The presidential hopefuls, Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), both support reducing greenhouse gases and U.S. dependence on foreign oil, but details differ on how each would approach energy issues, advisors said at a July 15 briefing.

McCain backs offshore oil drilling and believes that clean coal and nuclear power must be part of an energy strategy, says Douglas Holtz-Eakin, McCain’s senior policy adviser. “We need it all,” he says.

Obama also believes coal should be part of the plan but wants the focus to be on carbon-sequestration research, says Elgie Holstein, his senior energy policy adviser. Obama doesn’t support constructing powerplants that use conventional technology, Holstein says. He adds that natural gas will help meet energy needs until carbon sequestration is widely available.