Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “American Shores Protection Act of 2023”.
American Shores Protection Act of 2023
A BILL
To amend the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 to extend the moratorium on drilling off the coasts of the States of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Moratorium on oil and gas leasing off the coasts of the States of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina
Section 104 of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note; Public Law 109–432) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “June 30, 2022” and inserting “June 30, 2032”;
in paragraph (2), by striking “or” after the semicolon;
in paragraph (3)(B)(iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(4) any area in the South Atlantic Planning Area (as designated by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management as of the date of enactment of this paragraph); or
“(5) any area in the Straits of Florida Planning Area (as designated by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management as of the date of enactment of this paragraph).”
by adding at the end the following:
“(d) Effect on certain leases—The moratoria under paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (a) shall not affect valid existing leases in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection.
“(e) Environmental exceptions—Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary may issue leases in areas described in that subsection for environmental conservation purposes, including the purposes of shore protection, beach nourishment and restoration, wetlands restoration, and habitat protection.”