Southern political, biz leaders to discuss energy

RICHMOND, Va.

Elected officials from Southern states and major energy companies will be in Richmond, Va. this weekend for an annual meeting.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is hosting the three-day Southern States Energy Board annual meeting. It will bring together state and federal officials from 16 Southern states with representatives from coal, drilling and utility companies to talk about energy issues and develop strategies regarding jobs, energy security, economic development and international competitiveness.

McDonnell is chairman of the board. Speakers include West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, congressmen from Kentucky, Tennessee and other states, and former New Jersey Governor and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Todd Whitman.

The meeting is one of three national energy events Virginia is hosting in October.