Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act
The Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to bar any federal oil or gas leasing in the Southern California Planning Area. Specifically, it adds a new provision (8(q)) stating that the Secretary may not issue a lease or any authorization for exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in that planning area, as defined by the 2024-2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program (Sept. 2023). The prohibition is explicitly couched as overriding other laws, meaning no new offshore oil or gas activity could be authorized in that area. The bill’s text does not address existing leases or ongoing activities, and it was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources for consideration.
Key Points
- 1Creates a new prohibition under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) that blocks oil and gas leasing in the Southern California Planning Area.
- 2The defined planning area is the Southern California Planning Area described in the 2024-2029 National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program (Sept. 2023).
- 3Uses a “Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other law” clause to ensure the prohibition takes precedence over conflicting laws.
- 4The ban covers not only leasing but also any other authorization for exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in the area.
- 5The bill does not specify the treatment of existing leases or ongoing activities; it appears focused on prohibiting new authorizations going forward.