In a bold late-term move, President Joe Biden has clamped down on offshore oil and gas activities.
With just weeks remaining in his presidency, Biden has implemented a ban on new oil and gas drilling across more than 625 million acres of federal waters, Fox News reported.
Leveraging the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, President Joe Biden announced this sweeping measure on Monday, signaling a firm stance on environmental protection. This executive action includes areas along the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of Alaska's Northern Bering Sea. It is designed to shield these regions from the environmental risks associated with drilling and is part of President Biden's broader environmental agenda.
The president highlighted the move as a critical component of his climate and conservation legacy. He emphasized that the action was necessary to safeguard coastal and marine ecosystems for future generations, reflecting the voices of communities and industries that depend on these areas.
During a reception for new Democratic members of Congress at the White House on the recent Sunday, President Biden expressed that the decision came after careful consideration of its impacts on the nation's energy landscape and its crucial role in combating the ongoing climate crisis.
President Joe Biden articulated his rationale, stating, "My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses, and beachgoers have known for a long time: that 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. As the climate crisis continues to threaten communities across the country and we are transitioning to a clean energy economy, now is the time to protect these coasts for our children and grandchildren."
This protective step by Biden aligns with his 'America the Beautiful' initiative, which aims to conserve at least 30% of the U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The president proudly stated that during his term, he had conserved over 670 million acres, more than any of his predecessors, through collaborative efforts with various stakeholders including Tribes, and local communities.
The ban, however, has sparked significant pushback from industry leaders and political critics. Ron Neal, chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of America Offshore Committee, vehemently opposes the ban, stating it poses a severe threat to the future of the U.S. oil and natural gas sectors.
Karoline Leavitt, the incoming press secretary for President-elect Donald Trump, condemned the executive action, asserting, "This is a disgraceful decision designed to exact political revenge on the American people who gave President Trump a mandate to increase drilling and lower gas prices. Rest assured, Joe Biden will fail, and we will drill, baby, drill."
The complexity of overturning this ban means it could stand even under the administration of President-elect Trump, barring Congress deciding to intervene. This legal durability, therefore, stems from the act used by Biden to enforce the measure, which traditionally grants robust protection against easy reversals.
In concluding his term, President Biden remains steadfast in advancing his climate objectives, setting a high bar for environmental governance and conservation. Consequently, his administration's efforts highlight a significant shift towards sustainable energy and underscore the ongoing debate over America's energy future and environmental stewardship. This policy, moreover, could mark a historic pivot in how the nation balances energy needs with ecological preservation.
