New Act Mandates Automatic Permit Extensions for Offshore Oil & Gas Projects: Environmental Reviews Frozen at 2021 Levels

The aptly named Regulatory Integrity for Gulf Energy Development Act of 2025 (RIGED Act) is essentially an insurance policy for offshore oil and gas companies. It’s designed to prevent operational shutdowns when federal permits expire due to slow government processing.

The Permit Never Dies: Keeping the Lights On

The core of the RIGED Act, found in Section 3, mandates that if a federal permit for an offshore oil or gas project runs out before the government issues a new one, the Secretary (of Interior or Commerce) must keep the old permit’s rules and conditions active. This continuity applies not just to the original holder but also to any similar new company taking over the work. The goal is clear: no one should have to stop drilling or exploring just because the paperwork is stuck in a bureaucratic queue. This provision provides regulatory certainty, which is a major win for the energy sector, ensuring that projects—and the jobs tied to them—aren’t interrupted by administrative lag.

The bill also tries to grease the wheels of government by instructing the Secretary to form joint working groups with other federal agencies involved in the original permit. Think of these groups as fast-track teams aimed at speeding up the renewal process and making sure the continued operation aligns with current environmental and safety laws. For everyday folks, this means the energy supply chain is less likely to hiccup, which could help keep fuel costs stable by avoiding supply shocks. It also applies to water pollution permits (under Section 402(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act), ensuring that companies with similar operations can keep discharging under the existing rules until a new, umbrella permit is ready.

Environmental Review: Hitting the Pause Button

Here’s where the bill takes a sharp turn toward controversy. Section 3 includes a critical clause regarding the environmental bedrock for Gulf of Mexico leasing. It states that the existing Biological Opinion—the scientific assessment required under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)—issued back in March 2020 and updated in April 2021, will continue to be considered valid and sufficient. This validation remains in effect until a brand new Biological Opinion is officially approved by the Secretary of the Interior or Commerce.

Why does this matter? The Biological Opinion is the government’s formal finding on whether oil and gas activities will jeopardize endangered species, like certain whales or sea turtles. Science moves fast, and new data on the impact of offshore noise, vessel traffic, and climate change on marine life is constantly emerging. By locking in the 2020/2021 opinion, the RIGED Act essentially puts a time-out on implementing potentially stronger protections based on the last four years of scientific discovery. For environmental advocates and those concerned about the health of the Gulf, this provision is a major red flag, as it prioritizes operational continuity over the immediate adoption of the latest environmental safeguards. It ensures that any new, potentially stricter rules for protecting marine life won't be implemented until the government completes a full, formal replacement review.