[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12666]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   THE AIR FORCE AND HIGH FUEL COSTS

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                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2008

  Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, every day the American people are faced 
with another headline about record fuel prices. We have been urged to 
reduce consumption and the American people are listening. Obviously 
though, Madam Speaker, the Air Force isn't.
  The United States Air Force spends more than $6.6 billion per year on 
fuel costs and rising fuel prices continues to drive this number 
higher. As a taxpayer and supporter of our men and women in uniform, I 
believe the Air Force should be doing all they can to heed the call and 
maximize fuel economy wherever possible.
  However, the Air Force in their recent tanker award has determined 
that the opposite path is appropriate. The Air Force selection of an 
Airbus aircraft over the more fuel efficient Boeing aircraft has real 
impacts and costs for every American.
  The independent firm Conklin & de Decker Aviation Information has 
completed a study that shows the Boeing offering to be nearly 25 
percent more fuel efficient than the Airbus aircraft. Over the 40 year 
life of the aircraft at oil at $125 a barrel this will result in 
additional costs to Americans of nearly $30 billion dollars and more 
than 2.24 billion gallons of additional fuel not available to help 
bring relief to the record prices.
  Now Madam Speaker, I understand that our military must choose the 
best tool for the war fighter and fuel is but one critical input. 
However, when the Boeing offering meets or exceeds all Air Force 
requirements with better technology and maximum operational capability 
when compared to the Airbus aircraft, it simply defies common sense 
that the Air Force would choose to add this burden to Americans. Higher 
cost? Less capability? More fuel? Madam Speaker it is time for Congress 
to take a closer look.

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