The high cost of energy was a common theme in remarks from the state's top elected officials during the annual Kentucky Farm Bureau country ham breakfast today.Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear told farm leaders gathered at the fairgrounds that the state's agriculture industry will play a larger role in helping the country become energy independent, as researchers find more efficient ways to turn crops such as corn into fuel.U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell says he believes more Americans are urging their federal lawmakers to support expanded domestic oil drilling."I'm hoping that public opinion is going to simply wash over the Congress and bring us together to do something important on this extraordinarly challenging issue. It's not just about energy and economic security its about national security as well." McConnell said.U.S. Senator Jim Bunning told the group the government needs to make a larger investment in coal-to-liquid fuels technology.Lawmakers will resume debate on an energy bill when they return to Washington next month.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.