Joe Biden’s last-minute push to choke off American energy development is a fitting finale to his administration’s war on domestic production. In a move that reeks of desperation and pandering to far-left environmentalists, Biden is preparing to permanently ban new offshore oil and gas development in key coastal areas, using an obscure 72-year-old law to make it as hard as possible for President-elect Trump to reverse.
The executive order, expected within days, will target areas near California and the Gulf of Mexico off Florida’s coast. Biden is invoking the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to block new drilling rights, leveraging its provisions to create “permanent protections” that are notoriously difficult to overturn. In essence, Biden is trying to tie Trump’s hands before he even takes the oath of office.
Let’s not kid ourselves—this isn’t about protecting sensitive marine ecosystems or “fighting climate change.” It’s about political theater. Biden is bending over backward to placate his base and cement his anti-energy legacy, all while America’s energy independence hangs by a thread. The environmental lobby couldn’t be happier, of course. They’ve been clamoring for “permanent protections” to prevent offshore drilling, and Biden is serving it up on a silver platter.
But here’s the kicker: this move isn’t just bad for the energy industry. It’s bad for America. Coastal states rely on energy development to support thousands of jobs and pump billions into local economies. By shutting down offshore drilling, Biden isn’t just locking away energy resources—he’s locking out the hardworking Americans who depend on them. And let’s not forget the national security implications. Choking off domestic production means relying more on foreign oil from nations that don’t exactly have our best interests at heart.
The timing couldn’t be more cynical. Biden’s team has reportedly been cooking up this plan for over two years, but they ramped up efforts after Trump’s victory. It’s not about safeguarding marine life—it’s about sabotaging Trump’s pro-energy agenda. This follows a similar Biden move to block energy development in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains, barring oil, gas, and geothermal exploration across 264,000 acres of federal land for 20 years.
America deserves leadership that prioritizes energy independence, job creation, and economic growth—not last-minute political stunts designed to appease radical activists. Biden’s move is a gut punch to America’s energy future, and it’s time to call it out for what it is: a disaster in the making.