Obama Cans Offshore Drilling

Undoing another signature policy of the Bush administration, President Obama has "set aside" the plan to open the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to offshore drilling. Citing the need for further research and public input, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar stated that his organization would be examining the possibility of renewable energy sources such as wind and ocean waves. Right before leaving office—and to much criticism—ex-President Bush issued a plan that opened previously protected parts of the ocean to drilling. Obama has frequently stated that a coordinated, well-thought-out energy policy is necessary to ensure homeland security. Salazar's brunt comments make it clear that U.S. environmental policy is headed in a new direction.