NEW ORLEANS -- Congressman Steve Scalise says he's joining fellow Republican House member John Boehner of Ohio and nine of their colleagues for what they are touting as the American Energy Tour.

In a news release, Scalise says the group will visit the Colorado-based National Renewable Energy Lab, as well as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. They are touting the trip as one to research ways to increase the supply of American oil and alternative sources of fuel. Scalise planned a telephone news conference Thursday to discuss the trip, set for this weekend.

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