US President Donald Trump on Friday went ahead with signing his much-flagged executive order on offshore energy, which will revise the previous administration’s five-year plan and review marine areas that are off limits to exploration.
The order’s title touted it as “Implementing an America-first offshore energy strategy”.
Coming one day before the President marks his first 100 days in office, the order is framed as a way to cut away the so-called job-killing and wealth-stifling over-regulation of the Barack Obama presidency.
The order will reverse much of Obama’s December measures to ban oil and gas leasing in the US Arctic and along the Atlantic seaboard.
It is almost certain to face challenge in the courts from environmental groups concerned about climate change, risks of oil spills and potential damage to marine ecosystems.
The order came two days after President Trump issued another executive order instructing the Department of the Interior to reconsider the designation of areas, including ones offshore, as monuments protected from mineral exploitation.
It is very refreshing to have a president who cares about America! #MAGA ??????????