WINNING!!!
Posted on 10/18/2017 1:37:08 PM PDT by Twotone
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt moved Monday to end a controversial practice known as “sue and settle,” which critics said was used during the Obama administration to cut deals with environmental groups leading to new regulations.
“The days of regulation through litigation are over,” Pruitt said in a statement, announcing a new EPA directive.
Republicans, including Pruitt, had fought with the Obama administration in court over what they described as a back-room practice that led to more red tape. They claimed the EPA routinely entered into consent decrees with environmental groups that had sued the agency, in turn leading to new regulations for states – covering clean air rules and more – without allowing them to defend their interests.
“We will no longer go behind closed doors and use consent decrees and settlement agreements to resolve lawsuits filed against the Agency by special interest groups where doing so would circumvent the regulatory process set forth by Congress,” Pruitt said in a statement Monday.
Under the new policy, Pruitt said that whenever a settlement or consent decree is being considered, the EPA should reach out to any states or entities affected. He also wants to make sure related complaints or notices are published promptly, to forbid consent decrees “that exceed the authority of the courts,” and to give time to modify proposed regulations and consider public comment.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Finally!
EPA has done more harm than any other agency. Jobs and industry have been decimated by their pseudo-scientific rulings.
Unilaterally disarming does nothing. The next time a DemonRat President is elected this directive is one of the first things that will be revoked.
Often enough, the agency solicited the lawsuits in the first place. Another version is for the Government, California is the most prolific example, solicits a suit then refuses to defend eliciting an automatic judgment against the government and laws are "overturned." It is great for nullifying referenda passed by large margins.
Next, get the courts to vacate the rigged rulings, sanction and disbar the attorneys.
Every State has their own version, abolish the EPA. It was created by Executive Order and can be abolished the same way.
I agree. Its time has passed. If states have problems with other states...let them go to court like they do now.
But won’t this hurt morale......... :)
Congress and President Trump should pass a carefully worded law that denies standing to groups inclined to sue.
This was not just limited to the EPA. As a practice, it needs to be outlawed by congress. The basic law would be simple, that federal agencies cannot settle in the courts with questions involving public policy, with a change in public policy, unless congress passes a resolution to permit such settlement.
It must also clearly state within the law that judicial decisions against agency policy can neither reduce nor increase regulation by that agency, or expenditures by that agency without congressional approval.
This also means that such organizations cannot get backdoor subsidies from federal agencies that throw the cases, unless specifically approved by congress.
Nothing worthwhile is ever going to pass Congress unless and until McConnell grows a pair, invokes the Reid Rule, and unilaterally does away with the Senate filibuster.
WINNING!!!
“Nothing worthwhile is ever going to pass Congress unless and until McConnell grows a pair, invokes the Reid Rule, and unilaterally does away with the Senate filibuster.”
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Or McCain is recalled ... by Someone.
Like making ACORN fiduciaries of a housing slush fund.
Wonder if it is not too late to audit the use of those funds ...
Reverse the new regulations against wood heaters! Catalytic “combustors” will make wood stoves far more expensive and less efficient—not more efficient.
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