Offshore Drilling: Trump Lifts Obama Ban As Greens Vow Legal Assault

"President Trump signed an executive order [Friday] that reverses a ban on drilling in much of the Arctic and ensures a legal fight over an obscure provision of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

The order aims to increase oil and gas producers' access to federal waters, largely by rewriting a five-year plan on leasing. It's unclear how much of the Arctic would be included in the new plan, which will take years to complete, but Trump's order directs the Interior Department to "revisit" the Chukchi and Beaufort seas.

At a signing ceremony, Trump said closed offshore areas deprive the country of thousands of jobs."

Emily Yehle reports for Greenwire April 28, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"Trump Orders Easing Safety Rules Implemented After Gulf Oil Spill" (New York Times)

"Trump Lifts Ban On Arctic Offshore Drilling" (Alaska Public Media)

"Trump Aims To Expand U.S. Offshore Drilling, Despite Low Industry Demand" (Reuters)

"Trump Signs Executive Order On Offshore Drilling And Marine Sanctuaries" (NPR)

"Trump Order On Atlantic Oil Drilling Sparks Virginia Backlash" (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

"Experts: Long Road Ahead For Trump Offshore Drilling Order" (AP)

"Delaware Resort Towns Fear Trump Offshore Drilling Order" (Wilmington News Journal)

"Trump's Directive On Offshore Drilling Will Face Solid Resistance in California" (Los Angeles Times)

"California Just Took A Step To Block Trump’s Efforts On Offshore Oil Drilling" (Sacramento Bee)

"Trump Moves to Lift Arctic Offshore Drilling Ban, but It Might Not Be So Easy" (InsideClimate News)