Biden Bans New Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling to Protect 625 Million Acres of Ocean

On Monday, the White House formally declared that President Joe Biden is poised to enact a ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling activities along a significant portion of the United States coastline. This decision, as stated by the White House, aims to safeguard approximately 625 million acres of ocean spanning America's Atlantic and Pacific coasts, the Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska's Bering Sea from potential "environmental and economic risks and harms." Furthermore, this move seeks to safeguard Biden's environmental legacy against the energy policies expected to be pursued by Republicans and the energy policy proposed by the President-elect of that time, Joe Biden.

Legal Foundation and Historical Context

President Biden plans to invoke a relatively obscure provision of the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), which grants the President the authority to indefinitely withdraw unleased lands from the outer continental shelf. While former President Barack Obama exercised this act in 2016 to protect 119 million acres of land, President Biden's forthcoming action represents a considerably larger scope, marking a substantial victory for environmental advocates who have long contended that further drilling contradicts the U.S. government's declared objective of curbing emissions responsible for climate change.

Furthermore, this declaration coincides with historical data indicating that the preceding year marked the hottest on record. In light of these factors, President Biden articulated, "Drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation's energy needs. 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."

Significant Legacy and Challenges Ahead

President Biden's decision to implement the ban expands the total area of ocean under his protection to 670 million acres, surpassing the area protected by any prior president. This bold step has the potential to frustrate the plans of his predecessor, President Donald Trump, who sought to stimulate the economy by doubling down on the increase in oil and gas production during his first administration.

Bipartisan Reactions and Legislative Implications

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland expressed strong support for President Biden's decision, emphasizing that the actions undertaken by the President reflect the sentiments of states, tribes, and local communities, all of whom have overwhelmingly called for the protection of vulnerable oceans and coastlines from unwarranted oil and gas development. Deb Haaland further underscored the significance of this move by invoking the notorious lessons learned from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which resulted in the release of 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. She stated, "Today, the President is taking action that reflects what states, Tribes and local communities have shared with us a strong and overwhelming need to support resilient oceans and coastlines by protecting them from unnecessary oil and gas development."

It is important to note that the protected areas under this ban encompass the entire eastern U.S. Atlantic coast and the eastern Gulf of Mexico. While some of these areas have historically garnered limited interest from the energy industry, the eastern coasts have been points of interest for oil companies. Notably, President Trump previously moved to prevent drilling in these regions during his first administration. Despite this, Secretary Haaland emphasized that oil and gas development in these areas would "do little, if anything, to meet the nation's energy needs."

Contemplating Risks and Evolving Perspectives

President Biden's decision to safeguard these vast areas reflects his administration's commitment to addressing the pressing challenges posed by the climate crisis and promoting a transition toward a clean energy economy. By invoking the OCSLA to implement this ban, President Biden aims to reshape the country's approach to offshore drilling, prioritizing environmental and economic considerations over short-term energy needs.

As the Biden administration endeavors to solidify its policies regarding offshore drilling, it remains to be seen how this move will impact the broader energy landscape and influence the ongoing discourse around climate change, environmental conservation, and energy production in the United States.