Washington, Jun 25 – The House Appropriations Committee today approved an amendment offered by Congressman Jack Kingston (R/GA-1) that would require the United States Postal Service to study the cost-effectiveness and fuel consumption of a five-day delivery system and consumer demand of Saturday postal delivery.
“I’ve been trying to get the postal service to end Saturday delivery for years,” Congressman Kingston said. “It’s a perfect example of government waste that is driving up the price at the pump. I can’t think of the last time I got anything but a bill in the mail and, frankly, those can wait until Monday. Now my kids get all of their bills by email. What other way can the government immediately save 20.8 million gallons of gas thereby reducing consumption and gas prices?”
According to the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) website, the service uses 121 million gallons of gas each year. At approximately 400,000 gallons per day, the service would conserve 20.8 million gallons with an estimated cost savings of $84.7 million.
“This is just one way to bring down the cost of fuel,” said Congressman Kingston. “While some oppose this idea, this study will at least give us hard numbers on which we can make an informed decision.”
The study was approved unanimously by the committee and must now be taken up in the House and Senate before being signed into law by the President.