The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been instrumental in shaping the United States’ environmental policies and regulations since its inception in 1970. Over the past five decades, the agency has made tremendous strides in safeguarding the nation’s natural resources and promoting public health. From the passage of the Clean Air Act to the implementation of President Barack Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the EPA has consistently addressed evolving environmental challenges and worked to protect our planet for future generations.

EPA’s History and Significant Moments in Environmental Protection Timeline

1970:

  • 20 million people celebrate the first Earth Day.
  • President Richard Nixon creates the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a mission to protect the environment and public health.
  • Congress amends the Clean Air Act, setting national air quality, auto emission, and anti-pollution standards.

1971:

  • Congress restricts the use of lead-based paint in residences and on cribs and toys.

1972:

  • EPA bans DDT, a cancer-causing pesticide, and requires extensive review of all pesticides.
  • The United States and Canada agree to clean up the Great Lakes, which contain 95 percent of America’s fresh water and supply drinking water for 25 million people.
  • Congress passes the Clean Water Act, limiting raw sewage and other pollutants flowing into rivers, lakes, and streams.

1973:

  • EPA begins phasing out leaded gasoline.
  • OPEC oil embargo triggers an energy crisis, stimulating conservation and research on alternative energy sources.
  • EPA issues its first permit limiting a factory’s polluted discharges into waterways.

1974:

  • Congress passes the Safe Drinking Water Act, allowing EPA to regulate the quality of public drinking water.

1975:

  • Congress establishes fuel economy standards and sets tail-pipe emission standards for cars, resulting in the introduction of catalytic converters.

1976:

  • Congress passes the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, regulating hazardous waste from its production to its disposal.
  • President Gerald Ford signs the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce environmental and human health risks.
  • EPA begins phase-out of cancer-causing PCB production and use.

1977:

  • President Jimmy Carter signs the Clean Air Act Amendments to strengthen air quality standards and protect human health.

1978:

  • Residents discover that Love Canal, New York, is contaminated by buried leaking chemical containers.
  • The federal government bans chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as propellants in aerosol cans because CFCs destroy the ozone layer, which protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

1979:

  • EPA demonstrates scrubber technology for removing air pollution from coal-fired power plants. This technology is widely adopted in the 1980s.
  • Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, increases awareness and discussion about nuclear power safety. EPA and other agencies monitor radioactive fallout.

1980:

  • Congress creates Superfund to clean up hazardous waste sites. Polluters are made responsible for cleaning up the most hazardous sites.

1981:

  • National Research Council report finds acid rain intensifying in the northeastern United States and Canada.

1982:

  • Congress enacts laws for safe disposal of nuclear waste.
  • Dioxin contamination forces the government to purchase homes in Times Beach, Missouri. The federal government and the responsible polluters share the cleanup costs.
  • A PCB landfill protest in North Carolina begins the environmental justice movement.

1983:

  • Cleanup actions begin to rid the Chesapeake Bay of pollution stemming from sewage treatment plants, urban runoff, and farm waste.
  • EPA encourages homeowners to test for radon gas, which causes lung cancer.

1985:

  • Scientists report that a giant hole in the earth’s ozone layer opens each spring over Antarctica.

1986:

  • Congress declares the public has a right to know when toxic chemicals are released into air, land, and water.

1987:

  • The United States signs the Montreal Protocol, pledging to phase-out production of CFCs.
  • Medical and other waste washes up on shores, closing beaches in New York and New Jersey.
  • EPA’s “Unfinished Business” report compares relative risks of environmental challenges for the first time.

1988:

  • Congress bans ocean dumping of sewage sludge and industrial waste.

1989:

  • Exxon Valdez spills 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound, causing one of the most devastating environmental disasters in U.S. history. The catastrophe led to the passage of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which strengthened regulations and oversight for oil transportation and established a trust fund to finance clean-up efforts for oil spills.

1990:

  • Congress passes the Clean Air Act Amendments, requiring states to demonstrate progress in improving air quality. This landmark legislation introduced new controls for acid rain, toxic air pollutants, and ozone depletion, while also establishing a national permits program and increasing enforcement authority.

1990:

  • EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory is established, providing the public with information about pollutants released from specific facilities in their communities. This groundbreaking initiative improved transparency and incentivized companies to reduce their pollution levels.

1990:

  • President George H.W. Bush signs the Pollution Prevention Act, emphasizing the importance of preventing—not just correcting—environmental damage. This law promoted source reduction and recycling as the preferred methods of waste management.

1990:

  • President George H.W. Bush signs the National Environmental Education Act, signifying the importance of educating the public to ensure scientifically sound, balanced, and responsible decisions about the environment.

1991:

  • Federal agencies begin using recycled content products, setting a positive example for other organizations to follow suit.

1991:

  • EPA launches voluntary industry partnership programs for energy-efficient lighting and for reducing toxic chemical emissions. These initiatives aimed to encourage businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices by providing resources and support.

1992:

  • EPA launches the ENERGY STAR® Program to help consumers identify energy-efficient products. This program has since become a widely recognized symbol for energy-saving appliances and electronics.

1993:

  • EPA reports that secondhand smoke contaminates indoor air, posing serious health risks to nonsmokers. This finding spurred the implementation of smoke-free policies in public spaces and workplaces across the country.

1993:

  • A cryptosporidium outbreak in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s drinking water sickens 400,000 people and kills more than 100. This incident underscored the need for robust water treatment systems and stringent monitoring of water quality.

1993:

  • President Bill Clinton directs the federal government to use its $200 billion annual purchasing power to buy recycled and environmentally preferable products, further encouraging sustainable practices in the marketplace.

1994:

  • EPA launches its Brownfields Program to clean up abandoned, contaminated sites and return them to productive community use. This initiative has revitalized neighborhoods and spurred economic development by transforming blighted properties into valuable assets.

1994:

  • EPA issues new standards for chemical plants that will reduce toxic air pollution by more than half a million tons each year—the equivalent of taking 38 million vehicles off the road annually.

1995:

  • EPA launches an incentive-based acid rain program to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. This market-based approach allowed companies to buy and sell emissions allowances, promoting cost-effective pollution reduction strategies.

1995:

  • EPA requires municipal incinerators to reduce toxic emissions by 90 percent from 1990 levels, protecting public health and the environment from hazardous pollutants.

1996:

  • Public drinking water suppliers are required to inform customers about chemicals and microbes in their water, and funding is made available to upgrade water treatment plants. This measure increased transparency and accountability in the water sector.

1996:

  • EPA requires that home buyers and renters be informed about lead-based paint hazards. This mandate aimed to protect families, particularly children, from the harmful effects of lead exposure.

1996:

  • President Bill Clinton signs the Food Quality Protection Act to tighten standards for pesticides used to grow food, with special protections to ensure that foods are safe for children to eat.

1997:

  • An Executive Order is issued to protect children from environmental health risks, including childhood asthma and lead poisoning. This order emphasized the importance of considering the unique vulnerabilities and needs of children when developing environmental policies and regulations.

1997:

  • The Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is adopted. While the United States initially signed the treaty, it was never ratified by the U.S. Senate, and the country later withdrew from the agreement.

1998:

  • The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act is signed into law, establishing a voluntary program to encourage the retrofitting and replacement of older diesel engines with newer, cleaner models. This legislation aimed to reduce harmful emissions from diesel engines and improve air quality.

1999:

  • EPA finalizes the Regional Haze Rule, requiring states to develop plans to improve visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. The rule aimed to protect and restore scenic vistas in these cherished public lands.

2000:

  • EPA introduces the National Air Quality Index to inform the public about daily air quality and associated health risks. This index continues to help people make informed decisions about outdoor activities based on air pollution levels.

2001:

  • The U.S. Supreme Court rules that the EPA has the authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. This decision laid the groundwork for future regulatory efforts to address climate change.

2002:

  • EPA and the Department of Energy launch the National Clean Diesel Campaign, providing financial assistance and technical support to reduce diesel emissions from various sectors, including transportation, construction, and agriculture.

2003:

  • EPA introduces the Water Quality Trading Policy, a market-based approach to improving water quality by allowing entities to buy and sell pollution credits. This innovative policy aimed to achieve water quality goals more efficiently and cost-effectively.

2004:

  • EPA establishes the first-ever national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants from stationary diesel engines, significantly reducing emissions and protecting public health.

2005:

  • The Energy Policy Act is signed into law, providing incentives for renewable energy production and promoting energy efficiency. The act also included provisions to increase domestic oil and gas production, which proved to be controversial.

2006:

  • California passes the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), setting ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets for the state. This groundbreaking legislation positioned California as a leader in addressing climate change.

2007:

  • The Supreme Court rules in Massachusetts v. EPA that the EPA must determine whether greenhouse gases endanger public health or welfare. This decision paved the way for future regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.

2009:

  • The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocates $80 billion for clean energy investments, spurring innovation and job creation in the renewable energy sector.

2009:

  • EPA declares that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, setting the stage for future regulatory action under the Clean Air Act to mitigate climate change.

2010:

  • The Deepwater Horizon oil spill releases nearly 5 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in significant environmental and economic damage. The disaster prompted renewed scrutiny of offshore drilling practices and increased calls for a transition to renewable energy sources.

2011:

  • The Obama Administration finalizes new fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks, requiring an average fuel economy of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. These standards aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy independence.

2012:

  • The EPA issues the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), regulating emissions of toxic air pollutants from power plants. The rule targeted mercury, arsenic, and other hazardous pollutants, aiming to protect public health and the environment.

2013:

  • President Barack Obama unveils his Climate Action Plan, outlining a comprehensive strategy to address climate change and promote clean energy development. The plan included measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy production, and enhance resiliency to the impacts of climate change.

2014:

  • The EPA proposes the Clean Power Plan, a key component of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan. The rule aimed to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants by 32% below 2005 levels by 2030. It encouraged states to develop their own strategies to meet these targets, emphasizing renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.

2015:

  • The United States and nearly 200 other countries sign the historic Paris Agreement, pledging to limit global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement marked a significant milestone in international climate cooperation and demonstrated a global commitment to addressing climate change.

2016:

  • The EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalize the second phase of greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, aiming to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency in this sector.

2017:

  • President Donald Trump announces the United States’ intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, sparking concern and criticism from many domestic and international leaders. The withdrawal process, however, could not be completed until 2020.

2018:

  • The Trump Administration releases the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, which aimed to replace the Clean Power Plan with a more lenient approach to regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Critics argued that the ACE rule would not adequately address climate change or reduce emissions.

2019:

  • The EPA finalizes the repeal of the Clean Power Plan, officially replacing it with the ACE rule. Legal challenges to the ACE rule quickly followed, with opponents arguing that it was insufficient to address climate change.

2020:

  • The United States formally exits the Paris Agreement, becoming the first and only country to withdraw from the landmark climate accord.

2021:

  • President Joe Biden takes office and quickly rejoins the Paris Agreement, reaffirming the United States’ commitment to addressing climate change. The Biden Administration also begins to reverse numerous environmental policies and rollbacks implemented during the Trump Administration.

2021:

  • The Biden Administration introduces the American Jobs Plan, a sweeping infrastructure proposal that includes significant investments in clean energy, climate resilience, and environmental justice. The plan aims to create millions of jobs while addressing pressing environmental and climate challenges.

2021:

  • The Leaders Summit on Climate is held, hosted by President Biden. The summit brings together leaders from 40 countries to discuss strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating the global transition to renewable energy.

2022:

  • The EPA proposes new regulations to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, targeting a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change. These new rules aim to limit methane emissions from new and existing sources, helping to curb the industry’s climate impact.

2023:

  • The Biden Administration continues to advance policies and initiatives aimed at addressing climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting a clean energy future. The United States reasserts its commitment to global climate cooperation and seeks to regain its position as a leader in the fight against climate change.

Conclusion

The progress made by the United States in protecting the environment has been remarkable, thanks in large part to the ongoing efforts of the EPA. Through its regulations, enforcement actions, and educational campaigns, the agency has fostered a culture of environmental stewardship and played a vital role in reducing pollution, preserving ecosystems, and combating climate change. While challenges still remain, the EPA’s history demonstrates our collective ability to confront environmental issues and enact meaningful change. As we look to the future, it is imperative that we continue to support and strengthen the EPA’s mission, ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world for all.

References:

  1. EPA’s 50th Anniversary Booklet