NC, SC Chamber heads push Congress on clean energy

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Business boosters from North Carolina, South Carolina and a dozen other states are trying to get the ear of Congress as they lobby for clean energy companies.

Members of the chambers of commerce in Raleigh, Asheville, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and South Carolina's North Myrtle Beach visit Capitol Hill on Thursday. They're trying to emphasize that clean energy and energy efficiency are growing businesses that help boost economic development in their communities.

Michael Haley from the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce said his group has attracted a cluster of smart electrical grid companies that are attracting more investment to the region.

The delegates planned to take part in a White House discussion on clean energy with Obama administration officials, but that was postponed because of the government shutdown.