Alabama U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, along with other senators, sent a letter today to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.

In their letter, the lawmakers expressed concern about the Biden administration's “radical” climate change policies and questioned Rice's current and future rulemaking on whale protections and critical habitat designations ahead of the upcoming Senate budget debate.

“While NOAA and BOEM data are incomplete, we have a robust understanding of the economic impacts of the Gulf of Mexico,” the senators wrote. “Our ports provide a clear view of commercial activity in and around the Gulf of Mexico. In Texas, the Port of Houston generated $439 billion in statewide economic value in 2022. Ports across Louisiana generated $182 billion in statewide economic impact, including nine ports along the coast. In Alabama, the Port of Mobile generated more than $85 billion in economic activity in 2021.”

Related: Save the whales? Gulf Coast officials warn of NOAA 'overreach'

“Imposing restrictions on development in the Gulf of Mexico would have a direct negative impact on economic activity and jobs throughout the coastal region.”

Taborville said the Biden administration has repeatedly implemented rules based on outdated data without solid scientific support, including a recent proposal to establish 28,000 square miles of critical habitat for burrowing whales in the Gulf of Mexico without evidence supporting the need for its establishment.

This is not the first time Alabama's two senators have spoken out on the issue.

In 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that it had formally rejected a petition from non-governmental organizations to mandate a 10-knot speed limit and enact other vessel-related mitigation measures to protect whales in the Gulf of Mexico.

RELATED: Alabama officials say NOAA decision gives Gulf Coast victory over 'far-left activists'

Senator Britt praised the group's efforts.

“We are pleased that NOAA listened to our calls and today rejected Rice's meritless petition to protect the whales, pushed by far-left activists,” Britt said. “This proposal would severely impede operations at the Port of Mobile, damage Alabama's economy, and harm commercial and recreational fishing off the Gulf Coast.”

Senator Tuberville fully agreed with NOAA's decision.

“We are pleased that NOAA has come to its senses and rejected this part of the Biden Administration's excessive regulatory plans for the Gulf of Mexico,” said Taborville. “Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go. Designating critical habitat for the stingray whale throughout this vast ocean area would impose undue burdens and restrictions on all vessel traffic, particularly in and out of the Port of Mobile, Alabama.”

“The Port of Mobile spans more than 4,000 acres, supports approximately 313,000 jobs, impacts state and local taxes by approximately $2 billion and contributes $85 billion to the overall economic value of Alabama.”

“I will continue to fight back against Joe Biden's attempts to make America dependent on our enemies for energy when we can produce it here in America, especially in Alabama.”

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News.