The Biden administration has announced a new plan that will limit offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, a move that is receiving mixed reactions from both activists and the fossil fuel industry. Under the plan, oil and gas companies will only be able to drill in three new areas in the Gulf between 2024 and 2029, making it the smallest number of lease sales since the federal drilling program began.
The decision to limit offshore drilling is part of President Biden’s efforts to prioritize clean energy and reduce fossil fuel pollution. In order to promote the development of wind farms in federal waters, the government is required to offer leases for oil drilling. Deb Haaland, the Interior Department secretary, stated that the plan aims to support the growing offshore wind industry while protecting against potential environmental damage and adverse impacts on coastal communities.
However, the oil industry has expressed concerns about the limited opportunities for drilling. They argue that this will lead to increased oil imports from countries with lower environmental standards. On the other hand, climate advocates believe that the administration should completely end new leasing to prevent the catastrophic impacts of global warming.
President Biden had initially promised no new drilling, period on public lands and federal waters. However, he has faced pressure from courts and Congress to approve new drilling projects. Emissions from burning fossil fuels extracted from federal lands and waters contribute to almost a quarter of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The plan announced by the Biden administration will now undergo a 60-day congressional review before it can be implemented. The three areas in the Gulf of Mexico that will be leased for drilling are already home to existing oil and gas facilities. This decision aligns with President Biden’s goal for the United States to stop adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere by 2050.
Critics argue that the decision to limit offshore drilling could harm the economy and hinder efforts to fight climate change. They argue that natural gas, which could replace coal as a cleaner fossil fuel, will be in shorter supply as a result of this plan. However, methane emissions from natural gas production are also a growing concern among climate scientists.
It is expected that Republicans and oil industry leaders will challenge the new five-year plan in court. However, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act does not require a minimum number of lease sales, which may make it difficult for them to challenge the plan.
The Biden administration is also aiming to boost the offshore wind industry. President Biden has set a goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030, enough to power 10 million homes. The administration has already approved four commercial-scale offshore wind projects and expects to review at least 16 more projects by 2025.
Overall, the decision to limit offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico has received mixed reactions. While environmental groups applaud the move as a step towards reducing fossil fuel pollution and supporting clean energy, the fossil fuel industry and some Republicans argue that it will have negative economic consequences and hinder efforts to fight climate change. The plan will now face the congressional review before it can be put into action.
