SW Arkansas Times

President Joe Biden has announced a ban on oil and gas development across more than 600 million acres of federal waters. This decision affects the Atlantic coast, Pacific coast, eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of the northern Bering Sea. In response to this announcement, Bruce Westerman, Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, expressed his disapproval.

Westerman stated, "While the federal deficit grows, President Biden’s decision to lock away 625 million acres of future energy potential undermines one of our nation’s greatest revenue streams—energy receipts, second only to income taxes. In the 119th Congress, we will use every tool, including reconciliation, to restore and unleash these revenues, fueling conservation, coastal resilience, and energy independence, and ensuring America—not OPEC, Russia or China—leads the world.”

This memorandum from President Biden marks another step in what critics describe as a series of anti-energy policies by his administration. Since taking office, Biden has taken measures such as revoking the Keystone XL pipeline permit on his first day in office. This action was seen as a blow to American jobs and increased reliance on foreign energy sources.

The administration also paused new oil and natural gas leasing on U.S. federal lands and waters indefinitely and did not conduct an onshore lease sale for eighteen months. In September 2023, seven oil and gas leases in Alaska's North Slope were canceled along with locking up millions of acres in the National Petroleum Reserve.

Furthermore, Biden's Department of the Interior has been criticized for its five-year offshore leasing plan which included fewer lease sales than any previous plans since the program began. The plan was also released two years later than expected.

House Republicans have indicated their intent to collaborate with former President Trump during the 119th Congress to reverse these decisions made by President Biden in an effort to restore what they consider American energy dominance.