Donnelly announces plan to cut gas prices

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)

Tools

Gas prices

Congressman Joe Donnelly announced his plan to bring gas prices down by at least 25 cents per gallon. (WSBT file photo)

By Beth Boehne

SOUTH BEND — Rising gas prices hit another record high this week. Congressman Joe Donnelly announced his plans Friday to bring those prices down. He has sent a letter to the president with a plan he says could bring prices down by at least 25 cents per gallon.

His focus is the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

At $3.63 a gallon, filling up can hurt.

“It's not a good situation and it cost me about $500 per month just to gas it,” said Julie Keyser of her SUV. “It's a lot."

Prices are only expected to get higher — some predict over $4 a gallon.

"It's the most of I've paid — it's like $50 — and it's a sedan,” said Dennis Marion of his car. “It's not good."

"I think people don't fill up as much,” explained Willy Veldman, owner of Veldman’s Marathon. “I think they come as often, but don't fill up every time because they basically run out of cash."

But Donnelly says he has a plan.

"We know we have a long term energy problem and we plan to deal with it on a long term basis, but we want to take immediate action so that our families can take a break in the pocket right now,” he explained.

In a letter to President Bush, Donnelly urges him to stop purchasing oil for the nation's strategic oil reserve.

He says it's currently at pre-hurricane Katrina levels, and this move could save at least 25 cents per gallon of gas.

He also wants 20 million barrels of oil from the reserve put into the market.

"This is very realistic. I believe we'll pass this in the House and if the president vetoes it, I believe we'll override his veto."

But for those at the pump — another plan to lower prices from a lawmaker — they say they'll believe it when they see it.

"They just keep going up and I don't think that’s going to change,” Marion said. “I'm going to have to get a hybrid."

There is some doubt over this plan.

Notre Dame economist Tom Gresik believes it would only have a small and temporary effect on the price of gas.

In fact, between how much oil is consumed each day and what we would be allowed to take out of the reserve each day, he believes this would only impact prices for about 5 days.

He points out that eventually we would have to replace the oil taken from the reserve.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 4:56 PM jim wrote ...

why is it, that people dont get it, the strategic oil reserve and other strategic reserves have nothing to do with commercial consumer issues

Sunday, Apr 27 at 11:09 PM Marshall wrote ...

20 million gallons is maybe a day's worth of gas in the US. A 25 cent decrease isn't going to help MUCH; we have not yet felt the full brunt of inflation on food and goods due to fuel cost increases. More companies could start offering 10 or 12 hour shifts; schools could go to a four day week. Get the electric cars-the experts SAY we'll be out of oil well before the next century. As for the rations, are you going to charge people with farther to go to a job more for their gas? Just curious.

Sunday, Apr 27 at 8:37 AM Tax us anymore, shame on YOU! wrote ...

Tim, the solution is simple; spend less, stop waste! Joe and anyone else in an elected position is not going to do that! We gave them all blamk checks! If they reduce the fuel tax someone, somewhere isn't going to get paid for something so it will come out of somebody elses pocket. OURS! Duh, we need more money; raise property tax, uh we still need more money; raise cigarette tax. Duh, people are complaining about property tax. Lower it and raise sales tax! sales tax. Than we'll raise it again

Saturday, Apr 26 at 9:49 PM Do it now or do it later, but we're going to do it! wrote ...

Rationing. It may not be simple but it would be fair and get the attention of those who are helping to drive prices up by using more of it than absolutely needed. Everyone gets 'x' amount at a reasonalble amount, and I don't mean $2.50 @ gallon! $1.75 tops! After you have used your allowed amount you may purchase vouchers for more, at a higher price. The more you use, the higher the price per gallon. When people realize how much they can save in gas maybe they'll stary doing it with money!

Saturday, Apr 26 at 12:59 PM Tim wrote ...

While I am not so sure this plan will have that great of a percentage drop in retail prices, I am happy that Joe is exploring a potential relief measure. Too much silence on this issue from the executive level.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 12:03 PM SS wrote ...

CONT.. Does anyone remember the 70's when everyone had big cars and the prices skyrocketed? We all started driving smaller cars and the prices went down. Oil companies are profit based. Stop buying their product or at least stop buying so much of it. Some of us have no choice but to stop. But many of you are still buying it because you can afford to-right now. This will change if you don't change your ways. This is going to take every one of us. This situation is very serious.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 11:54 AM SS wrote ...

Wow, I was just looking at global gas prices: Venezuela-$.14,Russia-$1.45,China-$1.54. It's all about supply and demand. The gas prices are so high because of greed and nothing more. As long as we keep paying, the prices will continue to rise. Every time you see someone driving a gas guzzler for social status, you can give them a big thank you. It is these individuals who refuse to change their lifestyle that are driving up gas prices and the prices of everything else that is affected by fuel.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 7:44 AM Ken wrote ...

Hey Joe, How about sending back the 20 million illegals who can go back to Mexico and ride a donkey for transportation. I bet that impact the problem more than the 5-day/25 cent decrease your plan would have.

Saturday, Apr 26 at 12:04 AM Anonymous wrote ...

More than likely, some of the money made, is funding the Presidents war overseas. Don't forget also, he is an oil person himself,, he will be sitting very pretty when he retires in January, let alone what he makes for being president for 8 years. one small solution, is to perhaps stay home one day a week minimum, no fuel machines used, its called supply and demand,, if you take the demand away from it by staying home, there will be over supply, then the price will come down.

Friday, Apr 25 at 11:57 PM whatever wrote ...

if you were an oil tycoon, wouldnt you just sit back and jack the prices up and watch the cash flow in; knowing that people WILL have to pay that price? of course, they dont care about their kids or their grandkids either or what their future may hold. money is everything these days. the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. that's the REAL WORLD now. yup, it's sad.

Friday, Apr 25 at 10:13 PM Meg wrote ...

to the 9:06 comment... its great you love your gas guzzling/world polluting car... but do you love your kids... or your family.... or would you like a chance to breath in a few years???? think long term.. and stop thinking only about yourself! idiot!

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:41 PM He'll give us our own money, what a concept! wrote ...

I'll believe it when I see it, and by the time I see it they will have jacked the price up .35 so where did it go? It's like cleaning out a closet. As soon as you clean out a closet everyone in the house has something to put in it because there's room. Of course, then there is no room again. It sounds good generally speaking, (sounds pretty typical in an election year)but until we identify and solve the real problem you may as well try treating a broken arm with nothing but a band-aid.

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:06 PM Elkhart wrote ...

Quite a few of us aren't tree-huggers, and actually enjoy our cars. You won't catch me driving some ugly Hybrid Toaster!

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:00 PM Ed wrote ...

Janice maybe you would like to buy me a new hybrid or invest in getting public transportation in my area as I can't afford it. You need to understand, there is NO REAL OIL SUPPLY PROBLEM. The OPEC nations purposely cut production so that prices would go up. Maybe now it the time to reopen all the wells we capped in the 70's in our own country. You remember the ones the oil companies promised they would reopen if oil ever went over $35 a barrel. Of course our crooked congress is no help either.

Friday, Apr 25 at 8:50 PM Ed wrote ...

Our Government is not going to do anything about this since most of the politicians campaigns are funded by Big Oil and Insurance companies. Further I read where Edward Kennedy is the largest individual share holders in B & P Oil (big surprise). Another point is that we are setting on billions of gallons of oil under our own soil and can't drill for it due to EPA and/or OSHA regulations or some tree or animal activist group stopping it.

Friday, Apr 25 at 8:49 PM Mark wrote ...

These ideas are outragous. The prices of gasoline are the effects of supply and demand. Asia has such a high demand that is why the cost are so high. What really gets under my skin is how much the government makes off the price of gasoline. I bought diesel today and for off road fuel it was 3.79. The going rate for taxable fuel is about 4.25. You always here about the big oil making so much money but how much money is the government making? And where is it all going?

Friday, Apr 25 at 8:19 PM Ryan wrote ...

While I agree taking from the reserve may not be the best idea it's better than none at all.

Friday, Apr 25 at 7:29 PM Janice from Syracuse wrote ...

We simply must stop using so much gasoline. Everyone must stop "filling up," even if it means more trips to the station, and purchase only enough gas to last a day or two. No more joy riding by young people. No more Sunday drives. Carpooling and public transportation should be used. Consider buying a hybrid vehicle, motorcycle and battery powered lawnmower. Share your ideas for conserving gas with others.

Friday, Apr 25 at 6:57 PM Speed1953 wrote ...

FINALLY, someone....SOMEONE who is trying to do SOMETHING ! Hooray for OUR friend, Joe ! Speed

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

WSBT and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

WSBT Weather

More On Demand

Stock Quotes

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.30
Jeopardy!
8.00
The Unit
9.00
48 Hours Mystery
10.00
48 Hours Mystery
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
CSI: Miami
10.00
CSI: Miami

Question of The Day

Do you think the Founding Fathers would be proud of America today?

For more information, read CNN Poll: Most say Founding Fathers wouldn't be impressed.

  • Yes
  • No