Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal has called for a deliberate process when considering shale extraction.
The presidential campaigns have weighed in, mindful of polls that suggest that finding new sources of energy is a priority for many Western voters. In the Mountain West, oil shale plays as prominent a role as natural gas and oil drilling. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain's running mate, recently joined a Colorado crowd in chanting, "Drill, baby, drill," and "Mine, baby, mine." McCain spokesman Tom Kise said the GOP ticket supports a more cautious, if "all-of-the-above," approach to energy independence. "But whenever we're exploring for new energy sources, be it here in Colorado or off the coast, it has to be done in a way that is environmentally responsible," Kise said.
"Unlike the Bush administration's reckless develop-at-all-costs strategy, (Barack) Obama will work with local stakeholders to determine the best path forward and will ensure that science -- not big oil -- guides our decision-making processes," Obama campaign spokesman Matt Chandler said in a written statement.
