What is the EPA?

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency is known as the EPA or sometimes USEPA. It is a federal governmental agency whose mission is to protect human health and take care of the natural environment, specifically air, water, and land. The EPA was the idea of President Richard Nixon and began operation in 1970, when it became solely responsible for United States environmental policy. It employs from 17,000-18,000 people, including engineers, scientists, environmental protection experts, and divisions specializing in law, public relations, financial matters, and computer specialists. The agency performs environmental assessment, research and education and is responsible for designation and enforcement of national standards while following various environmental laws in cooperation with state, tribal, and local government. The EPA allows some permissions and enforcement to be granted to individual U. S. sates and Native American tribes. EPA enforcement powers include sanctions, fines, and other measures. The EPA also works with all levels of government and various industries in voluntary measures to conserve energy and reduce the effects of pollution. Prior to the EPA’s existence, the federal government was not capable of the monumental task of regulating pollutants which caused harm to humans and the environment, so the EPA was given the task of repairing some existing environmental damage retroactively as well as establishing new criteria to promote the participation of America’s citizens in the making of a safer and cleaner country.

Part of the EPA’s job is to prevent oil pollution by regulating containment, promoting spill prevention, and approve of marine engine oil components to ensure they are as environmentally friendly as possible.