Nixon did not create the EPA out of benevolence. The normal (non-conservative and progressive) reps had been pushing for it for years and were gaining public opinion momentum on it. Nixon knew if he was able to create it on his own terms, it could be controlled and hamstrung. He did exactly that.

Nixon allowed conservatives and the business-class (both of whom hated the EPA) to determine how the EPA would be limited. And every conservative administration since Nixon has done the same thing, using the EPA as a tool to allow corporations to do exactly as they please while telling the public that the environment is being protected.

Every word uttered by a conservative is deception or manipulation, and the EPA is an excellent example of that truism in action.