Analyst: Browner exit shows 'softening' of Obama green agenda

The resignation of White House energy and climate advisor Carol Browner signals good things for the coal and oil industries, according to a note Tuesday by investment bank FBR Capital Markets.

"Her resignation on the eve of the State of the Union is another signal that the Obama administration may be softening its approach to environmental regulations, especially those aimed at raising prices and/or reducing fossil fuel consumption," FBR wrote.

The note from the Virginia-based investment house adds: "We expect the President to use tonight's State of the Union speech to continue exploring common ground with Republicans, including regulatory reform, clean energy, manufacturing competitiveness, and research and development. This should be viewed as positive for fossil fuel and particularly coal companies, which faced a slew of regulatory issues including mountaintop mining, coal ash, the Clean Air Transport Rule, and a utility MACT [maximum achievable control technology] rule."