Evaluating Research Efficiency in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Evaluating Research Efficiency in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309116848
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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Book Description
A new book from the National Research Council recommends changes in how the federal government evaluates the efficiency of research at EPA and other agencies. Assessing efficiency should be considered only one part of gauging a program's quality, relevance, and effectiveness. The efficiency of research processes and that of investments should be evaluated using different approaches. Investment efficiency should examine whether an agency's R&D portfolio, including the budget, is relevant, of high quality, matches the agency's strategic plan. These evaluations require panels of experts. In contrast, process efficiency should focus on "inputs" (the people, funds, and facilities dedicated to research) and "outputs" (the services, grants, publications, monitoring, and new techniques produced by research), as well as their timelines and should be evaluated using quantitative measures. The committee recommends that the efficiency of EPA's research programs be evaluated according to the same standards used at other agencies. To ensure this, OMB should train and oversee its budget examiners so that the PART questionnaire is implemented consistently and equitably across agencies.

Evaluating Research Efficiency in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Evaluating Research Efficiency in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309116848
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 152

Get Book Here

Book Description
A new book from the National Research Council recommends changes in how the federal government evaluates the efficiency of research at EPA and other agencies. Assessing efficiency should be considered only one part of gauging a program's quality, relevance, and effectiveness. The efficiency of research processes and that of investments should be evaluated using different approaches. Investment efficiency should examine whether an agency's R&D portfolio, including the budget, is relevant, of high quality, matches the agency's strategic plan. These evaluations require panels of experts. In contrast, process efficiency should focus on "inputs" (the people, funds, and facilities dedicated to research) and "outputs" (the services, grants, publications, monitoring, and new techniques produced by research), as well as their timelines and should be evaluated using quantitative measures. The committee recommends that the efficiency of EPA's research programs be evaluated according to the same standards used at other agencies. To ensure this, OMB should train and oversee its budget examiners so that the PART questionnaire is implemented consistently and equitably across agencies.

Briefing Book

Briefing Book PDF Author: United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Research and Development
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Environmental laboratories
Languages : en
Pages : 363

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Book Description


Sustainability and the U.S. EPA

Sustainability and the U.S. EPA PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309212553
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Book Description
Sustainability is based on a simple and long-recognized factual premise: Everything that humans require for their survival and well-being depends, directly or indirectly, on the natural environment. The environment provides the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Recognizing the importance of sustainability to its work, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working to create programs and applications in a variety of areas to better incorporate sustainability into decision-making at the agency. To further strengthen the scientific basis for sustainability as it applies to human health and environmental protection, the EPA asked the National Research Council (NRC) to provide a framework for incorporating sustainability into the EPA's principles and decision-making. This framework, Sustainability and the U.S. EPA, provides recommendations for a sustainability approach that both incorporates and goes beyond an approach based on assessing and managing the risks posed by pollutants that has largely shaped environmental policy since the 1980s. Although risk-based methods have led to many successes and remain important tools, the report concludes that they are not adequate to address many of the complex problems that put current and future generations at risk, such as depletion of natural resources, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. Moreover, sophisticated tools are increasingly available to address cross-cutting, complex, and challenging issues that go beyond risk management. The report recommends that EPA formally adopt as its sustainability paradigm the widely used "three pillars" approach, which means considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts of an action or decision. Health should be expressly included in the "social" pillar. EPA should also articulate its vision for sustainability and develop a set of sustainability principles that would underlie all agency policies and programs.

Office of Research and Development strategic plan

Office of Research and Development strategic plan PDF Author: United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Research and Development
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 142890106X
Category : Strategic planning
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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Book Description


Rethinking the Components, Coordination, and Management of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Laboratories

Rethinking the Components, Coordination, and Management of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Laboratories PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030931240X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 247

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Book Description
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) applies scientific results that have been provided by various parts of its own organization and by external organizations. The agency requires substantial high-quality inhouse scientific expertise and laboratory capabilities so that it can answer questions related to regulation, enforcement, and environmental effects of specific chemicals, activities, and processes. It is also usually faced with situations in which research or analytic work is time-critical, so it maintains dedicated laboratory staff and facilities that can respond quickly to such needs. In recent years, EPA has made several changes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its laboratories, such as the designation of national program directors to align the work of research laboratories with the needs of the agency's regulatory program offices. The agency is currently undertaking an integrated evaluation of it laboratories to enhance the management effectiveness and efficiency of its laboratory enterprise and to enhance its capabilities for research and other laboratory-based scientific and technical activities. The results of EPA's evaluation are expected to include options for colocation and consolidation of laboratory facilities. Rethinking the Components, Coordination, and Management of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Laboratories assesses EPA's highest-priority needs for mission-relevant laboratory science and technical support, develops principles for the efficient and effective management of EPA's laboratory enterprise to meet the agency's mission needs and strategic goals, and develops guidance for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness now and during the next 10 years. EPA's laboratories play a vital role in the agency's work. The findings and recommendations of this report will help EPA to develop an implementation plan for the laboratory enterprise.

Proposed Legislation to Reauthorize the Environmental Protection Agency's Research, Development, and Demonstration Programs

Proposed Legislation to Reauthorize the Environmental Protection Agency's Research, Development, and Demonstration Programs PDF Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Environment and Public Works. Subcommittee on Toxic Substances, Environmental Oversight, Research and Development
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 122

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Environmental Research Outlook

Environmental Research Outlook PDF Author: United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Research and Development
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Environmental protection
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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Book Description


United States

United States PDF Author: the] United States
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 242

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EPA Research Program Guide

EPA Research Program Guide PDF Author: United States. Environmental Protection Agency
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Environmental policy
Languages : en
Pages : 140

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Program Guide - Office of Research and Development

Program Guide - Office of Research and Development PDF Author: United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Research and Development
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Environmental protection
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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Book Description