In a last-minute executive move, President Biden has imposed a ban on new drilling and further development of oil and natural gas on over 625 million acres of U.S. coastal and offshore waters.
This decision, announced on Monday, comes as Biden's term is set to expire in a fortnight.
According to Fox News, Biden has utilized his authority to safeguard offshore areas along the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of Alaska's Northern Bering Sea from future oil and natural gas leasing. He has invoked the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which could potentially limit President-elect Trump's ability to overturn the action. It may necessitate Congress's intervention to grant Trump the authority to reintroduce federal waters into development.
Biden justified his decision by 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 nations energy needs." He further added, "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."
However, this move has been met with swift criticism from Trump's incoming White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt. She expressed her disapproval by stating, "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."
Despite the backlash, Biden remains proud of his decision, viewing it as a significant step in the fight against climate change. He stated, "From Day One, I have delivered on the most ambitious climate and conservation agenda in our countrys history. And over the last four years, I have conserved more than 670 million acres of Americas lands and waters, more than any other president in history." He further emphasized that the United States does not need to choose between environmental protection and economic growth, or between maintaining healthy oceans and coastlines and keeping energy prices low.
However, Ron Neal, the chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of America Offshore Committee, has also criticized Biden's offshore drilling ban, describing it as "significant and catastrophic." He warned, "While it may not directly affect the currently active production areas in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and adjoining coastal areas, it represents a major attack on the oil and natural gas industry. This should be seen as the elephants nose under the tent. The ban severely limits potential for exploration and development in new areas therefore chocking the long-term survivability of the industry."
During his 2024 campaign, Trump promised to deliver American "energy dominance" on the world stage. He aimed to bolster U.S. oil and gas drilling, distancing himself from Bidens prioritization of climate change initiatives. The recent ban imposed by Biden, however, could potentially hinder Trump's plans, raising questions about the future of America's energy policies and the balance between environmental conservation and economic growth.
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