NOAA, Dems push back on Republican rigs-to-reef bill

The legislation would expedite assessments of old oil and gas rig conversions into artificial reefs.

March 22, 2024

Members of a House Natural Resources subcommittee were at odds Thursday about legislation that aims to boost national rigs-to-reefs conversions.

During a hearing, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries heard from witnesses about four bills, including H.R. 6814, the “Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act.”

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), would require NOAA to review more offshore oil and gas platforms as potential artificial reefs.

Subcommittee ranking member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and a NOAA official called the proposal too broad and said it doesn't include the support necessary to conduct more rig-to-reef assessments.

Clay Porch, director of NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center, said the bill could greatly expand the number of qualifying structures.

Given the expanded reach and shortened timeline, NOAA would struggle to complete these assessments given current staffing, equipment access and funding, he said.

The National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984 established a National Artificial Reef Plan, which allows states with a rig-to-reef program to take on ownership and liability over rigs.

Oil and gas rigs on the outer continental shelf have boosted fish, coral and other marine productivity, said Chris Horton, senior director of fisheries policy for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. These structures have become an important destination for recreational anglers, divers and commercial fishermen, while also enhancing ecosystems.

The current requirements are stringent and the process of obtaining rig-to-reef permits is lengthy, which could impact the preservation of some habitats, Horton said.

The bill would require NOAA to assess each “idle structure” no longer in service to determine whether there is a reef ecosystem on or close by the structure.

Currently, NOAA assessments for rig-to-reef contenders take one to two years. This bill would expedite the process and give NOAA 90 days to complete reviews.

Porch, with the administration, said the bill would expand the definition to allow for artificial reefs at pipelines, which currently do not qualify.

If pipelines are allowed to sit unattended for a long time, or decay, they could introduce hazardous materials into the water, Porch said. The debris could also cause navigational issues and cause interference for fisheries.

Graves appeared open to technical changes to the bill given NOAA’s comments but stressed the importance of these rigs on fisheries in states like Louisiana.

“This is our habitat, this is our reef structure,” Graves said. “It’s absolutely critical that we ensure that we have some type of plan to maintain this important habitat for the fisheries.”

During the hearing, Huffman argued the bill would stall full decommissioning, give a handout to the oil industry and dangerously transition more liability to the states and federal government for these structures.

"Big Oil wants rigs-to-reef as the rule in every case not because they’ve got some newfound love of marine life or biodiversity. They want to save money," Huffman said.

"I will not support another handout to the industry, an industry that continues to exacerbate climate change and harm our ocean ecosystems," he added.


By:  Rebekah Alvey
Source: E&E Daily