New Offshore Drilling Protections

President Joe Biden has enacted permanent protections for over 625 million acres of US coastal waters, effectively barring future oil and gas drilling activities. This action targets key regions including the US East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Coast, and parts of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea. These measures reflect a growing concern that the environmental and economic risks of drilling outweigh the fossil fuel resources available in these areas. By restricting access to these waters, the Biden administration aims to preserve crucial marine ecosystems and protect local communities from the risks of offshore drilling, such as oil spills.

Environmental and Economic Impacts

The new protections seek to safeguard coastal ecosystems, local economies, and industries that depend on healthy marine environments, such as fishing, tourism, and recreation. About 40% of Americans live in coastal regions, making the ocean’s health vital for economic sustainability. The decision is seen as a direct response to the ongoing threats of pollution, oil spills, and habitat destruction linked to drilling activities. The regions under protection will remain shielded from oil and gas leasing, helping ensure the long-term health of the oceans, which are vital to local livelihoods.

Broad Consensus for Protection

The decision to halt offshore drilling has garnered widespread support across various political and social groups. Over 2,300 elected officials, ranging from local to federal levels, have expressed opposition to expanding offshore drilling, citing concerns about environmental health, public safety, and economic stability. In Alaska, the move has been particularly welcomed by over 70 coastal tribes, who have long pushed for protections in the Northern Bering Sea, a region rich in natural resources but vital for Indigenous communities’ cultural and subsistence practices.

Key Protected Areas

The Biden administration used Section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to ensure these protections are permanent. Key areas that have been withdrawn from future leasing include:

• Northern Bering Sea: An additional 44 million acres in Alaska have been safeguarded, a critical area for marine mammal migrations and Indigenous peoples’ subsistence needs.

• The Eastern U.S. Atlantic Coast and Eastern Gulf of Mexico: More than 334 million acres now protected from future oil and gas drilling, with the move helping sustain multi-billion-dollar industries like fishing and tourism.
• The Pacific Coast: Nearly 250 million acres off California, Oregon, and Washington are now off-limits to drilling. This region, which is home to diverse marine life, has not seen federal leasing since 1984.

Historic Conservation Achievements

This move further solidifies President Biden’s legacy as a leader in conservation, as he has now protected more US lands and waters than any other president in history, totaling more than 670 million acres. This includes the creation of ten national monuments and six new wildlife refuges, along with specific protections for cultural landmarks such as Chaco Canyon and Boundary Waters.

Broader Environmental Strategy

These actions are part of the Biden administration’s broader climate agenda, which focuses on reducing reliance on fossil fuels, promoting renewable energy, and prioritizing environmental stewardship. The administration has committed to advancing clean energy projects, such as offshore wind developments, while simultaneously protecting natural habitats. As part of the America the Beautiful program, the goal is to protect 30% of US lands and waters by 2030, promoting climate resilience and protecting biodiversity.