[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 31, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4056-S4058]
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:

       Our family is being greatly affected by the rising energy 
     prices, especially gasoline; we are average middle income 
     America here and we do not have a lot of extra money to keep 
     up with the rising gas prices. If something could be done 
     such as more development of domestic oil, fossil fuels, 
     nuclear research or anything else, besides depending on OPEC 
     prices, that would be a really boon for our Nation as a whole 
     and help with our correct recession. Have a blessed day.
     Brent and Charlene.
                                  ____

       My wife Suzanne and I are Idaho natives of 33 years. We 
     have three children who are approaching the teen years. I 
     earn a modest income as a police officer in Caldwell. From 
     the time of our marriage over 13 years ago until last year, 
     Suzanne had served our family as a homemaker and educator of 
     our children. Part of curriculum Suzanne employed involved 
     music lessons, sports, and dance, which required many miles 
     per week of driving from our home to each event. Even though 
     we operate a fuel-efficient vehicle getting over 30 mpg, the 
     transportation costs have always been substantial. Last fall, 
     we made the decision to enroll our children in a local 
     charter school focusing on our children's talents in music. I 
     am proud to say that they tested into the school a grade 
     level above their age and have all received high honors in 
     their first year. This is a testament to Suzanne's hard work 
     and skill as a teacher.
       Since Suzanne and I enrolled our children into school, she 
     decided to take a part-time job in Meridian to help our 
     income. At about the same time Suzanne entered the work 
     force, fuel prices began to rise and have never stopped. Now 
     we still have travel for music lessons, sports, and dance, as 
     well as Suzanne's commute to work. Despite our efforts to 
     conserve, Suzanne's income is completely used up and then 
     some paying for higher fuel prices. Each year over the past 5 
     years or so, I have made more money, but we have had a 
     continually harder time providing for our family's needs. I 
     believe that this is due in large part to the price of fuel.
       I hope that this recent fuel price increase will prompt the 
     members of Congress to act and the citizens of our country 
     not to accept less than the best solution to the problem. I 
     am in favor of allowing the free market to solve the energy 
     problem with innovation. I do not support the intrusion of 
     the Federal Government with taxes and regulations. I think 
     the ideas of windfall profits taxes for corporations' amount 
     to no less than theft and would serve only to severely damage 
     our Nation's long-term productivity and morale. I would like 
     to see the following things happen ASAP and believe if 
     implemented that they would solve the fuel shortage very 
     soon, as well as stabilize the market for decades to come 
     without any compromise to the environment:
       Build nuclear reactors to produce a clean, long-term supply 
     for electricity. Retire all dams on the Snake River in Idaho 
     and Washington once nuclear reactors are online.
       Lift the drilling restrictions on domestic petroleum 
     exploration.
       Allow for the construction of enough oil refineries and 
     infrastructure to handle the projected increase in demand and 
     oil production.
       Immediately stop production and government subsidy of 
     ethanol. It is not efficient and cannot support itself. Corn 
     is best used for food.
       Stop refining so many different grades of gasoline. Refine 
     only 92 octane gasoline and #2 diesel fuel. This will provide 
     fuel for all cars currently in use while increasing current 
     refinery production capacity through consolidation.
       Offer tax incentives to auto makers to produce vehicles 
     that get good mpg (35+ for cars, 25+ for trucks). Allowing 
     the free market to solve the problem, which they are already 
     trying to do, is the best and quickest way to get it done.
       I hope this letter finds its way to those who can help 
     effect the change necessary to keep our country secure and 
     prosperous. Thank you for time.
     Scott, Middleton.
                                  ____

       Fuel is a necessity in our country, just as milk and eggs 
     cannot be traded in futures markets oil should not be 
     speculated on. I work in the transportation industry. 
     Currently, due to high fuel prices, business is poor, 
     reducing my income. There is little or no public 
     transportation available to me so my costs have increased 
     dramatically in spite of my efforts to travel less. I cannot 
     continue on this path much longer without painful sacrifices 
     or perhaps an additional job. Meanwhile it is business as 
     usual in Washington, [partisan arguing without any solutions 
     from people who may be in higher

[[Page S4057]]

     income brackets than the majority of Americans]. We have the 
     resources we need in this country. Let us have access to what 
     rightfully belongs to the American people. Maybe it takes 10 
     years for this to have an effect. Where will we be 10 years 
     from now if we do nothing now? New technologies need to be 
     developed, but in the meantime we should use some of the 
     resources that we have available to us, if we do not, those 
     countries who are using the resources available to them 
     (China? Venezuela? Brazil?) will own us. Our government and 
     special interest groups have made it so that we cannot use 
     our own steel, coal, oil, timber, and many other natural 
     resources; we are being regulated back to the days of the 
     horse and buggy. The way I see it, not only is this fuel 
     crisis an economic threat; it is a threat to our national 
     security.
       Please share my sentiments with your peers. Better yet, how 
     about having some of us from the middle class come and talk 
     some sense to them. As a regular citizen I do not have the 
     capability to make an ``emergency appropriation'' to cover my 
     shortfalls. Inaction on the part of Congress and the Senate 
     will have serious consequences in the near and long term.
     John, Idaho Falls.
                                  ____

       I appreciate the opportunity to send you my thoughts on the 
     ``Energy Crisis''. Like many Americans our age, my wife and I 
     had dreamed and planned of the time we would retire. While 
     never rich, we were always comfortable. When we retired we 
     had sufficient for our needs and a little to spare.
       We have five (5) children and 23 grandchildren. As our 
     children were growing, one of the many happy memories they 
     had of their grandparents was each summer knowing they would 
     come with their 5th wheel trailer and spend time with us. 
     Sometimes we camped with them, other times they just parked 
     in front, or alongside our home and used their trailer as 
     their home away from home. They were then in the same 
     position we are now. Their children had moved from the area 
     seeking jobs and opportunities not found were our parents 
     lived.
       For years we planned to be able to live a similar life. 
     Spending time with each of our children and grandchildren 
     building memories and connections of love that would help 
     knit our family into a family similar to the one we shared 
     with our parents.
       About 5 years before my retirement, we purchased a modest 
     5th wheel trailer and a pick-up truck to pull it. We wanted 
     to have everything paid for prior to my retirement. The 
     trailer will never be used as we had planned because the cost 
     to pull it is greater than we feel we can afford. We have one 
     son who lives here in Idaho Falls, and we are able to enjoy 
     his family on an ongoing basis. Our son who with his family 
     lives in Oklahoma will get to see us for a few days once a 
     year. Even driving our car which does get quite good mileage 
     makes the cost for multiple trips per year out of the 
     question. Our daughter and her family who live in the 
     Seattle, WA, area similarly will be able to enjoy an annual 
     visit (again driving our car). Our other daughter and son 
     live in Utah, and because of the relatively close proximity, 
     we are able to visit several times per year.
       We had dreamed of being able to take our grandchildren at 
     various times to see some of the wonderful sights of our 
     country, such as Yellowstone Park, Mount Rushmore, Zion 
     National Park and other such areas. With our truck and 
     trailer it would have been a wonderful adventure. By car with 
     the costs of lodging, meals, and especially fuel even that is 
     not a viable option.
       Do we suffer with insufficient food, power, or other 
     necessities of life? The answer is no. Do we long to be able 
     to share with our loved ones the time and experiences that 
     our children enjoyed with their grandparents? The answer is 
     definitely yes.
       The impact of our situation will influence negatively not 
     only my wife and I but future generations as well. Traditions 
     that were important in our lives will be lost. The connection 
     from one generation to the next and the generations that 
     follow will be weakened.
       We feel blessed that we presently have sufficient for our 
     daily needs, and a little to spare, but we also feel betrayed 
     by a series of decisions and events that have taken from us 
     our dreams.
       Thank you for allowing me to provide this to you.
     Orville and Rhea, Idaho Falls.
                                  ____

       I work at the INL, and my wife has a painting and 
     decorating business. I ride the bus to work, and my wife has 
     two employees for the summer; they are college students. We 
     have had to use our home equity line of credit to cover the 
     extra cost of fuel and everything it has caused the price to 
     increase on. People we come into contact with at the INL or 
     through the painting business are saying the same thing. 
     People have less money to spend because the cost of 
     everything is going up, due to the fact that the price of oil 
     affects everything, just not driving. With less money to 
     spend, people are doing less, putting off home repairs, 
     vehicle repairs, skipping a visit to the doctor or dentist, 
     the effects are being felt by everyone.
       Drilling for oil off our coasts, in Alaska, oil shale and 
     other areas should be a No. 1 priority. The technology exists 
     to do it safely and environmentally friendly. Yes, there 
     should be windmills, ethanol, biodiesel and other 
     alternatives, but those alone will not solve the problem. 
     More oil is being used worldwide, so more needs to be 
     produced. Oil is used in so many things that it will always 
     be in demand. I would rather see my money go to the oil 
     companies, than to the Arab countries. If we are drilling in 
     America, then the money stays in America. I am tired of the 
     lies to the American public that it will take time to drill, 
     how long will it take to get other technologies online. Or 
     the lie that the oil companies have millions of acres of 
     leases. Tell these people to stop the smoke and mirrors game, 
     they were sent to Washington to represent the people, not 
     play games. If they were working for my wife painting, they 
     would have been fired for not getting the job done they were 
     hired to do.
     Brian.
                                  ____

       As a family, we are finding the increase in gasoline prices 
     in Idaho especially difficult as we try to continue our 
     regular activities. We rely so much on our transportation 
     needs as we attempt to take advantage of the many 
     opportunities afforded to us here and serve throughout the 
     community. The costs are beginning to have a negative impact 
     and limit so many of our friends as well, as so often, we are 
     all living with tight budgets each month. Raising a family is 
     expensive and getting much more so as the gas prices are 
     passed on to food, clothing, and other costs.
       Our ancestors saw the need to be self-sufficient, to use 
     and re-use and make do with what they had. This is the best 
     and most effective way to be good stewards of our land and 
     happened long before the trend to go ``green''. Indeed, much 
     of the ``green'' activity today borders on the ridiculous. We 
     would really like to see our Nation become self-sufficient, 
     as well by drilling in our own country, eliminating our 
     dependence on foreign oil. Our lands are special to all of 
     us, especially those of us in remoter areas that are still 
     beautiful and pristine, such as Idaho and Alaska. But if we 
     act responsibly, we can continue to preserve our lands and 
     provide for our own people.
       We would also like to see some alternative fuel innovations 
     encouraged with incentives to use them.
       Thank you for all you do for our State. We know that it is 
     hard work, especially working with a Congress that is often 
     unwilling or unable to see the obvious solutions many in the 
     public can see so clearly.
     Chris and Shawna, Boise.
                                  ____

       The unacceptable rises in every facet of living is really 
     beginning to affect the quality of life for both myself and 
     my fiance. We have really noticed the strain on our pocket 
     books despite having paid off several debts thus freeing up 
     more of our money. Because of the prices in gas, we are 
     forced to restrict our more frivolous pursuits. We find it 
     hard to partake in dining out and spending money on 
     entertainment. Travel, which we enjoy doing often, is almost 
     out of the question completely. Our spending habits are 
     becoming more and more conservative and only the necessities 
     are being purchased. I know we are not alone in this, for all 
     of our friends and relatives are cutting back and struggling 
     to make ends meet.
       It cannot be good for the American economy when we are 
     forced to spend most of our money on just getting by. We work 
     hard for our money and resent having it stolen from us at the 
     pumps, the grocery store, and at home while using everyday 
     appliances. While oil companies are enjoying record profits, 
     (Exxon making $40.6 billion in 2007; according to US News), 
     Americans are paying record prices for a gallon of gas. Is 
     there any question as to why gas prices are so high?
       This madness has to stop. We must pursue other fuel 
     alternatives and fast! Not in 5 or 10 years but today. Our 
     country is heading into a depression and printing more money 
     is not going to solve it. Let us put our Americans to work by 
     making fuels here, at home. It is time we become self-
     sufficient once again.
     Roma, Boise.
                                  ____

       Thank you for the fine job you do for Idahoans. We realize 
     current energy prices are wreaking havoc because the cost of 
     transportation impacts prices for everything we buy including 
     food and clothing. Those hardest hit, are the poor, elderly 
     and our working families. My grown children and their kids 
     are pinching every penny to try to make ends meet. It is 
     getting much harder.
       In the short term, I would like our country to utilize safe 
     offshore drilling. (I heard the rigs in the Gulf Coast 
     withstood Katrina very well.) At the same time, we need to 
     understand and utilize ``best practices'' with renewable 
     energy. When we were in Europe a few weeks ago, my husband 
     and I learned they use nuclear power. An electrical engineer 
     we met in our travel group tried to help me understand that 
     nuclear power is safe. I would like to believe that is true, 
     but my only concern is that we not leave a mess for our 
     grandchildren and their grandchildren to solve.
       Our citizens need to do our part by not buying the gas 
     guzzlers our auto makers so happily design. We can also get 
     off our duffs and walk more and use bicycles. When we were in 
     Holland, my husband and I were amazed at how many people, old 
     and young, use bikes. Kid do not ride school buses; they ride 
     their bikes to school. For that to work here, we need safe 
     bike paths. I would be terrified to let my grandkids use the 
     bike path on our Emerald Connector overpass in Boise.
       Thank you and God bless you.
     Marjean, Boise.
                                  ____

       I thank you for your efforts concerning the energy problems 
     we face. We live in the very

[[Page S4058]]

     rural area of Salmon. Public transportation is not an option. 
     Most home sites are within a 10-mile radius of town; however, 
     public trails and non-motorized travel is not an option 
     either. Our family is suffering from the increase in energy 
     costs to the degree that we have had to alter an already 
     modest lifestyle. We live in an area where pickups and SUVs 
     are a way of life. We use our truck to mend fences, irrigate, 
     transport lumber and haul equipment. We have reduced the 
     insurance on this vehicle to liability and only drive it now 
     when we have to. We have purchased a small 1989 ``beater'' 
     car that gets 25 mpg to travel to town. We would purchase a 
     more economical vehicle if we could, in particular, one that 
     utilizes hybrid technology. However, our family cannot afford 
     a $30,000 vehicle; this is a ``luxury'' afforded to the 
     wealthier classes.
       On visiting Sun Valley recently, we saw a beautiful trail 
     system, a bus system and pedestrians/bikes everywhere. Their 
     community is unique in Idaho. They have the economic 
     foundation to provide alternatives to their citizens that 
     lessen the burden. It is not safe to travel on bike or 
     scooter along US Hwy 93 and 28 into the town of Salmon. Our 
     populous is too small to support a bus system. We would like 
     to see more support for the development of alternative 
     transportation, in particular, non-motorized travel such as a 
     beltway that would connect the rural outskirts to the center 
     of town. As Salmon grows, we are also seeing more children 
     traveling along these narrow and inadequate strips of 
     highway. We would also be providing a safe means for them to 
     access community services such as the library and swimming 
     pool.
       Many of us are already car pooling and we have limited our 
     trips to town as much as possible. Please help us find other 
     means to lessen the burden of living in rural Idaho.
     Michelle, Salmon.
                                  ____

       I have been riding a bike to work this is great; however, I 
     am financially strapped to the point where I will not spend 
     any money for anything other than food, gas. We are not 
     traveling; our kids are not entering into sports. We are 
     staying close to home. I am only buying gold and silver for 
     retirement because I suspect Congress and the Senate will 
     never fix the problem of inflation. If the situation worsens, 
     I will become another bankruptcy casualty.
       1. Remove the Federal reserve or get us on a two tiered 
     gold standard and a path back to financial responsibility.
       2. Bring our troops home no foreign spending on anything 
     but American-A nationalistic view.
       3. Incentives for companies to return to America.
       4. Drill, drill, drill, blue collar workers state we are 
     being lied to about the amount of oil off of Alaska.
     Steven, Nampa.

                          ____________________