Interior Dept. must report on offshore well cleanup progress
In committeeH.R. 8099Latest action
Sponsor: Maxine Dexter · Representative · OR
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Plug Offshore Wells Act
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
HR 8099 would require a public yearly report tracking whether offshore oil and gas companies are cleaning up old wells, platforms, and pipelines on time.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to publish a yearly public report on the cleanup and shutdown of old offshore oil and gas wells, platforms, and pipelines in U.S. waters. The report must track missed deadlines, structures left on the ocean floor, pipeline removals, and any enforcement actions taken against companies that did not meet their obligations.
Who does it affect?
This bill directly affects the Department of the Interior and offshore oil and gas companies operating in U.S. waters. It also affects members of the public and policymakers who want to monitor whether companies are properly handling their old offshore infrastructure.
Why does it matter?
Without a regular public record, it can be difficult to know whether companies are meeting their legal cleanup deadlines or facing consequences when they do not. This report would make that information available to the public each year.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMar 26, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · Mar 26, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.