The Trump administration announced plans last week for a huge expansion of oil drilling off several U.S. coasts, sparking pushback from some of the local leaders over concerns it could harm coastal communities and the ecosystems in the water nearby.<\/p>\n
The Interior Department unveiled<\/a> the launch of an \u201cexpansive\u201d offshore leasing program, intended to advance the United States\u2019 \u201cenergy dominance.\u201d Interior Secretary Doug Burgum\u2019s measure to expand the nation\u2019s oil and gas program cancels the Biden administration\u2019s more limited leasing program.<\/p>\n The Trump administration argues that it is ending the \u201csmallest offshore leasing plan ever\u201d and replacing it with one that \u201cfully addresses the nation\u2019s growing energy needs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOffshore oil and gas production does not happen overnight. It takes years of planning, investment, and hard work before barrels reach the market,\u201d Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. \u201cThe Biden administration slammed the brakes on offshore oil and gas leasing and crippled the long-term pipeline of America\u2019s offshore production.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America\u2019s offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come,\u201d Burgum said.<\/p>\n Oil and gas leasing program gets pushback from Democrats<\/p>\n The new proposal<\/a> is for 2026-2031 and directs the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to take steps to the as many 34 offshore lease sales, covering about 1.27 billion acres.<\/p>\n It includes 21 areas off the coast of Alaska, seven in the Gulf of Mexico and six along the Pacific coast. The plan marks the first time since 1984<\/a> that a new lease has been allowed in the Pacific.<\/p>\n The announcement, while not final, received pushback from more than 100 Democratic lawmakers<\/a> urging the administration to not move forward with its plans, citing the damage to \u201cuntouched coastlines\u201d and ecosystems, as well as putting people in harm\u2019s way.<\/p>\n The proposal comes as the oil industry has been looking for access to new offshore areas, particularly in Southern California and Florida, citing the need for U.S. energy security and the job growth it could bring, but tourism and clean beaches are key to each state, The Associated Press reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has touted the state\u2019s efforts to combat climate change, called the plan \u201cidiotic\u201d and said it is \u201cdead in the water.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will not stand by as our coastal economy and communities are put in danger,\u201d he said online. <\/a><\/p>\n Newsom argued that the plan endangers the coastal economy of California, hurts the nearby communities and could lead to damaging oil spills. For decades, he said, the state has \u201cstood firm\u201d against offshore drilling and said \u201cnothing will change that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will use every tool at our disposal to protect our coastline,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/a> \u201cIt\u2019s interesting that Donald\u2019s proposal doesn\u2019t include the waters off Mar-a-Lago.\u201d<\/p>\n The pushback wasn\u2019t just limited to Democrats. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, is urging the Trump administration to reconsider.<\/p>\n During President Trump\u2019s first term in 2020, the administration withdrew new leasing for oil and gas developments off the coasts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina until 2032. DeSantis\u2019 office noted<\/a> that the Eastern gulf off Florida is home to defense testing sites and the drilling proposal could impact the \u201ccritical\u201d national defense strategy area.<\/p>\n DeSantis reiterated that Florida supports the 2020 presidential memorandum and was urging the Interior Department to \u201creconsider and to conform\u201d to the previous Trump administration policy.<\/p>\n \u201cPresident Trump\u2019s 2020 memorandum protecting Florida\u2019s eastern Gulf waters represents a thoughtful approach to the issue,\u201d the governor said online.<\/a> \u201cThe Interior Department should not depart from the 2020 policy.\u201d<\/p>\n The proposal, however, was encouraged by Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican. He said the Trump administration is \u201cleading the way\u201d to have America be energy dominant and \u201crestoring confidence\u201d in the offshore drilling process.<\/p>\n