[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3545-S3547]
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 1,200, 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:

       Read below and explain why you or anyone would vote to stop 
     drilling when the country is in such turmoil. Please [tell me 
     why so many people have plenty while] I struggle with student 
     loans that I just paid a company to try and get eliminated. 
     If you want to help me, call the Department of Education and 
     tell them to forgive my student loans. I paid [a company] 
     $399 to get my loans discharged, so make a call and tell 
     Department of Education to just do it without me suing them. 
     It is said you get a denial letter, then you go to a lawyer 
     just like for disability. Well, here is your chance to help 
     an Idaho teacher that just lost her job due to mismanaged 
     funds with [a local school district]. They are $2 million in 
     debt so they [laid off several teachers and para-educators]. 
     So I am asking for help.
     Blocked in D.C.
                                  ____

       Investors Business Daily estimates there are 1 trillion 
     barrels of oil trapped in shale in the U.S. and Canada. 
     Retrieving just a 10th of it would quadruple our current oil 
     reserves. There is a pool of oil in the Gulf of Mexico that 
     is estimated to be as large as any in the Middle East. There 
     is an equally large pool believed to be in Alaska.
       The Chinese are attempting to tap into the Gulf oil supply 
     by drilling diagonally from Cuba. I wonder what environmental 
     safeguards they are using?
       The fact is that there are environmentally safe methods of 
     extracting oil from shale and drilling in both the Gulf and 
     Alaska. Congress, however, continues to block these efforts. 
     Just last week, the Senate voted to block any extraction from 
     shale in Colorado. In essence, they voted to make your trips 
     to the gas station more expensive, to make air travel more 
     expensive, and to make heating your home more expensive. That 
     is something to think about in an election year.
       Another topic: Social Security
       Another issue that concerns many Americans these days is 
     the sustainability of

[[Page S3546]]

     major entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. 
     With all of Congress' talk about ``saving and preserving'' 
     these programs, consider these facts about Social Security:
       When Social Security (FICA) was introduced it was promised:
       Participation in the program would be completely voluntary.
       Participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 
     of their annual incomes into the program.
       The money the participants elected to put into the program 
     would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each 
     year.
     Mary.
                                  ____

       Thank you for the opportunity to share my feelings about 
     national energy policy. I cannot understand the thinking of 
     most of the politicians I hear about. If I want to maintain 
     my freedom personally, I make sure I am as self reliant as 
     possible. I make sure I live within my income. I make sure I 
     own the things I will need to sustain my lifestyle so I have 
     control over them such as homes, cars, tools, computers, 
     supplies, etc. especially if I need them on a long term 
     basis. I rent them only when they are needed temporarily or I 
     am not in a situation to purchase at the time. If I do not 
     produce my own perishables or consumables such as food, 
     water, fuel, etc., I try to make sure I have a good supply in 
     case my sources get interrupted. The comparison I am trying 
     to make is if we in the USA have the energy available why do 
     not we develop it and use it. It is like we are renting our 
     energy from someone else and they just raised the rent real 
     high.
       I am surprised we have not had more problems already with 
     most of our energy coming from other countries. I realize 
     some countries do not have access to large resources of 
     energy and have to rely on other countries to supply it and 
     their ability to decide their future is in great jeopardy. I 
     realize too that some groups of people do not want us to be 
     independent from the rest of the world and therefore try to 
     keep us dependent on other countries as much as possible.
       The USA has the technology and resources to become 
     completely independent energywise from the rest of the world. 
     Nuclear energy is a proven and very safe energy source of 
     which we have abundant supplies of fuel material, especially 
     if we reprocess our own spent fuel waste. We have vast 
     amounts of coal that can be used in a clean way and converted 
     to petroleum like fuels (synthetic gas and diesel) with the 
     help of nuclear reactors to produce the hydrogen and heat 
     needed. I think there is plenty of room for renewable energy 
     too. We should use all our resources and have a diverse 
     source of energy recovery methods from wind turbines to 
     nuclear energy and yes even coal, oil, and oil shale. 
     Electric cars are the best solution in some cases but not 
     most. Mass transit works in some places but again not all. 
     Strict pollution controls may be needed in Los Angeles but 
     not in most places in Idaho. I guess the beauty of the 
     ``anthropogenic global warming'' crisis (at least for the 
     control-oriented groups) is it says everyone no matter where 
     they live are polluters and need to be regulated and 
     controlled. If you can control someone's resources you can 
     control them and access to energy is needed to develop 
     resources and have freedom.
       If we can get to the moon and send probes to other planets, 
     we can certainly solve our own energy needs if that were our 
     goal. The problem I see is that that is not the goal of most 
     politicians. Their goal seems to be to breed dependence on 
     the government (and themselves so they can get reelected) and 
     other countries and restrict our freedoms. We go from one 
     crisis to another until they claim they need to have complete 
     control over everything to keep us safe and happy.
       I believe we have the technology to extract this energy in 
     clean environmentally-friendly ways. I believe we should be 
     drilling offshore and in ANWR. I realize this is not going to 
     do much to the price of gas right now but it is a medium term 
     solution that will influence energy prices in 10-30 years. A 
     long-term solution is to start using more nuclear energy and 
     developing ways to produce transportation fuels from 
     additional resources such as coal or better electric storage 
     devices or hydrogen etc. Suing OPEC sounds like a bullying 
     technique. Why bite the hand that is currently feeding us? If 
     we demonstrated we were serious about becoming more energy 
     independent, I would bet the price of oil would drop fast in 
     hopes that it would discourage us from doing so. What part of 
     the simple economic principle of supply and demand do most 
     politicians not get?
     Bill, Rexburg.
                                  ____

       This country has been on a gas-guzzling binge for fifty 
     years. I am sick and tired of hearing people complain about 
     the cost of gas, driving solo in their inefficient cars, and 
     unwilling to carpool or contribute towards mass transit 
     options.
       We do not need to expand domestic petroleum production. We 
     need to learn conservation and seek alternative energy 
     sources. The ``God given right'' to tear up the landscape for 
     oil and selfish use is at the heart of what is wrong with 
     people and their mind-set on a global scale.
       Wake up and smell the coffee.
       Love and light,
     Pamela.
                                  ____

       Thank you for the invitation to share my views on the 
     energy situation. Although gas prices have increased 
     significantly lately, I do not think times are as tough as 
     the media portrays. My grandparents have experienced far 
     worse times than this current period.
       Nonetheless, this issue still requires action. I think the 
     best thing Congress can do in the short term is to increase 
     domestic production. This involves several things, 
     specifically getting more refineries built and allowing for 
     drilling in ANWR. I am also a supporter of getting shale oil 
     production started in the US.
       In the long term, Congress should provide tax credits for 
     those willing to pursue alternative fuels. Nuclear and 
     hydrogen seem like excellent options. I am not in favor of 
     corn-based ethanol and believe it is an inefficient use of 
     our resources.
       Further, Congress has no basis for establishing a windfall 
     profit tax on oil companies. This is inappropriate government 
     intervention. The consequences would be felt and mostly paid 
     for by consumers. This tax would not be a remedy but a 
     hindrance in solving our situation. Please always oppose any 
     legislation of this form.
       Thank you for your time. And please act promptly!
     Jeff.
                                  ____

       Thank you for taking time to read our story. First, with 
     gas prices on the rise, my husband gets grumpy and grumpier. 
     That means less happiness in our home and our marriage. That 
     is a very personal effect. Our children live in Logan, Utah; 
     Nampa, Idaho; Kirksville, Missouri; and Cleveland, Ohio. High 
     fuel costs mean seeing our family less often, which makes me 
     grumpy. My husband and I miss our grandchildren and children 
     quite a bit. Since we have a business and have to pay for 
     delivery trucks, marketing vehicles and other business costs, 
     such as continuing education, utilities, merchandise, etc.--
     higher fuel costs means lower profit margins. It would be 
     nice to be able to drive tiny vehicles but the winters are so 
     severe here in Southeastern Idaho, we feel safer in a four-
     wheel drive unit which, of course, costs more to run. Fuel 
     prices affect the cost of everything we buy, such as food, 
     clothing and shelter. I do believe they are necessary. I am 
     working on my college degree so higher fuel costs make my 
     education costs increase, such as delivery costs for books, 
     teaching materials, etc. We do try to conserve by walking, 
     running errands all at one time but if there is an emergency 
     with any of our family or a business problem it means a 
     greater expense to take care of an emergency.
       I believe it is time to use what resources are available 
     within the US. I know that conservationists would have us all 
     using horse and buggies again but that is not practical. I 
     believe that there is technology available that would allow 
     us to coexist with wildlife and their habitats and still make 
     use of the petroleum and natural gas deposits that are tied 
     up by conservation laws. Since the ``gas embargo'' of the 
     1970s, I have been uncomfortable that our government has not 
     moved forward to make this great land of ours energy 
     independent.
       I do worry about nuclear power since I lived through the 
     Three Island Nuclear incident and Chernobyl. If the nuclear 
     industry has improved, I would consider it. I believe in 
     clean-burning coal, biofuel (as long as it does not raise 
     food prices). I would like to see more refineries, more 
     energy efficiency in all sectors of this nation. That would 
     include business, government, homes, etc. There is so much 
     that could be done; recycling (which in Southeastern Idaho is 
     a joke), conservation, technical advances and so much more. 
     It would be wonderful to truly see the government of this 
     nation stop politicking and start working to address the 
     energy problems of this nation. I am not sure I have all the 
     answers but I do realize that human nature makes change hard. 
     It would be great to see our government setting an example 
     for the rest of the nation.
       Again, thank you for reading this and asking our opinion.
     Liisa, Rexburg.
                                  ____

       I do not want anecdotes about how we are suffering, I want 
     us to drill everywhere we have oil. Allow the development of 
     the coal oil industry and tell the environmentalists and the 
     democrats to stop trying to destroy this country. I do not 
     want to live in a socialist or communist society and that is 
     where we are heading.
       Thanks for your time.
     Mike, Naples.
                                  ____

       Thank you for asking for input:
       My father is in an assisted living facility located 120 
     miles from where I live. 240 total miles / 15 miles per 
     gallon = 16 gallons of gas $4 = $64. Therefore I am unable to 
     see my father as often as I like as I also have 2 college 
     children and a single income for my household. We are not 
     doing any traveling as everything right now costs too much 
     money due to transportation costs. This, as I know you know, 
     includes food. I moved to Meridian area from a small 
     community where I had everything paid off, had it in budget 
     to be able to pay off house; now I may have to work till I am 
     75. Anyhow thanks for listening to my rant, I would have 
     replied sooner but am out working on the farm program.
     Rob, Meridian.
                                  ____

       My wife and I are on a fixed income and Medicare. We are 
     not in bad health but still have a lot of doctor's 
     appointments to keep us healthy. We have one car and buy one 
     tank of gas every two weeks. We use our car mainly to do 
     three things: go to church, buy

[[Page S3547]]

     groceries once a week, and go to our doctors--all things to 
     keep us spiritually and physically healthy. Now, with 
     exploding gas prices, caused we feel mainly by the 
     government's lack of action in the past and present, we are 
     having to curtail. Let us see, now we can cut back on church 
     to our spiritual detriment, and we can shop for groceries 
     every other week and extend doctor's appointments to our 
     physical detriment. What will we do in three months, six 
     months, and beyond as gas prices continue to explode, driving 
     up the cost of everything, while the government continues to 
     talk with no action?
       Okay, what should be done about the oil crisis? Release 
     U.S. oil reserves immediately to both give relief and to 
     sting those in the futures market that are reaping huge 
     profits. With due consideration for the environment, lift the 
     restrictions on drilling off our coasts and drilling in 
     Alaska and other states. Start processing oil shale. As 
     reparations, take half the oil produced in Iraq or at least 
     get a price break on Iraqi oil. Open up the nuclear power 
     industry. Put some sanity behind the development of alternate 
     fuels. Give more than lip service to hybrid and electrical 
     cars. Convince us that government cares about us once again.
     Jon, Boise.
                                  ____

       We are a retired couple living on less than we use to make. 
     Not only is gas costing us more than we can afford but now we 
     are told that propane will not go down in price as it usually 
     does in the summer. We only have propane for heating and, as 
     you know, it gets cold in Eastern Idaho. To fill our tank, it 
     takes more than $1000 for 500 gallons. Our car takes $50 each 
     time we fill it with gasoline. We have a car that gets about 
     30 miles to the gallon. The price of bread milk and groceries 
     are also getting higher.
       I know you support the drill here, drill now, spend less 
     and I thank you for that. But unless something is done to 
     help the Americans, someone will have killed their golden 
     goose--the American consumer in the lower and middle class. 
     We are definitely driving less and conserving where we can 
     but I hear how the liberals want to do away with the tax cuts 
     instead of making them permanent. I am a conservative and I 
     have had enough
     Darrel.
                                  ____

       First of all I want to thank you for making this forum 
     available. I have lots to say but will try to be brief; you 
     and your staff are busy. I am a flight attendant for Delta 
     Air Lines based in NYC. I live in Horseshoe Bend area and fly 
     to JFK to cross the pond to Europe, working the JFK-Europe 
     flight. Last summer I was able to commute to JFK on the same 
     day I reported to work. Delta is cutting back on flights out 
     of Boise and, since I am an employee, I get on last. This 
     summer it will be harder and harder for me to get to work 
     because Delta is using a lot of regional jets with only 50 
     and 70 seats to save fuel/Delta flights have 144 seats. Delta 
     is cutting SkyWest (carrier operating the regional jets) 
     flights 15% nationwide. Like most people, I do not get paid 
     until I get to work. I am giving up more of my days off to 
     commute to my job in New York. I certainly hope we can 
     resolve this crisis. I am hoping not only for USA sources for 
     energy but hopeful research and development will be more 
     successful in finding better sources than corn, a low cost 
     food sorely needed in less prosperous countries. Thanks to 
     you and your staff for a great job!
     Cheri, Horseshoe Bend.
                                  ____

       I would just like to state that as a result of the higher 
     gas prices, I had to withdraw from the university I was 
     attending, as I commuted half an hour 3 times a week for 
     class. I am no longer enrolled in that college because I 
     could not make the drive. I am a young college student, 
     married and my husband and I just bought our first home. I 
     had to quit attending school because we simply could not 
     afford to put the gas in even my fuel-efficient Toyota 
     Corolla.
     Tiffany, Idaho Falls.
                                  ____

       You inquired as to the effect oil prices are having on 
     residents of Idaho. The ones on fixed incomes are having 
     their savings and way of live vanishing. I recently received 
     an e-mail suggesting that our food supply should be geared to 
     a barrel of oil and the profits returned to the American 
     people and farmers. It mentioned that gasoline is eight cents 
     a gallon in Saudi Arabia?
     Frank, Caldwell.
                                  ____

       High fuel and food costs are hurting both young and old. 
     While gas prices in Idaho are at or above the national 
     average, our hourly wage remains low. Idahoans can no longer 
     afford to travel more than a few miles to work as the daily 
     cost of gasoline to commute from any rural area to the city 
     (e.g. Nampa/Caldwell to Boise) makes the trip prohibitive. 
     Consequently, I would like to make the following 
     recommendations:
       1. Immediately end the corn ethanol federal subsidy program 
     that has increased the cost of our food. There is absolutely 
     no merit to this program. It benefits farmers, but the 
     majority of Idaho's citizens and businesses are not farm-
     related!
       2. Prohibit refineries from exporting diesel fuel out of 
     U.S. as they are doing now because they can make more money 
     exporting it! Refineries are shifting production from 
     gasoline to diesel fuel, but not for the benefit of the 
     people of the United States.
     Ralph, Eagle.

                          ____________________