The Obama administration has announced plans to expand offshore oil drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, while barring further projects on the East and West coasts. The new rules call for further drilling in areas of the Gulf of Mexico that are now under development, including some near Florida that had been off limits. Areas along the North Slope of Alaska and near the state’s southern shore will also be opened up for increased drilling. Meanwhile, the government is withdrawing all of the Eastern Seaboard from leasing consideration. Environmental groups say the expanded development puts sensitive coastlines, waters and fisheries at risk in Alaska and in the Gulf. In a statement, the Center for Biological Diversity said: “Ramping up offshore drilling raises the risk of disastrous spills, puts wildlife in harm’s way and deepens U.S. dependence on the fossil fuels driving the global climate crisis.”