Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments

Summary

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments - Title I: Purposes, Definitions, and National Policy for Managing the Resources of the Outer Continental shelf - States that the purposes of this Act are to: (1) establish policies and procedures for managing the oil and natural gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf in order to achieve national economic goals; (2) preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf; (3) eliminate or reduce risk of environmental damage; and (4) assure that coastal States which are directly impacted by oil and natural gas exploration and development are provided with an opportunity to take part in policy and planning decisions. Defines the terms used in this Act. Title II: Amendments to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act - Revises bidding and lease administration under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Provides for the orderly development of oil and gas leases and requires that no geological and geophysical exploration shall take place in the Outer Continental Shelf without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior. Directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive exploratory program designated to obtain sufficient data to evaluate the extent, location, and potential for developing the oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf. Requires the Secretary to transmit the results of his study within one year to Congress, together with his recommendations prepared in cooperation with the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Directs the Secretary to coordinate the oil and gas exploratory program with coastal management programs being developed by coastal States. Requires the Secretary to transmit a exploration, leasing, and development plan to Congress at least 90 calendar days prior to announcing the invitation to bid on each tract in which oil or gas is found in commercial quantities. Authorizes appropriations of sums necessary to carry out the purposes of this title during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in consultation with the Secretary, to conduct a study of the area or region involved to establish baseline information concerning the status of marine and coastal environment of the Outer Continental Shelf and the coastal zone which may be affected by oil and gas development. Requires that such impact statements prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act include such information as: (1) the probable impact of the proposed exploration or development on the marine and coastal environments; and (2) any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources that would be involved in the proposed exploration or development. Makes provisions for the development, promulgation, and enforcement of safety regulations for operations in the Outer Continental Shelf. Requires that the Coast Guard make regular inspections and strictly enforce the safety regulations. States that any person who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $100,000, or by imprisonment for more than one year, or both. Allows citizen suits by persons having an interest which is, or may be adversely affected. Permits civil actions against any person, including the United States, and against the Secretary of the interior where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary to perform any act or duty under this Act which is not discretionary. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires that within 6 months after enactment the Secretary of the Interior shall submit a report to the Comptroller General and the Congress listing all shut-in oil and gas wells and wells flaring natural gas on leases issued under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Requires that the Secretary, in consultation with the Comptroller General, prepare and publish a report with recommendations for achieving an equitable system of lease sales while maximizing production and revenues from the leasing of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 22 April 1975

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 22 April 1975

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 4 May 1976

   Reported

   Reported to House from the Ad Hoc Committee on Outer Continental Shelf with amendment, H. Rept. 94-1084.

   Source: Committee

4. 4 May 1976

   Reported

   Reported to House from the Ad Hoc Committee on Outer Continental Shelf with amendment, H. Rept. 94-1084.

   Source: Committee

5. 14 May 1976

   Reported

   Reported to House from the Ad Hoc Committee on Outer Continental Shelf, H. Rept. 94-1084 (Part II).

   Source: Committee

6. 14 May 1976

   Reported

   Reported to House from the Ad Hoc Committee on Outer Continental Shelf, H. Rept. 94-1084 (Part II).

   Source: Committee

7. 4 June 1976

   Floor

   Measure called up by special rule in House.

   Source: Floor

8. 11 June 1976

   Floor

   Measure considered in House.

   Source: Floor

9. 14 June 1976

   Floor

   Measure considered in House.

   Source: Floor

10. 21 July 1976

    Floor

    Measure considered in House.

    Source: Floor

11. 21 July 1976

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: Measure passed House, amended, roll call #531 (247-140).

    Source: Floor

12. 21 July 1976

    Vote

    Measure passed House, amended, roll call #531 (247-140).

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

2 official files

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 21 July 1976

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 22 April 1975

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Murphy, John M. [D-NY-17] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Sullivan, Leonor K. (Mrs. John B.) [D-MO-3] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Rodino, Peter W., Jr. [D-NJ-10] · D · Cosponsor
• · hloc00 · Select

Related records

• related to → A resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 6218. A bill to establish a policy for the management of oil and natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf; to protect the marine and coastal environment; and to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
• related to ← Energy Supply Act