Current Environmental Economic Topics

Economic analysis plays a central role in informing EPA decision-making. The Agency’s work in this area covers a wide range of topics, focusing on evaluating the economic costs, benefits and impacts of proposed environmental regulations and policies on the national economy.

Learn more about economic analysis and research in the following topic areas:

• Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program — Community Edition (BenMAP-CE)
  BenMAP-CE is an open-source computer program that calculates the number and economic value of air pollution-related deaths and illnesses.

• Regulation Development for Drinking Water Contaminants — Economic Analysis and Statutory Requirements
  EPA conducts economic analysis when developing standards for drinking water contaminants. Cost-benefit analysis is an important source of information to evaluate the impacts of alternative policy choices.

• Economic and Waste Management Trend for Manufacturing in the 2017 TRI National Analysis
  The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis summarizes trends in releases, waste management practices, and pollution prevention activities for listed chemicals, including economic and waste management trends.

• Economics of Green Infrastructure (under construction)
  EPA researches the economics of green infrastructure strategies to identify the costs of implementation and ways to make the practices economically and legally viable.

• Technology Transfer Network — Economics & Cost Analysis Support
  EPA develops tools and guidance to support cost, benefit, and economic impact analyses of air quality regulations and policies. 

• Economic Incentives
  EPA uses incentives to control pollution and improve environmental and health protection.