Introduction
The establishment of federal agencies in the United States plays a great role in driving the services of government to its citizens’ needs over a range of issues. Every government has the responsibility to provide its citizens with the best services for their protection and well-being. The government of the United States in order to fulfill this responsibility has established and developed federal agencies to regulate a wide range of important aspects of the society including management of the economy, safety of the citizens, and security as well as finance of the industries. Among a curated list of federal agencies performing their specific tasks within and outside of the “United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)” aims to protect human health and the environment of the United States by enforcing necessary laws and regulations that citizens must have to abide by.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
“Environmental Protection Agency”, established in 1970, was a federal agency that was developed by President Richard Nixon as a response to US citizens’ growing concern over environmental degradation in order to protect and promote the health of the environment as well as human beings. The agency’s oversight goals and mission include assurance of a carbon-free environment where people can enjoy clean air, land, and water (Quarles, 1972). Moreover, the EPA federal agency was created to ensure that all states of the United States follow the federal laws regarding pollution enforced by American Congress.
Environmental Protection Agency’s Structure
The executive and independent agency EPA is structured, managed, and headed by a Director General and five directors, in the five offices in different territories, confirmed by the Senate and appointed by the US President. It employs approximately 14,000 individuals who oversee environmental protection activities within and across the states and territories of the United States. The headquarter of the agency is based in Washington, D.C., that operates major offices for specific purposes including the pollution prevention programs such as “Water Sense, The EPA Safer Choice Program, The Smart Growth Program, and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System” for the sustainable and energy-efficient environment (Epa, 2001).
Functions of the Environmental Protection Agency
EPA functions in different territories and states to regulate the manufacturing, processing, and distribution of waste and pollutants to protect environment from the pollution. It promotes efforts to reduce the risks and threats that are posed to the environment due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, carbon footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions. The agency also promotes the usage of renewable energy resources to protect energy and human healthy in order to foster the economic growth of the nation. EPA enforces environmental laws designed by the Nixon administration to inspect the environment and minimize the risks or threats by supporting environment recovery planning. As part of EPA’s mission, the agency provides education and guidance to US citizens on protecting the environment. Furthermore, the agency conducts research to argue the heightened concerns and negative externalities of pollution that are detrimental to the environment (Environmental Protection Agency | USAGov, n.d.).
Conclusion
Government through the federal agencies and their operations in their specific areas oversee its responsibilities and specific jobs that the US government has promised to its citizens. To protect communities, the environment, and the human health of inhabitants of the United States, the EPA works to enforce environmental protection laws for handling waste, harmful chemicals, and pollution agents to set standards for the detection, identification, monitoring, and prevention of the pollution levels for the protection of the environment. The agency seeks to ensure that American citizens have access to clean air, land, water, and an overall clean environment with zero or less negative externalities of the polluting agents.
References
Environmental Protection Agency | USAGov. (n.d.). https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/environmental-protection-agency
Epa, U. (2001). United States environmental protection agency. Quality Assurance Guidance Document-Model Quality Assurance Project Plan for the PM Ambient Air, 2, 12.
Quarles, J. R. (1972). Functions of the Environmental Protection Agency. Natural Resources Lawyer, 330–337.
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