How Trump's Oil Drilling Plan Could Impact Coastal Communities

The Trump administration just rolled out a plan to open up new oil drilling off the coasts of California and Florida—something we haven’t seen in decades. Trump’s pushing hard to expand U.S. oil production, even as critics warn this move threatens coastal communities and fragile ecosystems.

Oil companies have been hungry for fresh offshore territory, especially in places like Southern California and off Florida’s coast. They argue it’ll mean more energy security and jobs at home. But the federal government’s kept a lid on drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico—including waters off Florida and part of Alabama—since 1995, all because of fears about oil spills. California still has a handful of offshore rigs, but no one’s gotten a new lease in federal waters there since the mid-’80s.

Since stepping back into the Oval Office in January, Trump’s been busy undoing Biden-era climate policies. He’s gone all-in on what he calls “energy dominance,” insisting the U.S. needs to lead the world in oil, coal, and gas production. He even set up a National Energy Dominance Council, ordering it to ramp up fossil fuel output fast. Trump’s made his position on climate change crystal clear, recently calling it “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.”

At the same time, his administration has slammed the brakes on renewables. Offshore wind projects? Blocked. Billions in clean energy grants? Canceled, leaving hundreds of projects in limbo.

What does this means for Florida?

This new drilling plan isn’t going over well in Florida—even among Republicans. Governor Ron DeSantis’s team wants the White House to change course, and Senator Rick Scott says oil drilling has no place off Florida’s coast. California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, who rarely holds back when it comes to Trump, called the whole idea “idiotic.”

Donald Trump’s push to expand offshore drilling has coastal communities on edge. More drilling means a higher risk of oil spills—something that threatens tourism, fishing, and fragile marine habitats. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis isn’t having it. He’s pressing the federal government to keep existing protections in place.

Let’s start with the economy. Coastal towns live and die by clean beaches and thriving fisheries. Just look back at the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010—billions lost, years of recovery, and scars that still haven’t fully healed. One major spill can wipe out local revenue and upend entire industries.

On the environmental side, oil spills are catastrophic. They don’t just dirty the water; they devastate marine life—fish, dolphins, whales, sea turtles—some species never fully bounce back. Contaminated waters crush fisheries and throw delicate ecosystems out of balance, sometimes for generations.

There’s a public health angle, too. Oil spills don’t just threaten wildlife; they put local residents at risk. Air and water pollution from spills can harm anyone living or working near the coast.

The military also has a stake here. The Eastern Gulf of Mexico is a critical zone for U.S. military training. Officials warn that new drilling platforms could get in the way, making essential operations tougher and raising national security concerns.

Governor DeSantis and Florida’s Republican lawmakers have fought hard against new offshore drilling. DeSantis says the state’s tourism industry and natural environment are too important to risk. Back in Trump’s first term, fierce bipartisan resistance forced the administration to put a ban on new drilling in the Eastern Gulf, covering Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina until 2032.

Now, DeSantis is pushing the Department of the Interior to stick to that 2020 moratorium. He argues that Trump’s latest plan—which would open up a “South-Central Gulf of America” zone within 100 miles of Florida’s coast—defies both established policy and the public’s wishes.

This isn’t just a Florida issue. The proposed expansion also targets waters off California and Alaska, prompting a broad alliance of environmental groups, bipartisan officials, and local businesses to fight back. The public has 60 days to comment on the draft plan before anything becomes final. When available, details on how to submit comments will be posted on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s website.