US President Donald Trump’s administration is planning to open up millions of square kilometres of US coastal waters to oil and gas drilling, officials said, in a move that could lead to a major expansion of fossil fuel extraction.
The plan comes as Washington appears increasingly out of step with much of the developed world, where there is broad acceptance of human-caused climate crisis and growing investment in renewable energy.
Under the proposal announced by the US Department of the Interior, 34 lease sales will be offered, allowing for drilling across 1.27 billion acres — an area roughly the size of the Amazon.
The plan includes waters off Alaska's northern coast that have never been drilled before, areas in the Gulf of Mexico — which the administration calls the Gulf of America — and parts of California's coastline.
"The Biden administration slammed the brakes on offshore oil and gas leasing and crippled the long-term pipeline of America’s offshore production," Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said, referring to Trump's predecessor.
Burgum said offshore energy production requires long-term investment.
"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."
Trump: climate science 'a con'
Trump frequently argues that the United States must expand fossil fuel extraction and dismisses the global shift to renewables, which he calls a "scam."
He has repeatedly labelled climate science "a con."
Under his presidency, the United States has withdrawn from international climate agreements and did not send an official delegation to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil.
The plan is expected to face strong opposition, particularly in California, where state leaders have long opposed offshore drilling.
"Trump's idiotic plan endangers our coastal economy and communities and hurts the well-being of Californians. This reckless attempt to sell out our coastline to his Big Oil donors is dead in the water," Governor Gavin Newsom said.
"Californians remember the environmental and economic devastation of past oil spills. For decades, California has stood firm in our opposition to new offshore drilling, and nothing will change that."
Opposition is also expected along the Gulf Coast, where memories remain of the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010, which spilled millions of gallons of oil and damaged fishing and tourism.
Rick Scott, a Republican senator for Florida, also objected.
"Florida's coasts must remain off the table for oil drilling to protect Florida's tourism, environment, and military training opportunities," he wrote on X.
