The Trump administration unveiled plans for new offshore oil drilling projects off the coasts of California and Florida that in areas that haven't seen drilling in decades — or ever.
The big picture: The proposal, which the Interior Department says is needed to address the nation's "growing energy needs," quickly drew criticism from conservation groups and lawmakers, who warned of risks to coastal communities and wildlife.
- "The people of these states have been clear that they don't want this off their coasts, threatening their livelihoods and way of life," National Resources Defense Council ocean energy director Taryn Kiekow Heimer said in a statement.
State of play: The order would effectively overturn former President Biden's offshore oil and gas leasing program, which currently has three scheduled sales between 2024 and 2029.
- Under the Trump administration's proposal that spans from 2026 to 2031, the Interior Department would offer up to 34 offshore sales across roughly 1.27 billion acres off the coast of Alaska, in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Pacific coast.
- "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," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in the order.
What they're saying: "Trump's idiotic plan endangers our coastal economy and communities and hurts the well-being of Californians," California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in a statement. This reckless attempt to sell out our coastline to his Big Oil donors is dead in the water."
Thought bubble, via Axios' Ben Geman: The plan, which has many procedural steps ahead, will test industry appetites for offshore projects outside the Gulf.
- Proposals will face a suite of legal, PR and political battles — all in the face of uncertain long-term prices and demand, and attractive regions still remaining within the Gulf.
Flashback: California has imposed tight limits on offshore drilling since the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. Newsom, who declared a state of emergency in 2021 after the major oil spill off the coast of Southern California, has also been critical of offshore drilling.
- The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the largest to affect U.S. waters in the nation's history, also left an impact on Florida.
- During Trump's first term, Florida lawmakers pushed back on attempts to open the Eastern Gulf for drilling, leading Trump to extend a drilling ban off the state's coast.
Molly Best, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' press secretary, told Axios: "Our Administration supports the 2020 Presidential Memorandum and urges the Department of Interior to reconsider and to conform to the 2020 Trump Administration policy."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional context and a statement from DeSantis' press secretary.
