Thirst for Oil Threatens Marine Ecosystems

The Trump administration’s aggressive “energy dominance” agenda is posing a serious threat to ocean wildlife and fragile marine ecosystems. Upon taking office, the president swiftly declared a national “energy emergency,” rescinding Biden-era bans on Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic offshore drilling and calling for the dismantling of a slew of offshore drilling safety regulations. Such safety measures were passed in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster and are designed to prevent future such catastrophes.

This summer, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a formal request for information (RFI) on a new offshore oil and gas plan. Currently, oil and gas leasing occurs only off the coasts of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The administration is expected to dramatically expand this footprint and initiate new lease sales in the Arctic, Pacific, Eastern Gulf, and Atlantic regions.

AWI and Defenders of Wildlife, on behalf of 19 environmental and wildlife protection groups in all, submitted lengthy comments on the RFI to BOEM, expressing our profound opposition to this effort. In particular, we provided the agency with a detailed analysis of the abundant and diverse ecosystems in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, which have remained untouched by oil and gas leasing for more than 40 years. We will continue to weigh in on future steps as we seek to ensure these special areas remain unsullied by offshore drilling and its potential to cause catastrophic harm.

Program Terms: Marine Wildlife

AWI Quarterly Terms: Government/Legal, Quick Read