Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

The Trump administration is considering allowing space launches and re-entry off U.S. coasts. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is evaluating the use of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf for offshore space activities, referring to submerged lands as the potential site.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is considering leasing offshore areas off Virginia’s shores for mineral mining to boost domestic mineral production, as part of efforts to reduce foreign dependence. Environmental groups oppose the plan, citing risks to marine ecosystems, while the state has a 2020 law banning oil and gas leasing but allowing mineral mining.

The Trump administration is fast-tracking deep-sea mining permits through an executive order signed in April 2025, with at least nine companies seeking access to seafloor minerals rich in manganese, copper, nickel, and cobalt. Potential lease sales are planned for summer and fall 2026, though concerns remain about companies' track records and unanswered questions about mineral processing.

The U.S. is planning to mine a seabed area roughly the size of Nevada near Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to extract rare earth elements and other minerals, driven by competition with China over Pacific resources and reducing reliance on foreign mineral sources. The 69 million acre proposal spans two geographical zones and will undergo environmental analysis before potential lease offerings. The initiative reflects broader geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region as both the U.S. and China compete for strategic control and access to critical minerals.