“Biden Implements Extensive Offshore Drilling Restrictions
President Joe Biden has banned new offshore oil and gas drilling across major portions of US coastal waters, preceding Donald Trump's upcoming presidency. The policy encompasses the Atlantic coastline, eastern Gulf of Mexico, Pacific waters off California, Oregon, and Washington, and portions of Alaska's Bering Sea. This action joins several recent climate-related policies enacted by the Biden administration. Despite current record extraction levels, Trump's campaign promoted increased domestic fossil fuel production to reduce gas prices. "Drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary for our nation's energy needs," Biden stated, citing concerns from coastal communities and businesses. The ban, implemented under the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, covers 625 million acres. A 2019 court ruling established that presidents cannot reverse previous drilling bans under this law, potentially complicating Trump's ability to […]
