Energy Plan Might Stifle Growth, Say Governors

"During an energy conference sponsored by the Southern Growth Policies Board, the chief executives - both Democrat and Republican - called for open bipartisan discussion of items before Congress. They included cap-and-trade proposals on carbon emissions being pushed by President Barack Obama's administration and billions of dollars in federal taxes on energy production.

Republican Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi said those taxes would drive up the cost of gasoline, diesel fuel and natural gas, not only on consumers, but on industry.

Much of the South's power is generated by coal, a main target of demands for carbon reductions. Ratcliffe said technology that burns coal cleaner will be needed as part of an overall energy policy."