US President Donald Trump's administration has announced plans to open up new areas for oil drilling off the California and Florida coasts for the first time in decades, sparking intense opposition from environmental groups and lawmakers.
The plan involves six offshore lease sales along the California coast through 2030, as well as new drilling off the coast of Florida in areas at least 160km away from the state's shore. The five-year plan also calls for more than 20 lease sales off Alaska's coast, including a newly designated area in the Arctic Ocean.
Critics argue that the move could harm coastal communities and ecosystems, citing concerns over oil spills and the impact on local economies. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has long been opposed to offshore drilling, described the plan as "dead on arrival" and claimed it would put his state's communities at risk.
Florida Republican Senator Ashley Moody and Governor Rick Scott have also expressed opposition to the plan, citing concerns over the potential environmental damage and economic impact on their state. The American Petroleum Institute has defended the move, saying it will help unlock vast offshore resources and boost US energy security.
The announcement comes as Trump's administration continues to push for increased oil production and roll back regulations on fossil fuels. Critics argue that this approach is short-sighted and ignores the long-term consequences of climate change.
The plan is likely to face bipartisan opposition in both California and Florida, where tourism and access to clean beaches are key components of the economy. The announcement also comes as Governor Newsom attends the COP30 climate conference in Brazil, where he has emerged as a leading critic of Trump's environmental policies.
The plan involves six offshore lease sales along the California coast through 2030, as well as new drilling off the coast of Florida in areas at least 160km away from the state's shore. The five-year plan also calls for more than 20 lease sales off Alaska's coast, including a newly designated area in the Arctic Ocean.
Critics argue that the move could harm coastal communities and ecosystems, citing concerns over oil spills and the impact on local economies. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has long been opposed to offshore drilling, described the plan as "dead on arrival" and claimed it would put his state's communities at risk.
Florida Republican Senator Ashley Moody and Governor Rick Scott have also expressed opposition to the plan, citing concerns over the potential environmental damage and economic impact on their state. The American Petroleum Institute has defended the move, saying it will help unlock vast offshore resources and boost US energy security.
The announcement comes as Trump's administration continues to push for increased oil production and roll back regulations on fossil fuels. Critics argue that this approach is short-sighted and ignores the long-term consequences of climate change.
The plan is likely to face bipartisan opposition in both California and Florida, where tourism and access to clean beaches are key components of the economy. The announcement also comes as Governor Newsom attends the COP30 climate conference in Brazil, where he has emerged as a leading critic of Trump's environmental policies.
. Like, can’t we just leave nature alone for once? 
I get that energy security is important and all, but come on, isn't there a better way to do it without risking the health of our oceans and communities? 
And what about the climate change thingy? Don’t they care that it’s gonna make things worse in the long run? 
It seems like they're just trying to get their hands dirty with fossil fuels before we even have a chance to figure out how to make clean energy work 
. I don't know, maybe I'm just an outsider who doesn't understand everything 
, but it just feels like common sense would tell us to slow down on this one 
.
so like, great idea, right? opening up new areas for oil drilling off our coasts. I mean, who needs clean beaches and fish swimming around when we can have more oil rigs, right? 
It's not like the environment is going to be a big deal or anything... 20 lease sales in Alaska alone? What's next, drilling in Yellowstone? 
And of course, our governors are all about it because they care so much about the economy and the people who actually live here, not just the oil industry. 
I'm sure it'll be a real game-changer for California and Florida...
This is like pulling teeth... Can't believe they're doing this to the planet 
. And on the Cali and Fl land coasts, it's just a recipe for disaster - oil spills, coastal erosion... 
. Can we please focus on transitioning to renewable energy instead of digging deeper into fossil fuels 
?
. The American Petroleum Institute says it'll boost energy security, but at what cost? We should be thinking about the long-term effects of our actions 
. Maybe there's a way to find middle ground – like investing in renewable energy and reducing waste instead of drilling up more oil