National Environmental Law Center

The National Environmental Law Center (NELC) is a nonprofit environmental litigation center founded by the State Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) to take enforcement action against the nation's worst polluters. On behalf of citizen-plaintiff organizations, NELC obtains court orders to stop illegal discharges of pollutants and secures major penalties against violators of environmental laws. Money from fines and settlements is often directed to local environmental projects in and around affected areas.