Trump Administration Announces Extension of Oil & Gas Moratorium

President Donald Trump signed an executive order extending for 10 years (until 2032) a moratorium on expansion of oil and gas exploration in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the site of a massive military test range and a vital part of Florida’s tourism economy.

In addition to the eastern Gulf of Mexico, Trump’s moratorium also applies to the Atlantic coasts of Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Trump said the moratorium was extended as a result of “close consultation” with DeSantis, Florida U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, and South Carolina Rep. Tim Scott. Trump also thanked South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, along with other elected officials from the three states.

“Thanks to my administration’s pro-American energy policies, we can take this step and the next step while remaining the number-one producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world,” Trump said. “With fracking, the shale revolution, and the tremendous surge in American energy production, we’re showing that we can create jobs, safeguard the environment, and keep energy prices low for our citizens.”

The executive order, directing the U.S. Department of the Interior not to issue any oil and gas leases in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, could, however, be rescinded by future administrations at any point between now and 2032.