The EPA has crafted summaries and shared links to the text of the law, related regulations, and other valuable information for each act.
- Clean Air Act
The Clean Air Act was enacted in 1970 and regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources.
- Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act was enacted in 1972 and regulates discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United State and quality standards for surface waters.
- Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act was enacted in 1973 and is a conservation program to protect threatened and endangered animals and plants, and the habitats where they are found.
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (aka CERCLA or Superfund)
CERCLA was enacted in 1980 and "provides a Federal "Superfund" to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous-waste sites as well as accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants into the environment."
- National Environmental Policy Act
NEPA was signed into law in 1969 and is most well known for requiring environmental assessments and environmental impact statements in particular instances.
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
RCRA was enacted in 1976 and gives the EPA authority to the EPA to control hazardous waste including generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal.
