Mississippi Energy Policy Institute Take's First Steps in Mapping Out State Energy Strategy

Governor Haley Barbour addresses media with members of the Mississippi Energy Policy Institute

The Mississippi Energy Policy Institute is trying to find ways to ensure Mississippi's strategic place as an energy reliable state. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

At a press conference in Jackson Monday Governor Haley Barbour said the greatest energy challenge facing Mississippi is the Federal Government.

“Far and away the biggest danger to Mississippi’s economy in the field of energy is the government cap and trade tax that the house of representatives passed a few weeks ago. But hopefully the senate won’t pass.”

Former Mississippi Congressman, Chip Pickering believes "cap and trade" would cap the state's productivity and trade jobs overseas by increasing the tax on all forms of energy.

“It would put more people out of jobs. It would deepen the recession. Competitively it would ship and trade our jobs to China and India, places that do not restrict their emissions or reduce their emissions. So all of those things put together is not the right remedy for a recession based economy.”

Momentum Mississippi Chairman Anthony Topazi, says the state’s energy interests will not be enhanced by the current energy policy.

“There is not as much wind and solar opportunity in Mississippi as some may think. But we find that wood chips, forestry products agricultural residue, these are products that we do have a lot in the state that is a renewable energy source that we’re evaluating, bringing those to the table.”

The 125 member group representing various political values is comprised of Energy Companies, Universities, and other industry related entities. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.