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By BEN NEARY Associated Press Writer JACKSON, Wyo. State lawmakers from around the West are gathering in the northern Wyoming resort town of Jackson over the next few days to figure out how to get better coordinated on energy issues.

Wyoming has put up more than $400,000 to fund the Western States Energy and Environment Symposium.

Wyoming is the leading coal-producing state and has a keen interest in legislation pending in Congress aimed at tackling global warming.

The Senate this week is set to debate a bill intended to cut greenhouse gases by about 80 percent by 2050.

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told the gathering of state lawmakers he's concerned about projections the pending federal legislation will cut jobs in Wyoming and elsewhere in the West.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-25-09 2224CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list