The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to tackle national pollution challenges impacting public health through a series of seven national enforcement initiatives between 2017-2019.
The EPA selects National Enforcement Initiatives every three years to focus resources on national environmental problems where there is significant non-compliance with laws, and where federal enforcement efforts can make a difference.
The EPA says its initiatives will focus on employing next generation compliance strategies to enhance enforcement cases and build compliance. Next generation compliance is EPA’s strategy to address today’s pollution challenges using new tools while strengthening vigorous enforcement of environmental laws.
The National Enforcement Initiatives are:
- Keeping Industrial Pollutants Out of the Nation’s Waters (new initiative)
- Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities (new initiative)
- Cutting Hazardous Air Pollutants (expanded initiative)
- Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest Sources
- Ensuring Energy Extraction Activities Comply with Environmental Laws
- Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated Stormwater Out of the Nation’s Waters
- Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating Surface and Ground Water