In a move long awaited by the US energy industry, President Trump will order a review of the offshore oil and gas drilling bans that the previous administration introduced, the latest just weeks before the end of President Obama's second term.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told reporters at a White House briefing Thursday evening, "This order will cement our nation's position as a global energy leader and foster energy security for the benefit of American people, without removing any of the stringent environmental safeguards that are now in place".
For instance, Obama had used his authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to protect Arctic areas from oil drilling late a year ago, a move Trump's order seeks to undo. Zinke said he has two years to conduct the review and the current plan will remain in effect for now.
The oil and gas industry welcomed the move. "The Eastern Gulf is in close proximity to existing production and infrastructure, and opening it would most quickly spur investment and economic activity, which could create thousands of jobs and provide billions of dollars in government revenue".
"Offshore drilling creates a new pollution source, one capable of significant, even devastating environmental damage from drilling, transportation, storage, or refinement", she said. In Kure Beach, N.C., Mayor Emilie Swearingen said tourism is the second largest industry in the state. "It's not whether it would happen, but when it would happen".
That could potentially reverse actions taken under President Obama to restrict some offshore drilling, although the feds will have to show scientifically that new offshore drilling is justified economically and can be done without harm to the environment.
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The move is another attempt at rolling back environmental actions taken by the Obama administration in the name of fiscal prosperity. He also said he was optimistic about the development of offshore wind energy.
However, Trump made no mention of the environmental rationale for the bans, brought in by his predecessor Barack Obama.
"A major part of that effort should include preventing risky and environmentally harmful oil and gas extraction in the Atlantic and Arctic oceans", the congressman wrote. He called prevention of Atlantic drilling "a significant priority" as he looks to use expanded powers and resources the General Assembly recently awarded him to sue the Trump administration. Obama relied upon a little-known 1953 law that allows the president to ban oil and gas drilling indefinitely in USA waters.
Zinke said he has recently heard concerns about offshore drilling in Santa Barbara, California, and promised that he will listen to local communities when it comes to authorizing drilling.
In addition, under the order Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will review previous presidents' designations of marine national monuments and sanctuaries under the 1906 Antiquities Act over the last 10 years.
Zinke, who will also be tasked with reviewing other drilling restrictions, acknowledged environmental concerns as "valid", but he argued that the benefits of drilling outweigh concerns.
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