[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 16, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8844-S8846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IDAHOANS SPEAK OUT ON HIGH ENERGY PRICES

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with

[[Page S8845]]

me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded 
by the hundreds. The stories, numbering over 1,000, are heartbreaking 
and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail 
sent to me through [email protected] to the Congressional 
Record. This is not an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is 
one that deserves immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve 
to be heard. Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet 
everyday expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to 
what Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that 
last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       Thank you for requesting my input on the energy crisis. I 
     found out several years ago that energy prices were going to 
     skyrocket due to the imminent peaking of oil production (and 
     natural gas) worldwide. I read every book on the subject of 
     the coming energy crisis such as ``Twilight in the Desert'', 
     ``The Party's Over'', ``The Long Emergency'', ``Big Coal'', 
     ``Powerdown'', and probably 15 others. I read most every 
     relevant news story as collected by www.energybulletin.net.
 I have heard the pleas from Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Matt 
     Simmons, Rep. (R) Roscoe Bartlett (Maryland) and many other 
     prominent Americans who want our citizens to know the truth 
     about Peak Oil Theory, and the implications of a global peak 
     and inevitable decline in production.
       I have since sold my car, my house, and am living with 
     massive inflation, food and gasoline shortages, and likely 
     economic collapse in mind. I am growing a large garden this 
     year and riding my bicycle(s) most everywhere. I have met 
     with local leaders, including Boise Mayor Dave Bieter, to 
     talk about real solutions, and have written letters to the 
     editor of the Idaho Statesman monthly.
       We need to grow most all of our own food locally, produce 
     and distribute most goods locally, and keep people employed 
     doing things to create and expand our new localized economy. 
     We need to accept that our population will decline due to 
     lowering food production. We need to know that the era of 
     high consumption, personal automobiles, travel, and 
     technology is coming to a close. People must understand that 
     in 100 years our planet will sustain perhaps 1 billion 
     people, living primarily an agrarian existence, without 
     technology.
       If the people remain in the dark about our true future, 
     there are unspeakable dangers. Dictatorship in America, 
     nuclear confrontations over resources, and rioting are 
     likely. Please help to inform the American public now.
     Bob, Boise.
                                  ____

       Thank you for the email telling us of your position on the 
     energy crunch (and thank you for opposing that climate change 
     legislation). I am all in favor of developing alternative 
     energy sources, such as biodiesel, and in expanding our 
     refinery capacity for conventional petroleum fuels. I 
     heartily support tapping the petroleum resources we have here 
     in the United States and, from all that I have heard, we have 
     (or can soon develop) the technology to do it with less harm 
     to the environment. I understand that Congressman Chris 
     Cannon of Utah is making efforts to develop oil shale fields 
     that are located under Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. I support 
     this and hope that you will uphold these efforts if 
     corresponding legislation reaches the Senate. I also support 
     conservation incentives that would encourage companies to 
     come up with more environmentally friendly methods of 
     developing these resources.
       I support expanding our use of nuclear energy. My 
     understanding is that the popular fears of nuclear power 
     plants are largely based on myth. And most of the ``waste'' 
     produced is either relatively benign, or can be recycled or 
     reused. If federal regulations were changed so that all 
     radioactive byproducts did not have to be shipped to a 
     nuclear waste repository, we would have plenty of space in 
     places like Yucca Mountain. Apparently, only 2% of byproducts 
     from nuclear reactors really need to be taken to such 
     facilities. As an aside, France produces 80% of its 
     electricity from nuclear power. What in the world is holding 
     us back from building more nuclear power plants?
       Please do whatever you can to bring about changes at the 
     federal level so that the private sector can go to work 
     developing technologies and resources to solve our growing 
     energy problems. I agree that we are ``too dependent on 
     petroleum,'' and that we are ``far too dependent on foreign 
     sources of that petroleum.'' We must move forward in availing 
     ourselves of the resources we have. We should do so in an 
     environmentally conscientious manner, yes, but we must move 
     forward.
           Sincerely,
     Blake, Hamer.
                                  ____

       A few years ago I needed to re-do a roof. I considered 
     solar panels and energy conservation devices. It added a lot 
     of costs, but I thought that it would be worthwhile if I 
     could get a bit of a tax break. I contacted the state, power 
     company, gas company, and checked the Internet for federal 
     tax breaks. There weren't any for individuals. The lady with 
     the state simply stated that ``they do not do things that 
     way.'' I felt this was short-sighted at the time, and, as 
     things are now, my opinion seems to be correct. I do not 
     foresee a turn around any time soon. Why does not the 
     legislature encourage the gas and power companies to offer 
     incentives? Why does not the state or federal legislatures 
     offer tax incentives to individuals instead of to major 
     corporations?
       The engine that drove America to its current prominence is 
     the creativeness and industry of the every day American. 
     Release it! Encourage people to come up with their own energy 
     saving ideas and devices. At least, stop blocking individual 
     efforts that are attempted by easing legal restrictions. 
     America's and Idaho's energy companies and legislatures have 
     created barriers to individual ingenuity. It is not in their 
     respective interests to encourage such action. I feel that 
     this is short-sighted at this time, but I expect more of the 
     same. Until the economic pain of the individual is shared by 
     the existing energy corporation executives and current 
     legislators, little more than lip service can be expected. 
     Some have said that gas at $5/gallon would wake us all up and 
     cause change to occur. The fallacy in this logic is that the 
     $5/gallon is increased profits and corporations seldom 
     discourage profit. There is economic pain all right, but the 
     pain is not felt by the folks who initiate changes.
       Here is a radical proposal: Remove the existing corporate 
     tax benefits related to oil and some other energy 
     corporations. (Windfall profits are possible, but I am not 
     recommending them.) Offer the same amount as tax benefits to 
     individuals. These can be in the form of worthwhile 
     individual energy grants and can be emergency economic tax 
     credits in places like the Midwest. You are probably aware 
     that there have been significant floods in the Midwest. You 
     are probably aware that this is expected to affect the cost 
     of food and fuel adversely. This will result in the same type 
     of economic pain as the current ``Gas Crisis''. The fund 
     might be an ``Economic Crisis'' fund. I have little doubt 
     that there are many other economic crises that will occur.
       The engine of America is in need of maintenance. This 
     maintenance is needed at the individual level. The Economic 
     Crisis fund can provide for maintenance, and some 
     improvements. Once the engine of America stops running, the 
     entire world is going to see some real economic pain. Some of 
     the most short sighted world leaders will transfer this 
     economic pain into other kinds of pain. Somebody else will be 
     blamed and punitive action started.
       Here is another consideration. Some say that the cost of 
     gas is based on speculation. If this is true, a disincentive 
     can easily be added to dampen speculative zeal in the form of 
     capital gains taxes. There are long and short term capital 
     gains. Let us add another class that would penalize 
     speculation. Extend long term capital gains taxes to five 
     years. This will allow reasoned investments. Keep the tax 
     rate on these low. Speculators are usually short term. Raise 
     the tax rate on the speculation profits. No doubt there will 
     be howls, but then there will be an adjustment, and the 
     overall effect could be that market manipulation is 
     discouraged while prudent or targeted investment is 
     encouraged. The tax code would also need to be amended.
     Kelly.
                                  ____

       We would like to express our concern over Congress's 
     reluctance to address the energy problem. Rather than blaming 
     oil companies for making an 8\1/2\% profit, you should all be 
     blaming yourselves for your lack of foresight. The law of 
     supply and demand is well understood out here, but Washington 
     does not seem to grasp it. Drill . . . off-shore, ANWR, coal-
     to-oil, nuclear, solar, wind, shale oil. In short, go to work 
     on the problem instead talking it to death. Immediately lift 
     your restrictions on drilling here.
       Our propane went from $124 every three weeks last winter, 
     to $227 this spring. We are broke. Between my physical 
     inability to work, (but not disabled enough to draw 
     disability), my husband's $10 an hr. job, our mortgage, 
     utilities, transportation costs, property taxes, auto 
     licenses, home owner's insurance, medical insurance, and auto 
     insurance, we now find ourselves with no grocery money. Our 
     daughter, tax rebates, unexpected refund of medical 
     overpayment, (God), have fed us the first half of this year.
       Tell your colleagues that there are real people out here 
     that do not make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, (of 
     course, if we could set our own wages, we would), but try to 
     live on a gross of $20,000 a year.
       We, our friends, relatives and neighbors are beginning to 
     suffer. This is the first time in many years that we have had 
     to worry about our next week's groceries. We are agonizing 
     over whether to drop our medical coverage, but that is so 
     frightening.
       Thank you for listening.
           Sincerely,
     Charles and Wanda.
                                  ____

       Thank you for your support in trying to keep our gas prices 
     down. Thank you also for trying to utilize energy sources 
     here in America.
       We are disability retired and taking care of my 90-year-old 
     father. Of course you are aware that gas prices are driving 
     the cost of everything else up. It is difficult to make our

[[Page S8846]]

     fixed income stretch through the entire month. We only drive 
     when absolutely necessary for doctor's appointments and 
     shopping. If we forget something at the store, then we go 
     without until the next time. It cost $51.00 to fill our tank 
     in our mid-size car last time. The thought of gas reaching 
     $6.00 or even $8.00 per gallon makes us wonder how we will 
     possibly pay for it. We do not have bus service in Hayden, 
     and being disabled are unable to walk to the nearest store 
     which is a couple of miles away.
       We plead with Congress to help us and the many that are in 
     the same situation! Hopefully, Republicans will not sustain 
     too great a loss in the upcoming election so they can push 
     for a sensible domestic energy policy.
       We are wondering if you support Newt Gingrich's ``Drill 
     Here. Drill Now. Pay Less.'' proposal? Hopefully so.
       Thank you.
           Respectfully,
     Mike and Mary.
                                  ____

       This Congress has a terrible record when it comes to 
     sensible solutions to our energy problem!
       This [current] Congress has failed miserably to address the 
     real problems we the public face and instead wasted time 
     investigating horse racing and drugs in sports or anything 
     else [that provides easy publicity]. Many [conservatives] are 
     also failing miserably and voting for (the wrong) politics 
     over principle in misguided attempts to hang on to their 
     jobs: earmarks come to mind here as well as voting with the 
     [majority] and for special interest groups that are against 
     solving our energy problems using our own abundant resources. 
     We need to get rid of these people FAST so that somebody that 
     really represents us can get on with solving the problem!
       As I see it, with all major potential sources of domestic 
     oil now legally ``off limits'' to exploration; with 
     refineries effectively prevented from increasing their 
     capacities; with nuclear plants unable to expand and increase 
     because they are prevented from safely storing their waste; 
     with our monstrous quantities of coal, clean or otherwise, on 
     the verge of being banned; with heavily-subsidized corn-based 
     ethanol now a major reason for the world-wide food crisis, 
     Congress needs to call a ``time out'' and take a good look at 
     what they're doing to our country! It is not something that 
     can continue or ``our way of life'' as we know it will end! 
     And if it does, the party identified as making it happen will 
     find itself at an end too! At some point, I expect to see our 
     country experience the kind of public protests becoming 
     common elsewhere around the world, and with elections coming 
     up shortly, the means will be readily at hand to make 
     whatever changes we need. I vote, and I am really looking at 
     the candidates voting records closely this time.
     Fred, Priest River.
                                  ____

       I am grateful for this opportunity to explain to you how 
     the high gas prices are affecting me. I am a 23-year-old 
     senior in college from the Burley area. I came home this 
     summer and got a job as a pizza deliverer, therefore the 
     amount I make depends a lot on the price of gasoline, because 
     as the cost of gasoline rises that is less money that is 
     available for me to set aside for college. Since I came back 
     to Burley in the end of April, I have seen the price of gas 
     at the cheapest gas station in town jump from $3.369 to 
     $3.959 tonight as I drove home from work. In nearly two 
     months on the job, my fuel expenses have almost exceeded 
     $400.
       I pay for college myself, with the assistance of some 
     academic scholarships. I do not qualify for government aid. I 
     did not qualify for the recent tax rebate. And I have made a 
     goal to earn my undergraduate degree without taking out a 
     loan because, in this unstable economy, I do not want to have 
     that added albatross when I go to buy a house and start my 
     family. I am not asking for a handout, or a loan or even a 
     tax cut (though, admittedly, that would be nice). I am a hard 
     worker, and I can make it through college without incurring 
     one cent's worth of debt if the government would make a 
     sensible energy policy that kept prices at the pump 
     reasonable. What I am afraid is that most members of 
     Congress, and especially the leadership, do not understand 
     that rising gas prices affect lower income families and 
     individuals like I the most. Do they not see that the entire 
     $150 billion tax rebate will likely be used to cover the 
     increased price of energy? The net economic benefit of the 
     tax rebate is being pumped into our cars and burned. Fiery 
     rhetoric about record profits in the oil industry may get 
     some people angry, but does it really do any good? What 
     assurance do I get that the price of gas will drop if 
     Congress taxes the oil industry more? What's more, what 
     assurance can you give me that the price will not increase as 
     the oil companies pass the tax on to me? Some also suggest 
     that we raise the miles per gallon standards on cars. That 
     sounds good to me, but I cannot afford to buy a brand new 
     Prius, much less a brand new anything. Some also say we 
     should increase nuclear, hydroelectric, solar and wind power, 
     all sentiments that I agree with. But, forgive my 
     ignorance if I fail to see how building nuclear plants, 
     dams, windmills or solar panels increase the oil supply. 
     None of those options helps me at the pump. I still end up 
     paying the high price of gas.
       My feelings on how to solve the current energy crisis can 
     be summed up with the title of Speaker Newt Gingrich 
     nationwide petition drive: ``Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay 
     Less.'' which more than 800,000 Americans have signed to 
     date. My plea, Senator Crapo, is that you stand up for the 
     people like me and demand we open our coasts for drilling, 
     open the ANWR for drilling, open the Rocky Mountains for 
     drilling. I know we can do it in an environmentally friendly 
     way. We are the United States, the greatest, most powerful 
     nation on earth. Nothing is impossible for us. My 
     grandparents and great-grandparents lived through a 
     Depression, which dwarfed the current economic crisis. I want 
     to have faith in my country that our generation will meet 
     this issue head on. I have heard people say we cannot drill 
     ourselves out of the crisis. But I fail to see how doing 
     nothing to increase domestic oil production solves the 
     problem either. If a college student who struggled through 
     Economics 101 understands that the bulk of this issue is a 
     supply problem, what does that say about the lack of economic 
     prowess on display by a majority of Congress? Perhaps an 
     equitable solution for both sides would be to write a bill 
     that opens the ANWR and at the same time releases half of the 
     strategic oil reserve. That would have the immediate effect 
     of lowering gas prices and a longer term effect of increased 
     supply. Can both sides agree to something like that?
     Jared.

                          ____________________