To the Editor:

A couple of weeks ago, we drove through NY, PA, Ohio, and Indiana and back. I took notice of the gas and diesel prices - diesel approaching $7/gallon - no #’s starting with a 5. I also took notice of the tractor trailer traffic on I-90, which was robust. It is quite easy to notice on the vast flats of farmland of Ohio and Indiana that the fall harvest is about to begin - farm harvesting equipment runs on diesel fuel. The fuel prices and traffic are leading indicators of increased costs of doing business, which leads to increased costs for food, basic necessities, and consumer goods - forcing hard choices for most Americans, and increased consumer debt.

Diesel is basically treated #2 heating oil, which many NY 21 residents rely on to heat their homes. NY-21 winters are cold - the heating season runs from November through April - demand in that time frame resembles the bell curve, with intensity in January/February. Propane is also a derivative of crude oil, the source for diesel and heating oil.

Having spent my business career in the heating oil and propane distribution business, I fear the affordability crisis already evident and escalating will be severely exacerbated by the cost of heating homes this winter. I fear programs such as LIHEAP will be inadequate given current federal government cuts, and that resources that non-profits assist those in need will be strained beyond capacity.

Blake Gendebien understands this and will fight for the interests of NY-21 - in reigning in energy costs, preventing NY-21 from becoming a healthcare desert, promoting common-sense and humane immigration policy, and listening to/acting on issues of real concern to our friends and neighbors related to public policy.

Bill Powers

Queensbury/Colton