President Biden Bans Offshore Drilling in 625 Million Acres of U.S. Waters, President-Elect Trump Promises Reversal
President Joe Biden has issued an executive order banning offshore oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of U.S. maritime territory, citing the need to protect coastal ecosystems and address climate change. The order, issued under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) of 1953, permanently restricts drilling in the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea.
President Biden emphasized that the decision is vital to safeguarding coastal communities and the environment, stating, “Drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs.” The ban aligns with his administration’s broader efforts to combat climate change and transition to clean energy.
The ban, however, has sparked sharp criticism from President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to reverse the decision upon taking office. President-elect Trump labeled the ban “ridiculous” and declared, “I’ll unban it immediately.”
President Biden’s use of OCSLA makes the ban difficult to reverse, legal experts note that a 2019 court ruling bars presidents from overturning OCSLA bans without congressional approval. During his first term, Trump faced similar legal hurdles when attempting to lift bans imposed by former President Barack Obama.
Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, criticized the ban as a politically motivated move to “exact revenge” on Trump’s energy policies, which prioritized expanding domestic oil and gas production. While environmental groups have praised President Biden’s executive order, critics argue it could impact energy prices and domestic production.