HB 706

Abstract

Offshore oil and gas drilling; prohibition on leases; policy. Prohibits the granting of a lease, easement, or permit on the beds of the coastal waters of the Commonwealth that would allow any infrastructure for conveying to shore oil or gas produced from offshore drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf Planning Area and removes any oil or gas lease granted on such beds from the mandate that such lease include a royalty payment requirement. The bill removes policy statements supporting federal efforts to permit oil and gas development 50 miles or more off the Atlantic shoreline. This bill incorporates HB 1016.

Offshore drilling; prohibition on leases; policy. Prohibits the granting of a lease, easement, or permit on the bedsof the waters of the Commonwealth that would allow any infrastructurefor conveying oil or gas associated with offshore drilling and removesany oil or gas lease granted on such beds from the mandate that suchlease include a royalty payment requirement. The bill removes policystatements supporting federal efforts to permit oil and gas development50 miles or more off the Atlantic shoreline and provides that theCommonwealth does not endorse offshore gas or oil development.