1] What policy question led to its creation; Several processes were followed before the policy that led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It all started in 1969 after the election of President Richard Nixon in 1968. He ended establishing an advisory group focused on the problems caused by pollution which was to work closely with the Congress in the establishment of a long-lasting solution to the environmental problems. On the other hand, the courts had to deal with all those found responsible for the increased pollution (Kaplan, 2017). Afterwards, Nixon formed the Environmental Quality Council entitled with the responsibility of coming up with a concise government to tackle environmental decay. The council also had …show more content…
They also argued that resources such as land were overexploited, yet they were finite. On the contrary, there were some anti-environmentalists and conservatives who were against the formation of EPA (Judson et al., 2016). These groups persuaded politicians to have a backlash against the environmental regulation with the aim of reducing the environmental consciousness that had developed amongst the Americans at the time. Corporations also argued that the formation of EPA had detrimental effects on their financial well-being, meaning that professionals would end up losing jobs because of the forthcoming regulations. More so, even if the courts upheld the constitutionality of the EPA in the 1970s, it failed to expand the laws with the aim of making them well understood by the public (Leventhal, 1974). This was a blow given that the courts had played a critical role in expanding the civil rights protection a decade …show more content…
As such, it has played a critical role in reducing water and air pollution as well as improving the quality of the American drinking water. It also played a critical role in safeguarding the environment against radioactive wastes, solid wastes, water pollution, and noise pollution. Nowadays, there is a myriad of statutes that are used in setting standards, monitoring, and regulating environmental pollutants (Ringquist, 2016). The EPA has established close working standards with local governments, for instance, using the Protective Action Guides that make it possible for the local authorities to come with radiation protection decisions when there are emergencies. There is also the radon program where states and local governments are funded by the EPA to monitor environmental radiation (RadNet| US EPA, 2018). This is one of the efforts to control pollution while also ensuring that local governments play a leading role in the regulation of environmental degradation. That is why states can derive environmental roles after which they wait for the approval and certification by EPA. The major role of the EPA remains as administering environmental programs and carrying out enforcement activities in the fight against violation of environmental laws. Furthermore, EPA has established close working relations with other government bodies that protect the environment. These
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates air pollution through various policies passed through the Supreme Court. The scope of this paper is to investigate the Clean Air Act of 1970, and to analyze the impact it has on businesses and society. It provides a rationale for the policy, and contains a brief overview of governmental involvement in regulating air pollution. Further investigation identifies key stakeholders in business, government, and society, and assesses the pros and cons of regulating air pollution. Finally, the paper concludes with limitations of this analysis and recommendations for future action.
The 1950s was a great success for the civil rights movement; there were a number of developments which greatly improved the lives of black people in America and really started the civil rights movement, as black people became more confident and willing to fight for their cause. The first big development of the ‘50s came almost immediately at the turn of the decade, when the Supreme Court essentially overturned the verdict reached in the Plessy vs. Ferguson trial of 1896. Thanks to the NAACP lawyers, the Supreme Court made three decisions regarding civil rights which not only showed that at times the government was on the black side, but also almost completely overturned the ‘separate but equal’ idea that had been followed for 54 years. The next big step in the civil rights movement came in 1954, with the BROWN vs. BOARD OF EDUCATION OF TOPEKA case, where Thurgood Marshall, representing Brown, argued that segregation was against the 4th Amendment of the American constitution.
Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Protection Agency, (Nov 2011). Caa national enforcement programs. Retrieved from website: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/caa/caaenfprog.html
As a country it is important that we understand and value the importance of civil rights. The following cases demonstrate the importance of rights and liberties. In Griswold v. Connecticut (1965), the Supreme Court ruled on the inherent right to privacy. The Supreme Court ruled that the state could not ban the use of contraceptives. They determined that this was a violation of martial privacy. The state was attempting to fine and/or arrest people that were using any type of medicine or instrument to prevent pregnancy. This case was followed by Roe v. Wade (1973), where the Supreme Court not only gave women the right to privacy but also the right to have an abortion. In Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002), the Supreme Court gave parents in Ohio the right to use vouchers in order for their children to attend religious or private schools. While these cases protect liberties, the cases involving civil rights are far more reaching. In Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Supreme Court prohibited racial segregation of public schools. In Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson (1986), the Supreme Court ruled that a “hostile environment” related to sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. The impact of protecting our civil rights ensures a more inclusive American
The EPA operates from a number of laws and regulations designed to function as its foundation for protecting the environment and the health of the public. Congress allows the EPA to write regulations in order to support the ideas for implementing these regulations. For that reason they are known as a regulatory agency. These regulations fall under two categories: Laws and Executive Orders (EOs) that influence environmental protection and Laws and EOs that Influence the Regulatory Process.
Nixon contemplated a major structural reorganization of the government, but it did not materialize. However, he did create two important agencies. The first was the Urban Affairs Council, created in 1969 and chaired by Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Its purpose was to advise the president concerning domestic policy with special reference to the needs of people living in cities. Moynihan's only major effort was the Family Assistance Program, which failed. The second agency was the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which still exists and which plays a major role in the lives of many Americans (See also, Domestic Issues). It is very controversial because of the widespread belief that it has too much power to interfere in private business matters.
The Supreme Court was known for some of the most notorious decisions made in history, many in which included the cases, Marbury v. Madison, Scott v. Sandford, and United States v. Cruikshank. Despite these cases, the court did turn around and change their perspective and helped minorities achieve their civil rights. In 1915, the case of Guinn and Beal v. United States helped African Americans reassure their right to vote. In this case the Supreme Court considered the grandfather clause to be unconstitutional. The grandfather clause was a mechanism t...
The activism and legislation that came out of the civil rights movement marked a watershed
...rights movement. After years of attempting to limit the rights of African-Americans, most particular case in the South, Brown v. Board of Education reversed that trend. Throughout the development of American civil rights, the Supreme Court influenced the arguments and the policies that would be pursued by both state and federal laws.
This era of civil rights legislation is rarely taught or explored and should be looked at more often. It is a largely overlooked chapter of American history that needs to come to light. If any historical period in American history
The Supreme Court was important in both suppressing and aiding the Civil Rights Movement. However, decisions taken by the President, the continued white opposition and improvements in media communications also had an effect. Although all were important, the Civil Rights movement alone would have reached the same end without the help of the Supreme Court, and the devotion of its many members and leaders is the major factor in advancing Civil Rights.
While he does not negate the fact that the civil rights activists were central to effecting this fundamental change, which would have not occurred otherwise, his storyline only engages with the most prominent figures of the civil rights movement, and even they get rater scant attention in his account. In his view, these men managed to successfully negotiate gradual advances towards racial progress (3). However, they were only able to do so because central political figures of the administration were willing to listen and act. In order to support his thesis, Lawson provides us with a concise summary of federal civil rights reforms beginning in the 1940s and the activism that fostered them. In doing so, he focuses on the policies of the different administrations and central events of the southern struggle for civil rights and closes his essay with a short discussion of the federal government’s renewed retreat from securing the civil rights of
Our Congress created the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969 in order to establish an environmental foundation for mankind. This policy endorses harmony between humans and the vast ecosystems surrounding them. To obtain this goal and provide our future with resources as well, NEPA is separated into two titles. The first title declares the policy in detail while the second title focuses on the Council on Environmental Quality. The CEQ oversees the effectiveness of current methods, the reactions of the environment to those methods, and implements revisions as necessary.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (Last updated on 3/20/2013). Radioactive Waste Disposal: An Environmental Perspective [EPA 402-K-94-001]. Available: http://www.epa.gov/radiation/docs/radwaste/. Last accessed 25th April 2014.
Some of the CEQ’s key functions include preparing an annual environmental quality report, conducting research and presenting information on environmental quality, reviewing federal agency NEPA compliances, and developing national environmental policies. The CEQ also contains NEPA specific responsibilities such as issuing regulations, and other guidance regarding NEPA, resolving lead agency disputes, mediating interagency disputes over environmental policy, and providing training and advice to federal agencies regarding NEPA