Environmental Regulation: An Overview of Major Federal Statutes

This report provides a summary of the major federal environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund). Each statute's key provisions, regulatory framework, and enforcement mechanisms are described.

The report discusses the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in implementing these statutes and examines the interaction between federal standards and state environmental programs. Recent regulatory actions, including revisions to emissions standards and water quality regulations, are reviewed.

Congressional considerations include proposals to amend existing statutes, appropriations for EPA enforcement activities, and the balance between environmental protection and economic growth in regulatory policymaking.