II 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. 279 

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

Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 7, 2023 

Mr. 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 Resources 

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: 

9 (1) MILITARY MISSION LINE.—The term ‘‘Mili10 tary Mission Line’’ has the meaning given the term 


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•S 279 IS

1 in section 102 of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security 

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

3 432). 

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

5 the Secretary of the Interior. 

6 (b) MORATORIUM.—Effective during the period be7 ginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending 

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

9 preleasing, or any related activity for energy development 

10 of any kind— 

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

12 in the Gulf of Mexico; or 

13 (2) any area of the outer Continental Shelf de14 scribed in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of para15 graph (2) of subsection (d), if oil, gas, wind, or any 

16 other form of energy exploration, leasing, or develop17 ment in that area has been identified in a report 

18 under that subsection as having any adverse effect 

19 on the national security of the United States or the 

20 military readiness or testing capabilities of the De21 partment of Defense. 

22 (c) ENVIRONMENTAL EXCEPTIONS.—Notwith23 standing subsection (b), the Secretary may issue leases in 

24 areas described in that subsection for environmental con25 servation purposes, including the purposes of shore protecVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:32 Feb 16, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S279.IS S279

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1 tion, beach nourishment and restoration, wetlands restora2 tion, and habitat protection. 

3 (d) REPORTS.— 

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

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

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

7 shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations 

8 and Armed Services of the Senate and the Commit9 tees on Appropriations and Armed Services of the 

10 House of Representatives a report that describes the 

11 impact of oil, gas, wind, and any other form of en12 ergy exploration, leasing, or development in areas of 

13 the outer Continental Shelf described in paragraph 

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

15 the military readiness and testing capabilities of the 

16 Department of Defense. 

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

18 Continental Shelf referred to in paragraph (1) are 

19 the following: 

20 (A) Any area west of the Military Mission 

21 Line in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning 

22 Area. 

23 (B) The South Atlantic Planning Area. 

24 (C) The Straits of Florida Planning Area. 

Æ 


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