Outer Continental Shelf Lease Restoration Act of 2026

This bill sets rules for offshore wind energy lease areas on the Outer Continental Shelf that were surrendered, canceled, or given up on or after January 20, 2025. Holders of neighboring wind leases, or leases bought in the same lease sale, could acquire the surrendered area by paying the original per-acre minimum bid price, and the area would be split by blocks if more than one neighbor qualifies. Areas not claimed would be offered for lease again within 90 days, and companies that surrendered the leases could not get them back. Until these steps are completed, the Interior Secretary could not issue new offshore oil or gas leases or permits, except to meet existing obligations. The bill also treats earlier environmental reviews as sufficient for these transfers and limits court challenges to the D.C. Circuit within 90 days.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Angus S. King, Jr. Independent sponsor
• 1 cosponsors