Coleman joins Senate group to end impasse on energy policy

EMILY KAISER

Star Tribune

WASHINGTON - Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., on Tuesday joined the Senate's self-described "Gang of 16," which hopes to break the energy policy deadlock in Congress.

The senators, eight Republicans and eight Democrats, plan to introduce a compromise energy bill when lawmakers come back into session next month. The legislation will include increased domestic oil and nuclear production, alternative energy exploration and more commitment to conservation.

Coleman joined the group while more than 100 Republican representatives continue their revolt in the House chamber to demand a vote on their "all-of-the-above" bill, which includes increased drilling in Alaska. The Senate bill doesn't include drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.