[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 11710-11711]
[From the U.S. 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:

       Do not you think it is time to do something about the 
     current price gouging on gasoline, even if it means leaning 
     on the refiners in Utah? The price of oil has dropped about 
     27% off of the high point as of just a few moments ago, and 
     has been hovering around the 23-25% drop for some time now, 
     yet we do not see even a 10% drop in price at the pumps. I 
     know that the retailers have taken advantage of the holiday 
     weekend to make extra money, and hopefully now they will have 
     the heart to drop the prices to levels that are fair.
       Please move our country forward in domestic drilling so we 
     may be less dependent on foreign oil. It would also help to 
     curtail some of the terrorist activities, as we are funding 
     some of that with each purchase of oil, maybe indirectly but 
     funding just the same. I do not wish to finance terrorism or 
     gold and diamond encrusted planes and autos for some Sheik. I 
     would rather create jobs in America for Americans by 
     utilizing our own resources. Thank you for reading this.
     Mona.
                                  ____

       I was employed [by a printing company] in Idaho Falls. I 
     greatly enjoyed my job, and it helped give us the opportunity 
     to purchase our first home in January 2008, which is located 
     in the Ammon, Idaho area. We have been married for 15 years 
     and have been working and saving for the day when we could 
     purchase our first home. This has been my wife's dream to 
     have a home of her own with a small garden. When we purchased 
     this home, the first thing we did after the snow of winter 
     had gone was to erect a 22-foot flag pole in the front yard. 
     You see this has always been my dream to have a home of my 
     own where I could display and show my love for this great 
     country and its beautiful flag. It is also my way of paying 
     respect and saying thank you to the many men and women that 
     have fought to protect the freedoms I have been privileged to 
     enjoy as a citizen of The United States of America.
       On July 9, 2008, I was laid off from my employment because 
     of slow business due to high-energy cost. One of their main 
     customers is [a meat packing company], which has in the past 
     ordered thousands of labels for their meat packing lines and 
     international markets. I have been searching for other 
     employment, but it is hard if not impossible to find a 
     company or business that has not been affected by the out-of-
     control gas and energy prices.
       I am now 55 years old and have worked my whole life to have 
     the so-called American Dream. I know from personal experience 
     what it is like to go hungry or to have no place to lay your 
     head at night or shelter from the cold of a January night. 
     These were very hard times and I do not wish to repeat them. 
     It is upsetting to realize that we could lose it all just 
     because of the greed of a few and the unwillingness of [our 
     leaders] to intervene on behalf of the American people. 
     Instead it is like watching a bunch of kids fighting over a 
     toy in a sandbox, [our elected leaders] need to stop fighting 
     and start working together for the good of the American 
     people. In the Williston oil basin which covers Montana, the 
     Dakotas and Wyoming, there are oil wells that were capped in 
     the 1970s. From studies, this oil could carry the U.S. for 
     the next 100 years or more--that is if we used it to supply 
     only the U.S. and not other nations. So I ask you just what 
     are we waiting for, a rainy day? I find it most interesting 
     that the United States is the greatest super power in the 
     world, but yet we cannot work together in Congress to resolve 
     the issues facing our nation for fear the other political 
     party may take or get credit for it. As an American citizen 
     and taxpayer my message is to forget political lines and 
     yourselves and just go to work together. I, for one, am tired 
     of losing everything we have worked so hard for including our 
     future just because [partisan politics prevent solutions from 
     being found.]
       I now ask all the members of Congress to work to save this 
     great nation and our economy from total collapse and to 
     restore the United States of America to that grandeur this 
     nation once enjoyed. A house, nation, government, or people, 
     divided against itself cannot stand or long endure. Ladies 
     and Gentlemen of the U.S. Congress, the Constitution of the 
     United States of America and the future of this great nation 
     and its citizens are now in your hands. Please respect the 
     sacred trust you have been given and honor the integrity of 
     the office in which you now stand.
     Walter.
                                  ____

       I have been an Idahoan all my life. I would not want to 
     live anywhere else, and I love my state. I saw on the news 
     awhile back about you wanting input on the gas prices and 
     such. Well, I have more than that that concerns me.
       First, I cannot believe the prices of gas. I use a lot of 
     gas. I am a caregiver and I drive to my work two times a day, 
     five days a week. I have had to borrow money just to get 
     there and back. I should let you know I make an average of 
     $400 a month; my husband makes around $1,200 a month. I 
     receive a mere $6 in food stamps. The DHW say we make too 
     much. We do not make enough to pay all our expenses. We 
     cannot seem to get ahead of anything. I just got a ticket for 
     no insurance. I cannot afford it. What am I to do? I have so 
     many things to pay for. I could burden you with all my 
     problems but I am not going to. Tell me, is there a low-
     income insurance agency around for people like me? I read 
     about grants, but you have to pay just to get a little 
     information. There are so many families that are in the same 
     situation as I am; we try to do right, but get punished in 
     other ways. We should not have to worry about how to get back 
     and forth to work. How am I going to feed my family? How am I 
     going to pay for everything so I do not lose it! I want to go 
     to school to get my GED so I can become a nurse of some kind. 
     I really want to be a doctor's assistant but I cannot because 
     I have to support my family with what little I make. I cannot 
     afford to lose any hours. I have a lot more I can complain 
     about but it would take me all day. But this sums it up to 
     the shortest degree. Thank you for listening to me.
     Chrystalynn, Nampa.
                                  ____

       As crude oil begins to express its omnipresence amongst the 
     consumers of this nation as a relevant component, that has 
     raised a multitude of concern as transportation energy is now 
     being brought forth--even with the expectations of food 
     consumption as mentioned and expressed. As Americans are 
     being brought to maintain and conserve what is left of this 
     planet, transportation energy assumptions are now being 
     presented to becoming a considerable difference when 
     considering crop production rather for the purpose of food or 
     a new found energy material. It seems that we as a consumer 
     nation are stuck at a losing crossroad when the expectation 
     of cost efficiency is approached and considered. Will the 
     current crop land begin to be used for this process as new 
     innovative responses towards transportation energy is 
     expressed amongst this nation of consumers?
       I do not think that this question has been asked by any 
     consumer as the efforts are being presented to align this 
     nation into a position to have safe and environmental 
     friendly responses to all considerations that may arise as 
     trends and new found provisions are being considered and met.
       What are the responses expected from bringing forth a 
     theory that fuel for the purpose of energy with the regards 
     of transportation is expressed, what other questions and 
     responses will arise from what seems to be a Third World 
     theory of effective enterprising?
     Aaron.
                                  ____

       Thank you for this opportunity to voice my opinion about 
     the rising energy costs. We are seeing the effects of the 
     escalating gas prices in every aspect of our family finances. 
     We feel like the high price of gas has made me more cautious 
     about how we spend money in all areas of our life from 
     groceries, to activities we choose to let our children 
     participate in, vacation, entertainment, and home repair/new 
     home purchases. Our family is thrifty, we look for deals, we 
     are conservative in our spending and we are consistently 
     building our savings, yet we are still seeing a constant and 
     steady increase in prices that are causing us to be 
     concerned.
       We appreciate your efforts to vote on issues that will 
     lower our energy costs. We support the idea of drilling here 
     in the United States and would like to see that starting so 
     that the benefits of on shore drilling can begin sooner than 
     later. Thank you for representing Idaho well.
     Bob and Charlynn.
                                  ____

       As you requested I am responding to your request to itemize 
     some ways that my family and I are adversely affected by the 
     extreme increases in the cost of energy. I live in a rural 
     area of southeast Idaho. We are about fifteen miles south of 
     Idaho Falls. As you accurately mentioned, there is no public 
     transportation available in this area. We are suffering with 
     the cost of gas especially but not

[[Page 11711]]

     just that. We heat our home, and water with propane, and the 
     cost of that has gone through the roof also. The cost of 
     electricity has doubled too. The bottom line is my income is 
     not increasing at the rate the utility costs are increasing. 
     This is becoming a real burden on my family.
     Dave, Firth.
                                  ____

       You guys have got it all wrong: the problem is the 
     consumption not the supply. We are not getting out of this 
     mess by drilling for more oil. The only way is to use less 
     oil. We need more hydro electric, solar power, nuclear 
     energy, Stop building coal and gas power plants that only 
     make our air worse. The air is getting so bad we are soon 
     going to have air filtration systems for our homes and for 
     our gas-guzzling cars so we can leave our homes. We will 
     never have cheap gas again, so let us get on with something 
     that makes sense for a change. I am amazed that the people of 
     this country have not [protested], demanding some action. I 
     do think there are enough concerned voters to crush the 
     stalemate in Washington. The biggest problem is no one is 
     listening to any of the experts on our problems. Everyone 
     just blunders ahead whether anything makes sense or not. We 
     are going to keep spending like there is no tomorrow and then 
     turn around and give people tax refunds. Where did we find 
     the math that makes that work? I could go on and on for days, 
     [but it does not appear to make any difference to our 
     political leaders.]
     Dave.
                                  ____

       If it is not already in the works, please consider 
     sponsoring a bill to raise the IRS mileage deduction. It is 
     now at 50\1/2\ cents/per mile, which is inadequate given the 
     increases in gas, oil, tires, and other related auto 
     products. I am a small business owner in Bonner County, and I 
     travel nearly seven days per week to service clients. Some 
     days I am all over this very large county! Though I usually 
     drive a Honda Civic, even it is becoming expensive to drive. 
     If I raise my prices, I will surely lose some business. Many 
     other business owners are suffering, too.
     Lexie.
                                  ____

       First, as for fuel prices. I am sure you have heard most 
     all opinions on how to attempt to solve this issue. I believe 
     there needs to be both short-term and long-range solutions. 
     For the short term, off-shore and North Slope oil drilling 
     needs to be allowed to provide some near-term relief on fuel 
     prices. In addition, new refineries need to be allowed/
     encouraged in the U.S. as soon as possible. Long term--there 
     needs to be an all-out funding of R&D to provide renewable 
     energy for both transportation and to sustain our homes. I 
     believe in this great nation we can harness the energy of the 
     sun, etc. to provide unlimited renewable energy.
       Also another issue close to home is jobs. It is very 
     disturbing the rate at which we are losing jobs to India, 
     etc. due to outsourcing. The corporate environment today is 
     to save a buck at any cost, even sending jobs to under-
     developed countries. At my place of business, we have seen 
     over the last seven years, many, many technology jobs go out 
     of the country. In addition, just recently, it was announced 
     that many clerical jobs are also to be outsourced. What is 
     happening is that the better-paying jobs are being sent out 
     of the country, and we are left with the lower-paying service 
     industry jobs and are very quickly lowering the American 
     standard of living. Also, this is also happening during tough 
     economic times along with the rising energy costs.
       It seems that Congress and our countries leadership is more 
     concerned with everyone else around the world except our own 
     citizens. In this area, there needs to be some kind of tax 
     penalty/incentive to keep these jobs here, in America. If 
     there is no economic benefit to outsource, the jobs will come 
     back.
     Ben, Parma.
                                  ____

       Thanks for being interested in energy; our family sees the 
     future as pretty bleak. Return to the Carter years, high 
     energy prices, stagflation, no raises, general depression. We 
     have upped our level pay on natural gas, expecting the price 
     to double. We have rearranged our budget, less food and 
     entertainment, etc. Far less travel. But I have to ask [if 
     there are not some of our political leaders who want the U.S. 
     economy to slow down. They view this as a way to stop 
     lifestyles they consider wasteful.]
     Dave and Mieke, Pocatello.
                                  ____

       My biggest [worry is] fuel that we cannot afford. It is 
     nice for our salary to go up, too. But if you only make $8 an 
     hour or less, it is really tough to go anywhere and even 
     going to work, and if you have a gas-eating vehicle, the pay 
     is gone. How can we afford to live and a smile on your face 
     when you put all your paycheck for the gas? Our country has 
     to do something about this situation. When my kids asked me 
     to go to practice for tennis, I say no, I could not afford 
     the gas. It is very sad to see the face of my kids. And I 
     know that it is not just me suffering for this issue. There 
     are many more that cannot afford to even get groceries for 
     their families. I hope that our government will do something 
     to help our country, too.
     Edith, Nampa.
                                  ____

       I began my professional career as a Forester in 1961 and 
     have witnessed a massive change in Forest management and the 
     timber industry. Currently my closest job involves driving 
     100 miles roundtrip to my closest job. I must drive a four-
     wheel drive pickup due to forest roads and occasional 
     seedlings, tools etc. I would love to drive a more fuel 
     economic vehicle but as you can see this is not an option. In 
     terms of my business, transportation is extremely costly and 
     typically log and pulpwood haulers charge in excess of $2/
     mile to haul their product. Today it is not uncommon for a 
     surcharge to be added.
       The big push in my business today is to remove forest waste 
     as biomass to be used as an energy source and the biggest 
     obstacle is the cost of transporting this material out of the 
     woods economically.
       The American people with the help of Congress must address 
     this energy crisis immediately. The answer in my opinion is 
     to commence exploration and oil recovery (drilling) 
     immediately, build new refining capacity, and develop and 
     utilize alternative sources such as nuclear, hydroelectric, 
     wind, solar, tidal, etc. I do not see this as an ``either/
     or'' situation. We need a blend of all of the aforementioned 
     to keep our ever-expanding population and economy healthy and 
     vibrant.
       I am involved with an invention that converts forest slash 
     into a fine powder. This machine/process reduces weight and 
     volume by roughly 40%, has fertilizer value, food value, and 
     appears to be the breakthrough for the cellulosic production 
     of ethanol. I have a report describing this invention that I 
     would be willing and eager to share with you or your 
     representative in Boise at your convenience.
     Lewis, Eagle.
                                  ____

       My wife and I have recently started a small business in 
     Idaho. Outrageous gas prices are making it hard to get this 
     young company off the ground. My wife has quit her job of six 
     years to finish school full-time at BSU. We figured we could 
     live comfortably without her income but with the gas prices 
     constantly rising we are getting a little uncomfortable about 
     our decision. We feel that Congress needs to do something 
     immediately to help the working people of this country.
     Sam, Nampa.
                                  ____

       I work in southern Idaho at the Idaho National Lab and the 
     lab workers who work way out in the desert work a four-day 
     work week. This helps keep the price to commute low. We here 
     in town work a 9X80 schedule. It would behoove us to look at 
     making the standard work week four days, possibly. I had seen 
     on the news that a couple of the other states have enacted 
     that legislation. Here in Idaho, where we have such wide open 
     expanses and so far to drive in many cases, it could 
     potentially save a lot of money.
     Melissa, Ammon.
                                  ____

       I am a 68-year-old taxpaying American citizen, and military 
     veteran. I work in Spokane, Washington. It is getting 
     increasingly more difficult to afford the gas to drive to and 
     from work. Carpooling or the use of public transportation is 
     out of the question as I work in the construction industry on 
     various jobs throughout the Spokane area. It appears that 
     some elected people in Congress are letting the environmental 
     lobbyists and their corrupt judges run our country.
       The time has come to start drilling for oil in Alaska, 
     Colorado, Wyoming, and offshore. From what has been in the 
     news and from what we read in various publications, all from 
     very intelligent engineers and scientists, we know the oil is 
     there. We have shale deposits in several states that we could 
     be using. We need to work harder on wind and nuclear power. 
     The states want to drill, and we need to lift the federal 
     bans.
       We should either sell or give the abandoned military bases 
     to companies willing to build refineries on them. The time 
     has come to quit asking--it is time to demand that this be 
     done. We have the resources, let us use them. The United 
     States of America should not have to go begging to other 
     countries for oil when we have it within our own shores.
       We, the people, should not be suffering these exorbitant 
     prices due to the incompetence in all areas of our 
     government, and speculators in the stock market.
     Wayne, Coeur d'Alene.

                          ____________________