Federal ‘God squad’ exempts oil and gas drilling in Gulf of Mexico from endangered species rules
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A US government panel, the Endangered Species Committee, granted an exemption to oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on Tuesday. The decision, requested by the defense secretary citing national security concerns related to energy supply amid global oil shocks, allows drilling despite potential harm to endangered species. The committee, which includes Trump administration officials, voted unanimously for the exemption. Environmental groups, like Earthjustice, criticize the move, arguing it prioritizes fossil fuel production over the protection of vulnerable marine life, including the Rice's whale, and threatens coastal ecosystems. They plan to challenge the decision in court. The exemption comes as the Trump administration seeks to expand drilling in the Gulf and roll back environmental regulations.
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AI-ExtractedHegseth notified Burgum on 13 March that an ESA exemption for oil and gas drilling in the gulf was necessary for reasons of national security.
Secretary Hegseth and his extinction committee claim this will eventually cut costs for cash-strapped Americans.
Only about 51 Rice’s whales remain.
The Endangered Species Committee had not convened in more than three decades.
A US government panel exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
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