Science & Technology

Report: EPA’s Title V Program Needs to Address Ongoing Fee Issues and Improve Oversight

Report #22-E-0017, January 12, 2022. Lack of consistent oversight and persistent Title V fee challenges may undermine Title V program implementation.

Management Implication Report: Inappropriate Manipulation of Air Filter Data by Office of Research and Development Contractor

The OIG confirmed that an Office of Research and Development laboratory contractor’s inappropriate manipulation of air filter data and failure to follow applicable EPA and project guidance resulted in data for 95 air filter samples being rendered unusable.

Report: EPA Should Consistently Track Coronavirus Pandemic-Related Grant Flexibilities and Implement Plan for Electronic Grant File Storage

Report #22-P-0018, February 22, 2022. The EPA Office of Grants and Debarment does not know the full extent to which program offices and regions have implemented grant flexibilities and exceptions permitted by the Office of Management and Budget.

Report: U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board's Compliance in Fiscal Year 2021 with Improper Payments Legislation and Guidance

Report #22-E-0020, March 15, 2022. The OIG found that the CSB was fully compliant with improper payments legislation and guidance during fiscal year 2021.

Contractor-Produced Report: CSB Is at Increased Risk of Losing Significant Data and Is Vulnerable to Exploitation

Report #22-E-0025, March 29, 2022. SB & Company found that the lack of off-site data backups increases the CSB’s risk of losing significant data.

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: 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: Brownfields Program-Income Monitoring Deficiencies Persist Because the EPA Did Not Complete All Certified Corrective Actions

Report #22-P-0033, March 31, 2022. The OBLR did not complete all certified corrective actions and still lacks current and accurate information needed to monitor an estimated $46.6 million of program income.

Semiannual Report to Congress: October 1, 2021–March 31, 2022

This Semiannual Report to Congress reflects how the EPA OIG is achieving its mission of preventing and detecting fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct related to the programs and operations of the U.S. EPA and the U.S. CSB.

Report: The EPA Needs to Fully Address the OIG’s 2018 Flint Water Crisis Report Recommendations by Improving Controls, Training, and Risk Assessments

Report #22-P-0046, May 17, 2022. Without complete oversight of the drinking water program, the public’s health is still at risk from lead in drinking water.

Report: The EPA Continues to Fail to Meet Inspection Requirements for Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities

Report #22-E-0047, June 8, 2022. This follow-up evaluation was conducted to assess whether inspection rates of TSDFs have changed since our 2016 report on the same topic: OIG Report No. 16-P-0104.

Report: The EPA’s Approval and Oversight of Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Loans Complied with Federal Law and Regulations

Based on our audit, we determined that the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 program’s loan award process and subsequent monitoring activities provided reasonable assurance that WIFIA loans were administered in accordance with federal

Report: The Coronavirus Pandemic Caused Schedule Delays, Human Health Impacts, and Limited Oversight at Superfund National Priorities List Sites

Report #22-E-0049, June 22, 2022. Coronavirus pandemic restrictions delayed work and limited on-site oversight, with disproportionate impacts to some communities.

Report: The EPA Was Not Compliant with the Payment Integrity Information Act for Fiscal Year 2021

Report #22-P-0050, June 27, 2022. The EPA needs to implement appropriate control measures to better identify and reduce the risk of its improper payments.

Report: Additional Internal Controls Would Improve the EPA’s System for Electronic Disclosure of Environmental Violations

Report #22-E-0051, June 30, 2022. Without additional internal controls, the EPA cannot ensure that it effectively screens regulated entities’ self-disclosures of environmental violations to identify and mitigate significant concerns.