Special EPA Highlights: EPA's Plans & Priorities for 2015

Message from EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy Acting on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality Protecting Water Quality and Developing Water Infrastructure Making a Visible Difference in Communities Importance of Enforcement and Compliance Advances in Chemical Safety The Role of Science at EPA Message from EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy

Public health is critical to a strong economy. Since EPA's founding, the agency has cut air pollution by 70%, cleaned up waterways, and redeveloped Brownfields sites; meanwhile the economy has tripled. Administrator McCarthy created a video for EPA staff where she walks through the agency's plans and priorities for 2015. We wanted to give you a special look, too. See below for shorter clips on the topics she covers and watch the full video here. http://youtu.be/ph5frEX6mPs Acting on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality Climate change is one of the most significant public health and economic challenges of our time. In 2015, EPA will finalize the Clean Power Plan, which will help cut carbon pollution from the power sector by 30 percent. Watch Administrator McCarthy talk about EPA's plans to tackle climate change in 2015 here. http://youtu.be/iKR8sXkGI4c Protecting Water Quality and Developing Water Infrastructure Clean water is a health priority and an economic necessity. In 2015, EPA will finalize its Clean Water Rule, reducing confusion about Clean Water Act protections. The agency is also launching the Water Infrastructure Finance Center to help communities obtain funding for water infrastructure projects. Watch a video on the agency's work to protect clean water here. http://youtu.be/DAvM1QwL6eM Making a Visible Difference in Communities EPA works hand-in-hand with other federal agencies, states, tribes and local communities to improve the health of American families and protect the environment of communities across the nation. Watch Administrator McCarthy talk about the agency's work in environmental justice and tribal communities and plans for continuing that work in 2015 here. http://youtu.be/JSkl-n-hddw Importance of Enforcement and Compliance Enforcement is a critical component of the work at EPA; not only does it ensure that polluters pay, but it ensures that there is a level playing field for businesses. Watch a video on the importance of continuing to implement and enforce environmental laws in 2015 to protect public health and the environmenthere. http://youtu.be/4nno1vtwgsg Advances in Chemical Safety In 2015, EPA will advance chemical safety through risk assessments and farm worker protections. Additionally, EPA will launch the new "Safer Choice" logo to make it easier for consumers to make safer choices for their families when selecting cleaning products at the store. Watch a video about how the agency is working to ensure that chemicals are saferhere. http://youtu.be/EFoNU0IS39I The Role of Science at EPA Science is at the heart of what EPA does everyday. In 2015, EPA scientists will continue to develop cutting edge methods to decrease pollution and better protect public health and the environment. Watch Administrator McCarthy describe the "north star" of the agency's work here. http://youtu.be/13CgM7d5qVM