The Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet consists of four departments, several commissions and the Office of the Secretary that serve the taxpayers of Kentucky in many capacities. Click on any of the links to take you directly to the agency's Web site for additional information.
Office of Administrative Hearings--holds administrative, adjudicatory hearings regarding air, water, waste and surface mining violations.
Office of Inspector General--conducts administrative and criminal investigations involving the cabinet, including violations of environmental laws and other violations of state statutes and cabinet policies.
Office of Legal Services--provides legal advice and representation to the various departments, offices and commissions within the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.
Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs--provides oversight for the development of cabinet legislation and interaction with members of the General Assembly. It coordinates evolvement of legislation from the departments and offices and ensures compliance with cabinet and administration goals and objectives.
Division for Air Quality--protects human health and the environment by achieving and maintaining acceptable air quality.
Division of Compliance Assistance--enables excellence in environmental compliance, recognizes environmental leadership and facilitates activities that enhance the welfare of Kentucky’s citizens and environment.
Division of Enforcement--uses a clear and consistent approach in bringing about and maintaining compliance with the cabinet’s regulatory programs by using appropriate and reasonable measures to resolve cases in a timely manner.
Division of Environmental Services--provides centralized laboratory testing for the cabinet.
Division of Waste Management-- protects human health and the environment by minimizing adverse impacts on all citizens through the development and implementation of fair, equitable and effective waste management programs.
Division of Water-- manages, protects and enhances the water resources of the commonwealth for present and future generations through voluntary, regulatory and educational programs.
Division of Abandoned Mine Lands--works throughout the state’s coal fields to protect the public from health and safety problems.
Division of Conservation--assists Kentucky's 121 local conservation districts in the development and implementation of sound soil and water conservation programs. The division also ensures the availability of technical and financial assistance to the landowners and land users of Kentucky.
Division of Forestry--protects and enhances the forest resources of the commonwealth by informing the public of the environmental and economic importance of these resources.
Division of Mine Permits--reviews all permit applications to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations in the commonwealth and to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement--inspects all surface and underground coal mining permits in Kentucky to assure compliance with the 1977 Federal Surface Mining Control Act.
Division of Oil and Gas Conservation--fosters conservation of all mineral resources, encourages the exploration of such resources, protects the correlative rights of land and mineral owners, prohibits waste and unnecessary surface loss and damage, and encourages the maximum recovery of oil and gas from all deposits.
Office of Mine Safety and Licensing--ensures that all coal miners in the state are provided with a safe working environment and provided with effective coal miners' education and training that fosters safe work practices. It also ensures that statutes and regulations regarding coal mining, the sale, storage and use of explosives, and the production of oil and natural gas are enforced fairly and consistently.
Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control--regulates the alcoholic beverage industry by licensing the production and sale of alcoholic beverages, enforces state liquor laws and regulates tobacco sales to minors.
Board of Claims--decides claims filed against the state by citizens who believe their property has been damaged through negligent acts on the part of the state.
Board of Tax Appeals--hears and determines tax appeals from final rulings, orders and determinations of state or county government agencies regarding revenue and taxation.
Office of Charitable Gaming--regulates state charitable gaming laws and regulations through public education, inspections and licensing.
Crime Victim's Compensation Board--determines eligibility and amount of reimbursement to innocent, needy crime victims.
Office of Financial Institutions--regulates all state banks and branches, trust departments and independent trust companies, state credit unions, state savings and loan associations, consumer and industrial loan companies, mortgage loan companies and mortgage loan brokers, companies selling money orders, check-cashing institutions and title pledge lenders.
Office of Housing, Buildings and Construction--regulates all construction of buildings through enforcement of building and fire codes. The department also ensures fire and life safety in existing buildings, licenses/certifies plumbers, boiler contractors, sprinkler and fire alarm contractors and building inspectors. It serves as headquarters for the State Fire Marshal's office.
Office of Insurance--regulates property, casualty, life and health insurance companies operating in the state through the control of coverage and market practices. It also administers testing and issuance of licenses to agents and procures state insurance for state-owned properties.
Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority--oversees all professional boxing and wrestling matches or exhibitions held in the commonwealth. The authority also licenses wrestlers, boxers, referees, managers and promoters.
Kentucky Horse Racing Authority--promotes economic development activities in the commonwealth as well as governs the state's horse industry.
Public Service Commission--oversees state utility companies that provide electric, telecommunications, water and natural gas service to the public.
Office of Occupational Safety and Health--prevents any detriment to the safety and health of all employees, both public and private, arising out of exposure to harmful conditions and practices at places of work.
Office of Workplace Standards--administers statutes and regulations through education and enforcement in a fair and equitable manner to employees and employers; investigates allegations of violations of the statutes and regulations; renders findings in a timely and efficient manner; and conducts wage hearings and issues wage determinations consistent with statutory requirements.
Office of Workers' Claims--delivers wage replacement income benefits and medical services to employees who have been disabled by industrial accidents.
Labor Management Relations and Mediation--fosters positive communications between labor and management and assists in the improvement of the substance as well as the image of labor-management relations throughout the commonwealth.
Environmental Quality Commission--facilitates public discussion and resolution of environmental issues, monitors environmental trends and conditions, and promotes partnerships to improve and protect the environment for future generations.
Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission--protects Kentucky's natural heritage by identifying, acquiring and managing natural areas and working with others to protect biological diversity. The commission educates Kentuckians as to the value and purpose of nature preserves and biodiversity conservation.
Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund--provides funding for natural areas that possess unique features such as habitat for rare and endangered species, areas important to migratory birds, areas that perform important natural functions that are subject to alteration or loss, and areas to be preserved in their natural state for public use, outdoor recreation and education.
Mine Safety Review Commission--protects the health and safety of the coal industry's most valuable resource--the coal miner. It also helps to upgrade enforcement of coal mine safety regulations.
