Trump administration set to roll out massive offshore oil plan, but many in GOP don't want it [View all]

[DonViejo]

Ledyard King, USA TODAY Published 6:00 a.m. ET March 1, 2019 | Updated 8:06 a.m. ET March 1, 2019

WASHINGTON – Republicans have eagerly lined up behind President Donald Trump's energy agenda: bringing back coal, expanding mineral extraction on public lands, reviving nuclear energy.

But when it comes to the president's proposal to massively expand offshore oil and gas drilling, many GOP leaders in coastal states want no part of exploration near their beaches or maritime communities.

“The administration is well aware of the state’s position, which is why we oppose the drilling," South Carolina GOP Gov. Henry McMaster, one of Trump's earliest and most ardent supporters, said in December.

"I support offshore drilling," Georgia Republican Gov. Kemp told the Savannah Morning News a few weeks ago. "I just don't think we need to be doing it off the coast of Georgia."

Kemp and McMaster are among a broad bipartisan, bicoastal anti-drilling set of voices whose opposition could punch a hole in Trump's America-First Offshore Energy Strategy – and muddy an issue that figures to be front-and-center during the 2020 elections.

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/03/01/trump-offshore-oil-drilling-plan-faces-resistance-even-before-release/2814275002/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=usatodaycomwashington-topstories