User:Milton Beychok/Sandbox
Logo of the California Environmental Protection Agency.
The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) is a state cabinet-level agency within the government of California. Cal/EPA is composed of six departments, boards and offices responsible for environmental research, regulating and administering the state's environmental protection programs, and fulfilling hazardous waste cleanup.
Cal/EPA should not be confused with the similarly-named federal Environmental Protection Agency.
History
Cal/EPA was created by Governor Pete Wilson by Executive Order W-5-91 in 1991, following a "Big Green" initiative Wilson proposed during the California gubernatorial election campaign of 1990 promising a cabinet-level agency to oversee state environmental regulations and research.[1] Following inter-agency reorganizations, the agency became a cabinet department in July 1991.
Cal/EPA, and its departmental California Air Resources Board, were one of the key supporters of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, making the state the first in the United States to cap all greenhouse gas emissions from major industries.
In June 2008, Cal/EPA announced that new global warming performance labels would be placed on all new cars effective on January 1, 2009. The stickers will provide two scores: a smog score and a global warming score with a grade from 1 to 10 assigned. The higher the grade, the more environmentally friendly the vehicle is.[2]
Departments
The following departments, boards and offices fall under Cal/EPA:
- Department of Toxic Substances Control
- Integrated Waste Management Board
- State Water Resources Board
- Air Resources Board
- Department of Pesticide Regulation
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
References
- ↑ History. California Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved on 2007-07-23.
- ↑ California Slaps Global Warming Performance Labels On New Cars. The Auto Writer. Retrieved on 2008-07-15.