Trump administration announces plan for new oil drilling off the coasts of California and Florida

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News/AP

Updated on: November 20, 2025 / 7:24 PM EST


The Trump administration announced new oil drilling off the California and Florida coasts for the first time in decades on Thursday, as President Trump seeks to expand U.S. oil production, advancing a project that critics say could harm coastal communities and ecosystems.

The oil industry has been seeking access to new offshore areas, including off Southern California and Florida, as a way to boost U.S. energy security and jobs. The federal government has not allowed drilling in federal waters in the eastern Gulf, which includes offshore Florida and part of offshore Alabama, since 1995, because of concerns about oil spills. California has some offshore oil rigs, but there has been no new leasing in federal waters since the mid-1980s.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is eyeing a 2028 presidential run and has emerged as a leading Trump critic, called the plan "idiotic" and "reckless" in a statement. The proposal is also likely to draw bipartisan opposition in Florida. Tourism and access to clean beaches are key parts of the economy in both states.

The administration's plan proposes six offshore lease sales off the coast of California. It also calls for new drilling off the coast of Florida in areas at least 100 miles from that state's shore. The area targeted for leasing is adjacent to an area in the Central Gulf that already contains thousands of wells and hundreds of drilling platforms.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-administration-plan-new-oil-drilling-california-florida/

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Link to Department of Interior PRESS RELEASE - Interior Launches Expansive 11th National Offshore Leasing Program to Advance U.S. Energy Dominance


REFERENCES

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143553259
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143557179
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143563508

RELATED - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143485062

[Timeflyer]

1. Another fresh hell. That should finally clear out all those pesky fish and aquatic mammals

that have been overrunning the Gulf of Amexico and stinking up our pristine beaches when they die from toxic runoff.

[BigMin28]

2. Also those pesky

tourists. When the Gulf looks like it does in Texas, tourism will suffer.

[3825-87867]

3. Newsom needs to create a law

that forbids oil tankers that get oil from off shore from docking on California Shores ...for safety reasons. Make them take the crude all the way to TexAss via Panama.

[Magoo48]

4. There will be no new oil drilling off CA coast.

California has relied on a combination of federal, state, and local opposition to prevent new oil drilling off its coast since the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. Key systems include the state's ability to deny permits for onshore infrastructure, a long-standing moratorium on new leasing in state waters, a long-term history of governors opposing federal leasing plans, and strong public opposition to drilling.
State and local systems
Onshore infrastructure denial: California can refuse permits for oil and gas infrastructure, such as pipelines and processing facilities, needed to support offshore drilling.
State waters ban: The state has prohibited new drilling in state waters, which extend three miles from the shoreline, since the 1969 oil spill.
Historical opposition: California's governors have historically opposed and fought against federal plans to expand offshore drilling in the state's waters.
Federal opposition
Leasing opposition: California governors have the right to request changes to federal leasing programs and must be consulted as part of the process under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).
Public opposition: Broad public opposition, supported by groups like Oceana, has historically influenced federal policy and can be a significant factor in blocking drilling proposals.
Other
No new leases since the 1980s: Federal waters off California have not seen new oil and gas leasing since the mid-1980s.
Marine Sanctuaries: The state and federal government have established large marine sanctuaries, such as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which offer additional protections to offshore areas

[EuterpeThelo]

8. From your mouth to the gods' ears

Putin's biatch better keep his tiny hands off our beaches!

[lark]

10. I'm super glad CA is protected (somewhat, krasnov laughs at any and all laws).

FL is not nearly as protected and the idiot magats are in charge!! However, even they know that messing with FL waters and beaches would mean they lose offices here. We'll see if the money they are promised will be enough for FL R;s to kill the state.

[travelingthrulife]

5. They never tire of their foolish game of pissing off liberals.

[Blumancru]

6. Did anyone tell the Equine Gluteus that

Increased oil supply would hurt Russia’s cash flow even more?

[Blackjackdavey]

7. Don't they have a lot of sunshine?

I'm under the impression that California and Florida have plenty of sunshine. I don't know about anywhere else but I do know, here in New York, my electricity bill plummeted the minute I connected to the local solar array. It was almost zero for a couple summer months. (never really zero, but relatively, it sure did feel like it.) Wouldn't it make sense for us to focus on shifting domestic household use to renewable and then relieving the pressure on oil demand allowing for "national security" to have all they need?

[lark]

9. This could really hurt him with Floridians. Californians already realize he's a total menace!

FL cares about it's beaches, a lot!!! If those get messed up, tsf loses FL.

[Ray Bruns]

11. Oil is about $62 a barrel.

Is this the oil industry or is it the chump in the White House?

[BumRushDaShow]

12. It's a P.R. stunt by both

because after opening the Alaska fields, few if any have jumped on it due to new well drilling potentially breaching their "breakeven" cost. And this is thanks to the glut that is already on the market, with OPEC+ slowly increasing their outputs again.

[maliaSmith]

13. Oil drilling off coast of Calif.

They won't be able to transport it on any roads or highways in Calif. They'd have to have huge tankers transport it and that would make it cost even more for the oil companies. Trump could care less if he ruins our beautiful coasts.