Oil lobbyists aren’t accustomed to hearing the word “no.” And from an all-of-the-above perspective, that’s not always a bad thing. America needs more energy, not less. We still import about a quarter of all the oil we consume. But some petroleum companies seem to be taking their influence for granted, and that could prove their undoing with a White House that is known for drawing a clear line between friends and foes.

Most recently, a few refiners have begun smearing the president and his allies in Congress for refusing to abandon the Renewable Fuel Standard, which protects U.S. production of biofuels made from agricultural crops, farm waste, and even used cooking oil.