Which of the following agencies was created to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment?

• A. U.S. Department of Energy
• B. Environmental Protection Agency
• C. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• D. Bureau of Land Management

Answer: (B)

Coordinating pollution reduction and environmental protection across the federal government is the purpose behind creating the Environmental Protection Agency. Established in 1970, the EPA brings together and directs federal environmental programs, sets national standards for air and water quality, and enforces laws designed to limit pollution. This centralized coordination is what makes it the best answer, because the other agencies have different primary focuses: the Department of Energy deals with energy and energy policy; NOAA handles oceans, weather, and climate research and monitoring; and the Bureau of Land Management oversees public lands and resource use. In short, the Environmental Protection Agency was created specifically to coordinate efforts aimed at protecting the environment and reducing pollution.