Sponsors (38)
The bill protects California's coast, marine life, and state climate goals by blocking new offshore leases, but does so at the cost of reduced local energy development and jobs, possible regional fuel price/supply risks, regulatory uncertainty, and perceived unfairness for new lease applicants.
Coastal communities, beachgoers, residents, and marine industries will face a lower risk of offshore oil spills and gain stronger protection for marine habitats and fisheries because the bill prevents new drilling in California's OCS areas.
State governments: the bill establishes a clear federal policy limiting long-term fossil fuel development off California, aligning federal action with California's state and local climate goals.
Middle-class families, taxpayers, and regional consumers could face higher fuel price or supply risks if domestic oil and gas production in the area is reduced.
Energy companies, utilities, and some local businesses will lose opportunities for offshore oil and gas development, reducing potential jobs and private investment in the region.
Federal employees and energy companies may face regulatory and legal uncertainty because the immediate statutory ban requires the Department of the Interior and investors to adjust plans and contracts.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Permanently prohibits new oil and gas preleasing, leasing, and related activities on the outer Continental Shelf off California while preserving existing leases issued before enactment.
Introduced April 10, 2025 by Salud Carbajal · Last progress April 10, 2025
Prohibits any new oil and gas preleasing, leasing, or related activities on portions of the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California, effective on enactment, while preserving rights under leases issued before the law takes effect. The change is implemented by adding a new subsection to the federal outer Continental Shelf leasing statute and creates a permanent statutory ban on new leasing in those California OCS areas.