Truckers hard hit by energy crunch

Like many, I wasn't shocked to see both presidential campaigns run competing ads during the Olympics focused heavily on a national energy policy.

Like many Americans, this is an important issue to me but one of the more overlooked aspects of this debate is the impact is has on the trucking industry.

It costs the average trucker $1,200 to fill up a tank of gas. The economic slowdown coupled with the rising costs of diesel prices has hit our industry hard.

According to the American Trucking Associations, more than 1,900 trucking companies have closed their doors in 2008. We have to do better.

For truckers in Illinois, the news is worse, of course. We have the fourth highest gas tax in the nation and state fees and tolls that are second to none.

As the president of a suburban trucking company, I'm looking for a candidate who will best put America on a path to becoming more energy independent.

The gas tax holiday proposed by Sen. McCain provides an immediate short-term relief in the wake of developing a long-term sustainable solution to the overall energy crisis.

His opponent and others called this a gimmick, but I would submit that a $1,200 savings in a tough economy is no gimmick. It's a mortgage payment, help with skyrocketing grocery bills or a nice contribution toward the college fund.

My company employs 200 truck drivers. They work hard, make sacrifices for their families and log millions of miles each year.

Sen. McCain is the only candidate who advocates drilling and offers bold energy solutions. That's leadership. We need more of that in Illinois and in Washington D.C., not less.

Doug Grane

President

Central States Trucking Co.

Bensenville