[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9480-S9482]
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 
me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded 
by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,000, are 
heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting 
every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this 
purpose 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:

       In response to your request for stories reflecting rising 
     energy prices, I would offer the following: It is not unique 
     to my family, but it affects everyone, everywhere, and as an 
     elected official, I would advise you to keep it foremost in 
     your mind when debating the need for renewable energy 
     resources.
       Our dependence on foreign oil has the effect of spilling 
     our blood on foreign sands in wars that we sure should not be 
     sticking our noses into. It is causing the rest of the world 
     to see us as imperialists, rather than as the beacon of 
     freedom, and it is edging our nation toward facism, as the 
     wealthy have no qualms about sacrificing the poor to make 
     sure the oil keeps flowing from these sources.
       And, in the end, we the people lose. How can we call 
     ourselves an independent nation if we are to rely on foreign 
     energy? And how can we call ourselves a free people if we 
     cannot afford basic necessities? We the people are seeing 
     prices skyrocket, and our wages decline, despite what the 
     annual reports say, as they do not account for the 
     devaluation of the dollar.
                                                          William.
       P.S. Thank you for actually doing something about this 
     mess.
                                  ____

       Per your request, I am sending an e-mail in regard to my 
     concern for the rising costs of fuel and the impact it is 
     having upon me and my family.
       As you know, Idaho is, to a great extent, a rural state. 
     Most of our employment involves traveling to or from our job 
     sites in automobiles. Since we aren't privileged enough to 
     have a rapid transit system or bus

[[Page S9481]]

     service, as in many urban city areas, we are forced to get to 
     our employment by our own methods. I work at the Idaho 
     National Laboratory. It is approximately 54 miles one way 
     from my home. The nature of my job (foreman over maintenance 
     craft personnel), requires that most of the time I use a 
     personal auto to commute between my home and my job site. My 
     auto gets approximately 30 miles per gallon, and it has a 17-
     gallon fuel tank. Each day's travel is approximately 108 
     miles divided by 30 mpg, giving an average of 3.6 gallons of 
     fuel per day. At $4 per gallon, it costs $14.40 each day to 
     drive to work. If we multiply this number by 9 (the number of 
     work days in a two-week period), it costs me approximately 
     $130 every two weeks for fuel, just to get to work! Multiply 
     that by 26 and my yearly cost (just to go to work) is 
     approximately $3,360. This does not count the fuel necessary 
     for my wife to get to her place of employment, or the costs 
     associated with the need to travel to buy groceries and other 
     necessities. The average cost of our fuel has risen about 
     $1.30 per gallon since last year at this time. My wages have 
     not compensated for the increase in fuel costs, nor has it 
     compensated for the additional costs associated with the 
     purchase of groceries and other commodities, just to survive.
       Of course, we have to cut way back just to make ends meet. 
     This also means that our choices for recreation (or even a 
     date with my wife) are getting very limited because we must 
     use more and more money to pay for fuel, groceries, and 
     commodities necessary for our very existence. Why is it that 
     we can send billions of dollars, each year, to countries who 
     hate us and do not even use the money for what it is 
     intended, yet let our own people suffer? Where's the justice? 
     Why cannot we do something to help our own people for a 
     change, fight terrorism in this country (gangs), and open up 
     more of the reserves in our own country so that we do not 
     have to be dependent upon foreign terrorists who control 
     (actually are destroying) our economy and indeed the 
     worldwide economical situation?
       I have two brothers who work in the oil business in 
     Wyoming. Their story of how much reserves we have differs 
     greatly from what our politicians are telling us. Who are we 
     to believe? Are we being misled? Are we being manipulated by 
     selfish interests who would rather pass a ``carbon tax'' bill 
     (when science has proven that there is, indeed, no global 
     warming crisis) creating more taxpayer dollars to line their 
     own pockets? I am a bit frustrated, but I really think that 
     there is no real justification for how fast the cost of fuel 
     has increased this year.
       One more thing I would like to know, and that is why are we 
     at the mercy of minority organizations with a lot of money, 
     organizations like the ``green'' people, the 
     environmentalists, or other groups who are at least partially 
     to blame for our energy crisis? We need to be using more of 
     our domestic resources and get away from foreign dependence. 
     We need to put a few curbs on the organizations that are 
     responsible for chasing all of our industry out of our 
     country. Those people have ensured that there are so many 
     outrageous controls on manufacturers, that they cannot 
     reasonably make and market most of the things we use in this 
     country, at a fair and competitive price because the costs of 
     all of the regulations force these manufacturers to leave the 
     country and build their products where the regulations are 
     not prohibitive. Our country, unfortunately, can only rely 
     upon the amount of paperwork done in a day to be able to 
     claim to have done something useful. Even our complicated 
     sensitive technologies are coming from overseas.
       The best example I can use for how far downhill we have 
     gone is to compare what we used to be able to do on the INL 
     to what we can do today. We used to be able to get work done. 
     A lot of work. We were productive. We built reactors, we 
     maintained them and the various other systems necessary to 
     make the rest of our facilities function well. We were not 
     overwhelmed by piles of paperwork. Yes, there was paperwork, 
     but it was nothing like we do today. Today, in our ``world 
     class'' society, we have DOE regulating us out of work. We 
     have a new company that has piled paperwork upon us to the 
     point that not just the administrators are doing piles of it, 
     but every man and woman from administrators to laborers, must 
     process piles of paper each day, to do `work.' Of course, 
     since the advent of the new contract between DOE and BEA, we 
     have consolidated the site and now we do about \2/3\ less 
     that ever before. More mountainous is the paperwork. More 
     signatures are required before work can begin. More 
     signatures are required to 'complete' work. Plus, now we have 
     found that the former Argonne personnel were not up to par 
     with the rest of the site (we were running Argonne for 50 
     years without knowing what we were doing, nor how to do 
     business, and we never killed anyone). Our ignorance has 
     resulted in additional training for each and every person 
     working at the facility. In fact, there is so much training, 
     computer based and otherwise, little time to do work. 
     Besides, we aren't focused upon how much work we can do 
     `safely,' instead, we are focused upon how safe we can be, 
     doing little work in the name of `safety.'
       Yes, I am frustrated. I guess I am lucky that I am not in 
     the Senate or Congress, because knowing what I know about how 
     things are done here, and how much is wasted, I would 
     seriously be working to close this site down. Tax payer money 
     is being spent (actually wasted), and the tax payer only 
     knows what the media tells them is being done with their 
     money. This is not a responsible national lab any more.
       Anyway, I have unloaded upon you again. Sorry for the 
     apparent frustration, but I can see the mess because I am 
     behind the curtain that hides it from the rest of the 
     country. Thanks for listening.
     Brent, Idaho Falls.
                                  ____

       We heat our home with propane; it is a 2,000 gallon tank. 
     With the cost of propane, it would run us around $3,000 to 
     fill it. We did not do that we did it at $250 at a time. We 
     even ran out one time. Wood is costing a lot as well, at our 
     age and work we have to buy it cut and delivered and that as 
     well is expensive, yet without the wood stove our home would 
     have cost to heat this year around $8,000. Personally I 
     believe in wind power and solar technology. Canada is 
     experimenting with a trailer right now that is brought in 
     that has wind power and wind solar on it. It is running farms 
     capable of running the whole house and everything as well. 
     So, if they are doing it right now, why are we not doing it? 
     They run about $40,000 right now. They are in the test run 
     just to see how long and evident it is. I want one. If they 
     are ready for the market place next year, I plan on getting 
     one. I feel in the deepest part of my soul that the greed of 
     man just might be too powerful. I am so pleased that you are 
     doing your best to protect Mother Earth and the souls that 
     live on her. Those whom are in denial and only live in the 
     power of money will indeed pay at some point in there souls. 
     So I hope this supports what needs to happen. I do, however, 
     only believe in wind and sun, I feel that we cannot ask other 
     countries to not use certain toxic and dangerous chemicals to 
     destroy this planet and not walk the talk. Thank You for all 
     your hard work.
     Jeanine.
                                  ____

       I agree with the outrageous energy costs. Gasoline and fuel 
     prices are totally unheard of. The constant rise in fuel 
     costs has not only hindered the life style, we here in Idaho 
     enjoy, outdoor activities, fishing and camping, but the 
     farmers are also getting hammered. What in tarnation is 
     happening? The rich just keep getting richer. My hat is off 
     to the successful, prominent business people, but where do 
     the working class fit in? Seems like the taxes keep going up 
     right along with the cost of living, health care and so on.
       I truly find it hard to believe that with all of the oil 
     wells and refineries we have in the United States that we 
     should not be in better shape. Where are these reserves being 
     sent to? I see where the Republican Committee is asking for 
     more drilling to take place in Alaska's wildlife areas. 
     What's up with that? What happened to the presently existing 
     Alaskan Pipeline? Did Wyoming, Texas and the sort all dry up?
       Are we truly a ``free nation'' or are we relying on the 
     foreign imports and markets to help us attain this freedom? 
     If there is any.
       I think the addressing of the country's issues have been a 
     long time in coming, but is it too late? What do our children 
     have to look forward to?
     Nate.
                                  ____

       I am a stay-at-home mom with four girls. My husband is 
     college-educated and makes a good living for our family. But, 
     with rising energy and gas prices, we are definitely feeling 
     the pinch in our monthly budget (not to mention rising food 
     prices as well). Ron works twelve miles from home. We do not 
     have additional drivers in our household yet. The driving I 
     do consists of basketball games, dance lessons, and church 
     activities and household errands. We spend over $280/month on 
     gas. To conserve, Ron has begun carpooling at least once a 
     week to work. That is not always easy, but the three drivers 
     are trying to save some money. It is definitely something I 
     think about everyday as I drive to and from town. I try to do 
     all the errands I can at once. We have canceled a planned 
     vacation to California this year to save the money. We hope 
     to be able to do it next year.
       I feel we live in a great country. There is more technology 
     than ever before. I hope my country can help to make 
     alternative fuel sources a reality. I know solar cars exist. 
     I have seen one discussed on KTVB news recently. We need this 
     type of research to fuel America's economy. The technology is 
     out there. As an average Idahoan, I hope congress will help 
     drive this process. The greatest country has great means to 
     make great things happen for its people.
     Cindy, Boise.
                                  ____

       I find it pitiful that we even have to ``convince'' our law 
     makers that there is a crisis. Maybe they should learn to 
     live the way the rest of the country does. Paying $4+ for a 
     gallon of gas, $4 for a gallon of milk, $4 for a loaf of 
     bread and just about the same for a dozen eggs. Already that 
     trip to the store in my car costs more then I make in an hour 
     of work. Come on, let us wake up and smell the coffee . . . 
     oh, that is up to (cheap coffee) $8 a pound. We need to start 
     using our own resources and stop sending billions to our 
     enemies. We are a proud nation, so let us start acting like 
     one.
     Marty.
                                  ____

       We are retired and on Social Security. If we have to buy 
     more than one tank of gas a month, it is almost impossible to 
     pay our

[[Page S9482]]

     bills. We have an all electric home and electricity has also 
     went way up in price. We watch propane and natural gas to see 
     if it would be better for us to change, but they have also 
     skyrocketed and just the cost of changing is unaffordable. We 
     also live in fear of losing our Social Security and Medicare 
     because they want to privatize it.
       I think what you say you are trying to do now is the right 
     thing but why did not you do this sooner before the tax cut 
     for the rich oil companies was put in force and why do not 
     you speak up and stop these tax cuts from becoming permanent. 
     This is part of what is putting the squeeze on the American 
     people. Thank you very much for giving me the chance to 
     express my opinion.
     Lois.
                                  ____

       I concur with policies that will take advantage of wind and 
     solar power technologies, and renewable/alternative fuels. I 
     wish you would reconsider the use of nuclear reactors as I am 
     concerned for our safety and the waste disposable. Without a 
     doubt, we (USA) need to take action ASAP please pass 
     legislation so that we can start using our oil reserves but 
     also start investing in new technologies so that some day we 
     will not need oil all together. I have confidence in our 
     abilities to get this done but it has to have the support of 
     our government and you are in the position to help make a 
     difference to help make the USA a better place to live. Thank 
     you for your time.
     Unsigned.
                                  ____

       I recently traded my 4-wheel-drive Toyota pickup with 
     35,000 miles on it for a Toyota Camry that gets ten more 
     miles per gallon. I was looking for a 2008 Camry LE 4-
     cylinder. There were none in stock. All sold out! The 2009 
     models are in now. The dealership Tom Scott Motors told me 
     all the 4-cylinders were sold by the time gas prices hit 
     $3.50 per gallon. And the V6s were not selling. Two 
     dealerships offered me $1,000 to $3,000 less than my pickup 
     was worth as per Kelly Blue book citing the 4-wheel-drive gas 
     guzzler option was the problem. They said I was lucky I was 
     trading a Toyota and not a full-sized truck. They are not 
     even taking them in trade now and, if they do, the offer is 
     $8,000 to $9,000 back of Kelly Blue Book. I got $13,750 for 
     my trade. In March when gas was $3.00. It was worth $16,775 
     cash.
       You know, it is the politicians that created this theft of 
     Idaho assets in this regard. I am not convinced the 
     politicians will resolve it any time soon. They should have 
     started drilling and building refineries in the 1990s. But 
     good luck with your efforts.
     Perry, Meridian.

                          ____________________