Deep-water coral bank threatened
Florida’s deep coral reef, protected in ‘80s, faces prospect of destructive shrimp trawling once again
Oceans
Home to diverse wildlife from the smallest krill to the biggest whale, our country’s oceans — and the ecosystems they support — are worth preserving for future generations.
The Latest on Oceans
Statement: Biggest offshore wind lease auction in U.S. history “showcases booming demand” for clean power
Statement: Interior Gives Green Light to Expanded Offshore Wind off the Jersey Shore
Updates
Offshore drilling and climate action don’t mix
Comment period to protect New Jersey’s “Grand Canyon” closes
Biden cancels three offshore drilling lease sales
Featured Resources
New Life for the Ocean
Reducing plastic waste in the states
Progress Report: President Biden’s First Year
October 2020 Letter to Whole Foods
The Latest
New sanctuary would protect the largest canyon along the Atlantic coast
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced it is taking the first step to designate the Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary. Hudson Canyon is the largest of the more than 70 undersea canyons that line the North Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, and is home to deep sea corals, bluefin tunas, sperm whales, sea turtles and more.
In a victory for marine life, climate, Biden administration cancels three oil leases in ocean waters
WASHINGTON – Taking action to protect ocean wildlife and U.S. coasts, the Biden administration on Wednesday ditched plans for three offshore oil and gas lease sales.
Statement: Interior Gives Green Light to Expanded Offshore Wind off the Jersey Shore
The Biden administration announced it has determined wind farms offshore New Jersey and New York would not pose a major disruption to the local environment, clearing a key hurdle for lease sales in the region. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced it has issued a finding of no significant impact for leasing nearly 800,000 acres in the New York Bight. The bight encompasses an area between Cape May in New Jersey and Montauk Point in Long Island.
Statement: Record-breaking U.S. offshore wind lease auction elicits over $4 billion in bids, showcases booming demand for clean power
The Department of the Interior concluded a record-breaking offshore wind lease auction Friday for 488,000 acres in the New York Bight that will provide clean electricity to New York and New Jersey. The winning bids for six separate areas totaled $4.37 billion. These six parcels combined could generate up to 7 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy, which is enough to power about 2 million homes. The auction concluded Friday afternoon after 64 rounds of bidding.
U.S. District Court judge revokes historic oil and gas leases in the Gulf
This could be the beginning of the end of offshore drilling