Sponsors (8)
The bill favors protecting marine ecosystems, Indigenous and coastal livelihoods, and building an evidence base before allowing seabed mining, but does so at the cost of delayed mineral development, potential local job losses, supply uncertainty for critical minerals, and some fiscal and regulatory uncertainty.
Indigenous peoples and coastal communities are protected from cultural and livelihood harms because seabed and OCS mining is blocked until risks are better understood.
Marine ecosystems and coastal carbon sequestration services are preserved by pausing seabed mining, reducing immediate ecological damage and climate risk.
Commercial and recreational fishers and aquaculture operations are protected from potential contamination and habitat loss because mining permits are paused.
Companies seeking seabed or OCS mineral permits cannot proceed, causing lost investment and potential job losses in mining and related local sectors.
Domestic manufacturers and consumers may face supply constraints for critical minerals, which could raise costs if alternative sources or substitutes are not available.
Industry and coastal communities face regulatory uncertainty because the prohibition has no sunset or clear deadlines, complicating long-term planning and investment.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits U.S. authorizations for exploration or commercial recovery of deep seabed and OCS hard-rock minerals, allows scientific research, and orders a National Academies environmental study.
Prohibits the issuance of any U.S. license, permit, or other authorization for exploration, development, or commercial recovery of hard-rock mineral resources on the deep seabed and on the Outer Continental Shelf, while preserving an exception for scientific research. Directs the federal government to seek a National Academies study (to be contracted within 90 days of enactment) to assess environmental, ecological, social, and greenhouse-gas impacts of deep seabed and OCS hard-rock mining and to report findings to Congress.
Introduced January 23, 2025 by Ed Case · Last progress January 23, 2025