On Oct. 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its draft strategic plan (plan) for fiscal years 2022-2026. The plan sets forth the EPA’s priorities for protecting human health and the environment through various principles, goals and strategies. Public comment on the plan may be submitted to the EPA on or before Nov. 12.

The plan in part incorporates goals that have long been agency priorities. For example, ensuring clean and healthy air, clean and safe water, and chemical safety are core EPA functions routinely included in any EPA planning list. Likewise, the goal of enforcing environmental laws and ensuring compliance is a standard agency goal, albeit enforced with differing levels of commitment depending on the approach of the administration in office. And every administration has pursued some high-profile enforcement targets to demonstrate its law enforcement bona fides.