EPA Administrator Michael Regan's 2023 Happy Earth Day Message to EPA Employees
The message below was emailed to EPA employees, April 21, 2023:
Dear Colleagues,
On April 22, 1970, millions of Americans, from all walks of life, took to the streets to demand that leaders and everyday people act promptly to protect our planet.
That spring day, more than 50 years ago, sparked a global movement and inspired the creation of our beloved Environmental Protection Agency — the first and only federal agency specifically responsible for protecting public health and the environment.
We’ve come a long way in the decades since, from improving our national air quality, to fighting tirelessly to preserve and protect our Nation’s vital water resources. And through the years, EPA has remained steadfast in our commitment to building a cleaner and healthier future for all.
Tomorrow, folks across the globe will join in celebration of Earth Day and together we stand united in our fight to protect our planet. Persistent and worsening challenges like climate change and environmental injustice have made it clear that protecting our planet and safeguarding our future has never been more urgent.
Climate change is upending lives across our country — from catastrophic storms to destructive wildfires — at EPA, we understand the urgency of the moment, and we’re in the driver’s seat for implementing the most ambitious climate agenda in our Nation’s history.
Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act provide us with a once-in a-generation opportunity to address many of these concerns further and faster than ever before.
I’m grateful to the EPA staff who are making history implementing President Biden’s ambitious climate goals. We have certainly been hard at work.
- Recently, EPA finalized a plan to cut smog pollution from power plants and industrial facilities, which will improve air quality and create healthier communities across the country.
- Just last week, EPA issued the most ambitious federal greenhouse gas emissions standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles in U.S history. The proposal will cut 10 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions – which is more than double the total amount of emissions from the U.S. in 2022.
- Through the Clean School Bus Program, EPA has awarded 2,400 clean school buses to school districts in every corner of the country — not only are we protecting children’s health, but we’re accelerating our transition to a zero-emission transportation future.
While this is only a fraction of the work that’s happening at our agency, we are cleaning our air and water, protecting public health, restoring our credibility as a global climate leader, and building a future where all people — regardless of the color of their skin, the money in their pocket, or the community they live in — will have equal protections from environmental harm.
Like we always say at EPA — every day is Earth Day! Let’s keep fighting for people and the planet. Let’s continue to push progress forward. And let’s secure a safer and healthier future for generations to come.
Happy Earth Day, everyone!
Michael S. Regan
Administrator