How does petitioning a government agency work?

I am aware that under section 553(e) of the administrative procedures act, government agencies must give an individual the right to petition for a rule. I would like to know what an agency's responsibility is once they have received the petition. Can an agency simply ignore a petition, or do they have to address the specific concerns? Is this an effective way to influence governmental actions?

if the agency in question falls under the act you have noted then no they can't just ignore it. if they fall under the act and you have met all the standards and followed all the rules governing the petition then they must consider your petition. they do not have to act on it in the way you have intended but they must consider it.