Republican-led states blame Biden administration over offshore drilling ban By Reuters

Posted by Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A group of Republican-led states on Friday filed a lawsuit on Friday challenging a ban announced by Democratic U.S. President-elect Joe Biden earlier this month on new oil and gas development. on the US coast.

The lawsuit seeks to reverse Biden’s ban on declaratory relief and relief, according to a court filing that argued that Biden does not have the authority to impose such a ban and that the power to do so rests with the US Congress.

Biden’s operation announced on January 6 was considered highly symbolic, as it will not affect areas where oil and gas development is currently underway, and especially cover areas where drilling has no significant prospects, including in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The ban will affect 625 million hectares (253 million acres) of ocean and Biden says it is in line with his plan to fight climate change. The Biden administration, which leaves office on Jan. 20 when Republican President-elect Donald Trump takes office, did not immediately comment.

The lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana named Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland as defendants, and the states of Louisiana, Alabama, Alaska, Georgia and Mississippi as plaintiffs. The plaintiffs also include two trade groups – the American Petroleum Institute and the Gulf Energy Alliance.

Trump has said he would quickly repeal the ban but may find it difficult to do so.

The 70-year-old Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act allows presidents to remove mineral leases and drilling, but does not give them the legal authority to overturn prior restrictions, according to a 2019 court ruling — meaning that change may require action. Congress.

Trump said he would take the matter to court if necessary.