President Joe Biden has banned new offshore oil and gas drilling along most of America’s coastline, covering 626 million acres of water. This move comes just weeks before Donald Trump takes office. It aims to protect the environment and reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. The ban covers the entire Atlantic coast and eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coast of California, Oregon, and Washington, and a section of the Bering Sea off Alaska.
Biden’s decision reflects concerns that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places Americans hold dear and is unnecessary to meet the nation’s energy needs. Trump has branded the ban ridiculous and vowed to reverse it immediately.
The new offshore drilling ban covers more than 625 million acres of water. Environmental groups have welcomed the move calling it an epic ocean victory that safeguards coastal communities for future generations.
Biden is taking action under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953. However, a reversal of the ban would likely require an act of Congress, which is now controlled by Trump’s Republicans.
The US offshore Drilling Ban is a significant move by the Biden administration to protect America’s coastlines and marine ecosystems from the risks of offshore drilling. API’s President and CEO, Mike Sommers, has urged policymakers to reverse this decision. He also urged to restore a pro-American energy approach to federal leasing.
The ban is seen as a crucial step towards reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating the impacts of climate change. So, the US continues to transition towards cleaner energy sources. This move is expected to have far-reaching benefits for the environment and future generations.
