In a bold and arguably petty move just weeks before leaving office, President Joe Biden enacted an executive order banning new oil and gas drilling across more than 625 million acres of U.S. coastal and offshore waters. This sweeping action targets regions along the East and West Coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea, creating significant obstacles for President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to restore America’s energy dominance.
Where Is the Ban in Effect?
The ban spans vast offshore regions, including the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines, portions of the Gulf of Mexico, and critical areas in Alaska’s ecologically sensitive Bering Sea. These areas, rich in biodiversity and home to vital fisheries and tourism economies, are now locked away from energy development.
Using Section 12(a) of the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), Biden effectively removed these regions from future oil and gas leasing opportunities, bypassing typical executive order procedures and making it nearly impossible for a successor to undo without significant legal or congressional intervention.
The protected areas collectively cover more than 625 million acres—an expanse larger than the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Biden framed the move as an environmental victory, claiming it would prevent “irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs.” Yet critics argue the decision has little to do with conservation and everything to do with tying Trump’s hands.
Why Did Biden Do This?
Biden and his supporters have painted this ban as a noble step to combat climate change and protect coastal communities. In his announcement, Biden stated, “My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses, and beachgoers have known for a long time: that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage. It is not worth the risks.”
While Biden celebrated the move as a legacy-defining moment, calling it part of his “most ambitious climate and conservation agenda,” others see it as a parting shot aimed at sabotaging Trump’s energy plans.
Ron Neal, chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of America Offshore Committee, described the ban as “significant and catastrophic,” warning that it could “severely limit potential for exploration and development in new areas, therefore choking the long-term survivability of the industry.”
The move seems less about protecting ecosystems and more about solidifying Biden’s environmental credentials while setting traps for the incoming administration.
Why Can’t Trump Simply Reverse It?
Unlike standard executive orders, Biden’s offshore drilling ban leans on the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). This 1953 law grants the president the authority to permanently withdraw offshore areas from leasing, with no clear mechanism for reversal by a future president.
During Trump’s first term, he attempted to reverse an Obama-era drilling ban, only to be blocked by a federal court that ruled such reversals require congressional approval. This precedent means Trump will face significant legal challenges if he attempts to overturn Biden’s action.
Kevin Book from ClearView Energy Partners noted, “Congressional Republicans could include a provision reinstating some or all of the offshore areas in any filibuster-proof budget reconciliation bills.” However, such a legislative effort would require navigating a deeply divided Congress.
How Will This Interfere with Trump’s Plans?
Trump campaigned on a promise to achieve American energy independence by expanding domestic oil and gas production. The offshore drilling ban directly clashes with these goals, locking away areas like the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which are believed to contain significant untapped reserves.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s incoming press secretary, blasted Biden’s decision as “a disgraceful decision designed to exact political revenge on the American people who gave President Trump a mandate to increase drilling and lower gas prices.” She added, “Rest assured, Joe Biden will fail, and we will drill, baby, drill.”
While Trump can still focus on expanding land-based drilling and pushing forward with onshore projects, the offshore ban represents a significant and calculated obstacle. Overturning it will require either congressional support or prolonged and uncertain court battles.
The Broader Impact and What Comes Next
Biden’s offshore drilling ban has sparked fierce debate across the political and economic spectrum. Environmental groups hailed the move as a critical measure to combat climate change and protect marine ecosystems. However, industry leaders and conservative lawmakers argue that it represents political gamesmanship at the expense of American energy security and economic growth.
Ron Neal warned, “The policy is catastrophic for the development of new areas for oil and natural gas, but the environmentalists will eventually look to also shut down offshore wind farms for most of the same reasons. President Biden and his allies continue to push anti-energy policies that will hurt Americans.”
FAM Editor: If he were really concerned about this, why did this not happen earlier in his administration? We are thinging that, in fact, Joe Biden did not do this himself, and may be barely aware of the effects. The pettiness of the Democrat Party continues, but Trump has enough support to overturn this.
