US 'God Squad' Exempts Gulf Drilling from Endangered Species Act for National Security
Key Takeaways
- The Endangered Species Committee, nicknamed the God Squad, exempted Gulf drilling from ESA protections.
- Cited national security concerns; first exemption by the panel in decades.
- Rice's whale, Gulf-only with about 50 individuals, could face extinction due to exemption.
God Squad Votes
The God Squad voted unanimously to exempt all Gulf oil and gas activities from the ESA.
It marked only the fourth time in the committee's history.
Defense Secretary Hegseth requested the exemption citing environmental lawsuits.
Rice's Whale at Risk
Critics warn the exemption could doom the critically endangered Rice's whale.
The Rice's whale has just around 50 individuals remaining.
Environmental groups pledged to fight the decision in court.
National Security Rationale
Hegseth framed the national security threat as stemming from lawsuits by environmental groups.
The move came amid global oil shocks and soaring energy prices.
The Gulf accounts for more than 10% of crude pumped annually in the US.
Legal and Scientific Concerns
Environmentalists warned the decision was unlawful and would push species closer to extinction.
The Defenders of Wildlife called it unprecedented and unlawful.
The Rice’s whale's window of recovery is rapidly closing.
More on USA
Trump's Voter Integrity Order Directs DHS to Build National Voter File
24 sources compared
Judge Orders Penn To Comply With EEOC Subpoena For Jewish Employee Data
17 sources compared
Judge Strikes Down Trump's NPR-PBS Defunding as Unconstitutional
12 sources compared
Judge Blocks Trump White House Ballroom, Rules Congress Must Approve
40 sources compared