American Seabed Protection Act
Sponsored By: Representative Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
Introduced
Summary
Prohibition on licensing for deep seabed and Outer Continental Shelf hardrock mining. This bill would bar federal licenses for exploration or commercial recovery of minerals on the deep seabed and for exploration, development, or production of hardrock minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf, while allowing a narrow exception for scientific research. It also requires a government-funded, independent environmental assessment led by the National Academies with defined study topics and oversight roles.
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- Mining industry: Companies could not obtain federal licenses for deep seabed mining or OCS hardrock activities, even where other statutes might allow those permits.
- Coastal communities, fisheries, and Indigenous peoples: The mandated study must evaluate effects on habitats and species, quantify sediment plume and contamination risks, examine impacts on fisheries, recreation, aquaculture, and consider effects on Indigenous peoples and subsistence uses.
- Science and policy makers: The Secretary must engage the National Academies to produce a comprehensive analysis of ecosystem characterization, recovery potential, emissions, carbon sequestration impacts, and alternatives such as recycling and material substitution to inform future choices.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No new deep-sea and offshore mining permits
If enacted, the bill would bar federal agencies from issuing new permits for exploration or commercial recovery on the deep seabed. It would also stop permits for exploring, developing, or producing hardrock minerals on the nation’s offshore shelf. Only permits for scientific research would still be allowed. The ban would take effect as soon as the bill becomes law. The bill would also order an independent study by the National Academies on the environmental impacts of deep-sea and offshore mining.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
HI • D
Cosponsors
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 3/25/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov