Defend our Coast Act

This bill prohibits the federal government from issuing new oil and gas leases for exploration, development, or production in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Outer Continental Shelf. It specifically blocks leasing in the area defined by the 2023 federal leasing plan (2024-2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program). The law directly affects energy companies seeking to drill in this coastal zone and requires the Secretary of the Interior to halt such lease sales. It does not impact existing leases or operations already authorized.