H.R. 1067 – American Energy Act

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 3:46 AM UTC

The American Energy Act changes the Mineral Leasing Act to keep drilling permits moving forward even when lawsuits are pending, sets a maximum four‑year term for any new permit, and limits courts from halting lease sales unless there is an imminent, substantial environmental threat and no other legal remedy. It mainly affects oil and gas companies, the Department of the Interior, and federal courts handling related cases.

Key Provisions

Clarifies that a pending civil lawsuit does not stop the Secretary from processing a drilling permit unless a federal court has actually vacated the lease.
Establishes that new permits to drill are valid for up to four years, or until the lease expires, whichever comes first.
Restricts courts from vacating oil and gas lease sales or enjoining lease activities unless the court finds an imminent, substantial environmental harm and no other equitable remedy.
Prohibits courts from blocking lease awards in NEPA actions if the Interior Department has already opened bids or disclosed the high bidder.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee

March 22, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 17, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

February 17, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee

March 22, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 17, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1067

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 17, 2023

Mrs. Boebert (for herself, Mr. Nehls, Mr. Ogles, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Burlison, Mr. Tiffany, Mr. Stauber, and Mr. Moore of Alabama) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to clarify the effect of a pending civil action on the processing of an application for a permit to drill, to require courts to remand lease sale Environmental Impact Statements to agencies to remedy when necessary, and to establish a term limit for permits to drill.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the American Energy Act.

2.

Processing applications for permits to drill

(a)

Effect of pending civil actions

Section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(p)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(4)

Effect of pending civil action on processing applications for permits to drill

Pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (2), notwithstanding the existence of any pending civil actions affecting the application or related lease, the Secretary shall process an application for a permit to drill or other authorizations or approvals under a valid existing lease, unless a United States Federal court vacated such lease. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as providing authority to a Federal court to vacate a lease.

.

(b)

Term of permit To drill

Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

(t)

Term of permit To drill

A permit to drill issued under this section after the date of the enactment of this subsection shall be valid for one four-year term from the date that the permit is approved, or until the lease regarding which the permit is issued expires, whichever occurs first.

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3.

Lease sale litigation

(a)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any oil and gas lease sale held under section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (26 U.S.C. 226) or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) shall not be vacated and activities on leases awarded in the sale shall not be otherwise limited, delayed, or enjoined unless the court concludes allowing the development of the challenged lease will pose a risk of an imminent and substantial environmental harm and there is no other equitable remedy available as a matter of law.

(b)

No court, in response to an action brought pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. et seq.), may enjoin or issue any order preventing the award of leases to a bidder in a lease sale conducted pursuant to section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (26 U.S.C. 226) or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) if the Department of the Interior has previously opened bids for such leases or disclosed the high bidder for any tract that was included in such lease sale.