The 2008 Burton K. Wheeler Fall Forum - "The High Cost of Fuel - What's Down the Road for Montanans?" Oct. 1 and 2 in Billings, Montana

September 3, 2008

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No one in Big Sky Country is unaware of the high cost of fuel: the price of gas, diesel, and home heating fuels throughout our state has skyrocketed in a very short period of time. In a large rural state such as ours, that price hike has translated into trouble for all of us as we fill our tanks. Wheeler Executive Director Ralph Johnson says “The recent surge in the price of fuel is more than just annoying and expensive for individuals, families, and businesses. The impacts we see throughout our economy signal the need for real change and for urgent legislative policy and budget action by the 2009 legislature.”

In cooperation with the Montana Department of Transportation and the Western Transportation Institute at MSU, the Wheeler Center has planned a statewide forum to discuss a number of important policy issues in relation to the high price of fuel, resulting economic impacts and transportation policy. As always, this conference is designed for and open to the public.

Several questions will be taken up:

1. How is the high price of fuel affecting our major transportation providers? How are they adapting? What are the likely outcomes given the unlikely reduction in fuel prices going forward?

2. What is the role of our local, state and federal planners in determining future actions and infrastructure? What kinds of transportation models can and should we be considering in our long range planning? How do we integrate our local, state and regional transportation planning efforts to benefit Montanans?

3. Where should we be spending our infrastructure dollars? On roads? Rails? Air service? Which fuels are being considered and what infrastructure might we need to satisfy demand? Who decides?

4. If fuel prices continue to creep up, and the demand for gas at the pump goes down, how will we fund current and future transportation needs with reduced tax revenues at both the state and national levels? Should new taxes be considered?

5. What will be the short and long-term outcomes of continued high fuel prices on Montana’s economy? What sectors will suffer most? On the other hand, who might benefit?

6. Who has responsibility for dealing with these problems? The public sector? Private sector? Those who generate the most traffic, like Universities, governments, large businesses, healthcare complexes?

7. How much can innovation do to solve our transportation issues? What can be tried?

This statewide conference is expected to give planners, policy makers and the public a broad sense of the problems, and generate new thoughts and ideas to support solutions. The forum is designed for all those with a tie to the transportation sector (both public and private), government planners at all levels, transportation economists, legislators, business owners, ranchers and farmers, tourism-dependent businesses, anyone who relies on moving goods through the state, and those with an interest in learning more about and helping solve Montana's transportation problems. Please join us!

# Billings, MT, Crowne Plaza and Billings Depot

# Wednesday and Thursday, October 1 & 2, 2008 (noon–noon)

# The conference fee of just $45 includes three meals

# Ample parking is available

# Registration is open, See the agenda http://www.montana.edu/wheeler/2008_ ... rtation.htm and register now! http://www.montana.edu/wheeler/registration.htm

Conference pre-registration http://www.montana.edu/wheeler/registration.htm is required. You also may write us at the Wheeler Center, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717. Burton K. Wheeler Center Or, call 406-994-0336.

Burton K. Wheeler Center

Montana State University

P.O. Box 170590

Bozeman, MT 59717

phone & fax: (406) 994-0336

http://www.montana.edu/wheeler
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