Monthly Archives: November 2011

The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA has been under attack by many politicians in Washington lately. There is much discussion about the necessity of this government agency’s regulations. The agency has not always existed. It was created during the presidency of Richard Nixon in response to growing concerns over the amount of pollution being introduced into the air, water, and lands across the United States by corporations. Whether the agency is run efficiently is up for debate but the importance of its existence is something that most people agree is not something that can be denied. Prior to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency there were several deadly disasters that occurred because of irresponsible pollution by corporations. In one extreme instance a river flowing through several towns caught on fire because of the number of flammable pollutants that had been dumped into the river. The basic job of the Environmental Protection Agency is to evaluate risks posed to the air, water and land of the United States. Companies will often make the choice that saves them money but sometimes that choice has dangerous or deadly consequences for people living in communities near the business operations. The EPA was established to represent the people’s interests in all environmental law making decisions. Continue reading →