Biden opens the possibility of more offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Biden administration released a five-year plan on Friday that would block all new offshore oil drilling in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, while allowing some drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and the south coast of Alaska.
The proposed plan, which has not been finalized, could allow up to 11 lease sales over the next five years.
As U.S. energy prices rise, the fossil fuel sector has urged the administration to increase offshore drilling in an effort to lower gas prices at the pump. But climate groups have argued that new lease sales would exacerbate climate change while doing nothing to bring down prices.
Environmental groups on Friday condemned the administration for proposing limited new lease sales instead of announcing a ban on all new drilling.
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