What is the difference between DEQ and EPA?
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency whose mission is to protect human health and the environment through regulation, research, and outreach related to pollutants in the environment. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a state agency, not directly affiliated with the EPA, that answers to the Governor and Legislature of the State of Wyoming. DEQ develops and implements regulations and policies to meet federal guidelines and in response to direction from the Legislature and the Governor. Many of DEQ’s programs have been designed to meet EPA’s requirements, so that DEQ is delegated the authority to enforce most of the EPA’s environmental programs. By maintaining delegation, DEQ keeps the management of environmental programs within the state, allowing the development of regulations and policy to better meet the specific needs of Wyoming. EPA retains oversight of any DEQ programs that implement federal requirements.
