Five Governors -- Huntsman (R-UT), Freudenthal (D-WY), Gibbons (R-NV), Schweitzer (D-MT) and Manchin (D-WV) -- joined in a live videoconference to strategize about new energy technologies that help America reduce its dependence on foreign sources of energy. NextGen was praised by all.

A recent press release announced Governor Joe Manchin, Chariman of the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB), call to State Houses across the nation for a Declaration of Energy Independence.  Governor Manchin called upon his colleagues to provide a strong national voice in securing American energy independence.

In Secretary Bodman's remarks at the National Coal Council's annual meeting he announced the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) and U.S Treasury's awarding of $1 billion in federal tax incentives to promote the accelerated advancement of clean coal-based power generation and gasification technologies.