Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf From Oil or Natural Gas Leasing

President Biden withdrew remaining unleased areas of the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area from oil and natural gas leasing indefinitely, using authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The action protects marine ecosystems and coastal communities from oil spill risks and climate change impacts, while preserving existing lease rights.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 6739

Key directives

Withdraw from oil/natural gas leasing all remaining unleased areas of the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area
Withdrawal has no specific expiration date
Withdrawal prevents consideration for any future oil or natural gas leasing for exploration, development, or production
Preserve existing lease rights in withdrawn areas
Maintain prior withdrawals in Norton Basin Planning Area and North Aleutian Planning Area

Who is ordered

Secretary of the Interior · Department of the Interior

Timeline

Immediate

Withdrawal takes effect upon issuance
Leasing prohibition applies to all future exploration, development, and production

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Permanent or indefinite protection of Northern Bering Sea from future oil/gas leasing
Potential legal challenges to withdrawal scope or duration

Risks & tensions

Indefinite 'without specific expiration' withdrawal may face legal challenge under OCSLA section 12(a) scope
No explicit deadline or review mechanism creates uncertainty about reversal by future administrations
Vague 'national need to curtail...climate change' language provides broad but potentially contestable justification