Biden bans offshore drilling across huge area of US before Trump takes office

Published On Jan 6, 2025, 5:21 AM

The Biden administration has announced a ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling along most of the United States coastline, effective immediately. This includes areas off the Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. The decision, made under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, is intended to protect coastal communities and the environment from potential harm due to drilling. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to reverse this ban once in office, but the legal challenges may complicate such efforts. Environmental groups have welcomed the ban, highlighting its importance for climate change efforts, while industry representatives criticize it as detrimental to U.S. energy security.