Pain at the pump.Did you and your family hit the road this summer? If so, you probably noticed the high gas prices. Many U.S. motorists have accused oil companies of sheer greed. But other factors are contributing to pain at the pump. For instance, unrest in the Middle East, greater demand for gas in the U.S. and elsewhere, and damage to oil rigs during last year's hurricanes--all are affecting the oil supply. When supply falls, prices rise. In August, more bad news came for what President George W. Bush termed "Americans addicted ad·dict·ed adj. 1. Physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance. 2. Compulsively or habitually involved in a practice or behavior, such as gambling. to oil." Oil giant BP announced that it was shutting down half of its operations in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska
Prudhoe Bay (IPA: [ˈpɹu doʊ]) is a census-designated place (CDP) located in North Slope Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. , to repair corroded cor·rode v. cor·rod·ed, cor·rod·ing, cor·rodes v.tr. 1. To destroy a metal or alloy gradually, especially by oxidation or chemical action: acid corroding metal. pipelines (see map). Prudhoe Bay Prudhoe Bay, inlet of the Beaufort Sea and Arctic Ocean, N Alaska, in the Alaska North Slope region, east of the Colville River delta. In 1968 one of the largest oil reserves in North America was discovered in Prudhoe Bay. , America's largest oil field, generates about 8 percent of the oil produced in the U.S. Fuel-Efficient Cars News of the shutdown sent oil prices worldwide to a record high. Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman insisted that the U.S. could cope with the temporary shortfall. Still, energy experts warned that high gas prices are here to stay. "It's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a to make adjustments," Severin Borenstein, a California energy expert, told the San Jose Mercury News The San Jose Mercury News is the major daily newspaper in San Jose, California and Silicon Valley. The paper is owned by MediaNews Group. Its headquarters and printing plant are located in North San Jose next to the Nimitz Freeway (Interstate 880). . His advice: "Look for something other than a big SUV to drive." Scientists are developing new fuel-efficient cars. These include hybrids, which are powered by electricity and gasoline. Ultracompact "Smart cars" (short for Superbly Manufactured and Reliable Transportation) are also being readied for sale in the U.S. Another possibility: the H-racer (above), which hails from Japan. For now, though, the H-racer is just a model that can fit in your hand. |
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