With the average price of regular unleaded gas around $4 per gallon, consumers and business that rely on fuel are struggling to handle the rising expense. [ Read story ]

We asked readers to tell us how they are dealing with the higher gas prices. Below are the responses.

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How am I dealing with high gas prices?

I have called my local, state, and federal representatives and the president several times. Oil supply is down. I have asked that Congress open drilling in Anwar, off our coasts and in North and South Dakota, Texas and Montana. Nuclear energy and the increased use of clean coal technologies should be increased. I am embarrassed and outraged that our Congress continues to allow us to be held hostage by the OPEC nations.

OPEC is destroying our economy and our public just sits back and points fingers and complains about prices. Prices aren't going to come down until we take care of ourselves. Only when OPEC realizes we do not need their damn oil will they bring their prices down. Hopefully when that happens, we can tell OPEC where they can put their oil. When the best my Congress can do to solve this oil problem is to send my president to Saudi Arabia to "beg" for more and cheaper oil, something is wrong. What has happened to our nation? I am mad. I am not mad at the oil companies or OPEC. I am mad at all of our leaders and the public for wanting someone else to solve our dilemma.

Call your senators and representatives. Tell them how disgusted you are that our economy is being destroyed by OPEC. Demand that we take care of ourselves and begin by drilling at home. We need oil, that's the bottom line. That fact is not going to go away. Suppose OPEC raises oil to $600 a barrel, what would happen to our economy? What then? Do we invade Saudi Arabia to get the oil? If we do not solve our oil supply problem now, I am afraid our choices in the future will be very dangerous and heart wrenching.

George Bradley, Mars, Pa

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Since the mid-1990's, through three jobs in two different cities (Lexington, KY and Pittsburgh) I have made it a priority to live within 5-10 miles of work and within a short walk of basic shopping and public transportation. This was originally out of environmental commitments rather than fuel cost considerations. But I discovered that not being completely dependent on a car for every errand was a much more pleasant way to live anyway.

When I first moved to Pittsburgh I lived in Bloomfield and the job was downtown. I didn't need a car at all except for out of town trips.

Shopping and a huge variety of dining were a short walk out the door.

When my job moved to the South Hills (Bruceton Federal Center), we were house shopping anyway, so we moved to Brentwood, 5.5 miles away - it is not nearly as nice as Bloomfield as far as food and culture, but still reasonably walkable and well-served by transit.

I also bought two battery-electric 50cc equivalent electric motor

scooters. They needed some modifying to perform satisfactorily due to some workmanship issues and our hilly terrain, but are now completely reliable and the "fuel" cost is a penny a mile. A recent lithium battery upgrade gets me about 35 miles on a charge.

As far as gasoline usage, I'm using no more than about 12 gallons a month.

I think if more people rediscovered Pittsburgh's nice, walkable, closer-in neighborhoods when home or job shopping, the high fuel prices wouldn't have nearly so a big an impact on day-to day commuting and errands. And reducing demand for oil is the best way to lower the oil prices while helping the environment.

Paul Donahue, Brentwood

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Nobody likes high gasoline prices, but its amazing how ignorant people are about how gasoline prices are set. NEWS FLASH: Oil companies dont set the prices, commodities traders in places like Chicago and New York, do that on the futures market. Oil is a worldwide commodity and Americans are competing with the Chinese, Indians and the rest of the world for it. No one should graduate from highschool without a class in basic economics. When gasoline was $3.30/gallon after Katrina oil was at $70 or so. Now oil has doubled. Has gasoline doubled to $6.60? Nope. So count your blessings. If you think $4 is bad, imagine $6.60

If people want to blame the real culprits, start by blaming China, India and other developing nations that are drastically increasing oil consumption. 1.3 billion Chinese now have money and are buying cars by the millions - they need gasoline and have the cash to pay for it. Next blame Congress who refuses to fast track new nuclear power plant and new oil refinery permits. Congress also stands in the way of increased US oil production and coal to oil - the Chinese by contrast will soon be drilling in Cuban waters off the coast of Florida and are building coal to oil plants by the dozens. Whether Democrats or Republicans are in charge they both cave in to the radical environmentalist lobby which prevent access to Americas energy reserves - if we had started drilling in Alaska and offshore 10 years ago those supplies would now be holding gas prices down. Another problem is enviromental laws which require different formulations of gasoline - thats why it costs more in California than here - but hey, your saving the planet! Dont even get me started on the whole biofuel boondoggle that has sent food prices soaring. Even Fidel Castro warned this was a bad idea (never thought Id agree with that commie about anything!).

I sold my car and use buses to get to and from work and I still see 90% of the cars on the road with 1 driver and no passengers often with cell phone in hand. Why is that? I guess people can still afford gasoline and cell phones or they would be carpooling much more and ditching their cell phones. I still see people driving around in vehicles the size of army tanks. Why is that? When I walk to the grocery store on weekends I see the roads clogged with cars - why is that? People complain alot but still havent changed their habit of driving around whenever they feel like it. Until demand falls and energy supplies increase, prices will remain high.

For the Obama groupies: Good luck powering your house with wind and solar under Obama (if he wins) because thats what your in for. I once checked on the cost of whole house solar - $25,000 (not counting maintenance costs). My electric bill is $50/month - it would take 40+ years to break even. How much sun does Pittsburgh get in winter and how much wind in the summer? And if oil companies are taxed out of existence it will be like the Carter years only much worse - study the history of the Carter windfall profits tax and the resulting gas shortages - I was young back then but I do remember my father only being able to buy gas on certain days of the week and Jimmy Carter on TV telling us to wear sweaters and freeze to death by turning down the heat. If you want a preview of life under Obama just look at the wonders that are North Korea (Orwellian Socialist police state- fun place), Cuba (people die trying to flee that socialist paradise), Venezuela (Hugo Chavez, hero of the Hollywood left, now forces people to spy on each other or go to prison for 4 years and food rationing has begun) and Zimbabwe (1,000,000% inflation -but heck they kicked the white farmers off the land so thats the price they paid) $4 gasoline doesnt seem that bad any more does it? Take a moment, count your blessings and thank God you are an American.

Don Meyer, Pittsburgh PA

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I recently purchased a home and my work commute grew from 10 minutes round trip to an hour or more. How do I deal? I plan ahead - make a list of everything that I need to do and everywhere I need to go, and I do it in one trip. What I'm also doing is taking responsibility for my actions, doing my part to be more efficient, and supporting the plans and research that would allow for increased renewable energy and decreased dependency on traditional energy sources. I'm not defending Mr. Bush nor am I foolishly expecting prices to magically shrink with the suggestion of a President Obama.

However, neglecting the crucial factors--such as the impact that global demand has on supply and prices--is ignorant to the fundamental problem.

Eric Spaulding, Penn Hills

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My commute to work is 116 miles round trip and was costing me a "car payment" each month to travel, not to mention the wear and tear on my automobile. However, the organization I work for allowed a Vanpool company to advertise their product. Now, I along with 8 other co-workers meet at a park-n-ride and vanpool to work. The cost is minimal to lease and gas the van, and now I am only putting 18 miles a day on my vehicle.

Michael M. Bierce, Brighton Heights

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It is imperative that every American express their outrage over these destructive and predatory practices of the oil companies. Me, I've basically stopped driving altogether, except when absolutely necessary. If everyone did the same the oil companies would have no choice but to lower prices. However, the most damaging affect of these ridiculous prices will be on tourism during the summer season. Nobody can afford to go anywhere on vacation. Nice legacy, Mr. Bush!

Larry Zalewski, Mt. Lebanon

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Hello,

My home and workplace are about a mile apart, so the gas crisis hasn't been as big of a hit to my wallet. However, I still feel as though I have a responsibility to reduce my fuel consumption. I bicycle to work about 3 times per week, and run any "light" errands by bicycle. I've also cut out nonessential running around by car, ie., shopping especially... I really think twice before heading out across town.

Come winter, I plan to walk to work several days per week.

Thank you.

Jamie Phillips, Highland Park

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I am not able to visit my family in the state of Indiana as much as I would like. It's 425 miles away.

I think the best thing I have on my side to deal with the gas prices is to drive a fifteen year old Saab with a 4-cylinder and low horsepower.

I am also waiting for Barack Obama to become president, which I believe will give an immediate jolt to our economy. It may just affect our country psychologically to have someone else in office after 20 straight years of Bush's and Clintons. At least he may be willing to try a different approach to government and foreign policy, like opposing costly wars (that use huge amounts of fuel) and negotiating with oil producing countries (even, gasp...Iran).

Kris Embry, Lawrenceville

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Dealing with gas prices has been a struggle for me. I'm only 21 and was working 40 hour weeks at $9 an hour. I now have a second job that was supposed to be for me to get my own apartment but the extra money just ends up in my gas tank.

Most of my family lives 50 miles away from me and now I barely get to see them. I have to miss out on my nephews' baseball games, family get-togethers and watching my seven nieces and nephews from growing up because I just can't afford to drive there all that much. I used to go every weekend or a few times a week and now it has turned into a few times a month and holidays.

It is a shame that I have to work two jobs and miss out on so much because of the oil companies. I feel that the prices don't have to be that high and they just don't care about people like me. I can't take much more if the prices keep rising -- my options keep lowering and its just out of our hands. What a shame.

Robert Reese, Hazelwood