This is a pretty extraordinary story from Larry Bell, writing at Forbes. It seems that bureaucrats and environmentalists are agreeing between them that the latter will sue the former for breach of environmental law and regulation.
“Sue and Settle “ practices, sometimes referred to as “friendly lawsuits”, are cozy deals through which far-left radical environmental groups file lawsuits against federal agencies wherein court-ordered “consent decrees” are issued based upon a prearranged settlement agreement they collaboratively craft together in advance behind closed doors. Then, rather than allowing the entire process to play out, the agency being sued settles the lawsuit by agreeing to move forward with the requested action they and the litigants both want.
The taxpayer then pays the costs of both sides, with green lawyers picking up tens of millions of dollars over the years.