In a sweeping policy reversal, the Trump administration has announced plans to open offshore oil drilling rights in areas of the Gulf of Mexico America, at least 100 miles from the coast of Florida. The proposal is part of a broader five-year leasing program put forward by the U.S. Interior Department aimed at dramatically expanding fossil fuel access in federal waters.
According to administration officials, the newly targeted area lies beyond state waters yet is adjacent to existing drilling infrastructure already active in the central Gulf. Proponents argue that the move will boost energy production and create jobs, claiming it will strengthen American energy independence. The American Petroleum Institute and several industry groups have already voiced strong support.
However, the proposal has ignited fierce backlash from environmentalists, coastal communities, and some political leaders — particularly in Florida. Opponents warn of heightened risks of oil spills, damage to marine ecosystems, and negative impacts on tourism, which is critical to Florida’s economy.
Notably, this is not the first time drilling off Florida’s coast has become a contentious issue under Trump: in 2020, he signed a memorandum extending a moratorium on offshore drilling off Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina through mid-2032. That decision was made following intense pressure from Republican Governor Rick Scott, who argued that Florida’s economy and environment could not weather new offshore development.
Democratic lawmakers have already issued strong warnings, calling on the administration to abandon the plan and instead invest in clean energy. With the public comment period now open, coastal residents and environmental groups are preparing for a concerted campaign to block the move.
Sources:
- WTOP News
- OGJ
- U.S. Department of the Interior
- Hart Energy
- ASME
- House Committee on Natural Resources
- The Washington Post
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