Ban on Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling

SOURCE www.npr.org
President Joe Biden is taking action to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters to protect the environment and combat climate change.

Key Points

  • Protects more than 625 million acres of federal waters
  • Biden's orders may be challenging for the incoming Trump administration to undo
  • Biden's action builds on the legacy of previous presidents to protect coastal waters
  • Biden aims to navigate between energy production and environmental conservation

Pros

  • Protects coastal areas from irreversible damage caused by drilling
  • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to combating climate change
  • Supports bipartisan tradition of protecting U.S. coasts
  • Balances multiple uses of America's oceans

Cons

  • Could potentially impact energy production and gas prices
  • May face opposition from those in favor of increased drilling
  • Could require an act of Congress to repeal