Wyoming Taking Part in Lawsuit Against EPA

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming is one of a dozen states suing the Environmental Protection Agency over what the states see as a cozy relationship between the agency and environmental groups.

The lawsuit was filed this summer in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City.

It alleges that the EPA and environmental groups cooperate by employing a so-called "sue and settle" strategy. Environmental groups sue the EPA and the two enter a binding consent decree setting new rules and regulations.

Wyoming contends the strategy was used when the EPA rejected the state's plan for controlling regional haze from coal-fired power plants and the agency offered its own proposal.

The EPA denies that it participates in any such practice, noting it has no control over what parties sue the agency and what issues are involved.