Sierra Club Florida issued a statement on the Trump administration’s proposal for new oil drilling off Florida’s coasts.
The Department of Interior launched an expansive national offshore leasing program, including risks to Florida’s coasts because of Gulf of America proposed locations.
“The recent announcement by the Trump Administration and the Department of Interior to auction off sites for offshore drilling is completely unacceptable,” said Javier Estevez, Political and Legislative Director for Sierra Club Florida. ” Sierra Club Florida, representing 35,000 members and 140,000 supporters, is firmly opposed to any and all drilling off Florida’s shores. Florida’s economy is deeply intertwined with its beaches, which help drive our thriving tourism industry, generate billions in revenue, and support hundreds of thousands of jobs annually. This reckless plan threatens not just our coastline, but the very way of life for millions of Floridians.”
The Department of the Interior announced a Secretary’s Order titled “Unleashing American Offshore Energy,” directing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to take the necessary steps, in accordance with federal law, to terminate the restrictive Biden 2024–2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program and replace it with a new, expansive 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program by October 2026.
There has been bipartisan opposition to the Trump administration efforts to expand offshore oil drilling. Sierra Club pointed out President Donald Trump’s own history to question the new policy.
“In his first term, President Trump himself extended a moratorium on offshore drilling until 2032. This sudden policy reversal is deeply disturbing and will be met with fierce opposition,” continued Javier Estevez, Political and Legislative Director for Sierra Club Florida. “President Trump and his administration may be eager to hand out blank checks to oil and gas companies, but it will not be at Florida’s expense. We refuse to allow our coastal economies, quality of life, and irreplaceable natural resources to be sacrificed for corporate profit.”
“Sierra Club Florida stands with organizations, communities, and elected officials from both sides of the aisle to oppose any plans that would bring drilling to Florida’s shores. Any such proposal is dead on arrival, and we will work tirelessly to ensure our coasts are protected.”
The Florida Democratic Party also responded to the Trump administration proposal to open the Sunshine State’s coasts to offshore drilling. Republican Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott led the entire congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump: keep oil drilling off Florida’s coasts.
