Oil Companies Discuss Energy Challenges

ConocoPhillips chairman and chief executive, James Mulva speaks during an industry luncheon Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 in Houston. Mulva is taking part in separate national speaking tours with representatives of other companies, talking and listening at town hall meetings in places like Edwardsville, Ill., and Little Rock, Ark. in an unprecedented campaign to educate consumers on energy related issues and discuss topics such as ethanol and renewable fuels. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

(AP) -- With dwindling oil supplies, pollution concerns and the ever-present threat of gas prices soaring again, talk of new and better ways to fuel our cars, heat and cool our homes, and power our factories has never been greater. What's more, the conversation is emanating increasingly from a source that's been surprisingly quiet until recently - the oil companies themselves.