Which agency plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with hazardous waste regulations?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary federal agency responsible for enforcing regulations related to hazardous waste management. It develops and oversees laws that ensure environmental protection, particularly concerning the safe treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. The EPA implements the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which establishes a framework for managing hazardous waste, from its generation to final disposal. Through its guidance and enforcement activities, the EPA aims to reduce the risks associated with hazardous waste and protect human health and the environment.

The other options listed, while pertinent to their specific areas, do not focus on hazardous waste compliance in the same way. The Department of Transportation regulates the transport of hazardous materials but is not primarily responsible for waste management. OSHA is concerned with workplace safety and health standards, including hazardous materials, but it does not regulate hazardous waste per se. The FBI focuses on law enforcement and criminal investigations, deviating from the environmental regulatory focus of the EPA. Thus, the EPA is the critical agency when it comes to ensuring compliance with hazardous waste regulations.