Raoul Opposes Proposed Energy Department Rule That Would Sunset Federal Regulations

CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on July 2 joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in urging the U.S. Department of Energy to withdraw a proposed rule that would set automatic expiration dates for more than 500 federal regulations. Raoul and the other attorneys general said the plan would create regulatory instability for states and businesses and could cause key energy and safety rules to lapse without review. The coalition also said the proposal fails to explain why specific regulations were selected or how they would be affected, raising concerns about compliance with legal requirements for federal rulemaking. Officials said the rule would place time limits on regulations tied to nuclear safety, scientific research funding, and waste disposal unless later extended by the agency. The attorneys general urged the Department of Energy to withdraw the proposal and said agencies must provide clear justification when changing long standing regulatory systems.