In alignment with its commitment to sustainability and climate action, AASHE submitted comments to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) opposing the expansion of offshore oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico as part of the proposed 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The leasing program, initiated under Executive Order 14154 and Secretary’s Order 3418, aims to increase energy exploration in federal waters.
AASHE expressed concern over the environmental, social, and climate-related consequences of further oil and gas development, particularly in areas already vulnerable to sea level rise, extreme weather events, and ecological degradation. The organization emphasized the importance of prioritizing clean energy investments and environmental justice in federal energy planning, urging BOEM to support a transition that safeguards public health, coastal ecosystems, and future generations.