NO SPILLS Act of 2024

The NO SPILLS Act of 2024 amends the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 to strengthen environmental protections and community engagement requirements for deepwater port projects. It increases financial liability limits for port owners (e.g., raising caps from $22 million to $70 million for certain damages), requires enhanced outreach to impacted communities with 90-day public comment periods, and mandates a programmatic environmental impact statement for all Gulf of Mexico deepwater ports before new licenses can be issued. The bill also prohibits liquefied natural gas research in certain maritime programs and clarifies definitions related to environmental justice communities and impacted communities. These changes directly affect deepwater port owners, coastal communities (especially environmental justice communities), and federal agencies responsible for issuing port licenses.