EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency, whose label-setting authority is being tested in the Supreme Court.
First Mentioned
5/10/2026, 5:09:27 AM
Last Updated
5/10/2026, 5:10:16 AM
Research Retrieved
5/10/2026, 5:10:16 AM
Summary
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government, established on December 2, 1970, by President Richard Nixon to consolidate federal environmental research, monitoring, and enforcement activities. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the agency is currently led by Administrator Lee Zeldin (as of January 2025) and operates through ten regional offices and 27 laboratories across the country. The EPA is responsible for maintaining and enforcing national environmental standards under laws such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, often delegating authority to state and tribal governments. In recent legal developments, the agency has been involved in high-stakes Supreme Court oral arguments alongside Bayer, a case significantly influenced by the overturning of the Chevron Doctrine and debates over federal preemption. As of 2023, the agency maintained a workforce of approximately 16,204 full-time equivalent employees, primarily consisting of scientists, engineers, and environmental specialists.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Founded
1970-12-02
Founder
Richard Nixon
Mission
To protect human health and the environment
Headquarters
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., USA
Laboratories
27
Administrator
Lee Zeldin
Regional Offices
10
Employee Level (2023)
16,204.1 full-time equivalents
Timeline
- President Richard Nixon proposes the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency. (Source: Wikipedia)
1970-07-09
- The EPA officially begins operations after the ratification of the executive order. (Source: Wikipedia)
1970-12-02
- The agency records a budgeted employee level of 16,204.1 full-time equivalents. (Source: Wikipedia)
2023-12-31
- Lee Zeldin begins his tenure as the Administrator of the EPA. (Source: Wikipedia)
2025-01-29
- The EPA schedules a webinar for the Water Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (WCAT) to assist drinking water and wastewater systems. (Source: Web Search (LinkedIn))
2025-08-28
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaUnited States Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency of the United States government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it began operation on December 2, 1970, after Nixon signed an executive order. The order establishing the EPA was ratified by committee hearings in the House and Senate. The agency is led by its administrator, who is appointed by the president and approved by the Senate. Since January 29, 2025, the administrator is Lee Zeldin. The EPA is not a Cabinet department, but the administrator is normally given cabinet rank. The EPA has its headquarters in Washington, D.C. There are regional offices for each of the agency's ten regions, as well as 27 laboratories around the country. The agency conducts environmental assessment, research, and education. It has the responsibility of maintaining and enforcing national standards under a variety of U.S. environmental laws, in consultation with state, tribal, and local governments. EPA enforcement powers include fines, sanctions, and other measures. It delegates some permitting, monitoring, and enforcement responsibility to U.S. states and the federally recognized tribes. The agency also works with industries and all levels of government in a wide variety of voluntary pollution prevention programs and energy conservation efforts. The agency's budgeted employee level in 2023 was 16,204.1 full-time equivalent (FTE). More than half of EPA's employees are engineers, scientists, and environmental protection specialists; other employees include legal, public affairs, financial, and information technologists.
Web Search Results
- Environmental Protection Agency | Research Starters - EBSCO
# Environmental Protection Agency The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a U.S. government agency established on December 2, 1970, with a mission to protect public health and the environment by enforcing federal environmental laws. The agency oversees the regulation of air and water pollutants, manages solid waste disposal, and engages in the cleanup of contaminated sites, including those impacted by toxic materials. The EPA was formed in response to growing concerns over pollution and environmental degradation, particularly following the industrial expansion after World War II. [...] The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting public health and ensuring a clean environment by safeguarding natural resources, controlling air and water pollution, and regulating the disposal of solid waste in the United States. The agency carries out its mission through its rule-making and enforcement authority granted by the US Congress. The EPA also conducts scientific research, provides environmental education to the public and to private companies, and utilizes the best available scientific information in its quest to reduce environmental risk. States and tribal nations throughout the United States follow the national standards set by the EPA in enforcing their own environmental regulations. The EPA provides grants to states, nonprofit entities, and [...] Since its establishment, the EPA has demanded compliance with federal environmental laws from private businesses, states, and individual cities, such as Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Los Angeles, California; and Atlanta, Georgia. The EPA has met its enforcement challenges by adopting and imposing strict regulations and often seeking assistance from the courts to obtain compliance. Moreover, the EPA has been in the forefront of cleanup after human-caused environmental disasters, including those related to the hazardous wastes buried under the Love Canal residential development in Niagara Falls, New York; the Three Mile Island nuclear plant core meltdown near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska; the destruction of the World Trade Center towers by terrorists
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Legal Glossary | Barnes Walker
### Key Takeaways The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a U.S. federal agency created in 1970 to protect human health and the environment. The EPA enforces key federal laws, including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, and sets national environmental standards. It collaborates with state agencies, such as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), to implement and enforce environmental programs. EPA Region 4 oversees environmental compliance in Florida and other southeastern states. The EPA promotes sustainability, pollution prevention, and environmental justice through regulations, grants, and research initiatives. [...] ### How It’s Used in Practice The EPA plays a central role in regulating industries, approving environmental permits, and monitoring pollution sources. It works with states and municipalities to develop policies and enforce compliance with environmental laws. In practice, the EPA’s standards influence business operations, construction projects, waste management, and agricultural practices. Environmental consultants, attorneys, and developers must ensure their projects comply with EPA regulations to avoid penalties and ensure environmental protection. ### Key Takeaways [...] # Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Definition: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a United States federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment. Established in 1970, the EPA develops and enforces regulations that implement environmental laws passed by Congress. Its mission includes reducing pollution, ensuring clean air and water, managing hazardous waste, and promoting sustainable environmental practices nationwide. Return to Glossary Barnes Walker legal reference book #–A–B–C–D–E–F–G–H–I–J–K–L–M–N–O–P–Q–R–S–T–U–V–W–X–Y–Z ## Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Information
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Our mission is to protect human health and the environment.
of view about EPA's Waters of the United States (WOTUS) definition? We are heading to Utah to hear it. Waters of the United States (WOTUS) is an issue of great national importance as it establishes the geographic scope of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. EPA is reviewing the definition to ensure it follows the law, reduces red tape, cuts overall permitting costs, and lowers the cost of doing business while protecting water resources. Join EPA and Army for a listening session open to the public in Salt Lake City or join us online. Register here: [Likes: 101, Comments: 11]; US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (8mo): Join our May 21st, 3pm ET webinar to learn how #EPAers are filling knowledge gaps on smoke infiltration and mitigation indoors. Our researchers worked with [...] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) mission is to protect human health and the environment. EPA works to ensure that: - Americans have clean air, land and water; - National efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information; - Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly, effectively and as Congress intended; - Environmental stewardship is integral to U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy; - All parts of society--communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments--have access to [...] US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (4mo): EPA is seeking nominations for the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee. Apply by October 6th! 📥Learn more➡️ [Likes: 82, Comments: 25]; US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (5mo): Improving cybersecurity across the water sector is a priority for EPA. EPA’s Water Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (WCAT) helps water systems self-assess their cybersecurity practices. Interested in learning more about how to use EPA’s WCAT to conduct cybersecurity assessments at drinking water and wastewater systems? Join our webinar on August 28, 2025, at 1 PM ET! Check out the registration page to find out which state primacy agencies will provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for attending this webinar. Register here to secure your spot today:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - USAGov
Environmental Protection Agency State and local governments Branches of government Elected officials Federal laws and regulations Indian tribes and resources for Native Americans Federal, state, territory, county, and municipal courts Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protects people and the environment from significant health risks, sponsors and conducts research, and develops and enforces environmental regulations. Website Environmental Protection Agency Contact Contact the Environmental Protection Agency Find an office near you Environmental Protection Agency regional offices Main address 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20460 SHARE THIS PAGE: [...] EspañolMenu Search Image 6: Search Image 7: Close All topics and services The U.S. and its government Government benefits Immigration and U.S. citizenship Money and credit Taxes Travel 1. Home 2. The U.S. and its government 3. A-Z index of U.S. government departments and agencies 4. Environmental Protection Agency The U.S. and its government Buying from the U.S. government U.S. facts and figures A-Z index of U.S. government departments and agencies current page Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | US EPA
This initiative will guide EPA’s work to protect public health and the environment while restoring the greatness of the American economy for the first 100 days and beyond. Read the news release ## Careers at EPA Woman scientist looking through microscope while using touch-based computing device From remediating contaminated sites to ensuring clean drinking water, what happens here improves human health and the environment for all Americans. Learn more about Careers at EPA ## Applying for EPA Grants People working together on computer-based grant application Discover EPA-hosted webinars to learn how to apply for, or manage an EPA grant. Register to attend an EPA grant webinar ## Drinking Water Resources child getting water from faucet [...] Learn more about WRAP 2.0 ## 500 Environmental Accomplishments by Trump EPA The Trump Administration has wasted no time delivering results to protect our environment. In the first year of the Trump Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency has made major strides to safeguard human health and the environment, ensuring clean air, land, and water for every American. Discover EPA's Accomplishments ## U.S. and Mexico Reach Agreement to Permanently End Tijuana River Sewage Crisis Administrator Zeldin signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mexico to urgently solve the decades-long Tijuana River sewage crisis. Read more about the MOU ## Powering the Great American Comeback [...] child getting water from faucet Learn how water gets to your drinking water tap every day, the different types of public water systems, and other basic information about drinking water safety. Explore drinking water resources ## EPA News Releases Read the latest news from EPA. ### EPA Announces $195,000 in Funding for the Pueblo of Laguna ### EPA Announces $135,000 in Funding for the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes in Oklahoma ### EPA Cleanup Paves the Way for Quarry Lawn Park Reopening in Paterson, New Jersey Search all news releases Send a Request for Technical Support to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Last updated on April 27, 2026
Location Data
Aeropuerto El Palomar, Bombero Celiz, La Juanita, Villa Tesei, Partido de Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, 1688, Argentina
Coordinates: -34.6119666, -58.6071461
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