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David Holt, President of Consumer Energy Alliance, right, expresses the need for the nation taking advantage of its resources and becoming more energy self sufficient while Karen Alderman Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy listens during a day long Governor's Energy Summit in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012. Business and energy leaders discussed the importance of energy to the state's economy and its opportunities for growth. Additionally energy policy and energy development strategies were also discussed. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Bryant unveiled an "energy roadmap" Thursday at the Mississippi Energy Summit, including promoting oil and gas production, finding ways to use the state's available energy resources to attract more business, improving energy efficiency, expanding energy-focused research and training workers to take advantage of opportunities.
When inaugurated, Bryant emphasized energy and health care as avenues to economic development. Legislators created tax breaks for health care investments this year.
Southern Co. CEO Thomas Fanning reiterated support for the coal-fired plant it's building in Kemper County, despite the cost rising $2.8 billion.
The summit at times sounded like a Republican rally, with former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Republican U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper and others bashing President Barack Obama's policies.
Read more in Friday's NEMS Daily Journal.