"But the idea could face resistance from those who support direct aid to workers. One critic called the idea ‘absurd.'"

"The White House is strongly considering pushing federal assistance for oil and natural gas producers hit by plummeting oil prices amid the coronavirus outbreak, as industry officials close to the administration clamor for help, according to four people familiar with internal deliberations.

President Trump has touted the growth of oil and natural gas production under his administration, celebrating their rise in politically crucial swing states such as Pennsylvania. But many oil and gas firms were hammered Monday by the price war that broke out between Saudi Arabia and Russia, driving oil prices down in their steepest one-day drop in almost 30 years.

White House officials are alarmed at the prospect that numerous shale companies, many of them deep in debt, could be driven out of business if the downturn in oil prices turns into a prolonged crisis for the industry. The federal assistance is likely to take the form of low-interest government loans to the shale companies, whose lines of credit to major financial institutions have been choked off, three people said."

Jeff Stein, Will Englund, Steven Mufson, and Robert Costa report for the Washington Post March 10, 2020. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Trump Considers Relief For Shale Producers During Outbreak" (E&E News) [3]

"Conservatives Look To Squash Trump Bailout For Oil Industry" (Washington Examiner) [4]

"Trump Oil Lifeline: The Good, The Bad And The Unlikely" (EnergyWire) [5]