Biden presidency to cast shadow over shale
Mounting pressure from Democratic Party to tackle climate change threatens future of the sector
The 2020 US presidential contest presents the country’s shale patch with two stark alternatives: continued vitality versus gradual or rapid decline. This is in sharp contrast to the two previous US polls, when the industry had comparatively little to fear from a victory by either the Democratic or Republican candidates. A victory by Republican president Donald Trump would signal a continuation of policies that bolster and support the development of shale resources. For at least four more years there would be no significant federal government pressure on the oil and gas industry to reduce its carbon footprint. Federal action would favour the development of fossil fuel energy resources over vi
Also in this section
12 December 2025
The federal government is working with Alberta to improve the country’s access to Asian markets and reduce dependence on the US, but there are challenges to their plans
11 December 2025
The removal of the ban on oil and gas exploration and an overhaul of the system sends all the right messages for energy security, affordability and sustainability
10 December 2025
The economic and environmental cost of the seven-year exploration ban will be felt long after its removal
9 December 2025
The group’s oil production declined in November, our latest analysis finds, amid divided sentiment over market balances and geopolitical jitters
