NC governor creates offshore energy advisory panel

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Gov. Beverly Perdue says a new panel will help North Carolina make sound decisions on whether to tap into alternative energy resources along its coast. Perdue announced Monday the creation of the Governor's Scientific Advisory Panel on Offshore Energy. The yet-to-be-named panel members will examine the feasibility of tapping into oil and natural gas reserves off the Atlantic coast, as well as generating energy from the wind and sun. The panel also will evaluate federal proposals for offshore oil and gas lease sales. Perdue said during last year's campaign she was open to offshore drilling if scientists prove it's safe. Perdue plans to travel to the Outer Banks this week and attend a public meeting on the potential for coastal wind energy. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)