April 7, 2025
Ms. Castor of Florida (for herself, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Soto, and Mr. Bilirakis) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production in certain areas of the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Florida, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Florida Coastal Protection Act
.
Sec. 2. Prohibition of oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production in certain areas off the coast of Florida
Section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(j) Prohibition of oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production in certain areas off the coast of Florida
(1) Prohibition
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other law, the Secretary shall not issue a lease or any other authorization for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in—
(A)
any area of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico that is referred to in section 104(a) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006;
(B)
the portion of the South Atlantic Planning Area, as such planning area is depicted in the 2024–2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program (September 2023), south of 30 degrees 43 minutes North Latitude; or
(C)
the Straits of Florida Planning Area, as such planning area is depicted in the 2024–2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program (September 2023).
(2) Limitation on effect
Nothing in this subsection affects any right under any lease issued under this Act before the date of enactment of this subsection.