Table of Contents
Biden to Ban New Offshore Oil and Gas Development in U.S. Coastal Waters
New Restrictions Across 625 Million Acres
President Joe Biden is set to announce a ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of U.S. coastal territory. This includes stretches of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The move aims to solidify Biden’s climate agenda and further efforts to address climate change.
Gulf of Mexico Leasing to Continue in Some Areas
While the ban applies to much of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Biden’s decision leaves open the possibility for new oil and gas leasing in the central and western parts of the Gulf of Mexico. These regions currently account for about 14% of the nation’s oil and natural gas production.
Legal Foundation: Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
The ban is backed by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, a law that grants the president broad authority to restrict offshore drilling. This law was previously used by Presidents Obama and Trump to impose similar bans, with the legal precedent preventing future presidents from easily overturning such restrictions.
Implications for Biden’s Climate Legacy
This action is a significant step in Biden’s broader climate policy, aiming to decarbonize the U.S. economy by 2050. The ban on new offshore drilling is seen as a key measure in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating the impacts of climate change.