YOUR ANSWERS
More than 800 people responded to the gas price survey. Below are the questions you answered. Click the question to view the results.
- Have rising gas prices caused you to change your driving habits?
- Have rising gas prices caused you to cut back on other discretionary spending?
- What factors contribute to rising oil and gas prices? (Check all that apply)
- What should government do to address high gas prices? (Check all that apply)
YOUR COMMENTS
Of the more than 800 people responding to the gas price survey, more than 400 took time to share their comments on gas prices. Your comments included several themes, which I’ve summarized below.
Suspicion and Blame…
Many people clearly welcomed an opportunity to vent their emotions including much suspicion and blame. Most often blamed is 'big oil' for perceived price gouging, suspected price fixing and record profits as Americans suffer economically. Speculators at the global level and in our U.S. financial markets receive the wrath of many for artificially raising the price of oil. There is disappointment about 35 years of no national energy policy to prepare us for high oil prices. Some point a finger at the current administration as in cahoots with big oil. At the other end of the spectrum, many blame supporters of environmental protection laws that have curtailed domestic oil production and refining. And there is significant resentment toward oil producing nations and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Hurting the American Dream…
Another theme is how high gas prices hurt the American Dream for many. There is frustration because rural residents are hit hardest due to no public transportation and driving is required. Many have already cut out most non-essential driving and fear what might happen if gas prices go even higher. The price of gas is curtailing not just vacation plans, but also discretionary spending, forcing some to dip into savings and hurting farmers, truckers and other businesses. Sympathy was a theme expressed, for seniors and families with modest incomes, rural communities, and a disappearing middle class. That sympathy is well placed as one senior said she can afford to drive to the store only once a month. Others worry about heating their home come winter, and a family said gas prices make it a struggle to keep their child in college.
Government Intervention …
A common theme was government should act to affect the behavior of business and individuals, using incentives, taxes and mandate policies. Support is strong for increased domestic oil exploration, production and refining. Many said environmental concerns are valid but must not be allowed to curtail drilling and refining to the extent they have. Many want incentives to spur development of alternative fuels and want to see a transition from corn ethanol to cellulosic biomass ethanol. There is support for federal policy to increase vehicle fuel efficiency, incentives for flex-fuel vehicles and high-mileage diesel cars, and development of electric and fuel cell vehicles.
Conservation…
Less common were comments about individual responsibility to reduce gas consumption. One writer summed it up with: "Thank God I have a Prius!" A few are aware gas prices in Europe are twice the price here. A few expressed confidence that the market place will work as research and development of alternative fuels will eventually effect oil prices. Rare were comments about the impact of the current weak U.S. dollar compared to other currencies and how that contributes to high crude oil prices.
Examples of specific ideas to save on gas costs included: synchronizing traffic lights to allow continuous flow on high traffic roads, employers encouraging increased telecommuting and 10-hour/4-day work weeks, driving slower to increase gas mileage, carpooling when possible, kids riding the school bus instead of driving, shutting off the engine at drive-ups and other stops of 3+ minutes.
Gas Tax…
There is not support to reduce the state motor fuel tax to help lower gas prices. In fact, a reassuringly high number are aware that raids on the state transportation fund means $1.2 billion we all paid to fix state and local roads went to entirely different state spending.
Action…
Only 2% of you said government can't impact gas prices. As a result of this survey, I am resolved to work toward the following:
Work Toward “25 by 25”
I support Governor Doyle’s goal for Wisconsin to have 25 percent of our total state energy consumption come from renewable sources by 2025. When legislation is needed to remove barriers that impede progress toward that goal, I’ll support it.
Alternative Fuels
The combination of Wisconsin’s renewable resources and university research capacity position us well to develop new and better alternative fuels. Already, the University of Wisconsin is part of The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center to help aid transition from corn based ethanol to cellulosic ethanol produced from other plants and biomass. State higher education funding can be targeted for this type of collaborative research effort to quickly transfer research findings into cutting edge energy saving technology.
Alternative Transportation
I authored bills to improve regulations so electric vehicles can operate on roadways in Wisconsin communities, an effort I thought would pay dividends years down the road. However, with sharp fuel price increases, the decision to purchase an electric vehicle makes sense now for some.
Promote Conservation
Limiting fuel use saves money and reduces demand. In Wisconsin we have a highly respected and innovative program called Focus on Energy that helps homeowners and business use less energy. We should work toward that same goal by adopting policies that reward those who take measures to conserve fuel.
Encourage Action from the Federal Government
A comprehensive response can’t come from state government alone. The federal government needs to act now. I agree with one survey respondent who noted the federal government should consider bringing their resources to bear in a focused and deliberate effort similar to that of the World War II era “Manhattan Project”.
The federal government can also take steps to ensure we are leveraging the resources we have available here in the U.S. That includes changing policies to help increase domestic exploration, production and refining of oil.
As always, I welcome hearing from you at sen.schultz@legis.wi.gov.
With kindest regards,
Dale
Number of Responses: 835
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