Biden’s handlers have been very busy as he nears his exit from the Oval Office, “His” latest affront to the American people is a permanent ban on drilling in federal coastal waters. It doesn’t affect the drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, only the 625 million acres of federal areas on the coasts. He already reversed the approval of oil and gas-rich areas ANWR, which was approved by Congress in 2017 during the previous Trump administration. The executive order will endear Biden to believers in the climate change hypothesis, even furthering the implementation of Trump’s ” campaign promise. which is probably one of his goals.
The President’s statement said in part:
I am taking action to protect the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea from oil and natural gas drilling and the harm it can cause. My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses, and beachgoers have known for a long time: that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs. It is not worth the risks. As the climate crisis continues to threaten communities across the country and we are transitioning to a clean energy economy, now is the time to protect these coasts for our children and grandchildren.
(…) From Day One, I have delivered on the most ambitious climate and conservation agenda in our country’s history. And over the last four years, I have conserved more than 670 million acres of America’s lands and waters, more than any other president in history. Our country’s remarkable conservation and restoration progress has been locally led by Tribes, farmers and ranchers, fishermen, small businesses, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts across the country. Together, our “America the Beautiful” initiative put the United States on track to meet my ambitious goal to conserve at least 30 percent of our Nation’s lands and waters by 2030.
President Trump replied
“I will unban it immediately” Trump told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. “I have the right to unban it.”
He said the U.S. has “oil and gas at a level that nobody else has and we’re gonna take advantage of it,” adding of curb drilling, “We can’t let that happen to our country.”
“It’s really our greatest economic asset,” Trump said.
Unfortunately, he has two more weeks to take additional actions designed to thwart Trump’s promises. To him and his handlers, it is important to thwart President Trump’s programs even if his efforts screw the people of the United States.
