As his presidency nears its end, President Joe Biden is taking decisive action to block new offshore oil and gas drilling in much of the United States’ coastal waters, a move aimed at preventing the incoming Trump administration from reversing these protections. The executive orders, which protect over 625 million acres of federal waters, target drilling along the coasts of California, Florida, and other coastal states, ensuring that these areas remain off-limits to future oil and natural gas leasing.
The move is seen as a significant step in Biden’s broader environmental agenda, continuing his administration’s focus on combating climate change and limiting fossil fuel extraction. While the orders will have a profound impact on preserving pristine coastal ecosystems, they do not include a large portion of the Gulf of Mexico, where much of the nation’s offshore drilling already occurs. The exclusion of this area is notable because the Gulf has long been the focal point of U.S. offshore drilling, particularly for oil and gas extraction.
By invoking authority under the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, Biden aims to safeguard these key offshore regions for the foreseeable future. His actions are likely to complicate any attempt by President-elect Donald Trump to expand offshore drilling once he takes office, as unwinding these protections would likely require a new act of Congress. This presents a significant challenge for the incoming administration, as any attempt to reverse Biden’s orders would face a lengthy and contentious legislative process.
Trump’s stance on offshore drilling has been somewhat mixed. In 2020, he signed a memorandum that prohibited drilling off the coastlines of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, extending the ban until 2032. This decision was largely seen as an effort to appease local interests, particularly in Florida, where offshore drilling has been a contentious issue. However, Trump’s broader environmental policies and support for expanding domestic energy production have made him a strong proponent of oil and gas development, including offshore drilling.
Despite the challenges Biden’s executive orders may pose to the Trump administration, environmental advocates are celebrating the move as a critical win for conservation and climate action. The protection of these offshore areas will help preserve fragile marine ecosystems and prevent the expansion of fossil fuel extraction that contributes to climate change. Biden’s actions are also seen as a direct counter to the Trump administration’s push for increased drilling on federal lands and waters, which many environmentalists argue would have detrimental effects on both the environment and public health.
As Biden prepares to leave office, his administration’s final push to limit offshore drilling serves as a testament to his commitment to environmental protection. Whether or not these protections remain in place after Trump takes office will be closely watched by environmental groups and the oil and gas industry alike. In the meantime, Biden’s efforts have added another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate over the future of offshore drilling in the United States.
