U.S. President Joe Biden announced a decision to ban new oil and gas drilling in vast areas of U.S. coastal lands, covering up to 625 million acres, and to prohibit the sale of drilling rights in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

This move is part of ongoing efforts by the U.S. administration to protect the environment and coastal communities from the risks of oil spills and to reduce emissions contributing to climate change.

At the same time, Biden allowed leasing of some oil and gas areas in parts of the Gulf of Mexico, which account for 14% of U.S. oil production.

This decision, which will be officially announced on Monday, reflects the White House’s strategy to promote clean energy and represents a significant step in countering the plans of incoming President Trump to boost fossil fuel production in the country.