In a final controversial move, disgraced outgoing President Joe Biden announced an executive order permanently banning new oil and gas development across 625 million acres of U.S. ocean waters. The ban targets areas along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea, invoking the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to shield these waters from future leasing.

Biden claimed the ban reflects bipartisan coastal concerns about the risks of drilling, but critics argue it’s a politically motivated attack on energy independence. “This decision is designed to hurt Americans who voted for President Trump and his pro-energy policies,” said Trump’s incoming press secretary. President Trump dismissed the ban as “ridiculous” and vowed to reverse it upon taking office, emphasizing his commitment to domestic energy production and lower gas prices.

While Biden and environmental groups champion the move as a safeguard against oil spills and climate risks, industry leaders warn it will harm future U.S. energy exploration. Despite the uproar, analysts suggest the economic impact may be minimal due to existing production in other offshore areas.