Sponsors (12)
The bill increases and regularizes fossil-fuel leasing to support energy industry jobs and local revenue while trading off greater near-term local pollution risks, potential harms to recreation and Indigenous lands, reduced agency flexibility, and higher long-term greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy companies and energy workers will get more predictable, regular access to onshore and Gulf of Mexico offshore lease sales starting FY2025/FY2026, helping planning, investment, and job stability in the oil and gas sector.
Local governments and communities in producing States (e.g., WY, NM, CO, UT, MT, ND, OK, NV) are likely to see increased economic activity and higher tax/royalty receipts from more frequent leasing and development.
Some coastal areas benefit from extended Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic moratoria protections (and clarified protections for existing leases), helping preserve beaches and coastal tourism-related jobs.
All Americans (especially future generations) face higher long-term climate and economic risks because expanded fossil fuel leasing increases greenhouse gas emissions and undercuts greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Residents in and near new lease areas (rural communities and homeowners) will likely face increased local pollution, spill risk, and other health hazards as oil and gas development expands.
Offering all parcels eligible under resource management plans increases the chance of leasing lands valued for recreation, wildlife, or cultural uses, harming tourism, subsistence activities, and Indigenous communities' interests.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced February 6, 2025 by Steve Daines · Last progress February 6, 2025
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to hold a set minimum number of onshore and offshore oil and natural gas lease sales on a fixed schedule, expands required leasing in specific States and regions, mandates multiple Cook Inlet offshore sales in Alaska, extends and expands parts of the Gulf moratorium, and restricts the President from pausing or cancelling federal leasing without congressional approval. It also creates timing rules for preparing and approving future outer continental shelf (OCS) leasing programs and sets sale and royalty terms for specified areas.