S. 3082: American Shores Protection Act of 2025

The American Shores Protection Act of 2025 aims to prohibit oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production in specific areas of the outer Continental Shelf. This legislation specifically targets regions off the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, and introduces a ban that would take effect immediately upon the law's enactment and remain in place until June 30, 2032.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Prohibition on Exploration and Production: The act prevents the Secretary of the Interior from issuing leases or authorizations for any oil or natural gas activities in designated areas.
• Designated Areas: The bill specifies certain geographic areas that are included in the prohibition:
  • The Eastern Gulf of Mexico, as defined by previous legislation.
  • The South Atlantic Planning Area, as outlined in the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program.
  • The Straits of Florida Planning Area, also referenced in the aforementioned leasing program.
• Existing Leases: Any leases that were issued before the enactment of this bill will not be affected by this prohibition. Therefore, rights associated with those leases remain intact.

Congressional Intent

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the withdrawal of these areas from leasing disposition has support. This indicates a legislative backing for the protection of these offshore environments from oil and gas exploration.

Overall Impact

By instituting these prohibitions, the legislation aims to protect the coastal and marine ecosystems in the targeted areas from the potential environmental impacts associated with oil and gas extraction. This aligns with broader environmental protection efforts at the federal level.

Relevant Companies

• CVX - Chevron Corporation: As a major player in the oil and gas industry, Chevron could be affected by restrictions on exploration and production activities in these offshore areas.
• XOM - Exxon Mobil Corporation: Similar to Chevron, ExxonMobil's operations could be significantly impacted by the limitations placed on oil exploration and production in the specified regions.
• RDS.A - Royal Dutch Shell plc: Shell, involved in offshore oil and gas operations, may see direct consequences from the prohibitions outlined in the bill.