| California Environmental Protection Agency | |
|---|---|
| Logo of Cal/EPA | |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | July 17, 1991 |
| Headquarters | 1001 I Street Sacramento, California |
| Employees | 4,550 permanent staff |
| Annual budget | US$1.8 billion ($NaN in 2012) (2011) |
| Agency executives | Matt Rodriquez, Secretary Cindy Tuck, Undersecretary |
| Child agencies | California Integrated Waste Management Board California Department of Toxic Substances Control California Air Resources Board California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment |
| Website | |
| http://www.calepa.ca.gov/ | |
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.
The current Secretary for Environmental Protection is Matt Rodriquez, and is a member of Governor Jerry Brown's cabinet.[1]
Cal/EPA should not be confused with the similarly named federal Environmental Protection Agency.
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Cal/EPA was created by Governor Pete Wilson by Executive Order W-5-91 in 1991, following on a "Big Green" initiative Wilson proposed during the 1990 state gubernatorial elections, promising a cabinet-level agency to oversee state environmental regulations and research.[2] Following inter-agency reorganizations led by the governor with review by both houses of the California State Legislature, the agency became a cabinet department on July 17, 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.[3]
The following departments, boards and offices fall under Cal/EPA:[4]