Biden Announces Ban on Most Offshore Drilling in US Coastal Waters

President Joe Biden has utilized a decades-old law to permanently halt more offshore drilling just before the end of his presidency.

At a Glance

President Joe Biden issued an executive order to stop new offshore drilling across U.S. coastal waters.
The move covers approximately 625 million acres and uses the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
Biden’s decision challenges President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to expand domestic energy production.
Industry leaders foresee potential limitations in meeting high fossil fuel demands.

Biden’s Historic Executive Order

President Joe Biden has announced an executive order to cease new oil and gas drilling in U.S. coastal and offshore waters, encompassing about 625 million acres. This order covers various regions, including the East and West coasts, portions of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea.

Biden’s administration viewed this order as essential to protect coastal communities, businesses, and marine ecosystems from oil spills and associated risks. His choice is informed by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953, which endows presidents with the authority to prevent offshore land from being used for oil and gas activities.

With just 14 days left before he hands over the keys to Donald Trump, Joe Biden has banned offshore oil and drilling along almost the entirety of the US.

Won’t Trump just reverse it? Not so easily. Here's why.https://t.co/UAX3fIaTOa

— GZERO Media (@gzeromedia) January 7, 2025

Potential Impact on the US Energy Landscape

The executive order highlights Biden’s environmental policy approach, aiming to safeguard lands and oceans from industrial exploitation. However, this has sparked tension with the incoming Trump administration, which plans to reverse the order to increase drilling. A previous federal court ruling emphasized that the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act prohibits presidents from undoing earlier bans without Congress’s approval.

“My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses, and beachgoers have known for a long time: that 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,” Biden said.

President-elect Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, criticized the order, asserting that it serves as a political maneuver contrary to public interest and Trump’s electoral mandate to expand drilling activities. Experts predict limited short-term oil and gas price impacts, yet acknowledge possible long-term consequences linked to advancements in energy technology.

Other Reactions

Biden’s decision garnered praise from various fronts, particularly environmental organizations that lauded the move as a significant victory for marine conservation. California Governor Gavin Newsom conveyed gratitude for the administration’s decisive action that promises long-term benefits.

“We thank the Biden-Harris administration for taking this bold action that will pay dividends for generations to come,” Newsom said.

Biden’s administration has continually prioritized the conservation of U.S. territories, following through on pledges to counteract climate change and transition toward a clean energy framework.