June 25, 2008 McCain calls for energy-efficient government Play video

(NECN/ABC) - Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain campaigned in Santa Barbara Tuesday, the week after proposing that the moratorium be lifted on offshore oil drilling. Santa Barbara was the scene of the second largest oil spill in U.S. history - and sitting next to the Senator was California's Governor - who opposes drilling.

They disagree on offshore oil drilling, but agree on the need for alternative energy sources stopping global warming.

McCain: "We must turn all the brilliance of America loose in search of alternative fuel sources, such as from biofuels - to solar."

McCain didn't respond to a panelist's criticism about offshore drilling, but the same panelist got to him on a favorite McCain subject - building nuclear power plants. McCain wants 45-new plants.

McCain: "My friend, the technology is there. The Europeans do it, it's safe,it's being done."

McCain's democratic opponent Barack Obama says he would not take nuclear power off the table, but wants a better answer to nuclear waste disposal.

Offshore oil drilling is a touchy subject in coastal cities - especially Santa Barbara, site of a massive 1969 oil spill. Obama opposes it.

In Riverside, McCain noted Governor Schwarzenegger's opposition to new offshore drilling, but McCain said it's a way to achieve energy independence.

McCain says it makes common sense to draw on our reserves of oil and gas.

He also wants the federal government to

practice energy conservation. He would demand that all federal office buildings go green, along with official vehicles.

Reporter John North has more.