United States Environmental Protection Agency

Description

The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for environmental protection.

It was proposed in July 1970 and began operating in December 1970, bringing together pollution control programmes that had previously sat in several different federal departments. It is led by an administrator appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, and its headquarters are in Washington, D.C. It also has regional offices covering the country and a network of laboratories.

The agency conducts environmental assessment, research and education, and sets and enforces national standards under United States environmental laws. It works in consultation with state, tribal and local governments, and can use fines, sanctions and other enforcement measures. It also delegates some permitting, monitoring and enforcement work to states and federally recognised tribes.

Beyond regulation, EPA runs voluntary programmes with industry and government at every level to prevent pollution and encourage energy conservation. Its staff include engineers, scientists and environmental protection specialists, alongside legal, public affairs, financial and information technology employees.