EPA Alumni Association: History of the EPA

Below we serve up glimpses of EPA's history in five different "flavors":

Oral History Videos

Alumni have recorded videos on a variety of subjects. Most videos are 45 to 60 minutes in length but are broken down into chapters for easier viewing. Transcripts and podcast versions of these videos are also provided. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS TO PEEK YOUR INTEREST.

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Reflections on US Environmental Policy: Interview with William K. Reilly

Former Administrator Bill Reilly talks about his arrival at EPA, his agenda at EPA, his focus on international issues, his changing view of EPA staff, and challenges that EPA faces. This interview was produced by two alumni, Dan Fiorino and Gordon Binder, under the auspices of the School of Public Affairs at American University.

Chapter 4: Factors that Led to Successes and some Lessons Learned

(17 minutes) From Early Implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act

Panelists reflect back on success and posit some lessons learned.

Chapter 5: Lessons Learned at EPA

(10 minutes) From Former Deputy Administrator Hank Habicht talks about management at EPA

Hank Habicht lists some major lessons learned about managing the EPA, including SES rotations, "turf" problems, and the value of good science and team work.

Chapter 1: A Public and Private Sector Career in Environmental Protection

(9 minutes) From Interview with James (Jim) Seif

Jim Seif discusses the origins of his commitment to environmental protection and how this and his political activism have shaped his career

Chapter 4: Dealing with Congress and Interest Groups

( minutes) From David Dominick, Commissioner of the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration (1969-1970)

Dominick describes his work with Senator Muskie, his interaction with the "Nader's Raiders" who conducted a 15-month investigation of the program, and the importance of the growing en...

Half Century of Environmental Progress

High school and college students as well as others may not know about the major environmental problems and issues encountered in the United States in the latter half of the 20th century, how they were addressed, and the importance of continued vigilance in attacking remaining and evolving issues. This history of EPA has been written for them."

Reducing Pesticide Risks: A Half Century of Progress

From Reducing Pesticide Risks: A Half Century of Progress
Categories: Pesticides

EPA Journals

For many years, EPA published the "EPA Journal" with interesting articles on a very wide variety of topics. The Association is slowly digitizing and categorizing these Journals. To date we have digitized 3034 articles. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTED ARTICLES FOR YOU TO SAMPLE.

Risk Communication: Informing Public Opinion by Milton Russell

From Environmental Risk, Nov. 1987
Categories: Public, The

Regulatory Council Goals by Douglas M. Costle

From A Tribute to Rachel Carson, Nov. 1978
Categories: Economic Impact, Other Federal Agencies

How the New Program Will Work: A Procedural Case History

From The Environmentalists, Apr. 1978
Categories: Enforcement, Policy and Planning, Water: General

A Government Solar Report

From Energy and the Environment, Apr. 1979
Categories: Public, The

Books & Articles by Alumni

Some of the most detailed history of EPA is contained in books and articles written by alumni.

Historical Documents

Some documents have made a big difference in the direction that EPA has taken through the years. Here we present some of them.

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History of the EPA — As Only We Alumni Can Tell It!