Biden to block new offshore drilling along most US coastline

Washington: President Biden is gearing up to block new offshore oil and gas drilling along most of the U.S. coastline. This move could really shake things up for Republicans who want to ramp up production in federal waters.

On Monday, Biden is expected to announce that he’ll withdraw 625 million acres from future drilling. This includes the entire Atlantic Coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of Alaska. It’s a big deal, and it’s got a lot of folks talking.

This decision sets the stage for a showdown over offshore energy. Former President Trump has plans to boost domestic oil and gas production, aiming to cut energy costs in half during his first 18 months back in office.

Biden’s ban will use powers from the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. This law has held up in court before, so it might be tough for Trump to undo it without Congress stepping in.

Interestingly, the White House and the Interior Department haven’t commented on this yet. But it’s clear that the eastern Gulf of Mexico is seen as a treasure trove of untapped oil, and that’s been a hot topic for Florida officials.

Republicans are busy drafting a spending bill that might push the Interior Department to speed up oil and gas lease sales, especially in the Gulf, which is a major player in U.S. oil production.

Some experts think Florida Republicans might use their slim majority to strengthen the ban on leasing in the eastern Gulf. This could be a win for Biden and his environmental goals.

Jenny Rowland-Shea from the Center for American Progress pointed out that drilling isn’t popular in these areas. People want to protect their coastal economies and wildlife.

Trump’s previous actions to block leasing off Florida’s coast showed he understood the local opposition. But industry leaders argue that Biden’s ban is more permanent, and they worry it just shifts production to countries with fewer environmental protections.

Dustin Meyer from the American Petroleum Institute criticized Biden’s approach, saying it undermines the U.S. energy advantage. Republicans are looking to push for new lease sales to fund their budget plans, but they might focus on areas with less opposition.

Last Congress, Florida Republicans caused a stir when they demanded protections against drilling in the eastern Gulf. With a smaller majority now, they’ll need to negotiate carefully.

Environmental advocates are hoping that some coastal Republicans will stand up against their party if they try to reverse Biden’s actions. But there’s still room for lease sales in areas where drilling is already happening.

Joseph Gordon from Oceana mentioned that while there might be efforts to expand drilling, many areas have remained untouched in the past. He’s optimistic about working together to protect the coast.

Legislation to allow more lease sales seems to be a trend. The Inflation Reduction Act required regular lease sales in the Gulf, although Republicans claim Biden is dragging his feet on that.

The oil and gas industry might challenge Biden’s total ban in court, even if they’re not keen on drilling there right now. The Gulf of Mexico remains the most lucrative area for production.

In the end, it looks like the debate over offshore drilling is far from over, and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.