Court Battles

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has been in court defending the environment and human health. Litigation is in our DNA. 

Here, you can follow some of our landmark court battles as well as other legal advocacy, including administrative cases and amicus briefs. Whether up against a fossil fuel corporation or a government agency, NRDC will continue using facts, evidence, and the rule of law to enforce safeguards and hold polluters accountable.

MEET OUR LITIGATION TEAM

Viewing 1 - 20 of 30

Concerned Pastors for Social Action v. Khouri

Court CaseMichigan, FlintActive
In a citizen-led case, NRDC and partners filed a lawsuit against the city of Flint and Michigan state officials for unlawfully exposing the people of Flint to lead-contaminated drinking water.

Healthy Gulf v. FERC (Commonwealth LNG)

Court CaseLouisianaActive
A massive new liquefied natural gas export facility has been approved in an already overburdened environmental justice community. So we’re suing.

NRDC v. U.S. EPA (Perchlorate)

Court CaseUnited StatesActive
Perchlorate, a toxic component of rocket fuel, threatens the drinking water of millions of people across the United States. NRDC went to court to force the EPA to act.

Keystone XL Pipeline Lawsuits

Court CaseNebraska, South Dakota, MontanaClosed
The massive pipeline threatened our climate and public health—and the government’s approvals violated environmental laws. So we went to court.

NRDC v. E. Scott Pruitt et al. (Neonic Pesticides)

Court CaseUnited StatesActive
Research shows neonics are highly toxic to wildlife, including key pollinators—and the EPA’s failure to act on that evidence violates the Endangered Species Act. So we’re suing.

NRDC et al. v. Dan Brouillette et al.

Court CaseUnited StatesClosed
The Trump administration’s Energy Department abandoned its obligations to review and update efficiency standards. So we sued—and won.

NRDC et al. v. County of Dickson et al.

Court CaseTennessee, DicksonClosed
In the 1960s, manufacturing companies in Tennessee dumped a toxic industrial solvent that causes cancer, as well as reproductive and neurological harm, into an unlined landfill. NRDC helped to hold the companies to account.

South Carolina Coastal Conservation League v. Ross

Court CaseSouth Carolina, EastClosed
NRDC, partners, and coastal states sued to stop seismic blasting in the Atlantic Ocean, which threatens marine life like the endangered North Atlantic right whale.

NRDC Litigation in Action