Bill · S. 5378· Senate(119-S-5378)
Outer Continental Shelf Lease Restoration Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 8/7/2026
- Last activity
- 8/7/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Angus King
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Outer Continental Shelf Lease Restoration Act of 2026 establishes rules for handling offshore wind energy lease areas that have been surrendered. It provides a process where holders of adjacent leases can acquire these surrendered areas at a specific per-acre price. If these areas are not claimed by adjacent leaseholders, they are returned to the inventory for new lease sales. The bill also ratifies previous environmental reviews to streamline the transfer of these leases. Additionally, it places certain limitations on oil and gas leasing and permitting during this transition period.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+6
The bill streamlines the acquisition of surrendered offshore wind lease areas for existing leaseholders.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+5
By facilitating the transfer of wind energy lease areas, the bill supports renewable energy expansion.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
Existing wind leaseholders benefit from streamlined acquisition of adjacent areas.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-5
The bill strips court jurisdiction to review lease conveyances and dispositions.
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?-4
The bill prohibits new oil and gas leases and permits until the wind lease disposition process is complete.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?-3
The bill limits judicial review of the disposition processes, which may reduce transparency.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Efficiency for Existing Leaseholders: Adjacent leaseholders gain the right to acquire surrendered areas at a price equal to the original per-sacre minimum bid price, allowing them to expand their holdings through a direct process (Section 2(c)(1)).
-
Streamlined Processes: The bill ratifies and approves previous environmental reviews and consultations, meaning no additional environmental reviews or analyses are required to give effect to a lease conveyance under this Act (Section 2(b)(2)).
-
Certainty for Adjacent Leaseholders: Once an adjacent leaseholder submits payment to the Treasury, the Secretary must issue the lease without requiring further action, approval, or execution (Section 2(c)(2)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Oil and Gas Industry: The Secretary is prohibited from issuing new oil or gas leases or permits for exploration, development, or production until the process for disposing of the surrendered wind lease areas is complete (Section 2(e)(1)).
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Limited Legal Recourse: The bill states that no court shall have jurisdiction to review any conveyance, vesting, apportionment, or disposition carried out under the Act (Section 2(g)(1)).
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Financial Risk for Surrendering Entities: The Act specifies that nothing within it requires the return of any consideration paid by a covered entity in connection with the surrender of a covered lease (Section 2(f)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+6Reduces Carbon Emissions+5Improves Public Land Management+3Reduces Fossil Fuel Production-4Improves Environmental Protections-2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Due Process-5Improves Government Transparency-3
- 8/7/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California