The Trump administration has outlined a sweeping new proposal to open more than 1.3 billion acres of U.S. coastal waters to oil and gas drilling, a move that has sparked immediate concern from environmental groups and coastal communities.
According to the Department of the Interior, the plan would allow new offshore leasing in areas that include the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coastline near California, and portions of Alaska’s coastal waters. The proposal marks one of the largest expansions of offshore drilling rights in decades.
Environmental organizations quickly raised alarm, citing the risks of oil spills, ecosystem disruption, and long-term environmental damage. A widely shared image circulating online shows a wildlife responder handling a bird drenched in oil, an image reminiscent of previous large-scale spills that have had lasting ecological impacts.
Groups such as Waste Free Planet and Greenpeace have condemned the administration’s move, warning that expanded offshore drilling threatens marine life, fisheries, and coastal communities already vulnerable to climate change.
Also Read: Arctic Drilling Expansion Sparks Fierce Public Backlash
Federal officials say the plan aims to boost domestic energy production and reduce reliance on foreign oil. The proposal is still subject to public comment and review before any new leases can be issued.
If approved, the expansion would significantly increase drilling access along U.S. coastlines that have been restricted for years, setting up what is expected to be a major national debate over environmental protection and energy policy.
