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Page Updated: Mar. 5, 2020

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History of the Clean Water Act History of the Clean Water Act Sep. 12, 2019 (EPA)- The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 was the first major U.S. law to address water pollution. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to sweeping amendments in 1972. As amended in 1972, the law became commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA). The 1972 amendments: • Established basic structure for regulating discharges into the waters of the U.S. • Gave EPA the authority including setting wastewater standards for industry • Maintained requirements for water quality standards • Illegalized discharge any pollutant into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained under its provisions • Funded the construction of sewage treatment plants • Recognized the need for planning to address the critical source pollution problems Click now for a full explanation. Is Ethanol Really a Good Idea? Food Vs. Fuel: What Trump's Ethanol Policy Means For The Food System Forbes Magazine -The EPA moved forward with President Trump’s directive to lift a federal ban on high ethanol blended gas during the summer months, though not quickly enough for Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who Reuters reports is urging the EPA to lift the ban on a much quicker timeline. Lifting the ban is a policy shift that’s being celebrated by large-scale corn growers and decried by biofuel opponents. But the policy has implications for the food system too, as many food system reformers say the last thing U.S. farmers should be growing is more corn. Surprised? Click now for the story. EPA to Halt Fuel Economy Standards California Getting Ready to Fight Back Mar. 29, 2018 - The Trump administration is poised to abandon America's pioneering fuel economy targets for cars and SUVs, a move that would undermine one of the world's most aggressive programs to confront climate change and invite another major confrontation with California. The EPA is expected to announce in the coming days that it will scrap mileage targets the Obama administration drafted in tandem with California that aim to boost average fuel economy for passenger cars and SUVs to 55 miles per gallon by 2025, according to people familiar with the plans. Click now for the LA Times story. The E.P.A is a Sinking Ship E.P.A. Officials, Disheartened by Agency’s Direction, Are Leaving in Droves Dec. 22, 2018 - More than 700 people have left the Environmental Protection Agency since President Trump took office, a wave of departures that puts the administration nearly a quarter of the way toward its goal of shrinking the agency to levels last seen during the Reagan administration. Click now for the New York Times/ProPublica story. How Low Can the EPA Go? EPA Reverses Policy on 'Major Sources' of Pollution Jan. 25, 2018 - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it was withdrawing a provision of the Clean Air Act that requires a major source of pollution like a power plant to always be treated as a major source, even if it makes changes to reduce emissions. The decision to withdraw the "once-in always-in" policy is part of President Donald Trump's effort to roll back federal regulations and was sought by utilities, the petroleum industry and others. Never mind about the health of the American people. Click now for the story. Trump Imposes Tariffs on PV Imports 30% Tariff Disappoints Trade Industry Jan. 22, 2018 - Trump has agreed to a recommendation by the International Trade Commission (ITC) to grant U.S. solar manufacturers relief from unfair trade practices in the form of tariffs on solar cells and modules imported to the U.S. This will hurt the solar industry which currently employs over 250,000 workers. Click now for the story from Renewable Energy World. Fed. Compromise on Anti-PACE Law Industry, Lawmakers Compromise on Anti-Property Assessed Clean Energy Legislation Dec. 27, 2017 - A financing program that’s let more than 180,000 homeowners pay for solar panels and clean-energy appliances through their local tax bills is poised to survive an effort by Republicans to add regulations that would have effectively shut it down. Click now to read more from Renewable Energy World.	The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Summary of the National Environmental Policy Act Originally Passed in 1968 (EPA) — NEPA was one of the first laws ever written that establishes the broad national framework for protecting our environment. NEPA's basic policy is to assure that all branches of government give proper consideration to the environment prior to undertaking any major federal action that significantly affects the environment. NEPA requirements are invoked when airports, buildings, military complexes, highways, parkland purchases, and other federal activities are proposed. Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), which are assessments of the likelihood of impacts from alternative courses of action, are required from all Federal agencies and are the most visible NEPA requirements. Click now for more, including a history of this act. Shouldn’t We Abolish Fossil Fuel Subsidies? America Spends Over $20Bn Per Year On Fossil Fuel Subsidies. July 30, 2018 (The Guardian) -Imagine that instead of taxing cigarettes, America subsidized the tobacco industry in order to make each pack of smokes cheaper. A report from Oil Change International (OCI) investigated American energy industry subsidies and found that in 2015–2016, the federal government provided $14.7bn per year to the oil, gas, and coal industries, on top of $5.8bn of state-level incentives (globally, the figure is around $500bn). And the report only accounted for production subsidies, excluding consumption subsidies (support to consumers to lower the cost of fossil fuel use – another $14.5bn annually) as well as the costs of carbon and other fossil fuel pollutants. Click for the full story. The D.O.E. Solar Decathlon How To Shine In The Solar Village October 6, 2017 - At noon Eastern Standard Time today — the second day of competition for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon in Denver — the Northwestern University team was sitting in first place, according to scores released on the competition website. The Solar Village, where all 13 teams’ houses are standing for the competition, is now open to the public. With scoring under way on three of the 10 competition categories — Heath & Comfort, Appliances, and Home Life — Northwestern was tied with Swiss Team and UC Berkeley/U of Denver on the three segments in Health & Comfort — temperature, humidity and indoor air quality. Budget Slashed for Clean Energy Trump’s Budget Expected to Massively Slash Research On Renewable Energy — And ‘Clean Coal’ May 18, 2017 -The Trump administration is expected to propose massive cuts to federal government research on wind and solar energy next week, according to current and former Energy Department officials familiar with budget discussions. The department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), which funds research on advanced vehicles as well as other aspects of clean energy, would face a roughly 70 percent cut in 2018, carving about $ 1.45 billion from its $2.09 billion 2017 budget. The SunShot Initiative What is the SunShot Initiative? The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office focuses on achieving the goals of the SunShot Initiative, which seeks to make solar energy cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by the end of the decade. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act Notes from the Solar Underground: US Solar’s Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act The global solar industry relies on mandate. Let's hope it doesn't go away. Carbon Tax Center What is the Carbon Tax Center? Why revenue-neutral carbon taxes are essential, what’s happening now, and how you can help. In a carbon-constrained world, a permanent U.S. carbon tax is essential to reduce emissions that drive global warming.

Federal*, state and local agencies
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Governmental Agencies
Federal Agencies Note: During the current administration, services and staff have been cut significantly The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management BOEM offshore leasing and operations are governed by a wide variety of laws, regulations, and other communications with the offshore industry. The Bureau enforces compliance with these regulations and periodically updates rules to reflect advancements in technology and new information. This section provides access to BOEM rules, regulations, and guidance to the offshore industry. Combined Heat and Power Partnership The CHP Partnership is a voluntary program seeking to reduce the environmental impact of power generation by promoting the use of CHP. The Partnership works closely with energy users, the CHP industry, state and local governments, and other clean energy stakeholders to facilitate the development of new projects and to promote their environmental and economic benefits. The Solar Energy Technologies Program (Dept. of Energy) The Solar Energy Technologies Program focuses on developing cost-effective solar energy technologies that have the greatest potential to benefit the nation and the world. A growing solar industry also stimulates our economy by creating jobs in solar manufacturing and installation. See also the SunShot Initiative which strives to make solar competitive with fossil fuels by 2020. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. NOAA warns of dangerous weather, charts seas and skies, guides the use and protection of ocean and coastal resources, and conducts research to improve understanding and stewardship of the environment. National Renewable Energy Laboratory Focusing on creative answers to today's energy challenges. From fundamental science and energy analysis to validating new products for the commercial market, NREL researchers are dedicated to transforming the way the world uses energy. With more than 35 years of successful innovation in energy efficiency and renewable energy, today our discoveries provide sustainable alternatives for powering our homes, businesses, and our transportation system. U.S. Dept. of Environmental Protection EPA had employed 17,000 people across the country, including headquarters offices in Washington, DC, 10 regional offices, and more than a dozen labs. Staff were technically trained; more than half were engineers, scientists, and policy analysts. In addition, a large number of employees are legal, public affairs,financial, information management and computer specialists. EPA is now led by the Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyest, who has a questionable allegiance to the environment. State Agencies The California Solar Initiative - CSI The California Solar Initiative offers cash back for installing solar on your home or business. The state strives to create megawatts of new solar-generated electricity, moving it towards a clean energy future. And you can help! Join the thousands of home and business owners who have earned cash back rebates by installing solar energy systems through the California Solar Initiative. Customers earn cash rebates for every watt of solar energy installed on homes, businesses, farms, schools, and government and non-profit organizations. Connecticut Energy and Environmental Protection In charge of conserving, improving and protecting the state's natural resources and environment. Promotes the supply of clean, affordable and reliable energy. Database of State Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency Overview of Florida's state rebate program. Applies to Commercial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Fed. Government, Multi-Family Residential, Institutional. Also covers other states' similar incentive programs.	State Agencies (continued) Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection The lead agency for environmental management and stewardship and is one of the more diverse agencies in state government, protecting air, water, and land. It is divided into three primary areas: Regulatory Programs, Land and Recreation and Planning and Management. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency This site covers all aspects of the environment in the state. Use the link to report violations of air and water quality rules and regulations. Maine Department of Environmental Protection The DEP is responsible for protecting and restoring Maine's natural resources and enforcing the state's environmental laws. The agency can trace its roots back to the Sanitary Water Board that was created in 1941. The purpose of that Board was to study, investigate, recommend means of eliminating and preventing pollution in waters used for recreational purposes. The Board was renamed the Water Improvement Commission in 1951. In 1969, the Commission's title was abbreviated to the Environmental Improvement Commission. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection The Department of Environmental Protection is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air and water, the safe management of toxins and hazards, the recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, the timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources. NJ Board of Public Utilities A regulatory authority with a statutory mandate to ensure safe, adequate, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for customers in New Jersey. NJ Department of Environmental Protection On America's first official "Earth Day" — April 22, 1970, the NJ DEP was born. It became the third state to consolidate its past programs into a unified major agency to administer aggressive environmental protection and conservation efforts. Since then it began a role to manage natural resources and solve pollution problems. In what started with about 1,400 employees in five divisions, NJDEP now has a staff of approximately 2,900 and is a leader in the country for its pollution prevention efforts and innovative environmental management strategies. NY: NYSERDA NYSERDA’s earliest efforts focused solely on research and development with the goal of reducing the State’s petroleum consumption. Subsequent research and development projects focused on topics including environmental effects of energy consumption, development of renewable resources, and advancement of innovative technologies. Check the website for funding opportunities and other incentives to go green. Ohio EPA Their mission is to protect the environment and public health by ensuring compliance with environmental laws and demonstrating leadership in environmental stewardship. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a regulatory agency whose job is to protect the quality of Oregon's environment. Well, YEAH! PA Department of Environmental Protection Responsible for administering Pennsylvania's environmental laws and regulations. They work to reduce air pollution, insure water quality, and more. Sarasota County (Fla.) Government Roadmap to Sustainability. Sarasota County government is committed to environmental, cultural and economic sustainability. This means: • Replenish the resources we use or consume. • Ensuring our values guide us into the future. • Investing in our community to ensure future prosperity. To achieve the balance necessary for a sustainable community, our programs and services must be economically viable, environmentally sound and socially equitable.