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Centrist Senate Dems may offer compromise on oil spill liability

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Oil-state and centrist Democrats may unveil a compromise Tuesday designed to set a path forward on legislation responding to the Gulf of Mexico spill this year.

Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) said Monday that it would address setting aside revenue from oil and gas production in federal waters for states with production off their coasts. It also seeks to end a stalemate over how much to increase the current $75 million liability limit oil companies face for offshore spills, and could alter the Obama administration’s temporary ban on deepwater drilling.

“We’ve crafted something I think might get us there,” Begich told reporters.

He dismissed the notion that an agreement could not be reached in the few days before senators leave for a five-week summer break Friday. “It’s only Monday,” he said. “We might lay the groundwork enough now.” He declined to offer details.

Full story: Centrist Senate Dems may offer compromise on oil spill liability – The Hill’s E2-Wire