Like the stock market, gas prices have fallen drastically. Just two months ago, Ike made landfall, becoming the third deadliest hurricane in the States. At that time, gas prices were already hovering around $3.50 a gallon. Literally over night gas prices jumped by leaps and bounds, rising 15 cents to 25 cents a day because of the hurricane. In fact, in Atlanta, our gas prices rose to over $4.00 a gallon, making it one of the highest prices in the country. Our gas prices were above the national average, since Georgia is one of a handful of States to use a special blend of gas, which was available in short supply, after the hurricane hit. Not only were drivers in the Atlanta area paying astronomical prices, we also were experiencing a gas shortage similar to the one in the late seventies. Many drivers drove around for hours searching for gas stations with fuel, while others patiently waited in line for hours, waiting for the gas trucks to arrive at area stations just so they could have enough fuel to make it to work.
The gas shortage was so bad it was reported that some gas stations were gouging consumers, charging up to $8 a gallon. For weeks, only low-grade gas was available in the area. So, in case your automobile required premium fuel, you were out of luck. Your only choice was to use low-grade fuel, if you could find it, or park your vehicle. Because of this gas shortage, our entire paradigm began to shift. We drove less, we stayed at home more and considered alternative sources of transportation: carpools, motor bikes and public transportation.
Now almost two months later, gas prices are below $2 a gallon in Atlanta, just 15 cents shy of the national average of $2.10. Many so called analysts predicted that we would never see prices this low again, when gas prices prices were in the $3.50 a gallon range earlier the summer. Since no one seems to know how long these gas prices will be around, my philosophy is to live in the moment. Personally, I'm no expert on predicting gas prices. However, I wouldn't count on these low prices being around for long nor would I rush out to buy a gas-guzzling 8-cylinder vehicle. We should continue to urge our leaders and the auto industry to make more fuel-efficient vehicles and seek alternative fuel choices. Never before has our country had an energy plan. We had an opportunity in the late seventies, when American automakers shifted gears, building lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Yet, this phase didn't last for long. As long as gas prices remained around $1.oo a gallon, American drivers nor the automakers were interested in achieving high miles or alterantive fuel sources with hybrids, electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles. So, don't expect for these prices to be around too long. As my mom always told me, good things only last for a moment.
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