Biden plans to ban some offshore drilling in a way Trump would struggle to undo | CNN Business

CNN - Jan 3rd, 2025
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President Joe Biden plans to permanently ban future offshore oil and gas development in specific sections of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, utilizing the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. This executive order, difficult for the incoming Trump administration to reverse, aims to protect these areas from potential oil spills and further fossil fuel pollution. Environmental groups have long advocated for such measures, viewing it as a significant step towards environmental conservation. The White House has not commented on the matter, while energy experts suggest the move will have minimal impact on U.S. oil production, given existing offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

The broader implications of Biden's executive order underscore a commitment to environmental protection, despite potential opposition from the oil and gas industry. The American Petroleum Institute criticized the decision as misguided, preferring to focus on energy security and economic benefits from offshore drilling. Additionally, Biden's administration is set to declare two new national monuments in California, further highlighting his conservation efforts. This move continues Biden's pattern of expanding national monuments and aligns with initiatives from native tribes seeking to protect land from energy development.

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RATING

7.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of President Biden's expected executive order to ban offshore oil and gas development, emphasizing the potential impact on future administrations and the environment. While it is factually accurate and well-sourced, there are areas for improvement in balance and transparency. The article predominantly presents the perspectives of environmental groups and industry analysts, with less focus on alternative viewpoints. Source quality is high, with credible references like CNN and Bloomberg. However, transparency regarding the motives and affiliations of quoted sources could be enhanced. The article is clear and well-structured, although it could benefit from a more thorough explanation of the broader context of offshore drilling policies.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The article presents accurate information about President Biden's anticipated executive order to ban offshore oil and gas development. It references the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, correctly stating its significance in granting presidents authority to withdraw federal waters from oil and gas leasing. The article accurately notes that reversing such an order would require congressional action, highlighting the difficulty for future administrations to undo it. Furthermore, it provides reliable data on existing offshore rigs and potential impacts on US oil production, quoting energy analysts like Tom Kloza. However, the article could enhance accuracy by providing more detailed data or statistics on offshore drilling's current scope and its environmental implications.

6
Balance

While the article effectively covers the environmental perspective, emphasizing the support from climate groups and the potential benefits of Biden's decision, it displays a slight imbalance in representing opposing views. It briefly mentions the American Petroleum Institute's criticism of the ban but does not delve deeply into the industry's arguments or potential economic repercussions. The article could improve balance by including more extensive viewpoints from stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, as well as economic analysts who might offer contrasting insights into the decision's impact on jobs and domestic energy security. This would provide a more rounded representation of the issue at hand.

9
Clarity

The article is well-written, with clear language and a logical structure that guides the reader through the key points. It succinctly explains the legal framework of the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the implications of Biden's anticipated executive order. The tone remains neutral and professional throughout, avoiding emotive language that could bias the reader. Complex information, such as the potential long-term impact on US oil production, is presented in an accessible manner, aided by expert quotes. However, the article could enhance clarity by providing a brief background on previous offshore drilling policies to contextualize Biden's decision within a historical framework.

8
Source quality

The article draws on credible sources, including reputable news outlets such as CNN and Bloomberg, which enhances its overall reliability. It quotes knowledgeable individuals like Oceana's campaign director Joseph Gordon and the American Petroleum Institute's senior vice president Dustin Meyer, lending authority to the claims made. However, there is room for improvement in source variety. The article relies heavily on a single administration source for information about Biden's plans, which could limit the breadth of perspectives. Additionally, while the energy analysts quoted are credible, incorporating voices from academia or independent environmental experts could further strengthen the source quality.

7
Transparency

The article provides clear information about the anticipated executive order and its legal basis. However, it could improve transparency by elaborating on the potential conflicts of interest of the quoted sources. For instance, while the American Petroleum Institute's position is mentioned, the article does not disclose any affiliations or interests related to the organization's economic stake in offshore drilling. Additionally, the article could benefit from a more explicit discussion of the broader context, such as historical precedents for such executive orders and their long-term effects. This would offer readers a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.