Trump's Offshore Drilling Rollback Threatens Oceans, Coastal Economies, and Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump’s rollback of offshore drilling protections prioritizes Big Oil profits over ocean health and coastal economies. His actions, lacking legal authority, threaten tourism, fisheries, and marine life.

The following is a statement from Brad Sewell, Managing Director for Oceans at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“President Trump is putting Big Oil billionaires above our ocean by reversing protections from offshore oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific, eastern Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska. President Trump lacks the legal authority to undo these protections. These ocean waters are vital for tourism, recreation, and fisheries, and opening it up to 'drill baby drill' risks catastrophe.”


 NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).

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