Biden gives Trump a headache and bans offshore oil and gas drilling at the last minute

Decision covers almost the entire US coast — about 253 million hectares.

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, announced this Monday a ban on new oil and gas exploration offshore along most of the coasts of the United Statesincluding the Atlantic, the Pacific, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of the Bering Sea in northern Alaska.

A, which covers approximately 253 million hectaresaligns with Biden’s climate change strategy and the Democratic goal of conserving 30% of US lands and waters by 2030.

“My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses and beachgoers have long known: that drilling off these coasts can cause irreversible damage in places that are dear to us and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs,” Biden said in a statement: “it’s not worth the risk.”

Nearly 15% of US oil production comes from zones offshoremainly from the Gulf of Mexico. This share has decreased in the last decade due to the boom of onshore drilling, fueled by technological advances and increased demand, in part spurred by geopolitical tensions such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Angry Trump

The announcement could make the job of the President-elect more difficult Donald Trumpwho promised to reverse Biden’s climate policies.

Trump criticized the ban as “ridiculous” and pledged to “immediately repeal it” after taking office, but legal precedents suggest such U-turns could require congressional approval.

A 2019 court ruling confirmed the permanence of drilling bans offshore implemented under the Land Law, limiting presidential authority to unilaterally undo them, recalls the agency.

Industry calls for more “pro-American” approach

Industry groups have already condemned the decision, arguing that it harms U.S. energy security, and have urged policymakers to restore a more “pro-American” approach.

“We urge policymakers to use every tool at their disposal to reverse this politically motivated decision and reestablish a pro-American energy approach to federal leasing,” American Petroleum Institute President Mike Sommers said in a statement cited by Reuters.

On the other hand, environmental organizations celebrated the ban as a victory for coastal conservation. “Our precious coastal communities are now safeguarded for future generations,” said Oceana’s campaign director. “This is a epic victory for the ocean!”celebrated

While Biden’s decision builds on efforts by former President Barack Obama, who previously removed Arctic and Atlantic areas from drilling, the move also extends protections Trump put in place for parts of the eastern Gulf of Mexico through 2032.