How the Environmental Protection Agency Protects Your Community (And Why It Matters)
The Environmental Protection Agency functions as the United States’ primary regulatory body for safeguarding air quality, water resources, land conservation, and public health from environmental hazards. Established in 1970, the EPA enforces environmental laws, sets pollution standards, monitors compliance, conducts scientific research, and holds violators accountable through civil and criminal enforcement. These functions directly impact every community, determining the safety of drinking water, the air we breathe, and the remediation of contaminated sites.
Understanding how the EPA operates matters because its regulatory …
