Hastings hears from school officials on high gas prices

By JAMES JOYCE III
Yakima Herald-Republic

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YAKIMA -- In a brief meeting with Yakima school district officials today, Rep. Doc Hastings of Pasco heard first-hand the impact that high fuel prices are having on schools.

For the 2008-09 school year, Yakima school officials are planning to spend $450,000 for fuel, which is $200,000 more than they budgeted last year.

The average price of a gallon of gasoline in Washington is $4.34, according to a AAA auto club report released Monday. That's up 22 cents in the past month and $1.25 in the past year. It's also 25 cents higher than the national average.

Ben Soria, superintendent of Yakima public schools, asked Hastings about the possibility of federal assistance to the states to help schools deal with the spike in fuel prices.

Although Hastings didn't offer any immediate fixes, he speculated that the topic would likely come up after Congress takes a break in August and lawmakers get a change to hear from their constituents on the issue.

"This gas price issue has really got people's attention," Hastings said. "I really don't see a short term panacea for this."

Alta Micone, director of transportation services for Yakima schools, said they have been using fuel additives in an effort to increase gas mileage and plan to limit the number of stops within one mile. Plans for the latter are still in the works and Micone suggests parents check with their child's school for any route changes.

In addition to the small things schools will do to contain costs, Hastings spoke in favor of exploring other energy sources, such as drilling in Alaska, off U.S. coastlines and on federal lands. He also advocated for more use of nuclear power and expediting the process to build new oil refineries, which has been at a standstill for more than three decades.

"We need to be able to utilize our resources," Hastings said.

-- Yakima Herald-Republic and wire services