RICHMOND -- State Sen. Creigh Deeds said Virginia can become a national leader in the development of alternative energy sources, "but only if our next governor is ready to hit the ground running with targeted investments in our energy future."

Deeds, one of three Democrats running for governor, outlined a plan Monday designed to spark investments and research in renewable energy sources. His $85 million plan includes direct state investments to develop biomass facilities in three regions of the state.

The Bath County senator also said that coal should remain part of the state's energy portfolio, and that he would work with the state's congressional leadership to help fund development of so-called "clean coal" technology.

"Using energy politics to divide the state is wrong," Deeds said. "For anyone to pit one idea in one region of the state against another in another part of the state is deceptive and untruthful. Everything -- wind, solar, hydro, biofuels and cleaner coal -- have to be part of the solution."

Deeds said he would create an "energy research triangle" to coordinate research activities at state universities, including projects at Virginia Tech.

Energy policy is emerging as a key issue in the governor's race, with candidates in both parties outlining detailed plans.

Deeds' Democratic rivals, Brian Moran and Terry McAuliffe, favor a mandate that would require Virginia utilities to derive 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2025. Deeds said he favors a 22 percent requirement by 2025.

Deeds' plan calls for the state to invest $5 million each toward development of a switch grass facility in Southside Virginia, a poultry litter and agricultural waste facility in the Shenandoah Valley and an algae facility in Hampton Roads.

Deeds said he would pursue public-private partnerships to develop wind farms in the far Southwest Virginia coalfields and off the coast of Virginia Beach, and create incentives to attract manufacturers of wind turbines to Virginia.

-- Michael Sluss