The American Shores Protection Act of 2025 would ban oil and natural gas exploration, drilling, and production in federally controlled ocean areas off the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina through June 30, 2032. The prohibition covers three specific offshore zones: the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, the South Atlantic Planning Area, and the Straits of Florida Planning Area. The bill does not affect existing oil and gas leases that were already issued before the law would take effect, meaning companies with current drilling rights could continue operating. The legislation reflects congressional support for a presidential order from 2020 that withdrew these same ocean areas from energy development consideration. While the bill contains no specific funding provisions, it effectively removes approximately 8 million acres of federal ocean floor from future energy leasing activities.
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