Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB356

Introduced
1/13/23  
Refer
1/13/23  

Caption

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.

Impact

Should this bill be enacted, it could significantly change the landscape of federal oil and gas leasing in the United States. By requiring a set number of lease sales each year, the bill aims to minimize delays in energy development. This could ultimately lead to increased production and exploration in these vital energy regions, thereby affecting both local economies and federal revenues derived from oil and gas leases. Additionally, the legislation restricts the President's ability to unilaterally delay or cancel lease sales without Congressional approval, further centralizing legislative control over energy policy.

Summary

House Bill 356, known as the 'Unleashing American Energy Act', mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a minimum of two region-wide oil and gas lease sales annually in specific areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The regions targeted by the bill include the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Areas and the Alaska region. The intent of the legislation is to accelerate the government's process of leasing submerged lands for oil and gas exploration, with an emphasis on economic growth and energy independence.

Contention

The bill has sparked debates regarding the balance between energy development and environmental protection. Proponents argue that expedited lease sales are essential for energy independence and economic recovery, while opponents raise concerns over potential environmental impacts and the importance of considering climate change. The stipulation that gives Congress oversight over delay decisions may also be contentious, as it presents a shift in the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches regarding energy regulations.

Companion Bills

US HB1335

Related bill TAPP American Resources Act Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act

US SB1456

Related bill SPUR Act Spur Permitting of Underdeveloped Resources Act

Previously Filed As

US SB5588

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

US HB408

This 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.

US SB104

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.

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 HB10489

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

US SB49

American Shores Protection Act of 2023 This bill extends a moratorium on oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico through June 30, 2032, and expands the moratorium to include the South Atlantic Planning Area and the Straits of Florida Planning Area.

US HB21

Strategic Production Response Act This bill limits the drawdown of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the Department of Energy develops a plan to increase the percentage of federal lands leased for oil and gas production.

US HR139

Urges the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to maintain region-wide leasing in the Gulf of Mexico in the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program

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.