Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner says offshore oil and gas exploration would take years to yield new fuel and wouldn't save consumers much at the pump.

Instead, he favors taking action against speculators who have made billions by inflating crude oil prices on overseas markets.

The former governor says the U.S. should also pressure oil cartel nations to increase production and take action against nations and corporations that collude to drive up oil prices.

Warner's comments came Wednesday after Republican presidential candidate John McCain changed his position on coastal oil drilling. The issue of gasoline prices is pushing itself to the forefront of the Senate campaign as well as this year's presidential race.

Warner says quick relief could result from wiser stockpiling of the nation's strategic petroleum reserves and providing incentives for employers who allow workers to telecommute or work four days a week.

His long-term solutions for coping with soaring energy costs include massive investments in renewable energy research and hybrid cars.