In a move that actually goes against previous decisions , the Obama administrationhas abandonedplans to allow boring for oil and gas off America ’s Atlantic Coast . The turnaround has been in answer to insistence not just from coastal communities , but also due to warnings from the Navy , and reaffirm Obama ’s commitment to increasing security of the environs .
The opinion will forestall the fossil fuel diligence from seaward drilling and exploration until 2022 along the Atlantic coastline offive states : Virginia , North Carolina , South Carolina , Georgia , and Florida . The announcement fit in with other moves by the President to get out a solid environmental legacy in his backwash , from blocking theKeystone XL pipeline , to challenging plans to cut contamination from ember - fired great power plants , to make area of the Arctic off - limits from the oil industry .
“ We heard from many quoin that now is not the prison term to offer oil and gas leasing off the Atlantic coast,”explainedSally Jewell , the Interior Secretary . “ When you factor in conflicts with national defense , economical activities such as fishing and tourism , and opposition from many local communities , it simply does n’t make signified to move forward with any lease gross revenue in the coming five age . ”
The promulgation come as part of the Interior Department ’s fossil oil and gasleasing provision processfor the next five years . In it , they attend at 13 potential sites in six areas , 10 of which are in the Gulf of Mexico , while three others are off the Alaskan coast . While keep the ontogeny of drilling off the Atlantic coast , the operation will still be allowed in the Gulf of Mexico , which is still deemed one of the most productive basins in the world . It is in part the result of the BP Deepwater Horizon petroleum tumble that fall out here in 2010 that has conduce to so much resistance in drilling from residential district on the Atlantic coast .
While this is obviously good news for the states involve , the proclamation also hint at the potential for drilling to still take place in three region in the Arctic , despite extortionate opposition . “ We acknowledge the Arctic is a unique place of critical importance to many – including Alaska Natives who rely on the ocean for subsistence,”continuedJewell . “ As we put together the final proposal , we want to hear from the public to help oneself determine whether these region are appropriate for future leasing and how we can protect environmental , ethnical and subsistence resource . ”
The likelihood that companies will actually take up the opportunity to bore in the Arctic , even if allowed , is recollect to be slim , however . This is due to the intemperate toll call for in fogey fuel geographic expedition in the Arctic at the mo combine with the current quiet in oil colour prices , as demonstrated bythe eventual pull out of Shell from the region after spending an estimated $ 7 billion on a individual well . With less than a class left in office , though , Obama is endeavor to lie the foundations of a more environmentally - tending res publica .
