In a rare show of bipartisan unity, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein are jointly calling on the Trump administration to uphold its moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling along the Carolinas’ coastline.
The governors submitted a joint appeal to federal officials overseeing the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. They are urging the removal of North Carolina and South Carolina’s outer continental shelf lands from future leasing consideration.
“Because of the significant risks associated with offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production off the Carolina coasts, every North Carolina and South Carolina coastal municipality has passed a resolution opposing offshore drilling and seismic testing,” wrote Governors Stein and McMaster in a joint press release. “This position has been reaffirmed by other municipalities and counties, as well as state legislators and members of our Congressional delegations from both parties. We ask you to respect the wishes of our states and our coastal communities and reaffirm President Trump’s decision to protect our coastlines and the industries they support.”
Their request references two presidential memoranda issued by former President Donald Trump on September 8 and 25, 2020. Those actions shielded the waters off both states from federal leasing activity through June 30, 2032 — a move both governors now seek to protect.
Together, the Carolinas span 513 miles of ocean beaches and over 6,250 miles of total coastline. The region supports more than 2.7 million residents and includes critical wildlife habitats. In 2021 alone, coastal counties in both states generated $9.6 billion in GDP, supported over 125,000 jobs, and paid out $3.8 billion in wages.
Leaders warn that offshore drilling would jeopardize major industries such as tourism, fishing, recreation, and shipbuilding. Both governors argue that any disruption could undermine the region’s environmental assets and its economic strength.
Governor Stein, a Democrat, has long opposed offshore drilling and previously fought such efforts as North Carolina’s attorney general in 2020. Governor McMaster, a Republican, has also consistently advocated for protecting South Carolina’s coastal resources.
The call comes as federal agencies prepare the next iteration of the national leasing program. Industry stakeholders and environmental groups are expected to weigh in before final decisions are made.
