Defend our Coast Act

Summary

Prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing any new oil and gas leases for exploration, development, or production on the Outer Continental Shelf within the Mid‑Atlantic Planning Area as shown in the 2024–2029 National OCS Leasing Proposed Final Program (Sept 2023). This creates a statutory withdrawal of that Mid‑Atlantic area from disposal for OCS oil and gas leasing, removing the Secretary's authority to approve leases there under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act for that defined area.

• Prohibits the Interior Department from issuing any new oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf within the Mid‑Atlantic Planning Area shown in the 2024–2029 Proposed Final Program.
• Creates a statutory withdrawal of that Mid‑Atlantic OCS area from disposition for oil and gas leasing under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
• Applies specifically to the geographic area depicted in the cited 2024–2029 program map; it does not explicitly address other OCS regions.
• Does not change spending, tax policy, or create new federal programs—its effect is a targeted prohibition on leasing.
• Does not explicitly modify existing leases, though it prevents issuance of new leases in the defined area.
• Shifts future offshore oil and gas development potential away from the Mid‑Atlantic OCS area, with attendant effects on industry planning and state/federal revenues.
• Implementation and any reversal would require further congressional action or litigation because the restriction is written into statute.