Science & Technology

Report: EPA Is at Risk of Not Achieving Special Local Needs Program Goals for Pesticides

Report #21-E-0072, February 10, 2021. Without a sufficient management-control system and other improvements, the SLN program will not effectively promote risk reduction and pollution prevention.

Report: U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board's Compliance in Fiscal Year 2020 with Improper Payments Legislation and Guidance

Report #21-E-0084, February 23, 2021. The OIG found that the CSB was fully compliant with improper payments legislation and guidance during fiscal year 2020.

Report: EPA OIG's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

This report captures the EPA OIG's work to meet the new challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to include audits, evaluations, and investigations.

Report: EPA Improperly Awarded and Managed Information Technology Contracts

Report #21-P-0094, March 10, 2021. The Agency needs to improve its oversight of long-standing contractors, like CGI Federal, to improve operations and be a better steward of taxpayer dollars.

Report: EPA Does Not Consistently Monitor Hazardous Waste Units Closed with Waste in Place or Track and Report on Facilities That Fall Under the Two Responsible Programs

Report #21-P-0114, March 29, 2021. The EPA’s inspection frequency of TSDFs with RCRA units closed with waste in place does not meet the EPA’s statutory requirement or policy.

Report: EPA Does Not Always Adhere to Its Established Action Development Process for Rulemaking

Report #21-P-0115, March 31, 2021. ADP goals are to deliver actions that are based on sound science, promote economic efficiency, and are implementable and enforceable.

EPA Delayed Risk Communication and Issued Instructions Hindering Region 5’s Ability to Address Ethylene Oxide Emissions

Report #21-P-0123, April 15, 2021. The EPA did not achieve its mission when senior leaders issued instructions to Region 5 that impacted the region’s ability to address ethylene oxide emissions and when the EPA delayed communicating health risks.

Report: EPA Needs to Improve Processes for Updating Guidance, Monitoring Corrective Actions, and Managing Remote Access for External Users

Report #21-E-0124, April 16, 2021. Deficiencies in the EPA’s information technology internal controls could be used to exploit weaknesses in Agency applications and hinder the EPA’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging cyberthreats.

Report: Concerns About the Process Used for the SAFE Vehicles Rule Demonstrate the Need for a Policy on EPA’s Role in Joint Rulemakings

Report #21-E-0125, April 20, 2021. The EPA’s actions in the final SAFE Vehicles Rule undercut the rule’s quality.

Report: Improved Review Processes Could Advance EPA Regions 3 and 5 Oversight of State-Issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits

Report #21-P-0122, April 21, 2021. Improved EPA oversight could ensure that state NPDES programs are protecting human health and the environment.

Semiannual Report to Congress: October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021

Report #EPA-350-R-21-00, May 28, 2021.

Report: EPA Did Not Conduct Agencywide Risk Assessment of CARES Act Appropriations, Increasing Risk of Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Mismanagement

Report #21-E-0128, May 4, 2021. The OIG documented and assessed the internal controls that the EPA implemented to mitigate risks of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement over the CARES Act appropriations.

Report: EPA Should Conduct New Residual Risk and Technology Reviews for Chloroprene- and Ethylene Oxide-Emitting Source Categories to Protect Human Health

Report #21-P-0129, May 6, 2021. The EPA should conduct new RTRs for chloroprene- and ethylene oxide-emitting source categories to address elevated individual lifetime cancer risks impacting over 464,000 people, and to achieve environmental justice.

Report: EPA Helps States Reduce Trash, Including Plastic, in U.S. Waterways but Needs to Identify Obstacles and Develop Strategies for Further Progress

Report #21-P-0130, May 11, 2021. The EPA and states can reduce the volume of trash, including plastics, in U.S. waterways by evaluating barriers to implementing the Clean Water Act and developing strategies to overcome those barriers.

Report: Staffing Constraints, Safety and Health Concerns at EPA's National Enforcement Investigations Center May Compromise Ability to Achieve Mission

Report #21-P-0131, May 12, 2021. Safety, health, and attrition issues may compromise NEIC’s ability to support the EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement efforts.

Report: Resource Constraints, Leadership Decisions, and Workforce Culture Led to a Decline in Federal Enforcement

Report #21-P-0132, May 13, 2021. A decline in the EPA's enforcement activities may expose the public and the environment to undetected harmful pollutants.

Summary of Hawai'i's Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Rainwater Collected Onsite for Onsite Non-potable Water Reuse

Hawai'i (State Regulation) | Source water: Onsite collected waters | End use: Onsite non-potable reuse

Report: EPA Complies with Payment Integrity Information Act but Needs to Determine Cost Allowability When Testing for Improper Grant Payments

Report #21-P-0135, May 14, 2021. Improved review methods when considering the allowability of costs for grant funds will aid the EPA in identifying estimated improper payments.

Report: EPA Deviated from Typical Procedures in Its 2018 Dicamba Pesticide Registration Decision

Report #21-E-0146, May 24, 2021. The EPA needs to document and follow established procedures to ensure scientifically sound decisions regarding pesticides.

Report: EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory Has Taken Steps to Mitigate Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on Mobile Source Emission Compliance

Report #21-E-0158, June 7, 2021. The OIG determined how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted laboratory operations and testing at the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan.