DES MOINES " Gov. Chet Culver said on Tuesday that Iowa stands to gain thousands of jobs if Congress and president-elect Barack Obama agree on an economic stimulus package to spur new infrastructure and renewable energy projects.

Culver spoke with Obama and governors from across the country during a National Governors Association meeting in Philadelphia before traveling to Washington, D.C., later in the day.

Culver, speaking with reporters during a telephone news conference, said the stimulus plan could help the state move forward on around $150 million worth of infrastructure projects " primarily roads and bridges -- that could create as many as 6,000 new jobs.

Such a stimulus plan would benefit construction companies carrying out the projects and give a boost to related businesses in the roughly 20 counties waiting to green light the infrastructure projects, he said.

"We believe if we can provide the economic stimulus necessary in the form of infrastructure projects, that will provide good jobs that maybe Iowans have lost," Culver said.

Obama and members of Congress are discussing a stimulus package that will likely be measured in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

Obama addressed the governors conference at a time when many of the states are facing budgetary obstacles.

Culver called for up to $40 million in state spending cuts last month, citing the souring economy and the costs of rebuilding the state after historic floods and storms this year.

Culver said he will unveil his plan for the cuts early next week after reviewing cost-saving proposals with Lt. Gov. Patty Judge and other state budget officials.

The state's Revenue Estimating Conference in October predicted that Iowa will bring in $7 million more in revenue this year than in the previous year, but built-in spending increases are expected to be nearly $553 million.

The conference will revise its revenue prediction on Dec. 12. That estimate will guide Culver and the Legislature throughout the budget process during the upcoming session beginning Jan. 12.

Culver said he met personally with Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday to discuss federal help to improve Iowa's ability to export wind energy. That would mean upgrades to the state's electrical grid and streamlining bureaucratic obstacles.

Culver said Biden was especially receptive to his emphasis on wind energy.

"[Biden] told me that message really hit home with him, and he heard me loudly and clearly," Culver said. "And he agreed with what I was saying."

Culver said he will push for federal agencies to free up community development money intended to help the state in its disaster recovery efforts during his stop in Washington.

He said he'll meet with officials at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which oversees the distribution of community development block grants that have been earmarked for Iowa but not yet released to the state.

Culver said he'll also work with Obama's administration in the future to get rid of some of the restrictions on using the federal disaster funding.

Fred Love can be reached at (515) 422-9048 or fred.love@lee.net.