The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not have a typical origin story. Congress did not create it by enacting a statute; President Richard Nixon created it by presidential edict.

Since President Richard Nixon created the EPA in 1970, the U.S. population has grown by 62% and its gross domestic product has more than quadrupled. People in the U.S. drive almost three times as ...

Since President Richard Nixon created the EPA in 1970, the U.S. population has grown by 62% and its gross domestic product has more than quadrupled. People in the U.S. drive almost three times as ...

The United States used to be dangerously polluted. Before President Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970, the environment and its well-being was not a federal priority.