Trump Attempts to Reverse Permanent Protections Against Oil and Gas Drilling

WASHINGTON – President Trump signed an executive order today to open up large swaths of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans that former President Obama had removed from oil and gas leasing, along with other coastal areas.

The following is a statement by Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“This reckless move betrays our children’s future for fossil fuel profits.  Nobody voted to sacrifice our oceans, coastal communities and all they support to industrial pollution and the threat of a BP-style disaster.  Americans want these waters protected. 

“Subjecting these areas to drilling ties us down to yesterday’s dirty fuels and all the damage, risk and climate danger they bring.  Moreover, the President lacks the legal authority to reverse the permanent protection that has been extended to these Arctic and Atlantic ocean areas. We will stand up for a livable world.  And we’ll fight this move to sell out our children’s future for big oil and gas.”

For further details, read Alexandra Adams’ blog here: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/alexandra-adams/trump-acts-quickly-open-our-coasts-offshore-drilling

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.