President Joe Biden is preparing to issue a decree that would permanently ban new offshore oil and gas development in select U.S. coastal waters, solidifying protections for environmentally sensitive marine areas during the final weeks of his presidency.
The executive order, expected to be announced within days, would block the sale of new drilling rights in parts of the country’s outer continental shelf, according to unnamed sources familiar with the plan. These individuals requested anonymity as the decision has not yet been made public.
Legal Grounding Could Make Reversal Difficult
The planned order is based on a 72-year-old law granting the White House broad authority to safeguard U.S. waters from oil and gas leasing, without explicitly allowing future administrations to undo such protections. This legal framework is expected to present significant challenges for President-elect Donald Trump, who has expressed ambitions to expand domestic energy production.
Environmental advocates and Democratic lawmakers have urged Biden to take such actions, emphasizing the importance of “maximizing permanent protections” against offshore drilling to shield coastal communities, protect marine ecosystems from oil spills, and address climate change.
Recent Actions in Line with Environmental Goals
The proposed offshore drilling ban aligns with other recent Biden administration efforts to restrict industrial mining and energy development. Earlier this week, a formal proposal was issued to prevent new oil, gas, and geothermal leases in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains.
Oil Industry Pushback and Broader Implications
Industry advocates argue that such restrictions could harm domestic energy production. They highlight the Gulf of Mexico as a vital source, currently contributing approximately 14% of U.S. oil output. Notably, this region’s production levels would rank among the world’s top 12 oil-producing nations if it were an independent country.
Critics contend that U.S. fossil fuel production is comparatively cleaner than in many other countries, asserting that ongoing reliance on these resources is necessary for decades to come.
Precedents and Challenges for Trump
Trump is expected to attempt a reversal of Biden’s protections, but his chances of success remain uncertain. During his first term, Trump sought to undo former President Barack Obama’s 2016 order protecting over 125 million acres of Arctic and Atlantic waters. However, this move was rejected by a federal district court in 2019.
Notably, Trump himself invoked the same statute in 2020 to block leasing near Florida and North Carolina, aiming to bolster support among voters ahead of the election.
The White House and the Interior Department have yet to comment on the matter. However, the implications of Biden’s planned action—both environmental and political—are likely to resonate long after his presidency.
This decision underscores the ongoing tension between advancing climate priorities and addressing the global demand for energy, a debate that will undoubtedly shape U.S. policy for years to come.
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