Federal Environmental Justice Tracker

EJ Tracker Update

President Biden Protected 625 Million Acres from Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling

Last updated:

January 6, 2025

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White House

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Presidential Proclamation

President Biden protected 625 million acres of U.S. land from offshore oil and gas drilling, pursuant to presidential authority under Section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.  The action protects land off of the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of the Northern Bering Sea in Alaska from future oil and natural gas leasing. Representatives of coastline communities and Alaskan tribes fighting to protect the Northern Bering were crucial to the Administration’s decision.  The White House provided testimonials from Tribal leadership, government representatives, and environmental groups celebrating the action.