HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Concerns over global warming are likely to spur renewed interest in electric-powered cars that scientists in the Tennessee Valley may capitalize upon, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said during the opening day of the Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit here.

“I do believe we’re going to be driving plug-in hybrids,” Sen. Corker said Wednesday night at a kick-off reception to today’s conference. “I believe that is something that is very near in our future. That’s not something that is a 2020 proposition; I think that’s a 2010 proposition.”

Sen. Corker predicted the U.S. Senate will not approve legislation to be debated next week to create a cap-and-trade system to control carbon emissions from everything from automobiles to power plants. But the Tennessee Republican expects the next president and Congress will implement some type of carbon controls next year and this region of the country is well positioned to help find new sources and technologies for carbon-free energy.

“There are so many people in this corridor who are focused on energy that does not emit carbons,” he said. “We have a tremendous opportunity.”

Electric cars powered during off-peak hours by nuclear-generated power could help replace carbon emissions from today’s gas-powered vehicles, Sen. Corker said.

Sen. Corker is among four members of Congress and dozens of top academic, military and business leaders gathered here today for the summit on “National Leadership through Regional Cooperation.”