Preserving the Gulf Test Range to Ensure Military Readiness Act

To 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 43 U.S.C. 1331 Public Law 109–432 (2) Secretary The term Secretary (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 Gulf of Mexico. (B) The South Atlantic Planning Area. (C) The Straits of Florida Planning Area.

Summary: Preserving the Gulf Test Range to Ensure Military Readiness Act This bill establishes a moratorium on energy development (e.g., offshore wind development) in specified areas of the Gulf of Mexico until June 30, 2032. Until that date, the Department of the Interior may not conduct certain energy development activities in any area east of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico. The moratorium also applies to other areas of the Outer Continental Shelf&#8212;the South Atlantic Planning Area, the Straits of Florida Planning Area, or any area west of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico&#8212;if energy exploration, leasing, or development in that area has been identified as having any adverse effect on national security, military readiness, or the Department of Defense's testing capabilities. However, Interior may issue leases in those areas for environmental conservation purposes, including the purposes of shore protection, beach nourishment and restoration, wetlands restoration, and habitat protection.