In the shadowy corridors of power, a stealth attack on America’s energy sovereignty is underway, masked as environmental activism and cloaked in the guise of legal settlements. The Biden administration’s recent decisions to withdraw millions of acres of federal land from oil and gas exploration are not merely policy shifts; they are the culmination of a deliberate strategy known as “sue and settle.” This tactic, where environmental groups sue federal agencies to enforce laws or regulations, leads to private agreements ratified by courts. It’s a process that circumvents public scrutiny, democratic accountability, and sidesteps the regulatory process, paving the way for a radical environmental agenda to take hold without the inconvenience of legislative oversight or public debate.
This isn’t about protecting the environment; it’s about control. It’s about a group of ideologically-driven bureaucrats and environmental activists dictating energy policy through the back door, without the input or consent of the American people. These actions claim to champion the environment while effectively undermining America’s energy independence and economic stability.
The “sue and settle” tactic is not new. It gained momentum during the Obama administration, saw a brief hiatus under President Trump, and has now been enthusiastically revived under President Biden. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies have become battlegrounds for this form of legal warfare, where settlements reached in private dictate public policy. These settlements, often resulting from lawsuits initiated by well-funded environmental groups, have led to significant regulatory changes that favor a radical environmental agenda over practical, balanced, and democratically-approved energy policies.
The consequences of this strategy extend beyond environmental policy; they strike at the heart of America’s sovereignty and democratic principles. By allowing unelected bureaucrats and activists to shape energy policy through the courts, we erode the foundation of our democratic system. Legislation becomes an afterthought, and the will of the people a mere inconvenience to be bypassed.
It’s time to shine a light on this shadowy practice and demand transparency and accountability from our government. The “No Regulation Through Litigation” Act, introduced by Republican lawmakers, is a step in the right direction. It seeks to ensure that federal agencies cannot enter into settlement agreements that exceed the authority of the court and prohibit the payment of attorneys’ fees in such cases. This legislation is crucial in reining in the unchecked power of federal agencies and environmental groups and restoring the balance of power to its rightful place: with the elected representatives of the people.
As conservatives, we must remain vigilant against these stealth attacks on America’s energy sovereignty. We must advocate for policies that balance environmental stewardship with economic stability and energy independence. The future of our nation depends on our ability to navigate these challenges with wisdom, foresight, and a steadfast commitment to the principles of democracy and sovereignty.
