Offshore Drilling: What's Happening and How to Help

Grace Clark

Seaside Sustainability is proud to join the 144 organizations and institutions opposing the Trump administration’s plan to drastically increase the amount of land being permanently damaged by unnecessary offshore oil and gas drilling. For its high risk, the planned expansion offers zero reward to the millions of Americans who rely on coastal industry, or to the millions more who simply love our oceans.

What’s Happening?

1.27 billion acres of ocean have the potential to be harmed as part of Trump’s offshore drilling plan. This November, the Department of the Interior announced its intention to open 34 lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and off the shores of Alaska, California, and Florida. This is a major increase from the 3 major sales that were meant to take place between 2024 and 2029. The plan ignores local opposition, disregarding those reliant on thriving fisheries and protected coastlines. It refuses to learn the lessons from the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster of 2010, the Exxon Valdez spill in, the Santa Barbara spill in 1969, or any of the other real world disasters that have checked human hubris time and time again. And it pretends that oil and gas production isn’t already at an all time high, sacrificing our health and future in the name of endless, exponential profit.

It doesn’t take a disaster to wreak havoc, however. Even the regular, daily functions required for offshore drilling have devastating effects on people and the planet alike. Whether it’s the constant and harsh seismic sounds used to locate reserves, the constant methane emissions, or the habitual abandonment of unprofitable wells, every single step of the drilling process is incredibly harmful. Sadly, it’s the coastal working class, endangered Cook Inlet belugas and Alaskan Rice whales who will be harmed by this drilling most intensely and immediately. In fact, the selection of oil drilling sites is regularly impacted by environmental racism, making communities of color disproportionally harmed by the health risks associated with the process. Trump’s Unleashing American Energy executive order makes one thing clear: our government is willing to sell the most vulnerable of us in the most literal of terms. Ignoring the obvious harms of the offshore drilling process is at best reckless, even malevolent.

What We’re Asking

Our request is simple- that our leaders approach this issue based on its reality. By using their draft proposal to present a false choice between a livable planet and “energy security,” the administration is trying to profit off of fear. We ask our leaders to reject this practice, and to reject the unnecessary harm being done to our planet.

How to Help

The reason that oil companies must rent land from the government instead of buying it from private parties is that in the United States, the ocean belongs to the public. This means we’re discussing land that has been preserved for prosperity for hundreds of years, land that is included in the rights of every American. It’s simple- anyone who truly loves a country wants to preserve it. Stop letting the richest men in our world ask each other permission to misuse what rightfully belongs to all of us. Since the US is the most prolific oil and gas producer in history (and the current global market) it’s clear we can afford to question the necessity of these constant expansions.

If you want your voice to be heard, consider contacting your representative to share your necessary and valuable concerns. You can also submit a public comment directly to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management!

Conclusion

No matter how you choose to support, it's clear that limiting offshore drilling is a cause that benefits all of us. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of political news and outrage, but don’t let that feeling shake you of your morals or coax you into silence. Limiting offshore drilling is crucial in keeping this country a beautiful, livable place for generations to come.

Citations

Coalition to protect America’s national parks: 144 organizations urge interior department to reject massive offshore drilling expansion. Sierra Sun Times - News Covering Mariposa and the foothills of California including Yosemite National Park. (n.d.). https://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/local-news/74941-coalition-to-protect-america-s-national-parks-144-organizations-urge-interior-department-to-reject-massive-offshore-drilling-expansion 

Irvine, L. (2026, January 7). Take action to stop offshore drilling. Turtle Island Restoration Network. https://seaturtles.org/take-action-to-stop-offshore-drilling/ 

Public engagement. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. (2025, December 17). https://www.boem.gov/about-boem/public-engagement 

Offshore drilling 101. (n.d.). https://www.nrdc.org/stories/offshore-drilling-101