President-elect Donald Trump expressed his intention to reverse President Joe Biden's recent executive action to permanently ban future offshore oil and gas development in parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Trump made this statement during an interview on 'The Hugh Hewitt Show' where he criticized Biden's decision to prohibit oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of US coastal territory.
President Biden's executive action, announced on Monday, invokes the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. This law grants presidents broad authority to withdraw federal waters from future oil and gas leasing and development. The action taken by Biden effectively prevents oil companies from leasing waters for new drilling in the specified 625 million acres of ocean.
It is important to note that the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act does not explicitly grant presidents the authority to revoke such actions and reinstate federal waters for development. Therefore, if Trump wishes to undo Biden's ban on offshore drilling, he would need to work with Congress to amend the existing legislation.
The debate over offshore oil and gas drilling has long been a contentious issue, with proponents arguing for economic benefits and energy independence, while opponents raise concerns about environmental risks and the impact on marine ecosystems. The decision to ban drilling in certain coastal areas reflects the ongoing tension between economic interests and environmental conservation.
As the transition of power continues, the future of offshore drilling policy in the United States remains uncertain. The potential reversal of Biden's executive action by Trump would likely spark further debate and scrutiny from various stakeholders, including industry representatives, environmental advocates, and policymakers.
