Obama administration reverses course on southeast Atlantic drilling plans

The Obama administration has announced it will not allow oil drilling off the southeast Atlantic coast following pressure from communities ranging from Georgia to Virginia. President Obama had previously planned for offshore drilling, but drew criticism from environmentalists.

The reversal of the decision has raised many eyebrows. "If this is true, it's a great day for the Atlantic coast, our beaches, and the coastal economy that depends on it," Rachel Richardson, the director of the drilling program at Environment America, told The New York Times before the announcement was confirmed. "This moment has come because Atlantic coast communities, businesses, and citizens have all spoken up to protect their beaches, treasured marine life and President Obama listened."

Obama's efforts to create a more environmental legacy will likely irk Republicans looking to expand drilling, however. "If the Atlantic is taken out, that means there's less of an opportunity to invest in the U.S., and those dollars will flow overseas, and we'll hear more and more of that in the presidential election," President of the National Ocean Industries Association Randall Luthi said.

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