Next Generation Compliance contains so much valuable insight that no review essay can do it justice nor engage with it as fully as it deserves. Suffice it to say, Giles's book offers its readers vastly more guidance than does the ofr-repeated-even if inaccurately so-quotation of a policy leader from a bygone era. * Cary Coglianese, Yale Journal on Regulation Blog *
With this book Giles has made a substantial contribution to our understanding of how to design effective environmental (and other) regulations, and what happens when we fail to do so. * Catherine R. McCabe, Yale Journal on Regulation Blog *
Ms. Giles' main hypothesis, and the many sub-hypotheses that spring forth from it, deserve to be tested. The best way to test them will be through deliberate experimentation embedded within field implementation. My hope is that staff in federal and state environmental agencies will read this book and seek to formally test the innovative ideas within it. * Paul J. Ferraro, Yale Journal on Regulation Blog *
Cynthia Giles' book on Next Generation Compliance provides a refreshingly novel take on the challenges and opportunities presented by widespread noncompliance with environmental regulations. It ought to be required reading for agency officials charged with not only enforcing regulatory standards, but also for those responsible for adopting them...this book needs to get into the hands of regulators of all stripes who strive to avoid the pitfalls of noncompliance that frustrates regulatory policy objectives. * Robert L. Glicksman, Yale Journal on Regulation Blog *
Cynthia Giles closes the last chapter of Next Generation Compliance with this simple, powerful admonition for improving regulatory performance. Drawing from her extensive experience enforcing regulations in practice and the considerable evidence of regulatory compliance - and lack thereof - across a variety of environmental contexts, Giles makes a rigorous case for reimagining the role of compliance in regulatory development and implementation. * Joseph E. Aldy, Yale Journal on Regulation Blog *
This is an excellent book for anyone who is concerned not just about environmental regulation, but effective environmental regulation. It demonstrates Giles' deep experience with compliance and enforcement. The book is of tremendous value for government officials whether at local, state, or federal levels. The book is also of significant value to foreign governments that often have excellent environmental laws and regulations on the books, but don't know how to improve compliance and enforcement on the ground. Lastly, environmental activists will benefit from the book since it provides new ways of thinking about how to effectively advocate for changes to regulations. In short, Giles' book is terrific, real, practical, and no-nonsense advice on environmental regulation. * Seema Kakade, Yale Journal on Regulation Blog *
There is much to laud about this volume. Giles's experience as the head of EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance during the Obama administration lends the book an unusual institutional grounding and domain knowledge of environmental compliance...It is a wise volume that should be assigned reading not just for those interested in the environment, but for anyone interested in crafting effective regulation. The fundamental lesson of Next Gen is that environmental compliance is not something that is self-executing: it is constructed by regulatory design. * Colleen Honigsberg, Yale Journal on Regulation Blog *
[O]ne of the most important books on regulation to appear in a long time. * Cary Coglianese, author of Step Aside Chester Bowles *
This book is a "must-read" for environmental policy makers, program managers, rule writers, lawmakers, and scholars. * Catherine R. McCabe, author of Environmental Regulation in the U.S.: Popular Myths, the Reality, and How to Do it Better *
Giles' book is terrific, real, practical, and no-nonsense advice on environmental regulation. * Seema Kakade, author of A Playbook on How to Achieve Compliance with Environmental Regulations *
We now have technology that can find methane leaks from a small gas well all the way from space; and we can measure air pollution from cars, buses, trucks, and trains without any vehicle needing to slow down - never mind stop. So why is it that so many sources of pollution that are being regulated today are still belching pollution that is harming our kids' health, killing our trees and forests, contaminating our water, and contributing to climate change? Don't ask me - read this book! Cynthia Giles challenges us to wake up and embrace the ways in which today's smart technologies and analytic tools can transform old "tried and true" pollution compliance and enforcement strategies into opportunities to truly advance our health and security while leveling the playing field for everyone that is working hard to do the right thing. * Gina McCarthy, Former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President Barack Obama *
A fascinating and provocative discussion of a crucial question for environmental law and policy: compliance. It's jam-packed with valuable, fresh ideas - and it could help make our country, and our planet, a lot cleaner. Highly recommended! * Cass R. Sunstein, Robert Walmsley University Professor, Harvard Law School *
Cynthia Giles has researched and written the most revealing, insightful, and to me utterly surprising book on the crafting of environmental law, examining how years went by without anyone noticing that important air regulations were ineffective due to poor design. But she also analyzes what did work and how savvy design made all the difference and rid the environment of acid rain. Giles has written the most astute and informative book on the future of environmental policy and regulation. Wish I had had it when I was in office! * William K. Reilly, EPA Administrator, 1989-1993 *
This book is a revelation. Giles describes the huge gap between what environmental rules are supposed to accomplish and what happens in real life where non-compliance is rampant. Her key insight is that success on the ground doesn't depend on the compliance culture of the regulated companies: it's the design of the rule that matters. Giles offers a new approach that would build compliance into environmental rules on the front end, making compliance the path of least resistance. Refreshingly sensible and pragmatic without an ideological edge. A must-read for policymakers, regulators, advocates, and regulated businesses interested in how environmental regulation works in practice. * Jody Freeman, Archibald Cox Professor of Law, Harvard Law School *
Next Generation Compliance is a must read for anyone who cares about environmental sustainability and the regulatory state. The book is a tour de force, showing that environmental violations are pervasive and offering a blueprint for designing rules with compliance built in. * Daniel E. Ho, William Benjamin Scott and Luna M. Scott Professor of Law, Stanford University *
Drawing on her distinguished career in law enforcement and public leadership, Cynthia Giles articulates an important vision for how to design regulation to drive real environmental improvementsoffering vital insights for policymakers and the public alike. Anyone who wants to understand how law can protect the planet's future should read this book. * Cary Coglianese, Edward B. Shils Professor of Law, Director, Penn Program on Regulation, University of Pennsylvania *
Environmental regulations can be designed to succeed. Giles explains why and shows us how, not in abstract theory, but in real world practice. * Michael Greenstone, Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics, The University of Chicago *
Cynthia Giles, who led the Environmental Protection Agency's enforcement and compliance efforts with great distinction for a record eight years, has written a must-read book for anyone concerned about the gap between a regulation's promise and what the regulated community accomplishes in practice. She argues persuasively that attention to compliance must be a central design feature of any successful regulation, and cannot, as typically has been the case, be a mere afterthought. * Richard L. Revesz, AnBryce Professor of Law and Dean Emeritus, New York University School of Law *
There is beauty in simplicity...Cynthia Giles' central thesis is admirably simple: there are lessons to be learned from why some regulatory approaches work increasing compliance with a particular rule in line with its intentions while others do not. * Tom Proverbs-Garbett, The Gazette *
