WASHINGTON, May 15 (Reuters) - Oil refiners would be given 2 percent of greenhouse gas emission permits under a proposed climate change bill that Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are writing, according to a document describing that legislation.

The proposal, which could still change in coming days, would also give local natural gas distribution companies 9 percent of the emissions permits. Those companies would have to use the free permits to protect consumers from natural gas price increases, according to the document.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan, editing by Patricia Zengerle)

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