Nation's governors will meet in Washington Feb. 21-23

Feb. 21-23: US governors will hold their 2009 winter meeting at the J.W. Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

Why it matters: The opening plenary session at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 21, "Energy Infrastructure for the 21st Century," will give T. Boone Pickens, chairman of BP Capital Management in Dallas, another opportunity to present his proposal calling for more wind power and natural gas vehicles. But the issue will be discussed in greater deal when the group's Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Alaska Gov. Sarah H. Palin (R), meets at 2 p.m. Feb. 22 to discuss "Energy Infrastructure: Vital for a 21st Century Economy." Pat Wood, principal of Wood3 Resources, and Jesse Best, managing director of GlobalSmartEnergy.com, are the scheduled speakers.

Many of the nation's governors have embraced alternative and renewable energy resource development. Others see oil, gas and other traditional sources as necessities for several more years. The debate could be lively, particularly if natural gas and crude oil pipeline capacity enters the energy infrastructure discussions.

Contact Nick Snow at [email protected]