Cementing Offshore Drilling Ban Before Trump Takes Over

As President Joe Biden prepares to exit the Oval Office, his administration is reportedly gearing up to deliver a final parting gift to environmental activists—one that could deal a lasting blow to American energy independence.

According to Bloomberg News, Biden plans to impose restrictions on offshore oil and gas drilling, potentially handcuffing President-elect Donald Trump’s efforts to reinvigorate the U.S. energy sector, as reported by The Daily Caller.

Bloomberg’s sources indicate Biden’s executive order would permanently ban new lease sales for oil and gas drilling across certain areas of the outer continental shelf. While specific regions remain unconfirmed, whispers suggest coastal California and parts of the Gulf of Mexico may be targeted.

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If enacted, the move would align with the demands of deep-pocketed environmental groups and progressive lawmakers eager to cement Biden’s legacy as a climate warrior.

This maneuver, however, directly counters Trump’s pledge to “unleash American energy dominance.” Biden’s potential restrictions could make it exceedingly difficult for the next administration to roll back, thanks to legal provisions allowing presidents to protect federal waters without granting clear authority to reverse such designations.

In typical fashion, the Biden administration is attempting to tie Trump’s hands, prioritizing its ideological agenda over the practical needs of hardworking Americans.

Beyond offshore drilling, Biden’s lame-duck administration has been sprinting to finalize an array of green policies. Just last year, it issued the most restrictive five-year offshore leasing schedule in U.S. history, further throttling domestic energy development.

Recent actions include blocking oil and gas development in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains for the next 20 years and doling out massive taxpayer-funded loans to green energy firms—moves that seem more focused on appeasing the environmentalist elite than addressing the nation’s economic realities.

These late-term policies are a continuation of the administration’s broader climate crusade, which has hampered America’s energy independence and economic resilience. For average Americans, the consequences are clear: higher energy costs, increased dependence on foreign oil, and diminished economic opportunities in energy-rich regions of the country.

While the White House declined to comment on these developments, the timing of this move raises eyebrows. With just days left in office, Biden’s push to enshrine radical environmental policies smacks of a desperate attempt to solidify his legacy—even if it means leaving everyday Americans to pay the price.