Green Remediation Focus

Policies and Strategies

Green remediation strategies are derived from U.S. statutory and regulatory frameworks for contaminated site cleanup. The strategies also involve concepts of federal statues, executive orders, and associated guidance or rules that specifically address reductions in energy and water consumption, increased use of renewable energy, avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions, and conservation of other natural resources.

EPA Executive Orders & Guidance

Executive Order 14072: Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Communities, and Local Economies
This April 22, 2022, E.O. sets forth federal policy to deploy climate-smart forestry and other nature-based solutions to improve resilience of lands, waters, wildlife and communities in the face of disturbances and stress arising from climate impacts. The solutions include actions that protect coasts and critical marine ecosystems, reduce flooding, moderate extreme heat, replenish groundwater sources, capture and store carbon dioxide, and conserve biodiversity. Cleanup at Port Hadlock's Site 10 North End Landfill illustrates how such solutions can be planned and implemented at Superfund sites in coastal settings.

Executive Order 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability
This December 8, 2021, E.O. sets forth federal policy to lead by example in order to achieve a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050.

Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
This January 27, 2021, E.O. sets forth policy and initiatives to advance our transition to clean energy and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Use of greener cleanup strategies in the U.S. EPA's Superfund and other site cleanup programs helps meet the policy goals by integrating renewable energy, deploying clean fuel and emission technologies, protecting water, sequestering carbon, conserving land, protecting critical ecosystems and biodiversity, and using nature-based solutions.

• Principles for Greener Cleanups
• Superfund Green Remediation
• EPA guidance on greener cleanup activities under CERCLA (14pp, 2.64MB)
• EPA regional policies
• State resources
• ASTM Standard Guide for Greener Cleanups

Federal Executive Orders, Presidential Memoranda, Federal Laws & Guidance

America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. Public Law 115-27058. October 23, 2018.

Council on Environmental Quality Memorandum: Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Federal Decision Making. November 15, 2021.

Energy Policy Act of 2005. Public Law 109-58. August 8, 2005.

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Public Law 110-140. December 19, 2007.

• EISA Federal Facility Management and Benchmarking Reporting Requirements. U.S. DOE Federal Energy Management Program.
• Technical Guidance on Implementing the Stormwater Runoff Requirements for Federal Projects. U.S. EPA.

Executive Order 13624: Accelerating Investment in Industrial Energy Efficiency. August 30, 2012.

Executive Order 13990: Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. January 20, 2021.

Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. January 27, 2021.

Executive Order 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability. December 8, 2021.

Executive Order 14072: Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Communities, and Local Economies. April 22, 2022.

Presidential Memorandum: Climate Change and National Security. September 21, 2016. Reinstated January 27, 2021.

Related Federal Plans & Guides

Guidelines for Making Environmentally-Sound Decisions in the Superfund Remedial Process. U.S. EPA/Region 5 Waste Management Division. May 1993.

Guidelines for Water Reuse. U.S. EPA Office of Water/Office of Wastewater Management and Office of Research and Development/National Risk Management Research Laboratory and U.S. Agency for International Development. EPA/600/R-12/618. September 2012.

Integrating Water and Waste Programs to Restore Watersheds: A Guide for Federal and State Project Managers. U.S. EPA/Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. EPA 540K07001. August 2007.

Managing Your Environmental Responsibilities: A Planning Guide for Construction and Development (MYER Guide). U.S. EPA/Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. EPA 305-B-04-003. April 2005.

Strategically Sustainable. General Services Administration.

The President's Climate Action Plan . Executive Office of the President. June 2013.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FY 2018-2024 Strategic Plan. February 12, 2018.

Water Reuse Action Plan. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.