Bruce Lunsford Takes Advantage Of Lexington Herald Leader's Editorial.

Click here to read the H-L's editorial piece, and below to read the Bruce Lunsford's piece:

Short- and long-term needs addressed by energy plan
By Bruce Lunsford

I appreciate the Herald-Leader's focus on energy issues and agree that the long-term health of our environment is also at stake.

The ”Do More, Talk Less“ eight-point energy plan I recently announced is a comprehensive response to a crisis that all Americans are facing right now. It was not a response to an absurd attack on me by my opponent, and it was not meant to be a solution to global climate change, although two planks of the plan are aimed at long-term solutions that would help reduce carbon emissions.

Long-term solutions are critical, but people need immediate relief.

This is a real crisis. The skyrocketing price of gas has led to price increases in other areas. Americans are facing mounting economic pressures already, from the rising cost of health care to the growing credit crunch. Having to pay more for gas and food is leading people deeper into the hole dug for them by Washington politicians. People want action.

During my ”On the Job“ tour, I have worked at several gas stations and talked with hundreds of Kentuckians all over the state. Just last week, at a filling station in Breathitt County, Wanda Hudson pulled up and asked me to put $2 worth of gas to her car. It was a half-gallon of gas. She just needed enough to make sure she could get to the doctor in case of an emergency.

But while folks like Hudson are hurting, the oil companies and Wall Street speculators win the day in Washington as the Republican minority is able to block efforts to rein in energy speculation that has artificially increased the price of oil. As they do so, they point fingers and blame others for a problem their lack of foresight on energy policy has created.

Brought on by years of inaction by Washington, the gas-price crisis is a multifaceted challenge that calls for action in the form of immediate relief, increased domestic production as well as long-term solutions to America's oil addiction.

There are no easy outs and no single idea that will solve the crisis. We must work on multiple fronts and involve the free market in a significant way.

My eight-point energy plan includes an emphasis on developing clean and renewable energy. Both of the major presidential candidates have said this, and even T. Boone Pickens, the conservative billionaire Texas oilman, has said this is one problem we can't drill our way out of.

So, while we continue developing oil resources, we also must get serious and get busy on the longer-term challenges of developing clean and renewable energy.

Here's how:

■ Give the private sector incentives. We shouldn't forget that throughout U.S. history, it's the entrepreneurs who've stepped in when opportunities are presented. These innovators help the nation solve problems while creating good jobs and real wealth.

■ Invest in government agencies, private businesses and universities to research, develop and commercialize alternative and renewable fuels. This broad effort can identify fuels that burn far less of the gases that contribute to global climate change.

■ Provide tax incentives for businesses to make their facilities more energy efficient and move to more fuel-efficient transportation. Moving the private sector more toward green energy is key to expanding the market for renewable energy and making it efficient for general consumption.

■ Invest in job-training programs to help workers and industries make a smooth transition to cleaner fuel technology.

■ Require all government buildings to meet a certain energy-efficiency standard, and retrofit older buildings to meet the standards.

■ Encourage citizens to become more energy independent by providing incentives for buying hybrid vehicles and making homes more energy efficient. This includes, but isn't limited to, providing tax incentives for installing energy-efficient windows and appliances.

■ Increase the focus on and investment in public transportation.

The health of our economy and environment is at stake. When I represent Kentucky in the U.S. Senate, I will work hard to be part of a solution. I believe in Americans' ability to understand the challenge and respond accordingly. With a change in leadership, we can solve the problem.

Any comments?