Hundreds of Thousands of People Across U.S. Voice Opposition to Trump’s Plan to Expand Offshore Drilling - CleanTechnica

The article reports widespread opposition across the United States to the Trump administration’s proposal to significantly expand offshore oil and gas drilling along the coastlines of Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, and California. Nearly 300,000 Americans submitted public comments opposing the plan during the 60-day comment period, which ended on January 23. Communities, local officials, businesses, tourism advocates, and environmental groups organized numerous public events such as town halls and hearings to voice concerns about the environmental, economic, and national security risks posed by the proposed 34 lease sales. Key critics, including the Sierra Club, emphasize the dangers of oil spills, toxic pollution, and long-term damage to fisheries and coastal economies, warning that the plan prioritizes corporate interests over public and ecological welfare. Activists staged high-profile demonstrations, including a banner display at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, to highlight the potential consequences of offshore drilling. Scientific visualizations from oceanographers demonstrate how quickly oil spills could spread via ocean currents and winds, threatening