WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), released the following statement on the directive from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to end the “sue and settle” practices within the agency. In the past, EPA has entered into consent agreements that commit the agency to take actions at the behest of interest groups.

“EPA Administrator Pruitt’s directive will increase transparency so that the agency makes policies that are fair and informed,” said Barrasso. “The Environmental Protection Agency should not make regulations by settling lawsuits behind closed doors. Under the last administration, the EPA advanced its political agenda by abusing its authority and leaving states and Congress in the dark. The public deserves to know how its government is operating.”

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