Enlibra to Entanglement Mike Leavitt, Public-Private Partnerships, New Face of American Governance

In the late 1990s, Utah Governor Mike Leavitt introduced a governance philosophy known as Enlibra — a “third way” approach designed to resolve environmental disputes and decentralize decision-making. With its emphasis on collaboration, market-based solutions, and stakeholder-driven processes, Enlibra quickly gained national traction. During Leavitt’s tenure as head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President George W. Bush, Enlibra moved from a state-level initiative to a national framework, gaining formal adoption by the Western Governors’ Association and wider promotion among federal and state policymakers.

However, over time, the practical application of Enlibra evolved in unexpected ways. Particularly in Utah, the original vision has been supplanted by a system where Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Authority Districts have morphed into quasi-governmental organizations, often operating with limited transparency and minimal public oversight. This article examines Enlibra’s implementation, its transformation, and the enduring impact on governance today.