Two Years of Delivering Real Results to Real People

January 24, 2023

It’s hard to believe we’ve wrapped another year of the Biden-Harris Administration. When President Biden took office two years ago, he set the bar high and outlined an ambitious agenda to tackle the climate crisis and advance environmental justice.

EPA plays a key role in delivering on the President’s priorities—and thanks to the dedication and commitment of our small, yet mighty team, we are delivering real results to real people.

In just two years, EPA has moved faster than ever before to shape a healthier and brighter future for generations to come.

Two Years of Tackling the Climate Crisis

President Biden has made it clear that America is back as the global leader on climate change, and we are moving aggressively to combat the climate crisis.

This past year, EPA took bold action to reduce pollution and protect people’s health by strengthening our proposed standards to cut methane and other harmful pollution from oil and natural gas operations.

We also finalized the strongest-ever national clean air standards to cut dangerous pollution from heavy-duty trucks, beginning with model year 2027. This is the first comprehensive national nitrogen oxide standard for heavy-duty trucks and engines in more than twenty years. 

Both these actions are historic and transformative for the lives of people across this country.

Two Years of Advancing Environmental Justice

Since my earliest days on the job, I committed to embedding environmental justice into EPA's DNA. For decades, too many communities—particularly low-income communities and communities of color—have suffered unjustly from pollution and the worsening impacts of climate change.

This past year, I continued my Journey to Justice tour and traveled to Puerto Rico and West Virginia to engage with communities that have been overburdened by pollution for decades.

In Puerto Rico, I met with families who live dangerously close to a coal-fired power plant and live in constant worry about the pollution in the air they breathe and water they drink.

 And back in November, I visited McDowell County—a rural community in the heart of Appalachia—to meet with community members who struggle with access to reliable drinking water and rely on their own innovation to tackle these water infrastructure challenges.  

Journey to Justice is about listening to those who are most impacted by the work we do, as we work together to craft strong, lasting, and community-based solutions.

We are committed to working for these communities for the long haul. And that’s why, back in September, we established EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. The new national office is charged with advancing environmental justice and civil rights, ensuring they remain front and center of our mission for decades to come.

Two Years of Rebuilding Stronger Than Ever

Over the last two years we’ve had plenty of reasons to celebrate. November marked one year since the passage of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. From replacing lead pipes to investing in electric yellow school buses, we have made incredible progress with this law for communities across the country.

Both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act are game-changing for EPA and life-changing for so many Americans.

Back in August, I had the honor of joining President Biden as he signed the (equally exciting and important!) Inflation Reduction Act into law. The scale and scope of this law—in terms of its ability to confront the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and save families money—is extraordinary.

Our efforts to advance environmental justice, tackle the climate crisis, and protect public health have never been more urgent. This work wouldn’t be possible without the outstanding staff at EPA, whose tireless dedication and passion for our mission help deliver a brighter and healthier future for all.  

We’re moving faster than ever before and we're not stopping now. Let’s go!

About the Author

Michael Regan
EPA Administrator
Office of the Administrator

Michael S. Regan was sworn in as the 16th Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency on March 11, 2021, becoming the first Black man and second person of color to lead the U.S. EPA.

Prior to his nomination as EPA Administrator, Michael Regan served as the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) where he spearheaded the development and implementation of North Carolina's seminal plan to address climate change and transition the state to a clean energy economy.

Previously, Administrator Regan served as Associate Vice President of U.S. Climate and Energy, and as Southeast Regional Director of the Environmental Defense Fund. He began his career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, eventually becoming a national program manager responsible for designing strategic solutions with industry and corporate stakeholders to reduce air pollution, improve energy efficiency and address climate change.

Throughout his career, he has been guided by a belief in forming consensus, fostering an open dialogue rooted in respect for science and the law, and an understanding that environmental protection and economic prosperity go hand in hand.

A native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, Administrator Regan is a graduate of the North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University – making him the first EPA Administrator to have graduated from a Historically Black College and University. He earned a master's degree in Public Administration from The George Washington University. He and his wife Melvina are proud parents to their son, Matthew.