Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told a senate panel that it was unlikely the Maryland coastline would see offshore drilling.
During an exchange with Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen Zinke said there are no known oil reserves off the Maryland shores.
In addition, he said that the president has maintained his administration would take local concerns into consideration.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports that Maryland officials have been strong opponents of such drilling after the Trump administration announced it would be opening up the offshore areas for exploration.
Opposition has come from not only Democrats but top Republicans like Governor Larry Hogan and Eastern Shore Congressman Andy Harris.
The administration proposal has called for selling leases in the Mid-Atlantic region from Delaware Bay to the North-South Caroline border beginning in 2020.
