PROTECT Florida Act

HR 6068, the PROTECT Florida Act, extends the existing moratorium on oil and gas leasing and exploration in the Gulf of Mexico through 2032 and adds a new, permanent ban on these activities off Florida’s Atlantic coast. It directly affects federal agencies (like the Department of the Interior), which cannot issue permits for oil/gas exploration, seismic testing, or related activities in two specific zones: the Straits of Florida and the South Atlantic Planning Area south of Florida’s coastline. The bill blocks all leasing, preleasing, and exploration permits in these areas from enactment until June 30, 2032. This policy change prevents new offshore drilling and seismic surveys in Florida’s coastal waters, aiming to protect marine environments and coastal communities.