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President Joe Biden announced a sweeping ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling along most of America's coastlines, marking one of the most significant environmental protection measures of his presidency. The executive order will safeguard 625 million acres of ocean waters along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska's Bering Sea.
"Drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation's energy needs," Biden stated, emphasizing the administration's commitment to environmental protection. The decision brings his total protected ocean area to 670 million acres – the largest amount under any U.S. president.
The ban utilizes a provision from the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which grants presidents the authority to indefinitely withdraw unleased lands from the outer continental shelf. Notably, this same law was previously used by President Obama to protect 119 million acres in 2016, though Biden's action represents a significantly larger scale.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the move's alignment with community needs: "Today's action reflects what states, Tribes and local communities have shared with us – a strong and overwhelming need to support resilient oceans and coastlines." The decision received enthusiastic support from environmental groups, with Earthjustice vice president Drew Caputo highlighting its benefits for coastal communities and marine wildlife.
The timing of this decision appears strategic, coming just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. While Trump has pledged to reverse the ban, legal precedent suggests this may prove challenging. A 2019 court ruling established that presidents lack the authority to overturn such withdrawals without congressional action.
The economic impact remains a point of contention. While only about 15% of U.S. oil production comes from federal offshore acreage, industry groups argue the ban could affect energy security. American Petroleum Institute President Mike Sommers urged policymakers to "restore a pro-American energy approach to federal leasing."
Biden addressed these concerns by emphasizing the false choice between environmental protection and economic growth. Citing the devastating 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill, he maintained that the minimal drilling potential in these areas doesn't justify the associated risks to public health and coastal economies.
