National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses its enforcement and compliance assurance resources on the most serious environmental violations, including by developing and implementing national program priorities called National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives (NECIs). The NECIs are in addition to EPA’s core enforcement work that secures clean air, land, and water for all Americans.
Fiscal Year 2024-2027 NECIs
In August 2023, EPA selected six priority areas for the fiscal years (FY) 2024–2027 NECIs. On March 12, 2025, the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance issued the Implementing National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives Consistently with Executive Orders and Agency Priorities (pdf) memorandum to provide guidance on implementing the FY 2024–2027 NECIs consistently with the President’s Executive Orders and Administrator Zeldin’s “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative.
Each of these NECIs addresses an environmental and public health challenge that requires additional resources and a concerted national effort. Taken together, these initiatives comprehensively address significant environmental problems across the United States, ensuring all Americans have access to clean air, land, and water.
In accordance with the March 12, 2025 memo, the six FY 2024–2027 NECIs are:
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Multi-Media Border Security
Seeks to stop the import of hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs, toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials, including illegal foreign pesticides into the United States.
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Increasing Compliance with Drinking Water Standards
Seeks to improve community water systems’ compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act to secure clean and safe drinking water for all Americans.
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Chemical Accident Risk Reduction
Seeks to decrease the likelihood of chemical accidents at facilities handling extremely hazardous substances.
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Creating Cleaner Air for Communities
Seeks to ensure cleaner air for communities across the country by focusing on areas that face the highest levels of hazardous air pollutants.
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Addressing Exposure to PFAS
Seeks to identify, investigate, and address PFAS contamination from major manufacturers and other industrial parties who significantly contributed to the release of contamination into the environment.
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Protecting Communities from Coal Ash Contamination
Seeks to prioritize imminent threats and identify and meaningfully reduce significant risks to water resources from coal ash disposal.