A Louisiana federal judge has ruled that former President Joe Biden exceeded his authority when he permanently withdrew 625 million acres of federal waters from future oil and gas leasing, The Center Square writes.
The decision, issued by Judge James Cain in Lake Charles, sided with Louisiana and four other states, as well as industry groups including the American Petroleum Institute. Cain found Biden’s move—and a similar one by Barack Obama—violated the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which allows only temporary withdrawals.
The ruling clears the way for broader offshore leasing, including a new federal plan to hold 30 oil and gas auctions over 15 years, replacing Biden’s limited five-year strategy. Energy advocates hailed the decision as a victory for U.S. energy independence and global competitiveness, while critics warned it undermines climate goals. Louisiana leaders say continued offshore development is vital to meet surging energy demand, particularly from data centers and AI growth.
