All News Releases By Date

EPA to Review Laboratories

Release Date: 03/15/2007
Contact Information: Jessica Emond (202) 564-4355 / [email protected]; Enesta Jones, (202) 564-4355 / [email protected]

(Washington, D.C. - March 15, 2007) EPA is organizing a review of its laboratory capabilities and operations, the agency said today. The goal of this review is to continue meeting the needs of emerging research areas and support EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment.

"By developing viable options to strengthen EPA's laboratory capabilities, we are ensuring our world-class scientists and staff continue producing world-class results," said George Gray, assistant administrator for the Office of Research and Development.

The review will include both long-term and near-term objectives. In the near-term, the effort will focus on identifying efficient and effective opportunities at individual labs. For example, our labs in Edison, N.J., and Fort Meade, Md., have significantly reduced energy consumption and this review will look at whether similar savings can be achieved elsewhere.

Over the long-term, the agency plans to engage outside experts who will assess and evaluate EPA's laboratory network needs over the next 10 years, as well as characterize the ability of the existing network to meet those needs. The agency anticipates conclusions and recommendations will be sent to the EPA administrator in the summer 2007.