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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina business leaders and policy experts are meeting to exchange ideas and discuss connections between clean energy and jobs.

Thursday's forum in Columbia is being hosted by the University of South Carolina, Duke Energy, The Nature Conservancy and the South Carolina Energy Office. The event is being held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and is free and open to the public.

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, South Carolina House Speaker Bobby Harrell of Charleston, and Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin are addressing the forum.

Other speakers include Duke Energy Chairman and CEO James Rogers; Fluor Chairman and CEO David Seaton and Glenn Prickett, chief external affairs officer of the Nature Conservancy.

Alternative fuel, hybrid and electric vehicles are being displayed at the event.

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