© Jonathan Ernst / Reuters Obama at Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
President Barack Obama is ready to
block the sale of new offshore drilling rights in the US Arctic and parts of the Atlantic; Bloomberg cites sources familiar with the matter. The block on sales would
restrict American oil production. The move could reportedly come on Tuesday and would
limit future oil and gas leasing in US waters.The president is expected to evoke a provision in a seldom used
1953 law to preserve coral reefs, marine sanctuaries and walrus feeding grounds, the agency reports. The measure aims to respond to an outcry from environmental protesters who have been seeking
to lock in protections before President-elect Donald Trump and his administration enter office.
Canada may announce similar plans at the same time, the sources said.
Using the provision will draw a
legal challenge, though there is scant legal precedent. Once Donald Trump takes office, he may
rescind Obama's order, but it could take years of litigation as the statute does not include a provision for reversal. The Republican-led Congress could also introduce legislation to
eliminate the underlying provision empowering Obama's move. "Congress didn't give the president that power to undo a withdrawal. Trump may claim it. And it may even get upheld," said Niel Lawrence, Alaska director of the Natural Resources Defense Council, as quoted by the agency.
Comment: Voters love or hate the Electoral College, depending on perception of its function and bias to individual candidate election numbers. If it should come to pass that citizens wish to eliminate the EC, perhaps knowing what it does and why is important should be a precursor to making that decision.