Sponsors (20)
The bill protects Central California coastlines, ecosystems, and public safety by banning new offshore leases, but it sacrifices potential local energy jobs, lease revenue, and may modestly raise regional fuel costs.
Coastal communities and the public: reduced risk of oil spills and coastal pollution because the bill bans new offshore oil and gas leases in the Central California Planning Area.
Residents and recreation/tourism businesses: protected coastal ecosystems, scenic values, and fisheries because preventing offshore drilling preserves tourism and local fishing economies.
Taxpayers and the broader public: modestly reduced local fossil-fuel development that could lower regional greenhouse gas emissions and related health impacts if it displaces other production.
Energy workers and the regional economy: loss of potential local oil and gas development jobs and related economic activity because new leases in the area are halted.
Consumers and taxpayers: potential for higher regional fuel prices or increased reliance on imports if domestic supply from the area is reduced, raising costs for households.
Federal, state, and local governments: foregone future lease revenues and royalties from the planning area, reducing funds available for public services.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prevents the Department of the Interior from issuing any oil or gas lease for exploration, development, or production anywhere in the Central California Outer Continental Shelf planning area. The change is made by adding a new prohibition to the federal leasing statute and does not authorize spending or create new programs.
Introduced April 10, 2025 by James Varni Panetta · Last progress April 10, 2025