Trump administration moves to expand offshore drilling — including in the Arctic

The Trump administration announced Friday it was moving to expand offshore drilling, potentially including in the Arctic.

In a Friday press release, the Trump administration said it would replace a Biden-era plan for offshore drilling in the years ahead that included the fewest number of opportunities for new drilling in the history of the program.

The administration also indicated it was eyeing future drilling off Alaska’s coast in the “High Arctic” — in contrast with the Biden plan that drilled only in the Gulf of Mexico.

It’s not entirely clear where exactly all new drilling will take place under the Trump plan, as the initial step being taken is called a “request for information,” which seeks to ask the public for input on where and when it should auction off offshore drilling rights.

But Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, in the press release, indicated it would advance the administration’s goal of producing more oil and gas 

“Launching the process to develop the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Program marks a decisive step toward securing American Energy Dominance,” Burgum said. “Through a transparent and inclusive public engagement process, we are reinforcing our commitment to responsible offshore energy development—driving job creation, bolstering economic growth and strengthening American energy independence.”

The oil lobby praised the administration’s move.

“We applaud Secretary Burgum and the administration for taking action to unleash America’s vast offshore oil and natural gas resources and restore a pro-American energy approach to federal leasing,” said Holly Hopkins, vice president of upstream policy at the American Petroleum Institute, in a written statement.