In a recent development, Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) have led a coalition of 16 lawmakers urging the Biden administration to withdraw environmental regulations that they claim are designed to shut down oil and gas operations. The senators have penned a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its subagency, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), expressing their concerns regarding the designation of a large area in the Gulf of Mexico as a “critical habitat” for the endangered Rice’s whale.
The lawmakers argue that the regulations lack evidence and appear to be a backdoor restriction on fossil fuel drilling. They highlight that the proposed rule fails to comply with important elements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and could jeopardize domestic energy production, national security, and other significant interests. According to the senators, the NMFS based its critical habitat designation on a single sighting of a Rice’s whale off the central Texas coast in 2017, which they argue is legally and scientifically insufficient to demonstrate the species’ occupation of the habitat.
The proposed designation, which spans over 28,270 square miles across the Gulf of Mexico, has drawn criticism from various stakeholders, including energy industry groups such as the American Petroleum Institute and National Ocean Industries Association. The U.S. Navy has also expressed concerns about the potential national security risks posed by the regulations. They argue that the lack of an objective standard, coupled with scientific uncertainty, creates risks to Navy activities and may lead to litigation.
The NMFS introduced the proposed rule shortly after settling with left-wing environmental groups, resulting in the removal of approximately six million acres from a future oil and gas lease sale and the imposition of various restrictions on oil and gas vessels. This move prompted legal action from oil industry groups and the state of Louisiana. A federal court ruled that the Biden administration must proceed with the upcoming lease sale without the imposed restrictions. However, an appeals court has temporarily delayed the lease sale until November to review the case.
The concerns raised by Senators Cruz and Manchin, along with other lawmakers, highlight the ongoing debate surrounding environmental regulations and their impact on the oil and gas industry. The letter serves as a reminder of the divisions between Republicans and Democrats on issues related to energy policy and underscores the importance of balancing environmental concerns with economic interests and national security.
The outcome of this dispute will have significant implications for the future of oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico and could shape the Biden administration’s approach to environmental regulations and energy policies. As the debate continues, stakeholders from various sectors will closely monitor the developments and their potential impact on the supply chain and domestic energy production.
Thomas Catenacci is a politics writer for Digital, providing the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more politics content.
