The attorney general’s office said on Oct. 22, 2026, that Attorney General co-led a multistate coalition of attorneys general in sending a letter to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works and Energy and Natural Resources Committees about the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026.

The office said the coalition commended the bill’s goals of lowering energy costs, creating jobs and promoting clean energy, but expressed substantial concerns with the draft as written; the letter says some provisions would unnecessarily intrude on states’ authority and harm critical resources and communities.

The coalition told the committees the bill, without amendment, would undermine existing state authority under the Clean Water Act and the National Historic Preservation Act and would affect states’ participation in National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act processes, the office said.

The attorney general’s office said the letter was co-led by Bonta, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, and includes the attorneys general of Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Vermont, Oregon and Maine.

Bonta is quoted in the release saying, "While the goals of the bill are noble, the legislation as drafted would undermine progress by reducing state authority to safeguard our resources and communities." The office said the coalition will continue to engage stakeholders and offer perspectives and adjustments to preserve environmental and public-health protections.

the office argues the bill could limit state control over water, cultural and natural resources; if lawmakers do not adopt the states’ suggested changes, projects covered by the bill could face new legal and regulatory uncertainty, the release said.

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Rob Bonta

Attorney General · Democrat

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