National Environmental Law Center

07/03/2019

From taking on U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh to the closing of a municipal trash incinerator in Detroit, we have had a busy summer thus far.

To read more about what we've been up to, click the link below to download our Summer 2019 newsletter:

06/05/2019

Following a fire at the Clairton Coke Works on Dec. 24, the plant continued to operate without key pollution controls, causing air pollution levels around the facility to rise past federal and state safety thresholds on thirteen occasions.

Environmental groups say health of Mon Valley residents  damaged when U.S. Steel illegally operated coke works without controls 

09/28/2018

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07/27/2018

Our Summer 2018 Newsletter is out! Click here for a download link:

07/26/2018

"The company, commonly referred to as PRSI, also was ordered to pay a $350,000 civil penalty to the federal government and $3.175 million to the Houston-Galveston Area Council to establish a grant program to help local schools and governments replace traditional vehicles with electric or hybrid models."

The settlement will end a "citizen suit" against Pasadena Refining System that alleges years of air pollution violations. Under the Clean Air Act, citizens may sue companies if government regulators fail to act.

03/09/2018

"Toxics Action Center and Conservation Law Foundation held a news conference Thursday saying they have issued a formal notice to Casella Waste Systems, Inc. that they intend to file a lawsuit against Casella for illegal discharges of pollutants from the Bethlehem Landfill into the Ammonoosuc River."

Toxics Action Center and Conservation Law Foundation held a news conference Thursday saying they have issued a formal notice to Casella Waste Systems, Inc. that they intend to file a lawsuit against Casella for illegal discharges of pollutants from the Bethlehem Landfill into the Ammonoosuc River.

12/20/2017

“The pollution control measures required by this settlement agreement are essential for protecting public health, but should have been employed years ago. Hopefully, today’s outcome demonstrates that it doesn’t pay to pollute,” said Heather Govern, the National Environmental Law Center attorney who filed the case on behalf of PennEnvironment.

Acrid, odorous, air pollution up to eight times the allowable limit from ArcelorMittal’s coke works in Monessen has been an unhealthy problem for nearby ...

11/16/2017

"Pilgrim’s would also have to pay $1.43 million in fines, a fee the plaintiffs believe is historic for the state. Of that money, $1.3 million would go to Stetson University in Deland where it will be used exclusively for the creation of a sustainable farming fund."

Environmental activists on Wednesday filed a proposed consent decree in federal court to settle an eight-month legal battle against the country’s No. 2 chicken-processing plant’s Live Oak operation.

11/16/2017

NELC Settles Pilgrim's Pride Lawsuit On Behalf of Environment Florida and Sierra Club

Environmental activists on Wednesday filed a proposed consent decree in federal court to settle an eight-month legal battle against the country’s No. 2 chicken-processing plant’s Live Oak operation.

11/02/2017

Oral argument in Toxics Action Center, Environment MA v. Casella Waste Systems

09/11/2017

"Petrochemical corridor residents say air that is bad enough on normal days got worse as Harvey crashed into the nation’s fourth-largest city and then yielded the highest ozone pollution so far this year anywhere in Texas."

The Post also mentioned our big wins in the area: "Of the dozen plants in Harris County reporting storm-related emissions, Exxon Mobil, Chevron Phillips and Shell Oil have been fined or ordered to pay settlements totaling $27.8 million since 2010 for violating federal environmental laws after suits by The Sierra Club and Environment Texas. A federal judge ordered Exxon Mobil in May to pay most of it — $19.9 million — for illegal emissions from its Baytown refinery. Exxon Mobil is appealing."

Cindy Sanchez began to feel ill while barbecuing just before Harvey’s torrents started pelting this city just east of Houston, along a corridor with the nation’s highest concentration of petrochemical plants.

06/09/2017

Cheering on Toxics Action Center, National Environmental Law Center Environment Massachusetts and the plaintiffs from Southbridge/Sturbridge/Charlton as they announce lawsuit against Casella Waste Management over the release of toxic pollutants from the Southbridge Landfill that have contaminated drinking water wells and a nearby stream and wetlands.