Pelosi makes energy the cornerstone of visit with Yarmuth

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif), left rear, and U.S. Rep John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) check out a plug-in hybrid: Politicker photo

LOUISVILLE -- A Saturday afternoon closed-door meeting in Louisville between U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), U.S. Rep John Yarmuth (D-Louisville), officials from Ford Motor Company, the United Auto Workers, and state government officials touched on Ford's efforts to develop "gasoline-independent" technologies for new automobile designs.

"What I think was impressive to me and the Speaker is that they are taking a very broad look at all the possible technological answers to our crisis," said Yarmuth of the meeting, during a brief press conference held at Ford's Louisville Assembly plant after the meeting.

"This issue of reducing our dependence on foreign oil and addressing the climate crisis is a flagship issue of our speakership. For me this is an educational visit," said Pelosi. "I hope that what we get out of this today also is better public policy."

"We can learn from experience that Ford has and recognize what they have done being in the lead in terms of having eco-friendly driving," she added.

At Saturday's press conference on the floor of the Ford plant, Pelosi and Yarmuth were joined by UAW President Ron Gettelfinger - a former employee of the Louisville facility - and Bruce Andrews, Ford's Vice President for Government Affairs.

The press event was staged next to a prototype of a Ford vehicle being developed with lithium-ion battery "plug-in" technology.

Pelosi said this sort of technology was fundamental towards her goals for energy policy.

Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks during Saturday's press conference: Politicker photo

"This is the issue of our generation: the issue of transportation innovation, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and keeping our environment safe and clean," said Pelosi. "One of the things we learned about today that is at the heart of the matter is the issue of battery technology. Lithium-ion batteries are the future, [so] how can we, as a matter of public policy, help encourage that development in the United States so that our cars can be in the lead and competitive internationally?"

For Yarmuth, the visit served multiple purposes, as it exposed Pelosi - the top ranking Democrat in Congress - to a major employer in his 3rd Congressional District. The joint visit with Yarmuth, however, also provided him with media exposure in an election year and provided some funds for vulnerable Democratic incumbents, as Pelosi also participated in Saturday night fundraiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee at a downtown Louisville hotel.

"I hope she gets a fuller understanding of the challenges that Ford faces here, plus the potential of Ford," said Yarmuth. "It never hurts to reinforce that."

"We are going to raise some money for DCCC," he added.

Yarmuth also told PolitickerKY.com the visit with Ford and the discussion of new energy technologies provided a counterpoint to the energy policy currently pushed by his opponent for the 3rd District, former U.S. Rep Anne Northup (R-Louisville).

"It's a sharp contrast with what these types of efforts represent and what the George Bush-Anne Northup drill, drill, drill policy represents," said Yarmuth. "It's a contrast that America understands very well. They don't want a future that is based on gasoline. They want us to be the leaders in developing the type of renewable and alternative energy sources that hopefully will give us the type of independence we need."

In recent days, Northup - who was unseated by Yarmuth in 2006 - has targeted the freshman incumbent for not supporting expanded exploratory domestic drilling for oil in the outer continental shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).