President Joe Biden has taken a significant step in the battle against climate change by announcing a comprehensive ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling along the majority of the United States coastline. This decisive action comes just weeks before Donald Trump is set to assume office. The ban encompasses the entire Atlantic coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of the Pacific coast including California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as a portion of the Bering Sea off Alaska.
The decision symbolizes Biden's commitment to environmental protection and is the latest action in a series of climate policies implemented by his administration in the closing days of his presidency. Trump has already indicated that he intends to lift the ban "immediately" once in power, citing a pledge to enhance domestic fossil fuel production in an effort to lower gas prices. However, legal experts believe that reversing the ban may be a complicated process due to existing laws.
During his announcement, Biden detailed the risks associated with offshore drilling, stating, “Drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs. It is not worth the risks.” In contrast, Trump dismissed the ban as "ridiculous" and reiterated his desire to remove it.
Biden's initiative falls under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953, which grants presidents authority to withdraw areas from mineral leasing. However, a 2019 court ruling has clarified that this law does not permit presidents to undo prior bans, meaning a Congressional act would be required for Trump to successfully repeal the ban.
The offshore drilling ban will protect over 625 million acres (approximately 253 million hectares) of waters, a substantial area critical for maintaining ecological balance and fighting climate change. Environmental organizations have applauded Biden's decision as a monumental victory for ocean conservation. Joseph Gordon from Oceana exclaimed, "Our treasured coastal communities are now safeguarded for future generations."
On the other hand, critics, including representatives from the oil and gas industry, assert that the ban poses threats to American energy security and should be overturned. In 2017, Trump attempted to reverse former President Barack Obama's environmental protections but faced legal barriers, and similar difficulties are anticipated with Biden's ban.
As the political landscape shifts following Trump's inauguration ceremony on January 20, the confrontation over offshore drilling regulations is expected to escalate, potentially culminating in a judicial review by the Supreme Court, which currently leans Republican. Calls from environmentalist and Democratic factions for bold climate action have only intensified the urgency of this issue, highlighting the ongoing conflict between fossil fuel interests and sustainable practices in energy policy.
