Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S.J. Res. 11 to nullify a Bureau of Offshore Energy Management (BOEM) rule that placed an unnecessary burden on offshore energy producers. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"Today we took another step toward rolling back the Biden administration’s draconian overregulation and ushering in a golden age of American energy dominance. I'd like to thank Senator Kennedy and Representative Ezell for championing this effort and advancing this resolution which now heads to President Trump's desk."

Background

S.J. Res. 11 nullifies a Biden-era BOEM rule that mandates costly, time-intensive archaeological reports for all offshore oil and gas exploration or development plans, burdening operators with unnecessary red tape. 

The rule was duplicative and unnecessary as the National Historic Preservation Act already provides a robust framework for a thorough review of offshore archeological resources. The "reason to believe" standard, which existed prior to this rulemaking, offered a practical and balanced approach to safeguarding marine archaeological resources in the Gulf of America.

The resolution passed in the Senate last week, garnering bipartisan support. Following House passage, it will now head to the president's desk to be signed into law.