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Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
US finds endangered Gulf of Mexico whale threatened by oil and gas vessel strikes
A recently published environmental assessment found that vessel strikes in the Gulf of Mexico are likely to hurt the existence of the Rice's whale. Pixabay - makabera US finds endangered Gulf of Mexico whale threatened by oil and gas vessel strikes WASHINGTON - The Trump administration published a long-awaited environmental assessment on May 20 that found that vessel strikes related to oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico are likely to jeopardise the existence of the endangered Rice's whale. The analysis, known as a biological opinion, governs how endangered and threatened marine species should be protected from oil and gas activities in the region, which President Donald Trump has renamed the Gulf of America. There are an estimated 51 Rice's whales in the Gulf, according to the analysis, which sets speed restrictions and a requirement for vessels to maintain a 500-metre minimum distance from the species if spotted. A federal judge in 2024 ordered the National Marine Fisheries Service to revise its previous assessment because it did not adequately address risks species face from oil spills and vessel strikes. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Rice's whales are critically endangered and found only in the Gulf of Mexico. They were recognised as a distinct species in 2021 by NOAA and the Smithsonian Institution. Oil and gas industry groups had warned that if the revised document was not produced by the judge's deadline of May 21 that vital energy operations would be shut down. Those groups, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), welcomed publication of the analysis but criticised the finding that oil and gas activities threatened the Rice's whale population. 'As we continue reviewing the new opinion, we are concerned by the inclusion of a jeopardy finding for the Rice's whale,' NOIA President Erik Milito said in a statement. 'That determination appears inconsistent with the best available science and triggers unnecessary regulatory uncertainty.' An environmental group that had sued to protect the Rice's whale from oil and gas activities said the restrictions on drillers did not go far enough. 'It's just as inadequate for protecting rare marine species as the last biological opinion was,' said Mr Chris Eaton, an attorney with Earthjustice. 'For Rice's whales, it allows activities over the next 45 years that the Fisheries Service admits will kill nine whales and seriously injure three more.' REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
US finds endangered Gulf of Mexico whale threatened by oil and gas vessel strikes
May 20 (Reuters) - The Trump administration published a long-awaited environmental assessment on Tuesday that found that vessel strikes related to oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico are likely to jeopardize the existence of the endangered Rice's whale. The analysis, known as a biological opinion, governs how endangered and threatened marine species should be protected from oil and gas activities in the region, which President Donald Trump has renamed the Gulf of America. There are an estimated 51 Rice's whales in the Gulf, according to the analysis, which sets speed restrictions and a requirement for vessels to maintain a 500-meter (547 yards) minimum distance from the species if spotted. A federal judge last year ordered the National Marine Fisheries Service to revise its previous assessment because it did not adequately address risks species face from oil spills and vessel strikes. Oil and gas industry groups had warned that if the revised document was not produced by the judge's deadline of May 21 that vital energy operations would be shut down. Those groups, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), welcomed publication of the analysis but criticized the finding that oil and gas activities threatened the Rice's whale population. "As we continue reviewing the new opinion, we are concerned by the inclusion of a jeopardy finding for the Rice's whale," NOIA President Erik Milito said in a statement. "That determination appears inconsistent with the best available science and triggers unnecessary regulatory uncertainty." An environmental group that had sued to protect the Rice's whale from oil and gas activities said the restrictions on drillers did not go far enough. "It's just as inadequate for protecting rare marine species as the last biological opinion was," said Chris Eaton, an attorney with Earthjustice. "For Rice's whales, it allows activities over the next 45 years that the Fisheries Service admits will kill nine whales and seriously injure three more."
Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Trump Admin Lifts Stop Work Order on New York Offshore Wind Project
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on May 19 that the Trump administration has agreed to lift the stop-work order on a major wind project off New York's coast, which has been on hold since last month. The project, Empire Wind, was approved by the former Biden administration last year but Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Hochul announced that President Donald Trump and Burgum have now authorized the project to resume after her office engaged in 'countless conversations' with developer Equinor and White House officials. 'I want to thank President Trump for his willingness to work with me to save the 1,500 good paying union jobs that were on the line and helping get this essential project back on track,' the governor said in a 'New York's economic future is going to be powered by abundant, clean energy that helps our homes and businesses thrive. I fought to save clean energy jobs in New York—and we got it done,' Hochul added. Equinor, a Norway-based company, also thanked Trump for allowing the project to resume and expressed appreciation to Hochul for her efforts, saying that it will help supply energy to half a million homes in New York. Related Stories 4/17/2025 1/23/2025 In a separate About 30 percent of the project has already been completed, according to the company. Empire Wind is expected to start generating electricity in 2027. 'We appreciate the fact that construction can now resume on Empire Wind, a project which underscores our commitment to deliver energy while supporting local economies and creating jobs,' Equinor president and CEO Anders Opedal said in the statement. The Interior Department did not respond to a request for comment by publication time. Equinor secured the federal lease in March 2017 during Trump's first term, and received approval from the state of New York in December 2023. The Biden administration granted final approval for the construction and operations plan in February 2024, according to the project's Burgum The project, located 15 to 30 miles southeast of Long Island, was being developed in two phases. Empire Wind 1 is projected to produce 810 megawatts of electricity to 500,000 homes in New York. Equinor stated that Empire Wind 1 will contribute to New York's goal of securing 9 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2035. The second phase of the project remains in the early stages. The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) praised the Trump administration for its prompt review of the project, saying that it plays a vital role in advancing the nation's energy production. 'The administration is clearing the way for major investments to move forward—activating American shipyards, creating high-quality jobs, and accelerating the buildout of infrastructure needed to deliver reliable, domestic energy to the East Coast,' NOIA president Erik Milito said in a
