Fuel

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia has granted The Potomac Edison Company a $1 million increase in the fuel component of its rates, which means higher rates for its customers. The new rates went into effect Wednesday, according to a press release from Allegheny Energy Inc., of which Potomac Edison is a subsidiary. West Virginia residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month will see an average monthly bill increase of 34 cents, or 0.5 percent, from $66.61 to $66.95, according to the release.

Perhaps you've grown tired of riding an all-out sportbike on solo sojourns and would like to explore a ride that's more comfortable. A bike that allows for practical two-up travel without making any sacrifices in the performance department, and without moving onto a full dress cruising bike. Kawasaki introduced its Z750S to the U.S. last year, bringing to dealers a middleweight, modest-sized "naked" bike that combined sportbike performance attributes while providing a design that was comfortable enough for taking a companion on extended tours.

wandaw@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - Traffic moved at a snail's pace and the smell of diesel fuel filled the air Saturday morning following a diesel leak and accident on eastbound Interstate 70 near the Md. 65 exit. A small stretch in the far left lane where the fuel spilled was closed to traffic for close to three hours. Mark Anthony Deans of Middlesex, N.C., a driver for North Carolina-based J.R. Foster Trucking, was westbound on I-70 when he said he noticed the leak coming from his tractor-trailer.

Should you buy medicine or spend the money on fuel so you can be warm this winter? If you're a senior citizen, you know that giving up either one could be hazardous to your health. So what should you do? If you live in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, you might want to attend The Warming Hands and Hearts Summit. Organized with the help of state Sen. John Unger, it will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 220 W. Martin St. in Martinsburg, W.Va.

HANCOCK - Anyone wishing to participate in today's polar bear plunge into Lake Tonoloway on Woodmont Road may still due so by calling 301-678-6605 or 301-678-6175. The noon event is a fundraiser for the winter fuel assistance fund of the Interfaith Service Coalition. Sign-ups will be taken at the ISC office, 116 W. High St., or at the Triangle Restaurant on East Main Street. The plunge is co-sponsored by Pinnacle DJ, Tonoloway Rod and Gun Club and the Triangle Restaurant.

Governors spurn substance in favor of political sniping Like a bratty child who just won't be shushed, the "blame game" version of presidential politics elbowed its way onto center stage last Saturday at the opening of the National Governor's Conference, though neither one of the major party contenders was in attendance. When will they learn that rhetoric is less important than real accomplishment? To his credit, Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening tried to steer the talk back to the real issues, including the link between technology and economic growth and education's importance in preparing young people for a high-tech future.

Gas mistakenly sold as kerosene MARTINSBURG, W. Va. - Anyone who purchased kerosene at the Eagle Mart Citgo station in Eagle Plaza in Hedgesville between Oct. 25 and Oct. 29 is being asked to bring the fuel back because they might have gotten gasoline instead. "We don't know for sure that's what happened, but we'd rather be safe and not sorry," said Martha Simpson, president of Waremart, Inc., which owns the facility. "It was brought to our attention first thing (Monday)

Could the Yaris be exactly the right car at the right time? Toyota certainly thinks so and will introduce its newest subcompact fuel miser next spring to what it hopes will be an onslaught of customers eager to curb their gas-consumption habits in the face of steadily mounting energy bills. A renaissance of sorts in the pint-size automobile segment is already in full swing as the world demand for fossil fuel extracts an ever larger bite out of our wallets. The coming year will see fresh entries from both Kia and Hyundai that will join the existing crop of mighty mites from Chevrolet, Suzuki and Toyota-offshoot Scion.

chrisc@herald-mail.com Your body is basically a machine, and sugar is its fuel. It works like this: Imagine yourself driving to work. Your car needs gasoline, so you stop at the service station. The pump offers regular gas or high-test racing fuel. You say, "What the heck?" and put some racing fuel in the tank. Power surges into the engine and you roar down the road with a big grin on your face. But five minutes later, your car slows down. You're just puttering along.

With gas prices near historic highs in the U.S., many people are feeling the pinch. That's especially true as we head into the vacation season, when most Americans do most of their driving. The prospect of pricey fill-ups threatens to turn this into the summer of our discontent. High gas prices hit hardest the vehicles that are least fuel efficient. That description applies to two of the most popular forms of transportation in this country - pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles.