Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB104

Introduced
1/15/25  

Caption

Overturn Biden’s Offshore Energy Ban ActThis bill nullifies two presidential memoranda that were published on January 6, 2025, including (1) the Memorandum on the Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf from Oil or Natural Gas Leasing, relating to the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, and Pacific areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); and (2) the Memorandum on the Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf from Oil or Natural Gas Leasing, relating to the Bering Sea areas of the OCS. The memoranda prohibited the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) from issuing offshore leases for the exploration, development, or production (i.e., offshore drilling) of oil or natural gas in those areas.This bill reverses the withdrawal to allow BOEM to issue leases in those areas.

Impact

The bill, if enacted, would significantly alter existing federal policies regarding the leasing of offshore areas for oil and gas exploration and extraction. By overriding prior Presidential decisions, SB104 aims to open up large portions of the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, and Pacific regions for leasing activities, which have been suspended under current environmental regulations. This could have ramifications for both the energy market and environmental conservation efforts, as the expansion of drilling has implications for marine ecosystems and local communities dependent on these environments.

Summary

SB104, titled the 'Overturn Biden’s Offshore Energy Ban Act,' seeks to rescind Presidential memoranda that currently restrict oil and natural gas leasing in designated areas of the outer Continental Shelf. This legislation is positioned within a larger narrative surrounding energy independence and economic opportunities linked to offshore drilling. Proponents of the bill assert that eliminating these restrictions will provide greater access to natural resources, potentially leading to increased job creation and economic growth in states with coastal access to these areas.

Conclusion

Overall, SB104 encapsulates a broader conflict between economic interests tied to fossil fuels and the urgent need for environmental stewardship. As discussions around the bill progress, various interest groups will likely engage in significant advocacy efforts to influence its outcome, reflecting the polarized nature of energy policy in contemporary legislative discourse.

Contention

Notably, the legislation is expected to provoke considerable debate among stakeholders. Supporters, primarily within the energy sector and certain legislative factions, argue that resuming leasing will bolster the domestic energy supply and reduce reliance on foreign oil. Conversely, environmental advocates and some political figures oppose the bill, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding marine ecosystems and the long-term impacts of fossil fuel extraction on climate change. They contend that this legislation undermines recent efforts to transition toward renewable energy sources and ignore pressing environmental concerns.

Congress_id

119-S-104

Policy_area

Energy

Introduced_date

2025-01-15

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB470

West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in any area of the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California, Oregon, or Washington.

US SB22

West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in any area of the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California, Oregon, or Washington.

US SB5588

A bill to prohibit drilling in the outer Continental Shelf, to prohibit coal leases on Federal land, and for other purposes.

US HB10508

To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to support the responsible development of offshore renewable energy projects, establish the Offshore Power Administration, and for other purposes.

US HB10489

To prohibit drilling in the outer Continental Shelf, to prohibit coal leases on Federal land, and for other purposes.

US HB356

Unleashing American Energy Act This bill requires a minimum amount of oil and gas lease sales a year on certain submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and limits delays on federal oil and gas leases on such lands. Specifically, this bill requires the Department of the Interior to annually conduct a minimum of two region-wide oil and gas lease sales in each of the following regions of the OCS: (1) the Gulf of Mexico region in the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area and the Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area, and (2) the Alaska region. In addition, the bill requires the President to obtain congressional approval before delaying federal oil and gas leases on the OCS.

US SB2389

Offshore Energy Security Act of 2023

US SB31

Strategic Production Response Act or the SPR Act This bill limits the drawdown of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) until the Department of Interior issues a plan or updates a previously issued plan to increase the production of oil and gas on federal land. However, Interior may drawdown petroleum in the SPR if there is a severe energy supply interruption. The bill defines federal land to (1) include Outer Continental Shelf land; and (2) exclude land otherwise not available for oil and gas development within the National Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wilderness Preservation System, a National Marine Sanctuary, or Indian land.

US HB10513

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to co-locate renewable energy projects on certain existing Federal leased areas, and for other purposes.

US HB1

Lower Energy Costs Act This bill provides for the exploration, development, importation, and exportation of energy resources (e.g., oil, gas, and minerals). For example, it sets forth provisions to (1) expedite energy projects, (2) eliminate or reduce certain fees related to the development of federal energy resources, and (3) eliminate certain funds that provide incentives to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases. The bill expedites the development, importation, and exportation of energy resources, including by waiving environmental review requirements and other specified requirements under certain environmental laws, eliminating certain restrictions on the import and export of oil and natural gas, prohibiting the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing (a type of process used to extract underground energy resources), directing the Department of the Interior to conduct sales for the leasing of oil and gas resources on federal lands and waters as specified by the bill, and limiting the authority of the President and executive agencies to restrict or delay the development of energy on federal land. In addition, the bill reduces royalties for oil and gas development on federal land and eliminates charges on methane emissions. It also eliminates a variety of funds, such as funds for energy efficiency improvements in buildings as well as the greenhouse gas reduction fund.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.