PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Healthcare, the economy and the Obama Administration were popular topics during the GOP debate Tuesday night in New Hampshire.

Part of the energy debate was about Pennsylvania and its huge reserve of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale.

“It’s time for another American Declaration of Independence. It’s time for energy independence,” Texas Gov. Rick Perry said.

It was a hot topic as the GOP presidential candidates debated at Dartmouth.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum wasted little time weighing in on the subject.

“Do as Gov. Perry suggested. We need a bold energy plan. I put one out there to drill Pennsylvania. I don’t want to brag governor, but Pennsylvania is the gas capital of the world right now, not Texas,” Santorum said.

“We need to regain our industrial base. I would first and foremost disagree with Rick on one measure. That is Pennsylvania is not the gas capital of the country. Washington, D.C. is the gas capital of the country,” Jon Huntsman, the former governor of Utah, said.

While few details of the candidate’s energy plan emerged, Perry promises it won’t be long until we learn more about his ideas.

“One of the things I laid out today is what I think is a pretty bold plan to put 1.2 million Americans working the energy industry. You don’t need Congress to do that. You need a president with a plan, which I am laying out over the next three days,” Perry said.

Some of those details could be released on Friday when Perry visits Pittsburgh.

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