HR2886-119

What This Bill Does

The Defend our Coast Act amends section 12 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to withdraw the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area from oil and gas leasing. It bars the Secretary from issuing a lease for exploration, development, or production of oil or gas on the Mid-Atlantic outer Continental Shelf as depicted in the September 2023 2024-2029 National OCS leasing proposed final program. The bill protects Mid-Atlantic coastal communities, fisheries, and tourism while removing future federal offshore leasing opportunities for oil and gas companies in the covered planning area.

Who Benefits and How

Mid-Atlantic coastal communities benefit because the bill reduces risk from new offshore oil and gas leasing near regional shorelines. Commercial fishing businesses benefit if fewer leases lower spill, vessel, and infrastructure conflict risk. Coastal tourism businesses benefit from reduced exposure to offshore drilling activity near beaches and recreation economies. State coastal regulators benefit from a statutory withdrawal rather than case-by-case federal leasing review.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Offshore oil and gas companies lose access to future leases in the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management must treat the Mid-Atlantic area as unavailable for covered oil and gas leasing. Federal royalty beneficiaries lose potential revenue from future production in the covered area. Energy-development advocates must pursue offshore activity outside the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits oil and gas leases in the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area.
• Blocks exploration, development, and production leasing for the covered outer Continental Shelf area.
• Uses the September 2023 2024-2029 National OCS leasing program to identify the area.
• Restricts Interior Department leasing authority under section 12 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.