Laws & Regulations

Report: The EPA’s Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021 Consolidated Financial Statements

Report #23-F-0002, November 15, 2022. We rendered an unmodified opinion on the EPA’s consolidated financial statements for fiscal years 2022 and 2021, meaning that they were fairly presented and free of material misstatement.

Report: U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board's Compliance in Fiscal Year 2019 with Improper Payments Legislation and Guidance (revised)

Report #20-N-0064, Jan 23, 2020. We found that the CSB was fully compliant with improper payments legislation and guidance during fiscal year 2019.

Report: Management Alert - Unapproved Use of Slag at Anaconda Co. Smelter Superfund Site

Report #20-N-0030, November 18, 2019. While conducting work on an ongoing audit the EPA OIG decided to issue this management alert to inform the agency and the public of our discovery that a certain unapproved use of slag is taking place in Anaconda, Monta

Report: The EPA Lacks Documented Procedures for Detecting and Removing Unapproved Software on the Agency’s Network

Report #22-E-0028, March 30, 2022. Without documented procedures governing software management and vulnerability remediation processes, the EPA continues to be at risk of outsiders gaining access to compromise and exploit Agency systems and data.

Report: The EPA Did Not Follow Agency Policies in Managing the Northbridge Contract and Potentially Violated Appropriations Law

Report #22-E-0027, March 31, 2022. Because key accounting policies were not adhered to, the EPA cannot ensure that $6.8 million in appropriated dollars went toward their intended purposes, potentially violating laws.

Report: Improvements Needed in EPA Efforts to Address Methane Emissions From Natural Gas Distribution Pipelines

Report #14-P-0324, July 25, 2014. Methane emissions impact climate change through leaks in natural gas distribution pipelines, and also have economic impacts.

Report: EPA Should Update Guidance to Address the Release of Potentially Harmful Quantities of Asbestos That Can Occur Under EPA’s Asbestos Demolition Standard

Report #15-P-0168, June 16, 2015. Under the EPA's asbestos demolition standard, demolishing buildings that are structurally unsound and in imminent danger of collapse can release enough asbestos into the environment to pose a potential risk to human health

Report: EPA Finalized a Study of the Historical Applications of Coal Ash as Structural Fill

Report #19-N-0084, March 8, 2019. The ORCR determined that no further EPA action is warranted to address historical structural fill applications.

Report: Conditions in the U.S. Virgin Islands Warrant EPA Withdrawing Approval and Taking Over Management of Some Environmental Programs and Improving Oversight of Others

Report #15-P-0137, April 17, 2015. USVI's poor management of its environmental programs endangers public health and the environment. EPA awards over $2 million a year in grant funds to support USVI's continuing environmental programs.

Report: The EPA Needs to Develop a Strategy to Complete Overdue Residual Risk and Technology Reviews and to Meet the Statutory Deadlines for Upcoming Reviews

Report #22-E-0026, March 30, 2022. As of November 1, 2021, the EPA had 93 overdue RTRs or TRs, almost half of which were overdue by more than five years. These reviews are used to establish limits for air toxics emissions and to protect public health.

Report: EPA Regions Have Considered Environmental Justice When Targeting Facilities for Air Toxics Inspections

Report #15-P-0101, February 26, 2015. All 10 EPA regions have considered environmental justice when targeting audiences for air toxics inspections.

Report: Nutrient Pollution: EPA Needs to Work With States to Develop Strategies for Monitoring the Impact of State Activities on the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone

Report #14-P-0348, September 3, 2014. The EPA lacks necessary data to determine the impact of state nutrient reduction strategies on the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone.

Report: Enhanced EPA Oversight and Action Can Further Protect Water Resources From the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing

Report #15-P-0204, July 16, 2015. Enhanced EPA oversight of the permitting process for diesel fuel use during hydraulic fracturing can further EPA efforts to protect water resources, and establishment of a plan for determining whether to propose a chemical

Report: EPA’s Fleet Management Program Needs Improvement

Report #15-P-0001, October 6, 2014. If oversight of the EPA’s fleet is not improved, the $6 million-per-year program could be ineffective and inefficient in supporting the agency’s mission and reporting data to the federal system.

Report: Examination of Costs Claimed Under American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Cooperative Agreement 2A-97706701 Awarded to Grace Hill Settlement House, St. Louis, Missouri

Report #13-R-0367, August 30, 2013. GH’s financial management system did not meet federal standards.

Report: EPA Can Help Consumers Identify Household and Other Products with Safer Chemicals by Strengthening Its “Design for the Environment” Program

Report #14-P-0349, September 9, 2014. Strengthened controls in the DfE program can help consumers better identify safer products.

Report: EPA Has Made Progress in Assessing Historical Lead Smelter Sites But Needs to Strengthen Procedures

Report #14-P-0302, June 17, 2014. Improvements in guidance and procedures for managing contaminated sites could result in more efficient and effective use of limited resources and result in public health and economic benefits.

Report: EPA Does Not Effectively Control or Monitor Imports of Hazardous Waste

Report #15-P-0172, July 6, 2015. The EPA lacks explicit authority to block imported shipments of hazardous waste that lack prior EPA consent. This could lead to improper handling and disposal, resulting in unknown human and environmental exposure to toxic

Report: State of Oregon Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program Financial Statements for the Year Ended June 30, 2005

Report #2006-1-00021, January 12, 2006. We did not note any weaknesses in internal control that we consider to be material.

Report: EPA Has Not Performed Agencywide Risk Assessments, Increasing the Risk of Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Mismanagement

Report #21-E-0011, December 15, 2021. The OCFO cannot provide reasonable assurance that crosscutting risks are identified and mitigated and that Agency resources are directed to the most critical strategic needs.