EPA Boss Pruitt Issues Directive To Curb Settlements With Green Groups

"Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt issued a directive on Monday to limit the extent to which the EPA can reach legal agreements with groups suing to force it to take regulatory action.

Ending the practice known as 'sue and settle' has long been a top priority for conservatives and business groups. In recent years, especially under the Obama administration, the EPA and other agencies resolved litigation over delays in issuing rules by agreeing to specific timelines to act and reimbursing plaintiffs’ attorney fees.

In a news briefing, Pruitt said he was taking action to ensure that consent decrees 'are not used in an abusive fashion to subvert due process' and to exclude the public from weighing in."

Juliet Eilperin reports for the Washington Post October 16, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"Trump's EPA to Curb Legal Settlements With Environmentalists" (Bloomberg)

"EPA Chief Pruitt Looks To Kneecap Environmental Groups With New Policy" (Talking Points Memo)

"Pruitt Clamps Down On 'Sue And Settle'" (Greenwire)

"EPA Head Seeks To Avoid Settlements With Green Groups" (Reuters)