EXCLUSIVE — The Environmental Protection Agency in Joe Biden's first two years as president has quietly steered over double the amount in taxpayer-backed payouts to liberal climate activists and other groups than in President Donald Trump's four-year term combined.

Trump EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt issued a 2017 memo vowing to end “sue and settle,” which involves groups challenging the government on aligned issues, followed by agencies ending disputes and approving rules they may be unable to push through Congress.