The Biden administration announced on Monday a comprehensive ban on future offshore oil and gas activity across 625 million acres of the outer continental shelf, a move touted as a major environmental legacy as President Joe Biden approaches the end of his term.
The affected area exceeds the size of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, which encompassed 530 million acres.
RELATED: Biden Moves To Block Nevada & Coastal Waters Oil Drilling, Development Ahead Of Trump Admin
The expansive ban includes:
- East Coast: All future drilling along the entire East Coast of the United States.
- Eastern Gulf of Mexico: A significant portion of the Gulf region.
- West Coast: Approximately 250 million acres off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California.
- Alaska: 44 million acres in the Bering Sea.
The decision is grounded in the administration’s assessment that the environmental and economic risks of offshore drilling outweigh the benefits of the limited fossil fuel resources in these areas. The announcement follows the administration’s 2023 decision to implement the most restrictive five-year offshore leasing schedule in modern history.
“Today, President Biden will take action to protect the entire U.S. East Coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, and additional portions of the Northern Bering Sea in Alaska from future oil and natural gas leasing,” the White House stated. “The environmental and economic risks and harms that would result from drilling in these areas outweigh their limited fossil fuel resource potential.”
READ: Biden Blocks Nippon Steel’s $14.9 Billion Takeover Bid Of U.S. Steel
Environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers celebrated the decision as a significant step toward combating climate change and protecting marine ecosystems. For months, these groups have urged Biden to cement his climate legacy with bold action on energy policy.
On the other hand, industry leaders and Republicans have criticized the ban as a politically motivated move that could hinder U.S. energy independence. Karoline Leavitt, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for White House press secretary, labeled the action “disgraceful” in a post on X (formerly Twitter) and vowed that the incoming Trump administration would work to expand energy production despite the restrictions.
READ: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Reportedly Set To Resign As Soon As Monday
The law Biden invoked to implement the ban does not explicitly grant presidents the authority to reverse withdrawals approved by their predecessors, meaning the incoming Trump administration may face challenges in attempting to overturn the policy. Industry groups argue that the ban signals a parting shot at the fossil fuel sector, with which the Biden administration has frequently clashed during its tenure.
The move is also part of a broader push by the administration to promote offshore wind energy development, a strategy aimed at transitioning to renewable energy sources.
However, offshore wind projects have faced criticism over potential environmental impacts, including concerns that they may be contributing to rising whale deaths along the East Coast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has identified unusual mortality events among North Atlantic Right Whales, Atlantic Humpback Whales, and Atlantic Minke Whales, attributing most deaths to vessel strikes and climate change.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.