WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is crafting an executive order aimed at reversing the Obama administration’s permanent ban on oil drilling in large swaths of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, according to two reports. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke mentioned Trump’s plans for expanding offshore drilling during a presentation Thursday to the National Ocean Industries Association, Bloomberg reported, citing multiple attendees. Trump’s order will direct the Interior Department to develop a new five-year oil and gas leasing program, replacing one finalized by the previous administration in November, according to Bloomberg. Energy news outlet Platts reported that the order is still being worked on, but Trump is expected to sign it before the end of April. The permanent withdrawal encompasses the entire U.S. portion of the Chukchi Sea and significant portions of the Beaufort Sea.

Source: Huffington Post April 07, 2017 18:31 UTC