What are the roles and responsibilities of the EPA?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the government agency responsible for overseeing and enforcing environmental laws in the United States, including California. The EPA sets national standards for air and water quality, hazardous waste disposal, and other environmental issues, and then works with state and local governments to ensure the laws are enforced. The EPA has several primary responsibilities when it comes to environmental protection. One is to develop, implement, and enforce environmental regulations and standards. These standards ensure that industries and businesses comply with the law and that consumers have access to safe and clean air and water. The EPA also conducts research on environmental issues and works with other government agencies, industry and communities to promote pollution prevention. The EPA is also responsible for providing financial assistance to states and local governments for cleanup of hazardous waste sites, conducting inspections and investigations to ensure compliance with environmental laws, and providing information and education to the public about environmental issues and sustainability. The EPA also works with tribes and Native American governments to protect native lands, plants, animals, and water resources. Finally, the EPA serves as a resource for citizens to file complaints about environmental issues. It is up to the EPA to investigate and take corrective action based on these complaints.

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