Defend Our Coast Act Blocks All New Oil and Gas Leasing in Mid-Atlantic Shelf

The aptly named “Defend our Coast Act” is short, sharp, and entirely focused on one thing: putting the brakes on offshore oil and gas development in a specific, sensitive area. This legislation explicitly prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any new leases for exploration, development, or production on the outer Continental Shelf within the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area.

The Ocean Floor is Off-Limits

Think of this bill as drawing a hard line in the sand—or, more accurately, the ocean floor. The restriction applies to the exact geographic boundaries defined in the federal government’s own 2024–2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program map. In plain English, if that map shows a spot in the Mid-Atlantic where they could sell drilling rights, this bill says, “Nope, not anymore.” This isn’t a temporary pause; it’s a direct block on future leasing in that region (SEC. 2).

What This Means for the Mid-Atlantic

For coastal communities, fishing operations, and the tourism industry from, say, New Jersey down to North Carolina, this is a big deal. It offers regulatory certainty that the local environment—and the economies built around clean beaches and healthy fisheries—won’t face the immediate risk of new drilling infrastructure or the potential for a massive oil spill. If you run a charter fishing boat, this helps protect your livelihood by reducing the threat of industrialization near critical fishing grounds. If you own a beach rental, this helps keep the view and the environment pristine, which is exactly what tourists pay for.

Who Feels the Pinch?

While the environmental and coastal protection benefits are clear, this move does limit the options for the energy sector. Oil and gas companies that might have been eyeing the Mid-Atlantic for future leasing opportunities will have to look elsewhere. Furthermore, state and local governments that rely on federal revenue sharing from offshore drilling activity won’t see any new income from this specific area. This bill effectively makes a choice: prioritize environmental protection and coastal economies over the potential for new domestic fossil fuel extraction in the Mid-Atlantic region.