Letters to the Editor

From: Subject: Letters to the Editor Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 21:51:25 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q1RGLzIwMDgvMDkvMjUjQXIwMDYwNw==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 Letters to the Editor

Publication:Wauk= esha=20 Freeman (Conley);

Date:Sep = 25, 2008;=20

Section:Opinion;= =20

Page = Number:6A

Letters to=20 the Editor

Time is = now to=20 implement

gas-saving measures =

    To=20 the editor:

    With all the gnashing of = teeth and=20 wringing of hands about the high cost of gasoline, you would think that = this=20 country would have taken some concrete steps toward gasoline = conservation by=20 now. These steps would make a difference and move us toward a more = sustainable=20 transportation policy.

    No additional = offshore=20 drilling in this country. Allow gas prices float depending on demand. As = it=20 becomes more expensive to drill for oil, it will become more expensive = to drive=20 and individuals will ask for and then use alternatives. High gas prices = will=20 level the transportation playing field and this will encourage a = transition to=20 newer transportation technologies quicker. Putting off the inevitable, = and=20 making our grandchildren deal with it, is not a solution.=20

    One-hundred percent of highway funds = should be=20 put into maintaining this country=92s transportation infrastructure. = This includes=20 ALL forms of transportation including trains, bicycle lanes, roads, = airports=20 etc. A future with a balanced transportation system will rely less on = roads. And=20 all roads would include bicycle lanes. Extended tax incentives for = buying real=20 hybrids that get more than 30 or 40 miles per gallon will also help.=20

    All new cars sold in the country should = be=20 required to include technology that turns off the car=92s engine when it = idles at=20 stop lights and stop signs. Waiting for automobile manufacturers to do = this=20 voluntarily is a pipe dream. In addition, all new cars should be = required to=20 have a digital dashboard graphic that will show fuel consumption in = realtime=20 increments. There is a real disconnect between what is paid at the pump = and our=20 driving habits=92 impact on gas mileage. A fuel consumption graphic = meter would=20 appeal to each driver=92s competitive nature and result in =93lighter=94 = driving,=20 which will translate into better gas mileage.=20

    With a new president in 2009 there will = be an=20 opportunity to finally get out of the starting gate on saving gas. The = right mix=20 of market pressure and political pressure will assure that things move = more=20 quickly and in the right direction. Without a new transportation = strategy, we=20 are destined to head down a road that we just can=92t afford. A culture = dependent=20 on the gasoline-powered automobile alone is not sustainable, we know = that now.=20 And now we need to act. If we transition to a new system soon, we can do = it with=20 minimum pain. Whether it is by auto, train, bus, bike or plane, there = need to be=20 options available. The alternative will leave us stranded in our = driveways!=20

    Allen Stasiewski, president=20

    Bob Meurer, transportation action=20

    representative=20

    Waukesha County Environmental Action=20

    League