host: the elana schor? guest: he is bringing out the same smart grid point i made to a caller earlier. one solution gaining momentum is a grid that mixes natural gas what alternative technology, with power plants in the works that will allow natural gas to kick in and keep power going when the weather changes and produced a dependable base load. baby steps, as i mentioned the smart credit is a long way off. host: elana schor is a reporter for "environment and energy daily," when we are talking about the obama administration's message that energy policy is spurring the economy. our guest says the obama administration is going on the offense at this point. as you watch congress in their home districts and in washington, who is winning the message war? who is taking advantage of gasoline prices, which we do see going down a little bit now, and other consumer issues to get the message across on which side has the solution for energy and economic policy issues? guest: it is tough to tell right now, and that is w

elana schor is the congressional reporter for "environment and energy daily." we will start with you. >> you are entering this conference. the white house has already threatened to veto the house bill that has the pipeline attached. privately, both sides of the debate say east and xl must be a great bargaining chip for you to press the issue to give it up in exchange for something. that is politics. no one likes that messy part of it. is there anything you can discuss as a possible trade for keystone in the talks? >> i think we will passkeys down as part of the highway bill. -- i think we will pass keystone as part of the highway bill. support has grown. the people of this country want it. we need more energy to reduce the price of gasoline. we're still $3.80 average, close to $4 on the national average. we need more energy to bring down gasoline prices for every consumer in america and for our economy. it is a tremendous job creator. not one penny of government spending, but a $7 billion investment and will create thousands of jobs. it is about more energy sec