Supreme Court Declines To Limit Environmental Citizen Suits

On June 30, 2025, the Supreme Court denied industry group petitions to review and reverse two cases—one out of the Fifth Circuit and the other out of the Ninth Circuit—that could have significantly restricted the ability of citizens to sue over environmental violations. The Courts of Appeals held that citizens have broad powers to bring lawsuits to enforce the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA). As a result, environmental citizen suits will continue to play an important role in enforcing compliance with environmental laws. The denials have added significance because environmental groups have indicated that they intend to more aggressively bring citizen suit claims as the Environmental Protection Agency shifts its enforcement priorities.