Lafayette Reporter

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana has introduced a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act to counteract a recent rule from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The rule, issued by the Biden administration on September 3, 2024, mandates that all new oil and gas leaseholders on the outer continental shelf must submit an archaeological report before beginning production. This requirement includes conducting surveys for marine archaeological resources.

Kennedy, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, expressed concerns about the impact of this regulation. "By handcuffing Louisiana and America’s energy production, Pres. Biden hurt our national security and sent prices soaring. Congress must act quickly to reverse his lame-duck move to burden oil and gas producers with even more regulations," said Kennedy.

The resolution also received support from Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi. She criticized the Biden administration's regulatory approach, stating, "The Biden administration was in hyperdrive to finalize regulatory strangleholds on U.S. oil and gas production, one of which is this BOEM cultural survey requirement. With the new Congress, I truly hope we can effectively use the Congressional Review Act to overturn this Biden rule and return some commonsense to our nation’s energy policies."

Under previous guidelines, BOEM required an archaeological report only if a project might affect archaeological resources. However, as of October 3, 2024, all new leaseholders are obligated to conduct these reports. Existing leaseholders have been given an 11-month period to comply with the new regulation.

Kennedy's resolution aims to prevent BOEM from imposing additional burdens on oil and gas producers that could affect their ability to supply affordable energy.

Text of the resolution is available here.