Trump Executive Order Clears the Way for More Offshore Drilling

John Flesher of the Associated Press reports that President Trump rescinded an executive order signed by his predecessor in 2010, shortly after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, to protect U.S. oceans and the Great Lakes.

According to Flesher, President Trump's replacement policy focuses on the economic potential of the bodies of water, rather than their protection.

In a separate news article, Timothy Cama writes that Trump's new executive order "[puts] a new emphasis on industries that use the oceans, particularly oil and natural gas drilling, while also mentioning environmental stewardship."

Criticism of Trump's action was swift. Miyoko Sakashita, director of the Center for Biological Diversity's oceans program, writes an opinion piece arguing that the repeal of President Obama's policy "makes it crystal clear that his administration views our oceans solely as a source of profits for the oil industry and other polluters." Sakashita adds: "He’s prioritizing the plunder of our seas over their protection."

Olivia Rosane also writes a critical opinion piece for EcoWatch, amplifying a statement released by Christy Goldfuss of the Center for American Progress describing Trump's executive order as "just the latest attack in what has become an all-out war on America's oceans."