If we had the solution to rising fuel prices, we’d certainly be happy to share it with the world. Unfortunately, we don’t have that answer, and can only share the pain everyone is feeling when faced with rising prices on just about everything we buy. What’s particularly shocking about the increase in home heating costs right now is that it is forcing middle class families, not just the poor, into panic over how they will not only finish paying for last winter’s heat bill, but also how they will face the coming winter. Predictions are that oil prices won’t be coming down anytime soon, and that it won’t be long before we’re paying $7 a gallon for gasoline.

Environmentalists will undoubtedly be happy to see more people working to conserve energy and use less fossil fuel. If we can get to the point where the majority of our homes use solar or wind power, great, but what about in the meantime? If you’re looking at paying off a couple thousand dollars for your March oil bill, how are you supposed to come up with yet another couple thousand to retrofit your house with an alternative fuel source? Few of us have that kind of money available.

What is clear is that there isn’t mercy for anyone in danger of having their heat shut off. Public utilities – like PSNH for electric and National Grid for natural gas – being regulated by the government, can’t just turn off the service when it means no heat in the dead of winter. But they can during the summer. And other providers need to be paid for their goods and services, so don’t expect them to give a tank of oil away out of the goodness of their hearts. If they lose too much money, they can’t stay in business.

So if you’re having trouble, now is the time to talk to your fuel provider about working something out, or going to an assistance program for help. Now’s also the time to look at the alternative to oil. Perhaps as the price continues to rise, that conversion cost won’t look so bad.

- Editorials published by Neighborhood News Inc. are written by an editorial board.

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