Sponsors (14)
The bill protects coastal economies, public health, and marine ecosystems in five Northeast states by barring offshore drilling there, while creating trade-offs of lost regional energy jobs, potential higher energy costs, and reduced executive flexibility.
Coastal residents and businesses in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut keep fisheries- and tourism-based jobs and revenue because offshore drilling and its economic risks are prevented in the region.
People who live, work, or recreate on and near the ocean in these five states face lower risk of oil spills and related health and environmental harms because offshore drilling is blocked there.
Marine ecosystems and recreational ocean uses (fishing, tourism, boating) in the five-state region are preserved by preventing offshore leasing and development.
Energy sector workers and related contractors in the region may lose job opportunities and investment tied to offshore oil and gas development.
Households and businesses in the region could face higher energy costs or greater reliance on other fuel sources if preventing local offshore development reduces supply or competitive pricing.
The bill limits the Secretary's ability to consider future technological, economic, or environmental changes when deciding on leasing in the affected areas, reducing administrative flexibility.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits the Secretary from issuing any Outer Continental Shelf leases for oil or natural gas off the coasts of ME, NH, MA, RI, and CT.
Bans any new federal oil or natural gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut by forbidding the Secretary from issuing such leases. The prohibition applies regardless of other law, effectively preventing offshore oil and gas leasing in those five-state coastal region.
Introduced April 10, 2025 by Seth Magaziner · Last progress April 10, 2025