Enforcement Goals

Tough civil and criminal enforcement for violations that threaten communities and the environment.

Clean water: cut raw sewage, animal waste, and polluted stormwater runoff; protect drinking water
Clean air: reduce pollution from largest sources, cut toxic air pollution
Clean energy and climate: focus on energy sector compliance with air, water and waste rules; assure GHG rule compliance
Clean communities: protect people from exposure to hazardous chemicals and require polluters to pay for cleanup of contaminated sites
Pursue criminal violations that threaten human health and the environment or that undermine the integrity of environmental protection programs
Advance environmental justice and protect overburdened communities

Next Generation Compliance: achieve greater compliance and reduce pollution using advanced monitoring and information technologies.

Design regulations and permits for clear and effective implementation
Use advanced monitoring technologies to find and take action on pollution problems
Shift to electronic reporting
Expand transparency of pollution and compliance information
Use innovative enforcement strategies to improve compliance

Strong EPA/State/Tribal environmental protection: work together toward shared environmental goals.

Work as partners to strengthen state and tribal enforcement programs and to design and implement Next Generation Compliance approaches
Conduct consistent, effective and efficient reviews of state enforcement programs
Take action to address serious issues with state enforcement programs to assure a level playing field among states and industries