CCAEJ Commends White House Withdrawal of American Offshore Territory from Future Oil-and-Gas Development

Jurupa Valley, CA - January 6, 2025; Today marks a historical environmental victory as President Biden announces the permanent ban on new offshore drilling across most U.S. coastal waters. This decisive action safeguards over 625 million acres of the outer continental shelf from future oil and gas exploration and drilling, ensuring that these waters, crucial to biodiversity and coastal livelihoods, remain unspoiled for generations to come.

Ana Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ), responded to the announcement with a mix of relief and resolve, saying, "It’s about damn time. But there is so much more to be done to protect our most vulnerable overburdened communities. For now, we celebrate this decision!" She further emphasized that this is not just a win for the environment but a monumental step forward for communities that have been on the frontlines of oil and gas extraction.

Under the authority of Section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), President Biden has withdrawn a vast expanse of the U.S. coastal waters from mineral leasing. This action uses a provision previously invoked by eight presidents over the past 73 years, underscoring its historical significance and the depth of commitment required to maintain our natural habitats.

The areas protected from drilling include the entire eastern U.S. Atlantic coast and the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, spanning approximately 334 million acres from Canada to the southern tip of Florida. Additionally, nearly 250 million acres of federal waters off the West Coast of the mainland U.S., and 44 million acres of the Northern Bering Sea in far northwest Alaska, are included in this withdrawal.

This decision by President Biden is not just an environmental safeguard but a beacon of hope for future regulatory actions aimed at preserving our planet. While celebrating this milestone, CCAEJ reminds everyone that the fight is far from over. The climate crisis demands immediate and bold actions, and CCAEJ continues to stand with vulnerable communities advocating for a cleaner, safer, and sustainable future.

For further information, please contact:

Ana Gonzalez, CCAEJ Executive Director (909)275-9812 ana.g@ccaej.org