Biden Bans Offshore Oil Drilling to Protect US Waters, Limiting the Country's Energy Production

This will protect vulnerable US marine areas but faces opposition from the oil and gas industry.

By Thea Felicity

Jan 04 2025, 02:40 AM EST

US-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION-OIL — Drilling platforms Elly (L), Ellen (C) and Eureka (R) are seen off the southern California coast on October 6, 2021. - The US Coast Guard is investigating a possible anchor strike as the cause of a broken pipeline that has spewed tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil into the sea off California, media reported on October 5. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

President Joe Biden will announce a new ban on offshore oil drilling and gas development over an enormous section of US coastal waters, which covers nearly 625 million acres in the Atlantic, Pacific, and parts of the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

However, this ban does not apply to sections of the Gulf of Mexico that have been drilled on for decades; these sections today account for 14% of the nation's oil and gas production.

Now, the decision would protect these sensitive areas from the adverse environmental impacts of fossil fuel production, such as oil spills, and would save marine ecosystems, per Bloomberg. This will be part of Biden's overall drive to build strength into his climate agenda and amplify conservation efforts. It also ties in with the aim of the president to favor zero-emission energy and secure coastal communities based on the pressure applied by environmental movements and congressional Democrats who have constantly pushed for strict protection against off-shore drilling.

The president had taken similar actions to restrict the production of fossil fuels before; however, this one will last because it has a legal base that allows the president to pull US waters off oil leasing due to its extensive authority. This authority has been used by past administrations, including Trump, to protect marine areas.

Oil and Gas Industry Reacts to Biden's Decision

Considering the economic effects, the ban is opposed by the oil and gas industry, Energy Connects reported. The industry argues that banning offshore drilling is curbing US energy production and economic growth. Industry proponents argue that oil extracted within US borders has a lower environmental footprint compared to oil imported from other countries.

The decision may change America's future energy supply, considering the increase in demand for electricity in years to come.

Biden's decision, though good for the environment, may be reversed by a future administration. Former President Trump has tried to reverse similar decisions made by Obama in the past. However, any attempt to reverse Biden's decision would be met with judicial challenges.