Title

EPA’s Administrative Compliance Orders Ruled Unconstitutional

Authors

Mary Margaret McCleroy

Document Type

Litigation Update

Publication Date

Summer 2003

Abstract

On June 24, 2003, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals declared the Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) authority to issue legally binding administrative compliance orders (“ACOs”) unconstitutional. This decision could foreshadow a broader movement to weaken EPA’s ability to enforce the broad range of environmental and public health statutes that it is responsible for implementing. While this decision undermines EPA’s ability to enforce ACOs, it does not leave EPA completely helpless to enforce environmental laws.

Recommended Citation

McCleroy, Mary Margaret. "EPA’s Administrative Compliance Orders Ruled Unconstitutional." Sustainable Development Law and Policy, Summer/Fall 2003, 4-5.