Court Battles

American Water Works Association v. EPA (Lead and Copper Rule Improvements)

April 23, 2026 Court CaseUnited StatesActive

NRDC and partners have moved to intervene to defend the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, which would protect tens of millions of people across the nation who are drinking lead-contaminated water.

American Water Works Association et al. v. EPA (“Forever Chemicals” in Tap Water)

April 22, 2026 Court CaseUnited StatesActive

NRDC and our allies are fighting to keep the new PFAS rule in place and get these toxic chemicals out of drinking water.

Climate Superfund Laws Defense Cases

April 17, 2026 Court CaseNew York, VermontActive

The philosophy behind these laws is simple: The fossil fuel companies that share responsibility for creating pollution should also share the responsibility for cleaning it up.

Unreasonably Delayed Agency Action by the EPA: Neonics

March 27, 2026 Court CaseUnited StatesActive

NRDC is suing the EPA for its unreasonable delay in responding to NRDC’s 2020 petition to revoke all food tolerances for neonics.

NRDC v. Minnesota Department of Agriculture

January 21, 2026 Court CaseMinnesotaActive

NRDC is suing the Minnesota Department of Agriculture over its failure to adequately protect pollinators and people from neonic pollution.

NRDC v. U.S. EPA (Perchlorate)

January 6, 2026 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.

Concerned Pastors for Social Action v. Khouri

June 30, 2025 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.

Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, et al v. USDA

May 15, 2025 Court CaseUnited StatesActive

NRDC and partners sued the USDA for illegally removing information on climate change from its website.

NRDC v. California Department of Pesticide Regulation

October 31, 2024 Court CaseCaliforniaActive

NRDC is challenging California’s policy that allows pesticide-treated seeds to go unregulated.

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

October 31, 2024 Court CaseUnited StatesClosed

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.

Friends of the Earth et al. v. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

August 6, 2024 Court CaseFlorida, MiamiClosed

NRDC and our partners are advocating for the NRC to analyze the potentially grave environmental impacts of extending the operating licenses of two Florida nuclear reactors.

Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments et al. v. FDA et al. (Antibiotic Resistance)

July 15, 2024 Court CaseUnited StatesClosed

NRDC and a coalition of public health advocacy groups are suing the FDA to halt unnecessary uses of antibiotics in animal agriculture—and protect people and the environment.

Migrant Clinicians Network et al. v. U.S. EPA et al. (Streptomycin)

January 4, 2024 Court CaseUnited States, FloridaClosed

After NRDC and our partners sued the EPA, the medically important streptomycin antibiotic may no longer be lawfully sold or distributed as a pesticide.

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

March 31, 2022 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.

NRDC v. David L. Bernhardt et al. (Rusty Patched Bumblebee Habitat)

September 1, 2020 Court CaseEast, MidwestClosed

More than two years since the rusty patched bumblebee was listed as an endangered species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has yet to designate and protect the bee’s critical habitat, as required by law.

NRDC v. E. Scott Pruitt et al. (Enlist Duo)

July 23, 2020 Court CaseUnited StatesClosed

The EPA approved the pesticide Enlist Duo despite its serious risks to people and monarch butterflies. So NRDC challenged the EPA’s decision—and won an important victory.

Alfa International Seafood et al. v. Wilbur Ross et al.

January 1, 2018 Court CaseInternational, United StatesClosed

The National Marine Fisheries Service has a Seafood Traceability Rule that helps prevent illegal fishing and seafood fraud. When it came under attack, NRDC stepped in.