Obama eases US offshore drilling rules
01 Apr 2010
US President Barack Obama has announced plans to open up large new areas of America's offshore waters, including Alaska and the eastern Gulf of Mexico, to oil and gas drilling, reported the BBC.
However, the analysts are expecting a backlash from the environmentalists.
Obama himself was aware of the situation and he said there will be those who strongly disagree with this decision.
"Today we're announcing the expansion of offshore oil and gas exploration - but in ways that balance the need to harness domestic energy resources and the need to protect America's natural resources," Obama said at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.
"My administration will consider potential new areas for development in the mid and south Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico."
Four leases in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas off Alaska's north coast were also cancelled - although the area will be left open for "future scientific research to assess their suitability for leasing".
