[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15126-15127]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE ``TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING CHOICES FOR GAS PRICE 
                              RELIEF ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2008

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, the rapid rise in the price of oil is 
threatening American families, our economy, and our national security. 
Gas prices have more than tripled since 2001, taking an ever-larger 
bite out of the family budget. On average, transportation costs are now 
Americans' second largest expense after housing. Most economists as 
well as most American citizens believe that this is a long-term trend, 
rather than a temporary situation. We've seen the last of the cheap oil 
on which we've built our economy and our daily lives.
  There is no single solution to the complex energy situation we are 
facing, but we can equip every member of the American family to live 
better with less oil. The Federal Government can help give families and 
communities more choices, level the playing field for people who want 
to be less auto-dependent, and encourage the Federal Government to 
become a better partner and to lead by example in these efforts.
  This is why I am introducing the ``Transportation and Housing Choices 
for Gas Price Relief Act,'' which will provide consumers with,

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and educate them about, choices in how they get around and where they 
live that will reduce their dependence on gasoline. The bill will 
increase commuter choices and support less oil-dependent forms of 
transportation, help transit agencies cope with rising fuel prices and 
improve service to deal with increased demand, assist communities in 
providing transportation options for their residents, increase the 
availability of affordable housing near public transportation, and 
ensure that the Federal Government leads by example on these issues.
  At $4.00 a gallon gasoline, most Americans are already changing their 
daily behaviors to decrease fuel costs: taking fewer trips, keeping 
their cars tuned, even trading in their gas guzzlers for more fuel-
efficient models. More needs to be done to ensure that consumers have 
transportation and housing options that reduce their reliance on 
single-occupancy vehicle trips. These transportation options can 
include public transit, carpooling, biking, walking, and other 
alternatives. For example, at $4 a gallon gasoline, American families 
can save $5.6 billion each year on gasoline costs by using transit. 
Bicycle commuters annually save an average of $1,825 in auto-related 
costs, conserve 145 gallons of gasoline, and avoid 50 hours of gridlock 
traffic. Congress should be a better partner by supporting community 
efforts to provide these alternatives.
  While our options to lower gas prices are limited, this bill 
recognizes that we can provide immediate relief from high gas prices by 
providing them choices.

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