Carol Browner Departing as Obama Energy Adviser

Carol Browner, the Obama administration’s top adviser on energy and climate issues, plans to step down from her position, the Associated Press reported, citing White House officials.

Browner, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President Clinton, helped negotiate a deal with truck and automakers boosting federal fuel economy standards and requiring the first-ever greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles.

Her departure, coupled with the November elections that gave Republicans a majority of seats in the House, make it likely the administration will shelve any comprehensive energy or climate change bill, which had been one of President Obama’s priorities, AP reported.