CORE Act

The CORE Act establishes a program for the Secretaries of Energy, Interior, and Defense to conduct offshore geophysical and geological resource mapping and analysis of oil, gas, and critical minerals. It requires a one-time report assessing undiscovered resources in offshore areas, how land withdrawals affect exploration and production, and impacts on national security, revenue, and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The bill streamlines geological and geophysical survey licensing by requiring permits within 30 days of application and reduces regulatory burdens by eliminating the need for certain letters of authorization. It also standardizes existing reporting requirements and limits judicial review of survey projects by setting strict deadlines for challenges and restricting courts from requiring new environmental reviews. The law directly affects federal agencies, offshore energy companies, coastal states, and the National Marine Fisheries Service.