Local Congressman promotes decreased gas prices through homegrown energy

            As gas prices approach record-highs even before the start of the summer driving season, U.S. Representative Jerry Weller (R-Morris) points to the failed energy policies of the last four decades as a primary culprit, but said more recent measures offer a ray of hope. "Nationwide, gas prices average above $3 a gallon thanks to overdependence on foreign oil and limited refining capacity. Today, more than 60 percent of our oil comes from outside the United States and it's time to replace imported oil with homegrown biofuels like ethanol made from corn and biodiesel made from soybeans," Weller said.
            Weller saluted Gas City, LTD. for installing E85 at its location in Will
County and explained the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was passed to nearly double the use of biofuels and replace imported oil. "We took steps to make the country more self-reliant for its energy, and today we can see the positive impact it's produced," Weller said. The Act increased the amount of biofuels to be used in the country to 7.5 billion gallons by 2012.  As a result of the surge in home grown fuel production - ethanol made from corn and biodiesel from soybeans - nearly two dozen stations in the 11th Congressional District carry E85, a fuel blend made with 85 percent ethanol, or biodiesel.
            "Our policy of replacing imported oil with homegrown biofuels is paying off for consumers," Weller said, noting that at the Shorewood Gas City, where Weller made his comments, the price of E85 fuel is $0.40 cheaper than the price of regular unleaded. "The benefits of ethanol don't stop at the lower price," Weller continued. "We've seen the anticipated demand for biofuels cause firms to build or plan to build seven biofuels plants in our district. That creates millions of dollars in investment and also new good-paying jobs. In addition, farmers are seeing $3.60 and $4.00 for a bushel of corn, and about $7.60 for a bushel of soybeans because of the anticipated demand. "It's clear we need to continue to increase our commitment to clean, renewable, homegrown energy," said Weller.
            In keeping with the theme of homegrown energy, Weller also discussed the
need to increase the nation's refining capacity. The transportation group AAA cites the lack of refining capacity as the number one reason for the $0.30 hike in gas prices since the beginning of April. "No new oil refineries have been built in the U.S. since 1976," Weller said. "Prices jump when there is insufficient supply to meet the demand.  Our lack
of refining capacity has created a bottleneck that prevents gasoline from reaching the market in a timely manner.”

Joliet Township Alumni returns home to speak at YMCA’s Achievers 2nd Annual Banquet

            The Joliet YMCA Achievers Program will have former Joliet West Alum Quentin Townsend as their guest speaker on Wednesday, May 16th, at 6p.m. at the All Nations C.O.G.I.C. Family Life Center. Townsend is Owner, Chairman and CEO of the Atlanta Vision Chairman (American Basketball Association) & Founder of Vision of Excellence.
            The YMCA Achievers Program is a partnership with Joliet Township High School’s YESS (Youth Experience Success in Schools) program. The YMCA Achievers program-called Minority Achievers was founded in 1971 at New York City's Harlem Y. Its purpose is to help young minorities develop a positive sense of self and to set high education and career goals. Minority professionals act as role models and volunteer leaders.
The program's objectives are:

• To help high school teens to develop a positive sense of self
• To help raise the academic standards of youth
• To expose students to diverse career options
• To provide positive role models for youth
• To recognize and promote excellence
• To create channels for continuing community involvement for business and industry

For more information regarding the Achievers Program, contact Maurice Fears at (815)726-3939 or e-mail him at mfears@jolietymca.org.