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Trump plans to expand offshore drilling in Pacific and Atlantic | Trump plans to expand offshore drilling in Pacific and Atlantic |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Trump administration has proposed a controversial plan to open up protected areas in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans for offshore drilling. | The Trump administration has proposed a controversial plan to open up protected areas in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans for offshore drilling. |
The five-year plan expands drilling to most of the US outer continental shelf, including California and Maine, where drilling has been blocked for decades. | The five-year plan expands drilling to most of the US outer continental shelf, including California and Maine, where drilling has been blocked for decades. |
Environmentalists called it a "shameful giveaway" to the oil industry. | Environmentalists called it a "shameful giveaway" to the oil industry. |
The move fulfils US President Donald Trump's promise to boost domestic oil and natural gas production. | The move fulfils US President Donald Trump's promise to boost domestic oil and natural gas production. |
US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke unveiled the plan on Thursday, saying it would boost the US economy. | US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke unveiled the plan on Thursday, saying it would boost the US economy. |
"This is a clear difference between energy weakness and energy dominance," he told reporters in a conference call. | "This is a clear difference between energy weakness and energy dominance," he told reporters in a conference call. |
"We are going to become the strongest energy superpower." | "We are going to become the strongest energy superpower." |
The Draft Five Year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Programme, which would be the most expansive drilling plan in decades, was immediately opposed by a coalition of 60 environmental groups, nearly a dozen attorney generals and more than 100 US lawmakers. | |
"These ocean waters are not President Trump's personal playground," read a statement signed by members of the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Conservation Voters and other environmental groups. | "These ocean waters are not President Trump's personal playground," read a statement signed by members of the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Conservation Voters and other environmental groups. |
"They belong to all Americans and the public wants them preserved and protected, not sold off to multinational oil companies." | "They belong to all Americans and the public wants them preserved and protected, not sold off to multinational oil companies." |
Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan called the announcement "great news". | |
Meanwhile, New Hampshire's Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan warned that offshore drilling has caused devastating incidents. | |
The Republican governors of Maryland, South Carolina and Florida oppose offshore drilling. | The Republican governors of Maryland, South Carolina and Florida oppose offshore drilling. |
Florida Governor Rick Scott issued a statement saying he has asked to meet Mr Zinke to discuss his concerns with the latest plan. | Florida Governor Rick Scott issued a statement saying he has asked to meet Mr Zinke to discuss his concerns with the latest plan. |
"My top priority is to ensure that Florida's natural resources are protected, which is why I proposed $1.7bn for the environment in this year's budget," he said in a statement. | "My top priority is to ensure that Florida's natural resources are protected, which is why I proposed $1.7bn for the environment in this year's budget," he said in a statement. |
Mr Zinke's announcement comes a week after the Department of the Interior released a proposal to ease offshore drilling safety regulations that were created in the wake of BP's deadly 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster. | |
The 87-day oil spill led to 11 deaths and a $20.8bn (£1.5bn) settlement, the largest environmental damage settlement in US history. | |
Mr Trump signed an executive order in April directing the interior department to reconsider a ban on offshore drilling imposed by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama. | |
The new plan will not immediately take effect and is expected to face challenges from several states. | |
"Nothing is final yet, and our department is continuing to engage the American people to get to our final product," Mr Zinke said. |