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With climate change, habitat destruction, and other environmental challenges threatening the world, the United States Environmental Protection Agency is critical in ensuring the safety and well-being of current and future generations.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency is a federal agency responsible for safeguarding environments and protecting public health. As an essential regulatory body, the US EPA has the authority to set and enforce environmental regulations protecting the air, water and land from pollution.
But, precisely, what is the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and what role does it play in environmental protection? This article explores answers to these questions and scrutinises the EPA’s history, functions, and responsibilities.
We also examine how the agency has protected the environment through air, water, and land pollution control programmes.
Then we look closely at some of the controversies and criticisms levelled at the EPA and consider how the agency can more effectively fulfil its mandate.
What is the Role of the US EPA?
On the back of Rachel Carson’s seminal book, Silent Spring, public pressure mounted in the late 1960s and early 1970s for increased environmental protection. In a 1970 memo to Richard Nixon, the President’s Advisory Council laid out the need for a consolidated national agency focusing solely on environmental issues. They wrote:
“The environment, despite its infinite complexity, must be perceived as a unified, interrelated system. Present assignments of departmental responsibilities do not reflect this primary characteristic.”
The US government was fractured and disconnected, with each agency responsible for a tiny piece of the environmental puzzle. The Advisory Council proposed that all departments and agencies dealing with environment-related issues be consolidated into one agency – the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
In December 1970, Richard Nixon signed an executive order to establish the EPA.
Main Functions
The US EPA was created to consolidate and coordinate federal environmental activities. Its purpose is to protect human health and the environment, and has five main functions.
Regulations
The EPA sets and enforces regulations that protect the environment. These include:
- air quality standards,
- water quality standards, and
- hazardous waste management regulations.
Grants
The agency funds:
- states,
- universities, and
- other organisations for environmental protection projects.
More than $4 billion is handed out annually for:
- research,
- pollution control,
- technology development, and
- community action projects.
In 2022, more than $53 million was given to programmes that monitor air quality near chemical plants, refineries, and other industrial sites.
Research
The US EPA conducts and funds research projects focusing on environmental protection. It studies the effects of climate change and new ways to clean up hazardous waste. This helps inform regulations and policies that safeguard human health and the environment.
It also provides a career path for scientists and engineers interested in environmental protection.
Partnerships
No matter how much funding the EPA receives, it can’t do everything. That’s why the agency works with state and local governments, non-profit organisations and other stakeholders to protect environments.
Education
More important than any specific study or regulation is the need to educate people about environmental protection. The EPA provides resources and educational materials on topics such as:
- recycling,
- water conservation, and
- indoor air pollution.
Free lesson plans for teachers, online quizzes for students, and other interactive materials help spread awareness about protecting the environment. The agency will even send a representative to any school in the USA to talk directly to students about environmental protection.
Regulatory Authority
The authority of the EPA has grown since its inception. Congress has granted the agency broad powers to set and enforce regulations and conduct research into environmental issues.
The EPA is also authorised to inspect facilities suspected of violating environmental laws and can seek civil or criminal penalties against violators. The agency can sue other government agencies if they are not following EPA regulations or orders.
Supreme Court Limitations
In 2022, the Supreme Court limited the EPA’s ability to regulate air pollutants, stating that the agency had exceeded its legal authority by sidestepping Congress on several occasions.
Justice Elena Kagan, wrote:
“The court appoints itself – instead of Congress or the expert agency – the decision maker on climate policy. I cannot think of many things more frightening.”
With this ruling, the EPA has had to work within tighter legal constraints when regulating air pollution. Other court rulings could also limit the agency’s authority over issues such as water pollution and hazardous waste management.
Regulatory Activity
In the fifty-plus years since its creation, the EPA has been responsible for a wide range of regulatory activity. The sectors affected include (but are not limited to):
- Agriculture
- Automotive
- Construction
- Electric Utilities
- Oil and Gas
- Transportation
- Dry Cleaning
- Educational Services
- Forestry and Logging
- Healthcare and Social Assistance
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Public Administration and Government
- Water and Sewage Utilities
The broad scope of the EPA’s regulatory activity is a testament to the agency’s commitment to environmental protection and its holistic approach to achieving this goal.
How the US EPA Protects the Environment
Given how little the media cover its day-to-day work, the EPA might seem like a distant and abstract construction for many people. But the agency is responsible for programmes that protect our environment.
Air Pollution
The EPA website tells the story of Donora, Pennsylvania, in 1948. Half of the Donora residents were stricken with severe respiratory issues in less than a week after a thick smog descended on the town, trapping people in pollution from steel and zinc factories.
The yellow fog, as the Smithsonian calls it, caused so many deaths that the local funeral home ran out of caskets. To that point, it was the worst air pollution disaster in US history. The Donora incident and others like it in the ensuing decades put the spotlight of environmental protection and regulations on air pollution.
The Clean Air Act
In 1963, the first comprehensive US federal law to address air pollution was passed. The original Clean Air Act (CAA) preceded the EPA for several years and was one of the programmes that led to the agency’s creation.
By 1970, amendments were passed to the CAA, allowing the EPA to set and enforce air quality standards. The CAA’s breakthrough legislation is updated to reflect the latest scientific understanding of air pollution and its effects.
EPA Air Quality Standards
Primary pollutants under the CAA, commonly called criteria pollutants, include:
- ozone,
- carbon monoxide,
- lead,
- nitrogen dioxide and
- particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter (PM2.5).
The EPA sets national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for these criteria pollutants. Each state must develop plans to achieve and maintain the standards by reducing local pollution levels from factories and other sources of emissions.
The EPA reviews implementation plans every five years to ensure the states meet their obligations under the law.
EPA Air Pollution Control Programme
Pollution prevention, also known as source reduction in some materials, is a cornerstone of the EPA’s air pollution control programme. The agency works with state and local governments to reduce or eliminate emissions at the source by encouraging businesses to use cleaner technologies or better operating practices.
The EPA also provides grants and other assistance to help states develop their programmes for reducing air pollution. These efforts have led to dramatic reductions in criteria pollutant levels over time, as well as significant improvements in public health outcomes related to air quality.
Water Pollution
While the early environmental focus was placed on pesticides and air pollution, water wasn’t far behind. In 1948, basic regulations were passed with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which established the framework for reducing water pollution.
The EPA’s establishment significantly furthered those efforts, leading to more detailed rules and regulations.
The Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, granted the EPA authority to regulate discharges into navigable waters, set water quality standards for each state, and maintain a list of toxic pollutants prohibited from entering waterways.
The EPA established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which requires any entity discharging pollutants into the waters of the US to obtain a permit.
EPA Water Quality Standards
The EPA has established several water quality standards that each state must meet to ensure public safety, health, and well-being. These include minimum levels for:
- dissolved oxygen,
- pH balance,
- faecal coliform bacteria counts,
- temperature tolerances and
- other indicators.
It is also responsible for oil spill prevention, clean-up, and wetlands protection.
The loss of wetlands is one of the most significant threats to biodiversity, as it causes wildlife numbers to decline and disrupts food webs.
In response, the EPA works with state governments to develop wetland protection plans that preserve these important habitats for future generations.
EPA Water Pollution Control Programme
The wastewater management program covers facilities discharging a few different types of pollutants into navigable waters.
Permits are required to release biosolids, sewage sludge, industrial wastewater and other discharges into the environment. The permits are designed to ensure pollutants discharged do not exceed acceptable levels for aquatic life or harm water quality. Discharges must be reported and permit holders are subjected to regular monitoring.
Land and Soil Pollution
One of the oldest concerns of the environmental movement is resource depletion and soil erosion. The EPA helps protect land resources through its hazardous waste management and Superfund programmes, which clean up polluted sites.
The agency is also responsible for ensuring mining and timber harvesting, is conducted in an environmentally responsible manner.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
In 1976, Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which regulates hazardous waste management. The law established a national system for safely tracking, transporting, and disposing of hazardous materials.
It also created a framework for disposing and managing non-hazardous solid waste, such as recycling and composting.
Superfund Program
The Superfund Program is a federal government initiative to clean up the nation’s most contaminated sites. The program was established in 1980 with the passage of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
The law provides for both long-term remedial projects and emergency response operations. They created a trust fund to help pay for clean-ups at sites where responsible parties cannot be identified or need more resources to cover the cost.
Brownfields Program
Abandoned or under-utilised industrial and commercial sites, known as brownfields, are a major environmental concern. The EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants to communities for assessing and cleaning up these properties.
The program also assists with redeveloping contaminated sites to create jobs and revitalise communities.
Controversy Hinders the EPA
The EPA has had its share of criticism and controversy over the years.
Criticisms of the EPA
Critics argue that the agency is too influenced by corporate interests and does not do enough to protect public health. They also point to its need for more transparency in decision-making, citing instances of decisions being shrouded in secrecy and not open for public consultation.
Another controversy surrounds Scott Pruitt, who served as Administrator of the US EPA from 2017 until 2018. During his time at the agency’s helm, he was accused of ethical misconduct and misusing government funds for personal gain.
The incongruent nature of appointed administrators – as opposed to elected leaders – has sometimes created a sense of distrust in the EPA’s ability to fulfil its mandate.
Political Interference and Budget Cuts
Because of Congressional oversight, the EPA is subject to significant political interference and obstruction. The agency’s budget can fluctuate drastically depending on the party in power.
For example, in 2017, President Trump proposed a 31% funding cut for the EPA, which would have resulted in significant staff and programme reductions. A longer-sighted Congress rejected the proposal.
But, the EPA is still at risk of future cuts in funding. Especially if short-sighted administrations do not recognise the importance of environmental protection or are influenced by corporate interests.
Legal Challenges
The Supreme Court decision showed that the EPA is not immune to legal challenges. In recent years, several states and environmental organisations have sued the agency.
These challenges come from both sides of the political spectrum. Some try to relax or remove environmental regulations, while others try enforcing stricter ones.
The agency is in a constant legal battle, which can lead to landmark rulings that shape the future of environmental protection in the US.
Final Thoughts
The United States Environmental Protection Agency plays a vital role in protecting planet Earth and ensuring the health and safety of communities. By setting and enforcing environmental regulations, the EPA helps to safeguard the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we inhabit.
While the EPA has faced political interference, challenges and controversies, the agency remains a critical pillar of environmental protection in the United States and therefore, the world.
With increasing environmental threats, including climate change, supporting, and strengthening the EPA’s efforts to preserve the Earth for future generations is more important than ever.
So, let’s continue to advocate for strong environmental regulations and policies and work to ensure the EPA has the resources and support it needs to fulfil its mandate. By doing so, we can help make a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.
FAQs
What is the main role of the EPA?
The EPA’s main role is to set and enforce environmental regulations that protect the air, water, and land from pollution.
What are some examples of the EPA’s regulatory activities?
Examples of the EPA’s regulatory activities include setting and enforcing air quality standards, regulating water pollution through the Clean Water Act, and managing hazardous waste sites through the Superfund program.
What are some of the controversies surrounding the EPA?
The EPA has faced criticism for perceived political interference, budgetary cuts, and legal challenges to its regulatory actions.
How does the EPA protect the air we breathe?
The EPA protects the air we breathe through the Clean Air Act, which sets standards for emissions from various sources, such as power plants and vehicles, and regulates air quality to protect public health.
How can the EPA improve its effectiveness?
To improve the effectiveness of the EPA, the agency can be given more resources, support, and funding to strengthen its regulatory activities and respond to emerging environmental threats. Promoting scientific integrity and transparency can also enhance the agency’s credibility and effectiveness.