Congressman Pat Harrigan Votes to Block Burdensome Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Rule

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) voted in favor of S.J. Res. 11, a resolution to block a new rule from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on protecting marine archaeological resources. The rule, published in September 2024, requires companies involved in oil and gas exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf to submit detailed reports on potential archaeological resources, even when there’s no clear evidence that any exist. The resolution passed the House today.

“This rule is another example of Washington overcomplicating things and adding more burdens to the energy industry,” said Congressman Harrigan. “Instead of creating unnecessary roadblocks, we should be empowering American companies to provide affordable energy and create jobs. I’m standing up for hard-working Americans who would bear the cost of this needless regulation.”

S.J. Res. 11 nullifies the new rule and restores the previous approach, which only required reports if there was a real reason to believe that historical artifacts might be in the area.

Congressman Harrigan is calling on the Senate to act quickly to stop this harmful regulation from taking effect.