On Friday, a coalition of Republican-led states filed a lawsuit against outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden over his ban on new offshore oil and gas development along most U.S. coastlines.
The lawsuit seeks to overturn Biden’s decision, arguing that he lacked the authority to impose the ban and that such power lies with the U.S. Congress. The plaintiffs are requesting declaratory and injunctive relief to nullify the ban.
Announced on January 6, Biden’s decision to protect 625 million acres of ocean is largely symbolic, as it does not impact areas where oil and gas development is currently ongoing. Instead, it focuses on regions with limited prospects for drilling, such as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Biden defended the move as part of his broader agenda to combat climate change.
The Biden administration, which will leave office on January 20, when Republican President-elect Donald Trump takes over, has not issued a response to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, names Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland as defendants. The plaintiffs include the states of Louisiana, Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, and Mississippi, along with two trade groups—the American Petroleum Institute and the Gulf Energy Alliance.
President-elect Trump has indicated he will act swiftly to revoke the ban upon taking office.
