Interior Dept. must report yearly on offshore well cleanups

What does this do?

Each year, the Secretary of the Interior would have to publish a public report on old offshore oil and gas wells, platforms, and pipelines in U.S. waters. The report would show how many structures were supposed to be shut down, how many actually were, how many missed deadlines, and what enforcement actions were taken against companies that did not comply. It would also note which structures were left underwater versus physically removed.

Who does it affect?

This bill affects the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and oil and gas companies that own or operate offshore drilling equipment. The published reports would be freely available to any member of the public on the department's website.

Why does it matter?

Without a regular public report, it can be hard to know whether companies are meeting their cleanup deadlines or facing consequences when they don't. This bill creates a consistent record that anyone can look up.

Where does it stand?