"In a widely circulated memo this week, environmental groups boasted that they're 'poised to execute the last phase of our biggest and most sophisticated electoral effort ever.'

They're on track to spend $85 million, they said, including $40 million on six Senate races.

Not only are environmental groups spending record amounts of cash on the races, they are also trumpeting a common vision with what advocates call an unprecedented level of coordination. And they vow it will last through future elections.

But their critics say the environmental community's clout has made the movement more pragmatic at the expense of core values, including defeating the Keystone XL oil pipeline."

Manuel Quiñones and Daniel Bush report for Greenwire October 29, 2014. [2]