To prohibit the issuance of an interim or final rule, and to prohibit the inclusion in certain oil and gas leases, exploration or development plans, or well permits requirements or recommendations, that establish a vessel speed or operational restriction in the Central or Western Planning Area of the Gulf of Mexico of the outer Continental Shelf until the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce complete a study demonstrating that proposed mitigation efforts would have no negative impact on supply chains, United States offshore energy production and generation, military activities, including readiness, and United States commercial and recreational fishing maritime commerce, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · September 28, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The WHALE Act prohibits federal agencies from issuing rules or including requirements in oil and gas leases that would impose vessel speed or operational restrictions in the Central and Western Planning Areas of the Gulf of Mexico unless two conditions are met. First, the Secretaries of Commerce and Interior must complete a study proving that alternative mitigation measures would not negatively impact energy production, military readiness, commercial fishing, or maritime commerce in the region. Second, they must submit findings to Congress within 60 days of completing the study. The bill requires the agencies to develop mitigation protocols using monitoring systems to protect Rice's whales in the Eastern Planning Area, though these protocols cannot include night transit prohibitions or speed restrictions, and must include exceptions for national security activities. The legislation essentially delays or prevents environmental vessel regulations in Gulf of Mexico oil and gas operations pending completion of a comprehensive study on economic and strategic impacts.
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