WASHINGTON – As the growing oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico continues moving towards the U.S. shoreline, critics of President Obama’s plan to increase offshore oil exploration are lining up with more ammunition.

The Washington Post writes that administration yesterday “declared the spill to be of ‘national significance,’ clearing the way for a wider federal response to prevent environmental damage.”

Obama is well-aware of those critics, noting a speech on March 31 announcing his plan: “There will be those who strongly disagree with this decision, including those who say we should not open any new areas to drilling, But what I want to emphasize is that this announcement is part of a broader strategy that will move us from an economy that runs on fossil fuels and foreign oil to one that relies more on homegrown fuels and clean energy. And the only way this transition will succeed is if it strengthens our economy in the short term and long term. To fail to recognize this reality would be a mistake.

The Gulf accident will likely give Obama’s offshore exploration critics more support to keep federal moratoriums that have since expired. Meanwhile, some lawmakers are asking for congressional inquiries into the regulation of offshore drilling, notes the newspaper.