American Shores Protection Act of 2023

HR 583, the American Shores Protection Act of 2023, extends a moratorium on new offshore oil and gas leasing along the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina until June 30, 2032. It specifically adds two new coastal planning areas (the South Atlantic and Straits of Florida) to the existing ban. The bill clarifies that existing leases remain unaffected and allows the Secretary to issue leases for environmental conservation purposes, including shore protection, beach restoration, wetlands restoration, and habitat protection. This directly affects energy companies seeking new offshore drilling permits in those coastal regions.