Trump’s ‘God Squad’ exempts Gulf oil drilling from Endangered Species Act requirements
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Trump administration exempted Gulf of Mexico oil drilling from Endangered Species Act compliance for the first time in over a decade.
How This Affects You
Reduced environmental oversight of offshore drilling could accelerate species extinction and affect marine ecosystems that support fishing industries and coastal economies.
AI Summary
The Trump administration exempted Gulf of Mexico oil drilling from Endangered Species Act protections on Tuesday by invoking the Endangered Species Commission, colloquially known as the "God Squad" for its authority to override species protections. The commission's decision allows drilling operations to proceed without compliance with ESA requirements in the Gulf, marking the panel's first convening in more than a decade. This exemption bypasses environmental safeguards designed to protect threatened marine species in one of the country's most ecologically sensitive oil-drilling regions. The move aligns with the administration's broader push to streamline regulations for energy production and represents a significant expansion of drilling authority in federal waters. Environmental groups and conservation advocates are expected to challenge the decision, setting up potential legal battles over the scope of the commission's power.
What's Being Done
The administration convened the Endangered Species Commission and voted to exempt drilling from ESA requirements.
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‘God Squad’ Waives Environmental Rules for Drilling in the Gulf of Mexico - The New York Times
‘God squad’ waives endangered species law to allow US drilling in Gulf of Mexico
Trump Calls on “God Squad” to Bypass Endangered Species Laws for Offshore Drilling
Federal “God Squad” Votes to Override Endangered Species Laws for Offshore Drilling
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PoliticsTrump administration seeks Endangered Species Act exemption for oil, gas projects in Gulf - AP News
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EnvironmentKey committee votes to exempt oil and gas activity in Gulf of Mexico from Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Committee voted Tuesday to exempt oil and gas activity in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act protections. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
EnvironmentCalifornia sues over Trump administration bid to restart offshore oil operation
California on Monday sued the Trump administration to block it from using a Cold War-era national emergency law ordering Sable Offshore to restart its offshore oil operation to link to refineries in the Golden State. Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) told reporters at a press conference that “it’s just not true” that there’s a national…
EnvironmentUS exempts Gulf of Mexico drillers from protecting endangered species - Reuters
Federal “God Squad” Votes to Override Endangered Species Laws for Offshore Drilling
This story was originally published by Inside Climate News and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Update, March 31: The “God Squad” has indeed voted to override endangered species protections in the Gulf. The Trump administration is turning to the nuclear option on endangered-species protections in the name of national security. A rarely tapped panel […]
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