The Trump administration is laying the groundwork for a major expansion of offshore oil and gas development, announcing the start of a new five-year leasing plan that could open vast new areas—including parts of the Arctic and other previously restricted zones—for energy production.
The Interior Department stated on April 18 that it is developing the new initiative—officially called the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program—in line with President Donald Trump’s push to expand domestic energy production by reversing restrictions imposed under previous administrations.
