President Joe Biden is taking steps to prohibit new offshore oil and gas drilling in the majority of U.S. coastal waters. This action is being taken as a precautionary measure to prevent any potential expansion of offshore drilling by the incoming Trump administration.
President Biden, whose term comes to an end in a mere two weeks, has announced his utilization of the authority granted to him by the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. This move aims to safeguard offshore regions along the East and West coasts, as well as the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and certain parts of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea, from any future oil and natural gas leasing.
In a statement, Biden expressed that his decision is a reflection of the concerns shared by coastal communities, businesses, and beachgoers. He emphasized that drilling off the coasts could potentially result in irreversible harm to cherished locations, and he believes it is unnecessary to meet the nation’s energy requirements.
He emphasized the urgency of safeguarding these coasts for future generations as the climate crisis persists and the nation moves towards a clean energy economy.
Biden’s orders will not have an impact on the majority of U.S. offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. However, they will provide protection for coastlines in California, Florida, and other states, safeguarding them against any future drilling activities.
President-elect Donald Trump may face challenges in undoing Biden’s actions, as they safeguard over 625 million acres of federal waters. Reversing these measures would likely necessitate an act of Congress. It is worth noting that Trump’s stance on offshore drilling has been ambiguous. In 2020, he signed a memorandum instructing the Interior secretary to ban drilling in the waters off Florida’s coasts, as well as the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina until 2032.
After being inaugurated on January 20th, Trump confidently proclaimed that he would waste no time in enacting change. He boldly stated, “It’ll be changed on day one. I can change it immediately.”
“I will lift the ban right away,” Trump assured conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. “I possess the authority to revoke it.”
In a statement, he emphasized the abundant reserves of oil and gas that the United States possesses, describing them as unparalleled compared to any other country. He expressed his determination to leverage these resources for the benefit of the nation. Furthermore, he underscored the importance of preventing any restrictions on drilling activities, as it would have detrimental effects on the country.
According to Trump, he believes that it is our greatest economic asset.
After facing widespread opposition in Florida and other coastal states, Trump initially attempted to greatly expand offshore drilling. However, Biden has taken a different approach by reversing this decision.
Trump has made a promise to achieve what he refers to as American “energy dominance” globally, aiming to enhance oil and gas drilling in the United States and shift the focus away from Biden’s emphasis on climate change.
Environmental advocates celebrated Biden’s action, applauding the necessity of significantly reducing new oil and gas drilling to combat the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming. It is worth noting that 2024 marked the hottest year ever recorded.
Joseph Gordon, campaign director for the environmental group Oceana, exclaimed, “This victory in the ocean is truly epic!”
Gordon expressed his gratitude to Biden for acknowledging and considering the concerns of coastal communities that are against drilling. He also commended the President for upholding the bipartisan tradition of safeguarding our coasts.
Biden’s actions are a continuation of the efforts made by past Democratic and Republican presidents to safeguard coastal water from offshore drilling. According to Gordon, the protection of U.S. coastlines is crucial because they are not only inhabited by millions of Americans but also support a significant amount of economic activity. The well-being of these coastal areas relies on a clean environment, diverse wildlife, and flourishing fisheries.
According to Biden, it is evident that the regions he is excluding from fossil fuel usage have limited potential. The potential is deemed insufficient to warrant the potential risks to the environment, public health, and economy associated with new leasing and drilling activities.
In response to Hewitt, Trump expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating that, “Joe Biden clearly wants high gas prices to be his legacy.” This remark came after Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed the idea.
According to Leavitt, Biden’s action is seen as a disgraceful decision that aims to seek political revenge against the American people who granted President Trump the authority to enhance drilling efforts and reduce gas prices. Leavitt confidently asserts that despite Biden’s efforts, he will ultimately fail, and the drilling initiatives will continue to thrive.
Biden has put forward a proposal to hold up to three oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, while refraining from any lease sales in Alaska. This delicate balancing act aims to cater to the interests of energy companies seeking increased oil and gas production, while also addressing the concerns of environmental activists who advocate for the cessation of new offshore drilling in the battle against climate change.
The Democratic administration has approved a five-year drilling plan in 2023. As part of this plan, there are proposed offshore sales scheduled for 2025, 2027, and 2029. It is important to note that these three lease sales are the minimum requirement in order to legally continue the expansion of offshore wind development.
According to a climate law passed in 2022, the government is required to make available a minimum of 60 million acres (24.2 million hectares) of offshore oil and gas leases within a single year before it can offer offshore wind leases.
President Biden faced criticism from environmental groups for his approval of the massive Willow oil project in Alaska. Despite this, he has previously imposed restrictions on offshore drilling in various regions of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean.