The Biden administration on Monday announced a ban on future offshore oil and gas activity across 625 million acres of the outer continental shelf. This area is larger than the land area included in the waning Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

of action Future drilling will be halted on 250 million acres along the East Coast, eastern Gulf of Mexico and West Coast, and 44 million acres in the Bering Sea along the Alaska coast. The incoming Trump administration plans to free up the U.S. energy sector because the law that President Joe Biden invoked to promulgate the policy does not give the president explicit authority to reverse withdrawals approved by the previous president. It may be difficult to lift this ban as the country moves forward.

“Today, President Biden will take action to protect the entire U.S. East Coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean off Washington, Oregon, and California, and additional portions of the northern Bering Sea in Alaska from future oil and gas.” lease. In protecting more than 625 million acres of U.S. oceans from offshore drilling, President Biden said the environmental and economic risks and damage resulting from drilling in these areas are outweighed by the potential of limited fossil fuel resources. I decided that it outweighed sex. ” (Related: White House touts support for divisive environmental groups that harassed administration officials and Democrats)

The White House’s announcement setting out a new drilling ban suggests Monday’s action will secure Mr. Biden’s legacy on climate change and energy policy, with the administration previously announcing that in 2023 it would be the most restrictive in modern history. It had moved to reduce offshore oil and gas drilling by issuing a five-year lease schedule. The 625 million acres of land affected by Monday’s announcement is larger than the total 530 million acres of land purchased. louisiana purchase The year was 1803.

numerous Democratic Party and wealthy environmental organization Ahead of Monday’s announcement, Biden urged significant and lasting action on climate change as he leaves office. meanwhile, industry group Officials blasted the ban, describing it as a politically motivated goodbye to an industry that the Biden administration has fought for for four years.

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for White House press secretary, Caroline Leavitt, also reversed her decision Monday morning. post Mr.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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