In a controversial move just two weeks before leaving office, President Biden has enacted an executive action prohibiting new oil and natural gas drilling across over 625 million acres of U.S. coastal waters. This decision, based on the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, could significantly limit President-elect Trump's ability to expand energy production and potentially lower energy costs. Reversing the ban might require Congressional intervention.

Biden defended his action, stating it safeguards vulnerable coastal regions and aligns with his administration's commitment to clean energy. He emphasized the importance of protecting these areas for future generations and highlighted his broader conservation efforts. Biden claims his administration has conserved more land and water than any other presidency.

However, Trump's incoming press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, strongly criticized the move, accusing Biden of political retribution against the American people. She expressed confidence that Trump's administration would ultimately overturn the ban and prioritize increased drilling to reduce energy prices.

This executive action intensifies the debate over balancing environmental protection with energy independence. Biden argued that these goals are not mutually exclusive, while critics like Ron Neal, chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of America Offshore Committee, warn of dire consequences for the oil and gas industry. Neal views the ban as a potential first step towards broader restrictions on energy production, jeopardizing the industry's long-term viability.

Throughout his campaign, Trump pledged to restore American "energy dominance" by promoting oil and gas drilling and reversing many of Biden's climate initiatives. This latest executive action sets the stage for a potential clash between the two administrations' energy policies.