Treadwell Says Job Losses Illustrate That Rising Fuel Prices Are Hurting Our Economy

Former New York Secretary of State Sandy Treadwell, Republican candidate for the 20^th Congressional District, said the loss of 68 jobs that will occur when a factory in North Hoosick, Rensselaer County, closes its doors at the end of the month illustrates the economic hardship many businesses and communities are facing due to lack of a comprehensive, commonsense national energy plan. Yesterday, Bennington Paperboard Co. announced plans to shut its doors August 1^st.

"Soaring energy costs are not only being felt in family budgets, they are also causing a slowdown in our economy and the loss of jobs," Treadwell said. "Higher costs to transport goods and power factory operations strain the budgets of small firms, making it more difficult for them to stay in business. When a business closes its doors, the resulting loss of jobs hits a local community hard. These jobs will not be easy to replace and many families may be forced to uproot in search for new opportunities.

"We need to send a strong message to Washington that rising energy prices are unacceptable and Congress must get to work," Treadwell said. "This Congress has failed to enact a forward-thinking energy policy, instead relying on piecemeal policies that have done nothing to lower costs or make us more energy independent. It is time for action, not just more hot air from Washington politicians- there is simply too much at stake if they continue to delay."

Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor reported the loss of 62,000 jobs in June, the sixth straight month of job losses nationally. The unemployment rate remained at 5.5 percent, the highest level in four years.

Treadwell said that the energy crisis has been a major drain on our economy as gas prices have risen nearly 75 percent in the past 18 months. Energy costs were cited as contributing factor in the planned closings of Bennington Paperboard Co. and Packaging Inc. of Clifton Park (78 jobs) announced in May.

Treadwell is calling for a two-track energy policy that includes expanding drilling and domestic energy production, allowing us to utilize our own resources instead of being dependent on high-priced, imported petroleum. At the same time, the U.S. should be making greater investments in alternative energy projects like solar, wind, nuclear, and non food-based biofuels.

"Small businesses have been forced to devote more money to pay for fuel because of Washington's failures," Treadwell said. "This Congress claims to have a long-term strategy, but can't even manage to pass temporary extensions of tax credit for alternative energy production and research and development. The longer Washington delays, the more hardships we will face."

Treadwell said the local plant closings reflect concerns in a July 1^st story in USA Today ("Higher gas prices threaten to shut down rural towns"), which details how soaring energy costs have a more dramatic impact on rural communities. The article notes that high energy prices can lead to job losses, the closing of local stores, and additional expenses for residents who have to drive longer distances to go to work, buy food and obtain medical care. (www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-07-01-small-town-gas_N.htm)

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