On Sept. 8 a battle will start to take place in Washington when a bi-partisan group of senators introduces its energy plan to Congress.

The so-called Gang of 10, five democrats and five republicans, crafted the energy plan with a couple of things in mind: Getting the 60 votes needed to get it through the Senate and; how to produce the most energy in the shortest amount of time.

Sen. John Thune, in Rapid City during the Congressional recess, said the bi-partisan group of which he is a member was developed much in response to the public's frustration with partisan bickering and the deadlock on energy legislation in Congress.

It's better to form a solution than have a problem, Thune said.

We agree and we're glad to see a bi-partisan group addressing the energy issue - it should have been bipartisan all along. But because it crosses the aisle, especially in an election year, this legislation may be destined to fail.

We like the traction the Gang of 10 has gotten and we're glad Sen. Thune is in the forefront of the debate. That's good recognition for South Dakota.

The legislation will be introduced in September. It won't be met with open arms nor a quick and easy vote. Just months before the election, some are saying this is a gift to the Democrats because it takes off-shore drilling - an election year battle issue - off the table.

Because it's an election year, stakes are high and energy is a big issue. The Democrats and Republicans can't seem to agree on a path for the country's energy future. Meanwhile, public angst grows and Congress scrambles to do something, anything to address their concerns.

The Gang of 10 legislation includes provisions for off-shore drilling, coal-to-liquid fuel, nuclear power, funding for hybrid technologies, incentives for car manufacturers to produce hybrid cars, and a flex-fuel mandate, among other things.

"So we really address both sides of the equation," Thune said. "Which is find more energy, produce more and use less. Really that's the only way in the end you effect this… at the end of the day, this is a supply and demand problem."

We won't get behind the legislation at this point but we will support the way it has been developed - by working together.

The pricetag for the legislation is $84 billion and comes from ending some tax breaks to oil companies. We know the public, stung by high gas prices, will get behind that but Washington probably won't feel the same way.

The Gang of Ten is a bipartisan group working to find a solution to the nation's energy needs. The shame of it is, it's not a Gang of 535 in Washington working for the country's needs.

Until that day comes, the 10 are at least making the effort to work together. In September we'll see what the other 525 think. We won't get our hopes up.