Rachel Carson Sparks the Environmental Movement

Rachel Carson Sparks the Environmental Movement — page 5
PERSPECTIVE The First EPA Head William Ruckelshaus was the first head of the EPA The press depicted him as a mighty fighter for the environment In early 1971 Ruckelshaus faced off against Union Carbide a chemical company The EPA had asked the company for a schedule to decrease the air pollution it created at an Ohio plant Ruckelshaus rejected the company’s proposed schedule Union Carbide responded with a threat It said it would fire 625 workers if it were forced to reduce air pollution more quickly The EPA worked out a deal with Union Carbide It saved jobs while still improving air quality By April 1972 the plant had reduced its air pollution by 70 percent 6 throwing away 100 million tires 28 billion bottles and 48 billion cans each year The long-term effect of all this trash was unknown Experts worried it could cause major problems in the future The advisers suggested creating a new department called the Environmental Protection Agency EPA Several existing agencies would join into a single unit They would oversee the government’s environmental policy The president followed the