In a bold move, President Biden has announced a comprehensive ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling along the majority of America's coastline, impacting significant regions that include the entire Atlantic coast, eastern Gulf of Mexico, and portions of the Pacific coast. This decision, made just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, marks the latest among Biden’s climate initiatives aimed at preserving marine ecosystems and addressing the climate crisis.
Biden Implements Major Offshore Drilling Ban Before Trump Takes Office
Biden Implements Major Offshore Drilling Ban Before Trump Takes Office
US President's sweeping ban on offshore drilling aims to protect coastal areas from environmental risks amid concerns over climate change.
In his announcement, Biden articulated the imperative of minimizing risk to coastal communities, emphasizing that the ban will cover over 625 million acres (253 million hectares) of federal waters. He stated, “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.”
This ban is enacted under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953, which allows for the withdrawal of specific marine areas from drilling and leasing. Law experts suggest that reversing this ban may pose legal challenges, as past court rulings imply that the law does not empower presidents to overturn prior restrictions set by their predecessors. Trump has vowed to repeal Biden's ban immediately upon taking office, labeling the move as "ridiculous." However, environmentalists and conservation groups have lauded Biden’s decision, heralding it as a significant win for ocean protection.
Critics from the oil and gas sector have voiced strong opposition, claiming Biden’s measure undermines energy security and labor opportunities in the industry. “We urge policymakers to use every tool at their disposal to reverse this politically motivated decision,” stated Mike Sommers, president of the American Petroleum Institute.
As Trump prepares for his inauguration, further legal disputes are anticipated, particularly regarding the robust environmental policies introduced by Biden. The climate initiative is in line with pressure from environmental advocates who call for urgent action to meet emissions reduction goals.
With climate scientists urging for a decline in fossil fuel demand to address the escalating climate crisis, the outcome of Biden's ban and potential challenges by Trump will shape the future of America's energy landscape and its environmental policies.
This ban is enacted under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953, which allows for the withdrawal of specific marine areas from drilling and leasing. Law experts suggest that reversing this ban may pose legal challenges, as past court rulings imply that the law does not empower presidents to overturn prior restrictions set by their predecessors. Trump has vowed to repeal Biden's ban immediately upon taking office, labeling the move as "ridiculous." However, environmentalists and conservation groups have lauded Biden’s decision, heralding it as a significant win for ocean protection.
Critics from the oil and gas sector have voiced strong opposition, claiming Biden’s measure undermines energy security and labor opportunities in the industry. “We urge policymakers to use every tool at their disposal to reverse this politically motivated decision,” stated Mike Sommers, president of the American Petroleum Institute.
As Trump prepares for his inauguration, further legal disputes are anticipated, particularly regarding the robust environmental policies introduced by Biden. The climate initiative is in line with pressure from environmental advocates who call for urgent action to meet emissions reduction goals.
With climate scientists urging for a decline in fossil fuel demand to address the escalating climate crisis, the outcome of Biden's ban and potential challenges by Trump will shape the future of America's energy landscape and its environmental policies.
