EPA Nixes Trump-Era Objection to Sierra Club-DTE Energy Deal

The EPA won’t pursue a challenge to a Sierra Club and DTE Energy Co. legal deal that landed in the Trump administration’s crosshairs last year—early evidence of the dramatic shift expected in how Biden officials approach environmental enforcement.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it won’t appeal a district court’s December approval of a private settlement requiring the retirement of three of the Detroit-based energy company’s coal-fired plants.

• “EPA supports citizen enforcement and we appreciate Sierra Club’s cooperation with the United States throughout this litigation,” acting enforcement chief Larry Starfield said in a statement.
• Former Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey ...