New England gets permanent shield against federal offshore oil leasing
H.R. 2865 — New England Coastal Protection Act of 2025 · Filed by Seth Magaziner (D-RI) · 13 cosponsors · Introduced Apr 10, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill amends federal law to permanently prohibit the federal government from issuing oil and gas leases on the outer Continental Shelf (federal waters) off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. It removes the Secretary of the Interior's authority to lease those waters for oil or gas exploration, development, or production.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is a geographic prohibition on federal oil and gas leasing. It is a straightforward environmental and coastal-protection measure with no hidden provisions or unrelated riders.
What the text implies
- Permanently forecloses future federal revenue from oil/gas leases in New England waters, reducing Interior Department lease-sale income in that region.
- May increase pressure on oil and gas companies to seek leases in other federal waters (Gulf of Mexico, Alaska) or state waters, potentially shifting development rather than preventing it.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Ordinary citizens in New England gain protection from offshore oil and gas development, which reduces risks of spills, environmental degradation, and impacts on fishing and tourism economies. The bill restricts federal executive power to lease public resources, which is an accountability measure that aligns with local preference and environmental protection.