Defenders Endorses Bills to Secure a Future Against Offshore Drilling

Defenders of Wildlife today endorsed a suite of bills introduced in Congress to safeguard U.S. coastal waters against the threat of offshore oil and gas drilling. These bills would ensure protection for America’s coasts in the face of the federal government’s push towards increased drilling that could spell the end for endangered and threatened species. This defense is critical as the government works to undermine and rollback landmark laws like the Endangered Species Act.

"The path of so-called 'energy dominance' is paved with threats to American coasts," said Sierra Weaver, senior attorney for Defenders of Wildlife. "This set of bills offers real protections for coastal communities and wildlife against unwanted, unreasonable and unsafe offshore oil drilling. This is just the type of bold action we need on the 15th anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history."

The bills include:

• Florida Coastal Protection Act  
• Defend Our Coast Act  
• Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act  
• California Clean Coast Act  
• Central Coast of California Conservation Act of 2025  
• Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025, or the “COAST Anti-Drilling Act” (Simultaneous House and Senate versions)
• West Coast Ocean Protection Act (Simultaneous House and Senate versions)
• Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act (Simultaneous House and Senate versions)
• New England Coastal Protection Act (Simultaneous House and Senate versions)

The Florida Coastal Protection Act was introduced on April 7, and the rest on April 10.

These 13 bills cover waters off New England, the mid-Atlantic, Florida, the Pacific coast, and in the Arctic Ocean. They come just months after President Trump signed a January executive order seeking to undo Biden-era protections meant to keep the nation’s coastal communities, industries and marine wildlife safe from new offshore drilling. With bipartisan support, the Florida Coastal Protection Act, the Senate version of the New England Coastal Protection Act, and the House version of the COAST Act display interest across party lines in keeping coastal communities, economies and ecosystems free of danger.

Representatives from Defenders of Wildlife around the country have spoken about the impacts on the species they work on, and the places those animals call home.

Clean Ocean And Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act (COAST Act)

“Human activity already threatens endangered and imperiled species along nearly every part of the Atlantic coast. Oil and gas drilling pose threats that no part of our coasts can afford. The risks of offshore drilling are undeniable, and the same can be said about the need to protect our coasts. The COAST Act is a safeguard for coastal and marine wildlife, and for the communities who depend on healthy, resilient beaches and oceans.”

- Ben Prater, Southeast program director

West Coast Ocean Protection Act

“Imperiled species like Southern resident orcas and sea otters need clean, healthy ocean habitats to thrive. New offshore drilling would bring habitat destruction, noise pollution and the threat of spills and chronic contamination to those species and their homes. This legislation is a critical step toward permanently safeguarding marine mammals and coastal communities from irreversible harm. We thank Congressman Huffman and Senator Padilla for championing the West Coast Ocean Protection Act at a time when the threat of offshore drilling is especially urgent."

- Joseph Vaile, Northwest program senior representative

Florida Coastal Protection Act

"The barrier islands, white sandy beaches and coastal marshes surrounding Florida’s shoreline provide necessary habitat for iconic reef fish, extensive shorebird populations, sea turtles and marine mammals like the Florida manatee. This bipartisan legislation will protect Florida’s coasts from the known, concrete risks of offshore drilling while moving to ensure a safer future for the endangered and imperiled coastal wildlife that call the state home."

- Ben Prater, Southeast program director

Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act

“Drilling in Arctic waters would disrupt and ultimately devastate fragile habitats for many species that may not withstand the stresses of offshore drilling. These areas — crucial to the survival of polar bears and other marine life — make up some of the few remaining pristine American landscapes and deserve protection.”    

- Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska and Northwest programs senior director

Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act, California Clean Coast Act, Central Coast of California Conservation Act

“California’s spectacular marine life — including complex kelp forests and charismatic sea otters — and vibrant coastal economies rely on healthy ecosystems. This legislation could, once and for all, block offshore drilling activities along the continental shelf, and protect critical marine habitats along California’s iconic Pacific Coast.”  

- Pamela Flick, California program director

Defend Our Coast Act

"Endangered marine species are threatened every day by human activities and mid-Atlantic oil drilling is a new threat we can't afford. The Defend Our Coast Act will protect imperiled species and safeguard the future for every family whose culture and livelihood depend on a healthy Atlantic Ocean."

- Heather Clarkson, Southeast regional outreach representative

New England Coastal Protection Act

"New England needs its fisheries, coastal communities need tourism, and marine wildlife needs to survive. Offshore drilling threatens to cut those needs off in a deadly fell swoop. The New England Coastal Protection Act will not only safeguard New England's coastal communities and economies, but prevent yet another massive threat from imperiling the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale and other iconic species."

- Jane Davenport, senior attorney