Trump Plan to Expand Offshore Drilling Sparks Controversy in US Waters

The Trump administration has proposed a major expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling along the West Coast, in Alaska, and in the Gulf of Mexico, renamed the Gulf of America. The plan, released by the Interior Department on Thursday, could include as many as 34 offshore lease sales: 21 off Alaska’s coast, six along the Pacific Coast, and seven in the Gulf.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the plan aims to boost America’s energy production and keep offshore jobs secure. “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,” he said.

The proposed plan replaces the Biden-era blueprint, which included only three offshore auctions from 2024 to 2029. It is an early step in a long process and will undergo public comments and several reviews before being finalized. However, sales along the East Coast were removed from the proposal after opposition from southeast lawmakers.

The lease areas include Alaska’s Beaufort Sea, Cook Inlet, and Chukchi Sea, as well as a section in the high Arctic, about 200 miles north of the Alaska coast, which environmentalists say is particularly fragile.

Industry groups welcomed the plan as a necessary first step. Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, said, “This is a large, cast-a-wide-net step in the process. It is not the final step, and it is important to keep as much on the table as possible.”

Environmental groups and West Coast leaders have already opposed the proposal. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the plan “dead on arrival,” warning of catastrophic oil spills. Joseph Gordon, an environmental campaign director, added, “This dangerous proposal to sell off millions of acres of our oceans is a betrayal of the bipartisan voices who oppose more offshore drilling.”

The plan comes as offshore drilling stocks, including major companies such as Transocean Ltd., have faced declining prices over the past year due to concerns about global oil oversupply.

The Trump administration’s proposal reflects its commitment to expanding domestic energy production and reversing restrictions from the previous administration, but it is likely to face strong political and environmental challenges in the coming months.