The Associated Press: on Environment

David Vitter: Coastal restoration with private funding

Vitter said diversions are "going to be the most difficult, the most controversial" aspects of the restoration plan. He added: "The possible negative impacts are very real." He added that "you have to measure and tweak projects as you go along."

The candidates predicted the eventual cost of coastal restoration would reach $100 billion. Vitter said he would seek to engage private companies, such as oil and gas companies, in spending more on the coast. Edwards and Dardenne offered similar ideas. Vitter also said he would work with other Gulf states to expand offshore drilling to bring in more funds.

Jay Dardenne: Coastal restoration with federal funding

Dardenne said he would campaign for more federal funding. "We need the assistance of America to make sure this program works," he said. "Everybody needs to know this is America's wetlands." Vitter said he would seek to engage private companies, such as oil and gas companies, in spending more on the coast. Edwards and Dardenne offered similar ideas.

John Bel Edwards: Mississippi River diversion: backbone to coastal restoration

Fishermen oppose river diversions because they would alter water conditions and likely make it difficult to harvest shrimp, crabs and oysters where fresh water is flushed into estuaries.

"Simply put, diversions are the backbone" to coastal restoration, Edwards said. But he said projects need to be weighed against socio-economic factors.

The four candidates did not propose large-scale new mechanisms for funding the enterprise, even as candidates predicted the cost of coastal restoration would reach $100 billion. Edwards said he would seek to get the federal government to do more to fix Louisiana's problems. "This is a national priority," he said.

Robin Carnahan: Brother's $107M wind project created 1000s of jobs statewide

But Carnahan said the business created thousands of jobs around the state and accused Blunt of below-the-belt attacks. "I've got nothing to do with my brother's business," she said.

The federal government previously has provided tax incentives to boost renewable energy. The stimulus package offered cash payments instead of tax credits for wind-energy projects. The U.S. Treasury Department has said it had no discretion in deciding who qualified.

John Neely Kennedy: Wetlands will wash away before 2017 coastal protection

Landrieu said she was proud of expanding oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, with a large portion of the royalties going to help coastal protection efforts.

Kennedy responded by saying the state’s entire congressional delegation worked to pass the bill & much of the billions of dollars in royalties wouldn’t start flowing until 2017, after thousands more acres of wetlands had washed away

Al Gore: Major commitment to build high-speed Amtrak rail systems

A: With growing congestion on our highways and airports, it’s time to give the American people a fast and efficient alternative for traveling between our communities. High-speed rail reduces highway and airport congestion, improves air quality, stimulates the economy, and broadens the scope of personal choice for traveling between our communities. That is why, as part of my Energy Security and Environment Trust Fund, I am proposing a major commitment to build high-speed rail systems in major transportation corridors across the nation. As president, I will fight for new grants to Amtrak and the states for improving and expanding passenger rail routes and corridors. And I will work to secure funding to help communities improve rail stations - to help rebuild these vital economic centers in cities and small towns across America.