Sponsors (14)
The bill protects Florida’s coastal environment, beaches, and tourism-driven economies by banning new offshore oil activities in specified areas, but does so at the cost of foregone offshore development, localized job and revenue losses, and some broader energy supply/price risks.
Florida coastal communities and beach economies: reduced risk of new offshore drilling and oil spills in the specified Eastern Gulf, south Atlantic (south of 30°43′N), and Straits of Florida areas.
Marine ecosystems and commercial/recreational fisheries in the specified offshore areas: protected from impacts of new exploration and production.
Florida tourism and recreation-dependent businesses and local economies: preservation of tourism and recreation value by preventing new offshore oil operations near beaches.
All U.S. consumers and businesses: potential increased reliance on imported oil or development in other domestic areas, which could raise energy prices or shipping costs.
Offshore oil and gas workers and regional suppliers: loss of potential future jobs and investment opportunities in the areas where leasing and development are banned.
State and local governments in affected coastal areas: reduced future revenue and economic activity that would have come from new leases and associated development.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Bars the federal government from issuing new oil or gas leases or authorizations in three specified offshore areas off Florida while preserving existing lease rights.
Introduced April 7, 2025 by Kathy Castor · Last progress April 7, 2025
Prohibits the Secretary from issuing any new leases or other authorizations for exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in three specified offshore areas off Florida. The measure preserves rights under leases that were issued before the law takes effect.