"The Interior Department's rollout of hydraulic fracturing disclosure rules for public lands late last week was preceded by a bevy of White House meetings between President Obama's aides and industry lobbyists."

"There was also one meeting with environmental groups in the lead-up to Friday's announcement, White House records show. But administration officials met with four different industry groups in February, March and April.

With gasoline prices rising amid consistent criticism from the oil and gas industry, Obama has sought to demonstrate his support for domestic production, undertaking an energy tour in March to visit a pipeline hub and drilling rig.

When Anadarko Petroleum Corp. Chairman James Hackett showed up in early April, he got a face-to-face meeting with Cass Sunstein, administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, otherwise known as the 'regulatory czar.'"

Mike Soraghan reports for EnergyWire May 7, 2012. [2]