EPA Releases Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan
Yesterday, EPA published its Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan to accompany EPA’s FY 2023 President’s Budget. The Strategic Plan emphasizes the importance of addressing underserved communities, advancing environmental justice, and includes a strategic goal focused on climate change. More information on the strategic plan can be found here.
EPA’s Strategic Plan Goal for water (Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities) includes:
- Reduce the number of community water systems still in noncompliance with health-based standards since March 31, 2021 from 752 to 500.
- Reduce the number of community water systems in Indian country still in noncompliance with health-based standards since March 31, 2021 from 110 to 70.
- Leverage an additional $45 billion in non-federal dollars through EPA’s water infrastructure finance programs (CWSRF, DWSRF and WIFIA).
- In coordination with other federal agencies, provide access to basic sanitation for an additional 36,500 American Indian and Alaska Native homes.
- Provide 2,203 Tribal, small, rural, or underserved communities with technical, managerial, or financial assistance to improve operations of their drinking water or
wastewater systems. - Increase by 41,000 square miles the area of watersheds with surface water meeting standards that previously did not meet standards.
Additional Strategic Plan Goals:
- Tackle the Climate Crisis
- Reduce emissions
- Accelerate resilience
- Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
- Embed environmental justice into EPA’s programs and policies
- Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
- Hold environmental violators accountable
- Detect violations and promote compliance
- Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
- Improve indoor air quality and reduce exposure to radiation
- Reduce localized pollution
- Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
- Restore land for productive uses
- Prepare for and respond to environmental emergencies
- Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
- Ensure chemical and pesticide safety
