It’s no secret that the fuel crisis is out of control and it is hurting people from one end of the country to the other.  Whether you are a farmer, a secretary, a city worker or an executive, paying $4 or more for gasoline hurts the budget, the wallet and people’s everyday lives. 

Some workers are opting for lower paying jobs closer to home because they can’t afford to pay for the gas.  Because other companies are struggling financially, other workers are being laid off.  There is not enough money to pay for their wages and for the cost of fuel to keep business going.

The country has been speaking out, crying out and begging Congress to come up with some sort of assistance.  People are looking for and hoping for a plan that will at least begin to address the fuel and energy issues for the short and long term, and begin to bring some relief.

It is possible that his is finally happening.  Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina has co-sponsored a bill that may address some of these issues.  This is a bipartisan issue and a bipartisan bill that both sides of the aisle seem to be taking note of and taking a positive view toward.  In fact, both John McCain and Barak Obama, senators running for president who rarely agree on anything these days, agree that this is a good start and could begin to energize lawmakers in an effort to actually start solving the fuel and energy crisis in this country sooner rather than later.

We have been warned for over a decade that by this point in time the U.S. would be dependent on foreign oil if it did not develop alternatives, but the warning was not heeded as a serious issue soon enough.  In 2006, when gas prices were around $2.50 per gallon, they cry for a change was raised with little or no assistance from Congress.  As a result, the country gets nearly 70% of its oil from foreign countries.  Thus, the crisis we face now.  Instead of being ahead of the curve and developing alternatives, gradually using less foreign oil over the past 15 to 20 years, we have done the opposite, and now have to rush to come up with plans to turn the situation around.

The new plan, backed by 10 senators from both parties, features money to U.S. automakers for creating fuel efficient/alternative energy cars, tax credits to individuals who purchase those cars and other measures, including incentives for offshore drilling. 

There are no guarantees, but at least Congress is hearing the voice of the American people who have been trying to get their attention regarding this matter.  Hopefully more lawmakers from both sides of the aisle will agree to communicate in a positive way and finish creating this plan and making it comprehensive enough to truly to help citizens who are being hurt in many ways on many levels by this fuel crisis that could have been avoided in the first place.

The state of California produces the lion’s share of agriculture for the nation.  That has always been a positive thing for the country and for the state.  With the state of the economy and the issue of the fuel crisis as overwhelming as it has become, the fact that California is in the agricultural situation that it is can be more of a negative than the positive it used to be. 

The reason: fuel.  Agriculture alone uses a lot of fuel that, on the surface, we don’t think about, and, often, neither do politicians or farmers.  For instance, in addition to some of the fossil fuels that are used in agriculture – aside from those used in trucking and transporting products to market and aside from equipment used on the land itself – there are other, more subtle uses.

Asphalt for roads uses fuel.  Plastic used in many types of containers use fuel.  Pesticides and other fertilizers use fuel.  When you produce as much agriculture as the state of California does, these things add up to a lot of fuel.

California is in a good situation on one hand because they have 206 oil fields.  On the other hand, California uses about 20 billion gallons of fuel just to be able to drive.  This is a lot of fuel. 

Even though the nation and most states do not have a comprehensive energy plan or energy conservation plan, the need is there.  Politicians – especially the two presidential candidates – are talking about this issue on a daily basis.  CNN and MSNBC along with all the other news channels have program after program about what to do about this crisis.

Some cities in California are not just waiting around for the federal or state government to come up with a plan.  Cities such as Oakland and San Francisco are working on alternative energy in areas such as their mass transit.  Hopefully other cities and counties across the country will follow suit.

The fuel crisis is a problem throughout the world, not just in California, however, since California produces nearly half the fruits and vegetables in the United States, it is critical for them to be able to be sure that they can continue to do so.

But California is not alone.  The country is in need of alternatives, and we are hearing from people like Richard Branson and T. Boone Pickens, among others, with ideas that could help get the fuel crisis under control in the short term and the long run.  California is in a tough situation, and their situation will effect the country and essentially, the world.  It is a good thing that they are taking the lead and taking responsibility to start looking at conservation and alternatives on their own without waiting for the problem to get any worse or the government to help.

For decades there has been an ongoing debate as to whether nuclear energy is a viable alternative to other forms of energy.  With the advent of nuclear power plants came concerns – some justifiable – about accidents and other issues that could harm people and the environment, especially those near the power plants themselves.

Then there were accidents in places around the globe – including the United States – and the fear that came along with the accidents, as well as the myths that were perpetrated as a result.

As our fuel and energy sources have waxed and waned over the years the debate about nuclear power has continued.  With the fuel crisis in full bore, we are hearing more and more about alternative forms of energy these days.

Natural gas has been touted as one form of energy that can be used to replace oil that is so scarce and so expensive.  The problem with that is that the United States gathers much of its natural gas from Canada, and Canada has put the U.S. on notice that there is little natural gas that they can spare due to having to tap into their own reserves to keep their industries moving forward.  In addition,
there have also been huge price hikes in the cost of natural gas, making it ineffective to use in many businesses.

Natural gas has been used to replace electricity but this drove the prices up and has caused over a million jobs to be cut in order to keep up.  The cost of natural gas has risen 93% just since last August.  In addition, natural gas is a finite resource.  North America – particularly the United States – has not been increasing its natural gas production, and with Canada having said that it cannot spare much, if any, of its natural gas, the United States needs to come up with a new commodity – fast.

This is where nuclear energy may or may not come in.  Researchers suggest that nuclear energy would be a good source of energy for electricity, while using other types of energy for other needs.  There is debate about how this would work and whether this would work.

Regardless of what the result may be, it is clear that we need to look into all types of energy – including nuclear energy – in trying to address and solve the fuel and energy crisis before it is too late.

When we think of the fuel crisis most of us think of our own commute to work or to the grocery store or to pick up the kids from school.  We might think of some of the trucks that we see on the highways, or, when we see the prices rising at the market we remember that the trucks that are transporting our milk, bread, meat and vegetables – and everything in between – are paying a heavy price to stay in business, in fact, in the first quarter of 2008 alone, over 1,000 trucking companies went out of business.

One of the areas we don’t seem to think of much is that of fishing.  If you have noticed that the price of fish at your local market has gone up considerably, it is because of the same fuel crisis that the truckers, their families and our families are experiencing. 

Fishing boats use diesel fuel, which used to be the least expensive of the major fuels, but now is one of the most expensive.  The fishing boats that had to pull in 50 fish to break even, now have to pull in 70 or 75, making it much more expensive for them to do their work.  Fish that cost $2 or $3 per pound a year or two ago cost twice that now.

Some fishing crews in other countries have reported using smaller boats, often without using motors, in an effort to save money because there is little or no fuel involved.  Fishing crews are doing all they can to try to survive – making a profit is not even a possibility in many cases.  In fact, some smaller fishing businesses are reportedly only able to afford to catch enough to sell a very minimal amount of fish locally and save the rest to feed their families.

When dealing with the fuel crisis in our own businesses and families, it is important to note that none of us except perhaps the super-rich is immune to the far-reaching effects.  Only time will tell how this crisis will be harnessed and if we will move beyond it into a better economy.

The gas crunch is real and it is taking its toll on all of us.  That being said, there are some legitimate ways to make your fuel stretch and help your car get better mileage, such as keeping your tires inflated to the right pressure, keeping your car tuned up and your air filter and fuel filter clean, changing your oil as recommended and driving at the suggested speed limit.

The sad thing about the fuel crises is that – as often happens during difficult times – fakes and frauds are coming out of the woodwork to take advantage of people, and often, the people who are being taken advantage of are the people who can afford it the least. 

If you look anywhere on the internet you will find ads claiming that you can use water to supplement your fuel, turn it into hydrogen or oxyhydrogen and get incredible mileage.  The automobile club, AAA, says that there is absolutely no truth to this claim and that the kits on various sites – that are little more than a water jug with a hose attached, and cost anywhere from $150 to $1500 – are a waste of money.

Then there are other fake fixes, such as the offer to either lock your fuel price in at a certain amount (usually $2.49 to $2.99) or send you a free fuel card worth $1000 in fuel.  The real deal with these fake deals is that these are little more than spam sites who are trying to get your information so that they can bombard you with emails and phone calls to sell you everything from insurance to dental kits. 

The Better Business Bureau says not to fall for these scams and don’t give out your personal information.  You will be asked for phone numbers, addresses, birth dates and more.  In addition, you might be asked for your Social Security number, Driver’s License number and other numbers, such as bank and credit card account numbers.  Do not give this information out unless you have thoroughly checked out the site and the product and are able to verify that everything is legitimate.

In fact, there is a Norton Utilities program that will help you determine whether a site is a spam site or not.

With fuel prices that are already too high, this is no time to be tricked into spending even more money – especially on fraudulent items.  Be careful when you are looking for answers and make sure that they are real.  Report suspicious offers and sites.  Don’t be fooled by fake fuel fixes.

The high cost of fuel is no secret these days.  No matter where you are around the world, fuel prices are a tremendous issue.  Whether you are earning an average or above average income, the increased cost of fuel is having an effect on the way you live.  People are buying smaller, more economical vehicles and driving less.  They are carpooling more and many are changing jobs, opting for a lower salary closer to home so they can save fuel costs. 

When fuel started inching toward $3 per gallon, people were getting worried and upset.  Now that the price per gallon is over $4 per gallon, people are besides themselves worrying about how to make the dollars stretch.

The question is: What pushes the cost of fuel up so high?  The answer, in part, is subsidies.  The way subsidies work is that various countries such as Mexico, India and China subsidize their motor fuel.  What this does is encourage consumption of fuel and make the prices rise while the governments of those countries make up for the deficit at the pump for their consumers.  Research indicates that countries with subsidies accounted for over 95% of the increase in oil use around the world in 2007.  Because of this, prices rose to alarming levels, and in some countries like the United States, demand for oil fell because prices were allowed to rise.

Subsidies are a big factor in creating an imbalance between supply and demand of fuel, therefore pushing oil prices up and making it hard for consumers to afford it.  As a result, other parts of the energy and economic equation are affected, such as automobile sales – especially luxury cars and SUV’s.  These high-ticket items were often acquired by consumers who leased them from the automakers on long-term leases.  As the fuel crisis has deepened and the economy has changed automakers have taken huge losses due to these leases.  So deep, in fact, that Chrysler will no longer offer leases. 

In addition, individuals who have purchased these vehicles that consume a great deal of fuel have taken losses personally, as well, adding further to the economic problems resulting from the fuel crisis.   Adding all these factors together has created a situation that is creating a strain on individuals, families and entire countries.

While economists search for a solution, one thing is clear: fuel prices will not be going down in the near future and it is essential to continue looking for alternative sources of energy to replace or supplement subsidies.  We need to find ways to deal with the fuel crisis head on, eliminating or adjusting artificial fixes and developing real solutions now.

Last year was a cold winter in some areas of the country.  There are, of course, the normal areas of cold throughout the United States, but, as we know, many of the colds have gotten colder and the warms have gotten warmer due to weather changes, but we won’t even go there.

The problem with the extreme cold in winter is that it takes more fuel – especially heating oil – to keep people and their homes warm enough to get through.  Last year, as we said, was quite cold, and people paid a lot for fuel to heat their homes.  This year is predicted to be worse – not because it will necessarily take a larger amount of fuel, but because the fuel has gotten so much more expensive.

As it is, people have to choose between necessities like prescriptions and other necessities like fuel.  Individuals that are considered working poor, families that are barely getting by, and even families that are living on a slim margin are in for a tremendous shock this winter.  It is estimated, for example, that the average family in Maine will have to pay $4,000 to $4,500 this winter to keep warm.

This is a lot of money for families that have little money to spare.  Part of the problem is that many of these families living on limited funds make just enough money so that they cannot qualify for heat assistance, leaving them to face a cold, harsh winter.

There are some ideas on the table such as having individuals with extra trees or fallen trees cut them and give families cords of wood to help offset the lack of oil for heat.  Of course, that will only work for homes with fireplaces.  An alternative is using space or room heaters – especially the sealed ones that have oil inside and use less energy than fan, forced air or other types of room heaters.  This can help keep areas of the house warm, but will also use more electric power, costing homeowners to pay more money in power bills, but maybe not as much as the cost of fuel. 

It is critical that during the coming months before extreme cold weather arrives, some sort of solutions are created – at leat so that people will not be left in the freezing cold for the winter.  With some creative thinking and some financial assistance and supplements more families will stay warmer – or at least, not be freezing – and get through the coming winter months.

T. Boone Pickens, longtime oil man and entrepreneur unveiled his proposed energy plan two days ago.  With Congressmen such as Joseph Lieberman supporting him, Pickens stated that it was essential and critical that the United States break away from the stranglehold that dependence on foreign oil has on the country.

Pickens stated that if the United States does not create change immediately, the country will be getting 80% of its oil from countries who hate us.  As it is, the U.S. is getting over 40% of its oil from foreign countries, and many of those countries find it in their best interests to keep prices high and quantities under strict control so they can control both the fuel – and indirectly, the economy – of the United States and other “western” countries.

Pickens has suggested a plan that includes using wind power for electricity and possibly using natural gas for transportation.  He would also entertain drilling in the Alaskan and Arctic wilderness.  All of this would be in an effort to drastically reduce U.S. dependence upon foreign controlled oil.

Opponents of the plan feel that natural gas is not a workable solution for many reasons, the main one being that Russia and other countries who are not United States supporters control the lion’s share of the world’s natural gas and, as a result, the U.S. could very well be trading dependence upon one type of foreign controlled fuel for another type of foreign controlled fuel, which could lead to a similar crisis in the near future.

Regardless of what path is taken or what combination of steps can be used, most people are in agreement with Pickens that something needs to be done now to reverse this country’s dependence on foreign oil. 

Pickens’ plan may be right for the country or it may need some changes.  Those ideas can be and will be hashed out over the coming weeks and months.  The main point, however, which can be agreed upon by most of us who are tired of being held hostage to foreign oil companies, is that we need a solution to this problem and we need to act now.

The fuel crisis is out of control.  We are hearing all sorts of theories about what needs to be done to fix it.  One minute we hear that we need alternative energy sources.  Then we hear that there is plenty of fuel right now.  Then we hear that there is a need for more drilling.  And we keep hearing that one.

Drilling may be part of the solution to the problem, but is it enough?  Some people are saying that it is. 

We are being told that drilling would be enough if it was done smartly and efficiently.  We are also being told that with the right agreements with the right countries, the United States and other countries would not be dependent upon oil that is being held hostage by countries who would benefit from seeing prices continue to rise worldwide and seeing the “free word” have to scramble for oil.

The solution, some say, is to drill more ourselves.  Perhaps that is true, but it will take time to find out.  For instance, it is important that tests be done in advance of drilling.  With many of the computer programs and models available today, “virtual drilling” on a computer program is possible.  Not only are these programs able to pinpoint where oil is thought to be available, but also to determine how far under the ground it is and what type of drilling is needed to gain access to it.  These programs can also tell researchers the best way to approach the drill is and what the approximate results would be. 

Even with all this information, there are questions as to whether drilling will be enough.  Can the oil be processed fast enough to be converted to fuel?  Can it be marketed fast enough to avert a further shortage or market collapse?  Can all this be done in a way that is financially prudent?

These are questions that are still being researched and will need to be answered.  In the meantime, we are already in the middle of a fuel and economic crunch now. 

It is important to look at all the options available.  Drilling is one of them.  Time will tell if drilling will be enough to stop the crisis.  Additional drilling might be enough to at least help. 

We keep hearing about the solutions to the fuel crisis.  Everything from hydrogen powered cars to bio-fuels from corn to solar power is being touted as the best way to go. 

In addition, Congress has come up with an idea of its own.  Why not drill for more oil?  One issue with drilling is that it has people quite divided and very vocal.  People can’t agree on how to drill, where to drill, how much to drill, etc. 

There are no easy answers.  Critics of drilling point out that it is too expensive, there is not enough oil and if we start drilling now, it won’t help the current crisis.  Others feel that drilling will hurt the environment, plus there is the problem of continuing to depend on fossil fuels.  Others still don’t know what to think or feel about the situation.

While people have been thinking this situation through, Congress has determined that it is a good idea to drill offshore once again.  This hasn’t been done since the 70’s, when drilling was banned for several reasons, mainly environmental.  At that time, there was no fuel crisis.

We have been warned, however, during the past two decades, that we need to conserve, we need to look at alternative fuels and we need to be aware of eliminating our dependence on foreign oil.

Some people have conserved, but all the SUV’s that are almost being given away these days, tells us that a large number of people did not conserve.  Some people and organizations have been working feverishly on alternative fuel sources, and are moving forward in that area.

Congress is saying that they think drilling should be allowed again.  As a result, they are approving drilling offshore, and in certain wilderness areas of Alaska.  The question is repeatedly being asked as to why – if Congress wants to drill – they don’t drill in areas that re already approved for drilling, such as Utah and Wyoming, rather than the Alaskan wilderness.  Most people seem to feel that would make the most sense.

Questions will continue and remain regarding drilling for oil and other solutions to the fuel crisis.  One question to think about is: Why take drilling for one endangered area and several rare species and trade it for a different endangered commodity?  Will we trade pristine Alaskan wilderness and the living things that belong there for oil? Hopefully, there will be a viable alternative.

We have seen the effects of the fuel crisis on the airlines when they have been reducing services, charging extra for luggage – on a graduated scale by the bag.
Ticket prices are high and getting higher, and there seems to be no end in sight at this point.

If that was not enough, recently various airlines have talked about cutting costs by cutting employee rolls.  So, in addition to all the changes taking place to bring in more revenue, there are more changes by eliminating employees that could help with those suitcases that you are paying extra for.

More important than the luggage, though, is the fact that thousands of people will be losing their jobs.  The airlines are reeling because of the extreme rise in fuel costs coupled with the fact that people can’t afford to travel because of the expense involved.  As a result of these costs and others, jobs are being cut because of the crisis.

To demonstrate the severity of the fuel crisis, it is important to know that since the economy of one country affects another.  The airlines in the United States are having their difficulties and having to raise prices and cut some employees,

Sometimes it is important to put these issues into some sort of perspective, especially a global perspective.  Quantas Airlines, the largest airline in Australia, has announced that 100,000 employees very will be laid off.  This large of a number should help people see that this fuel crunch is serious.  It should show lawmakers and the public that it is absolutely time to come up with some viable solutions. 

Dealing with this issue as effectively and efficiently as possible is essential.  If we think globally and realize, as stated before, that the economies of one country or one industry are connected, we need to move forward now.  Ticket prices on airlines have gone up 21 times since winter.

With the cuts that Quantas plans, it is important to think about what companies in the United States will do.  For starters, by November 1st higher ticked prices will be issued again – about $100 higher per major flight.  It is expected that there will be about 10 more rate hikes this year.

It may be time for some local vacationing that includes hiking and biking. 

There are a host of solutions proposed for the fuel crisis depending upon who you are.  If you are congress, drilling is an issue on the table.  In fact, there is a lot of talk about Congress and offshore drilling, as well as the idea to drill in the Alaskan and Arctic wilderness.  There is a lot of reaction to that one, much of it quite negative.

Another solution that has been proposed is that of converting individual’ cars into hydrogen based and hydrogen run vehicles, thus eliminating the need for and dependence upon fossil fuels, and eliminating pollution, helping the environment and helping the ecosystems.  The barrier at this point is that the conversion of cars can be costly, and may not save as much money in gas – at least for the first few years – as the conversion costs.

This is much the same as electric or solar powered cars.  People talk about this regularly and would be willing to five it a try if there was not an extremely high initial cost.  There are various estimates as to what the actual cost would be to do the conversions, however, most of them differ.  Many of them run in the thousands of dollars, averaging at around $3,000. 

These are all good ideas and can be workable over time, however, in an economy that is already strained, it would be hard for most people to make the changes to their vehicles (or buy vehicles) that would eliminate the need for fossil fuels.  There have been ideas promoted that involve incentives for consumers that would make that step and create the conversion in their cars.

Whatever lawmakers and citizens decide upon, it is evident that fuel is in short supply, it is expensive and changes will need to be made.  Hopefully there will be some reasonable ways to enlist the solutions to this problem soon.

Even the biggest airlines are not immune to the fuel crisis.  The fuel crisis is hitting average, every day drivers.  It is creating problems for the trucking industry.  Then there are the problems caused by those problems.  Transportation is costing more.  Food is costing more.  Life, in general, is costing more – a lot more. 

Things have gotten so expensive with the fuel crisis that people can’t get to work. Vacations are being cancelled because people can’t afford the gas and really can’t afford the plane tickets.  In London, bus lines are being deleted.  CNN and MSNBC have even reported that the price of beer is going up, no doubt due to the cost of fuel.  Countries that have rarely had issues in the past two or more decades are talking about rationing fuel.   

There is talk of drilling everywhere – onshore (all of the shores), off shore and in states from Utah to Alaska to Montana.  Then there are the oil reserves, which Congress keeps asking about using to get prices down at least a little.  This has become a real political situation as well as and economic and environmental one.

The latest issue is the airlines.  We know that there are huge fuel costs to fly planes.  The airlines are now reacting to the crunch.  They have already started charging for luggage and doing other things to offset their costs by charging passengers, but now the biggest airline in the United States is taking a huge step by creating a furlough for 200 or more pilots beginning in October.  Other airlines have greatly reduced the amount of backup fuel that they are carrying to save costs.  The problem with this tactic is that many say it puts passengers in danger.

The fuel crisis has affected every part of the economy, airlines included.  With the circumstances continuing to get more difficult, even affecting the largest airlines, we will all be watching continuously to see where this crisis hits next.

In the UK this week, there was a successful testing of a Ford Focus that was converted to run on hydrogen instead of traditional fuel.  There is now a refueling station for hydrogen cars in the UK, and using hydrogen is an idea whose time has come for many reasons, two of which are that this eliminates traditional fuel costs while eliminating CO2 emissions.

The company who created the hydrogen conversion has also created a home hydrogen refueling station which can create hydrogen from electricity and water.  This successful conversion is a landmark invention.  Success in this area will not only save fuel and eliminate emissions, but its uses can also be expanded to be used in various ways for homes and businesses.

Scientists worldwide have been trying to find ways to create an alternative source of converting hydrogen to fuel.   Before the success of this invention, it was very expensive to convert hydrogen, partially because platinum had to be used as part of the process.  The new process to manufacture hydrogen – a process that was successfully developed by ITM Power – uses a specialized polymer which ends up costing only 1%  of what the old process using platinum used to cost.  This fact, alone, will keep the cost of using the fuel lower and more affordable.

ITM Power used the Ford Focus because it is one of the most widely used cars in Europe.  The converted car has the capability to transfer back to traditional fuel as a backup if the supply of hydrogen runs out.  More tests are in process to see how the conversion can work on vans and trucks.

This successful invention and test gives hope for help in this most difficult fuel crisis.

The fuel crisis is creating a lot of issues that are quite difficult to deal with, especially for the average individual or family.  Things are getting more expensive.  In some cases gasoline is unaffordable – even for necessities like getting to and from work.  People who were on a tight budget before are in dire straits now.  And citizens have no control over very much of it.

On the other hand, some citizens are trying to make some changes that make things better for their families and for the larger community and even the global community.

Some of the changes that are taking places are in the area of conservation.  People are giving up their larger cars for smaller more fuel-efficient ones.  They are walking, when possible, rather than driving their car short distances.  Even curtailing a little bit of driving can save money and save fuel, not to mention, help save the environment.

People who never thought of carpooling in the past – in fact, who thought of carpooling as a dirty word – are now, not only doing it, but promoting it wholeheartedly.  Many have taken jobs closer to home – even taking pay cuts (after all, you off set the pay cut with the gas cost savings).  Others have sold their homes and moved closer to where they work.

Some employers are helping too.  Where possible, they are encouraging telecommuting or having employees come in for less days with longer hours.  Not only does this eliminate a day or more of driving, but it also curtails driving during rush hour in many cases, which saves gas by eliminating the stop and go of the crowded rush hour highways.

The fuel crisis is not an easy situation, but in the midst of it all, it’s nice to see some positive side effects and results mixed in with all the negative news and tough choices.

OK.  We have all been watching the news and reading the paper, digging through the internet and checking for any information we can regarding how to deal with the fuel crisis and how hard it is hitting individuals, families, businesses, industries and entire countries – in fact, actually, the entire planet.

We hear about the skyrocketing cost of fuel affecting the trucking industry, commuters trying to get to and from work, bus lines in other countries and more.  One of the latest industries that has been hit hard and is in need of help is the fishing industry.  This does not apply in the United States, yet, however in the UK and other countries, it is taking the equivalent of millions U.S. dollars to help these industries overcome the burden that the fuel crisis has caused.

The cost of regular gas is not the only fuel that has gotten more expensive.  The cost of diesel has gone up exponentially more than the cost of regular fuel.  Both types of fuel have gone up astronomically and are causing major upsets and disruptions in every corner and aspect of life.

It is logical that the fishing industry has been hit hard and it is interesting that many of us had not really thought about that particular industry. When you think about the situation, there are many things that depend on the fishing industry.  Besides being a large part of the economy of many countries, the fishing industry yields products that contribute to health care products such as vitamins.  This may sound “fishy” but the vitamin industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and fish oils are some of the biggest sellers these days because of the newest information regarding the benefits of the oils and vitamins that are direct products of fish.

When we look at how far reaching this crisis is, it is important to take note that it has touch every industry in some way.  With countries having to cut back services while helping support – and even bail out businesses, and entire industries – it is essential that we take note and pay attention that even industries that we mistakenly perceive as less mainstream than others are critical to the world’s economy. 

It is just as we have heard from all sides of many issues for years: everything on this planet is connected – including counties and industries and people. Hopefully we will all work together through those connections to help solve this crisis for the good of everyone.

During the fuel crisis in the 1970’s things were pretty difficult.  There were lines for fuel every day.  People parked their cars the night before.  Some days were for even numbered ending license plates, others for odd.  People who normally were somewhat mild mannered got into arguments, shouting matches and altercations.  And the prices were only between $1 and $1.50per gallon.

Move forward to the eighties and nineties when we were being warned over and over to conserve fuel.  We were told to buy and drive smaller cars.  We were also in a situation where automakers were basically told that they had to make more fuel efficient cars to ease the fuel crunch and to give us alternatives to gas guzzling land yachts.

One of the situations that came out of the woodwork at that time was a slew of gadgets and liquids and other offerings that were supposed to conserve fuel and keep out cars running better, longer, and on less fuel.  Most of these were hoaxes and did nothing to help our cars.  In fact, some of them totally ruined our cars after helping us to consume even more fuel.

Fast forward to today.  Here we are in a similar situation.  We are not sitting in line over night at gas stations waiting for rations to even or odd license place, but we are being warned that this could be coming down the pike.  Then there are those gas guzzling super sized SUV’s that we were warned about in the 70s and 80s and 90s and the past decade, too.  Just a couple of years ago they were selling for $20 to $50 thousand  – and that was without all the bells and whistles.  Now, with the fuel crisis, it is hard for dealers to even give them away, and companies like General Motors have taken big hits in profit – even whispering about possible bankruptcies, while laying off thousands of employees.

And, of course, the snake oil salesmen are back again with new additives and gimmicks to help our cars run better on less fuel for longer.  The problem is that if you have a giant SUV that gets 12 to 15 miles per gallon, even if the snake oil works, you are still going to use a lot of fuel.

If you are thinking of buying some of the items touted to conserve fuel and help improve the way your vehicle performs, don’t just take someone’s word for it.  Do some research.  Check to see what these items are made of and what they actually do.  Check with companies like Consumer Reports or your personal mechanic (or a mechanic that you trust) and get some opinions before you stick anything in your car engine or your gas tank.

Snake oil salespeople will always be around and always jump on any crisis.  The best way to avoid falling for phonies and keep your car running well is to take it in for regular service and make sure the products you buy are genuine and credible.

In the United States, the average fuel price is up quite a bit over $4.00.  It has gotten bad and doesn’t seem to be getting better, in fact, with some of the political issues driving the fuel crisis, there seems to be no end in sight, and the current administration which is about to end in a few months is turning a blind eye on the whole issue.

As they say, things are tough all over.  To put things into perspective, fuel prices are even worse in other countries such as Britain.  The cost of fuel per liter – which is much less than a gallon – is approximately $6 to $7.  This is quite a lot to take, in fact, things are so bad that Britain has had to cut bus services in many areas.

Looking at the effects of the fuel crisis, it’s a trickle-down situation.  First the cost of a barrel of oil goes up beyond reason and the prices trickle down to consumers.  Then the price of fuel for all types of private, public and commercial transportation goes up at the pump, making things hard for consumers.  This brings the price of food and other necessities up, so people are paying more for both food and fuel.  Add to that the latest crunch in Britain – downsizing or completely eliminating numerous bus routes because the cost of fuel is too high to support the routes.

This will effectively leave thousands of workers in a situation that makes it difficult, if not impossible, for them to get to and from their workplace, simply adding to the economic woes in that country.

To add insult to injury, the bus lines will have to eliminate employees, as well.  Not only will this affect Britain, but their economy affects other economies and so does the economy of the U.S.  It’s similar to that old commercial that said “you tell two friends and they’ll tell two friends…”  Exponentially, the T.V. screen fills up with little squares containing people’s faces until the screen is full.

That is what is happening with the fuel crisis.  It hits one industry, which affects another industry.  Then it hits more and more consumers, raises their essential expenses and often creates a situation where they lose their jobs.  The global supply of fuel and global economy is being held hostage by those who control the fuel and the fuel prices.  It is not possible to say who these individuals or companies are, and we all have our own ideas.  One main idea that we share across borders and around the globe is that if the fuel crisis isn’t managed better very soon, the world economy may take decades to turn around and many day to day people and their families will be tragically impacted.

With the fuel crisis in full gear, we are all being hit one way or the other.  We are also doing everything to conserve fuel and keep our expenses down as best we can.

Aside from not being able to control the cost of gasoline at the pump or groceries at the market (which are higher prices due to fuel costs for truck drivers that deliver them to the market place), we are now at the mercy of energy companies when it comes to heating and cooling our homes, as well as cooking, having hot water, doing laundry and dishes, and just cleaning in general.

Natural gas prices have risen over 120% in many areas just since last year.  In Mississippi, electric prices have risen 28% during the past year.  Residents are paying an average of around $1 per day extra due to the increase.

Companies are looking for ways to operate as efficiently as possible and many companies are looking for alternatives to traditional fuels.  Unfortunately, converting to alternative types of fuel takes time and money to initiate. 

We have been warned over and over for quite some time that we could not continue on the path we were on without ending up with a fuel crisis.  We were told that there should be research and implementation of alternatives.  We have been told for decades.  Those of us who remember the long lines and the rationing of gasoline during the 70’s know how uncomfortable things can get.  In fact, at this time, things could actually get worse because it is a much different world than it was back then.

That is little comfort for those of us feeling the crunch.  It is critical that Congress put aside their differences and work together to bring relief to average Americans.  The people that are being hit hardest are the ones who can’t afford it.  People are losing jobs – either because of layoffs or because they can’t afford the gas to get to work.

It is time to look at the situation and come up with a long-term solution to the fuel crisis.  Americans are doing their part as best they can.  It is time for Congress to collaborate with average, every day Americans to find a solution to the fuel crisis, which will help bring relief to the American people and to the economy as well.

OK, so we are all trying to do our part to conserve fuel. Many of us are doing it because we want to do the right thing.  Many of us are also doing it because at over $4 per gallon and rising for a gallon of gasoline in the United States, we simply have no choice.  So we are planning out our errands and doing them all at once.  We are carpooling where possible.  We are driving less often and not as far.  We are not leaving our cars idling, not leaving the air conditioning on for long periods of time.  We are keeping our tires inflated to the right amount, getting lubes and oil changes and tune ups, as well as cleaning out our fuel injectors, driving the speed limit and using additives to make a tank of gas take us further.
As we hear about more things to try we are willing to try them to save money and to save fuel.

Many of us have not taken vacations because of high fuel prices.  We haven’t even taken vacations with semi-short drives because the gas is too expensive.  We are getting to be more careful when we shop because prices of food and other essentials are rising due to the fact that it costs more to transport everything to the grocery store.

Now there is yet another casualty of the fuel crisis.  In addition to airlines raising fares, canceling the number of flights, firing thousands of employees and charging for luggage (who is going to fly across the country without a change of clothes and other personal items?),  we are now at an all time low.  Several airlines have eliminated in flight entertainment.  That’s right.  No movies.  If you want to keep little Johnny or Jane occupied during a long flight, you had better bring a laptop, a portable DVD player or a portable game system.  You could bring crayons and books, to, at least as a backup. 

The airlines say that if they raise prices, charge for luggage and eliminate entertainment which adds weight to a flight and costs more in fuel, they might break even.  The question is: Don’t those laptops, portable DVD’s and other entertainment items that passengers bring on the flight weigh as much or more than the earphones and small built in screens?  

It will be interesting to see what the fuel crisis eliminates next.  Maybe it will be those overhead reading lights.  Keep abreast of what’s happening because you may need to bring flashlights on your next flight just in case you want to read!

With fuel prices at a premium and politicians warning that we could run out, or at least run short, most of us are trying to find ways to conserve this precious commodity.  There are some easy and effective things that each of us can do to conserve the amount of fuel we use in our cars and the amount of money we keep pouring into our tanks.

There are some logical things that we have heard for years, such as keeping tires inflated to the correct pressure, making sure that our cars are tuned up and observing the speed limit. 

There are many other things we can do to improve our fuel economy no matter what the type, size or age of our car is.  Some of the ways we can economize on fuel are:

• Avoid carrying excess weight in the car.  Anything that you don’t need with you shouldn’t be hauled around with you if at all possible.  The more weight the car is carrying, the more fuel it uses to carry it.
• Avoid leaving your car idling.  There are times when we just have to run in and get something and it would take as much fuel to stop and start the car again, however, leaving the car idling when you are going to be a few minutes – even just five minutes – eats up unnecessary fuel.
• Check your air and fuel filters.  If your air filter is dirty or clogged, your car will use excess fuel.  If your fuel filter isn’t checked and/or replaced at the proper time you could end up with fewer miles per gallon.
• Use your air conditioner only when necessary.  Your air conditioner uses extra fuel.  This goes for your defroster as well, since it is actually part of your air conditioning system.
• Keep engine parts clean.  Fuel injectors, throttles and other parts can increase fuel consumption when dirty or clogged and decrease fuel consumption when kept clean.
• Use cruise control and overdrive.  Overdrive helps your engine idle at a lower rate when you are going up hills and in other situations.  This conserves gasoline and helps your car run smoother.  Cruise control keeps your car run more efficiently by maintaining a steady speed, which usually saves fuel.
• Drive conservatively, not aggressively.  You don’t have to be the slowest person on the road, however, driving conservatively vs. aggressively saves gas.  Aggressive driving usually involves speeding, lurching ahead at lights and other actions that increase fuel consumption.  Calming down behind the wheel will save fuel and keep everyone, including you, safer.

There are other things that each of us can do to conserve fuel depending on our car and our circumstances.  However, if we all did just a few of the things on the list above, we would save somewhere between 2% and 4% of the fuel we use.  That could help with the fuel crisis and it would also keep our cars running better and put some extra money in our pocket.

There are some things we can be sure of, even in this world full of surprises and unexpected events.   One of these things is that the sun will rise each morning.  That’s something we all depend on and know will happen, and that’s a good thing.  It helps us know that our world is still moving the way it should, regardless of all of the things that are happening on the planet or to the planet. 

Another thing we can count on – unfortunately – is that, like the sun, gas prices will continue to rise.  They have more than topped the $4 price just about everywhere in the country.  California is at the top of the list with gas prices at over $4.40 per gallon, with other states close on its heels.  The lowest prices are in Texas and several neighboring southern states, with the cost per gallon hovering between $3.68 and $4.00 per gallon.

This gas crisis has put a huge dent into vacation plans, employment location and more.  People are limiting the amount of “luxuries” they buy in order to offset the cost of gas.  Vacations are being cancelled – or at least postponed in hopes that the gas prices will be more affordable at a later date, or that the family can save up enough money to offset the cost of the furl they will need to get to where they are going.

Gas prices are affecting everything from food prices, vacations and jobs.  They have changed the way Americans – and countries throughout the world – do business, shop, run their homes and their lives.  Gas prices are quickly becoming one of the top election issues, with the average American looking for the government to solve this crisis.

Researchers are looking for – and finding – ways to use alternative energy sources, however, making changes that affect millions of people takes time. 
Maybe as the prices continue to rise, someone will come up with a solution to the problem – or at least some relief.

Until then, we will all have to figure out a way to deal with gas prices hovering around and average of $4.20 per gallon and the changes it causes in our lives.

Dodge has created a program to “Refuel America” for individuals who buy Dodge cars or trucks.  Whether it will make much of a dent in the fuel crisis remains to be seen, but it is a positive start and it will help new Dodge owners.  It will be interested to see whether any of the other automakers follow suit.

The way that the program works is actually like a rebate, only you get it against the price of gas a little at a time.  Basically, you have to have a credit card that you designate for this rebate.  Every time you pay for gas at the pump, you will be charged the regular price and you will be rebated the difference.  You will also have a membership I.D. card, complete with pin number, which will show all your purchases and adjustments, including the adjusted cost of the fuel at $2.99.

This is an interesting concept.  It is actually a rebate where no actual money changes hands, except on paper.  The plan is also unique in that this is a way for the Chrysler Corporation to pay rebates a dollar or two at a time as opposed to thousands of dollars immediately upon the purchase and financing of a vehicle.
This is a good thing for the Chrysler Corporation, in that, they are able to use the lump sum money they save to create more profit for themselves.  These huge sums can stay in their coffers earning interest while they dole out a dollar or two at a time to consumers to offset the price of gasoline. 

This is a creative concept.  They have actually invented a system of financing their own rebates over a three year period from the time that someone buys a vehicle.  This is definitely a win-win situation.  With fuel prices topping $4.00 most places, paying $2.99 per gallon is a relief to those of us with tight budgets. And, of course, the automotive manufacturer’s do not lose money on the deal, so this should not drive up costs or create losses for them in any way.

If you are in the market for a new car, check to see if a Dodge will fit your needs and if their “Refuel America” will work for you.  If it doesn’t work in your situation, nothing lost.  Hopefully, it will work for you, and hopefully other companies will begin looking at – and offering – similar or new incentives to help protect us against inflation.

This is a complex question with an even more complicated answer.  The answer is yes they can, maybe they well, not sure how or when they will finally do it.

Congress has the power to control certain areas of this crunch.  It has worked on bills to eliminate gouging by gas stations around the country.  At the same time, though, it has passed bills agreeing to price hikes and higher gas taxes.  In the same breath!

On the other hand, Congress – or, should I say, the Bush Administration – is looking at solutions like drilling in protected Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

There are some smart solutions on the table – or about to be on the table – that deal with fuel mixing, ethanol, and stricter conservation guidelines (especially for big companies and corporations).

One thing the public needs most is information, which is not easily available.  There are conflicting news reports every day all over the place, however, there is no real information coming straight out of Congress to the American people.

There is also no information about conservation for the average American.  There are few – if any – commercials citing conservation as part of the solution.  It is interesting that during a time when both political parties are spending massive amounts on advertising for all these presidential election commercials, nobody from the government side of things has thought to run ads to try to help people begin thinking about ways to conserve fuel.  It has been said that if every American driver would simply curtail 3% of their driving, it would result in more fuel than we could even use.  However, that message is not being splattered all over the T.V.

Especially during this pre-election frenzy of commercials, this would be the perfect time for the Department of Energy and other departments of government to create an ad that runs every time a candidate’s ad runs.  This would be an effective use of advertising time.

So, the answer remains: yes and no.  Congress is working on fixing some things and helping the country with the fuel crisis.  This administration has not been particularly involved or helpful during the past several years, but now, at the end of it’s second term, it is jumping into the ring.  The issue is that we are now seeing the results that we have been warned about for many years, and Congress is working to find solutions to the problem.

Time will tell what Congress can do, how fast they can do it, and how well it would work.