Former Gov. and U.S. Sen. George Allen told a presidential campaign forum at a Chesterfield County high school yesterday that energy is the No. 1 problem facing this country.

Allen, representing Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, at the forum hosted by Cosby High School, called for more nuclear power, more oil drilling, alternative energy and greater use of coal.

"People don't care if their cars run on peanut oil," Allen said, in making a plea for alternatives to oil.

While Allen and McCain agree that more offshore drilling is needed, Allen favors drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. McCain does not, because it is a national preserve. Allen said the people in Alaska favor drilling in the refuge.

"I've been there. In the summer there are mosquitoes; in the winter, it's the dark side of the moon," he said.

Former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe, a possible Democratic candidate for governor of Virginia next year, will represent Sen. Barack Obama at a similar forum next Wednesday.

The events are sponsored by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Chesterfield public schools, and the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. Thomas A. Silvestri, president and publisher of The Times-Dispatch, is moderator for the forums.

Selected seniors from Cosby and other high schools in Chesterfield who are studying the McCain and Obama campaigns questioned Allen yesterday.

The students touched on a wide range of issues, from the Russian invasion of Georgia, to Social Security, to the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Allen, who was governor from 1994 to 1998 and senator from 2001 to 2007, drew the most applause when he endorsed lowering the beer-drinking age from 21 to 18.

If 18-year-olds got more involved in the political process and voted more heavily, they might persuade states to lower the drinking age, Allen said.

He said he also disagreed with McCain on that issue. McCain favors keeping the age at 21 because he believes it is safer, Allen said.

Asked about the high cost of college tuition, which is causing many students to go into debt, Allen said college endowments could be built up if the tax on capital gains is not increased, as Obama wants to do. Endowments are used to supplement college financial aid.

Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.