In a sweeping move to safeguard the environment, U.S. President Joe Biden has implemented a ban on offshore drilling across vast coastal waters.
The ban, announced on Monday, covers the entire Atlantic coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coast, and parts of the Bering Sea off Alaska. 
This decision protects over 625 million acres of waters and marks a historic step toward preserving marine ecosystems.
Biden emphasized the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, stating, “Now is the time to protect these coasts for our children and grandchildren.”
He further explained that the limited fossil fuel potential in these areas does not justify the “environmental, public health, and economic risks” posed by new drilling projects.
The action was taken under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953, which grants authority to regulate offshore resource exploitation.
However, the law does not provide a clear path for reversing a drilling ban without congressional approval, making it potentially challenging for President-elect Donald Trump to overturn.
While Biden’s move has been praised by environmental groups, it has faced criticism from Trump’s camp.
Incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the ban as “a disgraceful decision designed to exact political revenge,”
arguing that it contradicts Trump’s campaign promise to increase domestic fossil fuel production and reduce gas prices.
On the other hand, Joseph Gordon, Oceana’s Climate and Energy Director, applauded the decision, calling it “an epic ocean victory and celebrating the protection of coastal communities for future generations.
The offshore drilling ban is part of Biden’s broader climate strategy, which also includes ambitious targets under the Paris Accord.
In December, the administration committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 61–66% below 2005 levels by 2035, aiming for net zero by 2050.
As Biden prepares to leave office, this move reinforces his administration’s commitment to clean energy and environmental preservation, leaving a legacy of bold climate action despite political opposition.
