The proposed legislation would amend existing frameworks governing mineral resource extraction from the deep seabed, effectively stopping licenses, permits, or authorizations for both exploration and commercial recovery of hardrock minerals in these areas. This could significantly influence industries reliant on deep-sea mining, potentially shifting the environmental landscape towards a more protective stance for marine ecosystems. The ramifications of this prohibition could resonate up the supply chain, affecting businesses and economies that depend on these mining activities for resources.
Summary
House Bill 664, titled the ‘American Seabed Protection Act’, seeks to prohibit certain mining activities on the deep seabed and the Outer Continental Shelf. This bill is rooted in the context of ongoing concerns for marine ecosystems and their vulnerability to human activity. The legislation has been introduced with the intention of protecting the oceans from potential degradation caused by mining operations, which could lead to detrimental impacts on marine species and habitats. The bill emphasizes the need to uphold sustainable development practices as outlined by international agreements, notably those set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Contention
Notable points of contention may arise from various stakeholders, including industry operators who could be impacted by the halt on mining operations. Proponents of the bill argue that it is essential for marine conservation and addresses urgent ecological concerns, while opponents may claim it poses risks to economic opportunities tied to mineral extraction. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions mandating a comprehensive assessment of mining's environmental impacts, which adds a layer of scrutiny that has sparked debate over the balance between economic interests and environmental protection.
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.
Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Act of 2023 TAPP American Resources Act Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2023
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.