Governors weigh in on energy policy

[jpak]

http://politics.netscape.com/viewstory/2006/08/07/governors-criticize-national-energy-policy/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2Fs%2Fap%2F20060807%2Fap_on_re_us%2Fgovernors_oil&frame=true

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Governors worried about damage to the economy and complained about years of neglect on energy policy after an Alaska oil field shutdown, but offered far different solutions on Monday.

Energy independence and alternative fuels had already been part of the weekend's summer meeting of the National Governors Association. News of the oil field shutdown and the spike in oil prices, spurred by corrosion of a key oil pipeline, put a sharper edge to the topic.

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Republican Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi said the problem was environmentalists and others who fight increased drilling and pipeline construction.

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Asked about drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Pataki said, "There's no question we have to expand domestic production of oil. I think you've just seen this afternoon what happened unless we have reliable additional sources that are convenient to the market. So yes, we need to open up more places for oil exploration and drilling."

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