News Release: EPA Office of Inspector General Issues Report on Open and Unresolved Recommendations

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General today issued its annual Compendium of Open and Unresolved Recommendations. This report identifies 90 recommendations that remained open or unresolved as of May 31, 2024, and if implemented, could result in cost savings of $74.5 million.

Among these, 79 remain open pending agency completion of corrective actions and 11 are unresolved, waiting for OIG and Agency agreement on corrective actions. Seventeen of these recommendations are considered most critical to the agency’s mission; three high-priority recommendations are unresolved.

The EPA is tasked with timely implementation of agreed-upon corrective actions, yet the Compendium lists 53 aging recommendations that have not been addressed after three years. Implementation of OIG recommendations would strengthen the EPA’s internal controls, enhance safeguards against wrongdoing, and significantly benefit human health and the environment. Timely action would help protect government assets and taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse.

“Our recommendations, when implemented, can significantly enhance the EPA’s efficiency and effectiveness in fulfilling its mission,” said Inspector General Sean W. O’Donnell. “It is imperative for the Agency to prioritize these recommendations and ensure timely remediation.”