New Bill Seeks Ban on Oil & Gas Leases in Key Atlantic, Florida Waters

The "Clean Ocean And Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025," or COAST Act, aims to halt new oil, gas, or mineral activities off large sections of the U.S. coastline. Specifically, it directs the government to stop issuing any new leases or permits for exploration, development, or production in four major planning areas along the Atlantic coast and Florida. The core purpose is straightforward: protect these specific ocean environments and the coastal economies, particularly tourism, that rely on them.

Drawing Lines in the Water

So, which areas are covered? The bill explicitly names the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas. These aren't arbitrary locations; they correspond to defined regions in the federal government's 2024-2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program. In simple terms, if this legislation is enacted, the Secretary responsible for offshore leasing would be prohibited from greenlighting new drilling or mining operations within these designated zones. It essentially draws a boundary against future fossil fuel extraction activities in these waters.

Keeping Coasts Clear

What's the real-world effect? For people living and working along these coasts, the act intends to safeguard the local environment that supports industries like tourism and fishing. This could mean reduced risk of future oil spills affecting beaches, marine life, or the seafood catch that many livelihoods depend on. It effectively prioritizes the preservation of these specific coastal ecosystems and related economies over potential energy development. Conversely, this legislation directly restricts the oil and gas sector by closing off these designated federal waters to future exploration and production, impacting companies that might seek resources there.