Biden Bans Offshore Drilling on 625M Acres of US Waters
The Facts
US Pres. Joe Biden on Monday announced executive action to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling across 625M acres of US coastal waters, including the entire Atlantic coast, eastern Gulf of Mexico, Pacific coasts, and portions of Alaska's Northern Bering Sea.
The protection extends to approximately 334M acres of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf from Canada to Florida, 250M acres off the West Coast, and 44M acres in Alaska's Northern Bering Sea.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
This ban protects marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and local economies across the US' coasts from irreversible environmental damage and oil spills. The minimal fossil fuel potential in these areas doesn't justify the environmental, health, and economic risks of new drilling, especially as the US transitions to clean energy.
Republican narrative
Biden's last-minute anti-energy policy will hurt Americans by restricting energy development and economic growth.This is a catastrophic attack on the oil and natural gas industry, as it severely limits exploration potential and long-term survival of the sector. Oil and gas are the country's greatest resources and one of its biggest economic assets.
