Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching the EPA Permitting Authority Map. The interactive map—accessible via EPA’s website—identifies which regulatory agencies have the authority to issue permits covering all of EPA’s permitting programs and environmental statutes. The development of the map is an integral resource in advancing Pillar 3 of Administrator Lee Zeldin’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative: Permitting Reform, Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership.
“Too often, uncertain permitting processes stand in the way of innovation, efficiency, economic opportunity, and prosperity. Thanks to the Trump EPA, anyone can now select a location and see exactly which permitting authority is responsible for issuing environmental permits with the click of a button,” said EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi. “This new innovative map provides state and local leaders, Tribes, entrepreneurs, and the public the information they need in one place on the regulatory authorities of permits throughout EPA’s permitting programs.”
The EPA Permitting Authority Map supports federal agencies, states, territories, Tribal nations, local agencies/governments, and the general public with:
- The ability to make a quick determination whether the permitting authority is with EPA or if there has been an approved delegation, primacy, or authorization given to a state, territory, Tribal nation, or local agency.
- The use of a Geo Platform based web map, which provides maximum flexibility for site visualization and project planning ability.
Although EPA directly issues some permits, many jurisdictions—such as states, territories, Tribal nations, and local agencies—are often approved to directly implement federal environmental permit programs on EPA’s behalf (entirely or in part), with the agency retaining federal oversight and/or enforcement authority when necessary.
Background
On April 15, 2025, President Trump signed the Presidential Memorandum, Updating Permitting Technology for the 21st Century, to enhance transparency, reduce fragmented data management, and update technology in the federal environmental review and permitting process. EPA is making strides to make permitting faster, cheaper, and easier – and is working closely with states and localities to help them build and improve their communities. The EPA Permitting Authority Map supports these goals by providing transparency and efficiency in identifying the regulatory authorities for EPA Permit Programs.
EPA also released new informational tools and resources to help community members, local officials, data center developers, and other interested parties assess the viability of Brownfield and Superfund sites as possible locations for industrial reuse. EPA’s Redevelopment Mapper for Superfund and Brownfield Sites can help screen for suitable site characteristics on a Brownfield or Superfund site. The Mapper provides site locations and options for adding data layers that highlight site features and surroundings.
