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EPA History

Celebrating 50 years of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA was created on December 2, 1970, by President Richard Nixon.
EPA's Administrators

Since its founding in 1970, EPA has had 15 administrators appointed by the president.

VIDEO: EPA's administrators talk about their tenure at EPA's helm.

Origins of EPA

Bill Ruckelshaus, EPA's first Administrator, getting sworn in by President Nixon

Learn about the origins of EPA
Explore the timeline of Milestones in EPA and Environmental History.
Read about EPA accomplishments over its 50-year history.
Review chronologies of EPA administrators, deputy administrators, and general counsels.

Historical Topics

Abandoned home near Love Canal

Historical Photos

Testing vehicle emissions, 1970. This photo was part of EPA's Documerica Project.

View photos from EPA's Documerica Project (1971-1977) and other environmental photo collections.
Watch videos about the administrators.
EPA's archive also includes biographies, photos and other information about EPA's history. SEARCH EPA ARCHIVE