Why Did Trump Reverse Florida Oil Drilling Plans?

After plans to expand offshore oil drilling, the Trump administration has made a turnaround on the inclusion of coastlines in Florida. Understandably, it’s left the public – both in the US and abroad – wondering why the sudden change of mind? Read on as we look at his thinking behind the U-turn.

Offshore plans

After President Trump’s executive order in April, which encouraged more drilling in federal water, the Interior Department of the US government has announced plans to embark on ‘a new path for energy dominance’.

Trump’s administration wants to increase oil production with new oils wells, adding to 43 operations across the country. These plans include expanding offshore drilling across many oceans and would have included oil drilling off the coast of Florida. For a closer look at what happens after drilling, take a look at the article ‘Non-Invasive Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Measurement of Crude Oil’.

Florida’s out

However, the response from Republican governor of Florida, Rick Scott, said he wanted to ‘immediately meet’ with Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke. This was to discuss Florida’s position in these new oil plans.

After the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, hailed the ‘worst environmental disaster’ in US history, there are serious concerns about the impact of oil drilling on coastlines and wildlife. That’s why Scott said his ‘top priority is to ensure that Florida’s natural resources are protected.’ After meeting, Zink said that drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean off the state of Florida would be ‘off the table’.

This turnaround in offshore drilling policies highlights Florida’s position as the Sunshine State and recognises its economic importance as a tourist destination. Many have also noted that Florida is of political importance to the Trump Administration, as Trump won the state with just 29 electoral votes in the 2016 election.

What about the rest of the US?

With plans to increase offshore drilling across America, other states have shown their reluctance at joining the potential initiative. Darrell Issa, a GOP congressman from San Diego, claimed that Californians do not want new drilling. Further criticism comes from a coalition of 60 environmental groups. They have denounced the plan citing ‘severe and unacceptable harm’ to oceans, public health and coastal economies.

Zink claims that President Trump wants to take local and state voices into consideration, but stresses how the government believes the plans are a crucial step for federal revenues and energy independence. With many rejecting the plan, will the US see this initiative move forward? Or, will the Trump administration have to change course on oil exploration?