In a striking decision, a federal judge in Louisiana has declared that the Biden administration overstepped its legal bounds by imposing an indefinite ban on new offshore drilling across vast stretches of the U.S. coastline, as The Hill reports.

This ruling, hailed as a major win for oil and gas supporters, found that the ban on drilling over 625 million acres was beyond the authority of both the Biden and Obama administrations.

The controversy began when former President Barack Obama and later President Joe Biden issued orders to permanently shield large offshore areas from drilling activities.

Court challenges prior executive actions

Biden’s specific order restricted new drilling along the entire East Coast, as well as in waters off California, Oregon, Washington state, parts of Alaska’s coastline, and the Eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Notably, the central and western Gulf of Mexico, key regions for U.S. offshore oil and gas production, remained unaffected by this prohibition.

The blocked area under Biden’s directive spanned a staggering 625 million acres, a move that drew sharp criticism from industry advocates.

Judge rules against executive overreach

Judge James Cain, appointed by former President Donald Trump, issued the ruling that struck down these protective measures.

Cain determined that the actions taken by both Biden and Obama represented an unauthorized shift from traditional executive practices.

He wrote that these orders “constituted a departure from the executive branch’s longstanding practice and exceed the authority granted” under existing law.

Industry applauds decision

The American Petroleum Institute, a prominent lobbying group for the oil and gas sector, expressed strong support for the judge’s findings.

Ryan Meyers, senior vice president and general counsel at the institute, commented on the significance of the ruling.

He stated, “We welcome the court’s decision to vacate this politically motivated decision and ensure our nation’s vast offshore resources remain a critical source of affordable energy, government revenue and stability around the world.”

Trump administration reverses restrictions

Following the Biden administration’s ban, the Trump administration took steps to reverse the order, reopening the previously restricted waters to potential drilling.

As a result, Judge Cain’s ruling may not immediately alter the status of these specific offshore areas, since the ban has already been lifted.

Nevertheless, the decision stands as a symbolic and legal triumph for proponents of expanded oil and gas exploration, reinforcing their stance against restrictive federal policies.