- EPA Released Interim Framework for Advancing Consideration of Cumulative Impacts
In Nov. 2024, EPA released a draft of the Interim Framework for Advancing Consideration of Cumulative Impacts. The guidance set out the principles for EPA to consider cumulative impacts in EPA decisions, and includes examples of EPA actions that have engaged the principles set out in the framework. Read the Interim Framework for Advancing Consideration of Cumulative Impacts.
Comments on the Interim Framework were due by Feb. 19, 2025. Review the agency docket and comments already submitted at Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2024-0360 on www.regulations.gov.
- National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Released Recommendations on Reducing Cumulative Impacts
In Oct. 2024, NEJAC published a lettter to EPA Adminstrator Regan recommending EPA use cumulative impact assessments, improve ORD’s definition of cumulative impacts, and work to expand cumulative impacts programs. On March 1, 2025, EPA terminated NEJAC.
- EPA Issued Draft Cumulative Risk Assessment (CRA) Guidelines
In June 2023, EPA released the draft Cumulative Risk Assessment (CRA) Guidelines for public comment. Cumulative risk assessments calculate combined health risks from multiple stressors, while cumulative impact analyses examine how these risks are distributed across an individual’s life, different populations, places, and time periods. Public comments were due on Aug. 15, 2023 and can be viewed online at regulations.gov (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2013-0292). EPA finalized the guidelines in Jan. 15, 2025.
- EPA’s Office of General Counsel Issued Guidance on Legal Authority to Address Cumulative Impacts
In Jan. 2023, EPA’s Office of General Counsel issued updated guidance: “EPA Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice: Cumulative Impacts Addendum.” It analyzes EPA’s legal authority to “identify and address cumulative impacts from pollution and non-pollution sources” in the agency’s rulemaking, permitting, and grantmaking activities. The guidance was designed to help EPA decision-makers and partners address the cumulative impacts of pollutants on overburdened communities, as allowed under federal law. The guidance was an addendum to EPA’s report on Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice.
- EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) Published Analysis of Research into Cumulative Impacts
President Biden signed Executive Orders 13985 and 14008 to “advance equity and racial justice” and “tackl[e] the climate crisis at home and abroad.” As part of EPA’s work to implement these order, ORD set out to “strengthen the scientific foundation for assessing cumulative impacts.”- In Jan. 2022, ORD published a report on recommendations for ORD research into cumulative impacts. EPA, then sought input from the Science Advisory Board (SAB) consultation on its draft recommendation – specifically on how cumulative impact assessments might inform EPA’s decision making and possible future research on cumulative impact assessments.
- In April 2022, the Board provided a report, Consultation on Cumulative Impact Assessments. The SAB recognized that communities are often exposed to multiple chemical and non-chemical stressors and individual stressors often fail to fully capture the total environmental burden for populations.
- In Sept. 2022, EPA released the final report on Cumulative Impacts Research Recommendations for EPA’s Office of Research and Development.
- EPA contracted with National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to publish the State of the Science and the Future of Cumulative Impact Assessment
EPA requested the NAS develop a report “on how EPA might further develop the scientific foundation underlying the practice of cumulative impact assessment.” On Nov. 14, 2025, EPA directed NAS to terminate its work on the project, so the prepublication version is the final version.