Carolina Leaders Call on Trump Administration to Uphold Offshore Drilling Ban

According too a recent publication by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the governors of North and South Carolina are actively working together to keep offshore drilling off their coastlines. In a joint letter sent on Sunday, North Carolina’s Governor Josh stein and South Carolina’s Governor Henry McMaster urged federal authorities to protect their states’ outer continental shelf from being included in the upcoming 11th national Outer Continental Shelf Oil and gas Leasing program.This initiative builds on a memorandum from September 2020 during the Trump management, which safeguarded coastal waters in both Carolinas from leasing activities until June 30, 2032. This protection spans an remarkable area that includes over 500 miles of oceanfront and more than 6,200 miles of combined coastline.The governors emphasized that every coastal municipality in both states has passed resolutions against offshore drilling due to significant risks associated with oil exploration and production.They pointed out that these actions reflect widespread local concern about potential environmental impacts.Economically speaking, this protective stance is crucial. In 2021 alone, the coastal economy of the Carolinas generated $9.6 billion for GDP while supporting over 125,000 jobs across various sectors such as tourism, fishing, shipbuilding, and marine transport—resulting in $3.8 billion in wages.

Governor McMaster highlighted South Carolina’s pristine coastline as vital for its thriving tourism sector: “Our beaches are among the moast lovely nationwide… This natural allure underpins a $29 billion tourism industry that attracts millions each year.” Destinations like Myrtle Beach and Charleston thrive because of this unspoiled surroundings.

As BOEM gears up for its next steps regarding offshore leasing programs—having announced plans on April 18, 2025—to gather insights about economic and environmental values related to OCS resources—the governors remain steadfast opponents of offshore drilling initiatives. McMaster has been vocal since January 2018 when he sought an exemption for his state from then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s proposals; similarly, Stein has consistently fought against such measures throughout his career as Attorney General.

both leaders are committed to preserving their coasts not just for ecological reasons but also for sustaining economic vitality through tourism and other industries reliant on clean oceans.