Trump Administration Seeks Gulf Drilling Exemption

0:00The Trump administration is pushing for a broad exemption from the Endangered Species Act to ramp up oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. They are citing national security concerns tied to tensions with Iran. Interior Secretary Doug Bergen plans to convene the Endangered Species Committee on Tuesday to consider the request. Environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, filed a lawsuit last week to block the meeting. They argue the government skipped key steps, like timing rules and public hearing requirements. A federal judge in Washington will hear their motion on Friday. Critics warn this could endanger sea turtles, whales, fish, rays, and corals just to boost oil profits. Experts point out the act is in halting drilling overall, and such exemptions were meant for true emergencies only. The committee has met just three times since 1978, granting only two exemptions for a dam in Wyoming in 1979, and logging in Oregon in 1992.

1:00The Justice Department says national security overrides procedures, and the meeting will be live streamed publicly. As the Friday hearing and Tuesday meeting approach, this rare move highlights the clash between energy needs and wildlife protections in the Gulf. That's the story for today. Durham News Today, Driven by AI, I'm Corey with the Story.