border, and using advice from independent experts such as CASAC; operate the Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs; review alternatives for ozone-depleting substances; ensure compliance with mobile source emission standards through vehicle and engine certification and compliance testing; and use air quality monitoring networks to drive decision-making. (b) Indoor Air and Radiation Protection: Support improved air quality in homes, businesses, and schools through guidance and outreach and programs such as Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools and Wildfire Preparedness Grants; and continue radiological emergency preparedness, including operating the national environmental radiation monitoring system (RadNet). (c) Cooperative Federalism: Work more effectively with states and Tribes, including encouraging their participation in CASAC advisory activities; act in a timely manner on State and Tribal Implementation Plans; redesignate areas for attainment; and streamline air permitting.
Objective 1.2: Clean and Safe Water 🔗
Protect Drinking Water and Source Water, Strengthen Water Infrastructure, Safeguard Waterbodies and Watersheds, and Respond to Water-Related Emergencies.
Stakeholders:
👥Water Utilities
🏢Science Advisory Board (SAB) : To be consulted on the draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List
👥Communities
Other Information
Context ~ Water is essential to the livelihood of the American public, businesses, and the environment. The EPA is committed to helping states, Tribes, and communities address critical water challenges such as infrastructure upgrades, cybersecurity preparedness and emergency response, and technical, managerial, and financial capabilities, while empowering states and Tribal partners through cooperative federalism. Key Strategies ~ (a) Protecting Drinking Water and Source Water by Providing Technical Assistance to States, Tribes, U.S. Territories, and Communities: Help the over 300 million Americans who depend on public tap water and the systems that treat about 34 billion gallons of wastewater daily by providing technical assistance on funding, compliance, resilience, efficiency, capacity, cyber threats, and emergencies; work with communities and water systems to reduce PFAS exposure in drinking water; consult the Science Advisory Board on the draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List; and finalize the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6), proposed in July 2026. (b) Safeguard Waterbodies and Watersheds: Ensure that permits, policies, and regulations follow the law, reduce red tape, streamline processes, and lower business expenses; safeguard waterbodies for recreational and commercial use; and prioritize water efficiency and resilience, including reuse of treated wastewater and stormwater. (c) Enhance Water Sector Resilience, Preparedness, and Response to Emergencies: Provide tools and resources to help utilities prepare for and respond to emergencies and cybersecurity threats, provide direct technical assistance during response and recovery, and support utilities' implementation of cybersecurity best practices. Agency Priority Goal (FY 2026-2027) ~ Reduce Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Risks to the Public: By September 30, 2027, strengthen the science, fulfill statutory obligations, enhance communication, and build partnerships.
Objective 1.3: Revitalized Land 🔗
Restore Contaminated Land and Ensure Proper Handling of Hazardous and Solid Waste, and Prepare for and Respond to Emergencies.
Stakeholders:
👥Private and Non-Profit Organizations : Partners in remediation of abandoned mining sites under the Good Samaritan law
👥Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Agencies
Other Information
Context ~ The EPA endeavors to provide every American with access to clean and safe land, leveraging economic opportunities through land revitalization, critical minerals reclamation, and the circular economy. The EPA will expedite the cleanup of contaminated sites such as Superfund, brownfields, leaking underground storage tanks, and abandoned mining sites; enhance emergency preparedness and response for incidents involving hazardous substances; and provide for proper handling of hazardous and solid waste. Key Strategies ~ (a) Accelerate Lead Cleanup at Superfund Sites: Prioritize identification and remediation of lead contamination at Superfund sites using advanced technologies and best practices, collaborating with local communities. (b) Enhance Emergency Preparedness and Response: Develop and implement comprehensive emergency response plans, strengthen coordination with federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies, and conduct regular training and simulations. (c) Enhance Cooperative Federalism and Permitting Reform: Strengthen partnerships through Superfund, Brownfields, Underground Storage Tanks, and RCRA programs; support states seeking primacy; and streamline permitting decision processes. (d) Strengthen U.S. Supply Chains by Enhancing Recycling and Materials Management Infrastructure and Supporting Reclamation of Critical Minerals: Enhance recycling, food waste recovery, and materials management infrastructure, including the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Program; and promote public-private partnerships for reclamation of critical minerals from Superfund and Coal Combustion Residual sites and battery recycling. (e) Promote the Remediation of Abandoned Mining Sites by Implementing the Good Samaritan Law: Implement the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, working with private and non-profit organizations to reduce barriers to entry and foster environmental restoration.
Objective 1.4: Chemicals in the Environment 🔗
Review and Assess Chemicals and Pesticides.
Stakeholders:
👥Pesticide Applicators
👥Chemical Manufacturers
Other Information
Context ~ The EPA ensures the safe use of chemicals and pesticides by assessing, reducing and, when necessary, preventing releases and exposures throughout their lifecycle; supports the community's right to know about chemical releases; and endeavors to reduce the likelihood that its actions will jeopardize listed species or critical habitats consistent with the Endangered Species Act. Under TSCA, the EPA reviews existing chemicals for unreasonable risk, using the best available science and putting in place restrictions that are protective but not overly burdensome. Ongoing litigation may lead to challenges and refinements in approaches to risk evaluations. Key Strategies ~ (a) Pest Management: Ensure the safe use of pesticides under FIFRA through scientific review, registration, regular reevaluation, and risk mitigation or cancellation when risks become unacceptable; and partner with states and Tribes on applicator training, certification, and enforcement. (b) TSCA (Existing Chemicals): Meet the 36-month statutory deadline for existing chemical risk evaluations by beginning with sufficient data, completing intermediate products on time, and addressing current challenges, including delays in risk evaluations underway, data gaps, and an evolving systematic review and test order process, through interagency cooperation, stakeholder and Tribal engagement, and IT modernization.
Objective 1.5: Compliance and Enforcement 🔗
Increase Compliance and Efficiency; and Ensure Fairness Under the Law.
Stakeholders:
👥Co-Regulators : State, Tribal, and local partners
👥Potentially Responsible Parties : Under CERCLA
Other Information
Context ~ Achieving compliance with environmental requirements lies at the heart of promoting cleaner air, land, and water. While states and local governments have primary responsibility for enforcement of authorized programs, federal enforcement remains indispensable where states or Tribes lack authorization and to promote consistency wherever federal interests are implicated. The EPA will focus on achieving compliance quickly while taking enforcement actions to address clear and substantial violations, pivoting away from expansive and uncertain injunctive relief; repeat violators will face escalating sanctions. Key Strategies ~ (a) Addressing Noncompliance: Work with federal, state, and Tribal partners to monitor compliance and offer incentives for regulated entities, including new owners, to voluntarily discover, disclose, and correct violations. (b) Federal Enforcement Focused on Federal Interest: Focus resources where there is a distinct federal interest, including direct implementation, interstate or international commerce, and National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives; secure federal facilities' compliance; ensure potentially responsible parties pay for cleanup under CERCLA; and address the most egregious violations through the criminal program. (c) Rule of Law: Focus compliance monitoring and enforcement on clear violations, fostering a level playing field and removing any economic benefit gained from noncompliance. (d) Protecting the United States: Prevent pollution pervasive in developing countries from occurring in the U.S., and vigilantly enforce regulations on imports and international commerce. (e) Timely and Efficient Compliance and Enforcement: Send at least 75 percent of EPA inspection reports to facilities within 70 days of an inspection; review consent decrees over five years old; focus enforcement on clear violations that can be concluded quickly; and consider non-coercive tools. (f) Identifying/Mitigating Noncompliance through Efficient Use of Data: Operate and develop compliance assurance IT systems and work with co-regulators to leverage IT, super intelligence, and advanced data analysis.
Goal 2: Energy Dominance 🔗
Restore American Energy Dominance.
Other Information
Overview ~ The U.S. has an abundance of energy and natural resources that have fueled its economic success. Restoring American energy dominance and supporting American innovation will significantly decrease costs for everyday Americans. The lack of an adequate, diverse energy supply and weak infrastructure has increased energy prices. The EPA's actions to support diverse energy sources and encourage innovation will lower costs for hardworking families, farmers, and small business owners, while protecting human health and the environment. (Reference: Executive Order 14156, Declaring a National Energy Emergency.)
Objective 2.1: Accessible Energy 🔗
Support Diverse Energy Sources, Reduce Emissions.
Stakeholders:
👥Energy Producers
👥Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program Reporters : Over 8,000 facilities and suppliers
Other Information
Context ~ While accomplishing its core mission, the EPA is committed to enabling the full potential of the domestic energy industry and will reconsider regulations that may have limited the generation of reliable and affordable energy, reduced job creation, and increased costs. Key Strategies ~ (a) Protecting Human Health: Leverage developments in energy production practices, processes, and emission control technologies so that American energy dominance and reduced emissions go hand-in-hand. (b) Common-Sense Regulation: Systematically review all EPA actions, including regulatory requirements, orders, guidance documents, policies, settlements, and consent orders, to eliminate barriers to domestic energy production, including reconsidering greenhouse gas regulations, Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. (c) Increased Efficiency: Reconsider the mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which requires over 8,000 facilities and suppliers to calculate and submit annual emissions reports.
Objective 2.2: American Innovation 🔗
Encourage Innovation.
Stakeholders:
🏢U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) : Partner in preventing illegal import and trade of HFCs
🏢U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) : Partner in preventing illegal import and trade of HFCs
👥HFC Producers and Importers
Other Information
Context ~ The EPA will encourage innovation that provides savings to consumers and industry, including through energy efficiency gains and lower-cost substitutes. The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act authorizes the EPA to phase down production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), maximize reclamation, and minimize releases from equipment. Key Strategies ~ (a) Enforcement and Compliance: Implement provisions of the HFC Allowance Allocation program, including administrative consequences for noncompliance, third-party auditing, and transparency of HFC data, and work with DHS and CBP to prevent illegal import and trade of HFCs. (b) Innovation: Use EPA energy system modeling tools to assess how new energy technologies and fuels move the energy system toward a cleaner and more efficient future, and stimulate innovation through reduced HFC use.
Goal 3: Permitting & Partnership 🔗
Advance Permitting Reform, Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership.
Other Information
Overview ~ The EPA will strengthen its capacity to protect human health and the environment by streamlining regulatory processes, leveraging innovative technologies, and enhancing coordination with partners at all levels of government. The agency will modernize major public-facing operations, such as permitting, chemical reviews, and pesticide registrations, to reduce delays, improve transparency, and make America a more attractive destination for investment. It will deepen partnerships with state, Tribal, and local governments and federal, congressional, and international stakeholders, including protecting children's environmental health, supporting direct implementation programs in Indian Country, and addressing transboundary issues such as those along the U.S.-Mexico border. Internally, the EPA will achieve organizational excellence by optimizing real estate, streamlining hiring, modernizing financial systems, and improving grants and acquisitions management.
Objective 3.1: Incentivized Investment 🔗
Use Innovative Strategies to Reform and Streamline Permitting and other Public-Facing Operations.
Stakeholders:
👥Permit Applicants
👥Pesticide Registrants
👥Chemical Manufacturers and Importers : Submit approximately 200 premanufacture notices (PMNs) each year
Other Information
Context ~ The EPA will advance permit streamlining with the overall goal to automate and modernize processes to become paperless, reducing processing time, decreasing the time between receiving monitoring data and engaging in enforcement, and fostering transparency. Similar streamlining will apply to review and registration of pesticides under PRIA, FIFRA, and FFDCA, and to review of new chemicals under TSCA, for which the EPA must complete risk assessment, determination, and mitigation within 90 days of receiving a premanufacture notice but has accumulated a large backlog. Key Strategies ~ (a) Permit Streamlining: Modernize IT infrastructure, leverage super intelligence to automate tasks and improve decision-making, update standard operating procedures, and engage with governments and businesses to align objectives and simplify regulations. (b) Pesticides Registration: Enhance process efficiencies through digital transformation of PRIA IT systems, a third-party assessment of processes, and structured improvement projects to reduce the backlog of PRIA actions. (c) TSCA (New Chemicals): Hold PMN case discussion meetings within 30 calendar days of receipt so the full review can be completed within the statutory 90 days, supported by IT modernization, updated standard operating procedures, and an expanded internal engineering checklist. Agency Priority Goal (FY 2026-2027) ~ Advance Investment into America and Job Creation through Permitting Reform: By September 30, 2027, streamline the permitting process and improve efficiencies so the Nation can unleash economic growth while providing cost savings to hardworking Americans. Learning Agenda Question(s) ~ (2) What innovative strategies, initiatives, partnerships, and reforms will be most effective in streamlining EPA's processes to reduce the time, uncertainty, and costs involved in issuing a permit? (3) How can EPA leverage automation and super intelligence (SI) to enhance operational efficiencies and support the agency's mission?
Objective 3.2: Cooperative Federalism 🔗
Work Effectively with State, Tribal, Local, Federal, Congressional, and International Partners.
Stakeholders:
🏢Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) : Including its Small Community Advisory Subcommittee (SCAS)
👥Federally Recognized Tribes
🏢U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) : Co-lead of the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children
🏢Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) : Partner in supporting Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units
🏢Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee
🏢Science Advisory Board (SAB)
🏢Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)
🏢National Drinking Water Advisory Council
🏢E-Enterprise for the Environment
👥U.S.-Mexico Border Communities
👥Small Businesses
Other Information
Context ~ The EPA's commitment to cooperative federalism centers on collaboration with state, Tribal, and local partners, including clearing backlogs of State Implementation Plans, supporting water quality standards, implementing permitting reform, and deferring to state discretion on local issues as permitted by statute. The EPA works with federally recognized Tribes on a government-to-government basis consistent with federal law, the federal trust responsibility, and Tribal sovereignty, and will work with international partners to align global standards with U.S. benchmarks. Key Strategies ~ (a) Direct Implementation Program Assessments: Implement statutory requirements in Indian Country across over 30 programs, applying continuous improvement consistent with the EPA Indian Policy. (b) Tribal-Administered Environmental Programs achieved by leveraging the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP): Support Tribes in building capacity to administer environmental programs, including assumption of federal programs. (c) Tribal Consultation: Consult with Tribes on a government-to-government basis when EPA actions or decisions may affect them. (d) U.S.-Mexico Border Program: Work with local and state governments, Tribes, and border communities on projects that reflect local priorities and deliver measurable results. (e) Protecting Children Through Partnerships: Co-lead the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children with HHS; respond to advice from the Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee; support Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units with ATSDR; expand America's Children and the Environment report; and develop a strategy to improve outcomes for children affected by disasters. (f) Federalism Consultations with State and Local Government Partners on Significant Agency Actions: Conduct formal consultations under Executive Order 13132 and provide charges to the Local Government Advisory Committee. (g) Leveraging Relevant Programs, Collaborative Tools, and Resources: Leverage advice from the SAB, CASAC, and National Drinking Water Advisory Council; increase the number of state and Tribal scientists appointed to the SAB and CASAC; and partner through E-Enterprise for the Environment to modernize permitting and share project analyses. Learning Agenda Question(s) ~ (1) To what extent are EPA grant programs most effectively advancing the agency mission of protecting human health and the environment, while being good stewards of tax dollars?
Objective 3.3: Organizational Excellence 🔗
Improve Performance and Effectiveness of Internal Operations.
Stakeholders:
🏢U.S. Department of the Treasury
🏢General Services Administration (GSA) : Partner in contract and procurement consolidation
🏢Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
🏢Financial Management Quality Service Management Office (QSMO)
👥EPA Workforce
👥Grant Recipients
Other Information
Context ~ The EPA will streamline core processes, modernize systems, and enhance workforce efficiency to maximize the value of taxpayer dollars, through a multi-faceted approach that modernizes financial systems, improves data availability, optimizes real estate, transforms the workforce, and improves the efficiency of grants and acquisitions. The Continuous Improvement program will engage directly with organizations to increase operational efficiency. Key Strategies ~ (a) Modernizing Financial Systems and Improving Data and Information Availability: Modernize financial systems leveraging the Financial Management QSMO, automate financial transaction processing and reporting, collaborate with Treasury, GSA, OMB, and other agencies, implement the OPEN Government Data Act and DATA Act, and reduce and ultimately eliminate the backlog of overdue FOIA requests. (b) Optimizing Real Estate: Evaluate facility utilization and rebalance underused assets, redirecting savings to modernization, consistent with the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 and the USE IT Act of 2023. (c) Transforming the Workforce for Greater Effectiveness: Implement workforce restructuring in accordance with Executive Orders 14217, 14171, and 14170; increase suitability standards; decrease time to hire; move away from applicant self-assessment; strengthen performance standards; and engage in strategic staffing and workforce planning. (d) Improving the Efficiency of Grants and Acquisitions: Implement OMB's indirect cost policy under the Uniform Grants Guidance, advance the Made in America agenda and reduce Build America, Buy America Act waivers, partner with GSA on contract and procurement consolidation, and strengthen risk-based post-award monitoring and grant closeouts.
Goal 4: Super Intelligence 🔗
Make America the Super Intelligence (SI) Capital of the World.
Other Information
Overview ~ In line with America's SI Action Plan and recent Executive Orders, the agency will support development of robust SI capabilities that propel the U.S. to the forefront of global SI leadership, while promoting the environmental sustainability and operational efficiency of data centers and their infrastructure. Consistent with Executive Order 14318, Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure, the agency will manage environmental issues while building out necessary compute capacity, including redevelopment of formerly contaminated sites, water reuse and efficiency (as detailed in the Water Reuse Action Plan 2.0), prompt TSCA chemical reviews, and circular economy practices that recover critical minerals. In parallel, the EPA will leverage SI to improve its internal operations, ensuring that SI tools do not compromise the agency's statutory responsibilities.
Objective 4.1: Powering SI 🔗
Managing Air, Land, and Water Impacts of Data Center Infrastructure.
Stakeholders:
👥Data Center Developers and Operators
👥SI Industry
👥State and Tribal Partners : Including state and Tribal monitoring and enforcement offices
Other Information
Context ~ As the SI industry rapidly expands, data centers face environmental challenges, including high energy and water consumption needs. The EPA will collaborate with industry, state, and Tribal partners to facilitate the responsible siting, development, and operation of SI data center infrastructure. Key Strategies ~ (a) Common-sense Regulation: Complete reviews or provide updates as necessary under Clean Air Act sections 111 and 112 and the NSR permitting program to provide greater flexibility for data center development. (b) State Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with states and Tribes and engage the SI industry to understand and respond to data centers' environmental and resource challenges. (c) Water Reuse and Efficiency: Promote water reuse and water-efficient technologies with data center developers and operators, and support local efforts to expand and upgrade water infrastructure. (d) Safe and Efficient Use of Chemicals and Waste Management Practices: Prioritize TSCA reviews for new substances used in data center projects or covered components under Executive Order 14318, update guidance on storage tanks, leak detection, and spill prevention, and support a circular IT economy for data centers. (e) Redeveloping Formerly Contaminated Sites: Identify Brownfields, RCRA, and Superfund sites with redevelopment potential, develop guidance to expedite environmental reviews for qualified reuse, and return such sites to productive use such as data centers.
Objective 4.2: Efficient Systems 🔗
Leverage SI to Improve EPA Processes and Capabilities.
Stakeholders:
👥EPA Workforce
👥Co-Regulators
Other Information
Context ~ The EPA will modernize its workflows, transitioning from paper-based systems to digital solutions by embracing SI and automation to automate routine tasks, streamline administrative processes, predict environmental problems, and improve data analysis. The EPA is also exploring use of SI tools to support rulemaking and permitting, such as categorizing tens of thousands of public comments, and to improve the quality and precision of environmental assessments. Key Strategies ~ (a) SI Use in Data Management: Increase the efficiency of compliance assurance through SI-enhanced data analytics; increase use of the RCRA Model for Large Quantity Generators, which uses machine learning to predict where inspectors are most likely to find severe violations, and pilot similar models for the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Clean Air Act; establish a governance framework for responsible use of data and SI; and develop training plans to upskill staff in data, SI, and automation. Learning Agenda Question(s) ~ (3) How can EPA leverage automation and super intelligence (SI) to enhance operational efficiencies and support the agency's mission?
Goal 5: Auto Jobs 🔗
Bring Back and Protect American Auto Jobs.
Other Information
Overview ~ The American auto industry faces challenges from regulations and global competition. The EPA will support revitalization of this sector by reducing regulations and fostering domestic manufacturing, using its statutory and discretionary authority to create less burdensome regulations, adapt to evolving technology, and prioritize the well-being of American workers. The EPA will partner with industry trade associations and leaders to identify all cost variables contributing to the purchase and ownership of an automobile in America, including policies and rulemaking that affect the price of gas, aluminum and steel production, emissions, plastics, leather and textiles, and tires.
Objective 5.1: Vehicle Choice 🔗
Support Options for Safer, Reliable, and Affordable Vehicles for Every American.
Stakeholders:
👥Vehicle Manufacturers
👥Consumers
🏢National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) : EPA laboratory conducting emissions testing
Other Information
Context ~ The EPA is focused on promoting consumer choice by removing regulatory barriers to motor vehicle access, streamlining regulations and reducing regulatory burdens to enable access to affordable, practical, and reliable vehicles. Key Strategies ~ (a) Regulatory Reconsideration: Identify opportunities to eliminate costly and inflexible compliance burdens for vehicle manufacturers, and issue regulations and administrative actions that reduce barriers to safer, reliable, and affordable vehicles and engines. (b) Compliance: Perform vehicle and engine certification and compliance oversight, conduct emissions testing at NVFEL, and maintain oversight of the Renewable Fuel Standard program through the agency's Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credit trading system.
Objective 5.2: Smart Regulations 🔗
Update Regulations to Support American Workers.
Stakeholders:
👥American Auto Workers
👥State, Tribal, and Local Partners
Other Information
Context ~ The EPA will develop smart regulations that reduce regulatory burden, foster innovation, encourage job growth, and support the economic resilience of American workers and their communities, and will coordinate with state, Tribal, and local partners to eliminate overlapping requirements and pursue common-sense compliance flexibilities. Key Strategies ~ (a) Regulatory Analysis: Identify variables that affect vehicle costs and strive to ensure regulations are not unnecessarily increasing the cost to own an American vehicle, including the cost of inputs such as aluminum, steel, and tires. (b) Iterative Approaches Through Enhanced Engagement with Stakeholders: Encourage stakeholder engagement throughout the rulemaking process and leverage practical feedback to update or avoid unnecessarily costly regulations. (c) Reducing Barriers to Conducting High-Quality Analysis: Develop analytic tools, approaches, data, and training to support high-quality analysis of how EPA actions affect American auto workers.