I 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 970 

To establish a moratorium on energy development in certain areas of the 

Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 9, 2023 

Mr. WALTZ (for himself, Ms. SALAZAR, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, Mr. GAETZ, Mr. 

RUTHERFORD, Mr. POSEY, Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida, and Mr. 

GIMENEZ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Armed 

Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 

each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

A BILL 

To establish a moratorium on energy development in certain 

areas of the Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Preserving the Gulf 

5 Test Range to Ensure Military Readiness Act’’. 

6 SEC. 2. MORATORIUM ON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN CER7 TAIN AREAS OF GULF OF MEXICO. 

8 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 


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1 (1) MILITARY MISSION LINE.—The term ‘‘Mili2 tary Mission Line’’ has the meaning given the term 

3 in section 102 of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security 

4 Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note; Public Law 109– 

5 432). 

6 (2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 

7 the Secretary of the Interior. 

8 (b) MORATORIUM.—Effective during the period be9 ginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending 

10 on June 30, 2032, the Secretary shall not offer for leasing, 

11 preleasing, or any related activity for energy development 

12 of any kind— 

13 (1) any area east of the Military Mission Line 

14 in the Gulf of Mexico; or 

15 (2) any area of the outer Continental Shelf de16 scribed in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of para17 graph (2) of subsection (d), if oil, gas, wind, or any 

18 other form of energy exploration, leasing, or develop19 ment in that area has been identified in a report 

20 under that subsection as having any adverse effect 

21 on the national security of the United States or the 

22 military readiness or testing capabilities of the De23 partment of Defense. 

24 (c) ENVIRONMENTAL EXCEPTIONS.—Notwith25 standing subsection (b), the Secretary may issue leases in 


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1 areas described in that subsection for environmental con2 servation purposes, including the purposes of shore protec3 tion, beach nourishment and restoration, wetlands restora4 tion, and habitat protection. 

5 (d) REPORTS.— 

6 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 

7 after the date of enactment of this Act, and not 

8 later than June 30, 2031, the Secretary of Defense 

9 shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations 

10 and Armed Services of the Senate and the Commit11 tees on Appropriations and Armed Services of the 

12 House of Representatives a report that describes the 

13 impact of oil, gas, wind, and any other form of en14 ergy exploration, leasing, or development in areas of 

15 the outer Continental Shelf described in paragraph 

16 (2) on the national security of the United States and 

17 the military readiness and testing capabilities of the 

18 Department of Defense. 

19 (2) AREAS DESCRIBED.—The areas of the outer 

20 Continental Shelf referred to in paragraph (1) are 

21 the following: 

22 (A) Any area west of the Military Mission 

23 Line in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning 

24 Area. 

25 (B) The South Atlantic Planning Area. 


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1 (C) The Straits of Florida Planning Area. 

Æ 


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