Which government agency primarily enforces green regulations on a national scale?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary government agency responsible for enforcing green regulations on a national scale in the United States. Established in response to growing environmental concerns, the EPA plays a crucial role in implementing and enforcing laws related to air and water quality, hazardous waste, and other environmental issues. Its mandate includes regulating pollutants to protect human health and the environment, thereby ensuring compliance with various environmental statutes.

The agency conducts research, provides education on environmental issues, and collaborates with states and local governments to enforce regulations effectively. It issues permits, conducts inspections, and can impose penalties for non-compliance. This comprehensive approach allows the EPA to address a wide array of environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices across the nation, making it the central authority on environmental regulation.

In contrast, other choices relate to different areas of governance. The Commission on Environmental Quality focuses on environmental issues at the state level, mainly in Texas, and does not have a national reach. The National Security Agency is concerned with national security and intelligence rather than environmental regulations. The U.S. Department of Energy primarily deals with energy production and research but does not enforce regulations specifically focused on environmental protection in the same way the EPA does.