Environmental Protection Agency
History
The history of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dates back to 1970 under the Nixon Administration and it was created in order to protect people and the planet by enforcing the laws and regulations passed by Congress. The EPA has ten stations and nearly 30 labs with which it assesses the environment, conducts research and takes part in educating the public. The EPA was formed in response to growing public pressure regarding the dangerous and negative impact that human actions were having on the planet. Rachel Carson’s 1962 book Silent Spring in which a world bereft of natural life was envisioned as a result of deadly pesticides and chemicals released into the environment (EPA History, 2018). The book had a big impact on Senators and the EPA was formed in response to serve as an agency that would ensure the protection of the environment in the U.S.
From an economics perspective, this agency is responsible for compelling automotive manufacturers to develop more fuel efficient cars. So every time the gas pump allows a driver to save a few dollars because the car that is being driven gets more miles to the gallon, one has the EPA to thank. It is estimated that the EPA has saved Americans anywhere from $82 billion to $533 billion as a result of its enforcement of environmental regulations (Hunter, 2011)....
Thus, the EPA is justified from an economics perspective because it actually saves more money in the long run for Americans than it costs to regulate industries to ensure they are following the law.
A Law That Falls Under EPA Regulation
The EPA is responsible for overseeing radiation and protecting the public from harmful radiation. There are a number of laws that the EPA is responsible for enforcing on this topic, and these touch upon Nuclear Power Operations, Air Standards, and Drinking Water Standards—all of which can be impacted by radiation. For example, Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations (40 CFR Part 190) sets standards that “limit radiation releases and doses to the public from the normal operation (non-emergency) of nuclear power plants and other uranium fuel cycle facilities” (Regulations for Specific Radiation Sources, 2018).
This law falls under EPA regulation because radiation is a by-product of some industries—especially in the nuclear industry, and it can be harmful for people and the planet if released in toxic amounts. Therefore, the EPA has been tasked with overseeing the handling of radiation and of processes that release radiation. Without this oversight, the country is more at risk of having a dangerous radiation leak or nuclear meltdown as happens from…
