But news reports on that broader approach drew swift condemnation from environmentalists and provoked alarm among some Republican stakeholders in the Southeast due to fears it could impact tourism. Concerns about Atlantic oil and gas drilling helped sink an earlier plan by US President Donald Trump to open up the region during his first term.
(Oct 29): The Trump administration is ruling out selling offshore oil and gas leases along the US East Coast, after its initial plan for auctioning them drew alarm from Republican strongholds in the Southeast.
The shift in thinking comes after the White House earlier contemplated a more expansive approach to auctioning offshore drilling rights, having drafted plans for potential sales up and down the US East Coast, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named because they aren’t authorised to discuss the deliberations.
