Sponsors (17)
The bill trades stronger environmental protection for the Arctic — lowering spill and climate risks — against foregone Arctic energy development, associated jobs, investment, and potential local and consumer revenues.
Arctic residents and local subsistence communities will face a reduced risk of oil and gas spills, protecting subsistence resources and marine life.
All Americans gain reduced long‑term greenhouse gas emissions and lower climate risk because the bill limits new fossil fuel extraction in the Arctic.
Federal agencies and employees will likely face lower regulatory and enforcement costs and fewer high‑cost spill responses by preventing new Arctic drilling.
Energy companies and offshore workers will lose access to potential Arctic resources, reducing investment and Arctic‑sector jobs.
Consumers and taxpayers could face higher energy prices over time if limiting Arctic production increases reliance on other domestic or foreign sources.
States, localities, and stakeholders expecting revenues or royalties from Arctic Outer Continental Shelf leases would lose future potential income, reducing local government and community funds.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Bars the Interior Secretary from issuing or extending any lease or authorization for oil, gas, or other mineral activity on Arctic outer Continental Shelf areas as defined by 15 U.S.C. § 4111.
Introduced April 10, 2025 by Jared Huffman · Last progress April 10, 2025
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing or extending any lease or other authorization for exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or any other mineral on Arctic areas of the outer Continental Shelf, and defines “Arctic” by reference to 15 U.S.C. § 4111. The change applies notwithstanding any other law and therefore blocks new Arctic OCS leasing and extensions of existing authorizations for mineral activities in the defined Arctic area.