President Barack Obama’s new Interior Secretary nominee hasn’t been confirmed by the Senate yet — much less sworn in — but she’s already facing pressure to expand offshore drilling.  More »

The Obama administration on Thursday finalized a five-year plan for offshore drilling that focuses on allowing development in already- explored areas of the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic to the chagrin of oil and gas companies who were hoping for more territory. Federal officials also said there was “significant” industry interest in drilling in the Cook Inlet near Anchorage.  More »

The Obama administration today unveiled a plan for selling offshore drilling leases over the next five years that focuses on exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, proposes three auctions in the Arctic and rules out development in unexplored areas along the Atlantic coast.  More »