LOS ANGELES, November 20, 2025 – The Trump administration announced a major expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling in U.S. waters, including along California’s iconic coastline, sparking a clash with state officials and environmental groups. The plan aligns with President Trump’s energy dominance agenda, aiming to boost domestic fossil fuel production while overturning the more restrained Biden-era leasing schedule.

Details of the Offshore Leasing Proposal

The Interior Department’s plan includes:

• 21 lease sales off Alaska’s coast beginning next year
• Seven sales in the Gulf of Mexico
• Six sales in the Pacific Ocean, spanning northern to southern California

The proposal also opens the possibility of future leasing in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, previously protected due to military uses. While the plan identifies potential lease sales for 2029 and 2030, it also notes that the area is withdrawn from consideration through 2032, allowing the Interior Department to study its suitability for future development.

Federal waters, which extend roughly 3 to 200 nautical miles off the coast, currently account for 14% of U.S. oil production and 2% of domestic natural gas production, predominantly from the Gulf of Mexico. In contrast, Pacific Ocean leases contribute only 0.1% of U.S. oil output, according to the Energy Information Administration. Notably, the U.S. has not auctioned Pacific drilling rights since 1984.

Political and Environmental Reactions

California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized the plan, stating:
“Trump’s idiotic plan endangers our coastal economy and communities and hurts the well-being of Californians. This reckless attempt to sell out our coastline to his Big Oil donors is dead in the water.”

The proposal is expected to replace the Biden-era schedule, which included only three Gulf of Mexico lease sales. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the plan, highlighting its potential to secure energy dominance, strengthen offshore industry employment, and maintain robust U.S. oil production for decades.

Oil and gas industry groups praised the plan, with National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito commenting:
“We commend Secretary Burgum and the Department of the Interior for taking this important step to fix a leasing program that was wholly insufficient.”

Conversely, conservation groups warned of catastrophic environmental risks. Oceana campaign director Joseph Gordon stated:
“This draft plan is an oil spill nightmare! The last thing America needs now is a massive expansion of offshore drilling that could shut down our shores with catastrophic oil spills.”

Implications for California and U.S. Energy Policy

California, which boasts some of the world’s most ambitious climate change policies, has a historic sensitivity to offshore drilling risks. The 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill led to sweeping federal environmental regulations and continues to influence coastal development policy. If implemented, Trump’s plan could set up a prolonged legal and political battle over the future of offshore drilling along the Pacific coast.

While industry proponents emphasize economic and energy security benefits, environmentalists warn of long-term ecological and economic damage. The conflict underscores ongoing tensions between federal fossil fuel policies and state-level environmental protection goals.