In one of his final moves before leaving office, President Joe Biden has imposed a comprehensive ban on offshore oil and gas drilling.
The decision, made under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953, restricts future energy development across more than 625 million acres of federal waters, including the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of Alaska’s northern Bering Sea.
Biden announced the ban Monday, stating his intention to protect coastal ecosystems from what he described as “irreversible” environmental harm.
The move aligns with his administration’s broader climate agenda, which emphasizes transitioning to renewable energy sources.
“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,” Biden said in a statement. He framed the action as essential for safeguarding coastal environments for “our children and grandchildren” as the country shifts toward a cleaner energy future.
The new policy halts offshore drilling in most federal waters but allows ongoing operations in the western Gulf of Mexico, where drilling is already established.
By leveraging the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Biden administration ensures that the ban has a degree of permanence, potentially complicating efforts by future administrations to reverse it.
The decision also follows other recent restrictions on energy development, including a 20-year prohibition on oil, gas, and geothermal exploration in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains, covering 264,000 acres of federal land.
President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to prioritize American energy independence, quickly criticized Biden’s decision.
Speaking to conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump dismissed the ban as “ridiculous” and vowed to reverse it immediately upon taking office.
“I see it just came over that Biden has banned all oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of U.S. coastal territory,” Trump said. “It’s ridiculous. I’ll unban it immediately.”
PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP: "I see it just came over that Biden has banned all oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of U.S. coastal territory. It's ridiculous. I'll unban it immediately."
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 6, 2025
Drill baby, drill! pic.twitter.com/yJ95jmPRYs
However, reversing Biden’s move could prove challenging. A 2019 court ruling established that presidents lack the authority to overturn bans enacted under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
This precedent stems from a failed attempt by Trump to reverse Arctic and Atlantic Ocean drilling bans implemented by President Barack Obama.
Biden’s announcement has reignited debate over balancing environmental protection with energy needs. Supporters of the ban argue it is necessary to combat climate change and protect sensitive marine ecosystems.
Opponents, however, see it as an overreach that undermines U.S. energy independence and economic growth.
Critics, including Trump and his allies, have characterized the move as a political maneuver to hinder the incoming administration’s energy agenda.
The ban’s long-term implications remain uncertain, as future legal and political battles could shape its durability.
This decision adds to Biden’s legacy of prioritizing climate action, but it also sets the stage for contentious debates in the months ahead as Trump prepares to take office.