June 2024 Progress Update on the Biden Administration’s Goals
The June 2024 report of the Biden Administration’s Ocean Climate Action initiative highlighted progress in ocean-related enterprises, including expansion of offshore wind energy, reduction of plastic pollution, and the protection and restoration of blue carbon. This initiative is supported by organizations such as the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, National Wildlife Federation, and EarthEcho International.
In April 2024, the Department of Interior (DOI) approved projects totaling more than 10 GW of renewable offshore power.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued leases totaling over 1 million acres in the New York Bight (over 488,000 acres), Carolina Long Bay (~110,000 acres), Gulf of Mexico (~410,000 acres), and California (Pacific Ocean, ~373,000 acres) for offshore wind development.
DOI withdrew 2.8 million acres in the Beaufort Sea from oil and gas drilling and expanded protections for 13 million acres of Special Areas in the Western Arctic from new oil and gas leasing.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced $3 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding for the Clean Ports Program as part of the Administration’s goal to achieve zero-emission shipping and freight by 2050 and a 30% reduction by 2030.
As part of the Administration’s goal to eliminate the release of plastic into the environment by 2040, it allocated over $1.1 billion to combat plastic pollution and marine debris in 2020–2024.
The Administration allocated $30 million to support sanctuary designations, as well as $50 million to sanctuary infrastructures, as part of its “America the Beautiful” initiative. Its goal is to conserve and protect at least 30% of US lands and waters by 2030.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association allocated $349 million to support climate-ready fisheries, including $40 million for pilot projects.
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