Plug Offshore Wells Act

Progress

Timeline

• Mar 26Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Summary

This bill would require the U.S. Department of the Interior to create an annual public report about removing old offshore oil and gas infrastructure. **What it does:** The Secretary of the Interior must submit a yearly report to Congress and post it online covering the decommissioning (removal/dismantling) of offshore oil and gas wells, platforms, and pipelines. **Who it affects:** - Congress receives regular updates on decommissioning activities - The general public gains access to this information online - Oil and gas companies with offshore operations (indirectly, as their decommissioning activities would be tracked and reported) - Coastal communities and environmental groups interested in offshore cleanup efforts **What would change:** Currently, this comprehensive annual reporting requirement doesn't exist. The bill would create regular transparency about how offshore oil and gas infrastructure is being removed, providing lawmakers and citizens with consistent data about decommissioning progress, costs, and timelines. This could help inform future policy decisions about offshore energy development and environmental protection.

How This Affects You