On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order reversing former President Joe Biden’s restrictions on oil drilling in the Arctic and extensive areas off the U.S. coasts. This move reflects a significant policy shift in U.S. energy strategy.
Key Highlights:
Reversal of Biden’s Ban:
Biden had recently banned new offshore oil and gas development along most U.S. coastlines, a decision that was largely seen as symbolic since it did not affect ongoing drilling operations.
The ban primarily covered areas in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans where there were no significant prospects for new drilling.
Arctic Drilling Memo:
Trump also repealed a 2023 memo that prohibited oil drilling in approximately 16 million acres (6.5 million hectares) in the Arctic.
First Day Actions:
The repeal of Biden’s drilling restrictions was part of a broader agenda, with Trump reversing numerous actions from the previous administration on his first day in office.