Natural Resources Defense Council

Overview

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental advocacy organization headquartered in New York City with offices in multiple U.S. cities and internationally. It employs law, science, and policy expertise along with over 3 million members and activists to address climate change, protect wildlife and public lands, and ensure clean air and water. NRDC focuses on litigation, legislation, and grassroots organizing to influence environmental policy at local, national, and global levels.

History

NRDC was founded on January 1, 1970, by lawyers including John H. Adams in response to the Storm King Mountain hydroelectric project opposition from the Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference case. In the 1970s, it challenged nuclear power plant expansions like Indian Point and contributed to landmark laws such as the Clean Water Act. Over decades, NRDC has secured protections for 100 million acres in Alaska, advanced the Endangered Species Act, and participated in international efforts like the Paris climate agreement.

Notable Products

• Clean Water Act Advocacy - Played key role in drafting and enforcing the 1972 Clean Water Act and its regulations through litigation.
• Storm King Case - Pioneering 1965 lawsuit that established environmental standing in U.S. courts, leading to NRDC's formation.
• Keystone XL Opposition - Led early challenges against the TransCanada tars sands pipeline permit starting in 2008.
• Ozone Layer Treaty - Contributed to the international Montreal Protocol treaty protecting the ozone layer.
• Flint Water Crisis Suit - Joined 2016 lawsuit with ACLU against Michigan governments for Safe Drinking Water Act violations.

Reputation

NRDC is regarded by environmental professionals as an influential legal advocacy group with a track record of shaping U.S. environmental policy through litigation and legislation. It receives praise for mobilizing large memberships and achieving tangible wins like land protections and pollution reductions. Critics from industry sectors accuse it of obstructing energy projects and economic development through aggressive lawsuits.