New Senate Bills Aim to Restrict Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration on U.S. Coasts

Washington, D.C., April 10, 2025 — In recent developments within the 119th Congress, new legislative measures related to energy exploration have been introduced, focusing on restrictions to oil and gas development off the U.S. coasts.

On April 10, 2025, Senators introduced two bills that aim to further restrict oil and gas exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The first bill, S. 1432, introduced by Senators Merkley, Murray, Sanders, Markey, Cantwell, Schiff, and Whitehouse, seeks to permanently prohibit oil and gas exploration, development, and production off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for further consideration.

In a similar vein, a second bill, S. 1472, was introduced by Senators Whitehouse, Blumenthal, Collins, Hassan, King, Markey, Murphy, Reed, Shaheen, and Warren. This legislation proposes to prohibit oil and gas leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of New England. Like the previous bill, it has also been referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Both bills highlight ongoing legislative efforts to restrict fossil fuel exploration and production along specific U.S. coastlines, underscoring the growing focus on environmental conservation and energy policy debates within the 119th Congress. These measures aim to address regional concerns about the environmental impact of offshore drilling and its potential effects on local ecosystems and economies.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on official statements and proceedings from the U.S. Congressional Record, a public government source. The content reflects remarks made by members of Congress and has been edited solely for clarity and length. EnergyRoundup.com presents these records for informational purposes and does not endorse any political viewpoint.