[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 17, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3158-S3160]
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 S3159]]

me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded 
by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,200, are 
heartbreaking and touching. While energy prices have dropped in recent 
weeks, the concerns expressed remain very relevant. To respect the 
efforts of those who took the opportunity to share their thoughts, 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:

       My husband and I moved to Shelley in May of 2007, and drive 
     to work in Idaho Falls Monday through Friday. Since we work 
     different hours, we are unable to carpool. When we first 
     moved here, we budgeted approx. $210 per month for gas and we 
     now budget approx. $320. We do not drive new, gas-guzzling 
     cars. My husband drives a 1987 Ford Bronco II (we are on our 
     third engine) and I drive a 1995 Ford F-150 pick-up. Both 
     cars have four-wheel drive, which is necessary in the winter 
     months, and the pick-up is needed as we own 6 acres. Add this 
     increase to the gas needed for a riding lawnmower and a quad 
     (both are needed to maintain our property), we probably spend 
     $350 a month in gas. I believe Congress has no idea of what 
     the average wage earner/homeowner goes through every month 
     just trying to get by and pay bills. There will be no 
     vacations this year as we cannot afford to pay for gas and 
     travel anywhere. Along with the increase in gas prices, we 
     have found our grocery bills have increased along with just 
     about everything else. (the trickle-down effect) Wages in 
     Idaho are not high and the cost of gasoline seriously impacts 
     our budget. I am in support of more domestic drilling and 
     believe we depend too much on foreign oil.
     Laurie, Shelley.
                                  ____

       My husband and I both work at the Idaho National Laboratory 
     and also operate a small beef cattle ranch. The rising costs 
     have been affecting us but really started hitting hard last 
     year.
       First, we live in Howe and work at the INL. We work at one 
     of the closest facilities to Howe, yet, it is still 20 miles 
     one way. I work a 410 schedule and my husband works a 
     rotating 412 schedule. Our schedules do not coincide with one 
     another so we are unable to carpool. So, we both have to 
     drive separate vehicles 4 days a week. He is unable to 
     carpool because no one else in Howe works his same schedule. 
     I carpool with another neighbor who works 410s at my 
     facility, so I drive twice a week. We are driving a minimum 
     of 240 miles per week. All of our vehicles are ranch vehicles 
     so they get between 8 and 16 mpg (with all the rising costs, 
     we'd be hard pressed to afford a vehicle payment for an 
     economy car). We try to ride our motorcycles when we can (40-
     60 mpg) but that is hard to do with a carpool. We are using 
     15-30 gallons of fuel a week, minimum, at a cost of $60-120/
     week or $240-480/month. That just for going to a steady 
     paying job.
       Second, our cattle graze on private ground 20 miles away. 
     That was the closest we could get at a reasonable cost (which 
     was 4 years ago). Because of the problems we have had with 
     trespassers cutting fence lines, tearing up gates, cattle 
     disappearing, and irrigation issues, we have to check on this 
     daily from May to November. That is another 280 miles/week. 
     So, another $140/week or $560/month.
       The closest full-service shopping is 80 miles away in 
     Rexburg, Idaho Falls, or Blackfoot. We have tried to keep the 
     trips to town to a minimum, but, that too is hard to do with 
     cattle, owning a home, and just plain living. We carpool to 
     town to do our grocery shopping and only go every other week. 
     That is another 180 miles once you spend the day driving all 
     over town to get everything in one trip--and believe me it is 
     an all day trip when you are shopping for 2 weeks worth of 
     supplies for 2-3 families. Another potential $40 in fuel. We 
     do not get to see our children, grandchildren or other family 
     very often anymore because they are scattered all over the 
     state. They cannot afford to spend the money on gas to come 
     and visit and we have had to cut way back on these 
     excursions. The cost for vehicle maintenance has shot through 
     the roof, too. Tires are up about 50%, motor oil has double 
     over the past couple of years, other maintenance supplies 
     have increased and the cost of labor to have a 
     ``professional'' do it is ridiculous (that is if you can get 
     someone honest and reputable to do the work!).
       Because we lost our BPA credit and Rocky Mountain Power 
     raised the rates, our electric bill has gone up $60-100/month 
     depending upon how much water we are pumping and how cold it 
     is.
       The hay prices shot up from about $85/ton to $150/ton--
     nearly double. So we are forced to either sell off half the 
     herd or double our cost for hay/feed (for 50 head of cattle 
     we'll be paying over $20,000). The market price for beef at 
     auction has not increased making our profit margin take a 
     nose dive. When there is less beef produced, the store cost 
     goes up--but we do not see that money as a producer. Everyone 
     else is getting their cut but the producer. Feed grain has 
     gone up about 33%, and veterinary supplies have gone up.
       The cost of everything has gone up to account for the fuel 
     prices. Flour has doubled, milk went up $1/gallon, bread is 
     $3/loaf (can you believe it--so I make my own). The cost of 
     fencing supplies has gone up 75%. These are just a few things 
     that cut into our bottom line.
       I hear taxes (at least federal) are going back up and the 
     marriage penalty will be back. Is there anyone in Congress 
     that can keep their hand out of the piggy bank? My husband 
     and I live within our means. With all of these rising costs, 
     we are having to cut back on many other things--but we are 
     doing it. It just seems that our government representatives 
     are so wealthy and are ``entitled'' to special treatment 
     wherever they live that they have grown completely out of 
     touch with how the common person lives from day to day.
       We are just one small family. We are spending well over 
     $1000/month in fuel costs and just a few years ago I thought 
     it was highway robbery to spend $400/month. The US needs to 
     get off the ``enviro-nazi'' kick and start utilizing the 
     resources we have.
       Thanks for listening. Maybe this will help you make a 
     difference for Idahoans and our country.
     Tekla, Howe.
                                  ____

       Thank you for taking the time to hear from those you 
     represent. Yes my family has had to cut back our spending as 
     the fuel prices are driving up the costs of everything else. 
     There is one area I am deeply concerned with, that is with 
     the good people who help the less fortunate. There are 
     companies like Meals on Wheels that are hurting because of 
     the energy costs, the food costs, as well as the other 
     expenses they have to bear. When I hear that these good 
     people are trying to help others, it warms my heart, but when 
     I hear these same companies are struggling to scrape together 
     enough funds to continue to do the incredible job they do I 
     am deeply sadden. The costs are rising to a point that it 
     makes it difficult to be able to donate to these wonderful 
     organizations. When I hear the oil companies are making 
     record profits it angers me and I feel we are being taken 
     advantage of. I do believe in free enterprise, but at what 
     cost to the great people of our fantastic nation.
       Please help,
     Scott.
                                  ____

       This is in response to your request for citizens to ``share 
     your energy stories.''
       Here are some of the results I am observing, of gas being 
     more expensive:
       Traffic is (slightly) down on the overcrowded roads in and 
     around Boise.
       People are getting rid of their gas-guzzlers and getting 
     more economical modes of transportation.
       People are making more responsible transportation choices. 
     (Dare I say it? Might they even consider carpooling, or 
     utilizing public transportation?)
       Air pollution is down.
       There is some real market-driven innovation going on, in 
     the automotive world.
       In other words, the results of higher fuel prices aren't 
     all negative. Please think long and hard before getting the 
     government more involved. (In the past, it hasn't always had 
     the desired effect.)
       If you could figure out some way to give the freight 
     industry some relief, that would be a good thing. But let the 
     free market run its course with regards to personal 
     transportation, I say. If our economy is based on every 
     citizen 16 and over having a private motor vehicle and 
     unlimited access to cheap fuel . . . it is a house of cards.
       Ride a bicycle.
     Josh, Boise.
                                  ____

       These days of high fuel and energy costs have been coming 
     for a long time now. Since the 1970s, the writing has been on 
     the wall. Had the government taken the lead and required 
     meaningful efficiency standards of the auto industry, we may 
     have avoided a war and would already be on our way to energy 
     independence. Had we raised the fuel tax by a couple of 
     pennies each year and invested it into mass transit and 
     infrastructure, we would not be faced with crumbling roads 
     and bridges.
       We let the marketplace get into this mess; the marketplace 
     will get us out of this mess, if we let it. The marketplace 
     is merely correcting for the poor decisions of the past. 
     Progress built on the promise of an unlimited supply, of a 
     finite resource, is hardly progress at all. To call for more 
     production is no solution. We have squandered an immense 
     resource on gas guzzlers, motor sports of all kind. 
     Agriculture's dependence on fossil fuels and petroleum based 
     chemicals is coming back to haunt us.
       The best time to plan for energy independence was 30 years 
     ago. The second best time to plan for energy Independence is 
     today. There are other contributing factors to the mess we 
     are in such as, the failing dollar, former third world 
     countries whose demand for energy will soon exceed ours. We 
     brought all this on ourselves and now we do not like it. I 
     would be willing to bet, ``we ain't seen nothin' yet''.
                                                             Doug.

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                                  ____
       We moved from southern California and left a lucrative 
     business four years ago to come to Idaho and put our children 
     into smaller schools. We also began a business here that has 
     done pretty well. Lately though, gas is eating up any chance 
     of savings for college or cars for teens who need cars to 
     work.
       Beside working many hours and employing locals when we can, 
     we also volunteer hundreds of hours coaching kids in youth 
     sports. I also began an all-girls youth group 18 months ago, 
     that has presently 40 girls that have attended and come 
     pretty regularly. We are in a poorer area so up till now we 
     provide many rides for these kids, many from single parent 
     homes, welfare homes, etc. These kids have been so 
     appreciative of all the time and effort we invest in them and 
     we see many making much better choices today that once were 
     traveling down a very bad path in life.
       How is gas affecting us, family of five? For one, we have 
     started turning down some pretty good jobs we would usually 
     bid within a 90-mile radius due to gas prices. Since my 
     husband has to drive a truck to carry all of his heavy 
     equipment to do the jobs, he has no choice but to pay for 
     higher gas. For me, I have to choose to not pick up all the 
     kids that I have been to keep them in youth group and sports. 
     Some of these parents do not even own cars, so now that means 
     some of these kids who were responding so positively either 
     have to walk a great deal to get to a place I can pick them 
     up (also a danger in today's world) or they do not always get 
     to attend. I too may have to cut my hrs in volunteering soon 
     as we just cannot afford the gas to do as much as we always 
     have in the past.
       One more way it is affecting us is we have a son ready to 
     begin college and he may actually have to go without a 
     vehicle. His older car broke down and, in order to purchase 
     an energy-efficient vehicle, we would have to give up paying 
     for college basically. We cannot afford to do both. We have 
     another son also driving, but he cannot afford the gas prices 
     to get to a job at minimum wage on a part-time basis. He 
     works for his dad all summer, but gas prices is preventing 
     him from working all school year for the minimum wage on a 
     part-time basis (15 hr average locally for youth jobs during 
     school year).
       We ask the Congress to push harder to drill here at home, 
     to open another refinery while they continue exploring all 
     other energy efficient ideas. We too want the environment 
     protected, but first we must make certain people can afford 
     to go to school and to work. We do think the congress needs 
     to put some pressure on and get our gas prices lowered 
     (environmentalist caused in our opinions), but we do not 
     believe the government should be taking over the oil 
     companies.
       We thank you for your time and hope that you can work to 
     get this resolved before none of us are able to work.
     Ken and Rossa, Lenore.
                                  ____

       I wanted to write you about the insanely high price of gas. 
     My wife and I both hold jobs in different parts of Boise so 
     we could not carpool together. Her car gets great gas 
     mileage; mine, on the other hand, does not. When the price of 
     gas going up, I was looking at paying almost $200 in fuel a 
     month for my own transportation probably closer to $300 with 
     both of our cars together. We simply cannot afford $300 a 
     month for just gas. I decided to find a new means of 
     transportation to work--my bicycle. While I am not 
     complaining about riding my bike to work, I have to keep 
     looking down the road and know that winter is coming and with 
     $135 barrel of oil prices that means high gas prices when it 
     is cold out, too. Congress or the House or the President or 
     someone needs to take the reins and get control over this 
     crisis. I keep hearing about how we went to war in Iraq for 
     oil. If that is true, then why are not we taking oil out of 
     Iraq to repay all the money that we have spent over there to 
     increase our national debt to an insane amount? Why are we 
     not drilling in Alaska? Or on the Outer Continental Shelf? Or 
     exploring the coal to oil possibility? With all of the 
     unemployment that is happening right now in our country 
     opening up even one of these possibilities could create new 
     jobs for people that are out of work right now, bring down 
     the price of gas and oil, and we could stop funding countries 
     that hate America. I do not understand how simple working 
     Americans can see the solutions to this problem but our 
     elected officials either cannot see the solutions or just do 
     not care to fix the problem they helped to create. Thank you 
     for your time.
     Kyle, Boise.
                                  ____

       Despite the fact that a month ago I have recently acquired 
     a higher paying job (more than I have ever made), we are 
     having to now decide which bills get paid and which ones do 
     not. My fiancee and I over the past few years, worked 
     diligently to reduce or eliminate our debt, save money for 
     both short term and long term. We were being very responsible 
     middle Americans.
       We have not been able to successfully budget the increases 
     in what we have to pay for gas and everything else that has 
     gone up in price.
       Now all that our debts have gone up and our emergency funds 
     our depleted.
       It is not as though we have been spending more. We have 
     made as many cutbacks as we could. Gotten rid of cable, 
     switched all of our bulbs to fluorescent, do not go out to 
     eat anymore, and quality time family excursions including 
     movies just do not happen anymore.
       What else do we do when suddenly prices go up and you have 
     to get to work, but the tank is empty and bills need paid or 
     they shut off the power, etc.? Companies never give you a 
     raise as quickly as prices go up. In fact, most people do not 
     even get raises anymore. We are paying on average of $150 to 
     $200 more a month than before. We do have to drive more than 
     the average person until the wedding over and house is sold.
       I already work long hours, leave the house at 6:45 am to 
     arrive back at 7 pm exhausted go to bed at 10 pm. When would 
     I have time to get another job? We have been selling off 
     things we own for extra money. We have not had time to 
     adjust. These rapid increases are killing us financially.
     Monte.
                                  ____

       I am taking this opportunity to respond to you call for 
     input on high energy prices. I live in Pocatello and must 
     drive to work daily to go to work in Idaho Falls, a 100-mile 
     round trip. My wife owns a restaurant in Pocatello, so moving 
     would only change who commutes. The high gasoline prices have 
     affected my personal driving habits in that I have started 
     driving at 55 miles per hour again. If I drive at 75 mph, my 
     car will go 19 to 20 miles per gallon of gasoline. I have 
     found that when I drive at 55 mph, my car will go 32 to 34 
     miles per gallon. I only have to leave the house 15 minutes 
     earlier in the morning to get to work on time.
       I was in Nebraska a few weeks ago. I noticed that while 
     Nebraska has not lowered posted speed limit for trucks, 
     almost all trucks were cruising between 60 and 65 mph. Since 
     a truck is much less streamlined, I would guess that their 
     fuel efficiency gains are even more dramatic than mine.
       I realize that, for most Americans, the vast majority of 
     driving is done in a city where the speeds are much lower and 
     the traffic is stop and go, so simply driving slower will not 
     have a significant impact on fuel efficiency. But gasoline 
     use can be greatly reduced in urban areas also. I have two 
     sons who both get all over Pocatello very easily, and neither 
     one of them drives an average of ten miles a week. They both 
     walk or ride bicycles almost everywhere they go. They even 
     takes backpacks to the grocery store and laundromats, which 
     for one of them are over a mile and a half from his house 
     (the other lives only around the corner from a grocery store, 
     and his laundry seems to mysteriously appear at my house).
       I do believe that urban planners in the West have long 
     neglected pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods and business 
     districts, not to mention the almost complete lack of 
     attention towards mass transit systems both in and between 
     urban areas. Congress should address these items as viable 
     tools to curb energy demand along with promoting development 
     of alternative energy sources. Congress should also mandate 
     the diversification of our energy supply, which, by the way, 
     should also be a Homeland Security priority.
       Congress has known that our energy availability is getting 
     more and more questionable for over thirty years, and has 
     done little to promote developing new energy resources or 
     promote curbing energy use. Simply exploring for more oil 
     within the United States will not solve the problems, it will 
     only prolong the problem at great cost.
     Bob.

                          ____________________