Politics

Video: President Obama responds to Gov. Walker, talks about Alaska trip

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama told the nation's governors Monday night that states producing oil, gas and coal need to recognize an international trend line toward renewable energy that will continue after his presidency.

Fostering economic growth and combating climate change are not "either-or" options, Obama said, speaking at the National Governors Association reception at the White House. "But I want to be honest with you: If those states with extractive industries are not currently preparing for the fact that the energy mix is going to continue to change over time, you're probably doing a disservice to your constituents," the president said.

Obama took his final question of the evening from Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, who pressed for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, an effort met with predictable resistance.

Walker, an independent, said he will continue to work with the administration to help solve Alaska's problems, including a "$4 billion deficit with a $5.6 billion budget."

"We have an oil pipeline that's empty. I need to fill it up," Walker said to Obama at the dinner. "There's a lot of oil up there, and we're going to get it safely. And thank you for some of your positions you've taken, but we need to put oil in that pipeline. We need access to 1 percent of our national park to be able to do that," Walker said, referring to the 10-02 section of ANWR. Drilling there requires congressional approval -- and a presidential signature -- that has been elusive in recent decades.

"We have encouraged exploration in some areas. There are some areas that are just real sensitive," Obama said in response. Alaskans are often of "two minds" about the issue, he said -- wanting to encourage drilling and also to preserve scenic areas.

Note: Obama's exchange with Walker begins at about the 01:21:15 mark of the video.

Read more: Obama to governors: Fossil-fuel states need to get ready for change

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