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.
The Interior Department unveiled the launch of an “expansive” offshore leasing program, intended to advance the United States’ “energy dominance.” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s measure to expand the nation’s oil and gas program cancels the Biden administration’s more limited leasing program.
The Trump administration argues that it is ending the “smallest offshore leasing plan ever” and replacing it with one that “fully addresses the nation’s growing energy needs.”
“Offshore oil and gas production does not happen overnight. It takes years of planning, investment, and hard work before barrels reach the market,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. “The Biden administration slammed the brakes on offshore oil and gas leasing and crippled the long-term pipeline of America’s offshore production.”
“By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America’s offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come,” Burgum said.
Oil and gas leasing program gets pushback from Democrats
The new proposal 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.
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 that a new lease has been allowed in the Pacific.
The announcement, while not final, received pushback from more than 100 Democratic lawmakers urging the administration to not move forward with its plans, citing the damage to “untouched coastlines” and ecosystems, as well as putting people in harm’s way.
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.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has touted the state’s efforts to combat climate change, called the plan “idiotic” and said it is “dead in the water.”
“We will not stand by as our coastal economy and communities are put in danger,” he said online.
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 “stood firm” against offshore drilling and said “nothing will change that.”
“We will use every tool at our disposal to protect our coastline,” he said in a statement. “It’s interesting that Donald’s proposal doesn’t include the waters off Mar-a-Lago.”
The pushback wasn’t just limited to Democrats. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, is urging the Trump administration to reconsider.
During President Trump’s 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’ office noted that the Eastern gulf off Florida is home to defense testing sites and the drilling proposal could impact the “critical” national defense strategy area.
DeSantis reiterated that Florida supports the 2020 presidential memorandum and was urging the Interior Department to “reconsider and to conform” to the previous Trump administration policy.
“President Trump’s 2020 memorandum protecting Florida’s eastern Gulf waters represents a thoughtful approach to the issue,” the governor said online. “The Interior Department should not depart from the 2020 policy.”
The proposal, however, was encouraged by Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican. He said the Trump administration is “leading the way” to have America be energy dominant and “restoring confidence” in the offshore drilling process.
“Alaska has tremendous offshore oil and gas reserves that can power our economy for decades,” he said online.
The public will have multiple opportunities to provide input on the proposal before individual lease sales are finalized. The Interior Department urged the public to participate in the upcoming 60-day public comment period, which will begin Nov. 24.