Biden’s Executive Order to Ban New Offshore Oil and Gas Projects

Biden's Executive Order to Ban New Offshore Oil and Gas Projects

(LibertySociety.com) – President Biden moves to cement his environmental legacy with a sweeping ban on new offshore oil and gas projects, invoking the authority of a long-standing law to potentially block challenges from upcoming leadership.

At a Glance

  • Biden’s executive order targets over 625 million acres of U.S. coastline.
  • The ban includes major coastal areas such as the East Coast and parts of the Pacific Ocean.
  • Rollback of the ban requires an act of Congress; it has wide bipartisan support.
  • Significant oil-producing areas in the central and western Gulf of Mexico remain unaffected.

Biden’s Environmental Legacy Efforts

Joe Biden has utilized the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to enact an executive order banning new offshore oil and gas projects. This move aims to protect more than 625 million acres of U.S. coastline, including the entire East Coast, eastern Gulf of Mexico, Pacific regions off Washington, Oregon, and California, as well as parts of the North Bering Sea in Alaska.

Biden’s executive order, described as one of the most comprehensive bans on offshore drilling, can only be rescinded by Congress, which lends longevity to the protections. Current bipartisan support further solidifies its place in maintaining environmental commitments.

Addressing Industry Concerns

While the primary focus of the order is environmental conservation, the ban has drawn criticism from the energy industry, which views it as a barrier to domestic energy development. Industry officials argue that such restrictions could hamper future exploration efforts.

Biden’s decision aligns with his broader strategy on clean energy and protecting marine ecosystems. However, major oil production in the central and western Gulf of Mexico remains untouched. Despite energy sector worries, Biden stands firm on prioritizing environmental health.

Implications and Future Challenges

Biden’s move extends a tradition of bipartisan offshore drilling protections. Leaders from both political backgrounds have supported these actions for the coastal economy, which benefits tourism, restaurants, and local businesses. However, it remains to be seen if successor Donald J. Trump will attempt reversals.

“What President Biden did really kind of extends this bipartisan legacy of these offshore oil drilling protections in important areas” – Geoff Shester

Biden’s executive order not only seeks to bolster ecosystem integrity but also serves the broader goal to combat climate change. The administration has emphasized conserving lands and restricting industrial activities that could compromise these initiatives. Future political shifts may challenge these protections; however, historical precedent suggests reversal is complex.

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