In a sweeping move days before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, President Joe Biden has banned future offshore oil and gas drilling in over 625 million acres of federal waters. The order, which protects areas along the East and West coasts, parts of the Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska’s Bering Sea, aligns with Biden’s climate change agenda but sets up a clash with Trump’s energy policies.
Biden invokes environmental and economic concerns
Biden cited the risks of offshore drilling, referencing the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and emphasized the low energy potential of the banned areas. He argued that the decision supports his goal of conserving 30% of American lands and waters by 2030 while transitioning to a clean energy economy.
Trump’s team vows to reverse the ban
Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, slammed the move as “political revenge” and promised to reinstate drilling, calling it essential for energy dominance and lowering gas prices. The incoming administration’s focus on “drill, baby, drill” underscores a stark departure from Biden’s climate priorities.
Environmental advocates celebrate the decision
Environmental groups hailed Biden’s ban as a victory for protecting coastal ecosystems and combating climate change. Oceana’s campaign director, Joseph Gordon, called it an “epic ocean victory,” praising Biden for safeguarding coastal communities.
Industry backlash warns of energy security risks
The oil and gas industry criticized the ban as harmful to American energy security. The American Petroleum Institute urged Congress to reverse the decision and prioritize domestic energy production, citing the need to balance climate goals with energy demands.
Legal challenges and historical precedent
Biden’s use of the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act mirrors actions by previous presidents to restrict drilling. However, reversing such bans often requires Congressional approval, as seen in prior legal disputes involving similar orders by former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
What’s next?
Biden’s ban complicates Trump’s push for energy expansion and sets the stage for legal and legislative battles. With Biden’s offshore drilling restrictions in place indefinitely, the incoming Trump administration faces significant hurdles in fulfilling its pledge to ramp up U.S. oil and gas production.
