CT AG Joins States Urging EPA to Resume Environmental Enforcement

CT Attorney General Press Releases

Published March 18th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined 11 other state attorneys general in urging the U.S. EPA to rescind a new policy that weakens federal environmental enforcement. The coalition argues the 'Compliance First' memorandum delays action against polluters and harms communities. They call for the policy's immediate rescission.

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What changed

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, along with 11 other state attorneys general, has formally urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rescind its December 2025 "Compliance First" memorandum. The coalition contends this policy significantly weakens federal environmental enforcement by creating bureaucratic barriers, delaying investigations, and discouraging the use of key enforcement tools like penalties and injunctive relief. They argue this will allow polluters to avoid accountability, increase pollution, and disproportionately harm already overburdened communities.

Regulated entities, particularly those in industries with significant environmental footprints such as manufacturing and energy, should be aware that this action signals a potential return to more robust federal enforcement. While the immediate impact is a call to action for the EPA, compliance officers should monitor the EPA's response and any subsequent changes to enforcement practices. The attorneys general are specifically requesting the immediate rescission of the memorandum and the restoration of prior enforcement practices that prioritize both compliance and accountability for polluters.

What to do next

Monitor EPA's response to the letter and any potential rescission or modification of the 'Compliance First' memorandum.
Review internal environmental compliance policies and enforcement procedures for alignment with potential shifts in EPA's approach.
Assess potential impacts of renewed federal enforcement on ongoing or past environmental compliance issues.

Source document (simplified)

The Office of the Attorney General William Tong

Press Releases

03/18/2026

Attorney General Tong Calls on EPA to Resume Enforcement Activity

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today joined a coalition of 12 other attorneys general in calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rescind a new policy that would significantly weaken federal environmental enforcement and delay action against polluters. In a letter to EPA Commissioner Lee Zeldin, the coalition warns that EPA’s December 2025 “Compliance First” memorandum would slow enforcement of environmental laws, create bureaucratic barriers to holding polluters accountable, and increase pollution that harms communities across the country. The attorneys general also counter EPA’s recent Enforcement and Compliance Annual Results Report, which they contend distorts the agency’s abysmal enforcement record by both brazenly taking credit for the prior administration’s accomplishments and cherry-picking favorable statistics while omitting others.

“Trump’s plan for environmental enforcement is a sham. It is a free pass to bad actors who pollute our environment and harm our communities. Toxic air and contaminated water do not respect state boundaries. Real federal enforcement is essential, and I join with states across the country urging the EPA to do its job,” said Attorney General Tong.

In the letter, Attorney General Tong and the coalition raise serious concerns about the EPA’s December 2025 memorandum titled “Reinforcing a ‘Compliance First’ Orientation for Compliance Assurance and Civil Enforcement Activities.” The attorneys general warn that, despite its stated goal of encouraging compliance, the policy would, in practice, delay enforcement and allow polluters to stall investigations by raising legal challenges that must be elevated through multiple layers of political review. The policy memo discourages the use of key enforcement tools – including penalties, injunctive relief, and supplemental environmental projects – that are often used to stop pollution and address harm to communities. The attorneys general argue that weakening these tools would make it harder to quickly bring polluters into compliance and address environmental damage.

Attorney General Tong and the coalition emphasize that robust federal enforcement is essential because pollution often crosses state lines. Even states with strong environmental protections rely on consistent federal enforcement to prevent upstream pollution and ensure a level playing field for companies that follow the law. The attorneys general also warn that delays in enforcement would disproportionately harm communities already overburdened by pollution, including communities of color, low-income communities, and rural areas. Increased emissions and discharges caused by delayed enforcement could worsen public health outcomes and environmental conditions in those communities. The attorneys general are urging the EPA to immediately rescind the memorandum and restore long-standing enforcement practices that prioritize compliance while maintaining strong accountability for polluters.

Joining Attorney General Tong in sending this letter are the attorneys general of New York, Massachusetts, Washington, California, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Twitter: @AGWilliamTong Facebook: CT Attorney General