Staff Reports
Donald Trump is already preparing to cut through the red tape laid down by the outgoing Biden administration, particularly in the energy sector. As President Biden exits the political scene, he has slapped a major ban on offshore drilling in a reported 625 million acres of federal waters—the reality check here is that this vast stretch includes much of America’s coastline. It seems that Biden is intent on leaving Trump with a hot mess to clean up before he officially takes office.
In his final days, Biden has been pulling off a string of eyebrow-raising decisions, all seemingly aimed at making Trump’s transition as bumpy as possible. Between selling off parts of border walls and engaging in international squabbles, Biden isn’t just making headlines; he’s setting traps. His executive order serves as a last-ditch attempt to reinforce his climate agenda and throw up obstacles for Trump, who is ready to hit the ground running with a pro-energy agenda.
"We will drill, baby, drill."
US president-elect Donald Trump says he will undo Joe Biden's move to ban new offshore oil and gas development along most US coastlines.https://t.co/2BTAIT93xd
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/m358V9GrqT
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 7, 2025
The ban on offshore drilling covers critical regions like the East Coast, parts of the Gulf of Mexico, and stretches of the Pacific Coast, not to mention some areas in Alaska. While Biden might argue that this ban aims to protect the environment, Trump sees it as a classic case of eco-fanaticism run amok. To Trump, further restrictions on fossil fuels are simply out of touch with the pressing needs of Americans dealing with rising energy costs. The former president is vocal about his commitment to energy independence, vowing to “drill baby drill” in response to soaring inflation.
Biden, in an effort to defend his ban, lamented the supposed environmental risks associated with drilling. He champions the voices of coastal communities and advocates for beachgoers as though their weekend getaways hinge entirely on energy regulations. The irony here is thick; while Biden is busy imposing restrictions in the name of saving the planet, many Americans are busy feeling the pinch at the gas pump. With rampant inflation wreaking havoc, it’s no surprise that Trump’s call for a return to robust drilling has been increasingly welcomed by voters craving relief.
Despite Biden’s attempts to stifle progress using the Continental Shelf Lands Act, which grants presidents the authority to withhold federal waters from oil and gas leasing, there are suggestions that reversing these actions could require more than a simple executive order. However, with Republicans controlling both the House and Senate, Trump is well-positioned to rally support for his pro-drilling initiatives, aiming to restore common sense amid a flurry of restrictions. As America gears up for a new administration, it appears that the country’s energy landscape could soon be headed for a radical reshaping, courtesy of Trump’s decisive actions.
