Blumenauer talks energy conservation in Oregonian interview

The Oregonian ran a piece in Tuesday's paper on U.S Rep. Earl Blumenauer's (D-Portland) ideas to deal with the current gas crunch.

One idea is to allow employers who have gas and parking benefits for their employees to extend similar benefits to workers who use public transportation. Blumenauer also proposed allowing residents to cash in their car benefits if they do not drive to work.

Blumenauer also proposed increasing federal subsidies for transit agencies and more funding for the Safe Routes to School Program to encourage kids to ride their bikes.

"This is all about choices for people and not trapping them in the practices and policies of the past," he said.