In a surprise decision, the Obama administration has withdrawn its plan to permit oil and gas drilling off the southeast Atlantic coast. The Interior Department cited the military’s reservations about drilling near some of its largest installations, plummeting oil prices, and widespread local concerns as some of the reasons why the decision has been reversed. The original decision to allow drilling was met with a bombardment of letters from legislators and owners of local businesses opposing the plan, and over 106 coastal cities and towns signed resolutions asking Mr. Obama to shut down the proposed drilling operations.