A coalition of corporate, energy and agriculture leaders presented a report Monday projecting that North Carolina could eventually reap $577 million a year from offshore drilling along the state's coast.

Members of the Southeast Energy Alliance made their case for drilling as lawmakers try to cope with a nosedive in state revenue.

"States along the Gulf Coast already get this money," said Larry Wooten, president of the N.C. Farm Bureau. "Why shouldn't we?"

The group's dollar figures, though, depend on the accuracy of federal estimates of oil and natural gas deposits and whether corporations choose to drill off the North Carolina coast.

"Any revenue estimates are wishful thinking under any scenario," said Molly Diggins, state director of the Sierra Club. "Nobody knows if North Carolina has commercially recoverable deposits off the coast."

The alliance contends that offshore drilling eventually could create 6,700 jobs and boost the state's economy.

The federal government is moving toward allowing new drilling leases, but states would have to agree to allow drilling off their coasts. Gulf states currently share royalties from federal leases, but the figures are modest: about $25 million shared among four states last year. (N&O)

Fred Smith received $14,500 from political action committees by the end of 2007.

According to his mid-year and year-end campaign finance reports, the Republican gubernatorial candidate received donations from a dozen PACs.

The top contributor was Progress Energy, which gave $4,000. Wachovia gave $2,000.

Smith also received $1,000 each from Carolina Conservatives, a PAC affiliated with state Sen. Eddie Goodall; the N.C. Association of Convenience Stores; the N.C. Home Builders Association; J.M. Family Enterprises; the Manufactured Housing PAC; the N.C. Farm Bureau and Wal-Mart.

He also received $500 donations from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, PSNC Energy and the Island Preservation PAC, a Wilmington-based group focused on coastal issues.

Bill Daughtridge received $11,250 from political action committees in 2007.

According to his mid-year and year-end campaign finance reports, the Republican candidate for state treasurer received money from nine different PACs.

The top donor was the N.C. Automobile Dealers Association, which gave $4,000. The N.C. Restaurant Association gave $2,000. The Coca-Cola PAC, the N.C. Home Builders Association, Embarq and the N.C. Association of Convenience Stores each gave $1,000.

He also received money from the Engineers PAC of N.C., the N.C. Farm Bureau and the N.C. Construction Industry PAC.

Note: This list does not include money from other political campaigns.

* U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole backs Sen. Richard Burr's bid to become the policy chair for Senate Republicans, saying it would be good for North Carolina. (N&O)

* At N.C. Farm Bureau's annual meeting, Dole says that Farm Bill is problematic, argues agricultural sector needs "a reliable immigrant worker program" now. (News 14)

* At national meeting, state Reps. Phillip Frye and Pryor Gibson push interstate crackdown on the use of cash grants and tax credits to lure businesses. (AC-T)

* GOP gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith's wife Ginny to campaign for him at Al-Pam Republican Club's annual Christmas banquet in Plymouth. (GDR)

The N.C. Farm Bureau is not happy about the Senate's failure to pass the immigration bill.

Larry Wooten, president of the organization, said the bill's failure means North Carolina farm families will continue to have problems getting "adequate labor" for their farms.

"Failure to act now is an unacceptable affirmation of the deplorable status quo," Wooten said in a statement.