(The Center Square) – About 80 million acres on the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of America are up for lease in each of two upcoming auctions, marking a push by the Trump administration to significantly expand opportunities for offshore oil and gas production.

But even as the industry applauds the move, it’s not certain whether some oil and gas operators will risk the investment. A legal challenge from environmentalists could stall or halt the administration’s plans. And Florida officials are pushing back on a proposal to open federal waters along the panhandle to drilling.