A draft plan that proposes to expand oil and gas drilling, including seven areas in the Gulf of America, has been released by the Trump administration.
The plan proposes expanding oil and gas drilling and lease sales along America’s coasts, including not only off Florida, but also off the coasts of California and Alaska.
The plan quickly brought opposition from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as other state leaders and environmental groups.
Here’s what we know.
US Department of Interior plan for offshore leasing program
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced it has directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to take steps “to terminate the restrictive Biden 2024-2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program and replace it with a new, expansive 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program by October 2026.”
➤ Read the plan in its entirety (it’s 563 pages)
“These actions reflect the Trump administration’s continued commitment to restoring American Energy Dominance by replacing the smallest offshore leasing plan ever published by an administration with one that fully addresses the nation’s growing energy needs,” the department said on its website.
“The Biden administration slammed the brakes on offshore oil and gas leasing and crippled the long-term pipeline of America’s offshore production,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
Plan proposes up to 34 offshore leases for drilling
Under the proposal, the Department of the Interior “is taking a major step to boost United States energy independence and sustain domestic oil and gas production.
➤ Interactive map of proposed sites
“The proposal includes as many as 34 potential offshore lease sales across 21 of 27 existing Outer Continental Shelf planning areas, covering approximately 1.27 billion acres.” That includes:
21 areas off the coast of Alaska
7 areas in the Gulf of America
6 areas along the Pacific coast
Map shows areas off Florida for oil drilling
A map released by the Trump administration Nov. 20 includes a proposal to extend oil exploration and drilling opportunities east from the Alabama line across what appears to be the entire Panhandle of Florida.
A map released Nov. 20 outlines a plan to extend oil exploration and drilling opportunities east from the Alabama state line, covering federal waters along the entire length of Florida’s Panhandle.
This would place drilling rigs roughly 100 miles off Florida’s coastline. If adopted as proposed, the plan would clear the way for offshore lease sales in the Eastern Gulf as early as 2029.
Florida Gov. DeSantis, officials oppose opening Gulf Coast to oil drilling
DeSantis is opposed to the Trump administration’s plan to open up Florida’s Gulf coast to oil drilling along a stretch of the eastern Gulf, which has long been considered off limits to offshore drilling.
“President Trump’s 2020 memorandum protecting Florida’s eastern Gulf waters represents a thoughtful approach to the issue. The Interior Department should not depart from the 2020 policy,” DeSantis posted on X. “Stay the course!”
Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried also condemned the plan: “Trump’s proposal to open Florida’s coasts to drilling is a nonstarter. Our sensitive, pristine natural environments are not up for auction to the highest bidder, no matter what Trump has promised his big oil donors.”
Other Florida Republicans, including Panhandle Congressman Jimmy Patronis, a strong Trump supporter, also raised an alarm.
Sen. Rick Scott: ‘Florida’s coasts must remain off the table’ for drilling
“Florida’s beautiful beaches and coastal waters are so important to our state’s economy, environment, and military community, which is why I have fought for years to keep drilling off Florida’s coasts and worked closely with President Trump during his first term to extend the moratorium banning oil drilling off Florida’s coasts through 2032, ” Sen. Rick Scott of Florida posted on X.
“I have been speaking to @SecretaryBurgum and made my expectations clear that this moratorium must remain in place, and that in any plan, Florida’s coasts must remain off the table for oil drilling to protect Florida’s tourism, environment, and military training opportunities.”
Memory of Deepwater Horizon disaster remain vivid
Memories of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill remain vivid for many in Florida and along the Gulf coast.
Located about 125 miles off Florida’s Panhandle, the spill sent oil and tar balls to the state’s beaches, driving tourists away.
Coastal ecosystems and fisheries were disrupted, while fears of contamination hurt the state’s fishing industry. The disaster triggered years of restoration efforts and reshaped Florida’s approach to offshore-drilling risks.
Public can comment on oil offshore drilling plan
Before the program and individual lease sales are finalized, the public will have 60 days to provide input after the proposal is published in the Federal Register on Nov. 24, the Department of Interior said.
Submit your comments before Jan. 23, 2026, at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s website.
You also can submit comments in writing by:
Envelope labeled Comments for the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program.
Address to Ms. Kelly Hammerle, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166-9216
Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, Terry Collins, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Trump plan expands oil, gas drilling off Florida. What to know