Free-market group riffs on Woody Guthrie in gas export push

CEI, a think tank and advocacy group, says there’s a serious message behind the satirical video and song.

“With what right does Dow seek to restrict the freedom of other companies to sell their products in the global market place?” said Marlo Lewis, a CEI senior fellow who doubles as lead vocalist and musician. “Blocking exports cheats everyone involved in the natural gas value chain – investors, workers and shippers.”

Dow and a handful of other big manufacturers months ago formed a group that’s lobbying against “unfettered” gas exports at a time when the gas industry is pushing for a major export expansion.

They say that a major export expansion would raise domestic prices for the fuel that manufacturers covet as a feedstock for their products, making them less competitive.

The Energy Department recently approved two export applications to nations that lack formal free-trade deals with the U.S., and is weighing an array of others.