Question

As is true with other states, Texas has enacted a variety of natural resource preservation laws—so-called green laws—to protect the environment and the natural beauty of the state. What agency is responsible for enforcing those laws?

a) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
b) Texas Department of Agriculture
c) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
d) Department of Natural Resources

Answer 1

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is the agency responsible for enforcing environmental protection laws in Texas, complementing the federal role of the EPA.

Step-by-step explanation:

The agency responsible for enforcing environmental protection laws in Texas is the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role at the federal level, individual states also have specific agencies to address unique environmental issues and enforce state-specific regulations. The EPA does conduct environmental assessment, research, and education nationwide and has enforcement powers that include fines and sanctions, but the administration of many environmental programs is delegated to state agencies, such as the TCEQ.