Bunning talks energy during meeting with BG chamber

Bowling Green Daily News

Writer: JENNA MINK

Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., focused on high energy prices Tuesday during a luncheon at the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, saying Congress is dealing with the issue by playing a "political blame game."

"Instead of blaming someone, we ought to pass a bill that deals with the problem," he said. "We are in an energy crisis whether you like to admit it or not ... it's affecting anyone and everyone's pocketbook."

In front of an audience of about 80 people at the chamber, Bunning highlighted his plan for combating the energy crisis: relying less on foreign oil and more on domestic products. This year, the United States spent about $700 billion on fuel imports from Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and other nations, he said.

Bunning touted an alternative oil source that's close to home, saying he supports the Coal-To-Liquid Fuel Promotion Act - legislation that supports developing technology for turning coal into liquid fuel.

"South Africa is doing it on a daily basis," he said, "Adolf Hitler did it when he didn't have any fuel."

And, with enough coal to supply the country for 250 years, Kentucky is the ideal spot for coal-to-liquid fuel plants, he said.

"Coal is not a dirty word, because it fuels 52 percent of electric in this country," he said.

Bunning also discussed the state of the economy. Bowling Green is flourishing compared to the rest of the country, which is suffering economically, he said.

"Because the housing market is so bad," he said. "The bubble burst in the housing market."

And the bulk of the country's economic problems stem from mistakes made by the Federal Reserve, Bunning said.

"They didn't watch the mortgage market, they didn't watch the bank loans that were being made," he said. "Now we're paying for their mistakes."

-- Click here to watch video as Bunning speaks to the Daily News editorial board about energy, economic woes.

Bunning discussed other items on Congress's to-do list, including examination of legislation that would eliminate secret-ballot voting among employees who are deciding whether to join a union. The "card-check bill" would allow employees to form a union when a majority of workers sign a union card.

"It would allow unions to form in workplaces without private ballots by the workers ... if the union can twist arms," he said. "I think it's a terrible policy, and you can bet I'll do everything I can to stop this bill from becoming law."

Bunning also spoke about another election after an audience member asked him to comment on the presidential race.

"It's going to be as close as any election has been," he said.

While he did not discuss the presidential candidates, Bunning did commend Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, when asked to comment on the war there. July reports show the lowest amount of fatalities in Iraq since the war began - thanks to the recent surge of U.S. troops, Bunning said.

Bunning said he wants U.S. troops to return home as soon as possible.

"But I want to see them come home knowing they have succeeded in bringing peace and stability to those countries where they have served," he said.