Fossil-fuel lobbyists are working to thwart the Obama administration’s environmental rules. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) Oil, gas and coal interests that spent millions of dollars to help elect Republicans this year are moving to take advantage of expanded GOP power in Washington and state capitals to thwart Obama administration environmental rules. Industry lobbyists made their pitch in private meetings last week with dozens of state legislators attending a meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an industry-financed conservative state policy organization. The lobbyists and legislators consideredseveral model bills to be introduced across the country next year designed to give states greater power to block or delay new Obama administration environmental standards, including new limits on power-plant emissions. The industry’s strategy is designed to combat a renewed push by President Obama to carve out climate change as a top priority for his final two years in office. The White House has […]