An overabundance of domestic fossil fuels, coupled with pandemic-driven stay-at-home orders and other travel restrictions, already had dampened the growth prospects of the nation’s oil-and-gas industry through most of 2020. And that was before the presidential election.

Now President Joe Biden, in his first months in office, has set into motion a climate change agenda with major proposed changes to the nation’s energy policies and environmental regulations. Amid all of this anticipated change, it is vital to consider the forewarnings, the risks, and the legal implications for the energy industry. Having a preventative or even a proactive mindset about the legal and regulatory implications for any energy business may be one of the most important steps that can be taken at this very dynamic time.

So what can the energy industry – and local economies – expect amidst a charged political climate aiming to increase environmental regulations and usher in an era of “green,” renewable energy?