Pain at the Pump

Statement

Pain at the Pump

For many families, pulling up to the gas station is no longer just a routine stop during their weekly errands. Instead, it is becoming a dreaded event, something which must be budgeted for, and it's becoming an ever increasing drag on personal finances.

With gas prices soaring to $3.98 per gallon recently, according to the AAA, I took the opportunity to travel the state and meet with people at local gas stations to hear their thoughts about the prices at the pump. From Columbus to Alliance, Valentine to Arnold, gas prices were number one on consumers' list of concerns.

But, believe it or not, not a single piece of legislation to help lower gas prices has been on the House schedule since Congress returned to Washington this week -- nor is there anything on the horizon.

This is despite the fact that in April 2006 then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi promised the American people a "commonsense plan" to lower gas prices.

Instead of delivering on this promise, Democrats have simply watched as consumers have been forced to pay $1.65 more per gallon of gasoline compared to what they paid on January 4, 2007, the day Pelosi was sworn in as Speaker of the House. Some in Washington have speculated they are simply holding out, hopeful this will become an Election Day issue. Such irresponsibility is shameful.

For an average family which fills up two cars once a week, $2,574 more per year is now going to the pump rather than to education, paying off bills, or food costs.

Here in Nebraska, we are experiencing sticker shock. Gas prices in Nebraska have risen considerably in just a few weeks. Just last month, the price of gas in Grand Island was $3.43 - now it is $3.75. Diesel in Grand Island was $4.13 - now it is $4.69. Kearney saw prices around $3.49 and in Scottsbluff it was $3.47. As of this writing, Kearney clocks in at $3.89 and Scottsbluff consumers are paying $3.84.

High fuel prices impact more than just our pocketbook. Life in rural areas like the Third Congressional District often means traveling long distances between towns or even neighbors. Long commutes mean higher gas bills. This affects everyone from doctors traveling between towns to high school athletic teams routinely traveling several hours on road trips.

We need to enact a comprehensive energy policy designed to boost domestic supplies of all forms of energy in an environmentally-safe way, promote new, clean, and reliable sources of energy such as advanced nuclear and clean-coal technology, wind, solar and hydroelectric power.

I have been advocating for policy that would promote alternative and renewable fuels, harness technologies already being employed successfully throughout the world, and unlock America's natural energy resources through the responsible exploration of oil and gas in the United States.

New Zealand, for example, has had great success using hydropower, and France relies on nuclear energy for nearly 80 percent of its electricity needs, compared to just 19 percent in America.

During my visits throughout the district, nearly everyone I talked to was in favor of increased domestic exploration. Some say it isn't worth it, as it would take ten years or more to begin pumping oil from ANWR. The truth of the matter is this is a very conservative estimate - taking into account every possible delay. In reality, four to five years is more accurate, given leasing and environmental studies required in ANWR legislation and the seasonal nature of exploration and development in an arctic desert environment.

Another avenue is to open up western areas to oil-shale development. The United States has three times more petroleum locked up in shale rock than Saudi Arabia has in all its proven reserves. But these resources are costly to extract. With the cost of oil hovering between $120 and $130 a barrel, though, it would be worth the effort.

But simply increasing domestic production isn't enough. The only way we are going to be able to provide for lower fuel costs in the future is to increase and diversify our domestic energy supply. Now it is up to Washington to get out of the way.

Unfortunately, special-interest groups have said ‘no' to virtually every solution, including clean, renewable hydropower; non-emitting nuclear power; clean coal technology; wind power; and domestic exploration - including oil production in ANWR.

It has been over 20 years since President Ronald Reagan, after seven years of study, called on Congress to lease ANWR. It's been more than 30 years since a new refinery has come online. Since then, America has paid the price for the delay. President Reagan was right, and Washington has been wrong for far too long. We must have all sources of energy on the table if we expect to see lower prices for fuel and energy. Americans are paying at the pump. How much longer will Democrats delay?

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