The debate over whether to export the United States' new bountiful supply of natural gas is dividing powerful groups that represent some of the nation's biggest companies.

The National Association of Manufacturers and the American Chemistry Council voiced support for natural gas exports in online statements this week saying free-trade policies will enable growth in United States businesses.

Dow Chemical Co. took a different stance. Spokeswoman Nancy Lamb said, "We disagree with ACC and NAM and believe their decisions on this issue are being influenced by the oil and gas industry."

And she hinted that the chemical giant may leave the groups over the issue. Dow's future membership in the groups "remains to be seen," she said.

The idea of exporting natural gas from the United States arose in the last few years after drilling advances unlocked new natural gas supplies that were previously thought to be too costly to produce.

The Energy Department is reviewing more than a dozen proposals to export gas to countries lacking a free-trade agreement with the United States, a category that includes major natural gas consumers such as Japan and nations in Western Europe. The department released a report last month that found exports would help the U.S. economy (Tennille Tracy, Wall Street Journal, Jan. 17). -- KJ