Sen. George J. Mitchell said Thursday that he endorsed President Bush’s efforts to deter Iraqi aggression in the Persian Gulf, but regretted that the millions of dollars being spent could not be spent in seeking alternative sources of energy.

The Senate majority leader met with the editorial board of the Bangor Daily News and expressed his concern over the steep increase in fuel prices, noting that he had asked Attorney General Richard Thornburgh to conduct an investigation of the matter.

“The response has been appropriate and the objectives have been appropriate as well,” Mitchell said of the president’s reaction to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. He defined Bush’s objectives as military deterrence and enforcement of economic sanctions.

In regard to seeking alternative sources of energy, Mitchell said that as a nation Americans should look for a “sensible” approach.

“We can develop, I’m convinced, a feasible electric vehicle,” he said. Given technological advances such as putting a man on the moon and building satellites that tour the solar system, such an invention must be within our reach, Mitchell said.

Addressing the economic aspects of soaring fuel prices, the senator asked, “When is raising prices a proper response to market demand and when is it price gouging?” Seeking an answer to that question prompted his request to the attorney general, he said.

Mitchell noted that while it is legal to raise prices, oil firms doing so in concert is illegal.

In a recent letter to Thornburgh, Mitchell wrote: “All Americans recognize that there exist extraordinary circumstances. But these circumstances should not be used as a vehicle for price gouging or price fixing.”

Meanwhile, the State Department has said that about 3,000 Americans are barred from leaving Iraq, and those Amercians seem increasingly to be insurance for the Iraqis against attack.

Mitchell said it is important to refrain from using the word “hostage” when discussing the issue since it carries emotional overtones.