President Joe Biden has moved forward with a long-planned ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling in a significant portion of U.S. coastal waters. This action directly counters President-elect Donald Trump’s previously stated intention to expand offshore drilling to bolster America’s energy independence. The ban, enacted in Biden’s final weeks in office, covers over 625 million acres of federal waters along the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea. Biden cited the potential for irreversible environmental damage and the nation’s transition to a clean energy economy as justifications for the decision. He asserted that the ban protects coastal communities, businesses, and the natural beauty of these areas, arguing that offshore drilling is unnecessary to meet the nation’s energy needs.
However, President-elect Trump has vowed to immediately overturn the ban upon taking office on January 20th. He maintains that the U.S. possesses significant oil and gas reserves that should be exploited for economic benefit. Trump asserts his authority to reverse the ban without congressional action, characterizing it as a crucial step to unlock America’s energy potential and prevent what he sees as an economically damaging restriction. While Biden’s supporters suggest reversing the ban might require congressional intervention, Trump’s confidence in his ability to swiftly undo the measure highlights the significant policy differences between the two administrations and the potential for rapid shifts in energy policy once the new administration takes control.