DANVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell says his energy plan would cut oil imports into the United States in half over time.

The four-term senator promoted his proposal to encourage more energy production and more conservation in a speech to the Danville Rotary Club on Friday.

Energy issues have been at the forefront of McConnell's race against Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford, a Louisville businessman.

Noting the November election, McConnell said Kentucky would lose considerable influence in Washington if he were replaced by someone with no seniority in the Senate.

Lunsford started running an ad this week in which he called McConnell the "master" of Washington's insider system, in which politicians and special interest groups help each other.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved