President Biden has banned new offshore oil and gas drilling across significant swaths of U.S. waters, including the East Coast and parts of Alaska, marking a pivotal environmental move weeks before Trump takes office.
Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.
In short:
- Biden’s ban covers over 625 million acres, including the entire East Coast, Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea and the Pacific coast.
- The Interior Department notes limited industry activity in these areas, but the move seeks to block potential expansions under Trump.
- Oil industry leaders criticized the decision as anti-energy, while environmentalists see it as a win for climate policy.
Key quote:
“Drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs.”
— U.S. President Joe Biden
Why this matters:
Offshore drilling poses long-term risks to marine ecosystems, coastal communities and efforts to combat the climate crisis. With the clock ticking on Biden's presidency, this ban underscores a broader commitment to climate-conscious policymaking, even as it sets up yet another clash over America’s energy future. Whether the ban withstands incoming political tides remains a critical question.
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