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Area business leaders say fuel prices changing way they work
  
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By TANA ROSS
Business leaders in the Magnolia area say increasing fuel and energy costs are changing the way they do business and the services they can provide. They voiced their concerns at a roundtable discussion called by U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) Aug. 14.
Amid a gathering of about 25 at Lake Windcrest Golf Club, the congressman stated his reason for the roundtable meeting at the top of the hour.
“There’s one reason for me to be here today and that is to get your vote in Congress for a new energy bill,” he said. “I’ve talked to a lot of families who never dreamed they’d be paying $70 to $80 to fill up their family vehicle.”
Brady, who has been meeting with other congressmen throughout the summer while Congress is in recess, said small business profits are being eaten up with energy costs. He said school districts are suffering from the increased costs as well resulting in bus routes and personnel being cut.
“We have been meeting in Congress with no lights on and a mostly empty chamber while Americans have been struggling with high fuel costs,” he said.
Brady said he wanted to hear from small businesses that drive the Magnolia area economy and opened the floor to the 25 business representatives.
Tabitha Bunmi Adeniran, administrator with Calvary Care Group, a home health care provider said her agency has lost a lot of nurses because of fuel increases and in addition said patients who receive services are turning off their air conditioners because of the costs.
Michell Bradie, an attorney in the area, said the cost of fuel along with the energy cost of running an office has become a domino affect.
“We are trying very hard not to cut back or pass the cost on, because the people we serve are already on a limited income,” she said. “But I find I am limiting my calls to a smaller geographic area.”
Magnolia Independent School District Board of Trustee President Glenn Addison asked Brady why there are not more nuclear power plants in the U.S.
“I know Sen. (John) McCain is looking to double the number of nuclear power plants we have,” he said. “But here is the problem: the ones we have are aging facilities and we don’t have the money to rebuild them. Everyone is waiting to see if the government will approve new plants.”
Referring to an American Energy Act talking points handout at the meeting, Brady said the first goal of Congress should be to reduce energy dependency.
“We need to take responsibility for producing two-thirds of what we use so that energy dependency is a thing of the past,” he said. “Many of the things Congress has been doing are gimmicks.”
Brady cited the passing of a law to sue OPEC as one gimmick. The congressman said the U.S. needs to find more sources of energy and listed renewable and alternative energy technologies in HR 6555 including deep sea exploration, oil shale, exploration in the U.S. Arctic, super clean liquid fuels and nuclear energy. Brady said the U.S. needs to move away from food source energy.
“Any nation that fuels itself with food is using up a valuable resource,” he said. “We need to get away from that.”
The congressman cited several examples of biofuels and said locally, the city of Oakridge North is completely supported by biofuels. Brady said many biofuels actually add to food sources. City and school district officials in the audience said the primary problem with biofuel conversion is the manufacturers’ warranties.
“The reason many cities and schools have not converted is because the manufacturers will not honor warranties with the use of biofuels,” MISD Trustee Deborah Rose Miller said.
Before close of the discussion Brady summed up what he called a game plan.
“Simply put, the game plan for he U.S. is to use less energy and fine more resources,” he said.
Brady encouraged the business leaders to call the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and respectfully request a call for a vote on the American Energy Act.
“Many of us feel it is time for the speaker to call a vote and let the chips fall where they may,” he said.
The phone number for the Speaker’s office is 202-224-3121.
Ways Americans Can Save Energy
Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) recently addressed local business representatives in a roundtable discussion on energy. Brady said Americans can save energy, and contribute to reducing the nation’s energy use by:
Driving energy efficient vehicles.
Purchasing energy efficient products for homes.
Support tax incentives for businesses and families to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles and for business and homeowners who improve their energy efficiency.
Supporting sound ways to open deep water ocean resources to provide three million more barrel of oil per day and 76 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Open Alaska’s Arctic coastal plain to provide an additional one million barrel of oil per day.
Promote renewable and alternative energy technologies.
Congressman Brady may be contacted at 936-441-5700 or e-mial, rep.brady@mial.house.gov.
Amid a gathering of about 25 at Lake Windcrest Golf Club, the congressman stated his reason for the roundtable meeting at the top of the hour.
“There’s one reason for me to be here today and that is to get your vote in Congress for a new energy bill,” he said. “I’ve talked to a lot of families who never dreamed they’d be paying $70 to $80 to fill up their family vehicle.”
Brady, who has been meeting with other congressmen throughout the summer while Congress is in recess, said small business profits are being eaten up with energy costs. He said school districts are suffering from the increased costs as well resulting in bus routes and personnel being cut.
“We have been meeting in Congress with no lights on and a mostly empty chamber while Americans have been struggling with high fuel costs,” he said.
Brady said he wanted to hear from small businesses that drive the Magnolia area economy and opened the floor to the 25 business representatives.
Tabitha Bunmi Adeniran, administrator with Calvary Care Group, a home health care provider said her agency has lost a lot of nurses because of fuel increases and in addition said patients who receive services are turning off their air conditioners because of the costs.
Michell Bradie, an attorney in the area, said the cost of fuel along with the energy cost of running an office has become a domino affect.
“We are trying very hard not to cut back or pass the cost on, because the people we serve are already on a limited income,” she said. “But I find I am limiting my calls to a smaller geographic area.”
Magnolia Independent School District Board of Trustee President Glenn Addison asked Brady why there are not more nuclear power plants in the U.S.
“I know Sen. (John) McCain is looking to double the number of nuclear power plants we have,” he said. “But here is the problem: the ones we have are aging facilities and we don’t have the money to rebuild them. Everyone is waiting to see if the government will approve new plants.”
Referring to an American Energy Act talking points handout at the meeting, Brady said the first goal of Congress should be to reduce energy dependency.
“We need to take responsibility for producing two-thirds of what we use so that energy dependency is a thing of the past,” he said. “Many of the things Congress has been doing are gimmicks.”
Brady cited the passing of a law to sue OPEC as one gimmick. The congressman said the U.S. needs to find more sources of energy and listed renewable and alternative energy technologies in HR 6555 including deep sea exploration, oil shale, exploration in the U.S. Arctic, super clean liquid fuels and nuclear energy. Brady said the U.S. needs to move away from food source energy.
“Any nation that fuels itself with food is using up a valuable resource,” he said. “We need to get away from that.”
The congressman cited several examples of biofuels and said locally, the city of Oakridge North is completely supported by biofuels. Brady said many biofuels actually add to food sources. City and school district officials in the audience said the primary problem with biofuel conversion is the manufacturers’ warranties.
“The reason many cities and schools have not converted is because the manufacturers will not honor warranties with the use of biofuels,” MISD Trustee Deborah Rose Miller said.
Before close of the discussion Brady summed up what he called a game plan.
“Simply put, the game plan for he U.S. is to use less energy and fine more resources,” he said.
Brady encouraged the business leaders to call the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and respectfully request a call for a vote on the American Energy Act.
“Many of us feel it is time for the speaker to call a vote and let the chips fall where they may,” he said.
The phone number for the Speaker’s office is 202-224-3121.
Ways Americans Can Save Energy
Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) recently addressed local business representatives in a roundtable discussion on energy. Brady said Americans can save energy, and contribute to reducing the nation’s energy use by:
Driving energy efficient vehicles.
Purchasing energy efficient products for homes.
Support tax incentives for businesses and families to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles and for business and homeowners who improve their energy efficiency.
Supporting sound ways to open deep water ocean resources to provide three million more barrel of oil per day and 76 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Open Alaska’s Arctic coastal plain to provide an additional one million barrel of oil per day.
Promote renewable and alternative energy technologies.
Congressman Brady may be contacted at 936-441-5700 or e-mial, rep.brady@mial.house.gov.
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