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 Com-
mittee 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 jurisdic-
tion 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. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Preserving the Gulf 
Test Range to Ensure Military Readiness Act’’. 
SEC. 2. MORATORIUM ON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN CER-
TAIN AREAS OF GULF OF MEXICO. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) MILITARY MISSION LINE.—The term ‘‘Mili-
tary 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 be-
ginning 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 de-
scribed in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of para-
graph (2) of subsection (d), if oil, gas, wind, or any 
other form of energy exploration, leasing, or develop-
ment 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 De-
partment of Defense. 
(c) 
ENVIRONMENTAL
EXCEPTIONS.—Notwith-
standing subsection (b), the Secretary may issue leases in 
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areas described in that subsection for environmental con-
servation purposes, including the purposes of shore protec-
tion, beach nourishment and restoration, wetlands restora-
tion, 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 Commit-
tees 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 en-
ergy 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. 
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(C) The Straits of Florida Planning Area. 
Æ 
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