WASHINGTON D.C. – The Trump administration on Thursday, November 20, 2025, announced a sweeping five-year plan to expand offshore oil and gas drilling in federally controlled waters, including opening up long-protected areas off the coasts of California and Florida. The proposal, which aims to bolster U.S. "energy dominance," has ignited a political firestorm, drawing immediate and harsh condemnation from environmental groups and a rare bipartisan coalition of lawmakers from the affected states.

The draft program, unveiled by the Department of the Interior, proposes up to 34 lease sales between 2026 and 2031. This includes six sales off California, where no new federal leases have been offered since 1984, and new drilling opportunities in the eastern Gulf of Mexico near Florida, a region shielded by a moratorium since 1995 due to environmental concerns. The plan also calls for 21 lease sales off the coast of Alaska.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated the move is necessary to reverse the policies of the previous Biden administration, which he claimed "crippled the long-term pipeline of America's offshore production." In a statement released on Thursday, Burgum asserted, "By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America's offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come."

The announcement aligns with President Donald Trump's broader energy policy, which has consistently prioritized fossil fuel production while rolling back environmental regulations and support for renewable energy projects. Since returning to office, Trump has re-established a National Energy Dominance Council and has been vocal in his dismissal of climate change concerns.

Bipartisan Opposition and Economic Concerns

The proposal was met with immediate and forceful resistance. California's Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, a frequent critic of the administration, declared the plan "dead on arrival" and "idiotic." In Florida, the opposition crossed party lines, a significant development given the state's Republican leadership. A spokesperson for Republican Governor Ron DeSantis urged the Trump administration to reconsider, while Republican Senator Rick Scott, a Trump ally, insisted the state's coasts "must remain off the table for oil drilling."

Opponents argue that offshore drilling threatens coastal economies heavily reliant on tourism and fishing, industries worth billions of dollars annually in both states. Lawmakers and environmental advocates raised the specter of catastrophic oil spills, citing historical events like the 1969 Santa Barbara spill, which helped galvanize the modern environmental movement, and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. "There is no way to drill for oil without causing devastating impacts," said Maggie Hall, deputy chief counsel at the Environmental Defense Center.

Industry Support and Global Implications

Conversely, oil and gas industry groups lauded the announcement as a vital step towards ensuring U.S. energy security and independence. The American Petroleum Institute called the plan a "historic step" that could generate billions in government revenue and support long-term investment. Proponents argue that existing infrastructure, particularly in Southern California, could support expanded production.

For Kenya and the East African region, the U.S. move carries potential long-term implications. As Kenya prepares to offer new offshore exploration blocks in its Lamu and Anza basins, a significant increase in U.S. production could influence global oil prices and redirect international energy investment. While the oil from these new U.S. leases would take years to reach the market, the policy shift signals a renewed emphasis on fossil fuels by the world's largest producer, which could create price volatility and affect the economic viability of new exploration projects in frontier regions like East Africa. Kenya's own upstream petroleum operations, which include discoveries in the offshore Lamu Basin, are part of a broader effort to achieve energy security and economic development. The success of these ventures is intrinsically linked to the global energy landscape that the new U.S. policy aims to reshape.

The Department of the Interior's proposal is the first step in a multi-stage process that includes a 60-day public comment period before a final program is approved. Given the intense opposition, a protracted political and legal battle is widely expected.