The Biden administration has reached a settlement with environmental groups advocating for increased wildlife protections in the Gulf of Mexico.
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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has agreed to several conditions, including expanding protection areas for the Rice’s whale species and excluding 11 million acres with oil resources from future lease sales.
New Restrictions Imposed on Oil and Gas Vessels in the Gulf of Mexico

As part of the settlement, the Biden administration will enforce stricter regulations on oil and gas vessels, requiring them to operate at slower speeds.
This measure aims to minimize potential harm to marine wildlife caused by offshore oil development activities.
Industry Groups Criticize Biden Administration’s Settlement

Industry groups, such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Ocean Industries Association, have criticized the administration’s decision to restrict oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
They argue that the settlement will hinder America’s energy production capabilities and question the evidence supporting the ban on operations.
Lawsuit Initiated by Environmental Group Coalition Leads to the Settlement

The settlement resulted from a lawsuit filed by a coalition of environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth, and Turtle Island Restoration Network.
These groups accused the NMFS of failing to properly assess the impacts of the oil industry on endangered and threatened marine wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico.
Biden Administration’s Continued Efforts to Restrict Oil and Gas Leasing

This settlement is another step taken by the Biden administration to limit oil and gas leasing activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
The administration’s actions could potentially make future lease sales economically unviable in the region.
Government Maintains No Harm to Whales in Newly Expanded Protection Areas

Despite the settlement, the government asserts that it had no reason to believe that oil and gas activities in the newly expanded protection areas would harm whales.
It aims to balance conservation and habitat protection efforts with economic interests.
Settlement Agreement Temporarily Pauses Litigation

The settlement agreement, signed late Friday, temporarily suspends the ongoing litigation while the agreed conditions are in effect.
Both the administration and environmental groups will monitor the implementation of the settlement closely.
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