WASHINGTON — After almost a decade of oil-friendly Republicans controlling Congress, the energy sector faced a dramatically different political landscape Wednesday.
Where Republicans pushed an end to the oil export ban and the relaxing of environmental regulations around drilling, the new Democratic-led House is expected to be more interested in combating climate change than boosting oil and gas production.
The industry also will face the unfriendly fire without key allies, such as Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, who lost to political newcomer Lizzie Fletcher, and Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, who lost to former NFL player Colin Allred. They and other Republicans will be unable to stop Democrats from haling energy executives to committee rooms explain their role and influence in the Trump administration’s rollback of regulations.