Here we are in the middle of the summer when Montana families are taking vacations and farmers are getting ready for the harvest, and gas is just too expensive — all because government hasn’t done anything to look for alternatives. It is time for leadership in Washington.
-Jon Tester, July 2006 press release (accessed 07/14/08)

I think most folks would love to go back to the “good old days” of gas less than $3.00 per gallon, like it was in July 2006 when Tester issued that press release.

Sure, politicians make a lot of campaign promises, and they break a lot of them, too. I think it’s important that voters hold them accountable for making good on these promises, like the one about lowering gas prices.

By the way, how’s the lowering of gas prices working out for you the last two years? Since January 2007, gas prices have increased about $2.00 since there’s “leadership” in Washington.

Tester is also a proponent of ethanol for our vehicles. From the same campaign website:

Real Investment In Bio-Fuel Technology To Create Jobs In Montana And Lower Gas Prices. America must invest in Bio-fuel technology and production. Ethanol and bio-diesel are important tools we need to free our country from foreign sources of oil while providing new markets for Montana ag producers and creating new, good paying jobs for Montana and rural America

I own a flexible fuel vehicle. Yes, me. With the lack of action by the democratic-controlled Congress, gas prices are hitting $4.10 per gallon, and going up each week, I decided to see where I could purchase E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) fuel for my vehicle (you know – to do my part until Congress decides to drill for our oil).

So, I went to the internet and found out that with all this talk about freeing our country from foreign sources of oil, this U.S. Department of Energy website site tells me there are no public E85 fueling stations in Montana for me to do my part.

According to another website, there may be two public stations (Helena and West Yellowstone), besides the two for the government (one at Malmstrom AFB and one at Yellowstone National Park).

Even if the current “leadership” makes E85 easily available to purchase here in Montana, it may be more expensive per gallon than unleaded gasoline. If so, who can really afford it? How about we just drill, now!