Republican States Challenge Biden Offshore Drilling Ban

A coalition of Republican-led states, including Louisiana, Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, and Mississippi, along with the American Petroleum Institute, has filed a lawsuit challenging President Biden's recent ban on new offshore oil and gas leasing. The ban, announced in early January, aims to restrict drilling across 625 million acres of federal waters as part of efforts to combat climate change, but the plaintiffs argue that Biden exceeded his authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Incoming President Donald Trump has pledged to quickly reverse the ban but may face legal hurdles in doing so, as any changes could require congressional action. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, seeks to overturn the restrictions, which the plaintiffs deem unconstitutional. Environmental groups have previously supported Biden's actions, indicating a potential legal battle is on the horizon if Trump attempts to lift the ban. The case could set a precedent for future energy policy disputes, particularly in a closely divided Congress.