Environmental Groups Revolt Over Obama's Energy Strategy

Already under pressure from the fossil-fuel industry and Republicans over new environmental regulations, the Obama administration is facing a challenge from 18 of the nation's leading environmental groups over its "all of the above" energy strategy.

1 minute read

January 17, 2014, 1:00 PM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


If advocates on the political left and right are both angry with you, does that mean you're doing something right? Juliet Eilperin and Lenny Bernstein look at the environmental vice that the Obama administration finds itself in as one group of lobbyists pressures the president to reinforce his commitment to fight climate change and the other tries to reverse new environmental regulations. 

The latest, and surprising, salvo came in form of a letter [PDF] sent to President Obama by 18 of the country's leading environmental groups that challenges the administration's "all of the above" energy strategy. Eilperin and Bernstein observe that the letter "signals that the administration is under pressure to confront the fossil-fuel industry or risk losing support from a critical part of its political base during an already difficult election year."

"The groups," which include the Sierra Club, the Environmental Defense Fund and Earthjustice, "suggested that Obama should apply a strict climate test 'to all decisions regarding new fossil fuel development,' including hydraulic fracturing and coal mining on public lands, as well as drilling in the Arctic Ocean."

Thursday, January 16, 2014 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Large building under construnction in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia at sunset.

Charlottesville Temporarily Has No Zoning Code

A judge ordered the Virginia city to throw out its newly revised zoning code, leaving permitting for new development in legal limbo.

15 minutes ago - Charlottesville Tomorrow

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab