Latest news with #BOEM
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal government discussing offshore drilling off on South Carolina, Georgia coast
BEAUFORT, S.C. (WSAV) — The beauty of the coastline is one big reason people come to the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry to visit. But once again, the federal government is talking about changing that look, by adding equipment to drill in the ocean on our coast. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is redoing its 5-year plan, evaluating the American coastline for potential sites to drill for natural energy resources. That includes potential new oil and gas leases on the Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina coasts, which by a resolution signed by President Trump in his first term, are supposed to be protected until 2032. But Trump signed an executive order earlier this year reversing a Biden Administration policy that further protected those same waters. In this term, Trump has since asked for more natural resources to be found to find more energy, including gas and oil. Environmental officials said the impact even before the drilling starts could be devastating. 'I think that all of the area off our coast is potentially on the table if offshore drilling, if they decide to include the South Atlantic Zone,' Coastal Conservation League Energy and Climate Program Director Taylor Allred said. 'There would be seismic testing. The companies would use sonic cannons that blast very, very high pressure, sound waves through the water in order to survey the ocean floor and get an idea of good areas to do test drilling to see if there actually any oil and gas is there to try and recover.' Allred said the destructive steps might not yield anything but could kill thousands of marine animals. Test drilling could also destroy critical coral reefs and other underwater habitats. 'All along South Carolina and Georgia, we have a really vital ecosystem that's really fueled by the largest known deep-sea coral in the world that sits on the Blake Plateau,' Allred said. 'It takes thousands of years for a large coral like that to grow with only a few millimeters of growth per year. If these companies go in and start drilling, they're likely to destroy the coral and it could take thousands of years for it to regrow if it ever manages to do so.' South Carolina's coast is responsible for the majority of the state's $20 billion tourism industry and a $6 billion marine economy that employs about 80,000 people. 'We'd all really not want to see that destroyed for the sake of a little bit of potential oil and gas drilling,' said Allred. Local and state officials have also expressed that they are against drilling along South Carolina's coast. 'There's been seismic studies done already. There's very little oil offshore,' South Carolina State Senator Tom Davis (R – District 46) said. 'The risk reward thing just simply doesn't justify it in terms of the environmental disruption and things that would occur.' Alongside politicians such as South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster opposing the idea, 26 different communities, towns, counties and cities have passed resolutions against offshore drilling. 'Look, we have abundant sources of natural gas, abundant sources of fossil fuels in America, and we ought to take advantage of those and want to bring them online,' Davis said. 'But they are not present off the shore of South Carolina. Seismic studies have shown that. And when you weigh that particular fact against the fact that you're going to have environmental disruptions, you're going to have disruptions to tourism, I don't think it's a good bet for our part of South Carolina to engage in that.' First District Congresswoman Nancy Mace also made her opinions known on the issue and posted a letter she wrote to BOEM on X. That letter said in part that drilling threatens tourism and our way of life and that we need to 'hold the line,' 'keep the ban' and 'protect our coast.' In 2018, McMaster advocated against the drilling on behalf of South Carolina. 'Every city and town council along the South Carolina coastline has voted to oppose seismictesting and drilling, and I agree with them,' McMaster said in the letter to the Secretary of the Interior. 'Our commercial fishing industry enjoys a vibrant offshore ecosystem. The habitat disruption and other impacts that marine life could suffer due to seismic testing are simply not worth whatever benefit our state might see from placing oil rigs offshore.' He also said that as a state located in 'Hurricane Alley,' they can't add more risk by putting offshore drilling platforms in the path of potential storms. McMaster referenced the fact that in 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed 115 oil platforms and damaged 52 others in the Gulf. The agency is accepting public comment on offshore drilling through June 16. You can click or tap here to write a comment with your thoughts. Allred said even a short comment against offshore drilling can go a long way to protecting South Carolina. Read Mace's letter in full below: Read McMaster's letter to the Interior from 2018 here: 2018-01-16-Gov.-McMaster-to-Sec.-Zinke-re-Offshore-DrillingDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Green Oceans Report Reveals Systematic Non-Compliance in Offshore Wind Development
LITTLE COMPTON, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Green Oceans, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, today released its comprehensive report entitled, Cancelling Offshore Wind Leases. The report, by Planet A Strategies, analyzes the legal frameworks underlying federal agency decision-making for offshore wind (OSW) development in six offshore wind projects located in the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Wind Energy Areas (RI/MA WEAs), which encompass nearly a million acres of ocean territory on the outer coastal shelf. It outlines potential violations of statutory and regulatory requirements under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and finds that the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) decisions to promulgate these contracts not only exceed its statutory authority but also violate procedural law to justify projects that are causing irreversible environmental, cultural, and economic consequences. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) decisions to promulgate these contracts violate procedural law to justify projects that are causing irreversible environmental, cultural, and economic consequences. Share 'This Report demonstrates that BOEM's review of these projects was fraught with omitted, misrepresented, and arguably false information regarding its ability to provide reliable electricity,' said Green Oceans President Lisa Quattrocki Knight. 'The projects also have significant adverse environmental, economic, and national security consequences. The Trump Administration has sufficient executive authority and reason to cancel the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Wind Energy Areas leases.' Critical data and legal criteria in the report reveal possible omissions or misrepresentations by OSW project developers and government decision-makers. This is shown by citing OCSLA provisions, environmental protection statutes, state obligations to serve, Federal Power Act electricity system reliability rules, and federal requirements from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These include misrepresentations about: Bulk transmission system reliability Actual installed capacity requirements for fully decarbonized electricity generation Actual amount of electricity generated by OSW operations versus ratepayer demand Illegal segment-by-segment lease issuance Encroachment on national security operations and training Dire economic impacts on maritime activities like fishing and navigation The North Atlantic right whale population resides in the RI/MA WEA. The region also encompasses one of the last remaining spawning grounds for Southern New England cod. Offshore wind development permitted by these leases could lead to the extinction of both species. Federal documents also confirm that offshore developments will compromise the East Coast's only Early Warning Radar system operated by Cape Cod Space Force Stations, underwater threat detection capabilities, military readiness, and Coast Guard search and rescue operations. BOEM's studies acknowledge long-term, major adverse and irreversible impacts on fishing and regional fisheries, and the historical and cultural resources of the Wampanoag Nation of Gay Head/Aquinnah. The Wampanoag Nation has inhabited Massachusetts and Eastern Rhode Island for more than 12,000 years. BOEM did not adequately consider the cumulative impact of all proposed development on the entire lease area, a legal requirement of their authority. The Green Oceans report aligns with the ongoing comprehensive federal review of wind leasing and permitting practices, as directed by the Presidential Memorandum of January 20, 2025, and makes the case for immediate intervention overwhelming, both on legal and policy grounds. The six offshore wind projects referenced throughout this announcement are: Revolution Wind, Vineyard Wind, South Fork Wind, Sunrise Wind, SouthCoast Wind, and New England Wind. You may access the full report here: About Green Oceans Green Oceans is a nonprofit, non-partisan group of community members dedicated to the preservation and protection of our nation's marine ecosystems and coastal communities. For more information or to get involved, visit:
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's energy chief to unleash Gulf drilling with major rule change
EXCLUSIVE: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Friday will update a Biden-era federal rule regarding energy development as a major cost-saving measure to private firms, one day after taking a visit to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility on the Gulf Coast. A source familiar with the workings of the rule said it essentially will "massively deregulate" a rule passed between the two Trump administrations and should further bolster Gulf Coast oil and gas production by providing lower startup costs for energy firms. The rule outlines criteria that producers and grantholders must provide as financial assurance, with a 2024 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) estimate that $6.9 billion in new supplemental assurance would be required to protect against oil lessees' default. The Interior Department said that $6.9 billion added up to the $665 million in estimated additional insurance premiums for energy companies, which stifled how much they could spend to expand their operations and pursue what President Donald Trump has called "American energy dominance." Burgum Says Interior Department Completely Embracing Doge Effort Burgum told Fox News Digital that the rule revision will "enable our nation's energy producers to redirect their capital toward future leasing, exploration, and production all while financially protecting the American taxpayer. Read On The Fox News App "Cutting red tape will level the playing field and allow American companies to make investments that strengthen domestic energy security and benefit Gulf of America states and their communities," he said. Dakotas Primed For Newfound Political Prominence As Senate, Trump Administration Leaders Picked From Heartland Crop BOEM will continue to require lessees on the outer continental shelf to provide financial assurances, while the Trump administration writ large works toward more balanced regulations, the department said in an exclusive statement. During Burgum's visit to the Gulf, he met with energy workers at the LNG facility and discussed how the department under his leadership wants to better support the industry. The Gulf of America currently produces approximately 1.8 million barrels of crude oil daily and 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per article source: Trump's energy chief to unleash Gulf drilling with major rule change
Fox News
02-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Doug Burgum unveils major deregulatory shift to boost Gulf oil and gas production
EXCLUSIVE: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will on Friday update a Biden-era federal rule regarding energy development as a major cost-saving measure to private firms, one day after taking a visit to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility on the Gulf Coast. A source familiar with the workings of the rule said it essentially will "massively deregulate" a rule passed between the two Trump administrations, and should further bolster Gulf Coast oil and gas production by providing lower startup costs for energy firms. The rule outlines criteria that producers and grantholders must provide as financial assurance, with a 2024 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) estimate that $6.9 billion in new supplemental assurance would be required to protect against oil lessees' default. The Interior Department said that $6.9 billion added up to the $665 million in estimated additional insurance premiums for energy companies, which stifled how much they could spend to expand their operations and pursue what President Donald Trump has called "American energy dominance." Burgum told Fox News Digital that the rule revision will "enable our nation's energy producers to redirect their capital toward future leasing, exploration, and production all while financially protecting the American taxpayer." "Cutting red tape will level the playing field and allow American companies to make investments that strengthen domestic energy security and benefit Gulf of America states and their communities," he said. BOEM will continue to require lessees on the outer continental shelf to provide financial assurances, while the Trump administration writ large works toward more balanced regulations, the department said in an exclusive statement. During Burgum's visit to the Gulf, he met with energy workers at the LNG facility and discussed how the department under his leadership wants to better support the industry. The Gulf of America currently produces approximately 1.8 million barrels of crude oil daily, and 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US plans offshore oil and gas lease sales on OCS
The US has announced 11th national outer continental shelf (OCS) oil and gas leasing programme, which will include a new High Arctic planning area offshore Alaska. US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to begin a public engagement process for the development of a new schedule for offshore oil and gas lease sales on the US OCS. This initiative aligns with President Donald Trump's directive to federal agencies to seek ways to further increase the nation's already high oil and gas output, despite previous administrations' efforts to limit drilling for climate change mitigation. The department is set to open a 45-day public comment period to kickstart the development of the leasing programme. While no specific timelines or locations for new leasing auctions have been proposed, the Interior Department is inviting stakeholders to contribute insights and recommendations, voice concerns, and identify other interests that may be impacted by offshore leasing activities. US Interior Department secretary Doug Burgum said: 'Launching the process to develop the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Program marks a decisive step toward securing American Energy Dominance. Through a transparent and inclusive public engagement process, we are reinforcing our commitment to responsible offshore energy development—driving job creation, bolstering economic growth and strengthening American energy independence. 'Under President Donald J. Trump's leadership, we are unlocking the full potential of our offshore resources to benefit the American people for generations to come.' The BOEM, a division of the Interior Department, has recently expanded its jurisdiction to include a new planning area in the High Arctic. Additionally, the boundaries of other OCS planning areas are under revision, indicating that new areas may soon be available for exploration and drilling. Despite the new initiative, the Interior Department confirmed that the offshore drilling auctions scheduled for the upcoming years in the Gulf of Mexico, referred to by the Trump administration as the Gulf of America, will proceed as planned under the Biden administration. Offshore leases currently contribute to approximately 14% of US crude oil production. "US plans offshore oil and gas lease sales on OCS" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
