As President Joe Biden wraps up his term, he’s taking a sweeping step to block future offshore oil and gas drilling along most of the U.S. coastline.
For conservatives who value energy independence and limited government intervention, this move raises serious concerns. Biden’s decision, which relies on a rarely used 1953 law, could make it nearly impossible for the incoming Trump administration to reverse without Congress stepping in.
What Is Biden Doing?
Biden plans to withdraw 625 million acres of federal waters from future oil and gas leasing. This includes:
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- The Atlantic Coast
- The Pacific Coast from Washington to California
- The Eastern Gulf of Mexico
- Parts of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea
This action is part of Biden’s broader push to cement his environmentalist legacy with a recent flurry of executive acts directed at “climate change.”
Why Conservatives Are Concerned
For conservatives, this decision appears to be a power grab.
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act gives presidents the authority to withdraw federal waters from drilling, but it doesn’t explicitly allow them to reverse such actions. This means that undoing Biden’s ban would require Congressional approval, a significant hurdle even with majorities in both chambers.
One reason Biden’s move is so significant is its permanence.
In 2019, a federal court upheld a similar action by the Obama administration, ruling against the Trump administration’s attempt to reopen areas for drilling near Alaska. This precedent makes it likely that Biden’s ban will hold up in court.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) blasted Biden’s decision as “misguided.”
Dustin Meyer, API’s senior vice president, said:
“This approach undermines our energy security and shifts production to nations with fewer environmental safeguards.”
For conservatives, this move could:
- Hurt Energy Independence: The U.S. has made significant strides in reducing reliance on foreign oil. Blocking offshore drilling could reverse that progress.
- Impact Jobs: Offshore drilling supports thousands of jobs, from rig workers to engineers. Limiting new opportunities could hit coastal economies hard.
- Increase Energy Costs: With global demand for oil rising, reducing domestic supply might drive up prices at the pump.
What Does This Mean for Nevada?
Nevada may not have a coastline, but energy policy impacts everyone.
Higher energy costs affect families at the pump and businesses relying on affordable transportation. Additionally, limiting domestic production shifts oil demand to foreign producers, many of whom have poor environmental and human rights records.
For a state known for its tourism and outdoor recreation, rising energy costs could impact everything from airline tickets to local travel expenses.
Critics and Supporters Weigh In
Environmentalists argue that this ban is essential for combating climate change. Jenny Rowland-Shea from the Center for American Progress said:
“These are areas where drilling is not popular. People want their coastal economies and wildlife protected.”
But energy experts like Tom Kloza of the Oil Price Information Service say the impact on U.S. energy supply will be minimal, noting that offshore projects take years to come online.
Kloza said:
“There’s plenty of existing offshore rigs pumping oil in the Gulf of Mexico.”
Meanwhile, some Republicans are already strategizing ways to reverse the ban.
Budget reconciliation—a process that allows legislation to pass with a simple majority—could be used to speed up lease sales in existing areas. Florida Republicans, however, might push to maintain protections for parts of the Gulf, reflecting bipartisan concerns about drilling near their coastline.
The Bigger Picture
Biden’s offshore drilling ban is a bold move that will shape America’s energy landscape for years to come. Many conservatives see it as another example of government overreach that could hurt the economy and energy independence.
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, this issue will likely become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over America’s energy future.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.