Dow Chemical Challenges Ally Exxon’s Push to Export U.S. Gas

Exxon Mobil Corp. and Dow Chemical Co., big-dollar lobbying allies on many issues in Washington, are on opposite sides of a high-stakes fight over how much of rising U.S. natural gas supplies should be sold overseas.

Exxon, the nation’s largest producer of natural gas, says exports will create jobs, encourage more production and lower the trade deficit. Dow, the largest U.S. chemical maker by revenue, uses gas and its byproducts and leads a coalition that wants to keep prices low by limiting the amount that leaves the country.