The California Democrat said she would allow such a provision so long as proponents of expanded drilling can prove it will solve the nation's energy problems.

"I have to put everything on the table," she said on NBC's "Meet the Press" program. "I don't think it's a good alternative, but if they can prove that it is, and they want to pay royalties to the taxpayer, let us use those royalties to invest in renewable energy resources, then we have something to talk about."

She said expanded drilling would not affect prices for a decade and even then there would not be a significant drop.

"I'm prepared to preside over legislation that will take a comprehensive approach," she said. "Let it compete and see where we come down on it, and if that in fact is a good alternative, then that is something that we should do."