The Trump administration has proposed opening new areas near California, Florida,
and Alaska for oil drilling. This plan is part of a draft released on Thursday
that would greatly increase the sale of oil and gas rights.
The Interior Department has suggested up to 34 offshore lease sales. These
include 21 near Alaska, six along the Pacific Coast, and seven in the Gulf of
Mexico — including areas near Florida and Alabama that have been closed for 30
years. Many Republican leaders in these southern states have opposed drilling
there because oil spills could harm tourism and fishing industries.
If approved, the plan would greatly expand offshore energy exploration and allow
drilling in over 1 billion acres of coastal waters.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the previous Biden administration slowed
offshore oil and gas leasing and hurt future production. He said the new plan
will keep the offshore industry strong, protect jobs, and help the U.S. remain
a leading energy producer.
The American Petroleum Institute, a major oil and gas group, praised the plan
and called it “historic.” However, the Natural Resources Defence Council, an
environmental group, criticized it as a “reckless” giveaway to big oil companies.