Mitt Romney's plan to make the nation energy independent by 2020 starts with offshore drilling for oil in the Carolinas and Virginia.

The Republican presidential candidate previewed the plan Wednesday and plans a larger announcement today, the Washington Post reported. Romney wants to allow states to lease federal lands for oil, coal and natural gas development. Read more here.

The Republican-dominated state legislature in North Carolina is likely to endorse the plan, considering they too want more drilling off the coast as part of a compact with other states.