Federal 'God squad' poised to exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf from endangered species rules - AP News

The federal "Endangered Species Committee"—a panel authorized to exempt projects from endangered species protections—is moving toward granting oil and gas drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico a waiver from environmental rules. The committee, informally known as the "God squad," can override Endangered Species Act restrictions when economic interests conflict with species protection. This exemption would allow drilling to proceed even if it poses risks to threatened or endangered marine life in the Gulf. The move reflects the Trump administration's push to streamline energy development and reduce regulatory barriers to oil and gas production. Environmental groups have opposed such exemptions as undermining protections for species already at risk.