H.R. 2862: Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, known as the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act, aims to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit oil and gas leasing in the Southern California Planning Area. Here are the key points of the legislation:

Bill Overview

The Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act specifically targets the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in a defined area off the coast of Southern California. The bill prevents the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any leases or authorizations for these activities within the Southern California Planning Area.

Details of the Prohibition

The bill formally amends Section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
It establishes a clear prohibition against the issuance of oil and gas leases in the specified planning area.
The defined area for this prohibition is as outlined in the "2024–2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program," which was prepared in September 2023.

Implications

By enacting this bill, the intention is to safeguard the coastal and oceanic environment of Southern California from the impacts associated with oil and gas extraction, such as pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. This prohibition reflects a shift towards prioritizing protection of marine ecosystems and local communities over fossil fuel development in this region.