"DENVER -- The deep division between President Barack Obama’s green energy policies and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s preference for coal and tar sands oil were apparent in their first presidential debate tonight in Denver."

"Challenged by Obama to explain his plan for the country if he is elected on November 6, Romney replied, 'My plan has five basic parts. One, get us energy independent, North American energy independent. That creates about four million jobs.'

President Barack Obama, left, and Mitt Romney go their separate ways after the debate, October 3, 2012 (Image courtesy The Voice Of You Tube video)

Obama responded, 'On energy, Governor Romney and I, we both agree that we’ve got to boost American energy production, and oil and natural gas production are higher than they’ve been in years. But I also believe that we’ve got to look at the energy sources of the future, like wind and solar and biofuels, and make those investments.'"

Environment News Service had the story October 3, 2012. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Mitt Romney: Coal Industry Crippled By Obama Policies" (Huffington Post)

"PBS NewsHour's Lehrer Ignores The Environment In First Presidential Debate" (Media Matters) [3]

"Ten Questions on Energy and the Environment Obama and Romney Should Answer at the Debate" (Nation) [4]