Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent U.S. government agency responsible for environmental protection. Established by President Richard Nixon on July 9, 1970, and operational from December 2, 1970, following an executive order, the EPA was confirmed through House and Senate committee hearings. Led by an administrator appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, with Michael S. Regan currently serving, the EPA, while not a Cabinet department, typically holds cabinet rank for its administrator. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it operates through regional offices across ten regions and maintains 27 laboratories.

The EPA's duties include environmental assessment, research, and education. It enforces national environmental standards in partnership with state, tribal, and local governments, wielding enforcement powers like fines and sanctions. Additionally, it delegates certain responsibilities to states and tribes, collaborating with various government levels and industries on voluntary pollution prevention and energy conservation initiatives.