"Democrats Might Give Big Oil a Big Win in Congress"

"The party is in talks with Republicans to lift a longtime ban on U.S. exports in exchange for clean-energy and other tax breaks."

"Even as they bash Big Oil and push for a strong global climate deal in Paris, Democrats are strongly considering joining forces with congressional Republicans to give the petroleum industry the biggest item on its wish list: an end to the U.S. oil exports ban that has been in effect since the era of disco and bell-bottoms.

The four-decade-old ban has become a crucial bargaining chip during budget talks ahead of a Friday deadline to avoid a government shutdown. Whether the two sides can reach a deal — Democrats are asking for a host of tax credits, including for clean energy, that Republicans have long railed against — is an open question as the negotiations enter the home stretch this week.

What is clear is the talks have scrambled Washington’s energy politics, putting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at odds with the Koch brothers and pitting environmentalists against their Democratic allies."

Elana Schor reports for Politico December 7, 2015.