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Fuel trouble by the tankful

No. 6. Gas prices

Funny how time changes perspective. Back at the beginning of 2004, $1.45 felt like a pretty penny to pay for a gallon of regular.

Of course, that looked like a downright steal come late October, when gas topped $2 a gallon in Florida. Filling a 15-gallon tank cost just more than $20 at the beginning of 2004, but by Election Day in early November, it cost more than $30.

The good news is that prices have settled back a bit, to an average in the Tampa Bay area of about $1.80 a gallon.

But - sorry, you knew the "but" was coming - the bad news is that most of the reasons for the spike and volatility of gas prices have not gone away.

The war in Iraq continues to undermine that country's consistent export of oil. Other Middle East nations are at or near maximum output. Oil exports from Russia, Venezuela and other oil-rich countries already are brisk, with global demand rising because China, India and other countries are using more fuel as they rev up their economies.

And for all the talk by the United States about decreasing its dependence on foreign oil, it's not happening.

Many folks suspected the oil giants of price-gouging. The price of gas has become "ridiculous," Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist said in May just before he subpoenaed eight major oil companies for their records on gas prices. This month, Crist said he is expanding his investigation because he believes the market is being "manipulated."

It's not just a wallet worry for drivers. From gasoline to natural gas and propane to heating oil, prices climbed sharply in 2004.

Even in Florida, where residents face a milder winter than most, higher natural gas and oil prices are expected to push up household fuel bills.

Progress Energy and Tampa Electric want to raise electricity rates because they depend on more expensive gas and oil to run many of their power plants.

It could be worse: In Hawaii in mid December, people were paying an average of $2.42 a gallon for regular. Remember, it's all about perspective.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

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