As energy costs rise, more states and cities are adopting policies that encourage or require new construction to be energy-efficient.

Ethanol producers in Iowa and elsewhere are awaiting a ruling at noon today, Iowa time, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a request from Gov. Rick Perry of Texas to cut in half the current mandate requiring the blending of 9 billion gallons of ethanol with unleaded gasoline.

Gov. John Baldacci is considering whether to call the Legislature into special session to add state funds to a federal program that provides heating oil assistance for low-income Maine households, a spokesman said Wednesday.

REDWOOD FALLS, Minn. - Emotions are rising nationally as leaders debate the question about whether biofuels such as ethanol are driving up food and other prices.

Texas' growing energy needs require new power plants of all types and continuation of a deregulated power market despite high electricity prices, according to recommendations Wednesday from the governor's competitiveness council.

HINSEBURG, Vt. - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington proposed a dramatic shift in the state's energy portfolio Wednesday, calling on Vermont to get 20 percent of its electrical needs from in-state wind generation in 10 years.

The House of Representatives late Wednesday passed a major energy bill with a $1,200 "resource rebate" for Alaskans, setting up what could be a tense, billion-dollar showdown with the Senate today -- the final day of the special session.

Bet you never thought you'd see $3 per gallon gasoline again. But now that pump prices have fallen for 20 straight days, it could happen in Alabama by Labor Day, experts say.

A legislative subcommittee reviewing school funding voted Wednesday to recommend the Legislature set aside $24 million annually over the next two fiscal years to help schools cope with high gas prices.

Builders and environmentalists, often adversaries, are aligning behind sweeping legislation that could fundamentally change how California grows and where.

LAMAR, Colo. - T. Boone Pickens swooped into Colorado for the second time in the past month Wednesday, drumming up support for his plan to cut the country's foreign-oil dependency. A standing-room crowd of about 375 at the Elks Lodge warmly welcomed the 80-year-old Texas oil-and-gas tycoon, applauding his entrance before an official introduction.

Florida is more ready for a hurricane and other disasters than ever before, Gov. Charlie Crist and top emergency-management officers said Wednesday.

Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers has only about one-fifth the enrollment of the University of Central Florida or the University of Florida. But the 10,000-student school's mission to advance environmental studies helped it win $8.5 million in seed money from the state to install a 16-acre "farm" of solar panels that could eventually supply nearly 20 percent of its electricity.

A Barack Obama ad ready to air at Florida gas stations that have pumps topped with TV screens was nixed at the last minute because the advertising company's chief said it reflected poorly on the oil industry, according to the presidential candidate's campaign.

ELKHART, Ind. -- Sen. Barack Obama came to this economically distressed city Wednesday to lay out his plan for a future where oil doesn't come from the Middle East and cars use far less gas.

The state government is going to increase the amount of ethanol used in its fleet of vehicles by placing four new fuel pumps throughout Maryland.

State officials are asking for public comment on a recent report that explores the possibility of more Maine homes and businesses converting to wood heat to help solve the current energy crisis.

The Public Utilities Commission has started proceedings to determine whether to increase the aid going to low-income Mainers under the Low Income Assistance Program to help them pay their electric bills.

Entergy Mississippi customers soon should pay less for electricity, which went up about 28 percent last month.

Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said he has the plan to bring down prices at the gas pumps. Whether that plan will ever be considered will be up to a Democrat-controlled Congress.