American Energy Act

This bill changes how the federal government handles oil and gas drilling on public lands and offshore. It tells agencies to keep processing drilling permits even if there’s a lawsuit, unless a federal court has already thrown out the lease. It also gives each new drilling permit a single four‑year term, or less if the lease ends sooner.

In court fights over lease sales, the bill makes it harder to pause or cancel drilling. A judge could only stop or delay activity if moving forward would cause imminent and major environmental harm and no other legal fix is available. It also says courts can’t block the award of leases after bids have been opened or the high bidder has been revealed, in cases brought under federal environmental review law.

Key points

• Who is affected: Oil and gas companies, federal land and ocean managers, courts, and communities near drilling sites.
• What changes: Agencies must keep processing permits during lawsuits; new permits last up to four years; courts face stricter limits on stopping lease sales and drilling activity.
• When: Applies after the bill becomes law; the four‑year limit applies to permits issued after that date.