Trump Administration Eyes New Offshore Drilling Leases

Internal Interior Department drafts obtained by CBS News show the Trump administration is moving to auction offshore drilling leases in new areas as soon as 2026, including waters off New England, the Carolinas and California. The push follows a formal move to reopen 1.56 million acres in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, drawing sharp Democratic criticism and bipartisan resistance from coastal governors. Documents note state opposition and outline potential sales in the Beaufort Sea by 2026 and California by 2027. The Interior Department plans to release a proposal soon, with multiple public comment periods to follow.

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