The quote highlights a controversial practice where environmental regulations are established through legal action rather than legislative processes or formal rule-making procedures. Environmental groups often file lawsuits against the EPA, leading to settlements that effectively create new rules without going through Congress or following standard regulatory channels.
This statement touches on broader issues related to governance and public policy. It suggests that when laws and policies are created outside traditional democratic frameworks, such as through court agreements rather than open legislative debate, it can undermine transparency and accountability. This practice may also raise questions about the balance of power between branches of government and the role of non-governmental organizations in shaping regulations. Critics argue that these "sue and settle" tactics bypass necessary public input and review processes, potentially leading to regulatory outcomes that are less reflective of broad societal consensus.
Scott Pruitt, who served as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2017 to 2018, is known for his outspoken views on environmental policy. A former Oklahoma Attorney General and Republican politician, Pruitt was a vocal critic of what he saw as overreach by environmental groups in shaping regulations through litigation rather than legislative means. His tenure at the EPA was marked by efforts to roll back certain Obama-era environmental protections and to challenge existing regulatory frameworks that he believed were established outside proper legal channels.
