In January 2025, President Joe Biden implemented a sweeping ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling across most U.S. coastal waters, including the Atlantic coastlines of South Carolina and Georgia. This action, covering over 625 million acres, was enacted under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, a statute that grants the president authority to withdraw federal waters from energy development. The move was part of Biden’s broader climate agenda and aimed to protect coastal ecosystems and economies from the potential risks associated with offshore drilling. (apnews.com, politico.com, thestate.com)

The decision was met with widespread approval from environmental organizations and coastal communities in both states. In Georgia, the Georgia Conservancy praised the ban, highlighting its alignment with the state’s vision for a resilient and diverse coastal ecosystem. The organization emphasized that offshore drilling posed significant threats to marine life, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale, and could have detrimental effects on the state’s tourism and fishing industries. (georgiaconservancy.org, coastalconservationleague.org)

Similarly, in South Carolina, local leaders and environmental groups expressed strong opposition to offshore drilling. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling were among the coastal officials who voiced concerns about the potential for oil spills to devastate the region’s beaches and marine ecosystems. The Coastal Conservation League also highlighted the dangers of seismic testing, a method used to locate oil and gas reserves, noting its harmful impact on marine mammals and fisheries. (thestate.com, coastalconservationleague.org)

Despite the federal ban, the future of offshore drilling remains uncertain. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to reverse Biden’s decision, emphasizing the importance of expanding domestic energy production. However, legal experts suggest that overturning the ban may not be straightforward, as the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act does not provide an easy mechanism for a succeeding president to unilaterally revoke such protections. (nypost.com, apnews.com)

The debate over offshore drilling in the South Atlantic has been ongoing for years, with previous administrations proposing and then retracting plans for energy exploration in the region. In 2016, the Obama administration dropped plans to allow drilling off the South Carolina coast following widespread opposition from coastal communities and concerns from the U.S. military about potential disruptions to training exercises. (thestate.com)

In Georgia, bipartisan efforts have been made to oppose offshore drilling. State legislators passed House Resolution 48 in 2019, affirming their opposition to oil and gas exploration off the state’s coast. Governor Brian Kemp also expressed his intent to fight against offshore drilling initiatives, reflecting a growing consensus among Georgia’s coastal lawmakers and communities about the importance of protecting the state’s marine environment. (ajc.com, georgiaconservancy.org)

As the federal government continues to grapple with energy policy decisions, the voices of coastal communities in South Carolina and Georgia remain a powerful force in shaping the future of offshore drilling. Their collective stance underscores the significance of preserving coastal ecosystems and economies in the face of evolving national energy strategies.(thestate.com)