As the war between the United States and Iran causes historic disruptions in oil supplies, the Trump government has decided to circumvent federal law protecting endangered species to accelerate the expansion of oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
The administration has in fact requested an exemption from the Endangered Species Act. The measure was officially motivated by alleged national security needs, but environmentalists and jurists speak clearly: it is a dangerous and irresponsible political maneuver in favor of the fossil industry, at the cost of the extinction of already threatened animals.
The “God Squad” and the first call-up for military reasons
Exemption which, unfortunately, was obtained. The Committee on Endangered Species, the so-called “God Squad”, met and voted unanimously to exempt all oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico from the protections of the Endangered Species Act. According to what was declared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the exemption is necessary to expand offshore drilling in support of the US-Iran war.
An unprecedented measure: never before had the committee – created in 1978 to evaluate extreme cases and which had met only three times in 48 years – invoked national security to justify overcoming environmental safeguards. A precedent that worries conservation experts.
Species at risk
The harshest criticism comes from environmentalists: among the species at risk there are Rice’s whale, with only around 50 specimens remaining, sea turtles, giant manta rays and corals. “It is grotesque to use national security as an excuse to allow the oil industry to exterminate endangered species”, reports Brett Hartl of the Center for Biological Diversity.
An unprecedented and unacceptable government decision
The Center for Biological Diversity had attempted to block the meeting, arguing that legal requirements for the meeting had not been met, including the need for a public hearing presided over by an administrative law judge. However, the Court of the District of Columbia rejected the request, still allowing the procedure.
ESA exemptions were designed for extraordinary emergencies, not to encourage energy production. It is therefore pure rhetoric to circumvent the law. However, it should be noted that new drilling takes years, making the exemption more of a symbolic act than an immediate solution. However, the fact remains that whales, turtles and corals now face the real risk of extinction due to an unprecedented government decision. The government’s choice appears cynical and reckless, sacrificing biodiversity for a few industrial profits and an illusory energy security.
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