National Environmental Law Center

NELC is a non-profit litigation center founded in 1990 to enforce anti-pollution laws and protect public health and the environment. NELC attorneys work closely with state and local citizen groups by providing essential legal expertise to bring corporate polluters to justice.

Remembering Ed Lloyd

It is with great sadness that NELC notes the passing of Ed Lloyd, who (along with current litigation Director Chuck Caldart) was one of the two founding attorneys of NELC in 1990. Ed was a pioneering public interest lawyer, and a true crusader for the environment, and he will be dearly missed. Click here to learn more about Ed’s lasting legacy.

Our Primary Focus

Clean Air

Protecting communities from illegal air pollution.

More About Clean Air

Clean Water

Safeguarding water quality by holding corporations and municipalities accountable for illegal discharges.

More About Clean Water

Other Issues

Species Protection

Conserving endangered plants and animals and their habitats.

More About Species Protection

Hazardous Waste

Ensuring corporations and the government manage hazardous and other solid wastes responsibly.

More About Hazardous Waste

Regulatory Challenges

Challenging government regulations that fail to protect the environment and public health.

More About Regulatory Challenges
What We Do

NELC's Impact

For more than three decades, NELC lawsuits have confronted violators of environmental protection laws, holding polluters accountable and protecting communities and ecosystems throughout the country.

100+
Lawsuits initiated
$340m+
Pollution control upgrades
90+
Local environmental and public health projects funded
$55m+
Penalties imposed on polluters