The administration of United States President Donald Trump has announced new oil drilling off the California and Florida coasts for the first time in decades, advancing a project that critics say could harm coastal communities and ecosystems, as Trump seeks to expand US oil production.The White House announced the news on Thursday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listThe oil industry has been seeking access to new offshore areas, including Southern California and off the coast of Florida, as a way to boost US energy security and jobs.What’s in the plan?The administration’s plan proposes six offshore lease sales through 2030 in areas along the California coast.It also calls for new drilling off the coast of Florida in areas at least 160km (100 miles) from that state’s shore. The area targeted for leasing is adjacent to an area in the Central Gulf of Mexico that already contains thousands of wells and hundreds of drilling platforms.The five-year plan also would compel more than 20 lease sales off the coast of Alaska, including a newly designated area known as the High Arctic, more than 320km (200 miles) offshore in the Arctic Ocean.Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in announcing the sales that it would take years for the oil from those parcels to get to market.“By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America’s offshore industry stays st …
