---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 8435"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "8435"
heading: "Citizens suits"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/8435"
units:
  - "Chapter 92 — Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use"
  - "Subchapter VII — Administration and Enforcement"
  - "Part C — Enforcement"
---

# §8435. Citizens suits

- (a) **General rule—** Except as otherwise provided in [subsection (b)](#b), any aggrieved [person](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-2) may commence a civil action for mandatory or prohibitive injunctive relief, including interim equitable relief, against the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1) or the head of any [Federal agency](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-25) which has a responsibility under this chapter if there is an alleged failure of the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1) or such [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) head to perform any act or duty under this chapter which is not discretionary. The United States district courts shall have jurisdiction over actions brought under this section, without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties.
- (b) **Notice to Secretary or agency head—** No action may be commenced under [subsection (a)](#a) before the 60th calendar day after the date on which the plaintiff has given notice of such action to the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1) or the [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) head involved. Notice under this subsection shall be given in such manner as the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1) shall prescribe by rule.
- (c) **Authority of Secretary to intervene—** In any action brought under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1), if not a party, may intervene as a matter of right.
- (d) **Costs of litigation—** The court, in issuing any final order in any action brought under [subsection (a)](#a), may award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) to any party, whenever the court determines such award is appropriate.
- (e) **Other remedies to remain available—** Nothing in this section shall restrict any right which any aggrieved [person](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-2) (or class of aggrieved [persons](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-2)) may have under any statute or common law to seek enforcement of this chapter or any rule thereunder, or to seek any other relief (including relief against the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1) or the [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) head involved).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–620, title VII, § 725, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3335.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (e), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 95–620, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3289, known as the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 8301 of this title and Tables.