​AG Bonta joined a coalition of 6 AGs in submitting a comment letter to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) opposing its Notice of New Categorical Exclusion (CatEx) for Advanced Nuclear Reactors. The CatEx would provide DOE with the ability to exempt advanced nuclear reactors — a very broad category of new and unproven reactors — from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In the comment letter, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition argue that the illegal policy violates NEPA and the Administrative Procedure Act, while minimizing safety and environmental protections across the country.

“The words ‘exemptions, exclusions,’ and ‘nuclear safety regulations’ should never be put together. When it comes to nuclear energy and public safety, there should be more safety regulations and environmental protections, not less. With this new exemption, the Trump Administration is trying to run before it can walk by accelerating the development of certain experimental and largely unproven advanced nuclear reactors — just like the President himself acknowledged. This is an attempt to weaken essential safeguards in the present and create additional regulatory loopholes that can be exploited in the future. I urge this Administration to halt unlawful NEPA cutbacks and go back to work defending and protecting public safety and the environment.” – AG Bonta