The "Supporting Made in America Energy Act" mandates increased oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters, while extending a moratorium in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and setting timelines for future leasing programs.
Steve Daines
Senator
MT
The "Supporting Made in America Energy Act" mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a minimum number of oil and natural gas lease sales annually for both onshore and offshore lands, including specific requirements for the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska regions. It extends the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico until December 31, 2035, and sets deadlines for preparing subsequent oil and gas leasing programs. The Act also restricts the President's authority to pause or impede Federal energy mineral leasing processes without congressional approval.
Feds Mandate More Oil and Gas Drilling, Limit Presidential Power: 'Supporting Made in America Energy Act' Sets Drilling Quotas Through 2035
The "Supporting Made in America Energy Act" forces the government to ramp up oil and gas drilling across the US, both on land and offshore. This isn't a suggestion; it's a requirement, baked right into the law. Let's break down what that means for you.
Drilling Down on the Details
Starting in 2025, the Secretary of the Interior must hold at least four oil and gas lease sales every year in states like Wyoming, Colorado, and North Dakota (SEC. 2). Think of it like an auction where energy companies bid on the right to drill. If a sale gets canceled or delayed? They have to hold a replacement. No wiggle room. Offshore, it's a similar story. Two sales per year are mandated in the Gulf of Mexico starting in 2026, and six are required in Alaska's Cook Inlet over ten years. Each Alaska sale has to offer at least a million acres. That's a lot of potential drilling.
Real-World Rollout
Imagine you're a rancher in Montana. More lease sales could mean more drilling rigs on or near your land, potentially impacting water sources and grazing areas. Or, if you work in the renewable energy sector, this bill signals a continued commitment to fossil fuels, which could affect investment in your industry. The bill even extends a moratorium on drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico until 2035, but with a loophole: leases are allowed for "environmental conservation." What does that mean? It's not clearly defined, leaving room for interpretation (and potential exploitation).
The Big Picture: Power Shift
This bill doesn't just push for more drilling; it ties the President's hands. The law explicitly states that the President can't pause, cancel, or delay federal energy leasing without Congressional approval (SEC. 2). Any such action is presumed to be a violation of the law. This is a significant shift in power, limiting the executive branch's ability to respond to, say, environmental concerns or changing energy markets.
The Bottom Line
This bill mandates more drilling, limits presidential power, and potentially opens the door to environmental risks. It prioritizes energy production over other considerations, and the long-term consequences are worth watching closely. Whether you are a business owner, a consumer, or someone concerned about the environment, the "Supporting Made in America Energy Act" will have ripple effects across various sectors of the economy and our daily lives.