[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 1, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4166-S4168]
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:

       Fellow Idahoans, the high cost of gas is taking its toll on 
     my family as well. I have very little money left after 
     driving to work and paying rent and insurance, to buy food. 
     After everything is all paid for, I do not have any money to 
     stash away for a rainy day. However, Senator Crapo and others 
     are letting us down and trying to give us simple answers. I 
     have spent countless hours researching alternative 
     technologies for transportation as well as power. Senator 
     Crapo and our other elected officials want to tell us the 
     simple way is to drill for more oil, According to government 
     scientists, drilling in ANWR will not actually have an impact 
     for five years if we started drilling tomorrow, and it would 
     only lower gas prices by 1 cent and make no mistake when they 
     say domestic drilling this is what they mean. They want to 
     open more nuclear power plants but nobody wants to take the 
     nuclear waste and Senator Crapo has no problem leaving it in 
     Idaho for us to deal with the nuclear waste of the world!!!!! 
     And Senator Crapo has no plans for the waste!! Search the MYT 
     engine; it is a great new technology that just disappeared 
     because oil companies do not want that technology out there. 
     Our elected officials are not working for us and they are 
     stuck in the mindset of oil as the only alternative. I demand 
     and so should you that NASA stops wasting our money going to 
     Mars and INL stops wasting money studying nuclear power and 
     works on a way to make solar power and wind power more 
     efficient. Solar thermal is a new type of solar power that is 
     more efficient than solar panels and produces more 
     electricity, Wind power is great and I see more windmills 
     going up all around Idaho. The truth is the technology and 
     the know how are out there, but our elected officials are 
     stuck in the mindset of oil, coal, and nuclear and not 
     willing to look at alternatives; demand that they think 
     outside the box.
     Steven.
                                  ____

       I appreciate your emails and asking how the energy problem 
     is affecting me and my family. I also hope you still have 
     your integrity and that you honestly do what is right for 
     America. In the 1990s, you were my Aunt's attorney in fixing 
     her estate before and after she died. She was very impressed 
     with you and thought you were an honest man. Please do not 
     let us down.
       I am a retired/disabled police officer. I am on an income 
     that is pretty much fixed, but my wife is still working 
     though she is 66 years old, and we are both on Medicare and 
     Medicare Part D. I also take care of my 82-year-old father 
     who lives 30 miles from me and he is also on a fixed income. 
     I have to drive that distance two to three times a week to 
     take care of him. We have a small car, but the prices are 
     getting unbearable. We have cut back on most trips to the 
     store and to take care of my dad. We are still doing okay, 
     but the fear of the unknown grows constantly within us. I 
     wish Congress would get off feeling animals (e.g., caribou) 
     are more important than people. The environmental thing has 
     just gone too far. I believe in taking care of the things 
     that God has charged us with, but the citizens of this 
     country are important, too.
       We are constantly fearful of Congress doing away with 
     Medicare and Medicare Part D. Please do the right thing and 
     make this country something proud to live in again.
     Cliff.
                                  ____

       Many changes have come about in our life as a result of the 
     high gas prices.
       1. Our planned 7,000 mile summer trip with our 
     grandchildren has been scaled back to 500 miles.
       2. We do not eat out, and non-essential foods have been cut 
     from our food budget.
       3. We must combine our shopping trips to the mall, grocery 
     stores, library, doctor appointments etc. in order to 
     conserve.

[[Page S4167]]

       4. Our fixed income budget demands that we limit family 
     birthday and special occasion gifts.
       5. We never drive our 2005 diesel powered pickup--it costs 
     over $200 to fill the tank--no money for that.
       6. We are grateful that we can grow a garden and that we 
     have economical public transportation that is available to 
     use in getting to some locations in our city.
       7. Retirement, which was quite comfortable for several 
     years, is no longer comfortable--we must watch every penny.
       Thank you for allowing us to vent. We must go after the 
     resources within our borders and become energy independent!
     Jack and Patricia, Pocatello.
                                  ____

       I e-mailed John Boehner and Bill Sali regarding the idea of 
     a new contract with America. I think we need it badly. I 
     recommend it be called ``The Freedom Contract with America.'' 
     Specifically, it could contain the following:
       (1) Freedom from foreign oil and high gas and diesel 
     prices--bring up a vote for the ``All of the Above'' energy 
     bill of the Republicans.
       (2) Freedom from high taxes--bring up a vote to make the 
     tax cuts of 2003 permanent.
       (3) Freedom from any more illegal immigration--draft, 
     debate, and vote on a plan to complete the securing of our 
     borders and deal with the existing illegal immigrants in this 
     country.
       That is it. Three items that would resonate with the 
     American public. Pledge to bring these up for a vote in the 
     first 100 days if a Republican majority is elected to 
     Congress. The left-wing media and the Democrats would mock it 
     and call it desperation. It does not matter. Take a risk. 
     What do we have to lose?
       Anyway, I just wanted to mention to you this thought.
     David.
                                  ____

       You asked for stories on how high gas prices are affecting 
     people's lives. I provide occupational therapy home health 
     services to children with behavioral, cognitive, sensory, 
     and/or physical impairments that affect the development of 
     skills for functional living. I live in southeast Idaho, and 
     we have a shortage of therapists. These high prices are 
     affecting how many clients and which clients I can see. I 
     tend to see the clients in the more rural or hard to get 
     areas. I now pay $250-$350 a month in gas, and only see that 
     going up. This is going to affect whether some families 
     receive the services they so desperately need. It may end up 
     being that only those close to town get services.
       We have been spoiled as a nation to consume, consume, throw 
     away, and use more energy that affects global warming than 
     all the other nations put together. They are used to paying 
     higher rates, we are not. I understand that; I just want it 
     to somehow be affordable. I do not want to have to change 
     jobs as I love the one I have! I do not think the idea of 
     adding a tax will help as the oil companies will just pass 
     that on to us, the consumers. I think they do need to pay 
     their full income tax (especially since they have been making 
     billions). Nor do I think drilling in the Arctic refuge areas 
     is the answer either--(I would rather use someone else's oil 
     as long as possible). I think the answer is in energy 
     alternatives. Electric cars/solar cars have been around since 
     the 1960s--however oil and big money kept the companies from 
     further developing those as a priority. Well, the time is 
     now. Develop incentives and cash breaks for people to buy, 
     try, or rent electric, solar, or hybrid type of vehicles. 
     These need to be developed and made available to consumers at 
     reasonable rates. It is the everyday person that needs those 
     types of vehicles, not just those in the higher income 
     brackets. Possibly offer higher reimbursement consideration 
     at tax time for mileage usage. (i.e.; instead of 46.5 cents 
     per mile, it may need to be 60 cents per mile)
       Please, find a way for us to be able to continue to keep 
     our jobs, buy our groceries, have the occasional vacation, 
     and to provide services to those in need.
     AJ.
                                  ____

       I wrote an email to you recently about the effects of the 
     energy crisis. My son, living in Alaska, has a different 
     perspective that is well taken. Please consider his position, 
     explained in his e-mail below.
     Cheryl.
                                  ____

       I have a different view of the gas ``crisis.'' I personally 
     am glad that gas prices are increasing and oppose any type of 
     increased harvest of fossil fuels in Alaska. There is a large 
     amount of stored energy beneath the soil in Alaska but it is 
     finite. Once it is used . . . it is just that. The locations 
     of the proposed drill sites in Alaska are remote. Of course 
     the infrastructure to support the harvest can easily be 
     constructed but who will pay for that? We will. I think in 
     today's economy it is unrealistic to ever expect much of a 
     decrease in gas prices. The oil companies are not going to 
     ever give up their profits for the benefit of the general 
     public, regardless of where they drill. It is like a drug 
     dealer luring his addicts in little by little. Pretty soon we 
     are hooked and feel that we cannot survive without it. We as 
     the American public like the addict have become lazy and see 
     no way to survive without ``getting more.'' In rehab they 
     used the old cliche, ``Insanity is continually doing the same 
     thing and expecting different results.'' We the consumer, 
     like the drug addict, have the power to change our present 
     situation. God has blessed us with the faculties to adapt to 
     change and develop solutions to our problems. The recent 
     energy crisis in Juneau is a good example.
       In May, an avalanche destroyed the power line responsible 
     for transporting electrical power from a hydro-electric power 
     plant to Juneau. Diesel generators were used to produce 
     energy for the city of over 30,000 people while repairs could 
     be made. The power company announced that the cost of repairs 
     would result in an increase to the consumer of 500% per 
     kilowatt hour. Neither business nor resident had ever planned 
     on such a drastic and sudden increase. What were we to do? 
     What we did was listen to people who had studied and prepared 
     for such things. Most had previously been touted as, 
     ``extreme left wing environmentalists.'' However, now their 
     experience, ingenuity, advice, and insight was publicized in 
     local newspapers and radio shows. Flyers were sent out in the 
     mail with suggestions on how to go about daily life while 
     drastically cutting power consumption. What happened in the 
     face of financial disaster? We listened, took the direction 
     and embraced change. It was extremely difficult at first, and 
     somewhat bizarre. Million dollar homes had clothes drying on 
     lines in the front yard. Grocery stores and businesses turned 
     off the lights and the neon signs that line the streets. 
     People stopped watching televisions in the evening. We took 
     either fewer showers or cold ones to eliminate the need for 
     water heaters. Meals were prepared for ahead of time and 
     planned so that the use of ovens and microwaves decreased. We 
     bought fewer groceries to eliminate the need for a second 
     refrigerator. We used blankets rather than run the electric 
     furnace. I wore my clothes to 3 and 4 times before washing, 
     unless they became soiled to an unsightly point. The result 
     was an overall decrease in power consumption by the entire 
     city of over 30%.
       The power company took note of that immediately. AEL&P (the 
     power company) had originally planned on taking three months 
     to complete the repairs. That would have resulted in the 500% 
     cost increase to last twelve months. Instead, in large part 
     due to the drastic decrease in energy consumption, AEL&P 
     decided it would be in their best interest to return things 
     back to normal ASAP. The repairs were made in one month with 
     the increase lasting only three months. Guess what? Even 
     though our supply is back, people took note and are still 
     working to conserve. At first everyone panicked, and felt 
     that it was a hopeless situation. Some of the meter readers 
     even got beat up by the residents of the metered houses they 
     read. Those idiots are still addicted to their lazy way of 
     life, and are the ones who are asking the government for help 
     to pay their power bills. Those who were not resistant to 
     change are now on to a better, freer way of life. We do have 
     a choice. That is the American way.
       In my opinion it is no different than the message taught by 
     the church in its admonition to store food and supplies. The 
     Boy Scout motto is ``Be Prepared.'' I personally think we 
     should take it to heart and be prepared for anything. I for 
     one do not want to be dependent on anyone . . . especially a 
     for profit corporation that makes billions of dollars in 
     profit each quarter.
       In Alaska, the oil and mining industries lobby Native 
     American villages and corporations (which own the land) to 
     support their cause. They pay poor communities big bucks to 
     have their citizens do TV and radio spots in support of the 
     company's agenda. They capitalize on the poverty of the 
     people to help them sell their cause, all in the effort of 
     making another dollar. I guess it could be seen as an even 
     trade until the resource is used up, the people who have been 
     dependent on the money from that resource abandoned and the 
     executives of the oil company sitting on top of a fat 
     fortune.
       I do not mind paying more money for gasoline right now 
     because I see it as a catalyst for change. I can choose 
     whether or not to purchase the gas. I live about 15 miles 
     from work. It takes me just under an hour to ride my mountain 
     bike one way. I get fit, have time to think, breath fresh 
     clean air, and do not use gasoline. FYI . . . gas just hit 
     4.75 here and is expected to top $5.00 by the end of the 
     week. They're telling us that September will be even worse 
     with prices topping $6.00.
       I live in Alaska. We have the greatest stores of fossil 
     fuels in the country. We also pay more to use those fuels 
     than most places in the country. I am not at all in favor of 
     harvesting the natural resources here, and defacing the last 
     unspoiled place in our country to foster the laziness of the 
     rest of the country. Forget about gas prices. Buy a bike, 
     turn off the television, work in the garden, do more manual 
     labor. Supply meets demand. Demand less and the supply will 
     be greater. Produce more the demand will continue to increase 
     . . . just like dope.
       This is just my opinion. I wish all of you could experience 
     Alaska. Not the cruise ship, guided hunt/fishing trip Alaska. 
     Come spend some quiet time with me in the woods where you 
     know that when you walk five miles into the brush, you will 
     not come across another soul walking upright on two legs. I 
     hope this letter did not offend any of you. I will not 
     apologize for my feelings but hope I have remained tactful in 
     expressing them.
     Shane.
                                  ____

       You requested a couple of paragraphs about how we are 
     affected by high energy prices so I am responding. My husband 
     and I

[[Page S4168]]

     retired to Kamiah in 1991. We really liked the small 
     community and being close to outdoor activities. Since then, 
     our property taxes have tripled. The town is now considered a 
     retirement community (according to our insurance company), so 
     car insurance has gone up. Every time our Social Security 
     gets a cost of living raise, then Medicare takes most of it.
       If we need to buy some reasonably priced clothing or other 
     items, we have to drive 70 miles (one way) to Lewiston. So, 
     it is costing us $20 plus to go shopping for necessities. 
     Yes, there are towns approximately 30 miles, but on a fixed 
     income the price of clothing and other essentials prevents us 
     from shopping in these towns. The gas stations in this town 
     have finally settled down to the national average, but they 
     were charging 10 cents higher than the national average.
       We can no longer afford to go to Lewiston for a nice dinner 
     to celebrate a birthday or special occasion. I do hope you 
     can do something. If nothing else, make sure that Social 
     Security gives us a cost of living raise at the start of next 
     year that includes the high price of gas and groceries, and 
     that Medicare does not take it away.
     Marilyn.
                                  ____

       The high cost of energy has made me realize that the 
     problems will not be solved by the government. This national 
     crisis has been identified as coming for 30 years with little 
     or nothing to fix it, and most of the time laws are passed 
     that aggravate the energy problem.
       Homeowner associations prevent modifications to homes in 
     developments to add solar or wing energy generation 
     appliances to ``preserve property values''. New housing 
     development companies disregard plot alignment that prompt 
     use of solar energy. Every few developers build homes this 
     smart home technology installed that has been available for 
     20 years. The added cost of smart home technology would be a 
     tiny fraction of an added cost at construction time and a 
     major cost to retrofit but would pay back in 5 years or less 
     in energy savings when utilized. ``Passive Annual Heat 
     Storage'' is a technology that would have a major impact on 
     energy savings but will never see any support because it 
     leaves the money saved in the pocket of the homeowner and 
     does not go to some alternate energy conglomerate.
       I have personally drawn a circle on the map around my house 
     and anything within one mile I walk to. Anything within three 
     miles I bicycle to and if I have to drive I plan at least 
     three stops or I wait until I have three stops. Any family 
     member that do have to drive are hunting for jobs closer to 
     home and we phone relay to have any one going by a store pick 
     up thing needed so a trip home from work can pick up for a 
     number of family member.
     Perry.
                                  ____

       I am writing you this e-mail because of the gas prices. I 
     am a single mom of three boys, and I work a full time job. 
     These three or four years I have not had to get help from the 
     state and was able to make it on my own without the help from 
     the state. But now that the gas prices keep going up I might 
     have to get that help again, just to be able to feed my boys. 
     Life right now is getting too hard when I have to my choice 
     of making sure that I can provide the food for my boys or put 
     gas in my car. So that I can get to work every day and it has 
     been hard. Plus I think that these gas prices are wrong for 
     the amount we are having to pay, but if we do not pay that 
     amount then we do not have a jobs and no money to buy food 
     and etc. Something needs to be done and stop the gas prices 
     from going up any more so we as Americans can make it. So 
     please help us.
     Felicia.

                          ____________________