U.S. environmental laws are primarily created and enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Federal law is particularly important in Environmental law as some states do not have their own laws and are only regulated by the federally.
Some of the biggest laws regulating environmental protection are outlined below:
The Clean Air Act (CAA), first enacted in 1970, is the comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Public access to the Act is linked above, but it can also be found on Westlaw and Lexis.
The Clean Water Act (CWA), enacted in 1972, establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the U.S. and standards for quality of water. Public access to the Act is linked above, but it can also be found on Westlaw and Lexis.
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), enacted in 1976, gives the EPA authority to regulate and place restrictions on chemical substances. Public access to the Act is linked above, but it can also be found on Westlaw and Lexis.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), enacted in 1976, gives the EPA authority to control hazardous waste. Public access to the Act is linked above, but it can also be found on Westlaw and Lexis.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), enacted in 1980, provides a federal "superfund" to clean up hazardous-waste sites, accidents, spills, and other pollutants and contaminants that were released into the environment. Public access to the Act is linked above, but it can also be found on Westlaw and Lexis.
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), enacted in 1996, gives the EPA authority to regulate pesticide distribution, sale, and use. Public access to the Act is linked above, but it can also be found on Westlaw and Lexis.
While the above laws are some of the most predominate and controlling environmental laws. a more complete list can be found on the EPA's website. There you can find other Executive Orders and laws for environmental protection. The website provides concise summaries of each law and could be a good starting place in environmental law research.
