Obama Introduces Off-Limits Ocean Drilling Areas

President Obama has indefinitely blocked offshore drilling in areas of the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean.

By invoking a law called the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Acts, which gives the President the authority to withdraw lands from oil and gas leases, Obama has aimed at advancing environmental protection during his final days in office.

His actions designated 31 Atlantic canyons totalling 3.8 million acres as off limits to oil and gas exploration and development activity.

The same protection is provided for much of the Arctic waters, covering a total of 115 million acres, and Canada is following suit.

The protections are a joint partnership with Canada to “protect a sensitive and unique ecosystem that is unlike any other region on earth.”

The White House said in a statement: “[The protections] reflect the scientific assessment that, even with the high safety standards that both our countries have put in place, the risks of an oil spill in this region are significant and our ability to clean up from a spill in the region's harsh conditions is limited.”

They added: "By contrast, it would take decades to fully develop the production infrastructure necessary for any large-scale oil and gas leasing production in the region — at a time when we need to continue to move decisively away from fossil fuels."

Jacqueline Savitz, Senior Vice President of Environmental group, Oceana, celebrates the decision: "President Obama has taken a key step in protecting important areas of the Atlantic Ocean from offshore drilling. The people of the Atlantic coast refused to allow their way of life to be compromised and we commend their hard work making their voices heard in Washington."

Earlier this year, the Obama administration reversed course on a plan that would have allowed Atlantic offshore drilling after uproar from local communities and environmentalists.

The administration also worked to designate the first national marine monument in the Atlantic Ocean.

There have been concerns regarding Trump’s reaction to the news, although Bloomberg has pointed out that a reversal, if allowed at all, would take years to work its way through court.