Cleaver Pushes Solutions to High Gas Prices at Area's Only (85% Ethanol) Gas Station

CLEAVER PUSHES SOLUTIONS TO HIGH GAS PRICES AT AREA'S ONLY E85 (85% ETHANOL) GAS STATION

Visit highlighted record oil company profits, and increased investments in public transit, alternative fuel and hybrid vehicle technology

(Kansas City, MO)—On Monday, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II visited the only E85 (85% Ethanol) gas station in the area to highlight the current energy crisis. The event came on the heals of record breaking gas prices and the announcement by Exxon Mobil Corp., that its first quarter profit is up 7% over last year's to more than $8 billion. "Exxon Mobil's increase in profits is just the latest frustration for American drivers who are struggling to afford $40 or $50 for a tank of gas," said Cleaver.

"The administration proposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which will produce no oil for a decade and do nothing to end our addiction to foreign oil. It is time we stop playing insincere politics and talk about what we can actually do to promote alternatives to oil—instead of subsidizing record profits for oil companies and their executives on the backs of American workers."

Surrounded by alternative fuel vehicles at the Presto Conoco station at Bannister and Holmes in Kansas City, Congressman Cleaver announced he will introduce a bill to change the House of Representative's Rule to require Members of Congress, who lease passenger cars using official funds, to lease energy efficient vehicles. "It is a small gesture, but Congress should lead by example." Cleaver praised the local regional office of the government's General Services Administration (GSA) for running a fleet of E85 flex-fuel vehicles (FFV).

Our regional GSA said that they saved nearly 28,000 gallons of fuel on their fleet of E85 vehicles last year, saving taxpayers over $81,000. Also arriving at the event was the second 2007 Ford Escape hybrid to roll off the line at the Claycomo plant. A Mercury Mariner hybrid and a Ford F-150 E85 FFV, both built at Claycomo, were on display. Cleaver said, "I know that ethanol receives government subsides, and it may not be the perfect fuel, but I would much rather support the Midwest than the Middle East by subsidizing American ethanol than Saudi oil."

Jim Stoufer, President of the UAW local 249 said, "The UAW applauds Congressman Cleaver's attempts to energize fuel and energy alternatives. At our KC assembly plant, we build high quality hybrids and E85 vehicles that are good for consumers, the industry and the environment. We are proud to be a part of the solution."

Cleaver also promoted investments in public transit, pointing to a 49 passenger Metro Area Express or "MAX" bus operated by the KC Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) that was also at the event. "Riding the bus a couple days a week may make the difference between filling up every week and filling up every other week. That is money in your pocket," said Mark Huffer General Manager of the KCATA

Cleaver stressed that those looking for short-term relief for high gas prices will be dissapointed. "There are no quick fixes or magic bullets. We have gotten into this mess because we ignored the growing problem for too long. It will take a while to implement real long-term solutions to wean America off foreign oil. We must start now."

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo05_cleaver/ReportafterE85EventinKC.html