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Every day, EPA managers make decisions that ultimately affect the lives of millions of Americans. If EPA fails to communicate these decisions, or if our decision-making process appears confusing, then our mission to protect human health and the environment will become even more difficult. We must write clearly all the time.

To strengthen our capacity for communication and share information with other federal agencies, EPA works with a national organization called the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) . We have been working with PLAIN since 1998, when then-Vice President Gore called on government agencies like EPA to improve the clarity of regulations, press materials, fact sheets, reports, and other critical documents. In June 2003, former Administrator Christine Todd Whitman expressed her support for plain language in an Agency-wide memorandum:

Improving communication between EPA and the American public is more important now than ever before. The Agency has already made outstanding strides to include citizens in our decision-making, to work with the regulated community, and to provide stakeholders with needed information. The unprecedented challenges we face, however, require continuous improvement in our communication skills... using plain language can help increase compliance with regulations and decrease mistakes, frustration, and appeals, allowing us to serve American citizens more cost-effectively and efficiently.

The June 2003 memorandum also announced the availability of an electronic writing course that all EPA employees can download free of charge. This course was developed by an independent firm with significant input from experienced writers at EPA, and allows users to navigate through writing lessons on topics such as sentence structure, grammar, editing, and organization.

EPA’s Plain Language Coordinator is responsible for managing the distribution of this software. The Coordinator also answers frequently asked questions; arranges plain language training sessions; works with plain language advocates in offices across the Agency; represents EPA at PLAIN meetings; compiles documents written in plain language; and maintains an internal Web site for employees who are interested in learning more about plain language.

For a unique look inside the Agency's plain language initiative, read the Administrator’s memo on plain language. Then let us know if you have any suggestions on improving any of the material you have found on our Web site.

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