What independent federal agency was established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment?

• A. Environmental Protection Agency
• B. National Park Service
• C. Federal Communications Commission
• D. Central Intelligence Agency

Answer: (A)

The primary idea here is recognizing how the federal government organizes its efforts to protect the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency was created to bring together various pollution- and environment-related programs under one roof, set nationwide standards, and enforce environmental laws. This centralized authority is exactly what the description means by coordinating programs aimed at reducing pollution and safeguarding natural resources.

Other agencies have different focuses: the National Park Service manages protected areas like national parks, the Federal Communications Commission regulates communications technologies and services, and the Central Intelligence Agency handles foreign intelligence. None of these are tasked with coordinating environmental protection on a national scale, which is why the Environmental Protection Agency fits the description.