U.S. Endangered Species Committee exempts Gulf oil and gas drilling from Endangered Species Act protections
The Facts
- On March 31, the U.S. Endangered Species Committee voted to exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from Endangered Species Act protections.
- The Endangered Species Committee is commonly known as the "God Squad" because it can grant exemptions from the Endangered Species Act.
- The committee met for the first time in more than 30 years to consider this Gulf drilling exemption.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sought the exemption and cited national security and domestic energy supply concerns.
- Multiple reports say critics and environmental groups warned the decision could harm protected marine species, including the endangered Rice's whale.
- Rice's whales live only in the Gulf of Mexico and are among the species at issue in the drilling dispute.
Context
What is the "God Squad"?
It is the Endangered Species Committee, a federal panel of senior officials that can grant exemptions from the Endangered Species Act in limited circumstances, which is why it is nicknamed the "God Squad" Vox,U.S. News & World R…,Hill.
Why did the administration say the exemption was needed?
Administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, said environmental restrictions and related lawsuits could hinder domestic energy production, and they tied the request to national security concerns amid the war with Iran and higher energy prices BBC,CBS News,CBC News.
Why is Rice's whale central to this story?
Rice's whales are found only in the Gulf of Mexico, and several reports say environmental groups and scientists fear expanded drilling activity could further endanger the species Daily Mail,Hindu,CNN.
The receipts — all 100 sources
Wire services (3)
Independent coverage (50)
Newser'God Squad' Gives Gulf Drilling a Big Exemption
The HinduThe rare whale species in the way of Trump's oil drilling pl...
Deccan ChronicleTrump Officials Exempt Gulf Drilling from Species Rules
Northwest Arkansas Democrat GazetteSpecies protections waived in Gulf | Northwest Arkansas Demo...
López-Dóriga DigitalComité de EE.UU. de especies en peligro retira limitaciones ...
Splash247Trump's "God squad" waives endangered species rules for Gulf...
Economic TimesUS panel exempts Gulf of Mexico oil and gas drillers from en...
Houston ChronicleGrupos ecologistas acusan a México de mentir sobre el origen...
Maritime ExecutiveTrump Administration Waives Endangered Species Act for Gulf ...
UnivisionTrump libera perforación en el Golfo de México pese al riesg...
International Business TimesTrump's 'God Squad' Exempt Gulf Drillers From Endangered Spe...
Al Jazeera OnlineUS exempts Gulf of Mexico oil drillers from endangered speci...
The Boston GlobeUS panel votes to exempt Gulf of Mexico drilling from Endang...
YahooMeet the 'God Squad,' the Powerful Endangered Species Panel ...
WTOPSolo quedan 50 ballenas, pero el "Escuadrón de Dios" de Trum...
Washington TimesTrump officials exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf from...
ArcaMaxTrump administration exempts Gulf oil and gas drilling from ...
EL IMPARCIAL | Noticias de México y el mundoEEUU retira protecciones a especies en el golfo de México tr...
CNN EspañolSolo quedan 50 de estas ballenas, pero el "Escuadrón de Dios...
The HillGulf drilling granted reprieve from wildlife protection law
stamford advocateTrump officials exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf from...
Georgia Public BroadcastingU.S. exempts oil industry from protecting Gulf animals, for ...
El UniversalEU aprueba perforación petrolera en el Golfo de México y pon...
www.theepochtimes.comEndangered Species Committee Exempts Gulf Oil and Gas Produc...
The Spokesman ReviewTrump administration exempts Gulf oil and gas drilling from ...
Aristegui NoticiasEscuadrón de Dios" de Estados Unidos retira limitaciones a p...
Raw Story'They're insane': Outrage as Trump admin move threatens rare...
CBS NewsTrump administration exempts oil and gas drilling in the Gul...
Yahoo!Comité de EEUU de especies en peligro retira limitaciones a ...
The News-PressOil exploration in Gulf OK despite endangered species, panel...
VoxIf these whales go extinct, we'll know who to blame
El Heraldo de M�xicoDonald Trump lanza propuesta para que petroleros puedan tort...
Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.Trump officials exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of A...
CBC NewsTrump officials exempt drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from e...
Washington ExaminerDaily on Energy: A record increase in oil prices and $4 gas
The IndependentTrump's 'God Squad' overrides animal protections to allow mo...
Zócalo SaltilloGobierno de Trump exime a petroleras del Golfo de México de ...
BBCUS 'God squad' waives environmental protections for oil dril...
PBS.orgWhat to know about Rice's whale, a rare species in the way o...
Times ColonistTrump officials exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf from...
The GazetteTrump officials exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf from...
Yakima Herald-RepublicTrump officials exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf from...
CleanTechnicaAn April Fool's Joke Or Not? "The God Squad Is Overriding Pr...
PBS.orgTrump's Endangered Species Committee exempts oil and gas dri...
WMUR9Federal 'God squad' exempts oil and gas drilling in the Gulf...
Boston HeraldThings to know about Rice's whale, a rare species at risk fr...
opbPanel last convened during Timber Wars exempts Gulf oil dril...
Common Dreams'As Horrific as It Is Illegal': Trump 'God Squad' Blasted fo...
Democratic UndergroundThe 'God Squad' Waives Environmental Rules for Offshore Dril...
Anchorage Daily NewsTrump administration exempts Gulf oil and gas drilling from ...
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