President Joe Biden is preparing to announce a significant ban on new offshore oil and gas development across approximately 625 million acres (250 million hectares) of U.S. coastal territory as reproted on Saturday.
This ban, which is expected to be revealed on Monday, Jan 06, will prohibit the sale of drilling rights in specific areas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the eastern Gulf of Mexico
While this move aims to protect vulnerable coastal communities and marine ecosystems from the risks associated with fossil fuel development, Biden is leaving the door open for new oil and natural gas leasing in the central and western Gulf of Mexico. These areas are crucial, as they account for about 14% of the nation’s oil and gas production.
The announcement aligns with Biden’s broader strategy to combat climate change and achieve a decarbonized U.S. economy by 2050. The decision is supported by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which grants the president considerable authority to impose such bans without allowing future presidents to easily revoke them. This legislative backing could complicate any attempts by President-elect Donald Trump to reverse Biden’s actions, as past court rulings have indicated that presidents do not have the legal authority to overturn prior bans established under this law.
This forthcoming ban represents a culmination of efforts by environmental groups and congressional Democrats who have urged for stronger protections against offshore drilling, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding marine environments from oil spills and other negative impacts associated with fossil fuel extraction.