109 S279 IS: Preserving the Gulf Test Range to Ensure Military Readiness Act U.S. Senate 2023-02-07 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II118th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 279IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 7, 2023Mr. Rubio (for himself and Mr. Scott of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesA BILLTo establish a moratorium on energy development in certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Preserving the Gulf Test Range to Ensure Military Readiness Act.

2.

Moratorium on energy development in certain areas of Gulf of Mexico

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Military Mission Line

The term Military Mission Line has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note; Public Law 109–432).(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.(b)

Moratorium

Effective during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on June 30, 2032, the Secretary shall not offer for leasing, preleasing, or any related activity for energy development of any kind—(1)any area east of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico; or(2)any area of the outer Continental Shelf described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (2) of subsection (d), if oil, gas, wind, or any other form of energy exploration, leasing, or development in that area has been identified in a report under that subsection as having any adverse effect on the national security of the United States or the military readiness or testing capabilities of the Department of Defense.(c)

Environmental exceptions

Notwithstanding subsection (b), the Secretary may issue leases in areas described in that subsection for environmental conservation purposes, including the purposes of shore protection, beach nourishment and restoration, wetlands restoration, and habitat protection.(d)

Reports

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and not later than June 30, 2031, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and Armed Services of the Senate and the Committees on Appropriations and Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report that describes the impact of oil, gas, wind, and any other form of energy exploration, leasing, or development in areas of the outer Continental Shelf described in paragraph (2) on the national security of the United States and the military readiness and testing capabilities of the Department of Defense.(2)

Areas described

The areas of the outer Continental Shelf referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:(A)Any area west of the Military Mission Line in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area.(B)The South Atlantic Planning Area.(C)The Straits of Florida Planning Area.