COAST Anti-Drilling Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2881

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2026-06-24T08:09:42Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Clean Ocean And Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 (H.R. 2881), also known as the COAST Anti-Drilling Act of 2025, aims to permanently ban oil and gas drilling activities on the outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in specific Atlantic planning areas. The OCS refers to the submerged lands, subsoil, and seabed lying between the seaward limit of state waters (typically 3 nautical miles offshore) and the outer boundary of U.S. federal jurisdiction (up to 200 nautical miles). This legislation seeks to protect ocean environments, coastal tourism, and marine ecosystems in these regions from the risks associated with offshore drilling.

Key Provisions

• Permanent Prohibition on Leasing: The bill amends Section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA, a 1953 law that governs federal management of offshore energy resources) by adding a new subsection (q).
• Affected Areas: No leases or authorizations for exploring, developing, or producing oil, natural gas, or other minerals can be issued in the following OCS planning areas, as defined in the 2024-2029 National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program (published by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in 2023):
• North Atlantic planning area (off the Northeast U.S. coast).
• Mid-Atlantic planning area (between New York and Virginia).
• South Atlantic planning area (from Virginia to Florida).
• Straits of Florida planning area (near the southeastern U.S. and Cuba).
• Scope: The ban applies regardless of other laws or provisions in the OCSLA, making it a blanket prohibition on new activities in these zones.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Addition to OCSLA: This introduces a new, permanent restriction to the OCSLA, which previously allowed for periodic leasing programs managed by the Department of the Interior (DOI). Under current law, the Secretary of the Interior can issue leases through a multi-year program, but this bill overrides that authority for the specified areas.
• Shift from Temporary to Permanent: Prior OCS leasing decisions have included temporary moratoriums or exclusions based on environmental reviews, but this creates an enduring ban without expiration or need for renewal, eliminating the possibility of future drilling approvals in these regions unless Congress repeals the amendment.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM, part of the DOI) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement would be barred from conducting auctions, issuing permits, or overseeing drilling in these areas, potentially reducing their administrative workload and budget for Atlantic operations. This could redirect resources to other OCS regions, like the Gulf of Mexico.
• On Citizens: Coastal communities in Atlantic states (e.g., New Jersey, New York, Florida) may benefit from preserved marine habitats, reduced risk of oil spills, and sustained tourism and fishing industries, which rely on clean oceans. However, it could limit job opportunities in energy sectors for local workers.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the Straits of Florida area borders Cuban waters, potentially influencing U.S.-Cuba discussions on shared marine resources or environmental cooperation. No explicit international provisions are included.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Environmental and Conservation Groups: Positive impact, as organizations like those supporting ocean protection gain stronger legal safeguards against drilling threats.
• Tourism and Fishing Industries: Benefit from reduced environmental risks, supporting jobs and economies in Atlantic coastal states (e.g., beach tourism in Florida and New Jersey).
• Oil and Gas Industry: Negative impact, as companies lose access to potential reserves in these areas, potentially shifting investments elsewhere and affecting energy exploration plans.
• Coastal States and Local Governments: States like New Jersey, Virginia, and Florida (represented by bill sponsors) stand to gain environmental protections but may face trade-offs in energy revenue; federal-state coordination on OCS management could evolve.
• Federal Agencies: BOEM and DOI must enforce the ban, altering long-term planning for national energy strategy.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Reinforces federal authority over OCS resources under the OCSLA and the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3), which allows Congress to regulate federal lands and waters. The amendment's "notwithstanding" clause ensures it supersedes conflicting regulations, but it could face challenges from industry groups arguing economic harm or violations of administrative procedures.
• Constitutional Implications: Aligns with Congress's plenary power over offshore federal domains but may spark debates on balancing energy independence (promoted in other laws like the Energy Policy Act) with environmental protections under statutes like the National Environmental Policy Act.
• Political Implications: Reflects bipartisan support (evident in diverse sponsors from both parties) for regional priorities in Democratic-leaning coastal districts, signaling a broader policy shift toward renewable energy and climate resilience amid ongoing national debates on fossil fuel development. If enacted, it could set a precedent for similar bans in other sensitive areas, influencing future OCS leasing programs.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]

Cosponsors (39)

Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Clean Ocean And Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (3 pages)