Leaders from the American Petroleum Institute and National Ocean Industries Association today voiced their support of the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service’s release of a new biological opinion for the Gulf of America/Gulf of Mexico. The decision comes in advance of a court-ordered deadline, thereby avoiding significant and immediate consequences for the U.S. energy sector.
“With a new biological opinion in place, the administration has helped ensure that the Gulf of America will remain the backbone of our nation’s energy supply,” said Holly Hopkins, API’s VP of Upstream Policy. “While we appreciate the administration’s prompt action, they inherited flawed analysis under a short timeline. We welcome the opportunity to work with the Departments of Commerce and Interior to improve the biological opinion and ensure it reflects the best available science and data.”
“We appreciate the Trump administration’s timely efforts to improve a Biological Opinion that was originally developed through a flawed, opaque process,” said Erik Milito, President of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA). “Their willingness to revisit and revise the document reflects a strong commitment to restoring scientific rigor and regulatory balance.”
Last year, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland vacated the NMFS 2020 Biological Opinion for Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas activities effective May 21, 2025. The biological opinion provides a necessary foundation for oil and natural gas operations in the Gulf of America/Gulf of Mexico, and a gap between opinions would significantly slow down or halt all permits for routine, daily operations.
In addition to generating 14% of U.S. crude oil production, the Gulf Coast is the heart of America’s vast network of energy infrastructure that connects our economy. From pipelines and storage facilities to major ports and refineries, this critical infrastructure is essential for energy access across the United States.
“The Gulf of America stands as one of the world’s most environmentally responsible and economically critical offshore energy hubs,” Milito added. “It supports hundreds of thousands of American jobs, generates billions in vital revenue that funds conservation and coastal restoration efforts, and produces some of the lowest-carbon intensity oil globally. Far from being in conflict, environmental stewardship and energy production are deeply interconnected—and the Gulf demonstrates this every single day.”
