Sponsors (15)
The bill protects Florida's coasts, marine ecosystems, and tourism economy by banning new offshore oil leasing in specified areas, while trading off potential oil-industry jobs, local lease revenue, and possible upward pressure on energy costs along with fairness concerns for new entrants.
Florida coastal residents, beachgoers, and coastal communities face a substantially reduced risk of new offshore drilling and related oil spills in the specified Eastern Gulf, South Atlantic (south of 30°43′N), and Straits of Florida areas.
Fisheries and marine ecosystems in the designated offshore areas are protected from new exploration and production impacts, helping preserve biodiversity and fishery productivity.
Florida coastal economies that depend on tourism and recreation are more likely to retain their tourism value and related economic activity by preventing new offshore oil operations near beaches.
American consumers and businesses could face higher energy costs or greater reliance on imported oil if domestic development is shifted away from the banned areas.
Workers and firms in the offshore oil and gas industry may lose potential future jobs and investment opportunities in the prohibited areas.
State and local governments that had anticipated revenue or economic activity from new leases in these areas could see reduced future income, affecting local budgets and services.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing new federal oil and gas leases or authorizations in three specified offshore areas off Florida, while preserving preexisting leases.
Official title: To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production in certain areas of the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Florida, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 7, 2025 by Kathy Castor · Last progress April 7, 2025
Prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing new federal leases or authorizations for exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in three specified offshore areas adjacent to Florida: parts of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico referenced in the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, a southern portion of the South Atlantic Planning Area, and the Straits of Florida Planning Area as shown in the 2024–2029 Proposed Final Program. Existing leases issued before this law remain valid and unaffected.