Biden’s EPA quietly increases taxpayer settlement payouts to left-wing climate activists.
EXCLUSIVE: Biden’s EPA Pays Double the Amount to Liberal Climate Activists Compared to Trump
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Joe Biden has quietly funneled over double the amount of taxpayer-backed payouts to liberal climate activists and other groups compared to President Donald Trump’s four-year term. This revelation, uncovered through the Freedom of Information Act by federal spending watchdog Open the Books, highlights the growing influence of liberal climate advocacy groups and their close ties to the government under the Biden administration.
During Trump’s presidency, then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt issued a memo vowing to end the controversial practice of “sue and settle,” which allowed groups to challenge the government on aligned issues, leading to agencies approving rules without congressional approval. However, the Biden EPA, which revoked the memo, has spent a staggering $6.9 million in 2021 and 2022 on attorneys fees for settlements with environmental groups under the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. In comparison, the payouts were $3.6 million for Trump and $5.7 million for Barack Obama’s second term.
Concerns Over Lack of Transparency
Congressional Republicans, including members of the House Oversight Committee, have raised concerns about the EPA and Interior Department’s practice of allowing special interest groups to “sue and settle” without public input. They have requested extensive documents on litigation. The EPA maintains a database on its website that lists settlements, including consent decrees, with various outside organizations.
According to the data shared with the Washington Examiner, the EPA paid over $3.6 million in attorneys fees in 2022 and $3.2 million in 2021 for lawsuits related to the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. These acts grant the EPA the power to regulate pollutants and protect endangered species. Notably, the EPA reached the same number of settlements related to these acts in just two years under Biden as Trump did in four years.
“Sue-and-settle tactics are back under President Biden,” said Adam Andrzejewski, CEO of Open the Books. “Congress should require radical transparency on these cases to ensure taxpayers are not being ripped off.”
Influence of Climate Advocacy Groups
The data also reveals the significant financial impact of climate advocacy groups like the Sierra Club and Northwest Environmental Advocates. Between 2013 and 2022, the EPA spent $2.9 million on fees for 47 cases related to the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club, which endorsed Biden for president, has also contributed over $250,000 to Democratic candidates in 2022 and $389,000 in 2020.
Similarly, cases brought by Northwest Environmental Advocates cost taxpayers $1.3 million in attorneys fees between 2013 and 2021. The group received over $1.2 million in 2021 alone for two different cases.
Criticism and Calls for Transparency
The EPA’s practice of “sue and settle” has drawn criticism from conservatives who argue that it hinders economic activity and benefits special interest groups. Kathleen Sgamma, president of Western Energy Alliance, described it as a “racket.” Republicans in the Senate and House have introduced legislation to increase transparency for consent decrees and settlement cases, requiring agencies to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the funds spent on these cases.
As the debate over the EPA’s relationship with climate advocacy groups continues, it remains crucial to ensure transparency and accountability in taxpayer-funded settlements.
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