President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to overturn a directive issued Monday by President Joe Biden banning oil and natural gas drilling off Florida’s coasts and other parts of the U.S.
The directive, which encompasses 334 million acres of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and areas off the West Coast, was described by Trump as “ridiculous” during an appearance on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show.
“625 million acres of U.S Coastal territory. It’s ridiculous. I’ll unban it immediately,” Trump said. “I will unban it. I have the right to unban it immediately…What’s he doing? Why is he doing it?”
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“We have oil and gas at a level that nobody else has. And we’re going to take advantage of it,” Trump stated, reaffirming his commitment to expanding domestic energy production.
Biden defended the move, stating it balances environmental protection with economic growth.
“We do not need to choose between protecting the environment and growing our economy, or between keeping our ocean healthy, our coastlines resilient, and the food they produce secure and keeping energy prices low. Those are false choices,” Biden said in a statement.
The directive aligns with Florida voters’ 2018 approval of a constitutional amendment prohibiting oil and gas drilling in state waters, which extend three nautical miles from the Atlantic coast and nine nautical miles from the Gulf Coast. However, Biden’s ban goes further, impacting waters under federal jurisdiction.
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Trump’s promise to “unban” drilling reflects his broader stance on energy independence and economic growth.
“We’re going to bring back jobs, lower energy prices, and make America energy dominant,” he said. Trump’s incoming administration is expected to prioritize deregulation and expand offshore drilling opportunities to boost domestic energy production.
The debate underscores a longstanding divide on energy policy and environmental conservation, with Biden’s move receiving praise from environmentalists while drawing criticism from industry groups and Republicans who argue it stifles economic potential.
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The clash over offshore drilling is likely to set the tone for broader battles between the outgoing and incoming administrations over energy, climate policy, and federal oversight.
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