Science & Technology

Report: EPA Should Improve Oversight of Mobile Phones

Report #20-P-0068, January 10, 2020. The EPA was billed at least $12,000 over 2 years for unused mobile phone services due to needed improvements in mobile phone oversight. These funds could have been put to better use.

Report: CSB's Information Security Program Is Defined, but Improvements Needed in Risk Management, Identity and Access Management, and Incident Response

Report #20-P-0077, February 12, 2020. The CSB lacks documented procedures to address information technology risks and threats from cybersecurity incidents.

Report: Management Controls Needed to Verify and Report Border 2020 Program Accomplishments

Report #20-P-0083, February 18, 2020. Border 2020 Program successes in improving environmental conditions and public health cannot be fully known or documented without stronger management controls.

OIG Annual Plan for the EPA and CSB - FY 2020

March 6, 2020. The Annual Plan identifies mandated and discretionary assignment topics continuing from FY 2019, as well as mandated and discretionary assignments scheduled to start during FY 2020.

Report: EPA Needs to Improve Its Risk Management and Incident Response Information Security Functions

Report #20-P-0120, March 24, 2020. Further implementation of risk management activities and incident response tools are needed to combat cybersecurity threats intended to steal and destroy confidential and sensitive information.

Report: EPA Did Not Accurately Report Under the Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act and Needs to Improve Timeliness of Expired Grant Closeouts

Report #20-P-0126, March 31, 2020. As of September 2019, the EPA had $8.3 million in undisbursed balances for grant awards that expired one year or more prior. These funds could have been used to achieve EPA environmental goals.

Report: Management Alert - Prompt Action Needed to Inform Residents Living Near Ethylene Oxide-Emitting Facilities About Health Concerns and Actions to Address Those Concerns

Report #20-N-0128, March 31, 2020. The EPA needs to inform residents who live near facilities with significant ethylene oxide emissions about their elevated estimated cancer risks so they can manage their health risks.

Report: EPA's Compliance Monitoring Activities, Enforcement Actions, and Enforcement Results Generally Declined from Fiscal Years 2006 Through 2018

Report #20-P-0131, March 31, 2020. This report focuses on national trends in the EPA's enforcement efforts, including inspections, enforcement actions, and enforcement results.

Report: EPA May Have Overpaid for Its $13 Million Time and Attendance System by Not Following Information Technology Investment Requirements

Report #20-P-0134, April 13, 2020. By not performing cost and alternative analyses, the EPA missed the opportunity to save taxpayer funds.

Report: Fiscal Years 2018 and 2017 Financial Statements for the Pesticide Registration Fund

Report #20-F-0135, April 14, 2020. We rendered an unmodified opinion on the EPA's FY 2018 PRIA Fund financial statements and a qualified opinion on the FY 2017 PRIA Fund financial statements.

Report: EPA's Processing Times for New Source Air Permits in Indian Country Have Improved, but Many Still Exceed Regulatory Time Frames

Report #20-P-0146, April 22, 2020. Delays in processing tribal-NSR permits could impact construction projects and increase the risk that existing facilities awaiting a permit could be emitting more pollution.

Report: EPA Complied with Improper Payments Legislation, but Internal Controls Need Substantial Improvement to Ensure More Accurate Reporting

Report #20-P-0167, May 13, 2020. Improvement to processes for preventing and detecting improper payments will result in better use of funds for environmental and supporting programs.

Report: EPA Toxic Substances Control Act Consent Orders Need Better Coordination

Report #20-E-0177, May 28, 2020. Regions need to be aware of the TSCA Section 5(e) Consent Orders in their region, and the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance should approve, in advance, the terms and conditions of each consent order

Report: Fiscal Years 2018 and 2017 Financial Statements for the Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund

Report #20-F-0184, June 1, 2020. We rendered an unmodified opinion on the EPA’s FY 2018 FIFRA Fund financial statements and a qualified opinion on the EPA’s FY 2017 FIFRA Fund financial statements.

Section 20: Radionuclides

There is no HRS score pathway for radionuclides, but there are special considerations that come into play within each of the four pathways when radioactive substances are present.

Report: EPA’s Initial Implementation of CARES Act Section 3610

Report #20-N-0202, June 29, 2020. The OAS created and provided detailed guidance to EPA contracting personnel and contractors related to reimbursements under Section 3610 of the CARES Act.

Report: EPA's Fiscal Years 2018 and 2017 Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund Financial Statements

Report #20-F-0244, August 10, 2020. We found the fund's financial statements to be fairly presented and free of material misstatement.

Report: EPA Needs to Strengthen Controls Over Required Documentation and Tracking of Intergovernmental Personnel Act Assignments

Report #20-P-0245, August 10, 2020. The Agency lacks controls to verify that documents are submitted and maintained as required, as well as a reliable system to track employees on IPA assignment.

Report: Fiscal Years 2019 and 2018 Financial Statements for the Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund

Report #20-F-0308, September 8, 2020. Federal law requires agency heads to establish and maintain a records program that includes safeguards against the removal or loss of agency records.

Revised Interpretation of the Clean Water Act Tribal Provision

Information related to Revised Interpretation of the Clean Water Act Tribal Provision