"Oil Industry Fears Trump May Hit Them Up on Tax Reform"

"Industry officials worry tax reform could target energy companies".

"Don’t crack the bottles of bubbly just yet, energy execs. Environmental groups might want to park their pitchforks for the moment, too. The new Republican Congress and incoming Trump Administration might have some surprises up their sleeves for both sides.

While the oil and natural gas industry’s lobbyists are clearly banking on friendlier partners for 'smarter and forward-looking energy policies,' in the words of American Petroleum Institute chief Jack Gerard Wednesday, the sector is unlikely to get a permanent blank check. Instead, the let’s-make-a-deal era that Donald Trump promises to usher into Washington could end up asking companies to cover the costs of separate tax reform efforts in exchange for lighter regulation and more offshore drilling.

It’s merely the latest example that few things in the Age of Trump follows precedent, nothing is sacrosanct and special interest groups are mobilizing its allies to defend their interests. After all, Trump champions unpredictability as a negotiating tactic."

Philip Elliott reports for TIME January 4, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"US Oil Industry Chief Calls For More Offshore Access" (AFP)

"Top US Oil Industry Group Lobbies Trump For Lighter Regulation" (Financial Times)

"Oil Lobby Bullish On Trump, GOP Congress" (The Hill)