EPA selects National Enforcement Initiatives (NEIs) every three years to focus resources on national environmental problems where there is significant non-compliance with laws, and where federal enforcement efforts can make a difference.

National Enforcement Initiatives are in addition to EPA’s core enforcement work, including protecting safe drinking water, reducing air pollution, and protecting safe and healthy land.

The initiatives are chosen with input from the public and from stakeholders across EPA’s state, local and tribal agency partners.

Starting October 1, 2016 and continuing for three fiscal years, EPA will retain four of its current National Enforcement Initiatives, add two new initiatives, and expand one to include a new area of focus.

Air

• Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest Sources
• Cutting Hazardous Air Pollutants (Expanded initiative for FY17-19)

Energy Extraction

• Ensuring Energy Extraction Activities Comply with Environmental Laws

Hazardous Chemicals

• Reducing Pollution from Mineral Processing Operations (Returning to base program level in FY17)
• Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities 
  (New initiative for FY17-19)

Water

• Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated Stormwater Out of Our Nation’s Waters 
• Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating Surface and Ground Water

• Keeping Industrial Pollutants Out of the Nation’s Waters (New initiative for FY17-19)