Advanced Introduction to U.S. Environmental Law
Second Edition
Edward Elgar Publishing
2nd Edition
Published on 21. April 2026
Book
Hardback
332 pages
978-1-0353-3172-7 (ISBN)
Description
This thoroughly-updated second edition provides a comprehensive overview of the current and developing state of environmental governance in the United States. With fresh insights on how federal environmental law interacts with state law, E. Donald Elliott, Daniel C. Esty and Adam Babich explore the important role that administrative agencies play in the creation, implementation and enforcement of U.S. environmental law.
Key Features:
Presents fresh, extensive coverage on hazardous waste law (RCRA) and Superfund law (CERCLA)
Examines the key statutes, case law and controversies involved in the regulation of natural resources
Surveys the broad range of regulations and legal principles that govern the protection of the environment in the United States
Analyses relevant statutes for specific issues including air and water pollution, climate change, endangered species, wilderness preservation and pesticides
This Advanced Introduction is a valuable resource for scholars and students of environmental law. It will also be beneficial for environmental lawyers, business executives, NGO leaders, policymakers and think tank analysts who work on environmental issues.
Key Features:
Presents fresh, extensive coverage on hazardous waste law (RCRA) and Superfund law (CERCLA)
Examines the key statutes, case law and controversies involved in the regulation of natural resources
Surveys the broad range of regulations and legal principles that govern the protection of the environment in the United States
Analyses relevant statutes for specific issues including air and water pollution, climate change, endangered species, wilderness preservation and pesticides
This Advanced Introduction is a valuable resource for scholars and students of environmental law. It will also be beneficial for environmental lawyers, business executives, NGO leaders, policymakers and think tank analysts who work on environmental issues.
Reviews / Votes
'The second edition of Advanced Introduction to U.S. Environmental Law is even better than the first. It still provides sophisticated analysis for advanced readers and careful explanations regarding how regulation actually works for beginners. Now, it also provides succinct discussion of numerous recent developments in environmental and administrative law.' -- Seth D. Jaffe, Foley Hoag LLP and American College of Environmental Lawyers, USA 'This succinct, accessible survey of environmental law is ideal for anyone engaging the field, or any given statute, for the first time.' -- Tracy Mehan, American Water Works Association, USA 'This engaging, efficient book captures the policy conversations swirling today around the effectiveness of the primary U.S. environmental laws. Its accessible chapters guide readers through complex topics with clarity and ease, and ample references offer opportunities to dive deeper.' -- Alexandra D. Dunn, American College of Environmental Lawyers and CropLife America, USA 'This book is an extraordinary resource for anyone wanting a sophisticated overview of a field that is both enormously complex and extremely important. Yale Professors E. Donald Elliott and Daniel C. Esty as well as Professor Adam Babich of Tulane Law School bring to this project their extraordinary experiences as leading academics and in government, law practice, and environmental advocacy. The book is both highly sophisticated and easily readable and should be of interest to broad audiences, ranging from graduate and professional students to practitioners.' -- Richard L. Revesz, New York University, School of Law, USA 'This is the best basic primer on environmental law in publication. I used the first edition to teach environmental law and policy to undergraduates at Colby College in 2022 and 2024. It is very accessible and engaging even for those with no background in law.' -- Susan Parker Bodine, former Assistant Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; former Chief Counsel, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and partner, Earth & Water Law, USA 'In the world of environmental law and policy, Professors E. Donald Elliott, Daniel C. Esty, and Adam Babich shine brightly as stars in a galaxy of academic excellence. Their updated book is current, readable, and provides the critical principles that are the platform for the building blocks of environmental progress.' -- John C. Cruden, Principal, Beveridge and Diamond, formerly President, Environmental Law Institute and Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice, USA 'This is an important contribution from three of our leading thinkers that lifts from the ponderous body of environmental law the key features that have animated progress in reducing the human toll on the environment. A go-to resource for anyone involved in building our environmental future.' -- Scott Fulton, Environmental Law Institute, USA 'This comprehensive, updated edition provides a useful source of information for a wide variety of readers, from the governmental experts and policy makers who shape and implement our nation's environmental laws, to the advocates and organizations who work to improve those laws. Its readable nature makes the Advanced Introduction to U.S. Environmental Law an easy way to get up to speed on key environmental topics, while its tips on additional resources will guide a practitioner on a deeper dive. Whether just starting an environmental career or looking to gain additional insights and expertise to improve your work, I highly recommend this book.' -- Janet Coit, formerly NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, USAMore details
Series
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-3172-7 (9781035331727)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition

E. D. Elliott | Daniel C. Esty
Advanced Introduction to U.S. Environmental Law
Book
10/2021
Edward Elgar Publishing
€142.62
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
E. Donald Elliott, Former Professor of Law, Yale Law School, USA, 1981-2025, Yangzte River Distinguished Professor, Guangzhou Law School, China, Distinguished Adjunct Professor, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University and Partner, Earth & Water Law, Daniel C. Esty, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy, Yale School of the Environment and Yale Law School and Adam Babich, Professor of Law, Law School, Tulane University, USA
Content
Contents
1 How U.S. environmental law is really made
2 Recurrent themes in U.S. environmental law
3 The Clean Air Act: successful but slow
4 Climate change: an "existential threat" not yet addressed
5 Clean Water Act: major progress but persistent challenges
6 Safe Drinking Water Act: once seen as a problem solved,
but now new worries
7 Hazardous waste: cradle-to-grave regulation; solid waste,
not so much
8 Hazardous substance cleanup under CERCLA: extreme
measures in the wake of a crisis
9 Regulation of chemicals: from toxic substance control to
chemical safety
10 FIFRA: from misbranding to reasonable certainty of no
harm
11 Occupational Safety and Health Act: making
environments safe on the job
12 OPA90: why economic incentives only work sometimes
13 From protecting endangered species to promoting
biodiversity and healthy ecosystems
14 National parks and wilderness preservation: "America's
best idea"
15 NEPA and information disclosure: techniques copied
around the world
16 Beyond traditional environmental governance:
corporate sustainability, performance benchmarking,
private standard setting, and public-private
partnerships
17 Conclusion: the best and the worst
Appendix: key Supreme Court environmental cases
Praise for Advanced Introduction to U.S. Environmental Law
1 How U.S. environmental law is really made
2 Recurrent themes in U.S. environmental law
3 The Clean Air Act: successful but slow
4 Climate change: an "existential threat" not yet addressed
5 Clean Water Act: major progress but persistent challenges
6 Safe Drinking Water Act: once seen as a problem solved,
but now new worries
7 Hazardous waste: cradle-to-grave regulation; solid waste,
not so much
8 Hazardous substance cleanup under CERCLA: extreme
measures in the wake of a crisis
9 Regulation of chemicals: from toxic substance control to
chemical safety
10 FIFRA: from misbranding to reasonable certainty of no
harm
11 Occupational Safety and Health Act: making
environments safe on the job
12 OPA90: why economic incentives only work sometimes
13 From protecting endangered species to promoting
biodiversity and healthy ecosystems
14 National parks and wilderness preservation: "America's
best idea"
15 NEPA and information disclosure: techniques copied
around the world
16 Beyond traditional environmental governance:
corporate sustainability, performance benchmarking,
private standard setting, and public-private
partnerships
17 Conclusion: the best and the worst
Appendix: key Supreme Court environmental cases
Praise for Advanced Introduction to U.S. Environmental Law