The California attorney general’s office said Nov. 9, 2026, Attorney General 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 asking lawmakers to delay a vote on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, commonly known as the permitting reform bill. The coalition had raised concerns about an earlier draft in a previous letter.
The office said the revised draft is only marginally improved and still contains provisions that would risk abuse by polluting industries and impinge on state and tribal sovereignty; without further changes, the office said, 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.
The coalition is co-led by Bonta, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Washington Attorney General Nicholas W. Brown; the letter also represents the attorneys general of Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.
“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,” Attorney General Bonta said in the release.
The office said additional amendments could allow the bill to improve clean energy permitting, reduce energy costs, and create jobs while preserving environmental and public health protections; the coalition offered its states’ perspective as holders of significant authority and experience under the laws the bill would affect.
The office requested the Senate postpone voting until the bill is revised to address the coalition’s concerns; the letter aims to secure changes that the office says would protect communities, tribal resources, waterways, and historic sites while meeting the bill’s stated goals.
State
Rob Bonta
Attorney General · Democrat
Named 3 times in this story.
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