Legislation Search

H.R. 2849: West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2025

This bill, titled the West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2025, aims to make significant changes to the policies surrounding oil and gas activities off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Overall Purpose

The primary goal of this bill is to permanently prohibit the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in certain areas known as the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This legislation specifically targets the waters off the West Coast of the United States.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes the following key provisions:

Prohibition of New Leases: The bill states that the Secretary of the Interior cannot issue any new leases or authorizations for oil and gas exploration or production in designated planning areas off the West Coast.
Specifically Designated Areas: The prohibited planning areas include:
- The Washington/Oregon Planning Area.
- The Northern California Planning Area.
- The Central California Planning Area.
- The Southern California Planning Area.

Long-Term Impact

If passed, this legislation will ensure that the designated areas will not be developed for oil and gas undertakings, establishing a long-term protective measure for marine environments and potentially influencing energy policy in the region.

Administrative Action

The bill requires administrative action to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, thereby laying the groundwork for permanent protections rather than temporary restrictions or moratoriums.

Support and Opposition

The bill may encounter various responses from different sectors, including environmental advocacy groups that may support it, and industries connected to oil and gas that may oppose it. However, the bill is presented in a neutral framework focusing solely on the prohibition of specific activities in certain geographical areas.