Gavin Newsom has slammed Donald Trump’s oil drilling plans for California and Florida.
The governor of California called the plans “reckless” in a statement released on Thursday. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum called the oil drilling plan a “forward-thinking” project, which he says would make American energy “dominant” for years to come.
He said, “The Biden administration slammed the brakes on offshore oil and gas leasing and crippled the long-term pipeline of America’s offshore production. By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America’s offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come.”
But Newsom has called the project “idiotic” and said that it will not only harm Californians but is an “attempt to sell” to Big Oil donors. Newsom said, “Trump’s idiotic plan endangers our coastal economy and communities and hurts the well-being of Californians. This reckless attempt to sell out our coastline to his Big Oil donors is dead in the water.”
“For decades, California has stood firm in our opposition to new offshore drilling, and nothing will change that.” Newsom has previously aired his support for greater offshore controls following a spill at Huntington Beach in 2021. He also backed a congressional effort to ban new offshore drilling projects on the West Coast.
Trump’s plan has faced opposition from the League of Conservation Voters, which called Trump’s offshore drilling plan “dangerous” in a statement released earlier this week.
America Fitzpatrick, the group’s conservation program director, said, “This needless, reckless expansion of offshore drilling would jeopardize our coastal communities, public health, local economies, and the environment, while prolonging our dependence on fossil fuels and doing nothing to lower costs.”
It follows a statement released by Senator Rick Scott earlier this month, who announced that oil drilling would be banned through 2032, CBS reported.
Scott said, “As Floridians, we know how vital our beautiful beaches and coastal waters are to our state’s economy, environment, and way of life. It’s why I have fought for years to keep drilling off Florida’s coasts and worked closely with President Trump during his first term to ensure they remain protected with the president’s moratorium, which bans oil drilling through 2032.”
“I am proud to put these efforts into law with the American Shores Protection Act. I will always work to keep Florida’s shore pristine and protect our natural treasures for generations to come.”
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