H.R.2673 - Florida Coastal Protection Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2673, the Florida Coastal Protection Act, aims to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production in specific areas off the coast of Florida. The bill targets areas in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, the South Atlantic Planning Area south of 30 degrees 43 minutes North Latitude, and the Straits of Florida Planning Area. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 7, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
The Act seeks to protect Florida's coastal environment and economy by preventing potential oil spills and environmental damage associated with offshore drilling. The bill includes a provision that it does not affect any rights under leases issued before the enactment of the subsection.
This legislative action reflects a commitment to preserving Florida's coastal resources and mitigating risks associated with offshore energy activities.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R.2673 would prevent the issuance of new leases or authorizations for oil and natural gas activities in the specified areas off Florida's coast. This would effectively block future offshore drilling in those regions.
The prohibition aims to safeguard marine ecosystems, tourism-dependent economies, and coastal communities from potential adverse impacts of oil and gas exploration and production. Existing leases would not be affected, ensuring that current operations can continue under their existing terms.
The long-term effect would be a reduced risk of oil spills and environmental damage in the protected areas, potentially enhancing the ecological and economic resilience of Florida's coastal regions.
Potential Benefits
- Environmental Protection: Reduces the risk of oil spills and damage to marine ecosystems off the Florida coast.
- Economic Stability: Protects tourism and fishing industries that rely on a healthy coastal environment.
- Preservation of Natural Resources: Ensures the long-term preservation of Florida's coastal resources and biodiversity.
- Community Well-being: Safeguards the health and well-being of coastal communities by preventing pollution and environmental degradation.
- Reduced Risk: Mitigates the potential for environmental disasters associated with offshore drilling.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Economic Impact: Limits potential revenue and job creation from oil and gas exploration in the restricted areas.
- Energy Supply Constraints: Could constrain the supply of domestic oil and natural gas, potentially increasing reliance on foreign sources.
- Reduced Investment: May discourage investment in energy projects off the Florida coast.
- Limited Resource Exploration: Prevents the exploration of potentially valuable energy resources in the prohibited areas.
- Job Losses: Potential job losses in the oil and gas industry due to restricted exploration and development.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to protect the environment and economy of Florida, thereby promoting the well-being of its citizens. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which this bill amends, is itself an exercise of Congressional authority over federal lands and resources, as implicitly recognized in Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2, which grants Congress the power to dispose of and regulate territory or other property belonging to the United States.
However, some could argue that restricting energy exploration might impinge on interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) if it significantly affects the national energy supply. The balance between environmental protection and economic activity is a matter of policy that Congress has the power to determine, within constitutional limits.
Amendment X reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people. In this case, the federal government is acting within its jurisdiction over the Outer Continental Shelf, so the Tenth Amendment is not directly implicated.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).