US President Donald Trump has extended a ban on oil drilling off the coast of the state of Florida by ten years until 2032. Trump signed an ordinance to this effect in Jupiter, Florida. According to him, the ban has also been extended to the coastal waters of the other southeastern states of Georgia and South Carolina.
–
The measure contradicts Trump’s other energy policies. The president is a big supporter of the oil and gas industry and is promoting the expansion of production areas. His government had only approved highly controversial oil drilling in a nature reserve in Alaska in mid-August.
Opposition Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden suspected that Trump’s current decision to extend the Southeast Coast oil drilling ban was linked to the November 3rd presidential election. A few months ago, the president planned to end the moratorium, tweeted Biden. Now he “practically” changed his mind. He called the President’s actions “incredible”.
–
Florida is one of the key states for the outcome of the presidential election, in which Trump is fighting for a second term. According to the polls, a head-to-head race between Trump and Biden is looming in Florida. Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott welcomed the extension of the oil drilling ban. Scott tweeted that he had had many conversations with the president about the importance of keeping the Florida coast “untouched”.
–
