Caution, Work in Progress: Attorney General Bonta Calls for Additional Revisions on Permitting Reform Bill

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra - Press Releases · November 9, 2026 · g5378538

November 9, 2026 Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today co-led a coalition of 16 attorneys general in sending a second letter to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works and Energy and Natural Resources Committees regarding the proposed Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, commonly known as the permitting reform bill. The draft bill, introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, is a wide-ranging package to reform energy permitting and infrastructure. Previously, Attorney General Bonta and a coalition expressed concerns over the draft legislation. The bill has since been amended, but it is only marginally improved. As currently drafted, the bill still contains problematic provisions that would risk abuse by polluting industries and impinge on state and tribal sovereignty. Today’s letter further highlights concerns with the bill and requests that the Senate postpone voting on the bill until more revisions can be made that ensure the bill achieves its stated goals and contains appropriate environmental and public health protections. “The next generation of energy demands affordability without sacrificing public health and environmental integrity. We’re not here to let perfect become the enemy of the good, but good at least needs to be within reach,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Currently, this bill would drastically undermine state authority to protect our water quality, historical resources, and tribal resources. Immediate changes are needed to address our concerns and protect our communities. With this letter, we recognize the work in progress but emphasize that there’s still more to do.” The current draft bill is a varied package that would transform energy permitting and infrastructure. Without further amendment, the bill would harm states’ and tribes’ abilities to protect water, historic, and cultural resources under the Clean Water Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Endangered Species Act, and would impinge on state and tribal sovereignty. Additional amendments could ensure the bill achieves its goals of improving clean energy permitting, reducing energy costs, and creating jobs. The coalition states are home to a wide variety of natural resources, including wind and solar resources, waterways, large landscapes, cultural districts, tribal resources, and parks. In the letter, the states offer a unique and diverse perspective, as they possess significant existing authority under the Clean Water Act and National Historic Preservation Act that the bill would undermine. The states also regularly participate in National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act processes that would be affected by the bill, and the bill’s permitting certainty provisions would impact countless projects in the states. In sending today’s letter, Attorney General Bonta, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Washington Attorney General Nicholas W. Brown co-lead the attorneys general of Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. Tags: Environment Federal Accountability

Источник: California Attorney General Xavier Becerra - Press Releases