(JACKSON, Miss.) Gov. Phil Bryant is renewing his focus on promoting energy-related development.
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.
