Maryland Attorney General Joins Multistate Effort to Urge EPA to Strengthen Environmental Enforcement

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of 13 other state attorneys general in urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reverse a recent policy change that they argue would significantly weaken federal environmental enforcement and delay actions against polluters. The attorneys general expressed their concerns in a letter sent to EPA Commissioner Lee Zeldin, contending that the agency’s December 2025 “Compliance First” memorandum could lead to slower enforcement of environmental laws, create administrative hurdles for holding polluters accountable, and ultimately result in increased pollution that harms communities nationwide. The coalition also challenged the EPA’s recent Enforcement and Compliance Annual Results Report, asserting that it misrepresents the agency’s enforcement record by including achievements from the previous administration and selectively presenting favorable data while omitting unfavorable statistics.

The letter from Attorney General Brown and the participating attorneys general specifically addresses the EPA’s memorandum titled “Reinforcing a ‘Compliance First’ Orientation for Compliance Assurance and Civil Enforcement Activities.” The coalition argues that despite the memorandum’s stated objective of promoting compliance, its practical effect would be to delay enforcement actions. They warn that the policy could allow polluters to prolong investigations by introducing legal challenges that would require progression through multiple levels of political review. Furthermore, the attorneys general highlighted that the policy memo discourages the use of crucial enforcement mechanisms, such as penalties, injunctive relief, and supplemental environmental projects, which are vital for halting pollution and rectifying environmental damage. Weakening these tools, the coalition contends, would impede the ability to swiftly bring polluters into compliance and address environmental harm.

The attorneys general emphasized the critical role of robust federal enforcement, particularly because pollution often extends beyond state boundaries. Even states that maintain strong environmental regulations depend on consistent federal enforcement to mitigate upstream pollution and ensure a fair market for businesses that adhere to environmental laws. The coalition also cautioned that any delays in enforcement would disproportionately impact communities already bearing the brunt of pollution, including communities of color, low-income populations, and rural areas. The potential for increased emissions and discharges due to delayed enforcement could exacerbate existing public health issues and worsen environmental conditions in these vulnerable communities. Consequently, the attorneys general are calling for the immediate rescinding of the memorandum and the restoration of established enforcement practices that prioritize both compliance and strong accountability for polluters.

The attorneys general joining Attorney General Brown in this initiative are from the states of New York, Massachusetts, Washington, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

---