Offshore Energy Strategy (E.O. 13795)

Summary

Creates a policy to encourage offshore energy exploration and production to make the U.S. a global energy leader and improve national energy security.

What problem does this solve?

The country's reliance on foreign energy sources can create national security risks and economic challenges. This order aims to solve this by increasing domestic energy production on federal lands and waters, which can lower energy prices and create jobs.

What does this order do?

Revises offshore leasing plans

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to consider revising the schedule of oil and gas lease sales to include annual sales in several areas, including the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

Reviews protected marine areas

Orders a review of all National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments designated or expanded in the last 10 years to analyze their impact on energy production.

Opens previously protected areas to leasing

Modifies previous withdrawals to open areas of the Outer Continental Shelf to energy leasing, except for those designated as Marine Sanctuaries as of July 14, 2008.

Revokes Northern Bering Sea climate order

Cancels Executive Order 13754, which was created to protect the Northern Bering Sea's climate resilience and coastal communities.

Reconsiders offshore drilling safety rules

Requires a review of the Well Control Rule, which was created to prevent blowouts like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, to see if it should be revised or removed.

Speeds up seismic survey permits

Directs agencies to speed up the approval process for permits related to seismic surveys, which are used to find oil and gas deposits under the ocean floor.

Reviews guidance on sound effects on marine mammals

Orders a review of NOAA's technical guidance for studying how man-made sound affects the hearing of marine mammals.

Who does this affect?

Oil and gas companies
Coastal communities
Environmental protection groups

What is the real world impact?

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Promotes energy independence

Aims to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign energy sources by increasing domestic oil and gas production, which strengthens national security and the economy.

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Reduces regulatory burdens on industry

Orders the review and potential removal of several environmental and safety rules, making it easier and faster for energy companies to explore and drill offshore.

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Prioritizes energy development over conservation

Opens previously protected ocean areas to potential energy leasing and requires a review of existing marine sanctuaries, which critics argue could harm sensitive marine ecosystems.

When does this start?

This order became effective on April 28, 2017, and sets multiple deadlines for federal agencies.

Report on Marine Sanctuaries and Monuments

Within 180 days of the order (by October 25, 2017), the Secretary of Commerce must report the results of a review of recently designated protected marine areas.

Energy assessment for new sanctuaries

The Secretary of the Interior must provide an accounting of energy resources within 60 days of being notified about a proposal for a new National Marine Sanctuary.