bureau of ocean energy management
January 5, 2018 -
The Trump administration announced an aggressive proposal to bring offshore drilling to Southern states where governors oppose it, despite a federal law that says their wishes should be considered. Governors, both Democrat and Republican, say they plan to fight it.
August 17, 2017 -
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) has joined with the other governors of Southeastern states targeted for offshore oil and gas development and said he opposes those plans — a critical move since federal law gives special consideration to a governor's position.
January 10, 2017 -
Last week the Obama administration denied all pending permits to conduct seismic testing for oil and gas reserves in the Atlantic Ocean, but pro-drilling politicians who don't represent directly affected coastal communities say they'll work to reverse the decision under Trump.
August 19, 2016 -
Environmentalists say the Obama administration's plan to hold an offshore oil and gas lease auction in Louisiana next week is "rubbing salt in the wounds" of a state struggling to recover from historic floods that have been linked to climate change.
August 11, 2016 -
Following revelations that several protesters at a fossil fuel lease auction in Colorado were undercover law enforcement agents acting on information from the oil and gas industry, an environmental group has submitted Freedom of Information Act requests to the federal agencies responsible for leasing to learn more about surveillance of climate activists.
May 20, 2016 -
A leak from a damaged pipeline at a Royal Dutch Shell deepwater production field off the Louisiana coast last week came amid mounting protests urging the Obama administration to halt new drilling leases in the Gulf of Mexico and Arctic.
April 27, 2016 -
While offshore drilling in the Atlantic is canceled for now, plans are still underway to conduct seismic blasting for oil and gas reserves. As scientists, environmentalists, local communities and some elected leaders press to block the tests, the industry has been contributing unprecedented amounts of money to influence key federal lawmakers.
