The Trump administration has unveiled a sweeping plan to dramatically expand offshore oil and natural gas drilling across U.S. coastal regions. The Interior Department’s draft proposal outlines 34 potential offshore lease sales, including 21 off Alaska, six along the Pacific Coast, and seven in the Gulf of Mexico. These areas include regions near Florida and Alabama that have been closed to drilling for nearly 30 years. Republican leaders in these southern states have often resisted new drilling due to fears of oil spills threatening tourism and fishing.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the proposal strengthens U.S. energy independence and supports industry jobs. He criticized the Biden administration for slowing offshore leasing and argued that the new plan protects long-term production.
The American Petroleum Institute praised the proposal as a historic move, while environmental groups condemned it. The Natural Resources Defence Council called the plan a reckless gift to the oil industry. Oceana warned that the expansion increases the risk of catastrophic spills along America’s coastlines.
The proposal begins a lengthy review process and will likely shrink before approval. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared the West Coast portion dead on arrival. New Pacific drilling rights have not gone to auction since the 1980s, although the region holds an estimated 10 billion barrels of crude.
