Which agency is primarily responsible for implementing the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary agency responsible for implementing the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This federal law, enacted in 1976, governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. The EPA’s role includes overseeing the management of hazardous waste from its creation to its disposal, ensuring that waste management practices protect human health and the environment.

The EPA formulates regulations that dictate how hazardous waste must be handled, stored, treated, and disposed of, and conducts inspections to ensure compliance with these regulations. The agency also provides guidance and resources to state and local governments and conducts research and data collection related to waste management.

Understanding the specific functions of agencies like the Department of Energy, the Department of Transportation, and the Food and Drug Administration clarifies why they are not primarily responsible for RCRA. For example, while the Department of Energy deals with energy production and nuclear waste management, it does not manage the broader aspects of solid and hazardous waste as mandated by RCRA.