United States of America. The US government does not rule out new offshore drilling.

According to media reports, the government of US President Joe Biden does not rule out new drilling for oil and gas off the US coast. A plan presented by the Department of the Interior envisages potential drilling operations mainly in the Gulf of Mexico.

Drilling is also planned off the coast of Alaska, US media reported on Friday. The Interior Ministry’s five-year plan is required by law. It includes the development of new oil and gas fields off the coast of the United States of America.

However, the ministry’s proposals also include an option to forgo new offshore drilling. It also proposes potential auctions for exploration rights in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The plan exempts public waters on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts from drilling.

The Washington Post reported that Home Secretary Deb Haaland stressed that the plan was not final. The plan limits eligible areas for oil and gas leases compared to a 2018 plan proposed under former President Donald Trump, according to the newspaper.

By the end of the decade, the US actually wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions at least in half compared to 2005 levels. Just on Thursday, the US Supreme Court erred in Biden’s climate policy and significantly restricted the powers of the Environment Agency. At the same time, Biden is under pressure due to the country’s high energy prices.

SD