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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), established on December 2, 1970, is the country’s overseer of environmental laws. The Agency began with a focus on conservation and ecology, moving toward today’s emphasis on preventing pollution, enforcement activities, and environmental justice.
Scope
Before 1970, there were no overarching laws to protect the air, water, land, or communities from industrial pollution. The first Earth Day, a grass roots effort to bring attention to needed pollution controls, took place on April 22, 1970. Americans demanded cleaner water, air, and land; in response EPA was assigned the job of repairing environmental damage and establishing guidelines to prevent further pollution.
Today, few federal agencies are as polarizing as the EPA. Agency actions can have far-reaching effects on the economy, foreign-policy, state government policies, and business growth and development. While many believe that being pro-environment or pro-industry are mutually exclusive, it is possible to meet environmental obligations and maintain a successful business. In fact, focusing on environmental impacts can often have a positive effect on a company’s bottom line. For instance, developing and maintaining an environmental management system (EMS) can help a business approach risks in a systematic way and help identify opportunities to create safer, healthier workplaces, as well as ways to become more efficient and remain in compliance with environmental laws. In addition, many businesses find their customers want them to be aware of their environmental impact. A good environmental program can reduce insurance premiums, create customer goodwill, and save money.
Regulatory citations
- Title 40 — Protection of Environment
Key definitions
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The U.S. federal agency in charge of overseeing clean air, water, waste, and chemicals.
Summary of requirements
- EPA is accountable to the President, Congress, and the American people for its budget and its performance. As such, the Agency manages its planning, budget, and performance results in a continuous cycle. EPA lays out multi-year strategic plans and sets goals for pollution controls and enforcement. Accomplishments are judged by how well the Agency met the goals for the previous year.
- Part of EPA’s purpose is to enforce environmental regulations. The Agency certainly hasn’t been hesitant to use criminal and civil remedies to go after polluters. The Agency says, “Enforcement deters those who might otherwise profit from violating the law, and levels the playing field with environmentally compliant companies.”
- EPA reviews and comments on all Environmental Impact Statements.