US launches new plan for offshore oil and gas development

World World: The US Interior Department announced Friday that it will begin taking public comments for a new five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program that could include new areas in the Arctic and other regions to maximize energy development.

Former President Donald Trump had already ordered government agencies to identify ways to increase record high US oil and gas production, saying previous administrations had unnecessarily limited drilling to combat climate change. He also repealed former President Joe Biden’s efforts to ban oil drilling in the Arctic and off the US Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

“Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, we are unleashing the full potential of our marine resources for the benefit of the American people for generations to come,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a press release.

The Interior Department has decided to open a 45-day public comment period, which will be the beginning of the process of developing a five-year plan. No specific timeline or new lease auction locations have been proposed under the scheme.