For example, the Labor Department relies on the Bureau of Labor Statistics to act as the principal fact-finding agency in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The Commerce Department relies on accountants preparing estimates that illuminate key national, international and regional aspects of the U.S. economy. The Department of Agriculture relies on the Agricultural Research Service and the Environmental Protection Agency relies on the Office of Policy, Planning and Development. State and local governments also hire economists to perform similar tasks as their federal counterparts.