‘Concerted push’ made to expand offshore drilling

The oil and gas industries are intensifying their effort to open more U.S. coastal areas to drilling, with a powerful assist from businesses ranging from chemical makers to corn growers.

Numerous bills have been introduced in Congress to lift or ease the federal ban on new offshore drilling that covers California and other areas. Meanwhile, the coalition of coastal states that has fended off such efforts in the past is fractured, with some on the Atlantic coast willing to consider drilling.