RantCrush Top 5: December 21, 2016

Yesterday President Barack Obama made another move to protect the planet before leaving office. He announced a ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in large areas of the Arctic and Atlantic, using a provision of a 1953 law called the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. According to Obama, this means that the ban can’t be reversed by the next president. The law has been used to restrict smaller areas of federal waters before, but never for a permanent ban on such a large area. Considering that Donald Trump is a big fan of oil and gas, it is almost certain that this decision will be challenged in court. But in the meantime, most of us say thanks, Obama. (For real this time).

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Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.